Abstract: A joint hinge, an ankle brace and a method of installing the joint hinge in an ankle brace. The joint hinge typically allows a patient or practitioner to set a range limiting system that includes threaded rods that are easy to screw in and out as the patient's range of motion changes. In a typical embodiment, a proximal plate rotates about a pin with respect to a distal plate. The pin is generally aligned with the patient's ankle. The range limiting system's rods screw toward and away from a portion of the proximal plate, thereby limiting the range of the proximal, and therefore, the distal plates. The proximal plate is connected to the proximal portion of the ankle brace and the distal plate is connected to the distal portion of the ankle brace.

Abstract: A low impact shaft remover apparatus that aids in the removal of a shaft attachment that has become stuck to a shaft is described. In general, the apparatus includes a main body having an open end, a hollow interior and an internal conduit located within a portion of the main body. A valve is connected to the main body and coupled to the conduit. A leading edge of the main body includes an angled wall that aids in the formation of a reservoir formed when the leading edge is connected to a surface of the shaft attachment such as a hub. A suitable lubricating fluid is inserted into the valve, through the conduit and ultimately stored in the reservoir generally around the circumference of the shaft. Pressure is then applied to the valve which pushes the fluid into any available spaces between the attachment and the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for protecting hinges, including hinge plates, hinge loops and pins and related hardware from paint is disclosed. While painting doors, the apparatus and system can be used to protect the hinge hardware from paint without having to remove the hinge hardware from the door and door frame. In general, the apparatus and system includes a hinge plate cover that includes a magnetic material around the periphery of the cover. The apparatus and system further includes a hinge loop and pin cover that typically includes an elastic band that can optionally include a sealed end or a grip tab.

Abstract: A clamp for holding boards of wood adjacent other boards of wood for nailing, such as in a floor frame is described. The clamp generally includes an elongated body having a lever to open and close a fixed jaw and moveable jaw that are also connected to the body. An arm is connected to the body and to the lever. The jaws generally include teeth to sink into a surface of the wood to secure the wood within the jaws. An end piece includes lips to prevent unwanted movement of the wood as it is held within the jaws. The clamp further includes a tongue that is adapted to overhang other pieces of wood to which ht he board of wood is to be nailed.

Abstract: A covered trash receptacle system for vehicles such as golf carts is described. The system typically includes a trash receptacle main body having a hollow interior into which trash can be placed. The main body includes a lid connected to the main body with a hinge system that prevents the lid from opening past a certain point so that the system can be operated and emptied with one hand. The main body sits within a cradle that is fixed to the floor board of the vehicle. The main body can be easily placed into and taken out of the cradle as needed.

Abstract: A hinging breast implant capable a being variably sized and that includes an exterior shell and an inner bladder is described. The exterior shell is typically a bellows having a plurality of pleats so that the outer size of the implant is variable so that different sizes and shapes can be obtained. The rear of the housing closest to the patient's interior is typically shaped in order to conform to the patient's rib cage and internal connective tissues. Conversely, the front of the housing is shaped to naturally conform to the outer shape of the patient. The inner bladder can be filled with a suitable filling material, liquid, gas or solid. As the bladder is filled, the exterior shell expands in a manner that creates a lifting effect and a ballooning effect. An appendage, used to fill the bladder external to the patient, is connected to both the exterior shell and the inner bladder.

Abstract: A banded nasal dilator is described. In a typical embodiment, the banded nasal dilator includes an elongated band that can wrap around the back of a user's head. Each end of the band includes a face pad having an adhesive portion that is adapted to connect to the user's cheek. A protective tab covers the adhesive portion until the dilator is ready for use, at which time the tab can be removed to expose the adhesive portions of the face pads. In one embodiment, each face tab can include an upper and lower strip that enclose an end of the band.

Abstract: A tow-bar having a skeletonized tongue portion is described. A stopper is typically includes on the bottom portion of the tongue. A head piece having handles internal to the head piece is connected to one end of the tongue. The handles are typically positioned in a triangular arrangement. The end of the tongue, opposite the end including the head piece, includes a hinging portion that can be connected to the respective cart having the tongue. The hinging portion and the head piece include “keyed” ends so that they can connect to the tongue like puzzle pieces. These keyed portions are welded to the tongue. In this way, the pull points are not straight welds but rather keyed and welded portions thereby able to withstand typical abuse.

Abstract: A strap tie down apparatus and system for vehicle transporters is provided. With conventional idlers removed from the individual platforms on the transporter, elongated bars on the platforms are provided with a series of slots. Removable idlers adapted to be connected and disconnected from the slots as needed are provided. Strap spools are connected at the ends of the platforms, the spools being adapted to roll up straps that are threaded and routed through the idlers, then connected to the underbody of the vehicles being transported. The strap spools are coupled to conventional ratchet devices to tighten the straps to secure the vehicles.

Abstract: A cam locking removable hitch assembly apparatus and system is described. The apparatus generally includes a hitch-ball shank in engagement with a shank sleeve that is in engagement with an outer sleeve. A nut is in threaded engagement with a lower portion of the hitch-ball shank securing the outer sleeve around the shank sleeve. Shank lugs, on a lower portion of the hitch-ball shank, engage with shear lugs internal to the shank sleeve when the hitch-ball shank is rotated with respect to the shank sleeve. Cam's on the upper portion of the hitch-ball shank engage with cam grooves on an upper portion of the shank sleeve, thereby locking the hitch-ball shank within the shank sleeve. The hitch assembly apparatus can be connected to a frame that is secured in a bed of a truck forming a cam locking removable hitch assembly system.

Abstract: A handle for speed winding a strap back onto a belt winch having a ratchet mechanism, a winch drum and an annular cylinder is described. The speed handle generally includes an elongated arm having a grip on the upper surface adjacent the first end and a handle drum on the lower surface adjacent the second end. The handle drum includes a tapered end and is adapted to fit into the annular cylinder of a belt winch. The handler drum includes a protrusion with a tapered end, adapted to fit into an aperture on the annular cylinder. Once placed on the belt winch, the speed handle allows the user to rapidly rewind a strap back onto the winch drum.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for wrapping a tarp around a load. The system generally includes a cart that attaches to a tarp, a rigid pole placed within the tarp connecting the cart to the tarp. Typically, a powered winch includes a strap wrapped around it and the strap is connected to the cart. The winch can be connected to the cart, or to the frame of the trailer. In operation, the powered winch is energized thereby winding the strap around the winch spool, thereby drawing the cart to the trailer load and up one side of the trailer load, across the top and down the other side at which time the tarp is fully placed around the load. Multiple overlapping wheels are connected to the cart. Once the load is covered, the system can be disconnected and stored.

Abstract: A combination work and recreation cart. The cart generally includes a frame having a handle, wheels, rungs and retainer tabs. Extension rails can be connected to the frame to create cot, lounger and hunting stand. The cart also includes a tray that can be used to store the cart's components and to be made into a table. The cart further includes a vehicle carry bar that allows the cart and its components to be attached to a typical vehicle trailer hitch.

Abstract: A surface-mounted bracket for receiving and storing removable vehicle doors is disclosed. In general, embodiments of the bracket include an elongated bar, a first support bar connected generally perpendicular to the vertical bar, and a second support bar connected generally perpendicular to the vertical bar, the second support bar being offset and generally parallel to the first support bar. The support bars include support brackets that are adapted to receive the male hinge pins on vehicle doors. The brackets can further include stabilizers to prevent the doors from swinging on the support brackets.