Author: claimsbot

1. A subgrade vault for providing an enclosed region to house utility connections, the vault comprising:
a body portion having four side walls which define an enclosure, each of the four side walls having a predetermined thickness, an upper end, and lower end;
a cap member interconnected to the upper end of at least one of the four side walls;
a locking member fixedly attached to the body portion and the cap member; and
a lid for closing the upper end, the lid comprising an aperture for receiving a fastener adapted to secure the lid to the locking member.
2. The subgrade vault of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cap member extends into the locking member and wherein the locking member is in fixed communication with the main body portion.
3. The subgrade vault of claim 1, wherein a portion of the locking member extends into the enclosure region.
4. The subgrade vault of claim 1, wherein the locking member comprises a threaded aperture.
5. The subgrade vault of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises a moldable plastic material.
6. The subgrade vault of claim 1, wherein the body portion comprises precast concrete.
7. The subgrade vault of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cap extends through the locking member.
8. The subgrade vault of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the main body portion extends through the locking member.
9. A subgrade, precast concrete vault for providing an enclosed region to house utility connections, said vault comprising:
a main body portion having a peripheral wall with an upper end and a lower end to define the enclosed region;
a cap portion disposed proximate said upper end of said subgrade precast vault and integrally interconnected thereto, said cap portion comprising an inwardly extending shoulder;
a lid for closing said upper end, said lid comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, and a predetermined length, width, and height;
said lid and said main body portion comprising a moldable plastic material, said lid fitting in said cap portion wherein said lower surface is in contact with said shoulder and said upper surface is substantially flush with an upper surface of said cap portion;
locking means for releasably holding said lid, said locking means comprising a substantially rigid member in fixed communication with at least one of said main body portion and said cap portion, a fastener with a head, a shank and a thread on said shank, said shank being passed through an opening in said lid with its head against the lid and at least partially through said substantially rigid member;
said substantially rigid member extending into an interior region defined by said main body portion and said cap portion; and
at least a portion of said cap portion extending into said locking means and said locking means provided in fixed communication with at least one of said main body portion and said cap portion by concrete.
10. The subgrade vault of claim 9, wherein said locking means comprises at least one of a clip nut, a cage nut, a threaded hole, a weld nut, a base weld nut, a projection weld nut, and a bridge weld nut.
11. The subgrade vault of claim 9, wherein said locking means comprises an inwardly projecting extension of said cap member, said inwardly projecting extension comprising at least one aperture for receiving a fastener.
12. The subgrade vault of claim 9, wherein said locking means comprises an inwardly projecting extension of said main body portion, said inwardly extending projecting extension comprising at least one female threaded portion for receiving a fastener.
13. The subgrade vault of claim 9, wherein said locking means further comprises at least one of a clip nut, a cage nut, a threaded hole, a weld nut, a base weld nut, a projection weld nut, and a bridge weld nut.
14. The subgrade vault of claim 12, wherein said locking means comprises a mass of concrete extending inwardly and having a height substantially similar to a height of said main body portion.
15. A locking feature for a subgrade vault, comprising:
a substantially rigid elongate member comprising a first upward facing surface and a second downward facing surface;
said substantially rigid elongate member having a first end and a second end;
said substantially rigid elongate member having a first aperture for receiving a fastener, said first aperture disposed between said first end and said second end;
a second aperture comprising a through-hole operably sized and disposed to receive a projection of a cap member of said subgrade vault; and
a third aperture comprising a through-hole operably sized and disposed to receive a quantity of liquid concrete for forming a main body portion of said subgrade vault.
16. The locking feature of claim 15, wherein the substantially rigid elongate member comprises steel.
17. The locking feature of claim 15, wherein the substantially rigid elongate member comprises at least one of a clip nut, a cage nut, a threaded hole, a weld nut, a base weld nut, a projection weld nut, and a bridge weld nut disposed proximate said first aperture.
18. The locking feature of claim 15, wherein the substantially rigid elongate member comprises a fourth aperture operably sized and disposed to receive a quantity of liquid concrete, said third and fourth apertures disposed proximate said first end and said second end, respectively.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A penis retractor used in restraining the penis of a patient during surgical, examination or treatment procedures, said penis retractor comprising:
an elongated flexible tether having first and second ends and a loop formed therein;
at least one attachment pad joined to said first end; and
means for adjusting said loop to encircle a portion of a patient’s penis,
said tether being drawn to retract and position a patient’s penis and said attachment pad being securable to a patient’s abdomen to maintain said position.
2. The penis retractor set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for adjusting said loop includes slip knot formed in said tether by knotting said second end.
3. The penis retractor set forth in claim 2 wherein said attachment pad includes an adhesive portion.
4. The penis retractor set forth in claim 3 further including an abdominal belt constructed to encircle a portion of a patient’s torso and wherein said attachment pad is attached to said abdominal belt.
5. The penis retractor set forth in claim 1 wherein said tether further includes a clamp engaging said tether proximate said loop and wherein said at least one attachment pad includes first and second attachment pads joined to said first and second ends.
6. The penis retractor set forth in claim 4 further including an abdominal belt constructed to encircle a portion of a patient’s torso and wherein said attachment pads are attached to said abdominal belt.

1. A liquid level sensor component comprising:
(a) a first elongated, insulated substrate having an inner resistive elongated closed loop having first and second resistive elongated legs formed thereon along the length of said first elongated insulated substrate and positioned between first and second resistive elongated legs of an outer resistive elongated closed loop formed thereon along the length of said first elongated insulated substrate;
(b) a second elongated insulated substrate having an elongated strip of an electrically conductive material thereon positioned over the first and second resistive elongated legs of the inner resistive elongated closed loop but not over the first and second resistive elongated legs of the outer resistive elongated closed loop; and wherein
(c) said first and second insulated substrates are coupled together face to face by a coupling member in a manner providing separation of said first and second insulated substrates in the absence of hydrostatic pressure thereon, and for causing conductive bridging contact by said elongated strip of an electrically conductive material contacting the first and second resistive elongated legs of the inner resistive elongated loop, but not contacting the first and second resistive elongated second legs of the outer resistive elongated loop, in the presence of hydrostatic pressure thereon.
2. The sensor of claim 1 wherein lower terminal portions of the inner resistive elongated closed loop and lower terminal portions of the outer resistive elongated closed loop are positioned within a leading bottom portion of the liquid level sensor without being coupled to an electrical contact outside of the bottom portion of the liquid level sensor.
3. The sensor of claim 1 wherein said coupling member comprises a spacer layer having an elongated window therein positioned between said first and second insulated substrates.
4. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the inner and outer resistive elongated closed loops are printable resistive inks.
5. The sensor of claim 4 wherein lower terminal portions of the inner resistive elongated closed loop and lower terminal portions of the outer resistive elongated closed loop are positioned within a leading bottom portion of the liquid level sensor without being coupled to an electrical contact outside of the bottom portion of the liquid level sensor.
6. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the resistivity of the inner closed loop equals the resistivity of the outer closed loop.
7. The sensor of claim 6 wherein lower terminal portions of the inner resistive elongated closed loop and lower terminal portions of the outer resistive elongated closed loop are positioned within a leading bottom portion of the liquid level sensor without being coupled to an electrical contact outside of the bottom portion of the liquid level sensor.
8. The sensor of claim 6 wherein the inner and outer resistive elongated closed loops are printable resistive inks.
9. The sensor of claim 8 wherein said electrically conductive material is a printable resistive ink enabling printing of the same resistive ink upon the first and second insulated substrates, thereby to save manufacturing costs.
10. The sensor of claim 8 wherein lower terminal portions of the inner resistive elongated closed loop and lower terminal portions of the outer resistive elongated closed loop are positioned within a leading bottom portion of the liquid level sensor without being coupled to an electrical contact outside of the bottom portion of the liquid level sensor.
11. A liquid level sensor apparatus comprising:
(a) a first elongated, insulated substrate having an inner resistive elongated closed loop having first and second resistive elongated legs formed thereon along the length of said first elongated insulated substrate and positioned between first and second resistive elongated legs of an outer resistive elongated closed loop formed thereon along the length of said first elongated insulated substrate;
(b) a second elongated insulated substrate having an elongated strip of an electrically conductive material thereon positioned over the first and second resistive elongated legs of the inner resistive elongated closed loop but not over the first and second resistive legs of the outer resistive elongated closed loop; and wherein
(c) said first and second insulated substrates are coupled together face to face by a coupling member in a manner providing separation of said first and second insulated substrates in the absence of hydrostatic pressure thereon, and for causing electrically conductive bridging contact by said elongated strip of an electrically conductive material contacting the first and second resistive elongated legs of the inner resistive elongated loop, but not contacting the first and second resistive elongated legs of the outer resistive elongated loop, in the presence of hydrostatic pressure thereon;
(d) a Wheatstone bridge wherein
(d-1) upper terminal portions of the inner resistive elongated closed loop are positioned within a first lower leg of the Wheatstone bridge; and
(d-2) wherein upper terminal portions of the outer resistive elongated closed loop are positioned within a second lower leg of the Wheatstone bridge.
12. The sensor of claim 11 wherein lower terminal portions of the inner resistive elongated closed loop and lower terminal portions of the outer resistive elongated closed loop are positioned within a leading bottom portion of the liquid level sensor without being coupled to an electrical contact outside of the bottom portion of the liquid level sensor.
13. The sensor of claim 11 wherein said coupling member comprises a spacer layer having an elongated window therein positioned between said first and second insulated substrates.
14. The sensor of claim 11 wherein the inner and outer resistive elongated closed loops are printable resistive inks.
15. The sensor of claim 14 wherein lower terminal portions of the inner resistive elongated closed loop and lower terminal portions of the outer resistive elongated closed loop are positioned within a leading bottom portion of the liquid level sensor without being coupled to an electrical contact outside of the bottom portion of the liquid level sensor.
16. The sensor of claim 11 wherein the resistivity of the inner closed loop equals the resistivity of the outer closed loop.
17. The sensor of claim 16 wherein lower terminal portions of the inner resistive elongated closed loop and lower terminal portions of the outer resistive elongated closed loop are positioned within a leading bottom portion of the liquid level sensor without being coupled to an electrical contact outside of the bottom portion of the liquid level sensor.
18. The sensor of claim 16 wherein the inner and outer resistive elongated closed loops are printable resistive inks.
19. The sensor of claim 18 wherein said electrically conductive material is a printable resistive ink enabling simultaneous printing of the same resistive ink upon the first and second insulated substrates, thereby to save manufacturing costs.
20. The sensor of claim 18 wherein lower terminal portions of the inner resistive elongated closed loop and lower terminal portions of the outer resistive elongated closed loop are positioned within a leading bottom portion of the liquid level sensor without being coupled to an electrical contact outside of the bottom portion of the liquid level sensor.
21. A liquid level sensor apparatus comprising:
(a) a first elongated, insulated substrate having an inner resistive elongated closed loop having first and second resistive elongated legs formed thereon along the length of said first elongated insulated substrate and positioned between first and second resistive elongated legs of an outer resistive elongated closed loop formed thereon along the length of said first elongated insulated substrate;
(b) a second elongated insulated substrate having an elongated strip of an electrically conductive material thereon positioned over the first and second resistive elongated legs of the inner resistive elongated closed loop but not over the first and second resistive legs of the outer resistive elongated closed loop; and wherein
(c) said first and second insulated substrates are coupled together face to face by a coupling member in a manner providing separation of said first and second insulated substrates in the absence of hydrostatic pressure thereon, and for causing electrically conductive bridging contact by said elongated strip of an electrically conductive material contacting the first and second resistive elongated legs of the inner resistive elongated loop, but not contacting the first and second resistive elongated legs of the outer resistive elongated loop, in the presence of hydrostatic pressure thereon; and
(d) a comparator for comparing the resistance of the inner elongated closed loop with the resistance of the outer elongated closed loop that produces a difference signal indicative of the level of the liquid sensed by the sensor apparatus.
22. The liquid level sensor apparatus of claim 21 wherein said comparator is selected from the group consisting of a Wheatstone bridge, an operational amplifier, and a pair of voltage divider circuits which are coupled to two separate analog inputs of a microcontroller for comparison of output signals from the voltage divider circuits.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A spindle motor comprising:
a lower thrust member fixedly coupled to a base member;
a shaft fixedly coupled to at least one of the lower thrust member and the base member;
a sleeve disposed on an upper portion of the lower thrust member and rotatably installed on the shaft;
a rotor hub coupled to the sleeve to thereby rotate together with the sleeve;
an upper thrust member fixedly coupled to an upper end portion of the shaft and forming a liquid-vapor interface together with the sleeve; and
a cover member fixedly coupled to the shaft so as to be disposed on an upper portion of the upper thrust member,
wherein the upper thrust member includes a stepped jaw part having a lower surface supported by an upper surface of the shaft and an upper surface pressed by the cover member, so as to increase coupling strength with the shaft.
2. The spindle motor of claim 1, wherein the sleeve has an inclination part formed in an upper end portion thereof so as to form the liquid-vapor interface together with the upper thrust member, the inclination part having an outer diameter larger in an upper portion thereof than in a lower portion thereof.
3. The spindle motor of claim 2, wherein the upper thrust member includes a body having an inner surface bonded to the shaft, a protrusion part extended from the body to thereby form the liquid-vapor interface together with the inclination part, and the stepped jaw part extended in an inner radial direction from the inner surface of the body.
4. The spindle motor of claim 3, wherein the shaft includes a depression groove formed to be depressed from an outer peripheral surface thereof so as to separate lubricating fluid filling a bearing clearance formed by the sleeve and the shaft into two parts.
5. The spindle motor of claim 4, wherein the sleeve includes a communication hole disposed to face the depression groove to thereby provide communication between the depression groove and the outside of the sleeve.
6. The spindle motor of claim 1, wherein the rotor hub includes:
a rotor hub body including an insertion part formed therein, the insertion part including the upper thrust member insertedly disposed in an inner portion thereof;
a mounting part extended from an edge of the rotor hub body and including a magnet assembly mounted on an inner surface thereof; and
an extension part extended in an outer radial direction from an edge of the mounting part.
7. The spindle motor of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the upper thrust member and an inner surface of the rotor hub disposed to face the outer surface of the upper thrust member have a clearance of 0.3 mm or less formed therebetween.
8. A spindle motor comprising:
a lower thrust member fixedly coupled to a base member;
a shaft fixedly coupled to on at least one of the lower thrust member and the base member;
a sleeve disposed on an upper portion of the lower thrust member and rotatably installed on the shaft;
a rotor hub coupled to the sleeve to thereby rotate together with the sleeve;
an upper thrust member fixedly coupled to an upper end portion of the shaft and forming a liquid-vapor interface together with the sleeve; and
a cover member fixedly coupled to the shaft so as to be disposed on an upper portion of the upper thrust member,
wherein the shaft includes a step part formed in an upper end portion thereof, the step part supporting a lower surface of the upper thrust member so as to increase coupling strength with the upper thrust member.
9. The spindle motor of claim 8, wherein the upper thrust member has an upper surface disposed at a position higher than that of an upper surface of the shaft and pressed by the cover member.
10. A spindle motor comprising:
a lower thrust member fixedly coupled to a base member;
a shaft fixedly coupled to at least one of the lower thrust member and the base member;
a sleeve disposed on an upper portion of the lower thrust member and rotatably installed on the shaft;
a rotor hub coupled to the sleeve to thereby rotate together with the sleeve;
an upper thrust member fixedly coupled to an upper end portion of the shaft and forming a liquid-vapor interface together with the sleeve; and
a cover member fixedly coupled to the shaft so as to be disposed on an upper portion of the upper thrust member,
wherein an upper surface of the shaft and an upper surface of the upper thrust member are coplanarly disposed and pressed by the cover member.