Building structured material using cell geometry
US Patent 8,443,566
May 21, 2013
An improved cellular building block including a middle beam and two legs. The cellular building block having the first leg coupled to the middle beam such that the leg is perpendicular to the middle beam and a second leg coupled to the middle beam such that the leg is perpendicular to the middle beam and spaced apart from the first leg, the first leg and the second leg having an inside edge and an outside edge. Having at least one barb located on the inside edge of the first leg and on the inside edge of the second leg and further configured to lock into a recess. The cellular building blocks connect in a two dimensional or three dimensional pattern and a produce a structured material that holds itself together and exhibits beneficial characteristics.
Retracting eye drape
US Patent 8,439,043
May 14, 2013
A retracting eye drape assembly is disclosed for use around a patient’s eye to seclude and seal off the operative field during eye surgery. The drape assembly includes a retraction member connected to the drape and configured to engage the patient’s eyelid, an extension member connected to the retraction member or to the drape and configured to substantially enclose the patient’s eyelid, and a retraction flap configured to secure the patient’s eyelid in a substantially retracted position. A method of applying an eye drape assembly is disclosed. After application of the drape to the patient’s face, and while the patient’s eyelid is closed, the patient’s eyelid is engaged by a retraction member connected to the drape and retracted. While retracted, the patient’s eyelid is substantially enclosed to seclude the eyelid and eyelashes from the operational area. The secluded eyelid and eyelashes are then secured in a retracted position.
Aircraft position light assembly
US Patent 8,439,540
May 14, 2013
An aircraft position light assembly having one or more light emitting diode (LED) modules. The LED module can be installed in a variety of aircraft wing-tip cavities. An example LED module includes a support device that mounts within an aircraft wingtip, a bracket device that attaches to the support device, at least one circuit board that mounts to the bracket, and two pairs of LEDs. Each pair of LEDs is mounted on opposing major surfaces at a first end of the circuit board. A first pair of reflectors is attached to the circuit board adjacent to two of the LEDs on the opposing major surfaces. A second pair of reflectors is attached to the circuit board adjacent to the other two LEDs on the opposing major surfaces.
Spring-mounted vibration system to reduce vibration
US Patent 8,439,334
May 14, 2013
Spring-mounted vibration system to reduce vibration with a first spring-mounted part and a second spring-mounted part, wherein the first spring-mounted part and the second spring-mounted part can oscillate relative to each in at least one vibration direction and at least one of the spring-mounted parts can be exposed to a return force on a vibration movement. A control unit is arranged with at least one travel linkage which is connected with at least one of the spring-mounted parts and in which is arranged displaceably at least one guide element connected with a spring element generating the return force and/or the other spring-mounted part.
Synchronization of a video stream and an audio stream
US Patent 8,441,577
May 14, 2013
Systems and methods are operable to synchronize presentation between video streams and separately received audio streams. An exemplary embodiment receives a first media content stream at a media device, wherein the first media content stream comprises at least a video stream portion; receives a second media content stream at the media device, wherein the second media content stream comprises at least an audio stream portion; delays the audio stream portion of the second media content stream by a duration corresponding to at least one synchronization time delay; communicates the video stream portion of the first media content stream to a visual display device; and communicates the delayed audio stream portion of the second media content stream to an audio presentation device, wherein a visual scene of the video stream portion of the first media content stream is substantially synchronized with sounds of the audio stream portion of the second media content stream.
Automated locking apparatus for a slit lamp
US Patent 8,434,869
May 7, 2013
An apparatus mounted proximate to or on a base of a slit lamp illumination unit operates to automatically lock or secure the illumination unit in a stationary position after each eye examination and further operates to unlock it just before each examination. The apparatus may take the form of a threaded rod that replaces the conventional thumbscrew. The threaded rod is rotated by a motor, which receives instructions from a controller, both located within a housing. A touch sensor on the housing communicates with the controller to activate the locking or unlocking of the threaded rod and may also provide a signal to a transceiver for powering the illumination unit ON or OFF.
Power Cube
US Patent D681,548
May 7, 2013
The ornamental design for a power cube, as shown and described.
Systems and methods for adjusting volume of combined audio channels
US Patent 8,434,006
April 30, 2013
Audio volume control systems and methods are operable to control volume of audio channels of a combined audio channel. An exemplary embodiment displays an audio channel control graphical user interface (GUI) on a display, displays on the audio channel control GUI a specified first volume level for a first audio channel of the combined audio channel, displays on the audio channel control GUI a specified second volume level for a second audio channel of the combined audio channel, and adjusts volume of the combined audio channel in accordance with the specified first volume level for the first audio channel and the specified second volume level for the second audio channel.
Hand held slicer
US Patent 8,430,010
April 30, 2013
A hand-held slicing device having a handle connected to a slicing tray. The slicing tray includes a ramp leading to a fixed blade. The ramp is readily adjustable such that the height of the edge of the ramp most closely adjacent the blade can be raised or lowered. In one version, the ramp can be raised or lowered by sliding a support structure connected to a knob that can be slideably adjusted by the user’s thumb. The device may include a series of julienne blades that are selectively extendable above the slicing ramp or retractable below the ramp.
Friction clutch system
US Patent 8,430,222
April 30, 2013
A friction clutch system mechanically couples a power source to a driven system of a vehicle while reducing the rotational inertia of the clutch system and yet still providing torsional damping within the system. In one embodiment, the friction clutch system includes a first friction disc assembly directly engaged with a second friction disc assembly. The first disc assembly may include protuberances that extend axially from a hub assembly, which in turn may include damping springs and an internal splined region for coupling to a splined, driven shaft. The second friction disc assembly includes openings, which may take the form of radial slots, configured to engageably receive the protuberances. The first disc assembly may be positioned adjacent to a pressure plate assembly or a flywheel. A floater plate may be located between the first and second friction disc assemblies.
