Abstract: The belt clip for a cellular telephone includes a substantially rigid back plate and an expansible fabric layer (or flexible cover) partially covering the front of the back plate. The expansible layer has a degree of elasticity sufficient to secure the cell phone between the expansible layer and the back plate. A common clip (typically, an inverted U-shaped member) is mounted to the rear side of the back plate which enables the wearer to place the retained cell phone and belt clip onto his or her belt. The expansible layer may include a grip tab mounted on a top edge of the expansible layer to facilitate insertion and removal of the cell phone from the interspace between the expansible layer and the back plate. The method includes removably mounting the substantially rigid plate onto the person's belt and at least partially surrounding the cell phone with elastic material and capturing the cell phone between the material and the rigid plate.

Abstract: A hot water humidifier with an automatic siphon drain fed with cooler source water is flushed via a drain. The humidifier includes the humidifier tank and an inverted U-shaped siphon conduit having one end coupled to the tank and the other end coupled to the drain. A valve controlling the cooler source water feeds the water into the tank to maintain the temperature of an admixture of cooler source water and any preexisting tank water at or below a predetermined temperature during a flush cycle. The tank is flushed and drained via the automatic siphon based upon the level of the admixture in the tank and the level of admixture in the siphon. The source water may be coupled to the humidifier tank via the siphon conduit such that cooler source water may be added during the siphoning action. A method of flushing a hot water humidifier is also included.

Abstract: The document scanner system and method operates in conjunction with a document imprinted with data in a plurality of data image fields and a plurality of form documents adapted to have data imprinted thereon. The system output to a communications port is a delimited string of decoded characters. The method scans to obtain positional information of data fields or accepts topological form input by the operator. The operator identifies data descriptors, e.g. field size, data type, etc. The system and method scans the document imprinted with data and captures an image thereof. The scanned input document image is compared with the stored forms (particularly the stored data field descriptors, e.g., positional information, and data type). The system selects a stored form, extracts the data from each field, decodes or calculates the data, and validates the data and stores the decoded/calculated data in the output sequence.

Abstract: An optical fiber light includes a light source, a dispersion medium, a power supply, and at least one light tube disposed coaxially along a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the dispersion medium. The light source is integrated with the dispersion medium so that light emitted from the light source is received along the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the dispersion medium. The light tube distributes light along the length of the dispersion medium. Distributed light radiates from the light tube along the length of the dispersion medium.

Abstract: An auxiliary rearview mirror and light assembly includes a non-incandescent light source, an auxiliary rearview mirror, a power source adapter, and a primary rearview mirror mounting assembly. The primary rearview mirror mounting assembly includes at least one fixed appendage and at least one adjustable appendage. The fixed appendage and the adjustable appendage are positioned in an opposing direction. The adjustable appendage has a bias element that exerts a force on the adjustable appendage in a direction towards the fixed appendage. The adjustable appendage is extensible to fit the primary rearview mirror.

Abstract: The controllable deployment system for a radially expandable frame utilized during catheterization includes a guide wire, a radially expandable frame through which the guide wire passes, an elongated actuation sleeve over the guide wire, and a proximal locking mechanism. The expandable frame has a closed, radially compact form and an open, radially expanded form. The proximal end of the frame is coupled to an actuator sleeve. The actuator sleeve, at its proximal end, includes a friction locking mechanism having locking members with respective locking surfaces. The locking mechanism permits the user to lock or hold static the actuator sleeve (and therefore, the expandable frame) with respect to the guide wire, typically in an open, radially expanded form and a closed form. Tactile markers or indicia may be included.

Abstract: The hairbrush includes an elongated member having a handle segment and a bristle substrate segment. The bristle substrate defines an hourglass shaped core having a central region that is either cylindrically shaped or has a substantially similar elliptical cross-sections bounded on either side by dimensionally larger end regions. A plurality of hairbrush bristles are attached over the bristle substrate. The hairbrush bristles can have substantially equal lengths such that the outer peripheral portions of the plurality of hairbrush bristles defines an hourglass shape. Alternatively, the hairbrush bristles can have varying lengths such that the bristle ends form a planar surface or substantially cylindrical surface. Rectangular and oval shaped bristle substrates are also disclosed.

Abstract: The underwater battery powered lighted fishing lure includes, in one embodiment, a transparent housing, a battery in a battery cavity and one light emitting device (preferably, an LED). The battery may have a substantially light reflective surface. The transparent housing has light refraction surfaces, may have one or more light modifiers (glitter, bubbles, glass beads). As a result, the fishing lure emits light in all three dimensions (x, y and z) due to light refraction and light reflection (from the battery). Preferably, the lighted fishing lure includes two LEDs and two offset batteries. The lighted fishing lure may further include a pressure sensitive switch. In one embodiment, the lure has at least a two way control (ON-OFF) and in another, a three way control (ON-OFF- and ON when the ambient pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure underwater).

Abstract: The self securing suture includes a suture having at least one terminal end and a toggle, formed of suture material, at the suture's terminal end. In one embodiment, the suture toggle is a bar. In another embodiment the suture is a wire and the toggle is a wire element toggle. The wire element toggle is a double strand segment or an open loop segment. The suture delivery system includes a slotted needle configured such that a protruding tab or leg of the toggle bar fits within slot of the needle. For wire sutures, the open loop wire element toggle fits within the slotted needle. In another embodiment, a depending wire tip, from the wire element toggle, fits within the slot in the needle.

Abstract: The cigar and cigarette burn resistant gaming cloth table includes a layer of fire retardant treated knit fabric laminated to a thin sheet of aluminum and wherein the other side of the aluminum sheet is laminated to a layer of synthetic fabric (preferably, a non-woven fabric). Preferably, the top layer knit fabric is laminated to the aluminum via a latex adhesive. The lower non-woven fabric is (a) laminated to the aluminum sheet via latex adhesive, (b) needle punch mounted to the aluminum, or (c) the aluminum is sprayed onto one or the other of the cloth layers. Preferably, the knit layer, prior to being laminated to the thin sheet of aluminum, is treated with a fire retardant and an oil, alcohol and water repellant and stain resistant chemical composition (preferably, a phosphorus fluorocarbon).

Abstract: The locking nut and bolt system utilizes a bolt with thread having a plurality of notches generally longitudinally spaced in a predetermined pattern. Each notch has a lock face and an opposing slope. The locking unit carries one or more tines. The tine has a distal tine end adapted to latch onto the lock face of the notch on the bolt and, when the distal tine end is not disposed in one or more notches, the tine end moves on the bolt thread crest. When the distal tine end is in the notch or notches, the lock face of the notch prevents counter-rotational movement of the bolt with respect to the nut when the distal tine end abuts the lock face. The locking unit supports the tine and may be cylindrical, rectangular or on a perpendicular support face normal to a radial plane through the axial centerline of the nut thread. The locking unit may be on a nut insert or may be carried on the leg of a U, J or S-shaped clip. The locking unit may be recessed as a blind hole.

Abstract: A countertop merchandiser unit facilitates impulse purchasing of heated and chilled items by providing for placement and display of the items in close proximity with a cash register. The countertop unit has an enclosed transparent refrigerated compartment located above a countertop, an enclosed transparent heated compartment located above the refrigerated compartment and a refrigeration unit located above the heated compartment. Access doors at the rear of the countertop unit allow a vendor or cashier to access items stored therein. Access doors at the front of the countertop unit allow a customer to access items stored therein, the front access doors may be selectively fastened closed to deter shoplifting of items stored therein.

Abstract: The automatically controlled pump includes a battery-powered motor with a housing, a pump in a housing with input and output ports. A switch turns ON and OFF the motor due to fluid pressure at the output. Sometimes, the pump housing is below the motor housing and below the battery housing. The input port is beneath the impeller and the output port. A version also includes a manual ON and OFF switch actuated by an operator and a check valve limiting upstream flow of the pressurized fluid. The fluid pressure sensitive switch is mounted downstream of the check valve. An irrigation surgical kit includes the automatically controlled pump, a spike for a fluid source bag, fluid lines and an operator controlled valve unit disposed at or near the surgical site. The method monitors fluid pressure at or near the pump's output and turns ON and OFF the motor.

Abstract: The surgical clip includes a U or a V shaped body having clip legs extending from its apex and terminal ends having a lateral span extending outboard from the clip. The terminal ends are shaped as triangles, ovals, a T, oblong or a wide end hexagonal shape. Sometimes, the terminal ends define outboard directed hooks. The clip's inboard surface may have gripping grooves. A clip applicator includes clip carrying jaws pivotally coupled and forming a mouth. Keyways capture clip ends. If the clip is hooked, the jaws define complementary latch openings. A system for closing the clip jaws may be linked scissor-like members, cam actuators and followers or cam follower surfaces. The clip applier may include tactile response indicators for the user to indicate partial or full jaw closure and full open-clip release positions.

Abstract: The self securing suture includes a suture having a stiff end segment at a terminal end and a toggle disposed on the terminal end such that the stiff end segment and toggle define an acute angle between 25 degrees and 65 degrees. The toggle may be a metal or a biocompatible plastic. In one embodiment, a portion of the stiffened end segment is swaged onto the toggle in a closed channel. The present invention also includes methods for producing suture toggles. One method includes creating a partial channel on a toggle, stiffening an end segment of a suture thread, positioning a portion of the stiffened end segment in the partial channel, and swaging the toggle channel closed. The toggle and swaged suture thread may be coated with a biocompatible polymer. An alternative method of manufacture includes utilizing a tubular toggle, passing the stiffened end segment through the tube and swaging the toggle tube closed.

Abstract: A magnetoclastic transducer for sensing a torque in a shaft (150) is formed by circumferentially magnetising a magnetisable, integral portion (156) of the shaft. To assist in the emanation of a flux-dependent torque, the transducer element portion (156) of the shaft may have further circumferentially magnetised portions (154, 158) to each side. These further portions (154, 158) are of opposite polarity magnetisation to that of the transducer element (156). The external magnetic flux emanated by the transducer (156) is a function of torque and is detectable by a magnetic field sensor (160). An alternative means for the same purpose is to provide the transducer element at a portion (172) of the shaft (170) having an integral annular section of raised profile projecting beyond adjoining portions of the shaft. The shaft may be provided with a series of circumferentially magnetised portions of alternating polarity.