Abstract: An exercise device for strengthening the muscles of the pelvis, particularly the collective group of muscles involved in human sexual response, which are also important for controlling the evacuation of the intestines and the bladder. This exercise device focuses on increasing the strength, tone and endurance of these muscles. The device comprises a longitudinally extending member that includes a blunt head portion and a compressible shaft portion. The first end of the shaft portion is juxtaposed with the head portion. The first end of the shaft portion has an outwardly extending retaining slope formed thereon, particularly when the device is received within a pelvic body cavity and the muscles of the pelvic floor are at rest. The retaining slope is engageable with the retaining edge of the adjacent pelvic floor muscle platform of that pelvic body cavity to facilitate intracorporal retention within the pelvic body cavity.

Abstract: A refrigerant filter, attachable to automotive air-conditioning systems, for removal of debris from air-conditioning refrigerants. The filter media is contained within a two-part hollow body for flow-through filtration of the refrigerants. The first and second parts of the hollow body are sealingly and removably attachable to one another to easily gain access to the filter media, which permits replacement of the filter media without removal of the filter body from the refrigerant line. The apparatus includes a first and second filter media, in which the second filter media prevent transfer of portions of the first filter media into the air-conditioning system.

Abstract: An exercise device for strengthening the muscles of the pelvis, particularly the collective group of muscles involved in human sexual response, which are also important for controlling the evacuation of the intestines and the bladder. This exercise device focuses on increasing the strength, tone and endurance of these muscles. The device comprises a longitudinally extending member that includes a blunt head portion and a compressible shaft portion. The first end of the shaft portion is juxtaposed with the head portion. The first end of the shaft portion has an outwardly extending retaining slope formed thereon, particularly when the device is received within a pelvic body cavity and the muscles of the pelvic floor are at rest. The retaining slope is engageable with the retaining edge of the adjacent pelvic floor muscle platform of that pelvic body cavity to facilitate intracorporal retention within the pelvic body cavity.

Abstract: A prosthesis for replacement of a ball and socket joint in the human body. The prosthetic components comprise a plurality of separate parts which may be inserted through a hole in the femur of the patient and assembled and attached to the prepared acetabulum of the hip bone to form a cup-shaped first shell. A cup is also passed through the hole in the femur and attached to the first shell to form the socket portion of the joint. A shaft having a first end with a ball formed thereon is inserted in the hole through the femur so that the ball engages the cup for movement therein.

Abstract: An exercise device for strengthening the muscles of the pelvis, particularly the collective group of muscles involved in human sexual response, which are also important for controlling the evacuation of the intestines and the bladder. This exercise device focuses on increasing the strength, tone and endurance of these muscles. The device comprises a longitudinally extending member that includes a blunt head portion and a compressible shaft portion. The first end of the shaft portion is juxtaposed with the head portion. The first end of the shaft portion has an outwardly extending retaining slope formed thereon, particularly when the device is received within a pelvic body cavity and the muscles of the pelvic floor are at rest. The retaining slope is engageable with the retaining edge of the adjacent pelvic floor muscle platform of that pelvic body cavity to facilitate intracorporal retention within the pelvic body cavity.

Abstract: A device for holding a light emitting source, including flashlights having incandescent bulbs or light emitting diodes (L.E.D.s), to provide a hands-free light source. The device comprises a clip that is configured for attachment to a support and a member that is attached thereto and extends outwardly therefrom. The member has a hole therethrough that is sized and configured to receive a portion of a light source therein. Many light sources are comprised of at least two parts, that are attachable to one another. A portion of one of the parts is receivable through the hole in the member and is attached to the other one of the two parts, thereby attaching the light source to the member. The clip is then attached to a support to provide a hands free light source.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a foam cosmetic cover for a prosthetic component. The steps comprise selection of an appropriate prosthetic component, collecting data regarding its shape from a replica of the prosthetic component, converting the data into the dimensions of two halves of an interior cavity, and providing this data to a computer-controlled milling machine. The computer-controlled milling machine then cuts a portion of one-half of the cavity into one side of the block and a portion of the other half of the cavity on the opposed side of the block. The cutting head is then advanced longitudinally so that additional portions of the cavity can be cut into the opposing sides of the block. The block is then removed from the milling machine and cut in half longitudinally between the indentations in the sides of a block. The two halves of the block are then attached to one another to form a cavity having the general shape of the prosthetic component.

Abstract: The invention relates to supports for apparatus for transferring weight loads from one concrete structure to another. The devices are particularly suited for concrete highway construction. The support apparatus is used to position joint dowels that extend across paving joints between adjoining concrete slabs. The support apparatus comprises a first and a second support, each positioned on opposing sides of the paving joint. Each of the first and second supports comprise at least one longitudinally extending member having at least two cross members attached thereto such that one end of the cross member extends outwardly beyond the member. At least one clip comprising a body having a cavity therein, a gripper connected to the body and a cylindrical sleeve connected to the body is attached to each support. The clip is mounted to the end of a cross member so that the first end of the cross member is received into the cavity of the body and the attached gripper grasps the adjacent portion of the member.

Abstract: An exercise device for strengthening the muscles of the pelvis, particularly the collective group of muscles involved in human sexual response, which are also important for controlling the evacuation of the intestines and the bladder. This exercise device focuses on increasing the strength, tone and endurance of these muscles. The device comprises a longitudinally extending member that includes a blunt head portion and a compressible shaft portion. The first end of the shaft portion is juxtaposed with the head portion. The first end of the shaft portion has an outwardly extending retaining slope formed thereon, particularly when the device is received within a pelvic body cavity and the muscles of the pelvic floor are at rest. The retaining slope is engageable with the retaining edge of the adjacent pelvic floor muscle platform of that pelvic body cavity to facilitate intracorporal retention within the pelvic body cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for modifying the earth's surface by removing soil from the surface, moving the soil to a new location and filling low areas. It comprises a frame carried by at least two wheels, a tongue mounted to the frame for attachment to a tractor, a cutting blade mounted on the frame, and a bucket pivotally mounted to the frame adjacent the blade to receive the soil cut by the blade. The wheels are pivotally mounted to the frame for movement of the wheels about the back wall and floor of the bucket between a first position and a second position. When the wheels are in the second position, a portion of each of the wheels underlies a portion of the floor of the bucket bringing the wheels closer to the center of gravity of the apparatus and its load.

Abstract: This invention relates to sleeping bags, more particularly to sleeping bags whose outer shell, liner, and insulation characteristics may be varied through selection of various combinations that are particularly suitable for the planned usage. The sleeping bag of this invention comprises a case constructed from two panels whose sides and one pair of ends are attached to one another and the other pair of ends define an opening into the space between the panels. The sleeping bag further comprises an insulation layer that is sized and configured to be easily removable and replaceable through the opening in the case. At least one fastener attaches the insulating layer to the case. Insulation layers having different thermal ratings may be substituted as needed to obtain adequate protection under varying weather conditions. Being removable from the insulation layer, the case may be cleaned and/or aired separately therefrom.

Abstract: An indexing system for rotary orienters for positioning articles so that a feature of each article is facing in the same predetermined direction so that further operations may be accurately performed on the articles. The rotary orienter may be used in conjunction with filling, capping, labeling and inspection of containers, or other similar operations. The apparatus comprises a support frame to which is mounted a central column that is rotatable about its axis by a rotating means. The rotary orienter has at least one station that comprises a rotatable spindle to which a turntable is attached to one end and an indexing assembly is attached proximal the other end. The indexing assembly comprises a slip clutch and a means for rotating the spindle that is mounted proximal the second of the spindle. An indexing wheel, that has at least two detents formed therein, is mounted on the spindle intermediate the turntable and the slip clutch.

Abstract: An attachment to replace existing landscaping trimmer heads and for mounting on new trimmers. The attachment includes specific structure for trimming grasses and weeds as well as structure for the removal of weeds unwanted grasses and unwanted shallow roots. The structure includes at least one pre-cut flexible trimming line that extends through the body member and a tapered bit member attached to the body member. The trimming line cuts and trims grasses and weeds and the tapered bit member has structure attached thereto for removal of weeds, unwanted grasses and unwanted shallow roots.