Scientific Technologies Corporation

Omron Corporation

Other

Innostar

Kass Enterprises

Boris Shteynberg

James A Ashford

Heita Nada

Masami Nishida

Satoshi Nishiuchi

Chein-Hwa Tsao

Alejandro Ruiz Sanchez

Robert N Lee

Joseph David Borjon

Louis L Schubert

Vladimir Belfor

Cecil Davis

Brian Sukarukoff

Safety laser scanner

A pressure-sensitive mat system includes a mat with a recessed mat connector and a cable assembly that includes a cable connector that detachably mates to the mat connector. The cable connector is sized to the inset area of the mat connector and thus conforms to the dimensional envelope of the mat. Conforming to the mat's dimensional envelope minimizes tripping hazards, reduces the likelihood of cable damage, and permits the use of flush fitting edge trim strips that may be used to secure the mat to the floor. In one embodiment, the cable connector mounts to the mat connector via threaded fasteners. The use of threaded fasteners permits compressive connector engagement, which enhances inter-connector electrical contact integrity and permits the use of an interposed connector gasket that provides watertight sealing when the two connectors are compressively engaged. The connector(s) may include other features such as air vents to vent the mat interior.

Safety mat connector apparatus and method

A coupling system allows interconnection of multiple light curtains segments but prevents interconnecting dissimilar segment types. A first connector half mounts to a segment while a second connector half mounts to another segment, such that mating the two halves interconnects the two segments. The two mating sections of the connector or coupling system may be formed as matched mating blocks that are mounted in different orientations, depending upon whether they are attached to transmitter or receiver type light curtain segments. One or both mating sections may rotatably mount to its respective segment, thereby providing an articulated connection between the joined segments. In other implementation, one mating section may be formed as a reversible coupler, with the other mating section formed as a mating receptacle that may be conveniently keyed to accept only a particular orientation of coupler.

Segmented light curtain with keyed interfaces

A mixed architecture light curtain system comprises a mix of flexibly and rigidly interconnected light curtain segments. For example, a number of light curtain segments may be rigidly interconnected in series at desired connection angles using one or more types of rigid connectors to form a set of rigidly connected segments. Another set of rigidly connected segments may be flexibly connected to this first set, or one or more individual segments may be flexibly connected in series with this first set. In general, a series of interconnected segments may be formed in any desired combination of rigidly and flexibly connected segments. In any such combination, differing types of rigid and flexible connectors may be used, such that rigidly and flexibly interconnected segments may be fixed at essentially any desired angle, offset, or relative spacing, allowing the mixed architecture light curtain to conform to complex and even disjointed protection zone shapes.

Mixed architecture light curtain system

A modular articulated light curtain is formed by combining straight, curved, or angled modules with straight or angled couplers. Modules include an array of pitched light emitters or light detectors, and have rounded distal ends that mate, mechanically and electrically, with each other or with a coupler. Interconnection of adjacent modules is such that a constant pitch of light emitters or light detectors is maintained. The light curtain comprises an assembly of interconnected light emitting modules spaced-apart from interconnected light detecting modules. One end of each assembly is terminated, while the other assembly end has a cable end module that may include at least one light emitter or detector, and may include a visual indicator, and provides input/output electrical interface to the light curtain.

Modular articulated light curtain

A trim structure for use with safetymats. The trim structure is of two-part construction and includes a rigid base which is fastened to a floor together with a cover formed of a resilient material. The top wall of the cover and the bottom wall of the base carry interlock structures which include releasable engagement members. In an assembled mode, the engagement members function to hold the cover on the base. The top wall is separated from the bottom wall to form a wireguide through which the cables or wires leading from the safetymat can be threaded. The trim structure can be easily disassembled by pulling the cover from the base to cause the engagement members to disengage.

Trim structure for safetymat

A bottle cap having a valve which provides a water tight seal to prevent spillage when a water bottle is inverted for installation onto a water dispenser, but which can be opened after the water bottle is installed by generating a hydraulic shock wave within the bottle to open the valve. A first embodiment has a triple valve seal with mechanical interference between the valve pieces to create an initially water tight seal. A second embodiment employs a dual valve structure. A third embodiment employs a single valve structure. In the first three embodiments, the valves are pivotally attached to the valve body by flexible living hinges. A fourth embodiment has a single linearly sliding valve. Three methods are presented for generating the hydraulic shock wave to open the valve. In the first method, the water bottle is positioned just above the water dispenser and lowered rapidly. In the second method, the bottle is placed on the dispenser and tipped so that one shoulder of the bottle is just above the top opening of the dispenser, then the bottle is allowed to settle back into place. These two methods create an inertial shock wave when the bottle comes to rest. In the third method, the bottle is placed on the dispenser with the seal intact, and the user strikes the top or the sides of the water bottle to create the hydraulic shock wave.

Nonspill bottled water replacement system with a shielded disposable cap

A diskette holder comprises a housing (50), a tambour (52), and a holding case (54). Dovetail couplings (68 and 70) are located on side panels (58 and 60) of the housing and keyhole openings (76a and 76b) are situated on the housing's rear panel (63). A bottom portion (84) of the holding case comprises stepped strips (92a and 92b). The side panels of the housing have two opposed curved grooves (64) and two opposed fulcrum pins (66) on their inside faces. One of the side panels also contains stops (72 and 74) at its interior. Sides (78 and 80) of the holding case contain a plurality of opposed vertical dividing ribs (90) on their inner faces. The holding case sides also possess opposed pivot openings (91). A front panel (82) of the holding case includes a closure lip (94) protruding outwardly along the top edge of the panel. An opening tab (96) is situated along the top of a rear panel (86) of the holding case. The tambour, which is slidingly positioned within the curved grooves, has an opening end (98) and a closing end (100). An inwardly-protruding stop (102) is located below the edge of the closing end of the tambour, while a handle (104) is situated below the edge of the closing end on the exterior portion of the tambour. The diskette holder has a novel opening-and-closing mechanism which allows the holder to operate in a plurality of orientations and to be opened and closed with only one hand. Moreover, the holder may be mounted on a vertical surface, does not occupy much desk space, and may by joined side-to-side with a plurality of identical containers.

Diskette holder with roll door

A paintbrush holder includes a central panel (12) which contains a first plurality of ventilation openings (14) and an inspection window (16). The central panel incorporates a strip-like raised portion (17). Score lines (18 and 20) separate the central panel and adjoining tapered first and second side panels (22 and 24). A score line (26) serves as a junction between a front panel (28) and the first side panel, while a score line (30) separates an intermediate panel (32) and the second side panel. A wedge-shaped cutout (33) is made in the first side panel and a square cutout (37) is formed in the intermediate panel. The intermediate panel contains a second plurality of ventilation openings (34) as well as a first snap fastener (36). The front panel has a square window (38) which in size and shape corresponds to the region outlined by the second plurality of ventilation openings. The front panel also includes second and third snap fasteners (42 and 44) and an opening (40), designed to mate with the first snap fastener. A score line (46) forms a boundary between the central panel and a spacer panel (48). A score line (50) forms a junction between the spacer panel and a bottom panel (52). Straps (54 and 56) are attached to the central panel. Each strap contains a plurality of openings for locking adjustably with the first and second snap fasteners.

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Boris Shteynberg