Abstract: This invention comprises a method of using tubular material to replace a heart valve during cardiac surgery. To create a replacement atrioventricular (mitral or tricuspid) valve, the tube inlet is sutured to a valve annulus from which the native leaflets have been removed, and the tube outlet is sutured to papillary muscles in the ventricle. To create a semilunar (aortic or pulmonary) valve, the tube inlet is sutured to an annulus from which the native cusps have been removed, and the tube is either "tacked" at three points distally inside the artery, or sutured longitudinally along three lines; this allows the flaps of tissue between the three fixation points at the valve outlet to function as movable cusps. These approaches generate flow patterns that closely duplicate the flow patterns of native valves.

Abstract: A dolly for portable weed cutters according to the present invention includes a frame provided with upper and lower clamp members for engagement with a handle bar of a conventional portable weed cutter for detachably securing the weed cutter to the dolly. A lower portion of the frame includes a pair of symmetrical lower frame members each having a lower end rotatably mounted on an axle extending transversely between and rotatably mounting a pair of wheels. An upper end of each of the lower frame members is secured to the lower clamp member by virtue of a fastener extending through a selected one of a plurality of apertures provided in a body portion of the lower clamp member such that the lower clamp member is selectively securable in pivotally and linearly adjustable position. The upper clamp member includes a body portion pivotally connected to the upper frame portion.

Abstract: A portable desk according to a preferred embodiment includes a base plate securable to a vehicle floor board by conventional fasteners such as bolts or screws. A centrally disposed fixed cylindrical pedestal extends upwardly from the base plate into an open bottom end of a tubular vertical support column. A first set screw secures the support column in a rotationally and vertically adjusted position to the pedestal. A mounting standard includes a straight lower leg portion secured in a telescopically adjusted position within an open upper end of the vertical support column by a second set screw. An upper leg of the mounting standard is inclined at a forty-five degree angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the support column. A third set screw adjustably secures an upper end of the inclined upper leg of the mounting standard in telescoping relation within a mounting socket.

Abstract: A multi-message sign includes a frame having a recessed front panel adapted to releasably mount a primary sign by use of double-stick tape or other suitable fasteners. A plurality of additional secondary signs disposed in overlying relation within the frame selectively drop through a slot in a bottom portion of the frame for display. The primary and secondary signs each preferably include indicia for sighted persons and corresponding braille indicia for blind persons. The inventive sign includes a hidden pivotal release mechanism operated by insertion of a coin into a slot to release and drop the secondary signs. The sign includes several decoy slots to deter tampering. In order to facilitate convenient change of the secondary signs while deterring tampering, the frame includes a bottom cover detachably secured by concealed latch members.

Abstract: A cervical tissue sampling device to allow women to collect tissue samples at home for transmission to a laboratory by mail or other means includes a cylindrical barrel having an open circular front end and an open circular rear end terminating in a radially extending irregularly shaped finger grip flange. A plunger assembly slidably received within the barrel includes a circular brush and surrounding circular sponge for collecting cervical tissue and mucous. The brush and sponge collection assembly is detachably secured to the plunger shaft by a quick release connection. In use, the barrel is inserted by a female into her vagina with the sponge and brush disposed in a retracted condition within the barrel 12. After insertion, the plunger is moved to an extended condition and rotated to collect tissue and mucous samples on the brush and sponge. After the samples have been collected, the sponge and brush are detached from the plunger shaft and mailed in a sealed container to a laboratory for analysis.

Abstract: An inflation and deflation device especially adapted for use with dunnage air bags includes a cylindrical valve body possessing a first end mounted for relative rotation within a hollow interior cylindrical portion of a valve actuator. An internal spring biases a valve seat radially outwardly into engagement with an internal cylindrical side wall portion of the valve actuator. Rotation of the valve actuator selectively aligns air exhaust passages of the valve seat and the valve actuator to deflate an associated dunnage air bag. The valve body includes air passages connecting a compressed air source to the dunnage bag for selective inflation and to allow use of the compressed air source to provide a relatively high velocity air stream across an air passage connected to the dunnage bag to facilitate deflation of the bag by inducing a vacuum.

Abstract: A scuba fin has the fin section separated from the foot pocket, and connected thereto by a shaft. The shaft has substantial height, but is of minimal thickness, so that it presents little frontal area to the water. This arrangement enables the scuba fin to pass through water with reduced resistance when swimming. Also, area and mass of the fin are minimized, while still providing an appropriate area to be subjected to water for propulsion. The angle of the fin is offset from the angle of the bottom of the foot pocket, elevating the front end of the fin, so that the likelihood of tripping is substantially reduced. The novel fin reduces effort by a scuba diver, thus enabling increased bottom time, and enables more convenient and confident walking on boat decks or on terra firma.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable trailer hitch includes a stationary portion possessing a transversely extending mounting stub dimensioned for insertion into a trailer hitch tongue. A plurality of reinforcement struts include mounting edges disposed in spaced relation to the mounting stub and adapted for welding to the trailer hitch tongue. A vertically elongated rectangular guide plate includes a plurality of pairs of aligned apertures spaced along opposite longitudinal edge portions. A longitudinally extending guide rib extends vertically along a front face of the guide plate. A stop block secured on a top edge of the guide plate overhangs the guide rib. A vertically reciprocal slider includes opposite channel edge portions surrounding longitudinal edge portions of the guide plate. A guide groove on the slider is disposed in engagement with the guide rib.

Abstract: An improved wood burning heating unit which possesses a trapezoidal housing including a fire box portion possessing in a combustion zone a fire brick grid for supporting fuel wood. An air duct extends beneath the fire brick grid, upwardly along a back portion of the heating unit, and terminates in fluid communication with a helical heat exchanger section. The heat exchanger section surrounds a central chimney including an open upper end and an open lower end selectively closable by a damper. An outside air T connection includes a first leg connected to an outside air inlet, a second leg communicating with the chimney, above the heat exchanger section, and a third leg connected for directing combustion air to the fire box. The outside air T connection also includes a pair of air pressure actuated flapper valves for regulating combustion air flow depending upon conditions within the fire box.

Abstract: A belt grinder includes a base plate mounting a drive motor, belt drive wheel, and belt tensioning idler wheel. A tension arm movably mounted on the base plate is biased to an extended position under a predetermined adjustable bias force to regulate belt tension. Air cylinder and weighted pivot arm embodiments for biasing the tension arm are disclosed. The idler wheel is pivotally mounted on the tension arm for adjusting position of the belt along the axis of the idler wheel. A plurality of grooves in the base plate allow precise securement of various attachments in repeatable alignments. A platen assembly attachment includes a tool rest and belt platen disposed between belt supporting rollers which may be quickly removed from the base plate and reattached in precise alignment without disturbing the adjustment of the tool rest and platen.

Abstract: A trailer hitch for securing a trailer to a towing vehicle includes a holding plate fixed to the end of a vertical column portion of the trailer hitch tongue. The holding plate possesses a first aperture dimensioned to receive a hitch ball. A latch plate mounted for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane underlies the holding plate and possesses a second aperture dimensioned to receive the hitch ball. In a locked position, the apertures of the holding plate and latch plate are misaligned to prevent movement of the hitch ball therethrough. In an unlocked position, the apertures in the holding plate and latch plate are aligned. A conical guide secured to a bottom face of the latch plate guides the hitch ball through the apertures in the latch and holding plates. A coil tension spring biases the latch plate to the locked position. The weight of the trailer, when lowered onto the hitch ball, forces the latch plate to the unlocked position against the bias of the tension spring.

Abstract: A method and an appparatus for constructing a roof on a structure using elongated roofing members, as well as the elongated roofing members. Elongated roofing members are produced, preferably near or on the structure, by continuously forming suitable male and female flanges on sheet metal material and periodically cutting the sheet metal material to predetermined lengths. The male and female flanges of adjacent elongated roofing members are interconnected by deflecting a portion of the female flange about the male flange to crimp the male flange between portions of the female flange. A plurality of clips having flanges may be interconnected with the structure, whereby the flanges are engagable, together with the male flanges, with the female flanges to provide for rapid simultaneous interconnection of both the female flange and the male flange with the structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for treating a tooth with an active agent such as a tooth whitening agent comprising a stint having an internal region defined by an internal surface. A plurality of indentations are formed in the internal surface for retaining the active agent to maintain the active agent in contact with the tooth when the stint is applied upon the tooth. The stint is molded from a sheet of plastic material with the indentations being formed by an abrading process such as abrasive blasting or the like.

Abstract: Methods of improving anaerobic digestion by enhancing the microorganism population through the creation of a nutrient environment more favorable for microbial growth and through the addition of microbes and, more particularly, by the addition of chelating agents, chelating agents and nutrients, and methanogens. Methods for the improved production of said methanogens by the provision of controlled amount of methanol and H.sub.2 and CO.sub.2. Methods for the improved preservation of said methanogen by ultra-freezing and freeze-drying.

Abstract: A drive mechanism is disclosed that is selectably engageable to provide a bicycle that has normally driven and nondriven wheels with either single or dual wheel drive. The drive mechanism includes a power take off means that has: a first power transmission mechanism mounted on said frame; a second power transmission mechanism mounted on the bicycle frame in positive drive power transmitting engagement with a normally non-driven wheel of the bicycle; and a power transfer apparatus connected to receive power from the first power transmission mechanism and transmit it to the second power transmission mechanism. A coupling mechanism is operatively connected with the power take off and is selectively actuatable to place the first power transmission mechanism either in a drive position receiving power from the normally driven wheel or a disengaged non-power transmitting position.