Abstract: A clamping device, preferably for use on a retractor support, has an upper clamp and a lower clamp. The clamps include a movable jaw and a fixed jaw pivotal between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration which both locks the clamps in a shut configuration and fixes the angular position of the clamps relative to one another. A drawbar and cam act together to compress the upper and lower clamps into a clamping or locking position.

Abstract: A chromatography column has valve and method for filling it with a slurry of media, the valve utilizing a piston to compact the slurry in the column. The piston moves through a cavity in communication with both a slurry inlet and slurry ports which are in communication with the interior of the chromatography column. The piston assists in compacting the slurry within the column. The method of filling the column does not require disassembly of the column. The piston may also be utilized to change the valve position from a slurry fill position to a normal operation position or other position.

Abstract: A surgical retractor includes a side loading socket configured to receive a connector head. A linearly moveable slide retains the connector head within the socket cavity. The slide has a convex face outwardly from the socket cavity which assists in “snapping” in a connector head. A convex inner face assists in retaining an inserted connector head. A notch in the tip of the slide assists in preventing rotation of a connector head having opposing locking pins when one of the pins is received in a recess at the back of the socket cavity. A grip is connected to the slide which may move the slide from a locked to a released position within a slot in the socket body.

Abstract: A lid for use with an open top container threadably engages with the open head container to secure the lid to the container. A seal is located between tapered surfaces of the lid and the container member such that compression of the seal occurs gradually as the lid is threadably secured onto the container member. The lid is equipped with a torquing tool which pivots at along a ridge at the edge of the lid. In a stored configuration, the torquing tool has a handle which is at least partially contained within a chamber in the lid. A base of the torquing tool has a top surface which is coplanar with a top surface of a portion the lid in the stored configuration. To utilize the torquing tool, the handle is rotated about the pivot, to an extended position. The handle may then assist an operator in twisting the lid relative to the container member.

Abstract: A multi-position ratchet mechanism has a retractor holder which receives a retractor stem connected to a retractor. A pawl selectively engages the retractor stem to allow for the retractor stem to be positioned relative to the retractor holder. The retractor holder has a passage and is connected at a base pivot to a base having a toothed hub. The toothed hub extends into the passage and a locking mechanism connected to the retractor holder allows for the selection of a pivot angle of the retractor holder relative to the base. The base rotates relative to a ring holder in a first configuration. In a second configuration a rotation angle between the base and the ring holder is set and locked with a locking actuator. The locking actuator is a cam actuator with drives a cam surface about a locking pivot to allow contact surface between the base and the ring holder to contact one another. A retaining mechanism selectively maintains a ring in a slot in the ring holder.

Abstract: An orthotic device is developed and customized to control the desired movement of a patient's defective lower limb. The device incorporates a footplate made of a rubber-like elastomeric material and a proximal segment that encompasses the foot at the metatarsophalangeal joints and the shin portion of the leg. This proximal segment is made of a rubber-like elastomeric material laminated into multiple layers of fabric throughout the proximal segment. Additional strips of fabric are positioned within the proximal segment of the device to limit or promote certain motions within the foot and ankle.

Abstract: A spacecraft docks with a spinning and/or rotating asteroid, meteoroid, comet, or other space object, utilizing a tether shaped in a loop and utilizing subvehicles appropriately to control loop instabilities. The loop is positioned about a portion of the asteroid and retracted thereby docking the spacecraft to the asteroid, meteoroid, comet, or other space object. A deployable rigidized, photon momentum transfer plane of sufficient thickness may then be inflated and filled with foam. This plane has a reflective surface that assists in generating a larger momentum from impinging photons. This plane may also be moved relative to the spacecraft to alter the forces acting on it, and thus on the asteroid, meteoroid, comet, or other space object to which it is attached. In general, these forces may be utilized, over time, to alter the orbits of asteroids, meteoroids, comets, or other space objects.

Abstract: A moisture applicator is positioned to apply moisture to a pile fabric prior to the blades of a tip shearing cutter contacting the carpet so that moisture may be selectively applied for one of a number of purposes such as, but not excluding, creating a pattern, and/or providing a more uniform appearance as viewed from above in the event that the latex securing the polypropylene layer is not uniform across the width of the carpet. While moisture application may take one of a variety of forms, the preferred embodiment utilizes a steam applying moisture applicator wherein the selected portions which have moisture applied are cut to a deeper depth than the unselected portions which do not have moisture applied thereto.

Abstract: A rongeur having a crossbar with a cutter and a shaft with a footplate. The crossbar moves towards the footplate through movement of an actuator connected to the crossbar about an arcuate path about a first pivot. This results in a portion of the crossbar moving initially away from the shaft as the cutter moves towards the footplate to create a gap, and then back towards the shaft as the cutter contacts the footplate. A spring mechanism biases the crossbar in a ready position with a first distance separating the cutter and the footplate. When the cutter contacts the footplate, the crossbar is in a cutting position. When the crossbar is between the ready position and the cutting position, it is in an intermediate position with a gap between the crossbar and the shaft. A retainer is positioned in an engaged position to maintain the crossbar in an intermediate position for cleaning. The retainer is preferably a disposable O-ring which is disposed after each use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an extruded product includes a machine that cooperates with an extruder. The machine is commonly used as a corrugator and the extruded product is often corrugated piping. The machine has a frame supporting a trackway in a continuous path. A plurality of mold block assemblies travel about the continuous path to form a mold tunnel along a portion of the continuous path. The mold block assemblies include a carriage connected by at least one guide and linear bearings to a pair of mold holders. The mold holders are connected to at least one pair of opposing mold blocks. Guides and directors position the mold block pairs relative to one another while the assemblies travel along the continuous path. As the holders, and thus the mold block halves, are linearly displaceable from one another, the halves may meet to form the mold tunnel and separate to allow removal of the extruded product.

Abstract: What I believe is a totally new way to help the people addicted to smoking cigarettes to quit the habit by spacing the time between smokes and preventing the unconscious reach for one by means of a case or container for the cigarettes with a timing mechanism that will not open the container until a pre-determined time is reached. That timing mechanism can be reset from a few minutes to several hours therefore gradually reducing the absorption of nicotine until the craving for it is negligible and quitting the habit is easy.

Abstract: A process is provided for manufacturing an imbedded flooring product having a skeletal frame in the form of a mesh at least partially imbedded into a vinyl sheet substrate. The method provides for the mesh to create a pattern visible from above the sheet.

Abstract: This is a totally new way to harness the power of wind and running water as in rivers and ocean currents. It consist mainly of two supporting wheels mounted permanently on a main shaft. Between those two wheels are four blades, or sails, that will transfer the power of wind and running water to the main shaft to make it rotate. Those sails will be mounted between the supporting wheels at 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees by means of secondary shafts attached permanently to the center of them and free to rotate between the supporting wheels. Those secondary shafts will protrude through one of the supporting wheels and a sprocket wheel is attached to each of them. All four sprockets will be connected with a chain and positioned in such a way that the sail mounted at zero degrees will be in a vertical position and the one mounted at 180 degrees will be in a horizontal position. Sails mounted at 90 and 270 degrees will be at 45 degrees angle but in opposed orientation.

Abstract: A method for controlling the spread of kudzu utilizes vertical, or near vertical, smooth surfaces which do not provide a horizontal step for continued vertical growth of kudzu. Accordingly, a clear zone may be established mechanically or otherwise and guards placed intermediate the kudzu and an area to be protected wherein when the vines contact the guards, they are unable to unsupportedly span the guard to continue upward growth and then into the protected area.

Abstract: A multi scrim non-slip pad has a first scrim which is coated with a first polyvinyl chloride product to encapsulate the first scrim therein to form a first coated scrim. The first coated scrim may then be partially cured in some embodiments. A second scrim is coated to form a second coated scrim. The first and second scrims are applied together and then cured to form a multi scrim non-slip pad having at least a first foam layer adjacent and external to the first scrim, a second foam layer between the first and second scrim, and a third foam layer external and adjacent to the second scrim.

Abstract: A portable boom for use with a support, such as a tree, has a support extendable from a mound. The mount secures to a tree and supports a lifted weight connected to the support. The portable boom is designed to be portable and easy to connect to the support.

Abstract: Accordingly, a tank, preferably on a wheeled vehicle such as a railcar or trailer, is provided with a protective liner. Two electrodes are preferably permanently mounted within the tank and respectively connected to a monitor. Another two ground connections are made from the monitor to the tank. At least one of the two probes in the tank are utilized with the monitor to measure the voltage between the tank and the selected probe. When the tank is filled with an ionic solution, a breach of integrity of the liner results in a voltage corresponding to the difference in potentials of the metals forming the probe and tank is read by the monitor. This triggers an alarm. Furthermore, the monitor provides a voltage or current from probe to probe, probe to shell, and shell to shell on a periodic basis to measure and then record the performance of the liner.

Abstract: A therapeutic device for treating a portion of a human body has a rigid outer surface with a magnet therein. The outer surface has a curved shape to provide a pressure point proximate to the location of the magnet so that a patient may be simultaneously treated with pressure point therapy and magnetic therapy. Furthermore, the device may be chilled to treat the patient simultaneously with cryotherapy.