Abstract:
An apparatus for reducing the profile of a bone fixation plate while preventing backing out of screws is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one section of relief and sections of engagement. The plate has at least two openings though which two screws can pass through bony tissue. As the screw is tightened, it will begin to lag the plate to the bone. When the screw head interferes with the plate at the interference point, there is a slight resistance that insertion forces can overcome. When the screw is advanced further, it snaps into the sliding fit area and is allowed to move freely. The forces that cause the screw to back out from the plate are preferably not strong enough to pass the screw head back past the interference section. It may be desirable to include a set screw to help prevent backout.
Abstract:
An integrated hydrostatic transaxle including a housing in which is mounted a hydrostatic transmission having a hydraulic pump unit and a hydraulic motor unit with a motor shaft drivingly connected thereto. A differential assembly is drivingly linked to the motor shaft and is used to drive output axle shafts of the transaxle. The differential assembly includes a rotatable gear which is maintained in frictional engagement with at least one bearing surface for frictionally inhibiting the rotational movement thereof.
Abstract:
In one aspect, the present invention comprises a computer system for providing an infrastructure platform. That computer system preferably comprises a bank computer operable to communicate via a computer network with a fund manager computer operated by a fund manager managing a fund, wherein the bank computer is operated by a bank holding a security interest over one or more assets of the fund. The bank preferably has agreed with the fund manager to a set of one or more investment guidelines regarding the fund. Those guidelines constrain the fund manager to trade the assets in a specified manner. The fund preferably underlies a structured product sold to one or more investors.
Abstract:
This invention relates to an apparatus for optical beam shaping and diffusing, a method for making the apparatus, and a method for using the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a crystalline material object shaped to fit within an optical train and with a pattern of surface texture along an optical path. Surface removal processes are applied to a portion of a surface of an object made of a crystalline material to form a surface texture pattern at that portion of the surface of the object. The surface texture pattern depends upon: (1) the identity of the crystalline material and (2) the orientation of crystal lattice axes within the object with respect to the portion of the surface of the object where the pattern of surface texture is to be formed. Processes for making the apparatus include, but are not limited to, mechanical grinding, ablating, chemical etching, plasma etching, ion milling, and combinations thereof. The arrangement of the pattern of surface texture can be refined by coupling lithographic patterning methods with any of the surface removal processes. The apparatus can be used to change one or more of: (1) a shape, (2) an orientation, (3) an aspect ratio, (4) an angular pupil distribution, and (5) an intensity profile of a cross section of an optical beam.
Abstract:
An axle assembly including a housing in which is mounted a transmission, axle shafts and a differential assembly including drive gears engaged to the axle shaft and at least one planet gear mounted on a shaft and engaged to the drive gears. The differential assembly includes a friction member on the shaft for engaging the planet gear.
Abstract:
A controlled traction cartridge for use in connection with a differential. The catridge generally comprises a shaft, a gear mounted on the shaft and rotatable with respect thereto, and an interior bearing surfaces associated with the shaft. The gear is maintained in frictional engagement with the interior bearing surface for inhibiting the rotation of the gear.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed at a coherence test reticle or lithographic plate, and a method for testing the coherence of a laser beam using the test reticle. The quality or coherence of the laser beam is measured by illuminating the test reticle and the recording and/or analyzing the optical patterns generated by the illumination. The technique was designed for, but not limited to, the characterization of laser-based systems via the detection of optical radiation modulated by transmissive, reflective and diffractive patterns printed on a reticle or lithographic plate designed specifically for this purpose. The novelty and advantages over the prior art are insensitivity to vibration, alignment, and multi-path differences of classical interferometric coherence measurement techniques. Spatial coherence and longitudinal or temporal coherence may be measured independently. Vertical and horizontal coherence may be measured independently. The technique is focus error insensitive. That is to say, that focus errors will be recorded by the technique in a deterministic fashion and can be removed from the data. The robustness and convenience of the technique is driven by the single plate with no optical alignment, making the technique easily implemented in the field. The multiplexing of the feature orientations, sizes and line types and feature locations allows for the determination of coherence parameters as a function of position in the beam.
Abstract:
An integrated hydrostatic transaxle including a housing in which a center section is supported. The center section supports a hydraulic pump unit and a hydraulic motor unit having a motor shaft drivingly connected thereto. A differential assembly is drivingly linked to the motor shaft and is used to drive a pair of axle shafts which are supported by the housing. The differential assembly includes a rotatable gear which is maintained in frictional engagement with at least one bearing surface for frictionally inhibiting the rotational movement thereof.
Abstract:
This invention relates to an apparatus for optical beam shaping and diffusing, a method for making the apparatus, and a method for using the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a crystalline material object shaped to fit within an optical train and with a pattern of surface texture along an optical path. Surface removal processes are applied to a portion of a surface of an object made of a crystalline material to form a surface texture pattern at that portion of the surface of the object. The surface texture pattern depends upon: (1) the identity of the crystalline material and (2) the orientation of crystal lattice axes within the object with respect to the portion of the surface of the object where the pattern of surface texture is to be formed. Processes for making the apparatus include, but are not limited to, mechanical grinding, ablating, chemical etching, plasma etching, ion milling, and combinations thereof. The arrangement of the pattern of surface texture can be refined by coupling lithographic patterning methods with any of the surface removal processes. The apparatus can be used to change one or more of: (1) a shape, (2) an orientation, (3) an aspect ratio, (4) an angular pupil distribution, and (5) an intensity profile of a cross section of an optical beam.
Abstract:
Prosthetic augments to improve muscle mechanics are disclosed herein. A prosthetic augment of the present disclosure includes an augment member configured to engage a bone, the augment member having a first face adapted for contacting the bone; and a second face adapted for contacting an underside of a muscle, wherein at least a portion of the second face includes a bulbous surface adapted to alter a wrapping angle of the muscle around the bone, wherein a first thickness is defined between the first face and the second face at a first position on the augment member, wherein a second thickness is defined between the first face and the bulbous surface of the second face, and wherein the first thickness and the second thickness are not equivalent so as to result in the augment member having a non-uniform thickness.