Abstract: A cervical traction orthotic apparatus including a carbon fiber reinforced halo ring with a horizontal shoulder extending inwardly forming a horizontal annular surface with a multiplicity of threaded inserts force-fitted in a multiplicity of horizontal circular holes with an integral stop member with a surface that engages the horizontal annular surface to prevent the insert from twisting. The apparatus also includes a support rod device to hold the halo ring in place, each rod being in two parts with complimentary mating shapes having aligned surfaces that are horizontal and vertical positioned such that the cross-section of the mated area is the same cross-section as the two support rod sections and a locking cylindrical sleeve to closely fit over the mated sections of the rod sections with a locking member interfitted through a hole a rod section to retain the locking sleeve over the mated sections of the rods.

Abstract: Laboratory animal shipping containers having a generally cylindrical configuration container housing may be stacked and the stacks placed in a close packing density arrangement while still affording adequate air ventilation substantially entirely around the containers. The generally cylindrical configuration container housing is formed by two substantially symmetrical and interchangeable mating halves each having a substantially circular base and a ventilated side wall depending or extending from the base. A plurality of mating tabs or flanges extend from the perimeter of the side wall of each mating half. A slotted strap or locking band is formed with elongate spaced slots around the locking band for sliding over flush pairs of mating tabs around the middle of the container for securing the mating halves together at the roots of the tabs. Radial partitions define a plurality of compartments within the container housing.

Abstract: A normally engaged wrap spring clutch includes a helical spring which normally is wrapped down on the outer surfaces of aligned input and output hubs to couple the latter. One end of the spring is anchored on the input hub and the other end is secured to a control collar which is telescoped over the spring so that, by turning the control collar relative to the input hub, the spring is unwrapped from the surfaces of the hubs to disengage the clutch. Pins project longitudinally into radial slots in the input hub and spiral slots in the control collar and have substantial mass so that, when the input hub reaches a preselected speed, the pins move radially outward under centrifugal force and, through a camming action in the spiral grooves, turn the control collar relative to the input hub thereby unwrapping the spring. In an alternative embodiment, the outwardly moving pins turn the control collar to cause the spring to wrap down and cause engagement of a normally disengaged clutch.

Abstract: A linear actuator includes a nut threaded onto a rotatable drive screw and adapted to be coupled to and uncoupled from an axially movable driven member by a selectively engageable and disengageable helical spring clutch and a friction clutch connected in series with the spring clutch. When the spring clutch is disengaged, the nut is permitted to rotate with the screw and thus the driven member remains stationary. When the spring clutch is engaged, it acts through the friction clutch to couple the nut to the driven member and prevent rotation of the nut so that the driven member advances along the screw. When the driven member reaches a limit position, a positive stop automatically releases the friction clutch to interrupt the drive to the driven member even though the spring clutch remains engaged.