Abstract: An instrument for clamping and trimming the bone tendon portion of a graft to a desired size, comprising a pair of elongated handles each having jaws at one end; the handles being hinged together at a pivot point allowing the jaws to open and close in a scissor arrangement, the jaws defining a generally U-shaped trapezoidal receptacle when the jaws are closed about the bone tendon portion of the graft to be trimmed and the jaws comprising respective upper guide surfaces along their upper edges whereby, when a bone tendon portion is positioned in the U-shaped trapezoidal receptacle, the upper guide surfaces function as a guide for a blade of a saw to trim any excess portion of the bone tendon portion protruding above the upper guide surfaces.

Abstract: An instrument for clamping and trimming the bone tendon portion of a graft to a desired size, comprising a pair of elongated handles each having jaws at one end; the handles being hinged together at a pivot point allowing the jaws to open and close in a scissor arrangement, the jaws defining a generally U-shaped trapezoidal receptacle when the jaws are closed about the bone tendon portion of the graft to be trimmed and the jaws comprising respective upper guide surfaces along their upper edges whereby, when a bone tendon portion is positioned in the U-shaped trapezoidal receptacle, the upper guide surfaces function as a guide for a blade of a saw to trim any excess portion of the bone tendon portion protruding above the upper guide surfaces.

Abstract: An instrument for clamping and trimming the bone tendon portion of a graft to a desired size, comprising a pair of elongated handles each having jaws at one end; the handles being hinged together at a pivot point allowing the jaws to open and close in a scissor arrangement, the jaws defining a generally U-shaped trapezoidal receptacle when the jaws are closed about the bone tendon portion of the graft to be trimmed and the jaws comprising respective upper guide surfaces along their upper edges whereby, when a bone tendon portion is positioned in the U-shaped trapezoidal receptacle, the upper guide surfaces function as a guide for a blade of a saw to trim any excess portion of the bone tendon portion protruding above the upper guide surfaces.

Abstract: An instrument for clamping and trimming the bone tendon portion of a graft to a desired size, comprising a pair of elongated handles each having jaws at one end; the handles being hinged together at a pivot point allowing the jaws to open and close in a scissor arrangement, the jaws defining a generally U-shaped trapezoidal receptacle when the jaws are closed about the bone tendon portion of the graft to be trimmed and the jaws comprising respective upper guide surfaces along their upper edges whereby, when a bone tendon portion is positioned in the U-shaped trapezoidal receptacle, the upper guide surfaces function as a guide for a blade of a saw to trim any excess portion of the bone tendon portion protruding above the upper guide surfaces.

Abstract: An instrument for clamping and trimming the bone tendon portion of a graft to a desired size, comprising a pair of elongated handles each having jaws at one end; the handles being hinged together at a pivot point allowing the jaws to open and close in a scissor arrangement, the jaws defining a generally U-shaped trapezoidal receptacle when the jaws are closed about the bone tendon portion of the graft to be trimmed and the jaws comprising respective upper guide surfaces along their upper edges whereby, when a bone tendon portion is positioned in the U-shaped trapezoidal receptacle, the upper guide surfaces function as a guide for a blade of a saw to trim any excess portion of the bone tendon portion protruding above the upper guide surfaces.

Abstract: A valve comprising an inlet housing, an outlet housing, an elastomeric valve element having a generally dome-shaped configuration with a central integral stem positioned substantially concentrically therewith, the inlet housing and outlet housing being fastened together at a joint with the elastomeric valve element positioned therein and the valve element including a plurality of longitudinal ribs formed along an outer annular periphery of a lower end of the dome-shaped configuration that define flow channels that allow fluid flow from across an upper surface of the dome-shaped configuration through the flow channels.

Abstract: The present invention comprises apparatus and methods employing a gas produced from a tetrazine-based energetic material such as that known as “BTATz” containing 3;6-BtS(1H-1,2,3,4-Tetrazol-5-ylamino)1-,2,4,5-tetrazine 3;6-BtS(1H-1,2,3,4-Tetrazol-5-ylamino)1-,2,4,5-tetrazine or salts thereof. The tetrazinebased energetic material is ignited through the use of a percussion cap, a piezoelectric crystal or a battery-supplied electric spark or by encapsulating it in a container that is then exposed to a burning flame. The gas produced upon ignition is employed a propellant such as to inflate life rafts, life vests, emergency evacuation slides, tires, air bags and other inflatable devices. The gas produced upon ignition is alternatively employed to power an engine and many other applications such as a fire suppressant.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of a fluid through a fluid passage such that a fluid flow in the fluid passage is permitted in a first direction and restricted in a second direction, wherein the valve comprises a modular valve body composed of a two-piece assembly including an inlet body half and an outlet body half joined along a joint interface, the inlet body half and said outlet body half each comprising interchangeable end connections.

Abstract: A valve comprising an inlet housing, an outlet housing, an elastomeric valve element having a generally dome-shaped configuration with a central integral stem positioned substantially concentrically therewith, the inlet housing and outlet housing being fastened together at a joint with the elastomeric valve element positioned therein and the valve element including a plurality of longitudinal ribs formed along an outer annular periphery of a lower end of the dome-shaped configuration that define flow channels that allow fluid flow from across an upper surface of the dome-shaped configuration through the flow channels.

Abstract: A free floating disc check valve is provided by the present application. The check valve includes a seal disc having an integral truncated torroidal shaped portion. The torroidal shaped portion provides structural rigidity to the seal disc to minimize deflection of the disc under higher differential fluid pressures. The torroidal shaped portion of the disc cooperates with finger-shaped projections inside the valve body to limit lateral displacement of the disc relative to the axial flow of the fluid. The torroidal shaped portion and the flat portion of the disc form a cup shape that creates a hydrodynamic force that assists in moving the disc to an opened or closed position. The seal disc is made of an elastomeric material that is coated with a dry film lubricant.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve having a modular design that allows the release pressure of the valve to be altered during assembly is provided by the present invention. The valve includes a serrated valve tube that fits inside of a valve body. A spring retainer ring fits on an outside diameter of the serrated valve tube such that it is held in position by interacting with the serrations. The release pressure of the valve is altered by changing the position of the spring retainer ring on the serrations. In addition, a variety of different spring types and configurations can be utilized in conjunction with the spring retainer ring position to select one of a large number of different release pressures for the valve during assembly.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve having a modular design that allows the release pressure of the valve to be altered during assembly is provided by the present invention. The valve includes a serrated valve tube that fits inside of a valve body. A spring retainer ring fits on an outside diameter of the serrated valve tube such that it is held in position by interacting with the serrations. The release pressure of the valve is altered by changing the position of the spring retainer ring on the serrations. In addition, a variety of different spring types and configurations can be utilized in conjunction with the spring retainer ring position to select one of a large number of different release pressures for the valve during assembly.

Abstract: A valve that has at least one internal port on a valve core and at least one an internal slot in a valve body. The valve core is biased into a position wherein the port of the valve core is aligned with a sealing surface of the valve body thereby prohibiting fluid flow through the valve. The valve core is slidable such that the port of the valve core becomes aligned with the internal slot of the valve body thereby allowing fluid flow through the valve. Another valve includes a self-aligning valve seat carrier which is pivotably engaged with a valve core member. The self-aligning valve seat carrier engages a sealing surface in a valve body to prohibit fluid flow through the valve, but the valve core is slidable such that the self-aligning valve seat carrier disengages from the sealing surface in order to allow fluid flow through the valve.

Abstract: A valve that has at least one internal port on a valve core and at least one an internal slot in a valve body. The valve core is biased into a position wherein the port of the valve core is aligned with a sealing surface of the valve body thereby prohibiting fluid flow through the valve. The valve core is slidable such that the port of the valve core becomes aligned with the internal slot of the valve body thereby allowing fluid flow through the valve. Another valve includes a self-aligning valve seat carrier which is pivotably engaged with a valve core member. The self-aligning valve seat carrier engages a sealing surface in a valve body to prohibit fluid flow through the valve, but the valve core is slidable such that the self-aligning valve seat carrier disengages from the sealing surface in order to allow fluid flow through the valve.

Abstract: A valve that has at least one internal port on a valve core and at least one an internal slot in a valve body. The valve core is biased into a position wherein the port of the valve core is aligned with a sealing surface of the valve body thereby prohibiting fluid flow through the valve. The valve core is slidable such that the port of the valve core becomes aligned with the internal slot of the valve body thereby allowing fluid flow through the valve. Another valve includes a self-aligning valve seat carrier which is pivotably engaged with a valve core member. The self-aligning valve seat carrier engages a sealing surface in a valve body to prohibit fluid flow through the valve, but the valve core is slidable such that the self-aligning valve seat carrier disengages from the sealing surface in order to allow fluid flow through the valve.

Abstract: A valve that has at least one internal port on a valve core and at least one an internal slot in a valve body. The valve core is biased into a position wherein the port of the valve core is aligned with a sealing surface of the valve body thereby prohibiting fluid flow through the valve. The valve core is slidable such that the port of the valve core becomes aligned with the internal slot of the valve body thereby allowing fluid flow through the valve. Another valve includes a self-aligning valve seat carrier which is pivotably engaged with a valve core member. The self-aligning valve seat carrier engages a sealing surface in a valve body to prohibit fluid flow through the valve, but the valve core is slidable such that the self-aligning valve seat carrier disengages from the sealing surface in order to allow fluid flow through the valve.