A articulating hemiarthroplasty prosthesis (10) for use in arthroplasty is provided. The prosthesis includes a stem (12) for implantation at least partially within the medullary canal (14) of a long bone (16) and a collar (20). The collar (20) is operably associated with the stem (12) and extends outwardly therefrom. At least a portion of the collar (20) includes a resorbable material. The prosthesis includes a head (30) and a cup (46) for engagement with the head (30).

This invention relates to implantable articles and methods for manufacturing such articles. More particularly, the invention relates to bone prosthesis and process for manufacturing the same.
There are known to exist many designs for and methods for manufacturing implantable articles, such as bone prostheses. Such bone prostheses include components of artificial joints, such as elbows, hips, knees and shoulders. An important consideration in the design and manufacture of virtually any implantable bone prosthesis is that the bone prosthesis has adequate fixation when implanted within the body.
Early designs of implantable articles have relied upon the use of cements such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) to anchor the implant. The use of such cements can have some advantages, such as providing a fixation that does not develop free play or does not lead to erosion of the joining faces postoperatively. Maintaining a load or force at the cement bone interface assists in providing for good fixation and to prevent motion.
To assist in maintaining the load at the cement bone interface tapered, some highly polished stems have been designed without a proximal collar to permit the subsidence within the cement mantle. The stems are thus permitted to move distally with respect to the resected bone. Long term controlled subsidence within the cement mantle minimizes cement abrasion.
Without a collar, however, the surgeon is intra-operatively challenged to position these stems both axially and rotationally. A less than ideal position of the stem within the bone, also known as malposition, has been shown to limit the patients range of motion by inducing improper leg length, inadequate lateral stem offset or non-anatomical version of the stem.
Inadequate pressurization of the cement within the femoral canal has also been documented as a potential cause of improper cement technique. Centralization of the stem within the cement mantle is also critical for successful results. Non-uniform or excessively thin cement/stem/bone interfaces may lead to high internal stresses and subsequent cracks. Cement debris generation due to abrasion has also been shown to produce excessive third-body wear of the polyethylene acetabular components as well as potentially induce osteolytic reactions and bone resorptions that may lead to stem loosening. One single femoral stem that can singly address these critical issues is the intended solution.
The proper distribution of stresses within the prosthesis and throughout the surrounding bone is a problem in the use of known hip joint systems. If too little stress is applied to the bone, resorption can occur leading to atrophy of the affected area. Too much stress may result in an undesirable hypertrophy of the affected area. In some prior art, femoral stem designs' excess forces are transmitted through the relatively rigid stem to the distal portion, resulting in hypertrophy of the bone surrounding the distal portion, and atrophy of the bone surrounding the proximal portion of the stem.
Attempts have been made to provide for a proper amount of stress on the cement mantle of prosthesis. For example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,171,275 and 5,290,318 both to Ling, et al, incorporated herein by reference, disclose a tapered, collarless femoral hip joint prosthesis formed of cobalt chromium-molybdenum alloy with a highly polished surface. The stem is tapered in the anterior/posterior and medial/lateral directions and has rounded corners.
The tapered collarless design permits the polished stem to subside within the cement mantle. The taper of the stem permits it to self-tighten upon the slight movement which occurs during the subsidence and engage in the hollow centralizer and yet to do so without pulling the cement mantle and avoiding the disruption of the micro interlocking at the cement bone interface.
This design causes the stem to impart primary compressive forces against the cement mantle thus transmitting the load to the femur. Transmitting the load in this manner forces the cement mantle continuously, snuggly, and firmly against the interior of the femur to assist in maintaining the integrity of microlocking at the cement bone interface.
Utilizing devices such as those shown in Ling without a collar, however, the surgeon is intra-operatively challenged to position the stems both axially and rotationally. The inability to properly position the prosthesis may limit the patient's range of motion by inducing, for example, improper leg length, inadequate lateral stem offset or none anatomical version of the stem. Conversely the inclusion of a collar on the femoral hip joint prosthesis may lessen or eliminate the ability of the femoral stem prosthesis to subside and impart the primary compressive forces against the cement mantle necessary to assure that the cement mantle continuously is snugly and firmly against the interior of the femur to maintain the integrity of the microlocking at the cement bone interface.
The devices as disclosed in the above mentioned Ling patents have been commercialized in the Zimmer CPT™ tapered highly polished stems. Other such stems include the Stryker Howmedica Exeter™ and the C-Stem™ (a DePuy product). These tapered highly polished stems have displayed clinical success, but have done so without the benefits of a collar. Because these designs lack consistent methods of proximal pressurization and centralization, cement mantle variability has been demonstrated. Meanwhile, collared stems such as the Charnley hip and its derivatives have also demonstrated excellent results, but do not have the additional advantage of controlled long-term subsidence.
Tapered highly polished stems have historically been designed without a proximal collar to prevent cement creep and long term, controlled subsidence within the cement mantle while simultaneously minimizing cement abrasion. Without the collar, however, the surgeon is intra-operatively challenged to position the stems both axially and rotationally. This malposition has been shown to limit the patient's range of motion by inducing improper leg length, inadequate lateral stem offset or non-anatomical version of the stem. Inadequate pressurization of the cement within the femoral canal has also been documented as a potential cause of improper cement technique.
Centralization of the stem within the stem mantle is also critical for success. Non-uniform or excessively thin cement mantles can induce high cement stresses and subsequent cracks that cause failure at the cement-stem-bone interfaces. Cement debris due to abrasions has also been shown to produce excessive third-body of polyethylene acetabular components as well as potentially induce osteolytic reactions and bone resorption that may lead to stem loosening. One single femoral stem that can singularly address these clinical issues is the intended solution.


A refrigerator with a home bar includes a main body of the refrigerator having a cooling chamber, a refrigerator door configured to open or close the cooling chamber and having an opening, and a home bar. The home bar includes a housing coupled to the opening and having a storage space therein, a home bar door for opening or closing the opening, and a home bar door driving unit for driving the home bar door to open or close the opening. Consequently, a gap increasing between the home bar door and the opening can be avoided so as to prevent leakage of cold air.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator with a home bar according to the related art, FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a home bar area of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an opening/closing unit of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a view showing an unlocked state of a rotational latch of FIG. 3. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the refrigerator with the home bar according to the related art may include a main body 11 of the refrigerator having a cooling chamber therein, a refrigerator door coupled to the main body 11 of the refrigerator to open or close the cooling chamber, i.e., a freezing chamber door 13 and a refrigerating chamber door 15 which open or close the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber, respectively, and a so-called home bar which is a refreshment center installed on the refrigerating chamber door 15.
A dispenser 18 which allows a user to take out ice and/or water with the refrigerating chamber door 13 closed may be defined on a front surface of the freezing chamber door 13.
The refrigerating chamber door 15 may include the home bar 20 from which a user can take out drinks or the like without opening the refrigerating chamber door 15. The home bar 20, as shown in FIG. 2, may include a housing 21 mounted at a rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door 15 to form a certain storage space 22, and a home bar door 25 for selectively opening/closing an opening 17 of the storage space 22. Drinks or the like may be stored in the storage space 22.
The opening 17 is formed to be stepped inwardly such that it can gradually be narrower in width. The home bar door 25 has a stepped portion 26 protruded to correspond to the shape of the opening 17 to prevent leakage of cold air when the home bar door 25 is closed.
Rotational shafts 27 may be formed at both lower sides of the home bar door 25. Each rotational shaft 27 may include a torsion spring 28 which applies an elastic force toward a direction in which the home bar door 25 is open.
A locking device 31 may be installed at an upper end of the home bar door 25 to allow the home bar door 25 to be selectively open or closed. The locking device 31 may include a rotational latch 33 coupled to the home bar door 25 to rotate based on a central axis, and a locking portion 35 fixed to the opening 17 of the refrigerating chamber door 15 and engaged with the rotational latch 33 to prevent the home bar door 25 from being unexpectedly opened. The rotational latch 33 may be provided with a torsion spring (not shown) disposed therein such that it can return to the original position thereof by an elastic force of the torsion spring after the rotation.
A handle 29 may be formed at the home bar door 25 to be movable. The handle 29 may be connected to one end of a handle connector 37, the other end of the handle connector 37 being connected to the rotational latch 33. When the handle 29 is drawn, the rotational latch 33 rotates in a direction in which the handle 29 is pulled. Accordingly, the rotational latch 33 is unlocked from the locking portion 35, by which the home bar door 25 may rotate downwardly.
When the home bar door 25 is open, the rotational latch 33 may return to the original position thereof by the torsion spring disposed inside thereof. When the home bar door 25 is closed again, an end of the rotational latch 33 comes in contact with an end of the locking portion 35. Here, upon applying a force more to the home bar door 25, the rotational latch 33 rotates in a direction opposite to the direction in which the home bar door 25 is open. When the rotational latch 33 rotates to be moved into the hollow space of the locking portion 35, the rotational latch 33 may return to its original position by the elastic force of the torsion spring. Accordingly, the locking portion 35 may come in contact with the rotational latch 33 so as to avoid the home bar door 25 from rotating downwardly.
However, the related art refrigerator with the home bar may have the following problems.
A user must inconveniently draw out the handle 29 to open the home bar door 25 and push the home bar door 25 to close it.
The storage space 22 is formed inside the refrigerating chamber door 15. Accordingly, in order to take items out of the storage space 22 or put items in the storage space 22, the user must put his hand into the storage space 22 with the refrigerating chamber door 15 open, which results in the user's inconvenience.
As the locking portion 31 of the home bar door 25 continues to be used, the elastic force of the torsion spring of the rotational latch 33 decreases, and thereby the rotational latch 33 is not maintained in the completely locked state to the locking portion 35. As a result, the home bar door 25 and the opening 17 come apart from each other to cause a gap to increase between the home bar door 25 and the opening 17, thereby causing leakage of cold air.


A composition as a strong surfactant such as a fluorosurfactant for breaking down the adhesive bond and removing cured silicone and other adhesives. The fluorosurfactant demonstrates improved effectiveness and rate of removal of these adhesives over all other known products currently available.

1. Scope of Invention
This invention relates generally to strong surfactants such as fluorosurfactants, and more particularly to such a composition which effectively and quickly breaks down the bond and removes cured silicone and other adhesives.
2. Prior Art
The present invention deals with the cleaning of surfaces which have been contaminated with silicone rubber, polyurethane adhesives and the like. Silicone rubbers, polymers and elastomers are chemically inert when cured and thus find wide application as a sealing and caulking agent for windows, tiles, bathtubs, stonewares, bricks and in the boat and automotive industries.
As a result of on-site usage, spills, smears and unwanted contamination of the surrounding surfaces such as glass, fiberglass, fabric, moldings, bricks, tiles and related surfaces, are likely to occur. The removal of such surplus, unsightly adhesive is normally accomplished by physical means, involving scrapers and abrasives which, at best, is slow and laborious.
Commercially available products such as the Amtex CCR silicone dissolver, although claiming to solubilize cured resins in a time period of one to eight hours at room temperature, is typically ineffective for this purpose based upon evaluation by applicant. In general, efforts to utilize this product to remove cured silicone stain have met with very limited success, if not unsuccessful altogether. Moreover, the Amtex CCR cleaner, as well as other marketed products, contain a solvent base of volatile liquid hydrocarbons which is environmentally undesirable.
The present invention is a result of development effort for a cleaner which would easily remove cured silicone rubbers, polymers, and elastomeric resins which would be efficient, fast and usable with a solvent which is ozone friendly and which is environmentally compatible. One embodiment also has a water soluble non-flammable solvent.

Silicone and adhesive removal composition


Methods and apparatus for inspecting surfaces are disclosed. The present invention provides a system which is particularly useful for inspecting the inner race of a bearing and uses two video probes to create dual displayed views of the inner surface. The bearing is slowly rotated and the entire surface of the inner race is visually inspected by viewing the images collected by the video probes. Preferably, a motorized stand and frame are provided that automatically rotate the bearing and automatically insert the video probes into the bearing respectively. The magnification provided by the video probes permits the detection of flaws invisible to the human eye, and in certain embodiments a scale on or adjacent to the video images is also provided so that the size of the defects viewed can also be accurately determined.

Bearings are a vital part of innumerable types of equipment. Ball bearings and roller bearings can be found in nearly every type of machine and device with rotating parts. Roller bearings are frequently specified when shock and impact loads are present, or when a large bearing is needed. Both ball and roller bearings generally consist of at least four elements: inner and outer bearing rings (also known as races), the rollers (or balls) and a cage (or bearing separator). The "cone" of a bearing consists of three of these elements: the inner ring, rollers and separator. The construction and function of ball and roller bearing assemblies is familiar to those of ordinary skill.
Although bearings are precisely constructed, failure after a certain point is inevitable. Such failure may be caused by foreign objects or due to flaws in the bearing components themselves. Other failure modes are simply caused by wear. However, if the advent of failure is discovered, most bearings can be removed from service and refurbished or rebuilt prior to a catastrophic failure that would at the very least require replacement of the bearings. It has therefore become recognized that bearings can be visually inspected and the amount of wear can be determined both qualitatively and quantitatively to permit a decision to be made about the remaining useful life of a bearing.
A critically important application of bearings and bearing inspections is found in rail cars. The loads carried by the wheels and axles of rail cars are enormous and the efficiency of the rolling stock is directly affected by the condition of the bearings. For this reason, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) has set forth a detailed set of requirements and standards for the inspection of roller bearings. See Association of American Railroads, Mechanical Division, Roller Bearing Manual, Section 1, pp. H-II-1 through H-II-16 (Oct. 1, 1989), which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. The definitions and terms set forth in the above-referenced AAR Manual are hereby adopted for purposes of describing the present invention. However, the use of the present invention is not meant to be limited to the types of bearings described in the AAR Manual.
Presently, the standard method used for inspecting roller bearing cones is by visual inspection. To perform the inspection, a roller bearing cone is placed on a back lit inspection stand. The inspection stand holds the cone in a manner that permits it to be rotated, and illuminates the bearing from behind to permit an inspector to view portions of the bearing. The inner ring is then rotated and the rollers and inner raceway are visually inspected by observing the back lit areas. However, certain areas of the inner raceway are indented and cannot be seen using the back-lit method since they are located outside the line of sight of the inspector. In order to inspect those areas of the inner raceway that cannot be seen, a pointed feeler gage is held over the area while the cone is being rotated. A defect, e.g., a spall, will cause the feeler gage to transmit a slight mechanical vibration to the hand of the inspector. By virtue of experience, the inspector can determine whether the defect indicated is condemnable and constitutes a reason to repair the bearing, or scrap the cone if the defect cannot be repaired. There are two main disadvantages associated with the visual procedures currently used to inspect bearings. First, the back-lit viewing stands do not provide a clear view of every portion of the critical components of the bearing. Second, those portions of the inspection carried out using a feeler gage rely upon the sensitivity, experience and the subjective judgment of the inspector.
One attempt to provide improved rail car bearing inspections is known as the "Santa Fe" method, which involves a device analogous to a phonograph turntable that rotates a bearing while a stylus traces a path across the race surfaces. The deflections of the stylus provide an analog signal that can be displayed on an oscilloscope as a measure of the relative smoothness of the path traced by the stylus. Using this system, it is possible to detect certain types of flaws by quantifying the permissible level of deflection as measured on the oscilloscope scale. However, since this method cannot detect those types of flaws that do not exhibit surface deformations, it can only be used to reject bearings prior to undertaking the abovedescribed manual/feeler gage inspection.
Thus, there exists a need to provide improved methods and apparatus for inspecting bearings. It would be desirable to visually inspect the entire surfaces of critical bearing components. It would also be desirable to provide an inspection procedure that did not rely on the subjective judgment of the inspector to determine the degree to which a defect affects a bearing on the basis of "feel." Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical display system for inspecting bearings. It is a further object of the present invention to permit bearing inspections to be carried out more rapidly and with greater accuracy, thereby increasing the overall efficiency of the bearing inspection and rebuilding operation.

Dual optic video display bearing inspection system


A diagnostic circuit for a potentiometer that connects a load resistor (laboratory resistor) to the slider of the potentiometer to allow a constant comparison of the contact resistance to measured values in the loaded and/or unloaded state when the slider is being adjusted, or when it is being paused at a critical point. This is accomplished by connecting a pull-up resistor to an input of the microprocessor, to which a load resistor is connected, and which is electrically connected to the slider. The slider itself is connected to an additional input of the microprocessor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a diagnosis circuit for a potentiometer, particularly in the areas of a potentiometer, where undefined states occur.
2. Description of the Background Art
Potentiometers are known to have, among other things, a carbon track (resistance track), along which a slider is guided to pick up a signal, and the track thereby has a track beginning and a track end, and thus has an area, over which, in the case of a single-turn potentiometer, the slider moves. When the slider makes contact with the carbon track, a defined contact resistance occurs which can be described as a linear curve. Only at the end of the path, or the beginning of the path does the contact resistance occasionally deviate to substantially higher values due to a minimal contact to the substrate. This increased contact resistance results in indefinable voltage values at the leap from start to end values at the transition point (blind spot). Practical experience has shown that in a subsequent AD (digital and analogous) transducer, an averaged value is registered, which the software interprets as a normal value, and which can deviate considerably. For this reason, for example, no unequivocal reading of a set value can be defined, which changes the reading at random. Frequently, this area is therefore circuit-technically masked out and is not utilized, or is positioned between two stop positions.
In DE 199 55 461 A1, a potentiometer of this class is described, which, together with a servomotor, is used as a servo device for a powered operation of baffles etc., for example. It is mentioned in the description that a small rotational angle of approximately 4 to 8 degrees, which occurs in single-turn potentiometers, is compensated for by electronics. However, no further details are provided.
From DE 197 38 050 A1, a circuit for generating and evaluating the measurement signals of a position sensor is known to identify errors which occur because the contact resistance between the resistor core and the pickup frequently changes in an undefined manner to a relatively large degree. The position sensor, essentially an adjustable resistor, is operated at a constant current to obtain a useful signal and a test or plausibility signal. For this purpose, the partial voltages caused by the partial resistances of the position sensor and the contact resistance between the pickup and the resistor core are registered, from which a useful signal, which depends on the position of the pickup, but which is unaffected by the contact resistance, as well as a test signal that is dependent from the contact resistance, is generated. That is, the supply currents of the potentiometer are utilized in the evaluation.
EP 0 354 269 B1 discloses a circuit arrangement for monitoring the contact resistance of a potentiometer serving as a position transmitter. Based on the fact that contact resistances can form between the resistance track and the slider moving thereupon, which alter the original assignment of slider position and voltage level, an increase in the contact resistance is already registered when a safety-critical level has not been reached yet. In a control device, a current sensing resistor, among other things, is inserted between a terminal for the supply voltage for the potentiometer and an OP amplifier, the voltage drop of which can be fed via an input to a microprocessor as a representative signal for the current flowing via the parallel connection from the potentiometer and an adjusting resistor.
The two last-mentioned solutions deal with calculating the influence of the contact resistance of the potentiometer in an adjustment range within the boundaries of the substrate, that is, by recognizing when it is too big.


A synchronization device for use on recreational vehicles having slide out rooms that keeps the slide out room properly aligned with the frame of the recreational vehicle in order to ensure smooth operation. The device of the present invention includes a pair of elongated extensible members that connect the moveable frame to the fixed frame. Each of the members includes an inner end pivotally mounted to the fixed frame and an outer end pivotally mounted to the moveable frame, with the extensible members being shiftable between a folded, shortened position and an unfolded, extended position as the slide out room is extended. Each extensible member includes a hollow outer leg an extensible inner leg that is telescopically disposed within the outer leg. A pinion interconnects the extensible members and synchronizes the extension and retraction of the inner legs relative to the outer legs, and also synchronizes the folding or unfolding of the extensible members. Thus, the moveable frame remains parallel to and aligned with the fixed frame at all times.

One common application of moveable frame assemblies is found on recreational vehicles and manufactured housing units. Because the maximum allowable width of recreational vehicles is limited by the width of the roads and highways, many recreational vehicles are equipped with one or more slide out rooms. These slide out rooms can be retracted into the main living quarters when the recreational vehicle is moved, and can then be extended from the main living quarters to provide auxiliary living space when the recreational vehicle is parked for use.
The moveable frames used to support these slide out rooms need to be kept in precise alignment relative to the fixed frame of the recreational vehicle in order to ensure that the moveable frame extends and retracts smoothly. Unfortunately, because slide out rooms are heavy and rather cumbersome, the rooms are liable to twist slightly as they are extended or retracted, which causes the room to bind or get stuck, thus damaging the room, the support system, or the hydraulic cylinders typically used to move the room. Therefore, in order to prevent these problems, either the forces used to extend or retract the slide out room must be equally applied to both sides of the frame, or the forces must be somehow synchronized so that both ends of the moveable frame move in tandem, such that the moveable frame remains parallel to and aligned with the fixed frame at all times.
A variety of synchronization and alignment systems have been used in the past, ranging from rack and pinion systems to cable and pulley arrangements. Each of the prior art alignment systems require a great deal of space underneath the vehicle, such as between the two main rails that form the frame of the vehicle. Unfortunately, the space between the main rails is typically occupied by storage tanks, heating ducts, plumbing, wiring, cross braces, and other obstructions. Furthermore, this space is frequently enclosed by an "underbelly" that protects the above items from dust, road grime, and the weather, and consequently the installation, adjustment, and maintenance of the alignment and synchronization systems is greatly impeded. Also, because the enclosed space sometimes is heated, systems that penetrate the space cause heat loss and provide an avenue for dust, dirt, and moisture to penetrate the protected area.
Some prior art systems use a pair of hydraulic cylinders to extend and retract the slide out room, which divides the force between two attachment points. However, a complex system of valves is required in order to ensure that the two cylinders extend and retract in unison. The use of two hydraulic cylinders and the need for valves to synchronize the cylinders greatly increases the installation and maintenance costs of such a system. Thus, the prior art alignment systems are expensive, difficult to fabricate and install, difficult to maintain, and prone to alignment and stability problems. Accordingly, there exists a need for an alignment mechanism that is more reliable and easier to install and maintain than are the systems referred to above.
The alignment and synchronization mechanism of the present invention is designed to alleviate the problems outlined above. The present invention utilizes two extensible members that are pivotally connected to each other in scissors type fashion, and which connect the moveable frame to the fixed frame. Each extensible member has a hollow outer leg and an extending inner leg that is telescopically disposed within the hollow outer leg when the moveable frame is in a folded or retracted position. The inner legs gradually extend out of their corresponding outer legs as the moveable frame is moved away from the fixed frame, which in effect lengthens each extensible member as the slide out room is extended and the moveable frame moves away from the fixed frame. The extension or retraction of the inner legs, as well as the unfolding or folding of the outer legs, are synchronized by a central pinion that connects the two extensible legs to each other. As the slide out room is extended, the pinion gradually feeds both inner legs out of their outer legs at the same rate. When the slide out room is retracted, the pinion ensures that the inner legs retract back into the outer legs at the same rate. The pinion engages a rack on each of the inner legs, and thus any movement of one inner leg produces a corresponding movement of the other inner leg. The pinion engages slots in the outer legs, which ensures that the outer legs fold and unfold at the same rate. Thus, as the extensible legs pivot towards or away from the fixed frame both legs are always at an equal angle relative to the fixed frame, which keeps the moveable frame parallel to the fixed frame at all times, and which prevents the moveable frame from moving forward or backward relative to the fixed frame. Furthermore, the synchronizing mechanism of the present invention operates independently of the system used to support the slide out room, and therefore the present invention can be used on any of the prior art room support systems.
The present invention is also much more stable than existing mechanisms such as the conventional scissors type mechanisms. On conventional scissors mechanisms having four attachment points, one of the attachment points on each of the fixed frame and the moveable frame must be slotted so that the attachment points can slide closer together as the frame is extended, which effectively makes the frame narrower and less rigid. By comparison, on the present invention all of the attachments are pin type connections, which are more precise and loss prone to wear than are slotted connections. Also, by virtue of the extensible legs, the synchronizing mechanism of the present invention has a wide stance that does not narrow as the room is extended, and thus the slide out room is very stable in all positions.
Furthermore, because none of the attachment points on the present invention are slotted, the central pivot point on the synchronizing mechanism does not move forward or backward relative to the fixed frame as the room is extended or retracted. Accordingly, the hydraulic cylinder does not need to pivot relative to the frame but instead can be rigidly mounted to the fixed frame which reduces wear and tear. Finally, in one embodiment of the present invention a drive rack carried by the hydraulic cylinder connects directly to and drives the synchronizing pinion. By virtue of the extensible legs, the moveable frame thus travels further than the stroke of the piston, which allows the use of a smaller, more compact, and less expensive hydraulic cylinder.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved synchronization mechanism for slide out rooms.
It is another object of this invention to provide a synchronization mechanism that equally divides the force used to extend and/or retract the slide out room between two attachment points.
It is another object of this invention to provide a synchronizing mechanism having extensible legs which are power driven by a short stroke hydraulic cylinder.
A further object of this invention is to provide a synchronization mechanism having a pair of extensible legs synchronized by a central pinion such that any movement of one leg produces a corresponding movement in the other leg.
These and other objects of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following description.

Synchronization device for a slide out room


An encryption template has a grid of permanent openings thereon forming several arrays which are symmetrically located about a rotational axis, and members for selectively marking certain of the openings to be used for coding a message. Indicia carried on the template and the members facilitate the selection of the openings.

In U.S. Pat. No. 166,761 there is described an encryption apparatus which comprises a square plate which is divided by an even number of columns and an equal number of rows to form a grid of squares. Openings are provided in one quarter of the squares, through each of which openings a character forming part of a message can be written. A board having a grid of squares constructed as above will have a rotational axis locating at the point of intersection of the bisectors of adjacent sides of the grid, which bisectors in effect divide the board into four notional quadrants. The position of the openings is selected so that if it is considered that the quadrants were independently rotatable about the notional axis so as to be superposed, no opening would coincide with any other opening. Otherwise expressed, the openings have a perfect rotational asymmetry on the board.
The board is used by writing a character at a time through the openings, which in the illustrative example of the patent are one hundred and forty four in number. The board is then rotated about its rotational axis through ninety degrees (in the patent a locating holder being used) and the next group of one hundred and forty four characters are written, and so on until the board has been rotated through one complete revolution.
The columns and rows of the board are each numbered sequentially, whereby the coordinates of any opening can be readily identified for future reference or for transmission to another person for use in decoding the message. The number of different combinations of openings is very high even where the grid of squares is relatively small, and considerable difficulty arises in ensuring the condition of perfect asymmetry of the location of the openings where this is attempted in a haphazard manner. Moreover, there is no provision for changing the location of the openings in a board. Additionally, the method requires the use of a tool for cutting openings in the board.
In U.S. Pat. No. 156,851 an encryption board which is generally of a similar nature to that described above but which includes indicia repeated in a rotationally symmetrical manner in each quadrant, and the patentee describes a method of selecting the position of openings that will ensure a perfect rotational asymmetry. The method involves making up a table, transferring information from the table to the board, and then cutting openings through the board. This method remains relatively time consuming, and does not overcome the others of the above mentioned drawbacks.


A stator bar. The stator bar may include a number of conductors and an insulation layer positioned about the conductors. The insulation layer includes a ceramic component.

Insulation materials for electrical machines such as generators, motors, and transformers generally include a glass cloth and/or a combination of a glass cloth, a resin binder, a mica tape, and similar materials. Such insulating materials generally need to have the mechanical and the physical properties that can withstand the various electrical rigors of the electrical machines while providing adequate insulation. In addition, the insulation materials should withstand extreme operating temperature variations and provide a long design life.
In recent years, the thermal conductivity of general insulation has improved from about 0.3 W/mK to about 0.5 W/mK (Watts per meter per degrees Kelvin) via the addition of high thermal conductivity fillers. Specifically with respect to stator bars, however, E-glass (electrical fiberglass) generally is used to insulate the conductors, as a vertical separator, and as a backer in insulating tapes. Such E-Glass may have a thermal conductivity of about 0.99 W/mK. Similarly, a Dacron glass (Daglass) also may be used. Daglass may have a thermal conductivity of about 0.4 W/mK.
By reducing the thermal resistance of the stator bar components, improved heat transfer may be obtained between the stator bar conductors and the stator core. Specifically, the current density of the copper conductor may be increased by effectively cooling the conductors. There is thus a desire for even further thermal conductivity improvements so as to produce more power from a smaller unit at a more economical cost or at a higher efficiency from an existing unit.

Stator bar components with high thermal conductivity


A multifunctional power jack comprises a main body, having a front part and a rear part with grooves, a front cover, a sensor protection circuit, an electrical noise suppression circuit, and a power indicator circuit, electrically connected with said sensor protection circuit and said electrical noise suppression circuit, so that supplied devices are protected from overload, electric noise is minimized and applied electric voltage is indicated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multifunctional power jack, particularly to a multifunctional power jack having a sensor protection circuit, an electrical noise suppression circuit and a power indicator circuit.
2. Description of Related Art
In modern life, everyone needs to use electricity, while the known way of how to obtain electric power is generally restricted to plugging into a power jack. Common people don't have an idea of design and structure of electrical supply. Particularly, as far as safety installations, fuses are relied on. Fuses cut off electric power if overload happens, thereby protecting electrical devices and preventing fire. However, today's quality of electrical supply is faulty, furthermore, occasionally spikes in drawn power occur, e.g., upon starting of an electric motor, in which case cutting off of power would be inconvenient. Therefore, nominal capacity of a given electrical device is hard to specify, which carries the risk of wrong assessments and even subsequent disasters.
Therefore, there is a need to improve on conventional power supplies at the point of power jacks.


A wavelength-variable light source is configured to emit a light with a wavelength (λ), which is variable within a scan width (Δλ). An interferometer has a coherent length (ΔL), which is determinable from (Δλ) and (λ). A controller determines an appropriate magnitude of the scan width (Δλ) while a CCD camera captures a fringe image in an exposure time (Te), which is set longer than a time for wavelength scanning.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an interferometer for use in measurement of the shape of a measuring object based on interference fringes, and a shape measuring method using the interferometer.
2. Description of the Related Art
An interferometer for use in measurement of flatness generally incorporates a high-coherence light source such as a He—Ne laser. On measurement of a parallel glass substrate, however, a light reflected from a front surface to be measured (a target surface) and a light reflected from an undesired, rear surface may interfere with each other, resulting in interference noises. The use of a low-coherence light source may prevent a rear-surface reflection from causing interference noises if a coherent length ΔL is determined sufficiently shorter than an optical path length d of light traveling between the front/rear surfaces (see JP-A 2001-91223).
On the other hand, a coherent length ΔL determined too shorter is not available in measurement unless a difference between an optical path length of a measurement light and an optical path length of a reference light (an optical path difference) is determined less than the coherent length ΔL. Therefore, this makes it difficult to measure a target surface with large waviness and requires strict efforts by a skilled worker on setting of a measuring object.

Interferometer and shape measuring method


Disclosed are systems and method for providing feedback to a user. In one embodiment, a system and a method pertain to analyzing levels of focus of discrete portions of an image, evaluating a relative focus of the image portions, and identifying to a user the image portions having the highest level of focus.

Most cameras, including digital cameras, comprise an autofocus feature with which objects in a viewed scene can be automatically focused by the camera. The autofocus functionality can either be continuous, wherein the camera continually adjusts the camera focus as the viewed scene changes, or single, wherein autofocusing only occurs when a user depresses (e.g., halfway depresses) a shutter button.
Irrespective of the autofocus mode that is used, focusing is typically achieved by analyzing the viewed scene with a focusing algorithm. In particular, discrete portions of the viewed scene are analyzed independently and values are assigned to each as to the degree of focus that is observed. These portions may comprise portions of the entire scene, or only a part of it (e.g., the center of the scene). The values are assigned to the various analyzed portions by evaluating the perceived sharpness of objects in each portion. After the analysis has been conducted and values assigned, the lens system is manipulated to alter the focus, and the analysis is conducted again to generate new values for the various portions. The new values for the portions are then compared to those previously assigned to the respective portions to determine whether the focus improved or got worse. This process continues until the optimum focus has been determined.
The autofocus method described above works well in most conditions. Sometimes, however, unintended results can occur. For example, in situations in which the subject (e.g., a person) is in the foreground of a viewed scene, but higher contrast objects are in the background, the camera may, contrary to the user's intent, focus on the background instead of the subject. To cite another example, if the subject is to the side within a viewed scene, the background (which occupies the center of the framed scene) may be used as the object of interest by the autofocus system. Therefore, if the user's friend stands before a mountain range but is not in the center of the composed shot, it is likely that the mountain range, and not the friend, will be in focus.
Although such problems can typically be avoided by first focusing only on the subject, locking the focus (e.g., by pressing the shutter button halfway), and then composing the picture before capturing an image, most casual camera users are not that savvy. Therefore, many users capture images in which objects are out-of-focus.
One benefit of digital cameras is that they allow the user to immediately view a captured shot. Despite this capability, the user is not likely to detect an out-of-focus condition in that the displays of most cameras are too small, and their resolutions are too low, for the user to readily identify this condition. The situation is even worse when the display is used to compose the shot. In that live view images shown in the display while a picture is being composed are typically very low resolution images (to enable images to be shown real time), it is very difficult for the user to tell whether the subject is or is not in focus.

System and method for providing camera focus feedback

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


When a graphics processor is processing data for an application on a host processor, the graphics processor generates in advance of their being required for display by the application a plurality of frame sequences corresponding to a plurality of different possible “future states” for the application. The graphics processing system, when producing a frame in a sequence of frames corresponding to a given future state for the application, determines one or more region(s) of the frame that are to be produced at a first, higher quality, and producing the determined region(s) of the frame at a first, higher quality, whereas other regions of the frame are produced at a second, lower quality.

The technology described herein relates to graphics processing systems, and in particular to graphics processing systems comprising a host processor that executes applications such as games and a graphics processor that is operable to generate frames (e.g., for display to a user) for an application executing on the host processor.
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system on chip (SoC) graphics processing system 10 that comprises a host processor comprising a central processing unit (CPU) 1, a graphics processing unit (GPU) 2, a display controller 4, and a memory controller 6. The exemplary graphics processing system 10 may also comprise a video engine 3. As shown in FIG. 1, these units communicate via an interconnect 5 and have access to off-chip memory 7. In this system, the graphics processing unit (GPU) 2 will render frames (images) to be displayed, and the display controller 4 will then provide the frames to a display panel 8 for display.
In use of this system, an application such as a game, executing on the host processor (CPU) 1 will, for example, require the display of frames on the display 8. To do this, the application will submit appropriate commands and data to a driver for the graphics processing unit (GPU) 2 that is executing on the CPU 1. The driver will then generate appropriate commands and data to cause the graphics processing unit (GPU) 2 to render appropriate frames for display and to store those frames in appropriate frame buffers, e.g. in the main memory 7. The display controller 4 will then read those frames into a buffer for the display from where they are then read out and displayed on the display panel of the display 8.
The graphics processing system 10 will be configured to provide frames for display, and the graphics processing unit (GPU) 2 will correspondingly be configured to render frames, at an appropriate rate, such as 30 frames per second.
In FIG. 1 the display controller 4 is provided as part of the same system on chip (SoC) as the host processor (CPU) 1 and graphics processing unit (GPU) 2 such that the processing for producing the frames to be displayed for the application (e.g. game) is performed locally to the control of which frames are displayed, e.g. as part of a dedicated gaming console.
There may be a significant amount of processing power required for producing frames for display for a given application, e.g., and especially, for modern gaming applications. This has typically required a user to have a relatively high-end (expensive) hardware system such as a dedicated gaming console in order to provide a smooth gaming experience.
More recently, it has therefore been proposed to move at least some of the processing into the cloud (e.g.), such that the application is executed, and the frames produced for display, remotely from the display. This allows at least some of the processing burden to be shifted from the user's device to the cloud server, thereby potentially avoiding the need for the user to purchase an expensive hardware system such as a dedicated games console.
This is illustrated in FIG. 2. In the exemplary graphics processing system 20 shown in FIG. 2, the central processing unit (CPU) 21 that is hosting the application and the graphics processing unit (GPU) 22 that is performing graphics processing for the central processing unit (CPU) 21 reside in the cloud, whereas the display processor 24 resides on a client device 30, which may, e.g., comprise a user's personal computing device such as a smartphone or tablet.
An application such as a game is thus primarily executed at the server 50 and, in a similar fashion as described above in relation to FIG. 1, the graphics processing unit (GPU) 22 in the server 50 performs the desired graphics processing for the application to generate a sequence of frames for display. In FIG. 2, the frames are then transmitted over a suitable, e.g. wireless, network connection 52 to the client device 30 where the frames are processed for display by the display processor 24 and then displayed to the user via a suitable display panel 28.
In this way the bulk of the processing can be performed in the cloud rather than on the user's device (with a corresponding increase in bandwidth for transmitting the produced frames over the network connection).
However, this approach can introduce problems of latency, e.g., such that the user will have a poor experience, especially where the user is located far from the cloud server.
This latency may be especially significant for gaming systems, as mentioned above, as well as for virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) systems, where the content of the frames that need to be generated for the application depends in part on the actions of the user and wherein it is desired to minimise latency between the user taking an action and the consequential frames being generated (input latency), to provide as near to a real-time experience as possible.
The Applicants believe there remains scope for improved methods of operating graphics processing systems, for example in the case where the graphics processing is performed remotely to a display device.
Like reference numerals are used for like components where appropriate in the drawings.


The device is a helmet-mounted or helmet-integrated combination personnel marker/identification light and active “Identification Friend or Foe” (IFF) infrared interrogation and response device. The IFF function provides acquisition and processing of an incoming IR laser IFF interrogation and then sends one or more user-defined responses to the interrogator and/or the user/wearer. A photo sensor array is designed to detect and identify incoming infrared signals. The array is arranged to provide omni-directional, line-of-sight sensing over more than a full hemisphere. A detachable user feedback module comprised of a vibratory pad and cable provides a user/wearer alert when infrared interrogation has been detected. An operating status switch allows the user/wearer to confirm that the device is in an active mode.

The present invention relates to a helmet-mounted or helmet-integrated combination marker light and active "Identification Friend or Foe" (IFF) infrared laser acquisition and response device.
The device is a combination helmet-mounted or helmet-integrated marker light and active "Identification Friend or Foe" (IFF) infrared acquisition and response device that provides acquisition and processing of an incoming infrared (IR) laser IFF interrogation and then sends one or more user-defined responses to either or both the interrogator and the user/wearer. The device combines multiple passive visible and infrared marking/emission capabilities (also referred herein as "functions") with the ability to acquire and recognize interrogation from remote infrared (IR) lasers (usually weapon or vehicle-mounted) and to provide automatic responses that provide both an infrared "I am friendly—do not shoot" signal to the interrogator and a tactile, visual or aural notification to the user/wearer that he/she has been interrogated. The marking/emission capability of the device is multi-mode and multi-functional with dual user-selectable operating modes and at least two user-selectable functions within each operating mode; the "IFF" capability of the device is user-defined to respond to user-selected, specific IR laser interrogation devices or other devices that provide means to interrogate with user-defined IR laser frequency, wavelength, and/or modulation characteristics.
It is an object of the invention to provide a photo sensor array to acquire and process incoming infrared laser signals from any line-of-sight direction and then to emit a response to that incoming signal that will communicate to the source of the incoming signal (the interrogator) that the invention is being worn by a "friendly" combatant.
It is another object of the invention to provide electronic means to alert the user/wearer of the invention with tactile, visual and/or aural signals that the device has received an incoming infrared laser interrogation signal.
It is another object of the invention to provide the user/wearer with an operating status check (OSC) switch to confirm that the device is in an active, already-operating mode including visible or infrared emission functions and/or IFF interrogation reception mode.
It is an another object of the invention to provide a low profile housing with a curved, minimally obstructive shape on all sides and edges to mount on helmets or other equipment or structures, and particularly to provide minimal snag potential or interference with objects that may be encountered during ground combat operations or parachuting, including interference with parachute lines and risers.
It is another object of the invention to provide the ability to select between two distinct and independent operating modes (e.g., overt and covert) with two or more discreet visible and/or infrared function profiles within each operating mode, and to effectively separate and segregate these independent sets of functions by two separate mechanical switching means.
It is another object of the invention to provide a variety of emitters to allow a user-defined selection of different functions in the visible and/or infrared spectrum.
It is another feature of the invention to (a) preclude snag-prone protuberances which otherwise might violate the curvilinear, dome-like shape of the exposed surfaces of the device and thus further reduce potential interference (snagging) on external objects which could cause injury to the user/wearer, and (b) provide an uninterrupted curvilinear, dome-like surface through which emitted light may radiate in substantially all directions defined by line-of-sight visual access to the invention in its mounted/installed condition.
It is another feature of the invention to be configured so as to facilitate secure, conformal mounting directly to the helmet or helmet cover through interfacing means such as mating hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro®), patches, self-adhesive features, or intermediate attachment means.
It is another feature of the invention to be configured so as to facilitate secure, conformal mounting to standard attachment means built onto the helmet structure (e.g., Picatinny rails) via intermediate security means.
It is another feature of the invention to be configured as a purpose-built modular device designed to interface with attachment/interface features integrated directly into the helmet structure and specifically designed to secure the invention to the helmet.

Combination marker light and infrared interrogation device


A preferred method for determining the flow fraction of a mixture of water, gas and oil in a hydrocarbon reservoir includes measuring pressure and density of the mixture over time, determining a function which approximates a relationship between the density and pressure measurements, calculating a derivative of the function over time, and determining flow fraction based, in part, on the derivative. Preferably, transient data points are eliminated and the remaining set of data points are weight averaged to improve signal to noise ratio. Bubble point pressure, bubble point density and molecular weight and density of the liquid portion of the mixture are also used in the determination.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates broadly to the hydrocarbon industry. More particularly, this invention relates to methods and apparatus for the real-time interpretation of data from a downhole flow meter for multiphase mixtures in a hydrocarbon well.
2. State of the Art
The measurement of oil, water, and gas flow rate in each producing zone of an oil well is important to the monitoring and control of fluid movement in the well and reservoir. In addition to a flow meter, each zone may have a valve to control the fluid inlet from that zone. By monitoring flow rates of oil and water from each zone and reducing flow from those zones producing the highest water cut (i.e., ratio of water flow rate to total flow rate), the water production of the entire well can be controlled. This allows the reservoir oil to be swept more completely during the life of the well. In addition, by monitoring flow rates of oil and water from particular zones, zonal allocation of the oil production can be controlled.
Ideally, a flow meter in such an installation should satisfy several criteria:                1) it should be extremely reliable and operate for years at downhole temperatures and pressures;        2) it should operate in both stratified (near-horizontal) and dispersed flow regimes over a wide range of total flow rate and cut;        3) it should not require that the completion be oriented azimuthally in any particular way during installation;        4) it should not require licensing of radioactive sources; and        5) it should allow small changes in water cut and flow rate to be detected.
Co-owned British Patent GB2351810 (International Publication Number WO 00/68652), the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, discloses a method and apparatus for determining the flow rates of fluid phases in a pipe containing multiple fluid phases (e.g. oil, water, and gas). A Venturi is provided to measure total volumetric flow rate measurement and a holdup measurement is taken at a location 0-20 (and preferably 3-10) pipe diameters downstream of the Venturi. In a producing well, the volume fraction of a specific fluid phase in the upward moving flow stream is called "holdup" (e.g., water holdup, oil holdup). The relative quantities of the fluids produced at the surface are related to the holdup and upward velocity of each phase. The holdup measurement is made at a downstream location where a substantial amount of mixing occurs and the difference between the velocities of the fluid phases can effectively be ignored. The flow rates of the phases can thus be determined directly from the holdup measurements. The apparatus disclosed is referred to as the "Flow Watcher Densitometer" or "FWD" (a trademark of Schlumberger).
Prior art FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the FWD. The FWD combines a Venturi 110 with a simple gamma-ray attenuation density measurement. A differential pressure sensor 130 measures the pressure drop between the inlet 112 (at port 132) and the Venturi throat 116 (at port 134). A flow instability develops as the flow exits from the Venturi diffuser 118. A source of gamma-rays 142 is provided which is preferably 133Ba, (although 137CS or other isotopes can also be used). A gamma-ray detector 144, preferably an NaI (Tl) scintillation detector, is placed diametrically opposite the source 142. The gamma-ray source 142 and detector 144 are preferably placed at a particular location which is a distance 0-20 times (and preferably 3-10 times) the downstream pipe diameter 124. With no fluid in the pipe, gamma-rays from the source travel across the pipe and are detected in the gamma-ray detector with a certain rate Rs. With fluid in the pipe, the gamma-rays are scattered and absorbed according to the density of the fluid, with the result that the detection rate R is reduced according to Equation (1) for typical borehole fluids:R=Rse−τρd  (1)where d is the diameter of the pipe, ρ is the average density of fluid along the path between source and detector, and τ is the mass attenuation coefficient, which is essentially constant.
Equation (1) may be used to calibrate the device (i.e., determine Rs) with a known fluid such as water. Thus, the average oil holdup or water holdup of a mixture of oil and water along the attenuation path of the gamma-rays (across the diameter of the pipe) can be calculated from the mixture density. This holdup, which is the average along the attenuation path, is equal to the pipe area averaged holdup because the oil and water are mixed relatively thoroughly throughout the pipe cross-section. It has been found on the basis of flow loop experiments that this condition is satisfied approximately 3-10 pipe diameters downstream of the downstream end of the Venturi diffuser even if the flow entering the Venturi is stratified. However, a substantial improvement in the accuracy of determining the relative flow rates of water and oil can be obtained under some circumstances by measuring the holdup at any location from just downstream of the Venturi to about 20 pipe diameters away. For example, it may be sufficiently accurate to measure the holdup at locations where the stratification has been significantly perturbed.
Thus, the FWD combines a Venturi with a gamma ray mixture density measurement at a particular spacing downstream from the Venturi. Over a wide range of flow rates, the spacing assures a well mixed flow with essentially no slip between oil, water or gas phases. This is a major improvement over most other downhole flow meters because no slip-model is needed to translate measured holdup into cut. In two-phase conditions, either gas/liquid or water/oil, the gamma ray measurement (properly calibrated) will provide cut directly and, when combined with the Venturi ΔP measurement, will provide individual-phase flow rates. The interpretation of three-phase flow is more complicated, however.

Method for real-time determination of volume fractions of a production fluid in a hydrocarbon reservoir


An opening device is described for cans having a tear-away closure panel that is defined by a circular score line adjacent the rim of the can, the panel being connected by a rivet to a ring tab lying approximately flush with the surface of the panel. The device has a generally circular perimeter, a handle opposite the perimeter, and a recess in the perimeter formed by a narrow mouth and two opposed prongs, the sides of at least one prong being separated by an acute angle. The opener is operated by wedging a prong beneath the ring tab to pry it upwardly and break the score line. Then the device is rolled toward the opposite side of the can, pulling the closure panel upwardly while continuing to break the score line until the closure panel is removed from the can.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to opening tools for containers, popularly known as pop top cans, having tear-away closures at one end, it particularly relates to opening tools that comprise a curved cam used as a rolling fulcrum member for removing such closures.
2. Review of the Prior Art
The closure panel of a pop top can is generally disposed in the top end of the container and is defined and surrounded by a score line which is disposed close to the upstanding side of the container. A ring tab, lying flush with the surface of the closure panel, is connected to the panel at one end by a rivet which is close to the score line.
The container is opened by inserting a finger-type member or prong under the free end of the ring tab to tilt the tab upwardly and cause the riveted end to break the closure panel at the adjacent score line. Then the prong is inserted into the opening of the ring tab, and a pulling force is exerted to pull the ring tab upwardly and away from the top of the container so that the closure panel is initially peeled back and then pulled completely away from the top end of the container.
If the container is made of aluminum, this conventional opening procedure is relatively easy and causes almost no problems. However, if the container is made of steel, as is generally the situation, it may cause many problems, such as broken fingernails and cuts in fingers of children and people having average strength. In addition, repeated opening of these cans causes weariness of people, such as waitresses, who must open such containers frequently. Furthermore, children, elderly people, and people afflicted with arthritis may be so weak that they are unable to open the containers or even to lift the ring tab. There is consequently a need for a device that can provide a simple and nearly effortless procedure for opening such pop top cans.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,071 of J. M. Coker discloses a can opener that is primarily intended for a can having a tab-type closure of the type used on beer and soft drink cans, but the device can also be used on cans having the rivet adjacent to the score line of a tear-away closure. The opener comprises a mouth located rearwardly of a gap in one end, a handle as its other end, and treads disposed transversely along its convex mid portion. When a ring tab is caught in the mouth and the handle is depressed downwardly, the treads engage the rim of the can and prevent slippage during pivoting of the opener.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,409 of J. A. Bittel describes a tear top can opener for opening the closure panel of a container having a pull ring located adjacent the peripheral edge of the container. The opener comprises a handle, an opener end formed with a prong perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the opener for engaging the pull ring, and a bulbous body having a parabolic shaped edge for allowing the opener to be pivoted on the container in order to lift the pull ring vertically for opening the closure.
Des. 240,188 of R. R. Lytle shows a combined can and bottle opener which comprises an elongated handle attached at one end to a circular portion that has a rearwardly extending hook.
Des. 267,925 of M. R. La Mancusa shows a combined bottle opener and can opener which comprises an elongated portion and a rounded portion at one end that terminates in a large, rearwardly extending pointed member.
Des. 297,705 of J. Difede shows a hook opener for jug lids or the like, comprising a hook which leads to a gently curved surface.
Although most of these devices utilize a rounded portion or a convexly curved surface as a fulcrum member for lifting a ring tab attached to the end of a container, they do not continue to use a rolling surface for completely peeling away the closure. All utilize a fixed fulcrum member or require an upward pulling force to be exerted in order to remove the closure panel completely.
The Coker device utilizes one of its treads to provide a fixed fulcrum member. The Bittel device cannot continue to utilize its rolling surface because its handle engages the rim of the can as a fixed fulcrum for the final lifting movement. The rounded ends of the devices shown in the Lytle and La Mancusa design patents can be utilized as rolling surfaces for limited lifting, but the devices must then be pulled upwardly without leverage in order to remove the closure panel from the container. The device shown in the Difede design patent apparently utilizes its curved surface as a fixed fulcrumming point, at the point of contact with a jug lid, for lifting the edge of the lid with the hook.
There is consequently a need for a can opener for pop top cans that utilizes a rolling surface throughout its contact with the closure panel and up to and beyond contact with the rim of the can, in order to minimize the effort required for pulling the closure panel forcibly but easily away from the can. Such a rolling surface must provide maximum lift for breaking the seal and then for initial separation along the immediately adjacent score line. Moreover, there is also a need for a device that is adapted to be packaged with a cylindrical can in a space saving manner while providing a convenient gripping means and requiring a small quantity of material for manufacture thereof.

Opening device for cans having tear-away closure panels with ring tabs


In an electric motorized hinge apparatus, a biasing means maintains a concavo-convex engagement state between a third rotating member and a second engagement portion in a second rotating member, and thus the second rotating member rotates to follow the third rotating member. Furthermore, the biasing means maintains a concavo-convex holding state between a first engagement portion in the second rotating member and a first rotating member, and thus the first rotating member rotates to follow the second rotating member. Furthermore, as the first rotating member rotates, a lid portion rotates to follow it. During manual rotation of the lid portion, a motor is maintained in an off state and the second rotating member is kept at a stop by a lock means. Therefore, the engagement state at the first concavo-convex engagement part is released by the manual rotation of the lid portion, so that the lid portion can be freely rotated by hand.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric motorized hinge apparatus utilized in an operation of opening and closing a lid or the like mounted, particularly, in cell phones, personal digital assistants, notebook computers, and so on.
2. Related Background Art
The conventional technology in this field is one in Korean Utility Model No. 20-0174766. A cell phone described in this official gazette discloses an electric motorized hinge apparatus, and this hinge apparatus is housed in a hinge connection between the main body with a numeric keypad and a lid part (movable object) with a screen so as to enable electric opening and closing of the lid part of the cell phone. Since this hinge apparatus needs to be housed in the hinge part of the cell phone, a miniature motor is utilized. In consequence of the miniature motor, it is necessary to increase torque, and a geared motor is adopted in order to make up for the lack of torque. For permitting the electric opening/closing and manual opening/closing of the lid part, a projection is provided at an end of an output shaft of the geared motor, while a recess for the projection to be fitted therein is provided on the lid side. Therefore, the lid part is opened and closed by engagement force between the projection and the recess in the electric opening/closing, and the projection is disengaged from the recess in the manual opening/closing, so as to permit free opening/closing of the lid part.
Patent Document 1: Korean Utility Model No. 20-0174766
Patent Document 2: Japanese Utility Model No. 3079820
Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-112630


A vertically adjustable wheel assembly for movably supporting an appliance cabinet or the like upon a supporting surface includes a housing, a supporting bracket, a wheel unit, an adjusting rod, an adjusting screw and various elongated mounting members. The wheel unit is defined by a pair of spaced rollers that are interconnected by a reduced diametric portion. The wheel unit is rotatably attached to the support bracket by an axle member, while the adjusting rod is also mounted for rotary movement by the support bracket. The support bracket is pivotally mounted to the housing, with both the wheel unit and the adjusting rod being permitted to rotate relative thereto. The adjusting screw extends through a frontal portion of the housing and it is threadably connected to the adjusting rod such that rotation of the screw causes pivoting of the support bracket relative to the housing and movement of the wheel assembly between fully extended and fully retracted positions. With the rollers of the wheel unit being laterally spaced, the adjusting screw is permitted to extend between the rollers when the adjustable wheel assembly assumes the retracted position. The arrangement represents an extremely compact vertically adjustable wheel assembly that can be advantageously preassembled and attached to a refrigerator cabinet or the like as a unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vertically adjustable wheel assembly and, more particularly, to a wheel assembly adapted to support an appliance cabinet, such as a refrigerator or the like, upon a supporting surface.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
In various environments, it is often desirable to mount cabinets or other objects upon wheel assemblies such that the objects can be easily moved about a supporting surface. When the objects are quite heavy and/or when they have to be maneuvered into rather confined spaces, providing such wheel assemblies is particularly advantageous. In the art of household appliances, it has become a customary practice to equip heavy domestic appliances with wheel assemblies to enhance the mobility is of the appliances. When provided with supporting wheel assemblies, even a heavy household appliance, such as a refrigerator, can be readily moved by a single person for installation, repair, cleaning and other purposes.
Often times, it is also desirable to permit some degree of vertical adjustability between the cabinet or other object and the supporting surface. While the majority of household appliances are generally positioned upon surfaces which are relatively level, it has still been found beneficiary to provide some vertical adjustability of the wheel assemblies to ensure precise leveling of the appliances. This is particularly advantageous when applied to a typical refrigerator such that the front portion of the refrigerator can be slightly elevated so ensure that the doors will open and close as desired.
Many vertically adjustable wheel assemblies have been proposed and are currently in use in today's marketplace. As indicated above, it is even somewhat common to apply such adjustable wheel assemblies to household appliances, including refrigerators. Of course, when considering the use of an adjustable wheel assembly to an appliance cabinet, it is important that the application of the wheel assembly does not minimize the available internal useable volume of the appliance and, therefore, the adjustable wheel assembly should be as compact as possible. Of course, the adjustable wheel assembly must also be able to withstand the various loads placed thereon. Furthermore, consideration should be given to the ease of which the adjustable wheel assembly can be attached to the appliance cabinet, as the ability to readily incorporate the attachment of such wheel assemblies in the manufacturing of the appliance will have a hand in determining the viability of the overall arrangement. To date, prior art adjustable wheel assemblies known in the art simply fail to meet these desired objectives.
Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a vertically adjustable wheel assembly particularly adapted for movably supporting an appliance cabinet upon a supporting surface which will enable the internal useable volume of the refrigerator to be maximized, enhance an efficient attachment of the adjustable wheel assembly to the cabinet and provide for a sufficient amount of vertical adjustability, while exhibiting an extremely compact design.


Disclosed is a dielectric ceramic composition having a high dielectric constant, which can be fired along with silver and silver alloys at temperatures not higher than 1000.degree. C. To a two-component dielectric ceramic composition comprising a solid solution that consists essentially of lead nickel niobate Pb(Ni.sub.1/3 Nb.sub.2/3)O.sub.3 and lead titanate PbTiO.sub.3, added is at least one additive selected from the group consisting of the compounds Pb.sub.3 O.sub.4, CuO and WO.sub.3 capable of forming a composition of a chemical formula Pb(Cu.sub.1/2 W.sub.1/2)O.sub.3, and manganese oxide. The additives have the ability to promote the sintering of the two-component composition and to lower the firing temperature for the composition.

With the recent demand for small-sized, large-capacity devices in ceramic capacitors, monolithic ceramic capacitors have become increasingly popular. Monolithic ceramic capacitors are produced by alternately laminating inner electrode layers and dielectric ceramic layers followed by firing the resulting laminate. For the dielectric ceramic layers are used ceramic capacitor materials having a high dielectric constant. The monolithic ceramic capacitors thus produced have a large capacitance.
Heretofore, barium titanate-type materials have been widely used as such high dielectric ceramic capacitor materials. However, those materials must be fired at high temperatures of not lower than 1300.degree. C. Therefore, when they are used in producing monolithic ceramic capacitors, expensive noble metals such as platinum and palladium must be used to form the inner electrodes in the capacitors.
On the other hand, some recent reports have proposed the use of lead-containing composite perovskite compounds which can be fired at low temperatures and have a high dielectric constant as the materials for monolithic ceramic capacitors. For example, it is reported in JP-B-01-46471 that a two-component composition comprising lead nickel niobate Pb(Ni.sub.1/3 Nb.sub.2/3)O.sub.3 and lead titanate PbTiO.sub.3 has an extremely high dielectric constant.
However, the firing temperature for the conventional barium titanate-type materials is not less than 1300.degree. C. and that for the conventional lead-containing composite perovskite compounds is about 1100.degree. C. Therefore, all those conventional materials are problematic in that they could not be fired together with inexpensive silver and silver alloys. In particular, where the conventional barium titanate-type materials and lead-containing composite perovskite compounds are used to produce monolithic ceramic capacitors, inexpensive silver or silver alloys could not be employed to form the inner electrodes for those capacitors, making it is impossible to produce monolithic ceramic capacitors at a low production cost.


An automobile wheel having a wheel di.sk with improved stiffness and increased strength and driving stability. An imaginary inward angled line is tangential to an inner circumferential surface of an inward recessed circumferential portion of a hat portion and tangential to an inner circumferential surface of a hub surface rounded portion of a hub mounting portion. An imaginary outward angled line is tangential to an inner circumferential surface of an outward recessed circumferential portion of the hat portion and runs through an intersection point of a disk flange and an imaginary bottom line. The imaginary bottom line extends along a back side surface of the hub mounting portion. The imaginary inward and outward angled lines satisfy a ratio of an imaginary outward angle to an imaginary inward angle of equal to or greater than 0.8 to equal to or smaller than 1.25 with respect to the imaginary bottom line.

For example, a typical automobile wheel made of steel includes: a substantially disk-shaped wheel disk; and a substantially cylindrical wheel rim. The wheel disk includes: a hub mounting portion that is connected to a hub of an axle; a hat portion that bulges from an outer circumferential edge of the hub mounting portion toward a surface side direction; and a disk flange that extends from an outer circumferential edge of the hat portion toward a back side direction. The hub mounting portion, the hat portion, and the disk flange are arranged concentrically. The wheel disk is engaged with an inner circumferential surface of the wheel rim to be welded to the wheel rim together into one piece. The hat portion of the wheel disk offers desired stiffness. The hat portion of the desired stiffness is very effective in minimizing deformation of the wheel disk due to various loads that are imposed during car driving. Thus, the wheel disk offers high overall strength. Particularly, under lateral force loading on the car during driving, a bending moment acts on the wheel disk. The bending moment is relatively large enough to bend the wheel disk in a surface side to back side direction. The hat portion offers high stiffness for the bending moment and minimizes the deformation of the wheel disk. This allows the automobile wheel to offer high strength and to provide increased driving stability.
Such automobile wheel is proposed in, for example, as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-180202 ("JP '202"). In JP '202, the hat portion includes: an inward angled circumferential portion; an outward angled circumferential portion; and a hat top circumferential portion. The inward angled circumferential portion includes: an inward protruding circumferential portion that is curved toward the surface side; and an inward recessed circumferential portion that is curved toward the back side. The outward angled circumferential portion includes an outward recessed circumferential portion that is curved toward the back side. The hat top circumferential portion protrudes toward a surface side direction between the outward angled circumferential portion and the inward angled circumferential portion. In the automobile wheel of the aforementioned construction, the hat portion is formed into the shape described to allow the automobile wheel to have high stiffness, and thus to offer high overall strength.


An electrical connector, into which a male plug, having an insulation base, a metal housing covering the base and a connection space therebetween, may be inserted in a bidirectional manner. The connector includes a plastic base, a tongue, a connection slot and two rows of connection points. The tongue is projectingly disposed at a front end of the plastic base. The slot disposed at the front end of the plastic base covers the tongue. When the plug is inserted and positioned within the slot, the tongue is inserted into the connection space. The connection points are exposed from two surfaces of the tongue. Each connection point is electrically connected to a pin extending out of the plastic base. Spaces of the slot beside the two surfaces of the tongue allow the plug to be bidirectionally inserted and positioned. When the plug is positioned within the slot, the metal housing does not touch the connection point to avoid a short circuit as the plug is inserted.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly to an electrical connector for bidirectionally electrical connections.
2. Related Art
The universal serial bus (USB) is the most popular signal transmission specification in the modern computer apparatus. The connector socket and the transmission cable satisfying this specification can make the peripheral apparatus, such as a mouse, a keyboard or the like, which is externally connected to the computer, be immediately plugged and played.
At present, the USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 specifications are used. As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional USB 2.0 male plug 90 includes a plastic base 91 and a metal housing 92. The metal housing 92 covers the plastic base 91, and a connection space 93 is formed between the metal housing 92 and the plastic base 91. Only one surface of the plastic base 91 is formed with one row of connection points 94 exposed to the connection space 93. At present, the specifications specified by the USB Society are listed in the following. The overall height "i" is equal to 4.5 mm, the half height "j" corresponding to the connection space 93 is equal to 2.25 mm, and the height "k" of the connection space is equal to 1.95 mm.
At present, one surface of the tongue of the USB 2.0 socket has one row of connection points. In use, the USB 2.0 plug has to be correctly inserted so that the connection points of the plug and the socket can be aligned and electrically connected together. In order to ensure the electrical connection to be established when the USB plug is inserted, mistake-proof designs, as shown in FIG. 1A, are provided on the socket and the plug. The normal direction corresponds to the mark 97, formed on one surface of the handle 96 connected to the USB 2.0 male plug 90, facing upwards. At this time, the connection point 94 faces upwards. When the plug is inserted in the normal direction, the plug can be electrically connected to the socket. As shown in FIG. 1B, the USB plug cannot be reversely inserted into the socket, so that the electrical connection after the insertion can be ensured. The user usually randomly inserts the plug into the socket, so the possibility of failing to insert the plug is equal to ½. So, the user usually has to insert the plug twice, and the inconvenience in use is caused.
As shown in FIG. 2, the conventional USB 2.0 socket 80 includes a plastic base 81, a metal housing 83 and one row of terminals 87. The front end of the plastic base 81 is integrally formed with a horizontally extending tongue 82. The metal housing 83 is positioned at the front end of the plastic base 81 to form a connection slot 84. The tongue 82 is located at the lower section of the connection slot 84. The one row of four terminals 87 is fixed to the plastic base 81, extends frontwards and is arranged on the tongue 82. A projecting connection point 88 is formed near a distal end of the terminal 87.
In order to match with the mistake-proof design of the male plug, the USB socket 80 has the following dimensions. The height "o" of the connection slot is equal to 5.12 mm; the thickness "p" of the tongue is equal to 1.84 mm; the height "s" above the tongue is equal to 0.72 mm; and the height "q" below the tongue is equal to 2.56 mm. Thus, the USB 2.0 male plug 90 has to be inserted with the connection point 94 facing downwards, so that the connection space 93 and the tongue 82 are fit and positioned with each other. The half height "j" (2.25 mm) is fit with the height "q" (2.56 mm) below the tongue. The reverse USB male plug 90 cannot be inserted. In addition, the horizontal distance "t" from the insert end 86 of the positioning plane of the connection slot 84 to the first connection point 88 of the first terminal is equal to 3.5 mm.
When the USB 2.0 male plug 90 is inserted into the USB socket 80, the plug 90 and the socket 80 are tightly fit with each other according to the height "k" (1.95 mm) of the connection space and the thickness "p" (1.84 mm) of the tongue.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the conventional USB 3.0 socket 85 has the structure and associated dimensions, which are substantially the same as those of the USB 2.0 socket 80 except that the tongue 82 of the USB 3.0 socket 85 is longer and the front section thereof is formed with one row of five second connection points 89, which cannot be elastically moved. In addition, the horizontal distance "t" from the insert end 86 of the positioning plane of the connection slot 84 to the first connection point 88 of the first terminal is equal to 4.07 mm.
The structure and the associated dimensions of the USB 3.0 male plug are substantially the same as those of the USB 2.0 socket 80 except that the USB 3.0 plug additionally has one row of five connection points, which project beyond the connection space and can be elastically moved.
The conventional USB socket, either the USB 2.0 or 3.0 socket only has the contact pattern formed on one single surface, and thus cannot allow the bidirectional insertion and connection. However, if the USB socket is designed to allow the bidirectional insertion and connection, the connection points of the terminals have to be formed on two surfaces of the tongue, the positioning of the bidirectionally inserted USB male plug has to be ensured, and the four terminals 87 cannot be short-circuited. When the USB male plug is inserted and its metal housing touches the connection points 88 of the terminals 87 on one surface of the tongue, the short circuit is caused to damage the USB socket. Due to the above-mentioned problems, the manufacturers have encountered the bottleneck in developing this product.
The applicant has paid attention to the research and development of the bidirectionally inserted and connected USB socket and finally provides the improved structure to overcome the above-mentioned problems and the pattern of the tongue for the USB 3.0 socket.

Electrical connector for bidirectional plug insertion