Author: claimsbot

1. A medical system comprising:
a structure comprising a plurality of elongate members, each elongate member comprising a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion positioned between the first and the second ends, each intermediate portion comprising a thickness, a front surface and a back surface opposite across the thickness from the front surface, the structure further comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, each of the proximal and the distal portions of the structure comprising a respective part of each of at least some of the plurality of elongate members, the structure selectively moveable between:
a delivery configuration in which the structure is sized for delivery through a bodily opening leading to a bodily cavity, at least the respective intermediate portions of the elongate members of the plurality of elongate members arranged front surface-toward-back surface in a stacked array when the structure is in the delivery configuration; and
a deployed configuration in which the structure is sized too large for delivery through the bodily opening leading to the bodily cavity, the proximal portion of the structure forming a first domed shape and the distal portion of the structure forming a second domed shape when the structure is in the deployed configuration.
2. The medical system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first domed shape and the second domed shape has a first radius of curvature in a first spatial plane and a second radius of curvature in a second spatial plane that intersects the first spatial plane, a magnitude of the second radius of curvature different than a magnitude of the first radius of curvature.
3. The medical system of claim 1 wherein each elongate member of the at least some of the plurality of elongate members crosses at least one other elongate member of the plurality of elongate members at least at one location between the proximal and the distal portions of the structure when the structure is in the deployed configuration.
4. The medical system of claim 1 wherein each elongate member of the plurality of elongate members comprises a respective length between the first end and the second end of the elongate member, each elongate member of the at least some of the plurality of elongate members crossing at least one other elongate member of the plurality of elongate members at each of a plurality of spaced apart locations along the respective length of at least the one other elongate member of the plurality of elongate members when the structure is in the deployed configuration.
5. The medical system of claim 1 wherein at least some of the plurality of elongate members are fanned with respect to at least one of the plurality of elongate members about an axis passing through a location between the proximal and the distal portions of the structure when the structure is in the deployed configuration.
6. A medical system comprising:
a structure comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, the structure selectively movable between:
a delivery configuration in which the structure is sized for delivery through a bodily opening leading to a bodily cavity, the structure arranged to be advanced distal portion first into the bodily cavity, and
a deployed configuration in which the structure is sized too large for delivery through the bodily opening leading to the bodily cavity, the proximal portion of the structure forms a first domed shape and the distal portion of the structure forms a second domed shape when the structure is in the deployed configuration, the proximal and the distal portions of the structure arranged in a clam shell configuration when the structure is in the deployed configuration.
7. The medical system of claim 6 wherein at least one of the first domed shape and the second domed shape has a first radius of curvature in a first spatial plane and a second radius of curvature in a second spatial plane that intersects the first spatial plane, a magnitude of the second radius of curvature different than a magnitude of the first radius of curvature.
8. The medical system of claim 6 wherein the proximal and the distal portions of the structure are physically coupled together to pivot with respect to one another when the structure is in the deployed configuration.
9. The medical system of claim 6 wherein the proximal and the distal portions of the structure are pivotably coupled together by a flexure portion of the structure when the structure is in the deployed configuration.
10. The medical system of claim 6, further comprising at least one actuator operably coupled to the structure to selectively pivot the proximal and the distal portions of the structure with respect to one another when the structure is in the deployed configuration.
11. The medical system of claim 6, further comprising at least one flexible line arranged to physically couple the proximal and the distal portions of the structure together, the at least one flexible line manipulable to vary a distance between the proximal and the distal portions of the structure when the structure is in the deployed configuration.
12. The medical system of claim 6, further comprising at least one actuator selectively operable to act on at least one of the proximal and the distal portions of the structure to distort a respective one of the first domed shape and the second domed shape when the structure is in the deployed configuration.
13. The medical system of claim 6 wherein each of the first domed shape and the second domed shape has a respective volume therein, and the medical system further comprises at least one actuator selectively operable to act on the structure to vary the respective volume of at least one of the first domed shape and the second domed shape when the structure is in the deployed configuration.
14. The medical system of claim 6 wherein each of the proximal and the distal portions of the structure are arranged to pivot with respect to one another about a pivot location when the structure is in the deployed configuration, each of the first domed shape and the second domed shape comprising a respective apex and a respective height extending normally from a respective spatial plane to the respective apex, each respective spatial plane positioned to intersect the pivot location, and wherein the medical system further comprises at least one actuator selectively operable to act on at least one of the proximal and the distal portions of the structure to vary at least one of a magnitude of the respective height of the first domed shape and a magnitude of the respective height of the second domed shape when the structure is in the deployed configuration.
15. The medical system of claim 6 wherein the structure comprises a plurality of elongate members, each of the proximal and the distal portions of the structure comprising a respective portion of each elongate member of the plurality of elongate members.
16. The medical system of claim 15 wherein each elongate member of at least some of the plurality of elongate members crosses at least one other elongate member of the plurality of elongate members at least at one location between the proximal and the distal portions of the structure when the structure is in the deployed configuration.
17. The medical system of claim 15 wherein each elongate member of the plurality of elongate members comprises a first end, a second end, and a respective length between the first end and the second end, each elongate member of at least some of the plurality of elongate members crossing at least one other elongate member of the plurality of elongate members at each of a plurality of spaced apart locations along the respective length of at least the one other elongate member of the plurality of elongate members when the structure is in the deployed configuration.
18. The medical system of claim 17 wherein the plurality of spaced apart locations along the respective length of at least the one other elongate member of the plurality of elongate members comprises at least one location between the respective portion of the one other elongate member of the plurality of elongate members comprised by the proximal portion of the structure and the respective portion of the one other elongate member of the plurality of elongate members comprised by the distal portion of the structure.
19. The medical system of claim 15 wherein at least some of the plurality of elongate members are fanned with respect to one another about an axis that passes through a location between the proximal and the distal portions of the structure when the structure is in the deployed configuration.
20. The medical system of claim 15 wherein each elongate member of the plurality of elongate members comprises a first end, a second end, an intermediate portion positioned between the first end and the second end, and a thickness, the respective intermediate portion of each elongate member comprising a front surface and a back surface opposite across the thickness from the front surface, and wherein the respective intermediate portions of the plurality of elongate members are arranged front surface-toward-back surface in a stacked array when the structure is in the delivery configuration.
21. The medical system of claim 15 wherein each elongate member of the plurality of elongate members comprises a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion positioned between the first end and the second end, the respective intermediate portion of each elongate member of at least some of the plurality of elongate members comprising a slotted opening between the respective first and the second ends of the elongate member, at least two of the slotted openings arranged to cross one another when the structure is in the deployed configuration.
22. The medical system of claim 21, further comprising at least one actuator selectively operable to act on the structure to change a location where the at least two slotted openings cross one another when the structure is in the deployed configuration.

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 voice-operated control circuit for a toy vehicle comprising:
an audio detector circuit for receiving audible sound signals;
a switch having an open position and a closed position;
a motor; and
an integrated circuit coupled to the audio detector circuit, said integrated circuit configured to determine, from when said switch is in its open position to when said switch is in its closed position, the cumulative duration in which audible sound signals greater than a predetermined decibel level are received by said audio detector circuit, to calculate a period based on said cumulative duration, and to provide output signals to activate said motor for said period.

2. The voice-operated control circuit according to claim 1, wherein said switch is placed in said open position when said toy vehicle is picked up off a surface and said switch is placed in said closed position when said toy vehicle is placed on the same or other surface.

3. The voice-operated control circuit according to claim 1, further comprising an audio output device, wherein said integrated circuit provides second output signals to activate said audio output device.

4. The voice-operated control circuit according to claim 1, further comprising one or more light emitting devices, wherein said integrated circuit provides third output signals to activate said one or more light emitting devices.

5. The voice-operated control circuit according to claim 1, further comprising a second switch having a first position and a second position, wherein when said switch is placed in said closed position and said second switch is placed in said second position said toy vehicle is configured to operate in connection with a play set.

6. The voice-operated control circuit according to claim 1, wherein said integrated circuit is configured to determine the cumulative duration in which said audio detector circuit does not receive audible sound signals greater than said predetermined decibel level.

7. A voice-operated control circuit for a toy vehicle comprising:
an audio detector circuit for receiving audible sound signals;
a switch having an open position and a closed position;
a motor; and
an integrated circuit coupled to the audio detector circuit, said integrated circuit configured to determine, from when said switch is in its open position to when said switch is in its closed position, the duration in which audible sound signals are received by said audio detector circuit within each of a plurality of decibel level ranges, to calculate a period based on said duration in which audible sound signals are received by said audio detector circuit within each of said plurality of decibel level ranges, and to provide output signals to activate said motor for said period.

8. The voice-operated control circuit according to claim 7, wherein said switch is placed in said open position when said toy vehicle is picked up off a surface and said switch is placed in said closed position when said toy vehicle is placed on the same or other surface.

9. The voice-operated control circuit according to claim 7, further comprising an audio output device, wherein said integrated circuit provides second output signals to activate said audio output device.

10. The voice-operated control circuit according to claim 7, further comprising one or more light emitting devices, wherein said integrated circuit provides third output signals to activate said one or more light emitting devices.

11. The voice-operated control circuit according to claim 7, further comprising a second switch having a first position and a second position, wherein when said switch is placed in said closed position and said second switch is placed in said second position said toy vehicle is configured to operate in connection with a play set.

12. The voice-operated control circuit according to claim 7, wherein said integrated circuit is configured to determine the cumulative duration in which said audio detector circuit does not receive audible sound signals greater than said predetermined decibel level.

13. A voice-operated control circuit for a toy vehicle comprising:
an audio detector circuit for receiving audible sound signals;
a switch having an open position and a closed position;
a motor; and
an integrated circuit coupled to the audio detector circuit, said integrated circuit configured to determine, from when said switch is in its open position to when said switch is in its closed position, the decibel levels of audible sound signals received by said audio detector circuit, and to provide output signals to activate said motor for a period based on the highest decibel level received by said audio detector circuit.

14. The voice-operated control circuit according to claim 13, wherein said switch is placed in said open position when said toy vehicle is picked up off a surface and said switch is placed in said closed position when said toy vehicle is placed on the same or other surface.

15. The voice-operated control circuit according to claim 13, further comprising an audio output device, wherein said integrated circuit provides second output signals to activate said audio output device.

16. The voice-operated control circuit according to claim 13, further comprising one or more light emitting devices, wherein said integrated circuit provides third output signals to activate said one or more light emitting devices.

17. The voice-operated control circuit according to claim 13, further comprising a second switch having a first position and a second position, wherein when said switch is placed in said closed position and said second switch is placed in said second position said toy vehicle is configured to operate in connection with a play set.

18. The voice-operated control circuit according to claim 13, wherein said integrated circuit is configured to determine the cumulative duration in which said audio detector circuit does not receive audible sound signals greater than said predetermined decibel level.

19. A method of controlling a toy vehicle having a motor comprising the steps of:
receiving sound signals;
determining the duration of the received sound signals; and
activating said motor at a user-defined time for a period dependent upon the duration of the received sound signals.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said activating said motor at said user-defined time occurs when said toy vehicle is placed on a surface.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein said step of receiving sound signals occurs after said toy vehicle is picked up off of a surface.

22. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of activating an audio output device for said period.

23. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of activating one or more light emitting devices for said period.

24. A method of controlling a toy vehicle having a motor comprising the steps of:
receiving sound signals;
determining the duration of the sound signals within each of a plurality of decibel level ranges; and
activating said motor at a user-defined time for a period dependent upon the duration of the sound signals received within each of the plurality of decibel level ranges.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein said activating said motor at said user-defined time occurs when said toy vehicle is placed on a surface.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein said step of receiving sound signals occurs after said toy vehicle is picked up off of a surface.

27. The method according to claim 24, further comprising the step of activating an audio output device for said period.

28. The method according to claim 24, further comprising the step of activating one or more light emitting devices for said period.

29. A method of controlling a toy vehicle having a motor comprising the steps of:
receiving sound signals;
determining the duration of the received sound signals; and
activating said motor at a user-defined time for a period dependent upon the highest decibel level of the received sound signals.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein said activating said motor at said user-defined time occurs when said toy vehicle is placed on a surface.

31. The method according to claim 29, wherein said step of receiving sound signals occurs after said toy vehicle is picked up off of a surface.

32. The method according to claim 29, further comprising the step of activating an audio output device for said period.

33. The method according to claim 29, further comprising the step of activating one or more light emitting devices for said period.

1. A rotational coupling device, comprising:
a rotor coupled to an input shaft for rotation therewith, said input shaft disposed about a rotational axis, said rotor defining axially extending, radially spaced inner and outer poles;
a field shell disposed about said input shaft and fixed against rotation, said field shell defining axially extending, radially spaced inner and outer poles
an electrical conductor disposed within said field shell between said inner and outer poles of said field shell on a first side of said rotor;
a brake plate coupled to said field shell; and,
an armature disposed axially between said rotor and said brake plate on a second side of said rotor opposite said conductor, said armature coupled to an output member
wherein said inner pole of said rotor is disposed radially outward of said inner pole of said field shell
further comprising a bearing disposed about said input shaft and supporting said field shell wherein energization of said conductor causes magnetic flux to travel radially inwardly of said bearing along a first path from said rotor to said field shell.
2. The rotational coupling device of claim 1 wherein magnetic flux also travels radially outwardly of said bearing along a second path from said rotor to said field shell.
3. A rotational coupling device, comprising:
a rotor coupled to an input shaft for rotation therewith, said input shaft disposed about a rotational axis, said rotor defining axially extending, radially spaced inner and outer poles;
a field shell disposed about said input shaft and fixed against rotation, said field shell defining axially extending, radially spaced inner and outer poles
an electrical conductor disposed within said field shell between said inner and outer poles of said field shell on a first side of said rotor;
a brake plate coupled to said field shell; and,
an armature disposed axially between said rotor and said brake plate on a second side of said rotor opposite said conductor, said armature coupled to an output member
wherein said inner pole of said rotor is disposed radially outward of said inner pole of said field shell
wherein magnetic flux travels radially inwardly from said inner pole of said rotor to said inner pole of said field shell and radially outwardly from a radially inner portion of said rotor to said inner pole of said field shell.
4. The rotational coupling device of claim 3 wherein said rotor defines an axially extending recess radially inwardly of said inner pole of said rotor, said recess configured to receive said inner pole of said field shell.
5. The rotational coupling device of claim 3 wherein energization of said conductor causes magnetic flux to travel between said rotor and said inner pole of said field shell radially across a first air gap and axially across a second air gap.
6. The rotational coupling device of claim 5 wherein energization of said conductor further causes magnetic flux to travel between said rotor and an end wall of said field shell extending between said inner and outer poles of said field shell axially across a third air gap.
7. The rotational coupling device of claim 3 wherein at least a portion of a radially outer surface of said inner pole of said field shell, at least a portion of a radially inner surface of said inner pole of said field shell, and at least a portion of an axial end surface of said inner pole of said field shell are separated from corresponding surfaces of said rotor only by air gaps.
8. A rotational coupling device, comprising:
a rotor coupled to an input shaft for rotation therewith, said input shaft disposed about a rotational axis, said rotor defining axially extending, radially spaced inner and outer poles;
a field shell disposed about said input shaft and fixed against rotation, said field shell defining axially extending, radially spaced inner and outer poles
an electrical conductor disposed within said field shell between said inner and outer poles of said field shell on a first side of said rotor;
a brake plate coupled to said field shell; and,
an armature disposed axially between said rotor and said brake plate on a second side of said rotor opposite said conductor, said armature coupled to an output member
wherein said inner pole of said rotor is disposed radially outward of said inner pole of said field shell
wherein energization of said conductor causes magnetic flux to travel radially inwardly from said inner pole of said rotor to said inner pole of said field shell across a first air gap, radially outwardly from a radially inner portion of said rotor to said inner pole of said field shell across a second air gap.

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 magnetic assembly comprising:
a rare earth magnet having a generally cylindrical form, the rare earth magnet having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter surface;
a bottom cap member abutting the bottom surface of the rare earth magnet; and
a perimeter wall extending upward from the bottom cap member and substantially enveloping the perimeter surface of the rare earth magnet;
wherein the perimeter wall abuts against the perimeter surface of the rare earth magnet;
wherein the perimeter wall has a top edge positioned adjacent to the top surface of the rare earth magnet; and
wherein a notch extends into the perimeter wall from the top edge downwardly toward the bottom surface such that a portion of the perimeter surface of the rare earth magnet adjacent to the top surface is exposed by the notch.

2. The magnetic assembly of claim 1 wherein
a portion of the top surface is exposed, the exposed portion of the top surface being in communication with the portion of the perimeter surface exposed by the notch.

3. The magnetic assembly of claim 2 further comprising a top cap member operationally coupled to the perimeter wall, the top cap member abutting a portion of the top surface of the rare earth magnet to cover an unexposed portion of the top surface.

4. The magnetic assembly of claim 3 wherein the top cap member is an arcuate segment.

5. The magnetic assembly of claim 4 wherein the top cap member has an outer edge extending through an angle of between 45 and 180 degrees inclusive.

6. The magnetic assembly of claim 4 wherein the top cap member has an outer edge extending through an angle of about 80 degrees.

7. The magnetic assembly of claim 3 wherein the bottom cap member, the perimeter wall, and the top cap member each comprise a steel material for directing magnetic lines of flux.

8. The magnetic assembly of claim 1 wherein the bottom cap member and the perimeter wall each comprise a steel material for directing magnetic lines of flux.

9. A magnetic assembly comprising:
a bottom cap member;
a perimeter wall extending upward from the bottom cap member such that the bottom cap member and the perimeter wall define a cavity;
a rare earth magnet filling the cavity defined by the bottom cap member and the perimeter wall;
a top cap member abutting a portion of a top surface of the rare earth magnet; and
wherein the top cap member does not abut a remainder portion of the top surface of the rare earth magnet such that the remainder portion of the top surface is exposed.

10. The magnetic assembly of claim 9 wherein the rare earth magnet has a generally cylindrical outer perimeter surface and the perimeter wall has a generally cylindrical inner surface abutting against the outer perimeter surface of the rare earth magnet.

11. The magnetic assembly of claim 10 wherein the rare earth magnet is solid and continuous between portions of the generally cylindrical outer perimeter surface thereof.

12. The magnetic assembly of claim 9 wherein the perimeter wall comprises a top edge and a notch extends downward from the top edge toward the bottom cap member such that a portion of the outer perimeter surface of the rare earth magnet is exposed by the notch.

13. The magnetic assembly of claim 9 wherein the perimeter wall comprises a top edge and a notch extends downward from the top edge toward the bottom cap member such that a portion of the outer perimeter surface of the rare earth magnet is exposed by the notch; and
wherein the remainder portion of the top surface of the rare earth magnet and the portion of the outer perimeter surface of the rare earth magnet are positioned adjacent to each other.

14. The magnetic assembly of claim 9 wherein the top cap member has a wedge shape.

15. The magnetic assembly of claim 14 wherein the top cap member has an outer edge with sides extending at an angle of between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 180 degrees.

16. The magnetic assembly of claim 14 wherein the top cap member has an outer edge with sides extending at an angle of between approximately 80 degrees.

17. The magnetic assembly of claim 9 wherein the bottom cap member and the perimeter wall each comprise a steel material for directing magnetic lines of flux.

18. The magnetic assembly of claim 9 wherein the bottom cap member, the perimeter wall, and the top cap member each comprise a steel material for directing magnetic lines of flux.

19. The magnetic assembly of claim 9 wherein the rare earth magnet has a generally cylindrical outer perimeter surface and the perimeter wall has a generally cylindrical inner surface abutting against the outer perimeter surface of the rare earth magnet;
wherein the rare earth magnet is solid and continuous between portions of the generally cylindrical outer perimeter surface thereof;
wherein the bottom cap member abuts against a bottom surface of the rare earth magnet;
wherein an inner surface of the perimeter wall abuts against an outer perimeter surface of the rare earth magnet;
wherein the perimeter wall comprises a top edge and a notch extends downward from the top edge toward the bottom cap member such that a portion of the outer perimeter surface of the rare earth magnet is exposed by the notch;
wherein the remainder portion of the top surface of the rare earth magnet and the portion of the outer perimeter surface of the rare earth magnet are positioned adjacent to each other;
wherein the top cap member has a wedge shape; and
wherein the top cap member has an outer edge with sides extending at an angle of between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 180 degrees; and
wherein the bottom cap member, the perimeter wall, and the top cap member each comprise a steel material for directing magnetic lines of flux.

20. The magnetic assembly of claim 9 wherein the bottom cap member abuts against a bottom surface of the rare earth magnet; and
wherein an inner surface of the perimeter wall abuts against an outer perimeter surface of the rare earth magnet.