Author: claimsbot

1. A device for applying a force to a spinal column segment, comprising:
a pair of opposite engagement ends each configured for engagement with a portion of the spinal column segment;
a mechanism disposed between said pair of opposite engagement ends moveable to vary the distance between said engagement ends;
means for moving said mechanism in an extend direction to apply a distraction force and in a retract direction to apply a compression force; and
means for locking said mechanism having a first position in engagement with said mechanism such that said mechanism is not movable in one of said extend direction and said retract direction and is movable in the other one of said extend direction and said retract direction, said means for locking having a second position allowing said mechanism to be moved in both said extend direction and said retract direction.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein each of said pair of opposite engagement ends is coupled to an anchor engaged to a vertebra.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein said mechanism includes:
a body integral with one of said pair of opposite engagement ends, said body defining a passage therethrough and a bore intersecting said passage; and
a rack movably received in said passage, said rack integral with the other of said pair of opposite engagement ends and having a plurality of teeth formed therealong.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein said means for moving said mechanism includes a pinion rotatably received in said bore in engagement with said rack.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein said pinion includes a number of teeth therearound that interdigitate with selective ones of said plurality of teeth of said rack.
6. The device of claim 3, wherein said means for locking is spring biased to said first position.
7. The device of claim 3, wherein said means for locking includes:
a lock member movably mourned in a chamber of said body and engageable with said rack; and
a lock pin engaged to said lock member and extending therefrom through said body, said lock pin engageable to move said lock member from said first position to said second position.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein said lock member is movable along at least one camming surface in said chamber between said first position and said second position.
9. The device of claim 7, wherein said lock pin has a cam member extending from a distal end thereof and said lock member defines a receptacle sized to receive said cam member.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein said cam member moves in said receptacle as said lock member is moved between said first position and said second position.
11. The device of claim 7, wherein said lock member includes a number of teeth engageable with said plurality of teeth of said rack, at least one of said number of teeth having an engaging wall and an advancing wall, said engaging wall of said at least one of said number of teeth of said lock member engaging at least one of said plurality of teeth of said rack such that said mechanism is not moveable in one of said extend direction and said retract direction, said advancing wall engaging said at least one of said plurality of teeth of said rack such that said mechanism is moveable in the other one of said extend direction and said retract direction.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein said mechanism has a central axis extending in the extend and retract directions, said engaging wall has a slope relative to said central axis that is greater than a slope relative to said central axis defined by walls of said at least one of said plurality of teeth of said rack.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein said advancing wall has a slope relative to said central axis that is less than the slope relative to said central axis defined by walls of said at least one of said plurality of teeth of said rack.
14. The device of claim 1, wherein each of said pair of engagement ends includes a shaft extending generally in the extend and retract directions and an enlarged end extending from said shaft.
15. A device for applying a force to a spinal column segment, comprising:
a body having a first engagement end, said body defining a passage therethrough and a bore intersecting said passage; and
a rack movably received in said passage, said rack having a second engagement end opposite said first engagement end;
a pinion rotatably received in said bore and in operative engagement with said rack to move said first and second engagement ends in an extend direction and a retract direction; and
a locking mechanism mounted to said body, said locking mechanism having a first position in engagement with said rack locking said first and second engagement end from movement in one of said extend direction and said retract direction while allowing said first and second engagement ends to be moved in the other one of said extend direction and said retract direction, said locking mechanism having a second position allowing said first and second engagement ends to be moved in both said extend direction and said retract direction.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein each of said first and second engagement ends is coupled to an anchor engaged to a vertebra.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein each of said pair of engagement ends includes a shaft extending generally in the extend and retract directions and an enlarged end extending from said shaft.
18. The device of claim 15, wherein said pinion includes a number of teeth that interdigitate with selective ones of a plurality of teeth formed along said rack.
19. The device of claim 15, wherein said locking mechanism includes a lock member spring biased to said first position.
20. The device of claim 19, wherein said lock member is movably mounted in a chamber of said body in engagement with said rack, said locking mechanism including:
a lock pin engaged to said lock member and extending therefrom through said body, said lock pin engageable to move said lock member from said first position to said second position.
21. The device of claim 20, wherein said lock member is movable along at least one camming surface in said chamber between said first position and said second position.
22. The device of claim 20, wherein said lock pin has a cam member extending from a distal end thereof, said lock member defining a receptacle sized to receive said cam member.
23. The device of claim 22, wherein said cam member moves in said receptacle as said lock member is moved between said first position and said second position.
24. The device of claim 20, wherein said lock member includes a number of teeth engageable with said plurality of teeth of said rack, at least one of said number of teeth having an engaging wall and an advancing wall, said engaging wall of said at least one of said number of teeth of said lock member engaging at least one of said plurality of teeth of said rack such that said mechanism is not moveable in one of said extend direction and said retract direction, said advancing wall engaging said at least one of said plurality of teeth of said rack such that said mechanism is moveable in the other one of said extend direction and said retract direction.
25. The device of claim 24, wherein said mechanism has a central axis extending in the extend and retract directions, said engaging wall has a slope relative to said central axis that is greater than a slope relative to said central axis defined by walls of said at least one of said plurality of teeth of said rack.
26. The device of claim 25, wherein said advancing wall has a slope relative to said central axis that is less than the slope relative to said central axis defined by walls of said at least one of said plurality of teeth of said rack.
27. A device for applying a force to a spinal column segment, comprising:
a body having a first end member, said body defining a passage therethrough and a chamber in communication with said passage;
a rack moveably received in said passage, said rack having a second end member opposite said first end member;
a driving mechanism in operative engagement with said rack to move said first and second end members in an extend direction for application of a distraction force and in a retract direction for application of a compression force; and
a lock member positioned in said chamber of said body, said lock member having a lock pin engaged thereto engageable to move said lock member between a first position wherein said lock member engages said rack and a second position wherein said lock member is not engaged with said rack, wherein:
in said first position said lock member prevents said first and second end members from being moved in one of said extend direction and said retract direction and allows said first and second end members to be moved in the other of said extend direction and said retract direction; and
in said second position said first and second end members are moveable in both said extend direction and said retract direction.
28. The device of claim 27, wherein said lock member is spring biased to said first position.
29. The device of claim 28, further comprising a spring between said body and said lock pin to spring bias said lock member to said first position.
30. The device of claim 27, wherein said body includes a bore in communication with said passage and said drive mechanism includes a pinion in said bore having a number of teeth that interdigitate with teeth formed along said rack.
31. The device of claim 27, wherein said lock member includes at least one tooth engageable with said rack to prevent said rack from being moved in one of the extend direction and the refract direction.
32. The device of claim 27, wherein said lock member includes an engagement surface and said lock pin includes a cam member engageable with said engagement surface to move said lock member between said first position and said second position.
33. The device of claim 32, wherein said cam member is slidable along said engagement surface.
34. The device of claim 27, wherein said lock member includes a number of teeth engageable with at least one of a plurality of teeth along said rack, at least one of said number of teeth having an engaging wall and an advancing wall, said engaging wall of said at least one of said number of teeth of said lock member engaging at least one of said plurality of teeth of said rack so that said mechanism is not moveable in one of said extend direction and said retract direction, said advancing wall engaging said at least one of said plurality of teeth of said rack so that said mechanism is moveable in the other one of said extend direction and said retract direction.
35. The device of claim 34, wherein said rack has a central axis extending in the extend and retract directions, said engaging wall has a slope relative to said central axis that is greater than a slope relative to said central axis defined by walls of said at least one of said plurality of teeth of said rack.
36. The device of claim 35, wherein said advancing wall has a slope relative to said central axis that is less than the slope relative to said central axis defined by walls of said at least one of said plurality of teeth of said rack.
37. The device of claim 27, wherein:
in said first position said lock member prevents said first and second end members from being moved in either of said extend direction and said retract direction; and
in said second position said first and second end members are moveable in both said extend direction and said retract direction.
38. A device for applying a force to a spinal column segment, comprising:
a pair of opposite engagement ends each configured for engagement with a portion of the spinal column segment;
a mechanism disposed between said pair of opposite engagement ends moveable to vary the distance between said engagement ends;
a driving mechanism operable to move said opposite ends in an extend direction to apply a distraction force and in a retract direction to apply a compression force; and
a locking mechanism having a first position in engagement with said mechanism such that said opposite ends are not movable in one of said extend direction and said retract direction and is movable in the other one of said extend direction and said retract direction, said locking mechanism having a second position allowing said mechanism to be moved in both said extend direction and said retract direction.
39. The device of claim 38, wherein said mechanism includes:
a body integral with one of said pair of opposite engagement ends, said body defining a passage therethrough and a bore intersecting said passage; and
a rank movably received in said passage, said rack integral with the other of said pair of opposite engagement ends and having a plurality of teeth formed therealong.
40. The device of claim 39, wherein said driving mechanism includes a pinion rotatably received in said bore in engagement with said rack.
41. The device of claim 39, wherein said locking mechanism includes:
a lock member movably mounted in a chamber of said body and engageable with said rack; and
a lock pin engaged to said lock member and extending therefrom through said body, said lock pin engageable to move said lock member from said first position to said second position.

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

What is claimed is:

1. A mechanism for fixing optical element that is applied to construct the optical element in an wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) or an dense wavelength division multiplexer (DWDM), the mechanism comprising:
a filter letting a beam of light with targeted wavelength pass through and in the meantime reflect the other beams of light (it is same on the other hand); and
a holder being deployed in an optical path of the WDM, which is tubular with a hollow part and having an incident end and an emitting end, and further there is a carry surface to let the filter be pasted on.
2. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the incident end of the holder faces to the first collimator when the holder is fixed in the WDM or the DWDM.
3. The mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the incident end has a big hollow portion to let the first collimator be gotten into and come out.
4. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the appearance of the holder is a cuboid or a cube, and the shape of the carry surface is a circle.
5. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the appearance of the holder is a cylinder and the shape of the carry surface.
6. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the axis of the holder has a tilt of 0.6 degrees to the axis of the mechanism body of the WDM or the DWDM while the holder is fixed in the WDM or the DWDM.
7. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the normal of the carry surface has a tilt of 0.6 degrees to the axis of the holder so that the filter also has a tilt of 0.6 degrees to the holder while the filter is pasted on the carry surface.
8. A method for fixing optical element that is applied to construct the optical element in an wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) or an dense wavelength division multiplexer (DWDM), the method comprising:
providing a tubular holder with a hollow part, the holder having both of an incident end and an emitting end, and there is a carry surface between the incident end and the emitting end to paste a filter on the carry surface of the holder; and
installing the holder in a middle position of a mechanism body of the WDM or the DWDM.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the method further comprises the steps of installing a first collimator in one end of the mechanism body to let the first collimator face the filter surface of the holder, and installing a second collimator in the other end of the mechanism body.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the mechanism body has a containing space inside so as to contain the holder.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the containing space is machined a tilt angle of 0.6 degrees to the mechanism body so that the axis of the filter also has a tilt of 0.6 degrees to the axis of the mechanism body when the holder is installed into the containing space.
12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the normal of the carry surface has a tilt of 0.6 degrees to the axis of the holder so that the axis of the filter also has a tilt of 0.6 degrees to the axis of the mechanism body when the holder is installed into the containing space (the axis of the holder has a same direction with the axis of the mechanism body).
13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the size and shape of the containing space is made to suit the size and shape of the holder.
14. The method according to claim 8, wherein the appearance of the holder is a cuboid or a cube, and the shape of the carry surface is a circle.
15. The method according to claim 8, wherein the appearance of the holder is a cylinder and the shape of the carry surface is a circle.
16. The method according to claim 8, wherein the appearance of the mechanism body is a cuboid or a cube.
17. The method according to claim 8, wherein the appearance of the mechanism body is a cylinder.

1. A method of using a tablet device to provide contextual input to a computing device, the method comprising;
sending from the tablet device to the computing device a first screen input that identifies a first location on a display screen of the computing device;
receiving at the tablet device from the computing device values that identify one or more options for a first display item on the display screen, the first display item being near the first location on the display screen;
displaying at a touchscreen of the tablet device a context menu that includes selectable areas tor one or more menu items and a context selector, the one or more menu items corresponding to the one or more options for the first display item, and the context selector operating to Indicate a selection from the context menu;
accessing at the tablet device a selection of a first menu item from the content menu on the touchscreen, the first menu item corresponding, to a first option from the one or more options for the first display item; and
sending from the tablet device to the computing device values for the first option for the first display item.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising;
receiving at the computing device from the tablet device the first screen input that identities the first location on the display screen;
identifying at the computing device the first display item on the display screen, the first display item being within a threshold distance from the first location on the display screen, and at least one option being associated with the first display item;
sending from the computing device to the tablet device the values that identify the one or more options for the first display item;
receiving at the computing device from the tablet device the values for the first option for the first display item; and
displaying one or more of the values for the first option at the display screen of the computing device.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
accessing values for the first screen input from the touchscreen of the tablet device,
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
providing a wireless connection between the computing device and the tablet device, the wireless connection supporting operations for sending and receiving values between the computing device and the tablet device.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
when the context selector is not selected on the touchscreen of the tablet device, sending from the tablet device to the computing device values that change a size or location of at least one display item on the display screen of the computing device.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
in response to receiving the values that identify the one or more options for the first display item on the display screen, providing a non-visual signal at the tablet device, the non-visual signal including at least one of a sound or a vibration.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving at the tablet device from the computing device values that identify one or more sub-options for the first option for the first display item;
displaying at the touchscreen of the tablet device a context sub-menu that includes selectable areas for one or more sub-menu items and a context sub-selector, the one or more sub-menu items corresponding to the one or more sub-options for the first option, and the context sub-selector operating to indicate a selection from the context sub-menu;
accessing at the tablet device a selection of a first sub-menu item from the contest sub-menu on the touchscreen, the first sub-menu, item corresponding to a first sub-option from the one or more sub-options for the first option; and
sending from the tablet device to the computing device values for the first sub-menu item corresponding to the first sub-option for the first option.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein
the values that identify the one or more options for the first display item include values for a graphical image of the first display item, and
the context menu includes the graphical image of the first display item.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the context menu is arranged on the touchscreen so that a first digit of a band selects the context selector and a second digit of the hand selects the first menu item.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the context menu includes a plurality of menu items that are approximately arranged along an arc that is defined about the context selector on the touchscreen.
11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores a computer program for using a tablet device to provide contextual input to a computing device, the computer program including instructions that, when executed by at least one computer, cause the at least one computer to perform operations comprising;
sending from the tablet device to the computing device a first screen input that identifies a first location on a display screen of the computing device;
receiving at the tablet device from the computing device values that identify one or more options for a first display item on the display screen, the first display item being near the first location on the display screen;
displaying at a touchscreen of the tablet device a context menu that includes selectable areas for one or more menu items and a context selector, the one or more menu items corresponding to the one or more options for the first display item, and the context selector operating to indicate a selection from the context menu;
accessing at the tablet device a selection of a first menu item from the content menu on the touchscreen, the first menu item corresponding to a first option from the one or more options for the first display item; and
sending from the tablet device to the computing device values for the first option for the first display item.
12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the computer program further includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one computer, cause the at least one computer to perform operations comprising:
receiving at the computing device from the tablet device the first screen input that Identifies the first location on the display screen;
identifying at the computing device the first display item on the display screen, the first display item being within a threshold distance from the first location on the display screen, and at least one option being associated with the first display item;
sending from the computing device to the tablet device the values that identity the one or more options for the first display item;
receiving at the computing device from the tablet device the values for the first option for the first display item; and
displaying one or more of the values for the first option at the display screen of the computing device.
13. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the computer program further includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one computer, cause the at least one computer to perform operations comprising:
accessing values for the first screen input from the touchscreen of the tablet device.
14. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the computer program further Includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one computer, cause the at least one computer to perform operations comprising:
providing a wireless connection between the computing device and the tablet device, the wireless connection supporting operations for sending and receiving values between the computing device and the tablet device.
15. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the computer program further Includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one computer, cause the at least one computer to perform operations comprising:
when the context selector is not selected on the touchscreen of the tablet device, sending from the tablet device to the computing device values that change a size or location of at least one display item on the display screen of the computing device.
16. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the computer program further includes instructions that, when executed by the at least one computer, cause the at least one computer to perform operations comprising:
in response to receiving the values that identify the one or more options for the first display item on the display screen, providing a non-visual signal at the tablet device, the non-visual signal including at least one of a sound or a vibration.
17. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the computer program further includes Instructions that, when executed by the at least one computer, cause the at least one computer to perform operations comprising:
receiving at the tablet device from the computing device values that identify one or more sub-options for the first option for the first display item;
displaying at the touchscreen of the tablet device a context sub-menu that includes selectable areas for one or more sub-menu items and a context sub-selector, the one or more sub-menu items corresponding to the one or more sub-options for the first option, and the context sub-selector operating to indicate a selection from the context sub-menu;
accessing at the tablet device a selection of a first sob-menu item from the context sub-menu on the touchscreen, the first sub-menu item corresponding to a first sub-option from the one or more sub-options for the first option; and
sending from the tablet device to the computing device values for the first sub-menu item corresponding to the first sub-option for the first option.
18. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein
the values that identify the one or more options for the first display item include values for a graphical image of the first display item, and
the context menu includes the graphical image of the first display item.
19. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the context menu is arranged on the touchscreen so that a first digit of a hand selects the context selector and a second digit of the hand, selects the first menu item.
20. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the context menu includes a plurality of menu items that are approximately arranged along an arc that is defined about the context selector on the touchscreen.
21. A system for using a tablet device to provide contextual input, to a computing device, the system comprising at least one computer configured at the tablet device to perform operations for computer-executable modules including:
a location-sending module that sends from the tablet device to the computing device a first screen input that identifies a first location on a display semen of the computing device;
an option-receiving module that receives at the tablet device from the computing device values that identify one or more options tor a first display item on the display screen, the first display item being near the first location on the display screen;
a menu-display module that displays at a touchscreen of the tablet device a context menu that includes selectable areas tor one or more menu items and a context selector, the one or more menu items corresponding to the one or more options for the first display item, and the context selector operating to indicate a selection from the context menu;
a menu-selection module that accesses at the tablet device a selection of a first menu item from the content menu on the touchscreen, the first menu item corresponding to a first option from the one or more options for the first display item; and
a selection-sending module that sends from the tablet device to the computing device values for the first option for the first display item.
22. The system of claim 21, farther comprising at least one computer configured at the computing device to perform operations for computer-executable modules including;
a location-receiving module that receives at the computing device from the tablet device the first screen input that identifies the first location on the display screen;
an item-identification module that identifies at the computing device the first display item on the display screen, the first display item being within a threshold distance from the first location on the display screen, and at least one option being associated with the first display item;
an option-sending module that sends from the computing device to the tablet device the values that identify the one or more options for the first display item;
a selection-receiving module that receives at the computing device from the tablet device the values for the first option for the first display item; and
an option-displaying module that displays one or more of the values for the first option at the display screen of the computing device.

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

Having thus described the invention, it is claimed:

1. Facing apparatus comprising: a housing having a longitudinal axis; a spindle in said housing; said spindle being rotatable about said axis by a spindle drive; a cutting tool rotated with said spindle for facing an end face of a body when said tool engages the body; a fixture mounted on said housing; said fixture having a holder that opens and closes, said holder retaining the body in alignment with said cutting tool when said holder is closed; and a fixture retainer that engages said holder in its closed position.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the body is a hollow cylinder such as a tube or pipe.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said holder comprises first and second clamps; said first clamp being fixed to said housing and said second clamp being movable to open and closed positions relative to said first clamp; said second clamp being secured against axial and radial displacement by said fixture retainer when said second clamp is in its closed position.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said second clamp is pivotally attached to said first clamp.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said fist and second clamps are generally hemispherical structures to retain a cylindrical body.
6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said second clamp comprises a fixture catch that engages said fixture retainer in said closed position.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said fixture retainer is attached to said housing.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said fixture retainer comprises a groove that receives and mates with said fixture catch when said second clamp is in said closed position.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said fist and second clamps are pivotally connected at a hinge, said groove and said fixture catch being arcuate along a radius from a rotation axis of said hinge.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a plurality of cutting tools carried on said spindle with each cutting tool having a respective radial position for facing respective workpiece diameters.
11. The apparatus of claim l wherein said holder comprises first and second collets adapted to hold respective sizes of the body in said fixture.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said collets are interchangeable with additional collet pairs to permit said fixture to retain a variety of different sized bodies.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said spindle comprises an end face formed with recesses; each said recess being adapted to retain a cutting tool for facing a plurality of body sizes.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said fixture accepts body sizes from inch or less to 2 inches or more for facing operations.
15. Facing apparatus for cylindrical bodies, tubes, pipes and the like, comprising: a spindle rotated about an axis by a spindle drive; said spindle having an end face adjacent a workpiece during a facing operation; said end face having a pocket formed by two surfaces; and a cutting tool mounted on said end face with an axial and radial load against a said wall.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said cutting tool has a bore there through; said end face having a threaded bore formed in an area of said pocket; a threaded member threadably engaging said bore to attach said tool to said end face; said bores being offset with respect to each other to produce said load when said cutting tool is installed with said threaded member.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said threaded member comprises a tapered screw.
18. The apparatus of claim 15 comprising a plurality of pockets with each said pocket having a respective radial position on said end face.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 comprising a corresponding plurality of cutting tools each mounted in a respective pocket.
20. The apparatus of claim 15 comprising a chip shield that substantially deflects material removed from a workpiece by said cutting tool away from said workpiece.
21. Facing apparatus for cylindrical bodies, tubes, pipes and the like, comprising: a spindle rotated by a spindle drive; said spindle having an end face adjacent a workpiece during a facing operation; a cutting tool mounted on said end face for facing a workpiece; and a chip shield mounted on said end face; said shield deflecting material removed from a workpiece by said cutting tool away from said workpiece.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said shield is disposed adjacent said cutting tool; said cutting tool having a contoured face that directs removed material towards said shield.
23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said shield includes a wall disposed between said cutting tool and said workpiece to block removed material from said workpiece.
24. A fixture for holding a workpiece, comprising: a housing having a longitudinal axis; a workpiece holder having a first part secured to the housing and a second part pivotally connected to the first part so that the holder pivots open and closed by moving said second part from a first position to a second position respectively, said holder retaining the workpiece in a selected alignment when said holder is closed; and a fixture retainer on said housing that secures said holder second part in its closed second position.
25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said holder second part includes a fixture catch that is captured by said fixture retainer when said second part is in its closed second position.