Abstract: A mobile bearing knee prosthesis enables a surgeon to convert a mobile bearing insert having articular surfaces, supported by a tibial base plate or tray from a rotating and translating prosthesis to one that rotates only. This conversion is accomplished with a fastener or locking member that connects through an opening in the insert to the tibial base plate. This prosthesis can be used as part of a total knee surgery when the surgeon chooses to use a prosthesis that incorporates a movable articular surface. In one embodiment, a projecting portion extends proximally from the insert and cooperates with a cam on the femoral component. The projecting portion can be a post extending up from the proximal surface of the insert and the femoral component includes an intercondylar surface that may contact the post to constrain the relative motion between the femoral component and the insert.

Abstract: A testing apparatus which is commonly known as a “fuse saver”, for testing the integrity of an electrical system of the type that utilizes flat or glass fuses, the fuse saver apparatus which includes a body portion, which includes a current receiving electrical components, a selector switch for establishing the quantity of amps for which the fuse is being tested, and a trip indicator button, which indicates the malfunctioning in the fuse contacts, an electrical cord extending from the body portion, and terminating in a plug having at least a pair of flat fuse test plugs for insertion into a flat fuse receiver, and a test plug adaptor engageable onto the flat fuse test plug, having at least a pair of cylindrical terminals, for insertion into the adaptor for glass fuses.

Abstract: A marine platform provides a plurality of buoys, a platform having a peripheral portion that includes a plurality of attachment positions, one attachment position for each buoy, and an articulating connection that connects each buoy to the platform at a respective attachment position, the connection allowing for sea state induced buoy motions while minimizing effect on the platform.

Abstract: An apparatus, adaptable to a wheelchair, for assisting a person seated in the wheelchair to move to a standing position, the apparatus including a member slidable upward and downward along the chair; a seat, having a seat portion hinged to a back portion; at least one flexible strap member, engaged at a first end to the slidable member, and traveling along an under surface of the seat, and engaged at a second end to a stationary portion of the wheelchair, so that when the slidable member is moved to a down position, the flexible strap is pulled taut beneath the seat, lifting the seat from a sitting position to a substantially raised flat position, so that a person sitting in the seat is likewise lifted from a seated position to a partially standing position. The slidable member may be positioned along the front or rear of the chair, depending whether the person would be assisted by a third person in front of or behind the chair.

Abstract: A compound for reducing the incidence of pseudofolliculitis combines a mild skin astringent, an oil based epidermal softener, and a hair stiffener. One embodiment of the compound combines refined powdered oatmeal and emollient of the compound combines refined powdered oatmeal and emollient oil, such as mink oil and liquid vitamin A in a petroleum jelly base. The mixture is applied by being massaged into the skin prior to lathering and then again immediately after the rinsing of the face after shaving. Continual usage significantly reduces the eruption of pseudofolliculitis.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument includes an inner elongated instrument member that fits the bore of an outer elongated instrument member. The inner instrument member carries a flag that can be furled about the distal end portion of the inner instrument member. A sheet of surgical material to be dispensed into a patient's body cavity can be attached to the flag. The outer instrument member includes an articulating end portion that can be moved to deflect the end portion of the inner instrument member such as when the flag is unfurled inside a patient's body cavity.

Abstract: A spreader bar includes an elongated bar member having end portions that support a flexible lifting member that is supported below the bar. The flexible lifting member is preferably comprised of a plurality of link sections that are pinned together, load carrying links depending from the flexible member, preferably at pinned connections that join the additional links.

Abstract: A urine collection container apparatus includes a vessel and a cover that is specially configured to envelope and remain connected to the vessel during use. The cover has a window that enables the level of fluid within the vessel to be checked even when the cover remains on the vessel.

Abstract: A fire fighting apparatus includes a chassis that can be in the form of a trailer that supports a pedestal and an articulating boom with a submersible hydraulically driven pump at an end portion of the boom opposite the pedestal. A diesel engine mounted on the chassis powers both a hydraulic pump and a transfer pump. Water picked up by the submersible pump at the end of the boom is received on the chassis and then transferred under pressure to a fire fighting hose. A dual filter arrangement can be used to remove trash that is picked up by the submersible hydraulic pump. A hydraulic motor on the chassis can be used to operate the boom during unfolding and folding and to transfer hydraulic fluid to the submersible pump.

Abstract: In one embodiment disclosed is a safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine that can be started with a magnetoelectric generator, comprising an exposed fuel tank having a fill opening, an annular fuel filler flange surrounded by an adjoining fuel tank wall having outer surface, said flange having a central axis; a filler cap having a cap center, the cap being connectable to the fuel filler flange to form a closure of the tank at the fill opening when the cap center generally aligns with the flange central axis, said filler cap and adjoining fuel tank outer surface being configured to enable a user to grip and turn said fuel filler cap, at a position next to the tank wall; and a mechanism interfaced between the fuel tank and filler cap that is activated to a safety mode when the engine is at an elevated, operating temperature, said mechanism including a connector that interfaces between the outer surface of the fuel tank and the cap.

Abstract: A sprayer apparatus uses a larger canister to contain diluent (e.g. water) and a smaller canister to contain chemical concentrate (e.g. insecticide, fertilizer, soap, etc.). The larger canister has a bladder or diaphragm that separates its interior into two sections; a liquid chamber and a pressured gas chamber. A valved manifold enables diluent to be added to the apparatus via the manifold so that it mixes with the desired chemical concentrate. Mixed solution can then be dispensed via a hose, spray wand, etc. using the pressurized air to drive it out of the larger canister.

Abstract: A remotely controlled test system for testing the ready status of a fluorescent type emergency lighting fixture providing a 30 second or a 90 minute test of the battery operated fluorescent lamp upon command. The transmitted control signal is an infrared beam containing a selected pulse-time code which the receiving circuit can reliably receive, recognize and process in an environment of high infrared noise typically produced by fluorescent lighting. Upon recognition and verification of the selected pulse-time code, the microcontroller disenables the charging circuit to the battery for supplying power to the fluorescent lamp in the emergency mode to cause the emergency circuit to sense an AC power failure whereby the lamp illuminates in the emergency mode for the selected test period.

Abstract: Friction Pull Plug Welding is a solid state repair process for defects up to one inch in length, only requiring single sided tooling, or outside skin line (OSL), for preferred usage on flight hardware. The most prevalent defect associated with Friction Pull Plug Welding (FPPW) was a top side or inside skin line (ISL) lack of bonding. Bonding was not achieved at this location due to the reduction in both frictional heat and welding pressure between the plug and plate at the end of the weld. Thus, in order to eliminate the weld defects and increase the plug strength at the plug ‘top’ a small ‘hat’ section is added to the pull plug for added frictional heating and pressure.

Abstract: A golf club features a hollowed club head having an insert movably mounted therein. The insert is weighted so that it works like a pendulum during a user's swing of the club. The insert has a flat face that shifts to present a face to the ball that corrects for improper technique.

Abstract: A lettuce harvester and an improved method of harvesting lettuce provide a frame having ground engaging members (eg. wheels, skids, tracks) that enable the frame to move along the rows of lettuce to be harvested. Powered paddles separate each head of lettuce from its stem and root system, thrusting it through the air to a conveyor. A timing arrangement coordinates the paddle actuation with the speed at which each head of lettuce is encountered. As the head is thrust upward, a spray mist emerges from the tip of one paddle and engulfs the cavity that remains after separation from the stem and root. The spray mist can be a liquid and air mixture that contains a desired chemical to prevent discoloration in the area of the “wound” resulting from being torn from the stem and root system.

Abstract: The development of polymer composite liquid oxygen (LOX) tanks is a critical step in creating the next generation of launch vehicles. A composite LOX tank will weigh significantly less than conventional metal tanks. This benefit of reduced weight is critical to enable future launch vehicles to meet required mass ractions. The high strength and low weight of a composite tank allows for a lighter weight craft and/or higher payload capacity which results in lower costs per pound to place an object in orbit. The unique, nontraditional idea described here is to use resin-based composite materials to make such a composite tank or other oxygen carrying component such as a feedline. Polymer composites have traditionally been regarded as being more flammable than metals and therefore deemed not oxygen compatible. However, a hybrid composite material may provide the optimal balance of oxygen compatibility and mechanical performance that would make composite oxygen tanks feasible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the salvage or installation of large multi-ton marine platform includes the use of usually two barges defining a base that can support a large multi-ton load. A lifting assembly is supported by the barge and forms a load transfer interface between the barge and the deck package. Each boom has a lifting end portion that fits a supplemental lifting frame attached to the platform. During removal of the platform from its underlying support (e.g. jacket), there are winches with cables that pull the barges together as the booms lift the supplemental lifting frame and the supported platform. The supplemental frame includes both horizontal and diagonal beams that interface with the platform to transmit load to the lower end of the platform.

Abstract: A rupture panel for relieving an excess pressure differential between the interior and exterior of a vessel having a wall and an opening through the wall includes a first frame section connected to the vessel wall at the opening and a pair of pressure relief panels mounted to the frame, each panel having a stitched portion, the stitched portions providing opening capability on both vacuum and burst pressure control (or on either vacuum or burst pressure control). A pair of sealing members that sandwich the pair of pressure relief panels there between are provided, one of the sealing members engaging one of the pressure relief panels, the other sealing member engaging the other pressure relief panel. Each of the sealing members has a sealing surface that covers a stitched portion of an adjacent relief panel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing an oil, water, and gas well using a gas carrier/transport system to remove produced liquids and contained solids by altering the flow regime of the production fluids towards or into a flow regime in which gas is the continuous fluid (i.e., the rate of upflowing gas in the well is efficiently high in comparison with liquid production flow to generate plug flow, slug flow, froth flow, foam flow, annular flow, spray flow, and/or mist flow.) This is accomplished by use of supplemental gas flow (hydrocarbon or non-hydrocarbon) and/or stimulation of the production sand gas flow with a reduced pressure drop across the wall once near or in a gas-continuous flow regime. This invention can be applied to any gas, oil, and/or water well with insufficient formation gas pressure to prevent liquid buildup within the well during production.

Abstract: The disclosure defined by this invention is a method and assembly for conducting wireline operations in a deep, subsea location, which includes providing a rig on the surface of a body of water, having a riser extending from the rig floor to the floor of the deep body of water; a hydril positioned on the end of the riser on the sea floor; a plurality of blowout preventers positioned below the riser to prevent a blowout into the riser; a wireline subsea blowout preventer control head assembly lowered into the riser to the level above the hydril; pressuring off the assembly by the riser and blowout preventers; lowering a wireline down the riser into the assembly, so that the tool may be lowered beyond the blowout preventers to conduct wireline operations; and pressuring off the side entry apparatus, so that should a blowout occur during wireline operations, any pressure would be prevented from entering the riser, but would be contained by the side entry assembly.