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an invention directed to a soccer training device , method of use and training system . the device is a deflection wall that may be portable . the wall having a larger and smaller embodiment , mimicking the silhouette of a soccer goal or an average player of a given age range from a far distance at simulated closer range . the inventive features of the wall intended to enhance quantity , quality , speed , and accuracy of interaction and perception between the user , the ball and the wall according to professional quality and professional level training techniques . multiple wall units may be combined to create individualized training modules wherein one person may train in a simulated multi - player environment of varying levels of complexity . two or more module units may be combined to create a soccer training system . the modules and systems may be staged in limited ground surface area both indoor and outdoor .

reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present invention which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings . wherever possible , the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts . fig1 a and 1b provide a general embodiment of the device , a deflection wall . the device in fig1 a and 1b is not drawn to scale and represents a generic illustrated description of the claimed features . fig1 a is a front view of the device , a deflection wall 100 comprising one panel 101 and having a preferred rectangular shape . fig1 a illustrates an exposed front surface 102 of the panel . the front surface 102 being flat and smooth , containing no attachments or cavities that would interfere with the interaction with the ball . fig1 b illustrates a side view of the panel , having an exposed front surface 102 with greater surface area than the exposed side surface of the surrounding edge 103 a , b . the corners 104 of the panel would preferably be soft and curved such that deflection of a ball from said corner would closely simulate a ball being kicked from the curve of a person &# 39 ; s padded shoe as opposed to a hard jagged surface . the curved or rounded corners 104 further minimize wear and tear on a ball typically experienced with sharp or jagged edges . as stated above , the device may be embodied in two preferred sizes . a larger size according to fig2 b defined as a shooting wall 200 , and a smaller size according to fig2 a defined as a passing wall 201 . the shooting wall having a dimension proportional in perspective to a standard soccer goal post frame from a far distance ; preferably between three to four feet high 202 and approximately six to eight feet wide 203 . the passing wall would preferably be approximately two to three feet high 204 and three and a half feet to four and a half feet wide 205 , simulating the silhouette of an average adult soccer player standing in ready position with legs spread apart . the two sizes may be scaled down to the proportional dimensions of average users of a particular age range such as shorter youth players or smaller infant - children players . the panel is placed on its widest side surface 103 a directly on and perpendicular to the ground during use . the panel surface is comprised of a thick , semi - flexible and semi - viscous material similar to rubber or neoprene . the panel surface may be textured to enhance grip over the ball but should not have substantial grooves , cavities or raised features otherwise interfering with simulated ball interaction . the interior of the panel , substantially comprised of any solid material such as but not limited to wood , plastic , glass , metal , foam , carbon fiber or any combination each . the interior composition of the preferred embodiment would be comprised of wood or wood composite material . fig2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the deflection wall 200 having two panels 201 . each panel according to this side view illustration having one exposed front or main surface 202 , a substantially exposed side edge surface 203 ( all but the bottom which is in contact with the ground ) and an obstructed back surface 204 ( facing a central stabilizing unit and the second panel ). this alternative embodiment is fully usable from both sides 202 of the device . as stated above , the device may have one or more panels 201 , each panel having one or more exposed surface 202 . therefore , the device may have a multiplicity of panels 201 or exposed surfaces 202 . fig2 illustrates the device relying on an anchor support assembly 205 ( generally illustrated in the drawings ). fig3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the device 300 having one panel 301 attached to an anchor 302 support assembly ( generally illustrated in the drawings ). fig3 illustrates a side view of this embodiment of the device demonstrating the support 302 connected to the back surface 303 of the panel 301 , the support detachably connected to an anchor portion below the ground surface ( not shown ) such that the panel 301 is stabilized in an erect position above ground and ready for use . one or more support or support components 302 may be connected to a particular panel 301 . the need for more would depend on the size and composition of the panel design or the ground surface composition . the embodiment of fig3 illustrates one of many potential manner of construction known in the art and should not be read in a limiting fashion . fig4 , 5 a and 5 b illustrates another embodiment of the device 400 having one panel 401 attached to a support assembly 402 . fig4 illustrates a side view of this embodiment of the device in which the support comprises two angled brackets 403 each bracket connected to a fixturing means 404 . the angled bracket 403 may comprise any hard weather resistant material such as but not limited to stainless or galvanized steel , durable plastic , carbon fiber or any combination of such material . the bracket may be adjustable folding towards the panel &# 39 ; s back surface in the collapsed position for ease of transport or be detachable from the panel piece as a separate component for transport . the support assembly 402 is not limited to an angled bracket means 403 but may include any similar manner of structural and stabilizing support of the panel 401 in a vertical upright position over a soccer field or arena . preferably the supporting assembly 402 would be attached to the panel 401 without holes or protrusion through any exposed surfaces of said panel 401 , such as but not limited to nails and screws . further , the connection between parts of the device 400 in whole and upon fixture to the ground surface for intended use should be substantially sturdy and having minimal movement or noise , particular upon forceful impact . unwanted sounds or deflection interaction arising from the wall upon impact may negatively affect psychological aspects of training , resulting in secondary unwanted habits or else simply interfering with the overall focus of training . the choice of material , composition and design of attachment features , many of which are already known in the art , can be chosen to minimize this unwanted effect . fig4 illustrates the back side 405 view of an embodiment having two triangular brackets 403 attached to the back surface 405 of a panel 401 . each angled bracket 403 recessed approximately seven to ten inches inward from the edges 406 a of the panel sides so as to minimize obstruction to a soccer ball trajectory path . the angled bracket 403 having a horizontal piece 407 resting above the ground surface and extends perpendicularly from the bottom edge 406 b of the back surface 405 in a vertical direction . the horizontal piece 407 and a vertical piece 408 are connected by a tangential piece 409 . the connection between the back wall surface 405 , the horizontal piece 407 and the tangential piece 409 creating a triangular shape as illustrated in the drawings . the horizontal 407 and tangential 409 pieces preferably comprised of weather resistant metal . fig6 c further illustrates a portable detachable version of the angled support brackets 651 wherein the brackets 651 may be attachable and detachable by a spring lock or clip mechanism 652 . a fixturing means 500 according to fig5 a , 5 b and 5 c is connected to the joint end 501 where the horizontal piece 502 and tangential piece 503 meets . an exploded view of the fixturing means 500 as illustrated in fig5 a , 5 b and 5 c comprising a flat triangular wedge 504 whose wider end 505 contains a hollowed sleeve or tubular portion 506 ( shown in part ) within whereby a link or thin axle rod ( or any equivalent thereof ) ( not shown ) is slid through said sleeve such that the wider side of the wedge swivels around the link or rod 507 . the fixturing means 500 is connected to the horizontal piece 502 at the joint end 501 such that it may swivel around the axis of the horizontal piece . when in use according to fig6 a and 6b , the pointed end 601 of the flat wedge 602 is positioned downward perpendicular to the ground surface and perpendicular to the cross section of the horizontal piece 603 at the joint end 604 . the wedge is then driven into the ground with the flat side buttressing or abutting a blunt end ( see fig5 a , 509 ) of the horizontal piece 603 . the abutment of the flat wedge 504 against the blunt end 509 of the horizontal piece 502 , as illustrated in fig5 a , prevents the wedge from rotating further along the axle rod thus stabilizing the device against forceful impact . fig7 a , 7 b and 7 c illustrating the exposed front or main surface 703 of a preferred embodiment of the device 700 , 701 , 702 . fig7 b and 7c illustrating a larger 702 and smaller 701 sized version of the panel device 700 . the devices are not drawn to exact scale but are drawn to relative scale as intended for an adult user and a standard goal post . the exposed front panel 703 having soft rounded or curved corners 704 , a white colored border 705 comprising less than fifty percent of the surface area of the exposed main surface 703 , the central area or portion 706 of the exposed main surface within the perimeter of the white border 705 having a color mimicking a real soccer field or arena such as tan , beige , brown or green . fig8 a illustrates a soccer training module 800 comprising two smaller passing walls 801 wherein each respective exposed main or front surface 802 is positioned directly opposite from each other . fig8 b illustrates an alternative embodiment of a two passing wall 801 module 805 that is spaced further apart . variations in the distance between passing walls will vary but should be ten yards distance or less as a rule for purposes of mimicking actual distance between players within close practical passing range according to standard practice in the game of soccer . this range of distance further facilitating and encourage rapid , high repetition passing interaction between the player and the passing walls . fig8 a and 8b are not drawn to scale or perspective . fig9 illustrates a more complex soccer training module 900 having three passing walls 901 and one shooting wall 902 , whose exposed main surfaces 903 are centrally facing wherein the combination of panels are oriented to create a rectangular or square pattern . this configuration and other module configurations may be embodied in permanent attachments to the ground surface by way of an anchor support assembly or system . fig9 is not drawn to scale or perspective either . fig1 illustrates an even more complex embodiment of a soccer training module 150 having eight permanently positioned devices 151 a , b , c with two additional portable devices 152 in angled positions . this embodiment of the module having three pairs of passing walls 151 b , c and one pair of shooting walls 151 a , simulating a complete multiplayer game environment . the three pairs of passing walls 151 b , c are positioned opposite to each other in parallel form , with two rows of three passing walls 151 b , c . the pair of shooting walls 151 a is positioned opposite each other between the two rows of passing walls 151 b , c and at each ends of the two rows . the eight walls 151 a , b , c forming a rectangular shaped module 150 . the distance between the exposed main surfaces of the two rows of passing walls 151 a , b , c ( along the length of the rectangle between exterior surfaces of the two opposing walls ) is approximately eight yards . the distance between the exposed main surface 154 of the opposing shooting walls 151 a is approximately 32 yards . the distance between adjacent passing walls within a given row ( from side edge 155 to side edge 155 ) is approximately two yards or greater . fig1 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a complete field module 250 with six permanently fixed devices 251 a , b , c and two portable devices 252 in an angled position . the distance between side edges 253 of the passing walls within the same row 250 a , c remains at least two yards of separation at a minimum , mimicking the natural minimum spread between players in actual play according to standard practice and training of the game . fig1 illustrates three circular modules 350 , each module containing eight passing walls 351 , the exposed front surface of each passing wall 352 centrally facing the same central radial point to form a substantially circular or oval pattern . the distance between side edges 353 of the passing walls remains at least two yards of separation at a minimum , mimicking the minimum natural spread between players in actual play according to standard practice and training of the game . fig1 illustrating one embodiment of a complete soccer training system 450 having nine sets of modules ( 451 , 452 , 453 , 454 , 455 , 456 , 457 , 458 , 459 of progressive levels of complexity . the first six sets of modules ( 451 , 452 , 453 , 454 , 455 , 456 ) representing the least complex types , each containing two passing walls . the distance between the exposed front surface of the opposing passing walls within each of the first six modules are as follows : module 1 ( 451 )= 10 yard ; module 2 ( 452 )= 9 ; module 3 ( 453 )= 8 ; module 4 ( 454 )= 7 ; module 5 ( 455 )= 6 ; module 6 ( 456 )= 5 . these distances reflect the closest range of separation between players in passing position in actual play according to standard practice and training within the game of soccer . any distance further than 10 yard would require shooting of the ball and detract from training passing techniques . modules 6 ( 457 ) and 8 ( 458 ) of fig1 represents the next progressing levels of modular complexity . these two sets each contain four permanent devices with three passing walls and one shooting wall . both module units contain three passing walls and one shooting wall . the dimensional requirements of module 7 & amp ; 8 are as follows : two passing walls in opposing position with the respective exposed surfaces separated by approximately seven yards distance ; one passing wall perpendicularly positioned 460 between the two passing walls at approximately two yards distance between side edges 461 ; a shooting wall perpendicularly positioned relative to the two opposing shooting walls on the opposite end from the perpendicular passing wall 460 ; the shooting wall separated from the perpendicularly positioned passing wall 461 at approximately 14 . 13 yards distance . portable devices or walls may be added to existing permanent modules to increase complexity of training . the last module 9 ( 459 ) of this system 450 , is substantially similar to the complete field module described in fig1 or 11 . alternative modular embodiments , such as the type described in fig1 , may be added or substituted for any of the modules described within fig1 . the described training system and modules described above may be reconfigured to add extra levels of complexity by adding more devices at desired position on an existing modular environment . alternative embodiments of the system may comprise less numbers of module units or fewer training levels . the described training system and module units may be permanently affixed onto a dedicated field or may be transported and movable anywhere along a field . the claimed device may be manufactured with either manner of construction in mind . having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention , other equivalent or alternative methods according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art . the invention has been described by way of summary , detailed description and illustration . the specific embodiments disclosed in the above drawings are not intended to be limiting . implementations of the present invention with various different configurations are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention . the invention is thus to cover all modifications , equivalents , and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims .

US-201213587715-A

an external fixation system and method for realigning , compressing or distracting broken bones has a planar ring element with an adjustable device having a body releasably mounted on the ring element . the adjustable device includes a first member for movement in a direction generally perpendicular to the ring element . a second member is mounted on the first member for movement in a direction parallel to the first member and with respect to a circumference of the planar ring element . the method includes inserting a k - wire through a first piece of bone and affixing the k - wire to the ring element . then inserting a second k - wire through a second piece of bone and affixing the k - wire to the adjustable device second member . the pieces of bone are realigned , compressed or distracted by adjusting at least one of a first and second adjustable members forming the device .

referring to fig1 a - 1b , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention , an isometric view of a dynamic external fixator generally denoted as 100 is shown mounted on a foot 101 by pins . dynamic external fixator 100 includes a u - shaped ring element 102 having a plurality of mounting holes 103 with at least one adjustable device 104 , and preferably two , releasably attached to a pair of mounting holes 103 . adjustable device 104 includes a body 106 releasably attached to arms 108 , 108 ′ of ring element 102 . the adjustable device further includes a first member 110 slidably mounted on body 106 capable of providing movement in a direction perpendicular to a proximal surface 109 of arm 108 , 108 ′ of ring element 102 . further , a second member 112 pivotally mounts on first member 110 for providing angular movement ( i . e ., rotation ) with respect to first member 110 . further still , a third member 114 mounts on second member 112 providing linear movement along arms 108 , 108 ′. preferably one or more wire engagement elements 116 ′ attach first or second k - wires 118 that pass through a fractured bone respectively . the wire engagement elements are mounted to third member 114 and / or to ring 102 directly . for example , as shown , first k - wire 118 attaches to a standard bone engagement element 116 . further , a second k - wire 120 can attach directly to ring element 102 . for example , as shown , second k - wire 120 attaches to ring element 102 by being clamped in a standard ring engagement element 122 mounted in a hole 103 . preferably first and second k - wires 118 , 120 are substantially smooth pins with a drill tip . in some instances , however , first and second k - wires 118 , 120 may not include a drill tip . further , first and second k - wires 118 , 120 can be made of any suitable material , such as , but not limited to , stainless steel , titanium , and titanium alloy . further , first and second k - wires 118 , 120 can connect to bone engagement element 116 and ring engagement element 122 by being inserted through a hole ( not shown ) in bone engagement element 116 or ring engagement element 122 and applying a force on first or second k - wires 118 , 120 by , for example , a set screw ( not shown ). alternatively , bone engagement element 116 or ring engagement element 122 can be a wire / rod nut . any reasonable method for attaching first and second k - wires 118 , 120 to bone engagement element 116 or ring engagement element 122 can be used . ring element 102 can be a substantially monolithic material designed to releasably attach to at least one adjustable device 104 . ring element 102 can be made of metal ( e . g ., stainless steel , titanium , etc . ), composites ( e . g ., carbon peek , etc . ), or any other material deemed suitable . further , although described as a u - shaped ring , ring element 102 can include any shape that allows at least one adjustable device to be releasably connected to it . for example , ring element 102 can be a circle shape , horseshoe shape , square shape , rectangle shape , or any other shape deemed suitable . ring element 102 preferably is planer creating a relatively flat surface on ring element 102 . this flat surface is used to provide a flat surface to releasably attach ring element 102 with adjustable device 104 . such a ring can have four levels as shown in u . s . patent application ser . no . 12 / 157 , 612 filed jun . 11 , 2008 , the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference . referring to fig2 a , adjustable device 104 is shown in greater detail . adjustable device 104 has a body 106 with a pair of expandable connectors 202 a that releasably connect adjustable device 104 to holes 103 of ring element 102 . attached to body 106 is first member 110 which slidably mounts on body 106 . while mounted on body 106 , when fixed on ring 102 , first member 110 can move up and down with respect to top planar surface 206 of body 106 . that is , first member 110 can move in a direction perpendicular to upper surface 206 of body 106 and the plane of the ring 102 . this is accomplished by the rotating threaded pin 308 as will be described below . further , because , in the preferred embodiment , surface 206 of body 106 is parallel to the plane of ring element 102 ( see , fig1 a - 1b ) first member 110 moves in a direction perpendicular to the plane of ring element 102 . referring to fig2 b an exemplary ring element connector is displayed . as shown , preferred connector 202 a includes a lower outer portion 215 located under body 106 split into two sections 214 , 216 and an inner portion 217 with a pair of drive heads 208 , 209 located above body 106 for engaging a drive tool . further , inner portion 217 has a threaded shaft 212 coupled to drive heads 208 , 209 and extends between the two halves 214 , 216 . threaded shaft 212 includes tapered nut 218 which when moved toward body 106 caused sections 214 and 216 to expand . after connector 202 a is placed through body 106 and into hole 103 in the ring element 102 , nut 218 is threaded on the bottom of threaded shaft 212 . as drives 208 , 209 are rotated nut 218 causes the two halves 214 , 216 to expand thereby securing the adjustable device to the ring element . although described as two halves the split portion can include any number of sections ( e . g ., three or four sections ). referring to fig2 c there is shown an alternative ring element connector 202 b . as shown , ring connector 202 b can include a shaft 219 with a screw thread portion 222 and a drive head 221 . the threaded shaft portion 222 is inserted through the bore in body 106 until drive head 221 comes into contact with upper surface body 106 . threaded shaft portion 222 is further inserted through an opening 103 in ring element 102 and threaded into a nut 224 . as threaded shaft portion 222 is threaded into nut 224 adjustable device 104 is secured onto ring element 102 . further , any method of releasably securing adjustable device 104 to the ring element can be used . for example , the adjustable device can be releasably attached to the ring element by a screw and nut , a bolt assembly , or any other securing method deemed suitable . referring to fig3 a , a rear view of two parts of the preferred adjusting device 104 is shown . the two parts are members 110 and 106 . first member 110 has a first portion 113 and a central portion 306 which can move in a direction perpendicular to the plane of ring element 102 by rotating a screw shaft 302 via drive head 308 . screw shaft 302 is placed through a hole 115 in body 106 and is threaded into a second threaded hole 117 located in central flange 306 extending rearwardly from first portion 113 of first member 110 . shaft 302 has an end 338 with a pin 340 to ensure the assembly does not come apart during use . in use , a user rotates a drive head 308 causing screw 302 to thread into the second hole thereby moving first member 110 up and down with respect to body 106 ( i . e ., perpendicular to planar surface 206 of body 106 and perpendicular to the plane of ring element 102 ). alternatively , although screw shaft 302 is described as threaded into a second hole in member 110 , screw 302 may thread into a threaded hole in body 106 and fixed in part 306 . it will be understood that any method of making first member 110 move up and down with respect to body 106 can be used . further , increasing the number of threads on screw shaft 302 increases the number of rotations needed to move first member 110 up and down . thus , increasing the number of threads increases the precision of up and down movement . in some embodiments , flange 306 extending from first member 110 is designed to ride along a protruding track 310 extending from body 106 . riding on track 310 reduces the amount of movement in an undesired direction . further , any method of mating first member 110 with body 106 designed to decrease movement in an undesired direction can be used . for example , first member 110 and body 106 can include any male - female mating features ( e . g ., tongue and groove or dovetail ) for providing guided movement up and down . referring to fig2 a , 4 and 6a , second member 112 is rotably mounted on first member 110 . while mounted on first member 110 , second member 112 can rotate through a range of angles with respect to first member 110 . that is , second member 112 is pivotally mounted by guide tracks 612 on first member 110 and can rotate with respect to first member 110 . for example , in the preferred embodiment , second member 112 can pivot up to 120 degrees around its center on guide 614 mounted on first member 110 as shown in fig6 a . that is , second member 112 can , for example , rotate 60 degrees from parallel in an upward direction and 60 degrees in a downward direction with respect to surface 306 . referring to fig3 b in the preferred embodiment , second member 112 rotates through a range of angles by the interaction of a worm 312 ( i . e ., a gear in the form of a screw ) with an arcuate worm gear 314 mounted on second member 112 on the outer surface of the portion thereof forming track 612 ( i . e ., a worm wheel ). for example , worm 312 can thread into worm gear 314 causing second member 112 to rotate relative to first member 110 . in use , a user rotates drive head 316 of worm 312 causing worm 312 to rotate while engaged with worm gear 314 . because first member 110 is attached to body 106 that is fixed to ring element 102 , rotating worm 312 while engaged with worm gear 314 causes second member 112 to rotate upwardly or downwardly with respect to the plane of ring 102 . although described as a worm gear and worm any reasonable method can be used to change the angle of second member 112 with respect to first member 110 . for example , the angle can be changed by spur gears , helical gears , double helical gears , bevel gears , crown gears , or any other gearing deemed suitable . further increasing the number of threads ( i . e ., increasing the number of threads on the worm gear and worm ) increases the number of rotations of user interface 316 required to move through a given angle . thus , increasing the number of threads provides a greater level of precision during rotation . referring to fig2 a and 6a , as shown , third member 114 is mounted on second member 112 . while mounted on second member 112 , third member 114 can move linearly with respect to second member 112 . that is , third member 114 can linearly move along arms 108 , 108 ′ of the ring element in a direction parallel to the plane of ring 102 in an anterior - posterior direction . referring to fig3 c in the preferred embodiments , third member 114 includes a dovetail protrusion 322 ( i . e ., guide element ) that mates with a groove 324 extending along second member 112 . protrusions 322 mates with groove 322 thereby providing a guide for the linear motion . for example , in the preferred embodiment , a male dovetail protrusion 322 extending from third member 114 can mate with a female dovetail 324 located on second member 112 thereby providing a linear guide between second member 112 and third member 114 . any form of male and female guide elements can be used to provide a linear guide between third member 114 and second member 112 . referring to fig3 c and 3d , in the preferred embodiment , second member 112 includes a bore 326 for receiving an end 327 of a threaded rod 328 . further , third member 114 can translate on threaded rod 328 as it is rotated via drive head 331 or 332 . translation is possible because third member 114 includes a threaded bore 330 for receiving threaded rod 328 . thus , rotating threaded rod 328 translates third member 114 along the axis of threaded rod 328 . in use , a user rotates drive head 331 or 332 causing threaded rod 328 to rotate in bore 330 of third member 114 thereby causing third member 114 to move linearly along arm 108 , 108 ′ of ring element 102 . alternately , any reasonable method for moving third member 114 linearly can be used . further , increasing the number of threads / grooves on third member 114 and the number of threads / grooves on rod 328 increases the amount of precision in linearly moving third member 114 . in the preferred embodiment , one rotation moves member 114 about one millimeter . referring to fig4 , the adjustable device having the first , second , and third member in a first position is illustratively depicted . as shown , first member 110 has not moved perpendicular to planar surface 206 of body 106 . further , second member 112 has not been rotated with respect to first member 110 . lastly , third member 114 is depicted in a first position . referring to fig5 , the relative displacement of each of the first , second , and third members is illustratively depicted as compared to fig4 . as shown , first member 110 has been displaced perpendicularly to planar surface 206 of body 106 . further , second member 112 , has rotated with respect to first member 110 . lastly , third member 114 is depicted in a second position where it has moved linearly with respect to second member 112 . referring to fig6 a and 6b , there is shown an exploded view of adjustable device 104 of the preferred embodiment illustratively depicts the internal contact surfaces for each of body 106 , first member 110 , and second member 112 . as shown , body 108 includes internal planar surface 602 which contacts internal planar surface 604 of first member 110 . these planar surfaces provide a guide surface as first member 110 is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the plane of ring 102 . preferably , internal planar surfaces 602 , 604 are substantially smooth surfaces permitting low friction sliding movement . alternatively , in other instances , internal planar surfaces 602 , 604 can include male and female protrusions ( not shown ) for allowing movement only perpendicular to planar surface 206 of body 106 . further , as shown , internal planar surface 606 of first member 110 contacts an internal planar surface 608 of second member 112 . thus , during rotation these guide surfaces minimize motion in an undesired direction . further , the angular motion of second member 112 is guided by track 612 which is in the form of an arcuate guide surface that rides on an arcuate guide element 614 which is attached to a planar surface 616 located on first member 110 . further , track 612 provides a center of rotation centrally located on first member 110 . disc 614 attaches to planar surface 616 by , for example , screws 618 threaded into holes 620 located in first member 110 . because track 612 rides on disc 614 motion in any direction other than the desired angular rotation direction is minimized gear teeth 315 are provided on the outer surfaces of track 612 which are driven by worm 312 . a lock element 350 may be provided to lock second member 112 in the desired angular position . further , third member 114 includes a male dovetail protrusion 610 that mates with a female guide surface 609 acting as a guiding surface when third member 114 moves linearly . each of the above described surfaces increase the control of the adjustable device by minimizing motion other than in the desired directions . referring to fig7 a - 7b , in some embodiments , adjustable device 104 can move only in the anterior - posterior and inferior - posterior directions . as shown , an alternate adjustable device 700 can include a body 702 attached to a ring element 704 . further mounted on body 702 is a first member 706 providing movement perpendicular to body 702 by rotation of screw 714 and a second member 708 mounted on first member 706 providing linear movement along arms 710 of ring element 704 by rotation of screw 712 . in this embodiment there is no rotational movement between member 706 and 702 . as shown , unlike the preferred adjustable device capable of motion in three directions , the adjustable device of fig7 a and 7b is only capable of movement in two directions . as depicted , first member 706 mounted on body 702 provides movement perpendicular to body 702 . further , second member 708 mounted on first member 706 provides motion parallel to the plane of the ring . further , in some embodiments , a scale can be located on at least one of first member 110 and second member 112 . this scale can be used to determine the length of angular or linear displacement by the member . further , a scale can be located on any of the body , first member , second member , or third member for respectively determining the amount of linear , angular , or circumferential movement of each of the members . referring to fig8 a - 9 , there is shown an alternate adjustable device as shown in fig8 a and 8b . the device generally denoted as 700 includes a body 702 , first member 706 and second member 708 but does not provide rotational movement between member 706 and 702 as in adjustable device 104 ( fig5 ). movement parallel to the ring is accomplished by turning screw shaft 712 to move element 708 and movement perpendicular to the ring is accomplished by turning screw shaft 714 and moving element 706 in relation to body 702 . pin holder can be located in one or both of holes 718 . fig9 shows an exploded view of the alternate adjustable device 700 including body 702 and element 708 slidably mounted in a groove 716 in member 706 via a dovetail extension 728 and sliding element 708 . again , screw 712 is rotated in a threaded bore 720 of element 708 to cause the movement of element 708 parallel to the ring arm 710 . element 706 and body 702 includes contacting surfaces 722 and 724 respectively . these surfaces contact when the element 706 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the ring by turning screw 714 in threaded bore 725 . this movement may be guide by tongue and groove interconnection as in device 104 . referring to fig1 and 11 , there is shown a top view of an alternate system in which the adjustable device 700 is mounted on the inner surface 730 of ring 704 . again , kirschner wires 118 and 120 may be engaged with a foot 101 . referring to fig1 though 13 , there is shown as an alternate adjustable device 700 ′ which is similar to adjustable device 700 with the exception that a second pin holder 740 is attached to a block 742 which is slidably mounted within the groove 716 of element 706 . block 742 has a threaded bore which is mounted on screw shaft 712 and is moveable with respect to element 706 . first block 708 a is also provided with a pin holder and is operated as block 708 . this allows the mounting of two kirschner wires on element 706 with both kirschner wires being adjustable along the length of the arm 710 . again , screw shaft 714 allows the block 706 to move in the direction perpendicular to the plane of arm 710 . as shown in fig1 , indicators scales 746 and 748 may be provided to indicate the amount of movement of the kirschner wires in millimeters . although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments , it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention . it is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims .

US-201615138722-A

the present invention enhances the player &# 39 ; s gameplay visual , feedback and other experiences by taking advantage of optical adapters , feedback mechanics , advancements in theatrical audio , frame rate throttle , meta - file object framework for storage and retrieval , calibration advancements , vocal command enhancements , voice object lookups , facial / body scan , color / clothing coordination , party or celebration capabilities , noise cancellation , interactive object placement , heart rate monitor , pan - tilt - zoom camera advances , cooperative gameplay advances and programming advancements .

referring to fig1 , a projector 101 ( used in a conventional system 100 , not fully shown ) sends a projected image having an upper bound 102 and a lower bound 104 described by a vertical angle of view 103 to a receiving screen 105 . the arc of the angle of view 103 varies with the settings within the projector limited by the candle output and lens construction . this is an example of the limited height of the field of view presented using a projector in a modern system . overhead - mounted projection allows the player to position themselves under the projection path without producing a shadow on the projection screen . referring now to fig2 , the projector 201 ( used in a conventional system 200 , not fully shown ) sends a projected image having an left bound 202 and a right bound 204 described by a horizontal angle of view 203 to a receiving screen 205 . the arc of the angle of view 203 varies with the settings within the project limited by the candle output and lens construction . this is an example of the limited width of the field of view presented using a projector in a modern system . overhead - mounted projection allows the player to position themselves under the projection path without producing a shadow on the projection screen . referring now to fig3 , a player has the ability to view a much wider and higher angle of view than most projection systems output . a player 301 has the ability to view an upward vertical area 302 , for example , without moving the head 301 , seeing well beyond the border 303 of a regular display screen ( used in a system 300 of the instant invention , not fully shown ). referring now to fig4 , a player 402 has the ability to view an upward vertical area 401 and a corresponding lower area described by an angle 403 which is much greater than the height of a given screen 404 ( used in a system 400 of the instant invention , not fully shown ). referring now to fig5 , a player 501 has the ability to view an left horizontal area 502 and a right horizontal area 503 described by an angle 504 which is much greater than the width of the screen 505 . this gives the player 501 the ability to have sight of , for example , opponents overhead , to the front and / or to the sides 506 , for example , which cannot be displayed on screen 505 ( used in a system 500 of the instant invention , not fully shown ). referring now to fig6 , the sending component of the current invention where light and image data for the purpose of projection are transmitted through a lens adapter 601 ( which may be an optical adapter ) and multiple facets 602 . these facets 602 , which can be constructed of glass , mirrors , plastic , metal , and the like , are responsible for projecting the video images onto a receiving screen at angles well beyond the modern projection capabilities ( used in a system 600 of the instant invention , not fully shown ). referring now to fig7 , the outer body of the projector video adapter 700 is shown . the adapter 700 is composed on a lens connector and lens filter 701 as well as an upper facet set 702 and a lower facet set 703 of the lens adapter 601 . the upper facet 702 and lower facet 703 as well as right and left side facets emit a video signal using enhanced power adapters and increased lighting capability . referring now to fig8 , an alternate embodiment of the current invention shows a half - circular screen 801 with a player 804 standing inside of the screen 801 . the walls of the screen 801 are around the player 804 so that the game surrounds the player 804 from all sides . details of the pixels 802 which make up the screen 801 are shown as 803 . the electrical and video connections between the screen 801 and an instant system ( not fully shown ) are shown in 805 . in this embodiment , the lens adapter and projector may not be used ( used in a system 800 of the instant invention , not fully shown ). fig9 shows another embodiment of the current invention where a screen 902 has a top screen 901 which covers the player 903 overhead and provides additional game interactivity . the screen 902 is connected to the instant system ( not fully shown ) and electricity represented by 904 ( used in a system 900 of the instant invention , not fully shown ). referring to fig1 , the unit 1000 rests on a moving platter 1001 which is positioned by a vertical servo 1004 providing vertical motion 1007 and a horizontal servo 1003 providing horizontal motion 1008 used to track the movements of one or more players using a motion detector 1022 and camera 1010 tethered by a control wire 1011 . the motion detector 1022 is held in a casing 1013 which is connected to a motor 1014 , providing feedback to the servo motor 1005 through a control wire 1015 . the servo motor 1005 sends and receives position signals to and from the vertical servo 1004 and horizontal servo 1003 . a replaceable scent cartridge , also 1014 , is connected to a scent emitter 1012 which can spray a various number of scents into the room . for example , if the player is experiencing a wooded area , an evergreen scent can be delivered based on program settings within the game . the air cannon 1012 can also be programmed to release varying levels of compressed air based on a game experience . the air cannon 1012 is connected to the air chamber 1002 which is controlled by a computer chip inside of 1005 . the units described are supported by a mounting bracket 1011 which also supports the microphone 1021 and speaker 1017 and speaker wire 1018 . the unit rests on a mounting platform 1006 which can be connected to a wall , a table , the floor or a speaker in the room . based on the power levels set within the system , it is best to have the unit mounted to a table or on a wall . the unit is further connected to a computer for receiving program settings by a wire ( s ) 1020 that are attached to the instant system ( not fully shown ). the current invention makes use of input devices such as one or more cameras and motion detection apparatuses to detect player movements which symbolize the addition or use of one or more devices within the context of a game . referring to fig1 , the player 1101 within a play area 1100 hoists and rests a pretend bazooka on his arm while holding the trigger 1102 and aiming the gun in a particular direction 1103 . the bazooka has a handle at the base with a trigger and a handle at the nose used for aiming the unit at the given target . referring now to fig1 , the game 1200 shows the player &# 39 ; s avatar 1201 holding a realistic bazooka by the trigger 1202 and pointing the gun in the same direction 1203 which is determined by the player . the bazooka shows the two handles which are imitating the player &# 39 ; s use of the unit . combining fig1 and fig1 in a gameplay environment shows the relationship of how the players &# 39 ; motions are interpreted on the screen as motion instructions for an avatar within the context of the given game in accordance with an embodiment of the instant application . referring now to fig1 , the example 1300 shows the operation of storing the gameplay file , transmitting the gameplay file , and representing it on the screen . the gameplay file encoder 1310 collects the interactive objects 1301 , the binary codes 1302 , the media objects 1303 , the author objects 1304 , the user objects 1305 , timing objects 1306 , licensing and security objects 1307 , error concealment objects 1308 and prioritization and scalability objects 1309 into one file object 1311 . this format provides the ability to store and retrieve the complex interactive media objects used for the game , game attributes , as well as other components used by the one or more players as well as the objects and actions used by the player and their effects within the game in accordance with an embodiment of the instant application . the sending service 1312 sends the deliverable container 1311 to the one or more storage objects 1315 while the one or more receiving services 1313 receive a retrieved deliverable content 1311 from the one or more storage objects 1315 to one or more receiving player or interactive object / console 1314 . in this manner , the content is shown to the user or player . referring now to fig1 , 1400 represents the components of the current invention and their relationship to each other . under the display section 1401 of the current invention , the perceptual angle of view model 1402 , calibration advancements 1403 , optical advancements 1404 , projection advancements 1405 , and other functionality 1401 related to the display ( such as touch - screen elements or borderless screen elements , and the like 1406 ) are noted and collected together in the display category 1401 . several other topics are shown under the system 1407 , user controls 1414 , feedback 1420 and programming 1425 component headings . related to the display category , is the system section 1407 . the multi - player system aspects 1408 , frame rate throttle 1409 , body / facial scanning 1410 , color coordination 1411 and heart rate monitoring 1412 elements of the system fall into this section . the system 1407 is a portion of the architecture of the game system and is located in the game console as both software and hardware . as another embodiment of the instant invention , even though the system 1407 may reside in the system console , the system may also reside as one or more components distributed across a network and may be accessed across that network by the system console . other functionality 1413 related to the system 1407 ( such as upgrade service handlers , hardware connection modules , and the like 1413 ) are noted . related to the system section 1407 , is the user control advancements 1414 of the instant invention . the voice recognition aspects 1415 , object addition 1416 , team coordination 1417 , and action addition capabilities 1418 and other elements 1419 , such as object and action editors , fall into this section . related to the user control category 1414 , is the feedback section 1420 . the noise cancellation 1421 , system attachments 1422 which include the air cannon , microphone , etc ., and the camera and motion control items 1423 , as well as other elements such as global positioning systems , maps and alarm components 1424 of the feedback system fall into this section . finally , the programming aspects 1425 of the system architecture include the perceptual angle of view software logic 1426 , the multi - player program elements 1427 as well as other elements 1428 related to each of the previous sections such as guidance systems , network modules and the like . referring now to fig1 , 1500 represents the processing steps taken for the game program based on the screen type in which the game is projected or displayed . the game software used to process the logic needed to display one or more visual objects on the one or more screens resides in the game console and could produce the one or more images to display on one or more screens by determining the physical arrangement of the attached one or more screens or optical adapters described in the one or more alternate embodiments of the instant invention . in addition to the embodiment of the multi - screen logic game software residing within the local game console , this software could be located on a network node connected to the game system either through a wired or wireless connection . a particular embodiment of the current invention could receive an indicator from the one or more display units , screens or projector and / or optical adapters to determine the number , dimensions and arrangement of the screens or one or more walls which could be available to present the one or more images to the one or more players . for example , if the screen is a multi - screen or multi - faceted screen , different logic paths are taken than for a simple flat screen . in addition to this , logic is required to scale the capabilities of the system back for a single screen so that the multi - screen capabilities are not used when the one or more receiving display units may not be capable of receiving the data . images and game logic within the software of the game console could receive one or more video settings 1502 which dictate how the game software manages the output to the one or more facets and how the hardware receives the one or more facets and produces the output to the one or more displays . the one or more video settings 1502 are received by the model generation component 1503 which produce the image frames and sprite animations necessary for the given output channel . if the output type is a projection 1504 where the image is transformed in a projection attachment , the image from the projection 1504 is passed to one of either the single facet game process option 1510 or the multi - facet game process option 1506 . if the output type is not a projection 1504 , the image data is passed to one of either the multi - screen process option 1516 or the single screen processing option 1511 . if the image data is displayed using a projected image against a multi - facet receiver 1501 , the output is generated for each facet and repeated while the game play indicator 1508 shows that the game is not done . as each facet is received , the process is repeated from 1506 to 1508 until the game finished indicator 1508 is done . at the point when the game done indicator 1508 is set , the process is stopped 1509 . if the output type is a projection 1504 but is not a multi - facet receiver or the output type is not a projection 1504 but a single screen output 1514 , both output types are handled using the single screen processing receiver 1511 . the output is generated using the single screen processing receiver 1511 and repeated while the game play indicator 1512 shows that the game is not done . as each image is received , the process is repeated from 1510 to 1512 until the game finished indicator 1512 is set . at the point when the game done indicator 1512 is set , the process is stopped 1513 . if the output type is an array of screens 1514 where the images are delivered as multiple facets 1516 , each facet is delivered to an individual screen processor 1517 for that given facet . this is repeated for each facet 1516 where the game done setting 1518 is false . once all of the facets for a single iteration have completed processing , the step is repeated from 1515 and then each facet in the iteration is processed from the facet counter 1516 , using the single screen process receiver 1517 until the game play done indicator 1518 is set to true . once the game play done indicator is set to true , the process is stopped 1519 . referring now to fig1 , an over - head representation of the advanced field of view projection system 1600 with cameras , speakers , feedback units and effective waveforms used to enhance the gameplay experience is depicted . the player 1601 is shown in the center , but the player can be located any where in the room and the system 1600 can support as many players as desired . the example embodiment of the current invention makes use of several advancements in technology in the system . as described previously , the projector 1602 transmits one or more images to the screen or walls as shown in fig8 by the curved wall 801 or fig9 by the overhead 901 and curved wall 902 , which surrounds the one or more players 1601 . speakers and feedback systems 1607 - 1614 are noted in multiple positions surrounding the one or more players 1601 and distributed in this example as a surround sound system where 1613 , by example only , denotes the sub - woofer and corresponding feedback unit . recall the feedback system is shown in fig1 of the present invention . the waveform signals 1615 surrounding the one or more players denote the responding air blasts from the air cannons , shown in fig1 as reference number 1009 , or sounds from the speaker system 1607 - 1614 . waveform signals may also be emitted from the one or more players 1601 and picked up by the one or more microphones as part of the feedback systems 1607 - 1614 . cameras 1603 - 1606 are used to track the one or more player motions , receive motion commands , detect target ranges , help in calculating trajectory pressure , and scan player information into the system . the camera 1604 , by example only , is located above and just behind the player 1601 looking down . all devices , wired or wireless , are connected to a game console . fig1 represents the high - level process logic made in utilizing many of the aspects of the current invention in a one or more player embodiment 1700 . gameplay begins 1701 where the option is made by the one or more players to either turn on the game learning mode or not 1702 by one or more motion instructions , or turned on automatically one the game starts . in the diagram , the one or more players are shown in the center of the play area , but one or more players can be any where in the room and can have as many players in the room as desired and can , again , be expanded by network connections to one or more other one or more player gameplay sessions . the game software used to process the ability to add , remove and change certain aspects of the one or more motion or audio instructions as a portion of the learning mode of the game system may reside within the game console and could store and / or retrieve the one or more motion or audio instructions within the game console , but also could reside on a network node connected to the game system either through a wired or wireless connection . if the game learning mode 1702 is turned on 1703 , the game software detects the player &# 39 ; s motion or audio messages 1704 by use of the motion detection , camera and audio recording equipment described in fig1 as a microphone 1021 referred to 1012 , 1010 and 1021 and defines the specified motions as game commands by converting the one or more motions made by one or more players and comparing the one or more motions with existing motion instructions in the system storage unit which is connected to the game console or attached to the system over a network connection later described in fig1 referring to number 1804 , 1808 and 1807 , as example only . in the manner described , a motion instruction is added to the game system &# 39 ; s storage unit by first having the game learning mode turned on . this is performed by either a predetermined , pre - stored motion instruction made by the player or an audio command . for example , by the player waving their hand in front of the screen , the motion detection unit senses the motion , the camera captures the motion , the game system receives the motion images and compares them to images stored in the system storage unit , performs a match on the data analyzed from the images and searches for a match . in this example , the match is made to turning the learning mode on in the system . once the match is made , the game learning mode is switched on and the player can begin adding , editing or removing audio and motion instructions . alternatively , an audio command can also be issued by the player . this audio command is received by the game system microphone , matched against a storage unit of pre - recorded audio commands , and , if a match is found , performs the command . in this case , the command is to start the system &# 39 ; s learning mode . once the match is found , the learning mode begins and the player can begin to add , remove or edit motion instructions or audio commands . once the learning mode is on , the system repeatedly learns the physical movements of a player or group of players and provides on - screen lists , for example , of items , tasks , or other actions the player may wish the game system to produce or perform . in the example described in fig1 and fig1 , the player makes a motion to hoist a bazooka and , even though the player may not physically have a bazooka in their possession , the bazooka appears and is hoisted by the avatar on the player &# 39 ; s screen . in this example , the player makes a motion to hoist a gun . the player may stagger , as an example , due to the weight of the imaginary gun . once the game system captures the motion , compares the information it receives from the motion , and either finds one or more matches , or none at all , it presents either the player &# 39 ; s avatar performing the intended one or more commands or , for example , a list of possible one or more commands the player may be interested in having the avatar or system perform . in addition to a single avatar performing one or more commands , the motion or audio commands could set off a series of one or more commands or reactions within one or more avatars , other players , objects as well as object , players , avatars , etc . which are not even appearing on the screen yet . at the point where the player is presented with a list , for example , of choices for the related motion or audio instruction , the player can choose the resulting action , item , etc . from the list presented to them , or they can choose additional levels of detail which could provide them with many more choices , if desired . in this manner , a motion or audio instruction produces a motion result , where the motion result can be any of one or more actions , items or another motion / position change . for example , a single command or motion could be issued by one or more players to contact all teammates for a game session . the system , for example , could attempt to contact each teammate , by text , email , phone call , system notification , etc . to organize the gameplay and could satisfy the requirements for the game by substituting in virtual players until the real players joined . once the player makes a selection from the list , for example , the motion instruction may be reviewed so that the player can confirm the motion instruction and the motion instruction with the resulting motion result is stored in the system storage unit . this motion instruction can be made private , public or it can be stored in a collection or it can be sent to a server which can allow other players to purchase and / or download the associated motion instruction for their own game . the player also has the ability to make a motion instruction editable by another player or fixed so that players using the motion instruction could use the instruction for its original intent . motion instructions also have the ability to be modified by the one or more players and re - associated with other one or more motion results if the one or more players desire . to do this , the player could use a universal motion or audible instruction to open the motion instruction editor . they could then form the motion or audible command so that the system could retrieve the motion instruction and associated motion result from the storage unit , for example . at this point , the player could have the opportunity to either change the motion instruction and overwrite the existing one , delete it or copy it to another motion instruction . the player could also have the ability to modify , remove or change the motion result . once the player has finished making their changes to the motion instruction , the motion instruction is stored in the game console storage unit . in order to modify , add to or remove one or more existing motion or audible instructions , either in full or partial , the instruction must be either selected by the player from a list , for example . to do this , the player could review a list of instruction text or images on the screen and select one or more of them by using , for example , a series of one or more motions to select the one or more instructions . this could be done by hand motion , audible command , finger motion , touch screen , using a pen , or any other method . once the one or more instructions have been selected , the player may choose one or more actions that can be taken upon the one or more instructions . in this case , these could include the modification or removal or one or more full or partial portions of one or more instructions . for example , in the case of the bazooka scenario , the player may want to add to the motion when they act like they are lifting a bazooka , they could immediately fire it at an opponent once it has been aimed and then the bazooka is put away because the player does not want to carry it around with them . in this case , the player would add the motion of aiming , firing and putting the bazooka away to the already existing instruction which shows the avatar lifting the bazooka when instructed to do so . in this manner , the player would have the ability to save over the existing instruction , create a new copy of one , as well as transmit it , for example , over the network , for other players to use it . the game system of the current invention also provides range flexibility which allows the user to produce a motion instruction within a range of motions , motion speeds and direction and generalizes the motions it detects and associates with the storage unit the related motion result . in this manner , the player is not required to produce the motion instruction in the same position or orientation as the motion instruction was originally created ; so there is not reason to memorize the exact position , orientation , speed and range of motion of the original motion instruction . this range flexibility covers the player being , in the case of the football scenario , a left - handed or right - handed thrower , their head being back or cocked in a certain direction , as well as many other positions and motions so that there are a large number of potential motions which fall into the range flexibility window however , these are not infinite . this being said , there are specific motions which could be as subtle as a glance or a turn , for example , by the player to “ fake ” a pass or a pass &# 39 ; direction , etc . and the player and system could be aware of these nuances so that the system can compensate for the differences required to retrieve the associated motion result from the game system &# 39 ; s storage unit . restrictions , based on the game system , may also be in place where the player may not have what they want until a certain level has been achieved or a certain amount of virtual money is available to spend . this restriction is dictated by the game author and it tied to the array of potential items , actions , or motions available for the player to choose from . for example , a player may have just started a game and they want a super - cannon they could use to overwhelm their opponents . however , the game author has locked this item until a particular level by the player has been achieved . the player has the opportunity to add , modify and remove these motion instructions stored or to be stored in the game console or remote server by associating the physical movements with the commands or actions in the game . these commands and motion sequences or audio messages 1704 are stored in the advanced meta - file object format 1705 in the system storage unit , shown in fig1 as 1315 , fig1 as either 1807 or 1809 , or fig1 within the console 1907 , the one or more servers 1907 or the console 1908 . further player motion sequences or audio messages 1704 are interpreted as the associated commands or actions by performing storage unit searches using signatures from the audio or command instructions and searching for comparative data which could result in a match against the given audio or command instruction in the game console or network storage unit . when the player turns off the game learning mode 1706 , either by an audio or motion command or when it automatically turns off , normal gameplay begins 1707 . if the game learning mode 1702 is not turned on 1708 by the one or more players , either by an audio or motion command , normal gameplay begins 1707 . if audio or motion instructions are performed during gameplay and a match is not found in the system for the audio or motion command , then the motion or audio command is ignored by the system . if the one or more audio or motion instructions are intended to have one or more responses by the system console , the game learning mode can be switched on by a given command and can be added to the game system storage unit at any time . as gameplay progresses , the game software in the game console or received across the network to the game console , as an example only , either presents the one or more players with targets 1709 which can be fired upon or receives commands from the one or more players 1713 . these targets are produced by the game software running on the game console . the one or more players can fire at the one or more targets by , as an example , moving their hands back and forth in a shooting motion . this shooting motion is interpreted by the game system as a motion instruction and , taking in consideration the angle and timings of the one or more motions , can hit or miss the targets and show the one or more results to the one or more players on the screen as they “ fire ” upon the one or more targets . during the time that the game software presents the one or more targets to the one or more players 1709 , the game software tracks the one or more players &# 39 ; positions 1710 . if the one or more targets in this example have the ability to fire at the one or more players , the game software reads and analyzes the target type , its capabilities , and “ fires ” 1711 upon the one or more players using the one or more air cannons , for example , as depicted in fig1 referring to number 1009 and / or other devices shown in fig1 to simulate a gun or cannon , etc . firing on the one or more players in battle . the player , in turn , responds to the one or more target attacks 1712 by moving their hands at the targets in a shooting motion . in the described example , the game software , stored in either a local or remote game console , either by disk , chip , drive , memory , etc ., would be accessed to react to motion commands in a method similar to the following description . as a hypothetical , simplified example , five aircraft could be flying over the one or more player &# 39 ; s heads . the aircraft may , for example , appear on the ceiling portion of the screen , as shown in fig5 as 506 or fig9 as 901 . the aircraft could be shooting at the one or more players on the “ ground ” at , for example , 45 degree angles . since the aircraft are moving at a certain velocity relative to the one or more players &# 39 ; velocities , the angles of each of the one or more players &# 39 ; devices , such as bazookas , aircraft , etc ., must be considered in the mathematical calculation necessary to simulate a “ hit ” either by the approaching aircraft or the one or more players . in addition to the vertical and horizontal angles , multiple velocities of the one or more players , the velocities and capabilities of the one or more “ guns ”, including their corresponding firepower and damage capabilities , the damage to and around units in the area must be considered , for example . in this way , a “ hit ” made by the one or more players on the approaching aircraft would be achieved if the angle of the aircraft , the aircraft speed , the player speed , angle of the projectile , and the speed of the one or more projectiles “ meet ”, for example , at a particular point . regardless of how the game software receives the commands from the player 1713 , the game software receives the commands either by a wired or wireless controller 1714 , touch screen commands 1715 , audio messages 1716 or motion sequences 1717 and attempts to interpret the command ( s ) as stored or not 1718 . if the command is not stored , it is considered a player move or other response 1720 and the game software displays the results of the actions 1721 . for example , if a player is walking and they turn a corner , the avatar on the screen can perform the same motion , but this is simply done by the gameplay system monitoring and mimicking the player on the screen . this is not handled in the same way in the system as a player drawing back to throw a virtual football to an open wide receiver . even though the avatar could walk through a city , for example , and certain three - dimensional graphical models of the city could be generated by the gameplay system , as well as the avatar looking like they are moving , it does not require a lookup in the gameplay storage unit to determine the motion result of a motion which instigates a new gameplay result , for example , the first time the player , as a quarterback in a game , receives and throws the football . subsequent plays made by the player in the context of the game are expected to be playing as a quarterback until a new motion instruction is received by the system . other motions are ignored altogether . as an example , if the player has instructed the avatar to make a particular move which takes , for example , a few minutes , the player has the opportunity to get a drink of water . the motions made by the player to get a drink of water or to rest are not recorded in the system as a gameplay motion and these are , in essence , ignored by the system . in a scenario where a player is playing a football game , for example , the player could snap the ball and throw it to a receiver . once the ball has been thrown by the quarterback , the players &# 39 ; motions could be ignored by the system as control is now given to the other players which include a potential receiver and potential tacklers . if the receiver catches the ball and gets tackled and the gameplay ends for the given down , the motion of the other players can be ignored . in addition , in this scenario , the receiving player , if real , can be virtually tackled by a player remotely located and connected to the game through a network connection . in the case when this takes place , the player playing as the receiver may still be standing in their room , but their avatar on the screen is lying on the ground with several tacklers on top of him . this picture is shown on the screens of all players ( and / or observers of the gameplay ). there is also a point where the game software derives a random outcome and advances play in the direction of that outcome . at this point , all motion made by other real players is ignored by the system and picked up again when a motion instruction or other interactive play segment begins . there could also be times during gameplay where a slight variation of a “ known ” move is made by one or more players . in this case , the system may ask the one or more players what they are intending to do and may present the ability for the one or more players to attach a motion result to the suspected motion instruction or to ignore the instruction . if they wish to add the move to the system as a new or appended motion instruction , they may have the ability to do this and it may be stored in the game system storage unit . if the one or more players notify the game system that the move was really an already existing motion instruction , for example , the one or more players may have the opportunity to connect the move to an already existing one or more motion instructions so that the game system may interpret both of the moves as a single motion instruction . in this manner , the system may have the ability to characterize particular motions and when a motion lies outside of the range of these characteristics , the player may have the opportunity to notify the game system of their intent . for example , a player playing as a quarterback in a football game could be trying to fake a thrown to a receiver by dropping the ball behind them before throwing it and then catching it with their other hand and tossing it to another player . since the real player does not necessarily have a ball , the system could determine that their left hand , for example , is being placed behind their back in a very unusual position . at this point , the game system could determine that the motion is new by receiving the motion data from the camera and motion detector , comparing the motion data with the system &# 39 ; s storage unit , checking if the motion data already exists in the system . if the system does not find this set of moves within the storage unit , it could prompt the one or more players on the screen if this is a special move . if it is , the player could perform many tasks or simply ignore the prompt . for example , the player could agree that this is a new motion instruction . in this case , the player would see the prompt on the screen , for example , and react to it by performing an audio of motion instruction . in this way , the system could , for example , receive the instruction and show a series on one or more menu items on the screen . the one or more menu items could be answered by the one or more players on the screen . in this case , this new move could be given a name , posted to the one or more players &# 39 ; storage units as well as shared over the network and stored in a storage unit which could be accessed by other players or another one or more players storage units , such as a team . again , in the described example , the motion instruction could be stored and shared by the one or more players publicly or privately among themselves for their team to utilize . beyond this , the subsequent motions , such as tossing the ball to the left or the right to another player could be captured and handled accordingly instead of throwing the ball as normal . if the command is stored 1722 and found by the console software comparing the one or more player audio or motion command signatures to the one or more motion instruction records stored in the system storage unit , the game software retrieves the one or more items or enables the actions &# 39 ; capabilities associated with the stored command 1723 signature which is found in the database ( storage unit ). the result is presented to the player on the display unit 1721 by either presenting the item associated with the audio or motion instruction or by showing the avatar on the screen producing the movement associated with the audio or motion instruction found in the database record . if the gameplay is finished 1724 , the gameplay ends 1725 , otherwise , it continues 1707 . the processes used to relate the motion instructions to the resulting items or commands in the game system are described in fig1 where a motion instruction is captured by the camera system 1801 , transforming the motion into a motion sequence , sending the motion sequence to the motion detection unit 1802 . the motion detection unit 1802 converts the motion sequence into one or more motion packets , transforming the motion packets into edge points , sending the edge points to the motion logic component 1803 . the motion logic component 1803 receiving the edge points , forming a database query made up of the edge points , sending the database query to the database logic component 1804 where the database query is run against the database 1807 , the database logic component 1804 receiving the query results from the database 1807 , sending the results to the response handler 1805 . the response handler 1805 , receiving the results of the database query from the database logic component 1804 , either prompts the player for more information , receiving the one or more responses from the player and / or sending the results of the motion instruction and / or the results of the player prompts to the significance learning module 1806 . the significance learning module , receiving the information from the response handler 1805 , stores the motion instruction and result in the database 1807 . in addition , each of the nodes described in fig1 could be located in a single or multiple nodes , each of these being located either locally within the game system or outside of the game system on a network device , disk , chip , etc . over a wired or wireless connection . at any time , the player may ask the system to store or retrieve additional motion instructions and / or updates from a network 1808 which is connected to a remote database 1809 which may include connections from many other players having the same ability to store and retrieve motion instructions and / or updates . the system can include a set of motion or audio instructions and can be updated from a server based on the universal instruction lists as well as motion instructions for a particular game the player has purchased . these updates can be made by system developers and may also be made by other players . in this manner , motion or audible instructions are not limited to players or system developers . the associated audio or motion instructions could be provided , for example , by professional quarterbacks . these could be uploaded , as an example , to a remote server and made available to players . motion instructions which may appear to override custom motion instructions that the player has already produced on their system may result in a prompt which the player can answer . these updates can happen when the player first starts the system or in the background so that gameplay is not interrupted . players can also choose to have the system overwrite any potential conflicting motion instructions with the updates if they wish . likewise , in the same way that motion instructions are continually updated , the models for allowable ranges of motion is continually updated . so as range models improve over use and time , the details to these models are also updated in the player systems to improve the player &# 39 ; s experiences . for example , if an improvement is made in a lateral snap where the quarterback can hide the ball for a second and toss it to a receiver , the original models for this may be crude or missing from the system so that the motion result is not available to the player for them to choose , then an update to the system could provide the system with the motion result the player wished to associate with the motion instruction in the first place . referring now to fig1 , gaming system 1900 includes multiple players , represented as the players 1901 and 1902 receiving and sending information to and from the input / output device 1903 connected to the console 1904 connected to a screen 1905 and a network 1906 where information can be shared , retrieved or stored at the server 1907 . in addition to the above , multiple players represented as player 1911 and player 1912 send and receive input from the input / output device 1910 connected to a console 1908 and a screen 1909 and a network 1906 where information can be shared , retrieved or stored at the server 1907 as well as interact with multiple players 1901 and 1902 across the network . likewise , players 1901 and 1902 can interact through the input / output device 1903 with players 1911 and 1912 using their input / output device 1910 . in this scenario , if the players 1901 , 1902 , 1911 and 1912 are playing together in the same game , the screen interactions , avatars of the associated players , including the motion instructions for multiple players 1901 and 1902 could appear on the screen 1909 across the network for the multiple players 1911 and 1912 to view and interact with , and the avatars of the other players 1911 and 1912 , as well as the motion instructions , could appear on the screen 1905 which is viewed by players 1901 and 1902 . furthermore , in addition to the described scenarios resulting in a collection of one or more motion or audible instruction sets , the player could designate the collection as a playbook . the playbook could belong to a team , real or virtual , for example , and could have private or public characteristics associated with it . the playbook could be made up of motion instructions and audible instructions . the audible instructions could be configured by the player to be heard , for example , by teammates , but not by opponents . for example , if the team is in a huddle and the quarterback is speaking to the players , the players on the side of the avatar speaking the commands could hear the information , while the opponents might not . the audio level of the quarterback also varies by their loudness level and the direction in which they are speaking . for example , the audio information from the quarterback in the huddle could not be heard by the opposing team members but the commands screamed by the quarterback on the line of scrimmage could be heard by both player team members but it might by muffled by the crowd or because the quarterback is shouting in the opposite direction . the parameters required for the audible commands to be public or private , for example , could be stored with the audible commands so that , when the commands are retrieved , the system would know that only certain speakers for certain players , for example , would play the corresponding sound are that the volume levels would be different on the corresponding speakers so that they would mimic the player &# 39 ; s position , audio level , intent , etc . likewise , the same could be stated pertaining to the coaches and their signals to their players , other coaches , etc . quarterbacks , for example , could hear their coaches , but not the opposing coaches as well as determining their hand signals , etc . the present invention also lends itself to advertising around this technology as well as selling virtual seating , using virtual currency or otherwise , where fans could purchase a seat to get a particular angle on the game . the better price paid for the seat , the better the angle and audio quality is presented to them by the system . player &# 39 ; s could also open up private data such as playbooks and audio commands to particular observers if they desire . furthermore , the present invention incentives to become early adopters to the technology is large due to the ability to promote the particular motion information creator &# 39 ; s name or brand so that later adopters have the luxury of making use of the existing motion information that the early adopters created . referring now to fig2 and fig2 , gaming system 2000 and 2100 show an example of the multiple physical connections of the present invention including the base unit 2001 which includes at least one processor 2002 and at least one memory 2003 having at least one learning module 2004 and at least one storage unit 2005 connected to at least one feedback system 2007 , having at least one camera 2008 , microphone 2009 , and optionally one or more motion detectors 2010 , speakers 2011 and location units 2012 , and at least one display 2006 , alternatively , a projector 2013 optionally having a lens adapter 2014 or multiple projectors 2013 without a lens adapter 2014 . the gaming system 2000 optionally connected by a connection 2015 to a wired or wireless network 2016 via connector a , connected to fig2 using connector a ′ connected using a connection 2101 to at least one base system 2102 which includes at least one processor 2103 and at least one memory 2104 having at least one learning module 2105 and at least one storage unit 2106 connected to at least one feedback system 2110 , having at least one camera 2111 , microphone 2112 , and optionally one or more motion detectors 2113 , speakers 2114 and location units 2115 , and at least one display 2107 , alternatively , a projector 2108 optionally having a lens adapter 2109 or multiple projectors 2108 without a lens adapter 2109 . in one embodiment , a controller - less gaming system comprises a base system including at least one processor and memory , and a learning module , a feedback system including at least one : camera , microphone , and motion detector , wherein the feedback system is communicatively coupled to the base system , a display communicatively coupled to the base system , and a storage unit communicatively coupled to the base system , wherein the feedback system receives input from at least one of the camera , the microphone , and the motion detector , and sends the input to the base system , wherein the base system compares the input to other input in the storage unit and if the comparison produces a non - satisfactory result : the base system chooses a closest result to the input if the closest result is above or equal to a threshold and displays the closest result or the base system chooses a default result to the input if the closest result is below the threshold and displays the default result , and if the closest result or the default result is not an intended result , the base system receives an adjusted input from the feedback system and displays a result of the adjusted input on the display . the input and the other input include at least one of : angles of a body and body part , movement of the body and the body part , direction of the body and the body part , speed of the body and the body part , audio from the body or the body part , biometric information the body or the body part , items attached to the body or the body part , or items supporting the body or the body part . the base system stores the adjusted input result as another one of the closest result in the storage unit , displays the closest result when it receives another adjusted input result without an adjusted input from the feedback system , displays the closest result and the adjusted input result and provides an intended action associated with the closest result and an intended action associated with the adjusted input result . the base system is communicatively coupled to at least one of : a plurality of network connections , a remote storage unit , a projection system , a projection system using a lens adapter , a feedback system , a feedback system using one or a plurality of speakers , a feedback system having a location unit , a base system , a display , a curved display , a curved display with an overhead component , a wired display , a wireless display , a local display , a remote display , a wired connection , a wireless connection , an air cannon or a storage unit . at least one person ( which may be a player or a spectator or both at varying times during the game ) is present locally with the base system or present remotely from the base system . the current invention provides a number of solutions including : a controller - less gaming system , comprising : a base system including at least one processor and memory , and a learning module ; a feedback system including at least one : camera , microphone , and motion detector , wherein the feedback system is communicatively coupled to the base system ; a display communicatively coupled to the base system ; and a storage unit communicatively coupled to the base system ; wherein the feedback system receives input from at least one of the camera , the microphone , and the motion detector , and sends the input to the base system ; wherein the base system compares the input to other input in the storage unit and if the comparison produces a non - satisfactory result : the base system chooses a closest result to the input if the closest result is above or equal to a threshold and displays the closest result ; or the base system chooses a default result to the input if the closest result is below the threshold and displays the default result ; and if the closest result or the default result is not an intended result , the base system receives an adjusted input from the feedback system and displays a result of the adjusted input on the display . the base system stores the adjusted input result as another one of the closest result in the storage unit , the base system displays the closest result when it receives another adjusted input result without an adjusted input from the feedback system , the base system displays the closest result and the adjusted input result and provides an intended action associated with the closest result and an intended action associated with the adjusted input result , the base system is communicatively coupled to at least one of : a plurality of network connections ; a remote storage unit ; a projection system ; a projection system using a lens adapter ; a feedback system ; a feedback system using one or a plurality of speakers ; a feedback system having a location unit ; a base system ; a display ; a curved display ; a curved display with an overhead component ; a wired display ; a wireless display ; a local display ; a remote display ; a wired connection ; a wireless connection ; an air cannon ; or a storage unit . at least one person is : present locally with the base system ; or present remotely from the base system . the input and the other input include at least one of : angles of a body or a body part ; movement of the body or the body part ; direction of the body or the body part ; speed of the body or the body part ; audio from the body or the body part ; biometric information the body or the body part ; items attached to the body or the body part ; or items supporting the body or the body part .

US-201113159514-A

disclosed is an articulated headrest for use with dental chairs and the like which can be quickly and easily converted from left hand to right hand operation . a simple clutch mechanism locks the headrest at any adjusted position . the mechanism for unlocking the clutch is a push button located at the side of the headrest . this mechanism is contained in a housing which can be easily removed and its components rearranged to move the push button from one side of the headrest to the other .

referring to the drawings , fig1 shows a headrest generally indicated at 10 . it should be appreciated that the upholstery material covering the front of the headrest has been removed so as to expose the internal components . the headrest includes a frame 12 which is journaled at its lower end to a tang , a portion of which is shown at 14 . the tang is attached to the backrest of the dental chair ( not shown ) in a conventional manner and forms no part of the present invention . the means for locking the headrest in an adjusted position is also conventional . briefly , the lock means includes a first clutch member 16 which is fixed to the tang , a second clutch member 18 which is axially movable with respect to the first member , a lever arm 20 pivoted to the headrest at 22 for moving the second clutch member out of engagement with the first member and a spring 24 for urging the second clutch member 18 into engagement with the first . the end of lever 20 on the other side of pivot 22 from clutch member 18 is bifurcate . one branch 26 of this bifurcate end carries a pin 28 . the other branch 30 of the bifurcate end has two tapped holes 32 , for purposes set out hereinbelow . the headrest frame 12 has a rectangular opening 34 ( fig1 and 2 ) for receiving a square housing 36 , the housing being attached to flanges 38 within the headrest frame by any suitable means such as screws 40 . the square configuration and the location of the screws permit the housing to be attached to the headrest frame either in a first position as shown in fig1 or in a second position wherein the housing is rotated 180 ° from the first position . the housing has a base 42 . upstanding from the base according to the orientation as shown in fig1 is a front wall 44 and a rear wall 46 and a side wall 48 . completing the construction of housing 36 is an opening 50 which extends through side wall 48 and a pivot post 52 which is formed integral with the front wall 44 of the housing . opening 50 is adapted to receive a push button member 54 which extends into the housing . the portion of the push button within housing 36 is pivotally attached to one end of a link 56 . the other end of link 56 is provided with three openings ; two openings 58 , are clearance holes matching the tap holes 32 on the lever arm second branch 30 and the third opening , 60 is elongated and is elongated and is adapted to receive pin 28 . link 56 has yet another opening 62 intermediate its ends for receiving the pivot post 52 . with respect to the arrangement of the various components as shown in fig1 the operation of the mechanism is as follows . spring 24 , as set out hereinabove , is biased to urge clutch member 16 and 18 into engagement . in order to disengage the clutch , clutch member 18 must be moved to the right as viewed in fig1 . this is accomplished in the present invention simply by operating push button 54 . since the operator would normally be standing behind the head of the patient ( at the top as viewed in fig1 ) operation of the button 54 would be accomplished with the right hand of the dentist or his assistant . accordingly , operating push button 54 moves it to the right as shown in fig1 causing link 56 to rotate clockwise about pivot post 52 . because link 56 is pivotally connected to lever arm 20 by means of pin 28 , this movement of the link causes the lever arm to rotate counterclockwise about its pivot 22 . counterclockwise movement of lever 20 in turn carries clutch member 18 away from fixed clutch member 16 so as to unlock the headrest . thus , with the configuration as shown in fig1 link 56 and lever 20 together form a compound lever system wherein movement of push button 54 at one end of the lever system to the right as shown in fig1 causes clutch member 18 on the other end of the lever system to move in the same direction . in order to permit operation from the left hand side of the headrest , housing 36 is attached to the headrest frame in a second position which is rotated 180 ° from the first position as shown in fig1 . the second position and the configuration of the various components at the second position is illustrated in fig4 . as shown in fig4 link 56 is rigidly attached to the second branch 30 of the lever arm . this is accomplished by any suitable means such as with screws 64 that pass through clearance openings 58 and are threaded to tap holes 32 in the second branch . with this arrangement , link 56 merely forms an extension of the second branch 30 so that when push button 54 is operated , link 56 is moved to the left as shown in fig4 which rotates the lever arm counterclockwise about its pivot 22 . as set forth hereinabove , counterclockwise rotation of lever arm 20 moves clutch member 18 to the right and away from the fixed clutch member 16 to unlock the headrest . with link 56 merely forming an extension of lever arm branch 30 , the link and lever arm together form a simple lever system for disengaging the clutch members wherein movement of push button 54 on one end of the lever system causes clutch member 18 on the other end to move in the opposite direction . thus , it should be appreciated that the present invention accomplishes its intended objects by providing a simple , easily assembled mechanism for unlocking an articulated headrest of a dental chair or the like . the invention allows the identical components to be quickly and easily rearranged so as to permit either a left hand or a right hand operation of the mechanism .

US-86135177-A

methods for diagnosing and treating neuropsychiatric disorders , especially bipolar disorder , and to methods for identifying compounds for use in the diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders are disclosed . also disclosed are novel compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for use in the diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder .

the development and maintenance of the vertebrate nervous system depends , in part , on the physiological availability of neuronal survival proteins known as neurotrophic factors . neurotrophic factors play a role in maintaining neurons and their differentiated phenotypes in the adult nervous system . nerve growth factor ( ngf ) remains the best characterized neurotrophic factor . however , brain - derived neurotrophic factor ( bdnf ) has been cloned and shown to be homologous to ngf ( leibrock et al ., nature 341 : 149 - 152 ( 1989 ); hofer et al ., embo j . 9 : 2459 - 2464 ( 1990 ); maisonpierre et al ., genomics 10 : 558 - 568 ( 1991 )). bdnf is initially synthesized as a 251 amino acid protein precursor that is subsequently cleaved to yield the mature protein . the mature form of bdnf essentially corresponds to the c - terminal half of its precursor and comprises 119 amino acids . in the developing rat , bdnf expression undergoes an increase from initially low levels , and in the adult rat central nervous system , bdnf is expressed at its highest level in the hippocampus . expression of bdnf is detectable in adult tissues outside of the central nervous system only in heart , lung and skeletal muscle ( maisonpierre et al ., science 247 : 1446 - 1451 ( 1990 ); hofer et al ., embo j . 9 : 2459 - 2464 ( 1990 )). as shown in fig1 a and 1b , the human genomic sequence of bdnf is seq id no : 1 , the human cdna sequence is seq id no : 2 , the rat genomic sequence is seq id no : 3 , the rat cdna sequence is seq id no : 4 , the mouse cdna sequence is seq id no : 5 , and the pig cdna sequence is seq id no : 6 . the human amino acid sequence is seq id no : 7 , the rat amino acid sequence is seq id no : 8 , the mouse amino acid sequence is seq id no : 9 , and the pig amino acid sequence is seq id no : 10 . sequences are designated with a lowercase letter signifying species , an uppercase “ b ” for bdnf , and a g or a c in parentheses distinguishing between either a genomic or cdna source for the sequence . dna sequence identities to the top human sequence are indicated by a dot , and gaps are indicated by a dash . in - frame stop codons in the upstream regions are underlined . amino acid translation is indicated above the human nucleotide sequence ; only amino acid differences with the human sequence are indicated for the other sequences . amino acids are numbered with position + 1 assigned to the first residue in the mature protein sequence . rna splice sites ( splice1 and splice2 ), the b start site , the consensus protein glycosylation signal , and the consensus protein cleavage signal involved in release of the mature bdnf are indicated . only sequence flanking splice site 1 is shown for the human and rat genomic clones , since this is the only region in which they differ from their respective cdna sequences . an exception to this is the presence of a single mismatch ( a for g ) between the human bdnf genomic and cdna sequence at nucleotide position 424 , resulting in the substitution of a methionine residue for a valine residue at amino acid position − 63 in the genomic - derived protein sequence . as used herein , polymorphism refers to the occurrence of two or more genetically determined alternative sequences or alleles in a population . a polymorphic marker or site is the locus at which divergence occurs . preferred markers have at least two alleles , each occurring at frequency of greater than 1 %, and more preferably greater than 10 % or 20 % of a selected population . a polymorphic locus may be as small as one base pair , in which case it is referred to as a single nucleotide polymorphism . as described herein , it has been discovered that a polymorphism in the gene for bdnf is negatively correlated with incidence of neuropsychiatric disorders ( e . g ., bipolar disorder ). in particular , it has been discovered that one or more single nucleotide polymorphisms within the nucleotide sequence encoding the 132 amino acid prepro portion of the bdnf gene product are correlated with a reduced incidence of bipolar disorder in the sample population assessed as described herein . in one embodiment , a single polymorphism from g to a at nucleotide position 424 in fig1 or at a nucleotide position corresponding thereto , resulting in an amino acid change from valine to methionine at amino acid position − 63 ( relative to the start of the mature protein ; see fig1 ), or at an amino acid position corresponding thereto , is correlated with a reduced incidence of bipolar disorder in the sample population assessed as described herein . this polymorphism resides within the 132 amino acid precursor portion ( the prepro portion ) which is cleaved from the mature protein . data from the work described herein has shown that there is a variation from random ( i . e ., that which would be expected by chance ) in the transmission of the reference ( g ) and variant ( a ) alleles from a parent who is heterozygous for the bdnf alleles to an offspring diagnosed with bipolar disorder . the variant allele ( a ) is transmitted less frequently ( 34 of 98 times ) to the bipolar offspring than would be expected by chance , while the reference allele ( g ) is transmitted more frequently ( 64 of 98 times ) than would be expected by chance ( p = 0 . 004 ). thus , it appears that the variant allele may contribute to protection or reduction in symptomology with respect to bipolar disorder . alternatively , this particular polymorphism may be one of a group of two or more polymorphisms in the bdnf gene which contributes to the presence , absence or severity of the neuropsychiatric disorder , e . g ., bipolar disorder . thus , the invention relates to a method for predicting the likelihood that an individual will have a neuropsychiatric disorder , or for aiding in the diagnosis of a neuropsychiatric disorder , e . g ., bipolar disorder , or a greater likelihood of having reduced symptomology associated with a neuropsychiatric disorder , e . g ., bipolar disorder , comprising the steps of obtaining a dna sample from an individual to be assessed and determining the nucleotide present at nucleotide position 424 of the brain - derived neurotrophic factor ( bdnf ) gene . the presence of an “ a ” ( the variant nucleotide ) at position 424 indicates that the individual has a lower likelihood of having a neuropsychiatric disorder , or a greater likelihood of having reduced symptomology associated with a neuropsychiatric disorder , than if that individual had the reference nucleotide at that position . conversely , the presence of a “ g ” ( the reference nucleotide ) at position 424 indicates that the individual has a greater likelihood of having a neuropsychiatric disorder , or a likelihood of having increased symptomology associated with a neuropsychiatric disorder , than if that individual had the variant nucleotide at that position . in a preferred embodiment , the neuropsychiatric disorder is bipolar disorder . in a particular embodiment , the individual is an individual at risk for development of bipolar disorder . in another embodiment the individual exhibits clinical symptomology associated with bipolar disorder . in one embodiment , the individual has been clinically diagnosed as having bipolar disorder . the genetic material to be assessed can be obtained from any nucleated cell from the individual . for assay of genomic dna , virtually any biological sample ( other than pure red blood cells ) is suitable . for example , convenient tissue samples include whole blood , semen , saliva , tears , urine , fecal material , sweat , skin and hair . for assay of cdna or mrna , the tissue sample must be obtained from an organ in which the target nucleic acid is expressed . for example , cells from the central nervous system ( such as cells of the hippocampus ), neural crest - derived cells , skin , heart , lung and skeletal muscle are suitable sources for obtaining cdna for the bdnf gene . neural crest derived cells include , for example , melanocytes and keratinocytes . many of the methods described herein require amplification of dna from target samples . this can be accomplished by e . g ., pcr . see generally pcr technology : principles and applications for dna amplification ( ed . h . a . erlich , freeman press , new york , n . y ., 1992 ); pcr protocols : a guide to methods and applications ( eds . innis , et al ., academic press , san diego , calif ., 1990 ); mattila et al ., nucleic acids res . 19 , 4967 ( 1991 ); eckert et al ., pcr methods and applications 1 , 17 ( 1991 ); pcr ( eds . mcpherson et al ., irl press , oxford ); and u . s . pat . no . 4 , 683 , 202 . other suitable amplification methods include the ligase chain reaction ( lcr ) ( see wu and wallace , genomics 4 , 560 ( 1989 ), landegren et al ., science 241 , 1077 ( 1988 ), transcription amplification ( kwoh et al ., proc . natl . acad . sci . usa 86 , 1173 ( 1989 )), and self - sustained sequence replication ( guatelli et al ., proc . nat . acad . sci . usa , 87 , 1874 ( 1990 )) and nucleic acid based sequence amplification ( nasba ). the latter two amplification methods involve isothermal reactions based on isothermal transcription , which produce both single stranded rna ( ssrna ) and double stranded dna ( dsdna ) as the amplification products in a ratio of about 30 or 100 to 1 , respectively . the nucleotide which occupies the polymorphic site of interest ( e . g ., nucleotide position 424 in bdnf ) can be identified by a variety methods , such as southern analysis of genomic dna ; direct mutation analysis by restriction enzyme digestion ; northern analysis of rna ; denaturing high pressure liquid chromatography ( dhplc ); gene isolation and sequencing ; hybridization of an allele - specific oligonucleotide with amplified gene products ; single base extension ( sbe ); or analysis of the bdnf protein . in a preferred embodiment , determination of the allelic form of bdnf is carried out using sbe - fret methods as described in the examples , or using chip - based oligonucleotide arrays . a sampling of suitable procedures are discussed below in turn . the design and use of allele - specific probes for analyzing polymorphisms is described by e . g ., saiki et al ., nature 324 , 163 - 166 ( 1986 ); dattagupta , ep 235 , 726 , saiki , wo 89 / 11548 . allele - specific probes can be designed that hybridize to a segment of target dna from one individual but do not hybridize to the corresponding segment from another individual due to the presence of different polymorphic forms in the respective segments from the two individuals . hybridization conditions should be sufficiently stringent that there is a significant difference in hybridization intensity between alleles , and preferably an essentially binary response , whereby a probe hybridizes to only one of the alleles . hybridizations are usually performed under stringent conditions , for example , at a salt concentration of no more than 1 m and a temperature of at least 25 ° c . for example , conditions of 5 × sspe ( 750 mm nacl , 50 mm naphosphate , 5 mm edta , ph 7 . 4 ) and a temperature of 25 - 30 ° c ., or equivalent conditions , are suitable for allele - specific probe hybridizations . equivalent conditions can be determined by varying one or more of the parameters given as an example , as known in the art , while maintaining a similar degree of identity or similarity between the target nucleotide sequence and the primer or probe used . some probes are designed to hybridize to a segment of target dna such that the polymorphic site aligns with a central position ( e . g ., in a 15 - mer at the 7 position ; in a 16 - mer , at either the 8 or 9 position ) of the probe . this design of probe achieves good discrimination in hybridization between different allelic forms . allele - specific probes are often used in pairs , one member of a pair showing a perfect match to a reference form of a target sequence and the other member showing a perfect match to a variant form . several pairs of probes can then be immobilized on the same support for simultaneous analysis of multiple polymorphisms within the same target sequence . the polymorphisms can also be identified by hybridization to nucleic acid arrays , some examples of which are described in wo 95 / 11995 . wo 95 / 11995 also describes subarrays that are optimized for detection of a variant form of a precharacterized polymorphism . such a subarray contains probes designed to be complementary to a second reference sequence , which is an allelic variant of the first reference sequence . the second . group of probes is designed by the same principles , except that the probes exhibit complementarity to the second reference sequence . the inclusion of a second group ( or further groups ) can be particularly useful for analyzing short subsequences of the primary reference sequence in which multiple mutations are expected to occur within a short distance commensurate with the length of the probes ( e . g ., two or more mutations within 9 to 21 bases ). an allele - specific primer hybridizes to a site on target dna overlapping a polymorphism and only primes amplification of an allelic form to which the primer exhibits perfect complementarity . see gibbs , nucleic acid res . 17 , 2427 - 2448 ( 1989 ). this primer is used in conjunction with a second primer which hybridizes at a distal site . amplification proceeds from the two primers , resulting in a detectable product which indicates the particular allelic form is present . a control is usually performed with a second pair of primers , one of which shows a single base mismatch at the polymorphic site and the other of which exhibits perfect complementarity to a distal site . the single - base mismatch prevents amplification and no detectable product is formed . the method works best when the mismatch is included in the 3 ′- most position of the oligonucleotide aligned with the polymorphism because this position is most destabilizing to elongation from the primer ( see , e . g ., wo 93 / 22456 ). the direct analysis of the sequence of polymorphisms of the present invention can be accomplished using either the dideoxy chain termination method or the maxam - gilbert method ( see sambrook et al ., molecular cloning , a laboratory manual ( 2nd ed ., cshp , new york 1989 ); zyskind et al ., recombinant dna laboratory manual , ( acad . press , 1988 )). amplification products generated using the polymerase chain reaction can be analyzed by the use of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis . different alleles can be identified based on the different sequence - dependent melting properties and electrophoretic migration of dna in solution . erlich , ed ., pcr technology , principles and applications for dna amplification , ( w . h . freeman and co , new york , 1992 ), chapter 7 . alleles of target sequences can be differentiated using single - strand conformation polymorphism analysis , which identifies base differences by alteration in electrophoretic migration of single stranded pcr products , as described in orita et al ., proc . nat . acad . sci . 86 , 2766 - 2770 ( 1989 ). amplified pcr products can be generated as described above , and heated or otherwise denatured , to form single stranded amplification products . single - stranded nucleic acids may refold or form secondary structures which are partially dependent on the base sequence . the different electrophoretic mobilities of single - stranded amplification products can be related to base - sequence differences between alleles of target sequences . the polymorphism of the invention may contribute to the protection of an individual against bipolar disorder in different ways . the polymorphism may contribute to phenotype by affecting protein structure . by altering amino acid sequence , the polymorphism may alter the function of the encoded protein . the polymorphism may exert phenotypic effects indirectly via influence on replication , transcription , and translation . for example , the substitution of a methionine for a valine in the prepro portion of the bdnf gene product may create an alternative translation start site which alters the length of the gene product and the prepro portion itself . alteration of the length of the gene product may affect cleavage of the mature protein either positively or negatively . alternatively , the presence of the variant amino acid may alter the properties of the gene product so as to alter cleavage of the gene product . more than one phenotypic trait may be affected . for example , other neuropsychiatric disorders which are believed to be alternate expressions of a bipolar genotype , including variants of schizoaffective disorder , recurrent unipolar depression and hypomania ( bipolar ii disorder ), may also be affected by the bdnf polymorphism described herein . additionally , the described polymorphism may predispose an individual to a distinct mutation that is causally related to a certain phenotype , such as susceptibility or resistance to bipolar disorder . the discovery of the polymorphism and its correlation with bipolar disorder facilitates biochemical analysis of the variant and the development of assays to characterize the variant and to screen for pharmaceuticals that interact directly with one or another form of the protein . alternatively , this particular polymorphism may be one of a group of two or more polymorphisms in the bdnf gene which contributes to the presence , absence or severity of the neuropsychiatric disorder , e . g ., bipolar disorder . an assessment of other polymorphisms within the bdnf gene can be undertaken , and the separate and combined effects of these polymorphisms on the neuropsychiatric disorder phenotype can be assessed . correlation between a particular phenotype , e . g ., the bipolar phenotype , and the presence or absence of a particular allele is performed for a population of individuals who have been tested for the presence or absence of the phenotype . correlation can be performed by standard statistical methods such as a chi - squared test and statistically significant correlations between polymorphic form ( s ) and phenotypic characteristics are noted . for example , as described herein , it has been found that the presence of the bdnf variant allele , having an a at polymorphic site 424 , correlates negatively with bipolar disorder with a p value of p = 0 . 004 by chi - squared test . this correlation can be exploited in several ways . in the case of a strong correlation between a particular polymorphic form , e . g ., the reference allele for bdnf , and a disease for which treatment is available , e . g ., bipolar disorder , detection of the polymorphic form in an individual may justify immediate administration of treatment , or at least the institution of regular monitoring of the individual . detection of a polymorphic form correlated with a disorder in a couple contemplating a family may also be valuable to the couple in their reproductive decisions . for example , the female partner might elect to undergo in vitro fertilization to avoid the possibility of transmitting such a polymorphism from her husband to her offspring . in the case of a weaker , but still statistically significant correlation between a polymorphic form and a particular disorder , immediate therapeutic intervention or monitoring may not be justified . nevertheless , the individual can be motivated to begin simple life - style changes ( e . g ., therapy or counseling ) that can be accomplished at little cost to the individual but confer potential benefits in reducing the risk of conditions to which the individual may have increased susceptibility by virtue of the particular allele . furthermore , identification of a polymorphic form correlated with enhanced receptiveness to one of several treatment regimes for a disorder indicates that this treatment regime should be followed for the individual in question . furthermore , it may be possible to identify a physical linkage between a genetic locus associated with a trait of interest ( e . g ., bipolar disorder ) and polymorphic markers that are not associated with the trait , but are in physical proximity with the genetic locus responsible for the trait and co - segregate with it . such analysis is useful for mapping a genetic locus associated with a phenotypic trait to a chromosomal position , and thereby cloning gene ( s ) responsible for the trait . see lander et al ., proc . natl . acad . sci . ( usa ) 83 , 7353 - 7357 ( 1986 ); lander et al ., proc . natl . acad . sci . ( usa ) 84 , 2363 - 2367 ( 1987 ); donis - keller et al ., cell 51 , 319 - 337 ( 1987 ); lander et al ., genetics 121 , 185 - 199 ( 1989 )). genes localized by linkage can be cloned by a process known as directional cloning . see wainwright , med . j . australia 159 , 170 - 174 ( 1993 ); collins , nature genetics 1 , 3 - 6 ( 1992 ). linkage studies are typically performed on members of a family . available members of the family are characterized for the presence or absence of a phenotypic trait and for a set of polymorphic markers . the distribution of polymorphic markers in an informative meiosis is then analyzed to determine which polymorphic markers co - segregate with a phenotypic trait . see , e . g ., kerem et al ., science 245 , 1073 - 1080 ( 1989 ); monaco et al ., nature 316 , 842 ( 1985 ); yamoka et al ., neurology 40 , 222 - 226 ( 1990 ); rossiter et al ., faseb journal 5 , 21 - 27 ( 1991 ). linkage is analyzed by calculation of lod ( log of the odds ) values . a lod value is the relative likelihood of obtaining observed segregation data for a marker and a genetic locus when the two are located at a recombination fraction θ , versus the situation in which the two are not linked , and thus segregating independently ( thompson & amp ; thompson , genetics in medicine ( 5th ed , w . b . saunders company , philadelphia , 1991 ); strachan , “ mapping the human genome ” in the human genome ( bios scientific publishers ltd , oxford ), chapter 4 ). a series of likelihood ratios are calculated at various recombination fractions ( θ ), ranging from θ = 0 . 0 ( coincident loci ) to θ = 0 . 50 ( unlinked ). thus , the likelihood at a given value of θ is : probability of data if loci linked at θ to probability of data if loci unlinked . the computed likelihoods are usually expressed as the logso of this ratio ( i . e ., a lod score ). for example , a lod score of 3 indicates 1000 : 1 odds against an apparent observed linkage being a coincidence . the use of logarithms allows data collected from different families to be combined by simple addition . computer programs are available for the calculation of lod scores for differing values of θ ( e . g ., liped , mlink ( lathrop , proc . nat . acad . sci . ( usa ) 81 , 3443 - 3446 ( 1984 )). for any particular lod score , a recombination fraction may be determined from mathematical tables . see smith et al ., mathematical tables for research workers in human genetics ( churchill , london , 1961 ); smith , ann . hum . genet . 32 , 127 - 150 ( 1968 ). the value of θ at which the lod score is the highest is considered to be the best estimate of the recombination fraction . positive lod score values suggest that the two loci are linked , whereas negative values suggest that linkage is less likely ( at that value of θ ) than the possibility that the two loci are unlinked . by convention , a combined lod score of + 3 or greater ( equivalent to greater than 1000 : 1 odds in favor of linkage ) is considered definitive evidence that two loci are linked . similarly , by convention , a negative lod score of − 2 or less is taken as definitive evidence against linkage of the two loci being compared . negative linkage data are useful in excluding a chromosome or a segment thereof from consideration . the search focuses on the remaining non - excluded chromosomal locations . in another embodiment , the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a variant bdnf gene product . as used herein , a variant bdnf gene product is intended to mean gene products which are encoded by the variant allele of the bdnf gene and includes , but is not limited to , the complete ( uncleaved ) variant bdnf gene product , the cleaved bdnf protein and the cleaved prepro portion of the gene product . in one embodiment , the gene product is a peptide comprising amino acids − 1 through − 132 of a variant bdnf gene product , or a functional portion thereof , for use in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders . the invention further relates to the use of compositions ( i . e ., agonists ) which enhance or increase the activity of a peptide comprising amino acids − 1 through − 132 of the variant bdnf gene product , or a functional portion thereof , for use in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders . the invention also relates to the use of compositions ( i . e ., antagonists ) which reduce or decrease the activity of a peptide comprising amino acids − 1 through − 132 of the variant bdnf gene product , or a functional portion thereof , for use in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders . in a particular embodiment the neuropsychiatric disorder is bipolar disorder . in addition to substantially full - length polypeptides expressed by variant genes , the present invention includes biologically active fragments of the polypeptides , or analogs thereof , including organic molecules which simulate the interactions of the peptides . biologically active fragments include any portion of the full - length polypeptide which confers a biological function on the variant gene product , including ligand binding , and antibody binding . ligand binding includes binding by nucleic acids , proteins or polypeptides , small biologically active molecules , or large cellular structures . for instance , the variant polypeptide or protein , or fragment thereof , of the present invention can be formulated with a physiologically acceptable medium to prepare a pharmaceutical composition . the particular physiological medium may include , but is not limited to , water , buffered saline , polyols ( e . g ., glycerol , propylene glycol , liquid polyethylene glycol ) and dextrose solutions . the optimum concentration of the active ingredient ( s ) in the chosen medium can be determined empirically , according to procedures well known to medicinal chemists , and will depend on the ultimate pharmaceutical formulation desired . methods of introduction of exogenous peptides at the site of treatment include , but are not limited to , intradermal , intramuscular , intraperitoneal , intravenous , subcutaneous , oral and intranasal . other suitable methods of introduction can also include rechargeable or biodegradable devices and slow release polymeric devices . the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention can also be administered as part of a combinatorial therapy with other agents and treatment regimens . polyclonal and / or monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind one form of the gene product but not to the other form of the gene product are also provided . antibodies are also provided that bind a portion of either the variant or the reference gene product that contains the polymorphic site . antibodies can be made by injecting mice or other animals with , for example , the variant gene product or peptide fragments thereof comprising the variant portion . the peptide framents can be synthetically produced or produced in a suitable host cell expressing a nucleic acid encoding said peptide . in another embodiment , the animal is injected with the reference gene product or fragments thereof containing amino acid position − 63 . monoclonal antibodies are screened as are described , for example , in harlow & amp ; lane , antibodies , a laboratory manual , cold spring harbor press , new york ( 1988 ); goding , monoclonal antibodies , principles and practice ( 2d ed .) academic press , new york ( 1986 ). monoclonal antibodies are tested for specific immunoreactivity with , for example , a variant gene product and lack of immunoreactivity to the corresponding prototypical gene product . in another embodiment , antibodies are produced and tested for specific immunoreactivity to the reference gene product and lack of immunoreactivity to the variant gene product . these antibodies are useful in diagnostic assays for detection of the variant form , or as an active ingredient in a pharmaceutical composition . the invention further relates to a method of diagnosing or aiding in the diagnosis of a disorder associated with the presence of all or a portion of the prepro bdnf protein in an individual . the method comprises obtaining a biological sample containing the prepro bdnf protein or relevant portion thereof from the individual and determining the amino acid present at amino acid position − 63 relative to the first amino acid of the mature protein . wherein the presence of the reference amino acid , valine at this position is indicative of increased likelihood of the disorder in the individual as compared with an appropriate control , e . g ., an individual having the variant amino acid at position − 63 . in one embodiment , the prepro portion of bdnf from an individual is analyzed . in one embodiment , the method comprises obtaining a biological sample containing the prepro bdnf protein or relevant portion thereof from the individual and determining the amino acid present at position − 63 relative to the first amino acid of the mature protein , wherein presence of a variant amino acid , e . g ., methionine , at said position is indicative of decreased likelihood of the disorder in the individual as compared with an appropriate control , e . g ., an individual having the reference ( valine ) amino acid said position . in one embodiment , the prepro portion of bdnf is analyzed . in one embodiment , the invention relates to a method for predicting the likelihood that an individual will have a bipolar disorder ( or aiding in the diagnosis of a bipolar disorder ), comprising the steps of obtaining a biological sample comprising the prepro bdnf protein or fragment thereof containing amino acid position − 63 from an individual to be assessed and determining the amino acid present at amino acid position − 63 . the presence of the variant amino acid at this position indicates that the individual has a lower likelihood of having a bipolar disorder than an individual having the reference amino acid at this position , or a lower likelihood of having severe symptomology . in a particular embodiment , the individual is an individual at risk for development of bipolar disorder . the invention also relates to a method for predicting the likelihood that an individual will have a bipolar disorder , or for aiding in the diagnosis of a bipolar disorder , or predicting the likelihood of having altered symptomology associated with a bipolar disorder , comprising the steps of obtaining a biological sample comprising prepro bdnf protein or fragment thereof containing amino acid position − 63 from an individual to be assessed and determining the amino acid present at amino acid positions − 63 of the prepro bdnf gene product . for example , the prepro region of the bdnf can be cleaned from or linked to the mature bdnf protein . as used herein , the term “ fragment thereof ” of the prepro bdnf protein is intended to encompass any portion of the protein which comprises the polymorphic amino acid position . the presence of valine at position − 63 indicates that the individual has a greater likelihood of having bipolar disorder , or a greater likelihood of having severe symptomology associated with a bipolar disorder , than if that individual had a variant amino acid at this position . conversely , the presence of methionine indicates that the individual has a reduced likelihood of having a bipolar disorder or a likelihood of having reduced symptomology associated with a bipolar disorder , than if that individual had the reference amino acid at this position . in a particular embodiment , the individual is an individual at risk for development of a bipolar disorder . in another embodiment the individual exhibits clinical symptomology associated with a bipolar disorder . in one embodiment , the individual has been clinically diagnosed as having a bipolar disorder . in this embodiment of the invention , the biological sample contains protein molecules from the test subject . as described above for bdnf cdna or mrna , suitable sources for the biological sample are any tissue or bodily fluid that is expected to express or contain prepro bdnf protein or the prepro portion of bdnf can be used . in vitro techniques for detection of protein of interest include enzyme linked immunosorbent assays ( elisas ), western blots , immunoprecipitations and immunofluorescence . furthermore , in vivo techniques for detection of protein include introducing into a subject a labeled anti - protein antibody . for example , the antibody can be labeled with a radioactive marker whose presence and location in a subject can be detected by standard imaging techniques . polyclonal and / or monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to variant gene products but not to corresponding reference gene products , and vice versa , are also provided . antibodies can be made as described above . these antibodies are useful in diagnostic assays for detection of the variant form , or as an active ingredient in a pharmaceutical composition . the invention also encompasses kits for detecting the presence of proteins or nucleic acid molecules of the invention in a biological sample . for example , the kit can comprise a labeled compound or agent ( e . g ., nucleic acid probe such as seq id no : 11 ,) capable of detecting protein or mrna ( or cdna produced from the mrna ) in a biological sample ; means for determining the identity of nucleotide 424 of the bdnf gene in the mrna corresponding mrna in the sample or the amino acid identity at position − 63 of the prepro portion of bdnf in the sample ; and means for comparing said identities of mrna in the sample with a suitable standard . the kit can also comprise control samples for use as standards , representing individuals homozygous for the reference or variant nucleotide in the case of analyzing nucleic acid , or the reference or variant amino acid in the case of analyzing proteins , or representing a heterozygous individual . for the detection of the reference or the variant prepro portion of bdnf , the kit can contain antibodies specific for either the reference or the variant prepro portion of bdnf together with suitable regents to detect antibody binding to its target antigen . the compound or agent can be packaged in a suitable container . the kit can further comprise instructions for using the kit to detect protein or nucleic acid . the invention further pertains to compositions , e . g ., vectors , comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding variant bdnf gene product . in one embodiment , the gene product is a peptide comprising amino acids − 1 through − 132 of the variant bdnf gene product , or a functional portion thereof , for use in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders . for example , variant genes can be expressed in an expression vector in which a variant gene is operably linked to a native or other promoter . usually , the promoter is a eukaryotic promoter for expression in a mammalian cell . the transcription regulation sequences typically include a heterologous promoter and optionally an enhancer which is recognized by the host . the selection of an appropriate promoter , for example trp , lac , phage promoters , glycolytic enzyme promoters and trna promoters , depends on the host selected . commercially available expression vectors can be used . vectors can include host - recognized replication systems , amplifiable genes , selectable markers , host sequences useful for insertion into the host genome , and the like . the means of introducing the expression construct into a host cell varies depending upon the particular construction and the target host . suitable means include fusion , conjugation , transfection , transduction , electroporation or injection , as described in sambrook , supra . a wide variety of host cells can be employed for expression of the variant gene , both prokaryotic and eukaryotic . suitable host cells include bacteria such as e . coli , yeast , filamentous fungi , insect cells , mammalian cells , typically immortalized , e . g ., mouse , cho , human and monkey cell lines and derivatives thereof . preferred host cells are able to process the variant gene product to produce an appropriate mature polypeptide . processing includes glycosylation , ubiquitination , disulfide bond formation , general post - translational modification , and the like . it is also contemplated that cells can be engineered to express the variant bdnf allele of the invention by gene therapy methods . for example , dna encoding the variant bdnf gene product , or an active fragment or derivative thereof , can be introduced into an expression vector , such as a viral vector , and the vector can be introduced into appropriate cells in an animal . in such a method , the cell population can be engineered to inducibly or constitutively express active variant bdnf gene product . in a preferred embodiment , the vector is delivered to the bone marrow , for example as described in corey et al . ( science 244 : 1275 - 1281 ( 1989 )). the invention further provides transgenic nonhuman animals capable of expressing an exogenous variant bdnf gene and / or having one or both alleles of an endogenous variant bdnf gene inactivated . expression of an exogenous variant gene is usually achieved by operably linking the gene to a promoter and optionally an enhancer , and microinjecting the construct into a zygote . see hogan et al ., “ manipulating the mouse embryo , a laboratory manual ,” cold spring harbor laboratory . inactivation of endogenous variant genes can be achieved by forming a transgene in which a cloned variant gene is inactivated by insertion of a positive selection marker . see capecchi , science 244 , 1288 - 1292 ( 1989 ). the transgene is then introduced into an embryonic stem cell , where it undergoes homologous recombination with an endogenous variant gene . mice and other rodents are preferred animals . such animals provide useful drug screening systems . the invention will be further illustrated by the following non - limiting examples . the teachings of the references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety . a sample population of 150 trios was initially assessed by genotyping methods for heterozygousity with respect to the bdnf reference and variant alleles as described herein . a trio included two parents and an offspring diagnosed as having bipolar disorder according to the american psychiatric association &# 39 ; s diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders . of the 150 trios assessed , 98 of these trios had at least one parent who was heterozygous for the bdnf reference and variant alleles ; these 98 trios were selected for further study , as the heterozygousity of the parent allowed a determination of which allele the parent transmitted to the bipolar offspring . the bipolar offspring in the trios were assessed by genotyping methods to determine which bdnf allele had been transmitted to them by the heterozygous parent . in instances where two parents had two offspring diagnosed with bipolar disorder , each trio ( i . e ., two parents and one offspring ) was considered individually . the genotyping method used for these studies was based on single - base extension ( sbe ) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer ( fret ). a locus - specific primer ( fret primer ; 5 ′- ggctgacactttcgaacac ( seq id no : 11 ) was ordered 5 ′ labeled with fam . the primer was designed so that the 3 ′ end was one base 5 ′ to the polymorphic site of interest ( e . g ., nucleotide 424 ). the locus of interest was amplified and single base extension of the fret primer was performed with fluorescently labeled ddntps in dye - terminator sequencing fashion , except that no deoxyribonucleotides are present . pcr primers were : the ddntp corresponding to the variant base ( a ) was labeled with tamra , and the reference base ( g ) was labeled with rox . depending on the genotype of the individual , the fret primer was extended with a rox - labeled or tamra - labeled ddntp . upon incorporation of either rox - or tamra - labeled ddntps , energy transfer occurs between the donor dye ( fam on fret primer ) and the acceptor dye ( the rox - or tamra - labeled ddntp ). an increase in the fluorescence intensity of one ( for a homozygote ) or both ( for a heterozygote ) of the acceptor dyes was used to infer the genotype of an individual . ii clean - up of pcr products with shrimp alkaline phosphate ( sap ) and exonuclease i ( exo ) fifteen microliters of the pcr mix were added to a 96 - well mj plate . five microliters of genomic dna ( 5 ng / μl ) were added to the aliquoted pcr mix . ( 5 μl of 1 ng / μl is often adequate ). the plate was sealed with mj plate - seal ‘ a ’. pcr was conducted using the following program : five microliters of sap / exo mix were added to a clean mj plate . five microliters of the pcr product were added directly to the aliquoted sap / exp mix . the pcr plates were spun down and sealed with microseal a film . the mixture was incubated at 37 ° c . for 45 minutes and then at 96 ° c . for 15 minutes . ( the reactions were carried out in the same mj plate used for sap / exo step , capped with 8 - strip microamp optical caps ) the ddntps that should be incorporated in the genotyping reaction were selected . in this experiment , tamra was used to identify the variant base and rox for the reference base , although other possibilities exist . ten microliters of sbe - fret mix were added to the mj plates containing 10 μl sap / exo treated pcr products . the plates were tapped on bench to mix , they can also be spun briefly if necessary . the wells were capped with optical caps . the capped wells can be rolled with roller if necessary . the plates were incubated for 6 cycles of ( for a 20 μl reaction ) as follows : data were collected in the 60 ° c . stage using detection settings suitable for measuring tamra and rox fluorescence . at the end of the run , the plate was saved as “ projectname . sbexxx . pyyy ”, where project name is the project ( e . g . cancer ), xxx is the number of the polymorphism being genotyped ( e . g . 48 ), and yyy is the plate number ( e . g . 04 ). to analyze the data , “ analyze ” was selected under the analysis menu ( command - l ). the 7700 apparatus provides a screen to adjust the threshold levels . “ 0 ” was input in the “ use threshold ” box and “ 2 ” for cycle number in both the baseline start and stop boxes . “ update calculations ” was selected . the resulting error message box was closed . data were analyzed by plotting rox fluorescence versus tamra fluorescence and comparing the values between samples , control samples containing no template and samples of known geneotype . typically , homozygous reference controls have little or no tamra fluorescence , homozygous variant controls have little or no rox fluorescence and heterozygous controls have similar tamra and rox fluorescence . genotypes determined included ref , het , var , fail ( signal too low ) or a - fail ( ambiguous — signal not within one of the values set above ). data from the work described herein has shown that there is a variation from random ( i . e ., that which would be expected by chance ) in the transmission of the reference ( g ) and variant ( a ) alleles from an individual parent who is heterozygous for the bdnf alleles to an offspring diagnosed with bipolar disorder . fig2 a - 2j show data resulting from a genotyping assessment of the reference and variant alleles of bdnf in a group of trios having one or more bipolar offspring . column 1 shows the family reference number for the trio . column 2 shows the reference number for the individual being assessed . columns 3 and 4 show the reference number for the father and the mother , respectively , in the trio . column 5 shows the gender of the individual being assessed . column 6 shows the genotype of the individual being assessed with respect to bdnf ; ref indicates that the individual was homozygous for the reference ( g ) allele , var indicates that the individual was homozygous for the variant allele , het indicates that the individual was heterozygous , and fail indicates that no data was collected for that individual . columns 7 and 8 show the number of times that the reference and variant allele , respectively , were transmitted to offspring by the heterozygous parent . fig3 a - 3c show data resulting from a genotyping assessment of the reference and variant alleles of bdnf in an additional group of trios having one or more bipolar offspring . column i shows the family reference number for the trio . column 2 shows the individual reference number for the individual being assessed . column 3 shows whether the individual being assessed was the offspring ( patient ) or parent . column 4 shows the genotype of the individual being assessed with respect to bdnf ; ref indicates that the individual was homozygous for the reference ( g ) allele , var indicates that the individual was homozygous for the variant allele , het indicates that the individual was heterozygous , and fail indicates that no data was collected for that individual . columns 5 and 6 show the number of times that the reference and variant allele , respectively , were transmitted to offspring by the heterozygous parent . the data demonstrate that the variant allele ( a ) is transmitted less frequently ( 34 of 98 times ) to the bipolar offspring than would be expected by chance , while the reference allele ( g ) is transmitted more frequently ( 64 of 98 times ) than would be expected by chance ( p = 0 . 004 ). in the general population ( in which about 0 . 8 percent of the individuals are diagnosed with bipolar disorder ), the variant ( a ) allele occurs with a frequency of 15 percent , while the reference allele occurs with a frequency of 85 percent . in the sample population assessed as described herein , in which all of the individuals are diagnosed with bipolar disorder , the variant allele occurs with a frequency of 7 percent . thus , it appears that the variant allele may contribute to protection or reduction in symptomology with respect to bipolar disorder . fig4 and table v show data obtained from additional human samples . “ hopkins ” refers to a to a group of patients with bipolar disorder obtained in collaboration with johns hopkins . “ u01 and nimh ” refer to a group of 155 trios some of which are from johns hopkins and some are from the genetics initiative at the nimh . “ british ” refers to 145 trios from 5 collaborators in england . in table v , “ trans ” is the number of times the allele in question ( in this case the reference allele ) was transmitted from a heterozygous parents to a bipolar child . “ untrans ” is the number of times the other ( variant ) allele was passed from the heterozygous parent to the bipolar child . the number of trios used is show in the column labeled “# trios ” and is the number of trios for which genotypes were available . not all of the parents were considered to be “ informative ”. to be included in the analysis , the parent in question had to be a heterozygote . the relative risk ( estimated relative risk on fig4 ) is defined as the transmission ratio in trios ( i . e # transmitted alleles /# untransmitted alleles ). under a multiplicative disease model , this is an estimator of genotypic relative risk . the confidence interval was calculated using a binomial distribution . while this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof , it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims . ser tyr phe gly cys met lys ala ala pro met lys glu ala asn ile leu glu ser val asn gly pro lys ala gly ser arg gly leu thr ser leu ser val cys asp ser ile ser glu trp val thr ala ala asp lys val pro val ser lys gly gln leu lys gln tyr phe tyr glu thr lys cys asn pro met gly tyr thr lys glu gly cys arg gly ile asp lys arg his trp asn ser gln cys arg thr thr gln ser tyr val arg ala leu thr met asp ser lys lys arg ile gly trp arg phe ile arg ile ile ser tyr phe gly cys met lys ala ala pro met lys glu ala asn val his gly gln gly asn leu ala tyr pro ala val arg thr his gly ala asp leu tyr thr ser arg val met leu ser ser gln val pro leu arg gly glu leu ser val cys asp ser ile ser glu trp val thr ala ile asp lys arg his trp asn ser gln cys arg thr thr gln ser tyr val arg ala leu thr met asp ser lys lys arg ile gly trp arg phe ser tyr phe gly cys met lys ala ala pro met lys glu val asn val his gly gln gly asn leu ala tyr pro gly val arg thr his gly thr asp leu tyr thr ser arg val met leu ser ser gln val pro leu glu gly glu leu ser val cys asp ser ile ser glu trp val thr ala ala thr lys cys asn pro met gly tyr thr lys glu gly cys arg gly ile asp lys arg his trp asn ser gln cys arg thr thr gln ser tyr val ala arg gly ala leu thr met asp ser lys lys arg ile gly trp arg gly cys met lys ala ala pro met lys glu ala asn val arg gly gln gly ser leu ala tyr pro gly val arg thr his gly thr leu glu ser lys val pro val ser lys gly gln leu lys gln tyr phe tyr glu thr lys cys asn pro met gly tyr thr lys glu gly cys arg gly ile asp lys arg his trp asn ser gln cys arg thr thr gln ser tyr val arg ala leu thr met asp ser lys lys arg ile gly trp arg phe ile arg

US-63636800-A

a multipurpose machine for close - row production of tree or shrub plantations , such as vineyards or orchards includes a working head including a rotor powered by a motor and designed for receiving at least two interchangeable tools . the invention also includes a meshing guide peripherally configured to mesh with the foot of trees or shrubs and arranged above the tools , the meshing guide being capable of rotating at a speed different from that of the rotor and having , viewed from the direction of said axis , the general shape of a notched disc having at its periphery alternating notches and projecting parts , the length of the operating radius of the rotary tools being not more than that of the radius of a circle tangent to the base of the notches of the guide , which can thereby , in operation , successively mesh with the base of the trees or shrubs , when coming in contact with the latter .

reference is made to the drawings in order to describe examples that are of interest but in no way restrictive , of the embodiment of the multifunctional cultivating machine according to the invention . according to the example shown in fig1 to 13 , the machine consists of a towing attachment frame allowing it to be affixed to one of the sides of the chassis of a farm tractor , but it is specified that this frame can be adapted in shape in order to allow its installation on any other position of the frame of a tractor or a vehicle of another type specially designed for hoeing work or other work . it is also possible to mount two machines according to the invention on a same farm tractor , one on each side of it , which signifies that according to the placement of its mounting , the machine can be adapted in order to work to the right or to the left of the tractor or another carrying vehicle . according to the very advantageous example shown in the drawings , the machine consists of a working head 1 , attached to a heavy runner 2 itself affixed to an adjustable arm 3 of the towing attachment frame 4 . the working head 1 ( fig4 and 5 ) consists of a geared motor preferably comprised of a hydraulic motor 5 and of a reduction gear 6 driving a rotor 7 by means of a shaft 8 mounted to turn in a housing 9 . in an advantageous manner , the reduction gear 6 is a reduction gear in mesh making it possible to shift , the hydraulic motor 5 towards the inside relative to the center of the working head 1 , in thus moving it away from the vinestocks it would run the risk of hitting during work . over a peripheral zone of the rotor 7 , at least two tools are affixed , in a detachable manner , and by means of a cylindrical joint . when the machine is used as a hoeing machine or a similar machine ( fig4 ) designed to pull out harmful grasses or plants and / or break up the surface of the ground , the tools are comprised of flyweights containing a leading edge that is somewhat sharp . in a very advantageous manner , these hoeing tools 10 a are of a particular type described in another patent application by the applicant . on the other hand , when the machine is used as a mowing or shearing machine , the tools are comprised of cutting blades 10 b ( fig5 ). the rotor 7 , the tools 10 a or 10 b and the detachable fixation system of these tools are shaped and constructed in order to make possible the mounting on the rotor , with a freedom of turning having a limited amplitude , of at least two tools 10 a or 10 b . in an advantageous manner , the tools 10 a or 10 b are mounted in conditions such that when they are installed on the rotor , their axes of turning b - b converge to the bottom in the direction of the axis of rotation a - a of it , in forming an angle with the axis of rotation a - a , for example , at an angle on the order of 9 °. the detachable system for attaching the tools 10 a or 10 b , consists of , for each of them , a hinge pin 11 around which is mounted , with a turning amplitude , the collar joint 10 a of the tool . one of the ends of this hinge pin is housed in a bore hole arranged in the vicinity of the periphery of the rotor 7 , while its opposite end is engaged in an opening in a clamp 12 . a pressure disk 15 can be arranged around the lower end of the hinge pin 11 , between a circular collar 11 a of it , and the clamp 12 , in a manner so as to allow the turning of the tool . the holes arranged in the rotor 7 for the mounting of the interchangeable tools 10 a or 10 b have an axis b - b inclined relative to the axis of rotation a - a of the rotor , in a manner so that the hinge pin 11 and the axes of the collar mounting joints 10 a are also inclined along the axis b - b . the clamp 12 is affixed axially to the base of the rotor 7 by means of a single screw 13 going through a central opening of the clamp and screwing into a threading arranged in the lower portion of the shaft 8 . on this manner , in order to replace the tools 10 a or 10 b , for example in case they become worn , it is sufficient to unscrew the bolt 13 , to take off the clamp 12 and the washers 15 , to detach the tool to be replaced with its hinge pin 11 . in order to affix the new tools , the procedure is done in the reverse order . the working head of the machine for cultivating the ground according to the invention can be equipped with at least two tools 10 a or 10 b , but its rotor 7 can be shaped in order to accommodate three or more tools , angularly and regularly spaced . when the working head is equipped with two tools 10 a or 10 b , these tools are affixed in the diametrally opposed sites of the rotor 7 ( fig4 and 5 ). in this case , and as shown in fig4 and 5 , the support surfaces of the clamp 12 comprised of the lower sides of the washers 15 and the central portion of the rotor 7 , are placed in a circular arc , thus the clamp is roughly planar and equipped with a capacity for elastic deformation . when the bolt 13 is screwed at the bottom , a concave deformation of the clamp 12 is caused , the ends of which are then greatly applied , by a spring effect , onto the support washers 15 of the hinge pins 11 . when the rotor turns at speeds between 200 and 3000 rpm , the tools 10 a or 10 b have a tendency to move apart from their axis of rotation a - a , under the action of centrifugal force , and their working part occupies their lowest position . when a knife encounters an obstacle ( large rock ), it turns and moves aside in climbing back up to the rear , because of the slope of its turning axis b - b . this arrangement makes it possible to reduce the violence of possible shocks and to prevent the blades from becoming prematurely unusable . the rotor 7 comprises a lower cylindrical part 7 a having a more reduced diameter than that of its upper part 7 b under which the tools 10 a or 10 b are affixed . this lower cylindrical part 7 a functions as a stop limiting the retraction movement of the tools towards the rear when they encounter a hard obstacle . according to another important characteristic arrangement of the invention , a turning guide 14 is arranged above the tools 10 a or 10 b , preferably coaxially to the axis of rotation a - a of them . this guide is , for example , mounted around the lower cylindrical portion 9 a of the casing 9 , by means of a rolling bearing 37 , in a manner such that it can turn around the axis of rotation a - a of the rotor 7 . this turning guide has , seen in the direction of the axis a - a , the general shape of a notched disc consisting of , alternately , on its periphery , notches 16 and projecting parts 17 . when the meshing guide 14 is , according to a preferred embodiment mode , mounted coaxially to the axis of rotation a - a of the tools 10 a or 10 b , this guide is dimensioned in such a manner that the length of the maximum operating radius r 1 of these rotary tools 10 a or 10 b , is either less than or equal to the length of the radius r 2 of a circle tangent to the base of the notches 16 of the guide ( fig2 ). the notched guide 14 can be mounted in free rotation . however , according to an advantageous embodiment mode described in the following present explanation , the notched guide 14 is coupled to a motorization that ensures it is driven in rotation at a speed approximately equal to the linear speed of advancement of the tractor or other vehicle equipped with the cultivating machine , this ratio of speeds can be obtained by using a hydraulic converter that is known itself , or , preferably , by the hydraulic circuit described in the following . fig1 to 13 show the operating mode of the notched turning guide 14 according to the invention . during the encounter with a vinestock or trunk of a vine c ( or other vertical obstacle such as a trunk of a fruit tree , fence pole ), the notched guide 14 comes to grasp the vinestock , by means of one of its notches 16 ( fig1 ). the machine continues its progression parallel to the alignment of the vinestocks , the guide 14 rolls around the vinestock with which it is in contact , in moving away from its normal path ( fig1 ). it thus follows a path around the vinestock c corresponding to approximately the half circumference of it , during which the vinestock remains constantly in the bottom of the notch 16 , in a manner such that the hoeing tools 10 a or the mowing blades 10 b operate continually very close to the vinestock , but without being able to touch and injure it . it is understood that the fixed vinestock and the notched turning guide act like components of a gear in which the vinestock would be a fixed tooth and the guide a rotary toothed wheel ; for this reason , the guide will be described as “ meshing ” in the description that follows and in the claims . at the end of its rotation around the vinestock c ( fig1 ), the meshing guide separates from it , and returns to its normal initial position . according to another important characteristic arrangement of the invention , the meshing guide 14 has , in its central part 14 a approximately delimited by the base of the notches 16 , the general shape of a bell . the base of this bell is comprised in a first plane p - p delimiting a closed space e in which the rotor 7 is housed entirely , having a base that is located above the plane p - p , in a manner so that its lower part does not drag on the ground when the machine is operating . when the machine is used as a mowing machine ( fig5 ), the blades or cutting edges 10 b are also housed in the space e delimited by the base of the bell 14 a and located above the plane p - p , in a manner such that they do not scrape the ground . when the machine is used as a hoeing machine ( fig4 ), the bottom of the bell is arranged above and at a distance from a second plane p - p below which the hoeing tools 10 a are located . in an advantageous manner , the teeth or peripheral projecting parts 17 of the meshing guide 14 are raised relative to the bottom of its central part , in such a manner that the guide has the shape of a bell equipped with a crenellated edge . the raised projecting parts have an outside curved surface 17 a in the vertical direction , this arrangement encouraging the slide of the guide - bell on the ground . the meshing guide shaped in this way can easily climb up banks , while its capacity to easily slide makes it possible to obtain its return into a normal position with weaker springs , as is explained in the following . preferably , the guide 14 consists of a peripheral raised edge 14 c oriented towards the top . the meshing guide in the shape of a bell 14 can be advantageously made of a material equipped with a large capacity for elastic deformation , such as , for example , anti - abrasion polyurethane . according to another very important characteristic arrangement of the invention , the working head 1 is coupled to a heavy runner 2 shaped in order to be able to slide easily on the ground s , by means of a coupling arrangement enabling turning movements of the working head around at least two perpendicular axes . this positioning runner is comprised of a heavy piece of metal having , seen from above , an approximately trapezoidal shape . it includes a planar soleplate and its front side has , in its lower part , a curved surface that encourages it to slide on the ground while preventing it from crossing a furrow in the ground . for example , this runner can have a weight on the order of 50 kg . on the other hand , its outside lateral face consists , in the front , of a part 2 c sloped relative to its longitudinal axis and connected to a rear part approximately planar 2 b and parallel to the axis . in its rear part , the runner consists of a large opening 18 that opens to the back . this opening prevents a jam from forming between the runner 2 and the surrounding guide 14 of the working head . the positioning runner 2 is connected to the working head by means of a coupling arm 19 . the rear end of this arm is affixed to the runner 2 by means of a connecting device of the cardan joint type . more specifically , the arm 19 is affixed by means of a cylindrical joint to the horizontal axis 20 in a cap piece 21 a that has an arm support 21 . this cap piece is mounted with a turning capability on a vertical axis 22 that is a rigid single piece with the runner 2 and rises up from its central zone . it is understood that the arm can thus turn around the two perpendicular axes , in a manner so that the working head affixed to the rear end of this arm can swing in the vertical direction around the horizontal axis 20 and turn laterally to the right or to the left around the vertical axis 22 . in the normal position corresponding to the working position of the machine between the vinestocks c , the meshing guide 14 is placed , at least partially and , preferably , at least for half of it , to the outside of a line l - l passing by the outside edge 2 b of the runner 2 ( fig1 ). as shown previously , when a vinestock c is encountered , the runner 2 , by means of its sloped side 2 c , pre - positions the working head 1 and the guide 14 comes to catch with this vinestock , around which it rolls in moving ( according to the arrow f 1 in fig1 ) to the inside , in the direction of the center of the area between the rows . mechanisms support the working head 1 in this position , and allow the lateral displacement of the head in the direction of the inter - row areas and ensure its return into the normal position , after passing the vinestock . these mechanisms are , for example , comprised of a helicoidal spring 23 arranged around a cylindrical sleeve 21 b for mounting of the support of the arm 21 and fixed by means of its ends , on the one hand , in a hole 24 that contains it , and , on the other hand , in a hole 25 that has an instrument that is unified as a single piece with the axis 22 or the runner 2 . the support of the arm 21 and / or the runner ( or the attachment instrument rigidly unified as a single piece with the runner ) can consist of several holes located in a circular arc ( fig2 ) in order to make it possible to modify the placement of the anchorage point of at least one of the ends of the spring 23 . it is thus possible to control the restoring moment or the stiffness of this spring . on the other hand , a damping device , preferably comprised of an adjustable hydraulic damping device 26 , connects the support of the arm 21 or casing of the cardan device and the coupling arm 19 . this damping device 26 makes it possible to stabilize the hoeing or mowing head during work , in preventing the head from progressing by successive bounces , notably on rocky ground ; it thus allows a better work in good conditions of safety . the working head 1 is mounted with a latitude for swinging around an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the runner 2 or the axis of progression of the equipment : runner 2 working head 1 . the rear end of the coupling arm 19 is connected to the working head 1 by means of a cylindrical joint 27 , in a manner such that the working head can swing around this end . a stopper system , preferably controllable , limits the amplitude of this swinging , in a manner so as to prevent the working head from be able to swing with too large an extent that would create a risk of turning around the head . this stopper system is , for example , comprised of a helicoidal spring 28 around the coupling arm 19 and fixed , on the one hand , to a sleeve 29 or other piece that is rigidly united with the casing 9 of the working head , and , on the other hand , to a collar 30 mounted around this arm and held solidly to this piece , for example , by means of a pressure screw 31 , or other mounting instrument that can be dismounted , making it possible to modify the angular position of the collar . the collar makes it possible to adjust the stiffness of the spring 28 . in addition to its anti - swing function , the arrangement mentioned above makes it possible to absorb the swinging movements of the hoeing or mowing head during work and to pin the base of the guide - bell against the ground , notably when it is in the contact zones with the vinestocks . the tractor runner 2 is connected to the distal end of the arm 3 of the adjustable towing attachment frame 4 by means of a coupling device that permits turning movements of the runner around two perpendicular horizontal or approximately horizontal axes . this device is of the cardan joint type and consists of : an axis 32 affixed rigidly to the runner 2 and oriented in parallel to the longitudinal axis of it ; a piece in the shape of a t comprised of a bushing 33 and an axis 34 oriented transversally and solidly connected as a single piece with it ; this bushing being mounted in free rotation around the axis 32 ; and a bushing 35 affixed to the distal end of the arm 3 and in which the axis 34 is mounted with a latitude of rotation . it is noted that because of its swinging radius around the two horizontal perpendicular axes , the runner moves while closely following the surface of the ground regardless of the unevenness encountered during its progression ( sloping or banking ). the transverse axis 34 makes it possible to follow the shape of the ground in the direction of progress , while the longitudinal axis 32 makes it possible to free itself of problems of banking . in this manner , the hoeing or mowing head 1 coupled to the runner acts in the same way and the surrounding guide 14 stays pinned against the ground regardless of the configuration of it . a balancing device , preferably adjustable , for example comprised of a helicoid spring 36 acting by tension , is affixed , by means of its opposite ends , on the one hand , to a point close to the distal end of the arm 3 and , on the other hand , to the front part of the runner ( fig8 ); this balancing spring makes it possible to prevent the runner from being planted in the ground , in limiting the amplitude of its swinging to the front . [ 0101 ] fig6 shows , as an example , a position of the swinging of the runner 2 around the axis 32 corresponding to the sliding of the runner on banked ground . [ 0102 ] fig7 shows the action of a hoeing head moving on banked ground ; you can see that by the guide in the shape of a bell , the tools are ideally positioned in the ground s , in order to effectively perform their function . as previously indicated , when a vinestock c or other vertical obstacle is encountered , the runner 2 can be caused to slide , by means of its sloped surface 2 c , on this obstacle , in a manner so that the runner is pushed back laterally in the direction of the center of the inter - row areas of the vineyard in which the working head is gliding . the distal end of the arm 3 is arranged in a manner so as to allow this movement and to ensure the return of the runner into its normal position . this situation is shown in fig9 and 10 . the bushing 35 in which the axis 34 is housed is rigidly united with the lower end of a swinging part 38 that has an upper part that is fixed , by means of a joint 39 onto the distal end of the arm 3 . on the end of this part , affixed by means of a joint 40 , is one of the ends of a shaft 41 around which a spring 42 is arranged acting in extension . this spring 42 is supported , by means of its opposed ends , on the one hand , against a washer 43 held by a nut 44 screwed down on the free end of the shaft 41 , and on the other hand , against a stopper 45 mounted so that it turns , by means of the axes 46 , in a sleeve 47 that is rigidly united with the base 3 . [ 0106 ] fig9 shows a withdrawal position of the runner 2 , in the direction of the center of the inter - rows , according to which the spring 42 of the device described above is compressed , while in the situation of return to normal position , shown in fig1 , the spring is relaxed . the adjustable towing attachment frame supporting the arm 3 is mounted , in a detachable manner , on an attachment fitting 48 affixed on the frame of the carrying vehicle , on the side , or in front , or in the rear , on the right , or on the left of this vehicle . when the meshing guide 14 is mounted free in rotation , the rotation of the hoeing tools 10 a at a speed on the order of 200 to 3000 revolutions / minute , causes a movement of the ground and the pulled - out roots , and this shuffled mass can play the role of engaging by friction causing the meshing guide then to turn the tools and turning guide in the same direction , as if it was a motor . this rotation can reach large speeds that are undesirable , notably in the applications to hoeing machines . according to a characteristic device of the invention , this problem is solved by a construction according to which the meshing guide 14 is coupled to a motorization that ensures it is driven at a speed that is approximately equal to , or preferably , slightly greater than the speed for the progression of the machine during work . according to the example shown in fig1 to 16 , a toothed crown 49 is affixed concentrically on the meshing guide 14 , by screwing down or otherwise . this toothed wheel 49 is in mesh with a pinion 50 set on the output shaft 51 a of a hydraulic motor 51 ; the choice of the hydraulic energy in order to ensure the driving in rotation of the meshing guide is a preferred option , this energy is in effect used in order to drive the tool - holder rotor 7 . shown in fig1 is the hydraulic control circuit of the motor 51 ensuring the driving in rotation of the meshing guide 14 . for the sake of simplicity , the drive motor 51 is mounted in parallel with the drive motor 5 of the tool - holder rotor ( a mounting called “ in series ” would also be possible ). the hydraulic supply circuit of the motor 51 consists of a distributor unit designated in its entirety by the reference 52 and including a properly calibrated first nozzle 53 connected to the input of the motor 51 , a second adequately calibrated nozzle 54 connected to the output of the motor , and a discharge valve 55 ( pressure limiter ). the distributor unit 52 draws off , by the action of the calibrated nozzle 53 arranged on the supply line al of the hydraulic circuit , an oil flow that is sufficient so that the motor 51 drives the meshing guide 14 at an optimal rotational speed without excessively penalizing the flow rate necessary for the drive of the motor 5 , in spite of the fact that the pressure of the circuit varies constantly because of the irregular couple induced by the rotation of the tools in the ground . a nozzle 54 connected to the output of the motor 51 allows the control of the rotation of the meshing guide 14 in the case where it would have the tendency to become “ carried ” ( effect of engaging created by the moved ground ) while controlling a low compression in the body of this motor , which prevents any possibility of cavitation ( necessary condition for an excellent lifetime of the motor ). the discharge valve 55 makes it possible to control the moment supplied by the motor 51 in thus making it possible , on the one hand , to adapt the speed of rotation of the meshing guide 14 to the speed of displacement of the machine and , on the other hand , the gentle engaging of the meshing guide 14 on the vinestocks or trunks of the shrubs , in a manner so as to not injure them . it is observed that if the movement of the machine is interrupted while maintaining the rotation of the motor 5 , the rotation of the meshing guide 14 stops , in a manner such that it can not damage the vinestock or trunk with which it could come into contact at the moment the machine stops . it is understood that the hydraulic circuit shown in fig1 comprises a device for the assistance and regulation of the rotational speed of the motor 51 for driving the meshing guide 14 , this speed being proportional to the speed of displacement of the machine . [ 0118 ] fig1 and 15 show another embodiment mode of the mechanisms limiting the amplitude of the swinging of the working head around the coupling arm 19 , in order to prevent it from be able to turn with too large an extent creating a risk of the return of the working head , or so that it does not progress with jolts harmful to the quality of the work and able to damage the vinestocks . in this case , these mechanisms comprise a damping device 56 connected , by means of its opposed ends and by means of joints 57 , 58 , respectively , on the one hand , to the casing or support 9 of the working head , and , on the other hand , to a swinging lever 59 set on the coupling arm 19 . on the other hand , a helicoid spring 60 , acting in compression , is arranged around the damping device 56 . this helicoid spring is set against the stopper washers 61 , 62 affixed , respectively to the mobile shaft 56 a and to the body 56 b of the damping device . the stopper 62 has a position that is adjustable on the damping device 56 , in a manner so as to allow a control of the stiffness of the spring 60 . according to the embodiment mode shown in fig1 and 17 , a peripheral anti - ejection curtain 63 , flexible and detachable , is affixed under the meshing guide 14 inside of a circle tangent to the base of the notches 16 of it . this curtain is , for example , made up of chains 64 having straight or twisted links , held by a retaining ring 65 housed in a groove 68 arranged in the soleplate of the meshing guide 14 , these chains being held in place by the small annular spacers 66 . the anti - ejection curtain 63 is affixed to the meshing guide 14 , by means of cotter pins 67 going through holes arranged in the meshing guide 14 , near the periphery of it , where these holes are spaced , for example , on the order of 36 °. it is understood that this peripheral flexible protection curtain effectively prevents any ejection of rocks , earth , dust , etc . during work , regardless of the position of the rotary tools relative to the level of the ground .

US-20398902-A

toothbrush holder 10 is formed from a single piece of sheet material and is easily folded along its fold lines 14 , 18 , 19 , 28 and 29 into an isosolese triangular shape , with toothbrush openings 23 and 24 formed across the apex fold line 14 . the toothbrushes 29 are inserted downwardly through the openings 23 and 24 and are supported in an upright attitude suitable for drying .

referring now in more detail to the drawings , in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views , fig1 shows the toothbrush holder 10 which comprises upwardly sloped side walls 11 and 12 folded along a fold line 14 , and bottom panels 15 and 16 which are folded along lower fold lines 18 and 19 and which are split and interleaved together to retain the shape of the holder . as illustrated in fig5 the bottom panels 15 and 16 are partially split by cuts 20 and 21 . rectangular toothbrush openings 23 and 24 are formed at the upper fold line 14 , with the rectangular openings 23 and 24 being spaced apart from one another and extending on both sides of the fold line 14 into the side walls 11 and 12 . the rectangular openings 23 and 24 have long parallel edges 23a , 23b , 24a and 24b extending at right angles to the fold line 14 , and have short parallel edges 23c , 23d , 2c and 24d extending parallel to the fold line 14 . bottom panels 15 and 16 further include side tabs 25 and 26 , respectively , with one side tab 26 extending from one side of the holder and with the other side tab extending from the other side of the holder . the side tabs 25 and 26 are separated from bottom panels 15 and 16 by fold lines 27 and 28 . the toothbrush holders normally will be packaged and shipped in a flat configuration as illustrated in fig5 with many of the toothbrush holders packaged in a single package . when received at the location of use , a hotel , etc ., the room attendant will open a package of toothbrush holders and will assemble a holder from the flat configuration of fig5 into the formed configuration of fig1 . the attendant typically will fold the toothbrush holder along its fold lines 14 , 18 , 19 , 27 and 28 into the triangular configuration of fig1 and will interleave the bottom panels 15 and 16 , by placing bottom panel half 15a on top of bottom panel half 16a , and by placing bottom panel half 16b on top of bottom panel half 15b . this interleaving of the bottom panels together tends to frictionally maintain the toothbrush holder in its triangular configuration . in addition , the side tabs 25 and 26 are folded along their respective fold lines 27 and 28 to an upright attitute . when the occupant of the hotel room has brushed his or her teeth , the handle 30 of a toothbrush 29 can be inserted downwardly through one of the toothbrush openings 23 or 24 . typically , the toothbrush handle 30 will be long enough so that the distal end of the handle will engage a bottom panel 15 or 16 . the handle is prevented from moving laterally out of the confines of the toothbrush holder by the side tabs 25 and 26 so that the bristles will not come in contact with the holder . the open sides of the toothbrush holder allow for the hygienic drying of the handle , by allowing moisture to evaporate rapidly from the handle of the brush and from the bottom panels of the holder . since the effective cross - sectional dimension of the toothbrush openings 23 and 24 become smaller when the side walls 11 and 12 are folded along the fold line 14 , it may be necessary to slightly wedge the toothbrush handle 30 into an opening 23 or 24 . the side walls 11 and 12 will spread apart slightly to accomodate this wedging action , and the tendency of the side walls to resume their original folded shape tends to apply slight frictional force to the toothbrush handle so as to apply a slight gripping force to the handle . thus , is the user of the holder desires to leave the bristles 31 of the toothbrush slightly elevated above the toothbrush holder , this slight frictional engagement will permit this . the generally open shape of the toothbrush holder permits not only the bristles of the brush to be positioned above the holder and exposed for drying , but also permits the handle located within the sloped side walls 11 and 12 to be ventilated for drying . when the supply of toothbrush holders is ordered by the hotel , the name of the hotel can be printed on the outside surface of the sloped side walls 11 and 12 , together with other information such as telephone numbers , addresses , etc . further , the entire device is reversible so that certain advertisements can be placed on one side of each sloped side wall 11 and 12 , and different advertisements can be placed on the reverse sides of the side walls 11 and 12 , and the room attendants can be instructed as to which advertisements should confront the occupant of the room . for example , if the business activity at the hotel restaurant is low , the cards can be printed with an advertisement of the restaurant on one panel 11 or 12 and the room attendants instructed to fold the cards to expose that particular advertisement . it should be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein illustrate principles of the invention in a preferred form . other modifications , additions and deletions may be made thereto without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims .

US-5711387-A

a disposable lunch container liner to protect the interior of a lunch container from food particles . the lunch container liner has adhesive pieces on its under side for removable attachment to the interior of a lunch container .

an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to fig1 - 4 . with reference to fig1 - 4 , the invention includes a first side piece 1 , a second side piece 2 , a third side piece 3 , a fourth side piece 4 , and a base 5 . as shown in fig1 and 2 , the base 5 is attached to each side piece 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 . the base 5 and the four side pieces 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 are made of a single piece of continuous material . as shown in fig1 and 2 , the invention is in a flat , unfolded state . fig1 is a plan view of the top side of the invention in a flat , unfolded state . the top side is the side that is exposed to the lunch contents once the liner is inserted into the lunch container . fig2 is a plan view of the under side of the invention in a flat , unfolded state . an adhesive strip 6 is located on the under side of each side piece 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 of the liner to affix the liner to the interior of the lunch container . fig3 and 4 show the invention in a folded state , as it would be inserted in a lunch container . in fig3 and 4 , the adhesive strips 6 are affixed to the under side of the liner for contact with the interior of a lunch container . in one embodiment , the liner is made of a heavy duty material that is quilted and absorbent on one side and non - porous on the other side . the non - porous side is inserted into the lunch container so that it is adjacent the interior of the lunch container . the quilted side would be the top side of the liner , as shown in fig1 . the quilted , absorbent side is exposed to the lunch contents to absorb spills . the non - porous material can be selected from , for example , paper ( including cardboard or so - called wax - paper ) or plastic . in other embodiments of the invention , the liner may conform to lunch containers of various shapes and sizes . the liner is designed to cover all interior surfaces of a container except for the interior surface of the cover of the container . in the embodiment shown in fig1 - 4 , the liner is designed to conform to a container having a square base . in another embodiment , the liner may be designed to conform to a container having a rectangular base . in an embodiment shown in fig5 and 6 , the liner is designed to conform to a container having a circular base . in fig5 and 6 , the invention includes a first side piece 7 , a second side piece 8 , a third side piece 9 , a fourth side piece 10 , and a base 11 . as shown in fig5 and 6 , the base 11 is attached to each side piece 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 . the base 11 and the four side pieces 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 are made of a single piece of continuous material . in fig6 adhesive strips 12 are affixed to the side pieces 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 .

US-98491497-A

"methods and apparatus for interpreting vaginal measurement data by electronic means without the nee(...TRUNCATED)

"the present invention is directed to electronic interpretation of data , monitored in relation to t(...TRUNCATED)

US-61017503-A

"a need exists to improve the ice cream soda float and allow the consumer to selectively drink unmix(...TRUNCATED)

"although specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings(...TRUNCATED)

US-92467910-A