Abstract: A suspension system mountable to the chassis of a snowmobile and about which an endless track is carried. The suspension includes a slide frame for engagement with a lower portion of the endless track and one or more springs for urging the slide frame downwardly away from the chassis. The suspension system also includes a downwardly angled suspension arm having an upper end pivotally mounted to the snowmobile chassis. The lower end of the arm is pivotally connected to the slide frame so as to permit limited longitudinal movement of the lower end of the arm with respect to the slide frame. An adjustable limit is provided for adjustably limiting the degree of longitudinal movement of the lower end of the arm with respect to the slide frame to adjustably control the range of orientations of the slide frame with respect to the snowmobile chassis.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 18, 1997
Date of Patent:
August 31, 1999
Assignee:
Polaris Industries Inc.
Inventors:
Keith W. Peppel, Robert W. Przekwas, Edwin M. Monsrud, Richard H. Bates, Jr.
Abstract: An adjustable furniture leg extension device for use in raising the height of a piece of furniture, such as a chair, table or bed. The device includes a base having a bottom surface for resting on a floor, and an adjustable support member received within the base. The support member includes an upper load-bearing surface on which the furniture leg may rest. A generally rigid stabilizing arm extends laterally from the base and includes a stabilizing foot having a bottom surface which is generally co-planar with the bottom surface of the base. The adjustable support member may include a rim extending upwardly from an edge of the load-bearing surface, the rim serving to help retain the furniture leg on the load-bearing surface. One such leg extension device is placed beneath each leg of the furniture item to be raised, with the respective stabilizing arms turned inwardly beneath the furniture item.
Abstract: An atherectomy device for removing tissue from an artery. The device includes a flexible, elongated drive shaft rotatable about a guide wire, the drive shaft having an enlarged diameter tissue removal section. The drive shaft and the enlarged diameter tissue removal section are comprised of helically wound wire. Wire turns of the proximal portion of the tissue removal section have diameters that gradually increase distally at a generally constant rate thereby forming generally the shape of a cone. Wire turns of the distal portion of the enlarged diameter tissue removal section have diameters that gradually decrease distally thereby forming a generally convex distal portion. At least part of the tissue removal section includes an external coating of an abrasive material to define an abrasive segment of the drive shaft.
Abstract: The invention provides a handle for a rotational atherectomy device, the handle including a guide wire clamp and a turbine brake operatively interconnected with the guide wire clamp so that the brake automatically prevents rotation of the turbine when the guide wire is unclamped. The brake is movable from a brake-released position to a brake-engaged position, in which position the brake prevents rotation of the turbine. A manual override is also provided, permitting unclamping of the guide wire independent of the position of the brake.
Abstract: A headset which is adjustable to two or more different levels of tightness. The headset includes a headband, and one or two earcups, each such earcup having an inner surface for engagement against the head of a user. At least one of the earcups includes a mounting bracket attaching the earcup to the headband. The mounting bracket is pivotally attached to the headband and to the earcup. An adjustment cam mechanism is associated with the headband and the mounting bracket for selectively adjusting the extent of outward pivotal movement of the mounting bracket with respect to the headband. This mechanism permits selective adjustment of the maximum at-rest distance from the inner surface of the earcup to the inner surface of the other earcup. Preferably the adjustment cam mechanism comprises a stop associated with an end of the headband, and a rotatable cam associated with the corresponding mounting bracket.
Abstract: The invention provides a catheter capable of delivering drugs or other fluids to a desired remote location in a bodily passageway, such as a small, tortuous artery. The catheter of the invention includes inner and outer tubular layers, and a continuous helical wire coil disposed between the tubular layers along substantially the entire length of the catheter. To enhance trackability and pushability, the wire coil is constructed to provide regions of differing flexibility to the catheter. The wire coil in a first portion of the catheter has a first coil pitch and the wire coil in a second section of the catheter has a second coil pitch which is larger than the first coil pitch to provide the second section of the catheter with greater flexibility than the first section.
Abstract: A suspension system mountable to the chassis of a snowmobile and about which an endless track is carried. The suspension includes a slide frame for engagement with a lower portion of the endless track and one or more springs for urging the slide frame downwardly away from the chassis. The suspension system also includes a downwardly angled suspension arm having an upper end pivotally mounted to the snowmobile chassis. The lower end of the arm is pivotally connected to the slide frame so as to permit limited longitudinal movement of the lower end of the arm with reset to the slide frame. An adjustable limit is provided for adjustably limiting the degree of longitudinal movement of the lower end of the arm with respect to the slide frame to adjustably control the range of orientations of the slide frame with respect to the snowmobile chassis.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 14, 1994
Date of Patent:
December 2, 1997
Assignee:
Polaris Industries Partners L.P.
Inventors:
Keith W. Peppel, Robert W. Przekwas, Edwin M. Monsrud, Richard H. Bates, Jr.
Abstract: The Currency Exchange Network transaction management and accounting system assists businesses, employees, and consumers to engage in productive economic activity that is not supported by traditional cash- and credit-based transaction systems. The system functions as a currency exchange between the non-cash, volunteer and barter economies and the mainstream cash economy. This dual-currency system handles transactions for goods and services using a combination of cash and Community Economic Development Scrip, a new currency based on non-cash service credits.