Abstract: A portable, hand-held forcible entry device is provided for opening locked or barricaded doors in emergency situations. The device comprises a firearm secured to a hollow cylindrical housing. A piston is positioned in a chamber in the housing and drives a striker. An interchangeable tool bit is mounted to the striker. When the firearm is fired, the percussive force causes the piston to move forward in the interior chamber toward the striker. The piston strikes the base of the striker causing the tool bit mounted on the striker to forcibly move forward into a target object, such as a locked or barricaded door. Compression springs are positioned in the chamber to return the piston to the firing position. The device is particularly suitable for use by law enforcement and emergency personnel for forcing locked doors open and for freeing victims trapped in automobile accidents.

Abstract: A discontinuous lignocellulose fiber is described for use as a reinforcing filler for thermoplastic composite compositions. The fiber filler includes a significant percentage by weight of long, “hair-like” fibers. Specifically, at least about 20 percent by weight of the fiber filler is discontinuous lignocellulose fiber with a fiber length greater than about 15 millimeters and a fiber diameter less than about 0.5 millimeters. A moldable thermoplastic composite composition including the discontinuous lignocellulose fiber comprises about 20 to about 50 percent by weight of the fiber filler and about 50 to about 80 percent by weight thermoplastic. The discontinuous lignocellulose fiber filler yields thermoplastic composite compositions having improved physical properties over basic thermoplastic. The improved physical properties can be achieved without the use of coupling agents, although coupling agents may be used to further enhance the composite properties.

Abstract: A barbed tissue connector is disclosed for use in closing a body wound. The connector includes an elongated body and a pointed end to facilitate insertion of the connector into tissue. A plurality of closely-spaced barbs are disposed on the body from the pointed end of the connector to a predetermined location on the body. The barbs are yieldable toward the body to make it easier to insert the connector in tissue, and the barbs are generally rigid in an opposite direction to hold the connector in the tissue. The body of the connector is substantially rigid and is sufficiently resilient to return to a predetermined position after deflection therefrom. The connector can be manually inserted into the tissue of a patient, or the connector can be inserted by means of an inserting device which is retracted after the connector is in place.

Abstract: A portable stairway for use with standard airport boarding bridges is disclosed. The stairway is easily portable as a standalone unit. The stairway also easily connects to and disconnects from the boarding bridge. The type of releasable connection provided between the stairway and the boarding bridge is secure but allows the stairway and the boarding bridge to pivot vertically with respect to one another. Such a connection allows the stairway to be used when the boarding bridge and stairway are not aligned at exactly the same height. When properly connected to the boarding bridge, the stairway provides a smooth transition between the boarding bridge and the stairway and leads from the outer doorway of the boarding bridge to the airplane parking level. Also, while connected to the boarding bridge, the stairway moves freely with the boarding bridge as it is moved about the airplane parking level to service various airplane parking positions.

Abstract: A dynamo-electric machine which can function as a motor or a generator. The machine comprising a stator and an armature, and switching of the armature coils is accomplished by means of a switching control assembly which is mounted to, and rotates with, the armature. In operation as a motor, direct current is supplied through brushes to slip rings that rotate with the armature, and the DC current supplied is first passed through switch means in the control assembly to deliver the current in properly timed relationship with respect to the rotation of the rotor. This provides greater versatility in the operation of the motor/generator and eliminates many of the problems related to the use of conventional brush commutation commonly used in present day DC motors and generators.

Abstract: A portable vehicle fluid drain device is disclosed. The device includes a vertical drain tube which supports a vehicle fluid drain bowl. The drain tube is manually adjusted to an elevated position, latched in place while the vehicle fluid is drained, and unlatched to descend at a rate less than that of free fall due to the use of a friction brake. The friction force imparted by the brake on the drain tube is adjusted by rotating a wing nut on a carriage bolt to squeeze the inner edges of two wishbone arms against the drain tube. A method of using a vehicle fluid drain device with a brake and a self-latching mechanism is disclosed.

Abstract: A protective device for covering and protecting golf clubs in a golf bag comprises an inflatable body portion, the body portion comprising a tubular sleeve having a closed end and an open end for slipping over the golf clubs, and a valve for inflating the body portion wherein the inner body portion is shaped to the contour of the clubs for enveloping and resiliently securing the head and upper shaft portions of the golf clubs against movement. The inner and outer walls of the body portion are sealed together at their peripheral edges, and at a plurality of points over their respective areas forming a plurality of fluid chambers, preferably in fluid communication with each other, for conforming to the clubs. The golf club protective device may also be secured to the inside of a conventional golf bag cover, whether the cover is of the travel bag type fully enclosing the golf bag, or a hood enclosing only the club heads and the upper end of the golf bag.

Abstract: A nebulizer for use in administering a medicament to a patient undergoing treatment for example, comprises an ultrasonic piezo-electric transducer (60) and a transducer drive system (D) which is caused to drive said transducer at or near its anti-resonant frequency. There is also provided means to optimize nebulized fluid particle size and transfer to the patients lungs for example, by operating at an anti-resonant frequency in the range of 1.36 to 1.56 MHz and having a single outlet baffle and relatively short outlet tube (24) arrangement.