Abstract: An adjustable fastener includes a male part and a female part, both of which are preferably made of soft pliable, sewable plastic. The female fastener part preferably has two or more spaced apart openings. Each having a broad portion and a narrow portion. The male fastener part has a base with an upstanding riser with a flange at the end of the riser. The female fastener part is made of a single thin wall which is sewn to the fabric of the garment. The base of the male part is also made of a single thin wall which is sewn to the fabric of the garment. The single wall construction of the female fastener part makes it more flexible, less easily seen, and not felt so much by the wearer. The female fastener part is provided with a bend between the openings so that it lies flat against the back when the male and female parts are coupled to the tightest position. The center of the riser of the male part is offset from the center of the flange.

Abstract: An asphalt pavement remover includes a rectangular backplate for attachment to moving equipment, an L-shaped lifting blade attached to the front of the backplate and a wedge-shaped splitter attached to the L-shaped blade. The L-shaped blade includes an upstanding arm and a lower arm, the latter of which is similar to a fork-lift blade. The wedge-shaped splitter extends in the direction of the lower arm of the L-shaped blade, i.e., away from the upstanding arm. The splitter has a forward wedge-shaped edge which is located rearward of the forward end of the lifting blade.

Abstract: A holder for clamping flexible sheet material includes an extruded plastic, elongated channel member having a base wall having two ends. The base wall is connected at one of the ends to a relatively short, upstanding forward leg having an inner face forming a bearing surface. The forward leg has a free upper end, and the base wall is connected at the other of the ends thereof to a relatively long, upstanding rearward leg having an upper end, and a top wall is joined to the upper end of the rearward leg. The top wall extends down behind the forward leg and has a free end which resiliently engages the bearing surface of the forward leg and it also has a crease or bend line spaced apart from the upper edge of the forward leg so as to define a wedge-shaped opening therebetween.

Abstract: The specification discloses a modular system for the formation of a prosthesis for the replacement of a long bone in a human or animal body. The system provides a prosthesis comprising a proximal or distal end component such as a trochanter or condylar head, forming one component of a prosthetic joint, a shaft for assembly with the distal or proximal end component and a stem for engagement in a resected bone. The system allows the assembly of a custom fitted prosthesis from a limited range of components.

Abstract: An electrofusion coupling (93) for joining together two or more sections of pipe, said coupling comprising: (i) a substantially cylindrical coupling body having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface being sized and shaped to form a clearance fit with the outer surface of the pipe regions to be joined; (ii) at least one electrical heating (94) element set on or in the inner surface of the coupling body; (iii) terminal means adapted to connect the electrical heating means to an electrical supply; characterized in that the terminal means does not project beyond the outer cylindrical surface of the coupling body once the welding process is complete.

Abstract: An external pipe joint between a pin section (30) and a box section (40) is disclosed. The end of the pin and box sections have complementary screw-threaded portions, adapted to interengage along the greater part of the axial length thereof, the threads being inclined in the same direction and at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the joint. The box section extends at least to a stop shoulder (44) having a frusto-conical head portion which is positioned adjacent a complementary stop shoulder recess (36) on the pin section. In order to sealingly receive the frusto-conical head portion, the complementary stop shoulder recess (36) comprises a cone receiver having a conical cross-section. An annular groove (45) intermediate the threaded portion and the stop shoulder of the box section is included.

Abstract: Thumb and finger guide structure for a computer mouse includes two guides, one located on either side of the mouse. One guide is designed to receive the user's thumb and the other is designed to receive the user's little finger. The structure of the present invention positions the user's thumb and little finger with the user's hand in an open relaxed position. The structure allows the mouse to be moved and lifted without gripping its lateral sides. According to one embodiment, the guide structure of the present invention is retrofitted to an existing mouse by the use of a peel and stick adhesive. According to another embodiment, a computer mouse is provided with the guide structure integral to it and for replacing an existing mouse.

Abstract: A generally rectangular trash bag for use in an aircraft trash management system. The trash bag includes a non-porous, generally rectangular flexible side wall and a porous, generally rectangular bottom panel, such that when the trash bag is filled with trash and is compacted, any liquid contained in the trash drains through the porous bottom panel. The porous bottom panel of the trash bag is impregnated with one of a non-leaching anti-bacterial agent and a leaching enzyme.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wakeboard-only artificial pool system. The system includes an artificial pool. A model boat is installed at a front position in the artificial pool and is rotatably coupled at a lower end and both sides thereof to support members such that an inclination of the model boat can be adjusted and the adjusted angle can be maintained, while the model boat is supported during wakeboarding. A high-speed injection means produces a wake under the lower portion of the model boat as if water were colliding with the front of the operating model boat, and sprays water on the lower end of a bow of the model boat at high speed, thus creating a current on the surface of the artificial pool so as to help a user float on water. A circulation means circulates water fed into and discharged from the artificial pool.

Abstract: A postural support and exercise jacket according to the invention includes a pair of shoulder straps coupled to a waist strap which extends around the back of the user and terminates at the sides of the user. A pair of adjustable handles are coupled to opposite ends of the waist strap. The user dons the jacket by slipping arms through the respective shoulder straps and adjusts the handles according to arm length. With the jacket in place, several different exercises can be performed. Optional presser balls are provided and are adjustably coupled to the shoulder straps to overlie a muscle “knot”.

Abstract: An apparatus to protect an aperture of a building and/or a closure means associated with the aperture from floodwater has a barrier housing (40), which is removably fixable to at least a portion of the periphery of the aperture. The banner housing (40) includes a channel (44) into which a barrier member (10) can slide, forming a seal. A resilient layer (61) is included between the barrier housing (40) and the barrier member (10). The resilient layer (61) can include one or more splines (62). A compression means (90) can be included to urge the housing (40) and the barrier member (10) together to form a seal. Further sealing material, in the form of a member of strips (70), can be included between adjacent barrier members (10). The strips (70) are attached to the in-use upper surface of a barrier member (10), and engage the in-use lower surface of an adjacent barrier member.

Abstract: A fitting for providing a substantially fluid-tight seal between an opening in a chamber wall and a pipe passing through the opening, the fitting including a tubular sleeve adapted to pass through the opening in the chamber wall and further adapted to allow the pipe to pass through the sleeve, a flange extending radially outwardly from the sleeve, a first surface of the flange being configured to contact the chamber wall around substantially the whole circumference of the opening wherein the flange incorporates an energy transfer device enabling the first surface and/or wall of chamber in the vicinity of the flange to be heated to cause the flange and the wall to fuse or bond together in order to form a substantially fluid tight seal.

Abstract: Folding modular tables include a square table top and hinged vertical supports with hinged horizontal feet. Four coupling members are arranged under the table top, three of one gender and one of the other gender. Two preferred embodiments are provided: one has three male coupling members and one female, the other has three female and one male. By providing these two embodiments, the tables can be coupled to each other in a variety of configurations with the vertical supports and horizontal feet all aligned in such a way as to facilitate the placement of chairs under the table tops.

Abstract: A cementitious mix for preparing a building block wherein the mix includes the ingredients; sand, cement, sawdust and water; wherein said sawdust comprises the greater proportion of the mix constituents; and wherein the dry density of the mix ranges between 700 kg/m3 and 1500 kg/m3.

Abstract: Folding modular tables include a square table top and hinged vertical supports with hinged horizontal feet. Four coupling members are arranged under the table top, three of one gender and one of the other gender. Two preferred embodiments are provided: one has three male coupling members and one female, the other has three female and one male. By providing these two embodiments, the tables can be coupled to each other in a variety of configurations with the vertical supports and horizontal feet all aligned in such a way as to facilitate the placement of chairs under the table tops.