Abstract: An Internet-based system and method for enabling professionals within the architectural and design communities to review and rank potential floor covering designs before such designs are released for purchase. The system and method permit such professionals to immediately communicate back to the manufacturer of the floor covering material an indication as to the likely commercial potential for such designs prior to such designs being marketed on a broad basis. The participating professionals within the architectural and design communities may also acquire samples of the floor coverings incorporating the various designs for review.

Abstract: A vehicle security system that includes a receiver/controller which may be installed on all vehicles on a dealer's lot and "taught" to respond to a low power short range "dealer" transmitter prior to sale and to a conventional relatively high power long range "customer" transmitter after sale. The short range transmitter permits a salesman to demonstrate the security system as a natural adjunct to the sale of any one of all the vehicle on a dealer's lot without affecting the state of security of other vehicles in the vicinity. The controller can be taught to respond to either a dealer or a customer transmitter but all dealer transmitter ID's are deleted when teaching a customer transmitter ID and vice versa. In addition only one dealer code can be stored at any one time. A removable valet switch is operative after sale of the vehicle to permit override of the system. Prior to sale the controller is programmed to inhibit operation to the valet switch.

Abstract: An improved metal mask-making process is disclosed which involves starting with a metal mask having etched apertures using existing processes and coating it conformably with a substantially thick layer, so as to reduce the minimum aperture size while increasing the metal mask thickness. The conformal layer is chosen for minimum stress, good adhesion and thermal compatibility to the original metal mask material. Additional thin conformal coatings can be provided for imparting mechanical and chemical resistance to the metal mask.

Abstract: A surgical knot tier instrument (10) for use in conjunction with a needle (29) connected to suture thread (13) and a pair of surgical forceps (31), for placing a knot (11) in a wound (15) in body tissue (17), is described. The knot tier instrument is comprised of an elongate rod member (19) having a relatively small circular cross-section along a longitudinal axis A--A of the rod. This allows the rod to be introduced into a body cavity through an entry puncture wound for helping a physician or surgeon to close the wound in the body tissue without having to completely open up the body cavity. A proximal, working end (21) of the rod is provided with a notch (25), formed diametrically across an end face (23) of the rod, and a slot (27), which is provided diametrically across the face, offset 90.degree. from the notch. During the surgery procedure, the forceps are used to manipulate the needle connected to the suture thread to pull the needle with the suture thread through the wound.

Abstract: An improved forceps device (10) is described. The forceps device includes a handle (11) formed of spaced apart plates (14) and (15) joined by bridge member (16) to form a pocket (17). Spaced apart arms (12) and (13) form the distal end of the handle and terminate at inwardly facing pointed ends (12a) and (13a) that are used to pull the sides of a surgical incision together so that the surgeon can close the incision with sutures. The handle provides for a holder (18) and a knife blade (19) that fold out of the pocket when the surgeon presses his or her thumb against a serrated protrusion (18c) that protrudes from the proximal end of the handle.