Abstract: A trap having a housing, and a snare pivotally joined with the housing. The trap has an opening that provides a passageway for a rodent to enter the housing. The snare may pivot between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a rodent may enter the housing and position itself at least partially in the snare. A trigger is located inside the housing, so that when the trigger is triggered by a rodent, the snare pivots to its second position, snaring at least a portion of the rodent in the snare, and trapping against the housing.

Abstract: A trap having a housing and an entrance, a platform pivotally coupled to the housing, and a trigger that, when triggered by an animal, triggers the platform to pivot towards the housing to thereby trap the animal against the housing. The trap may further include a retention element for retaining the platform in the latched position and a biasing element biasing the platform towards the back wall when the trigger is triggered. The trap may further include one or more numbing fingers extending from the back wall. When the trap is triggered, an animal may be trapped between the platform and the numbing fingers.

Abstract: A trap having a first housing member slideably engaged with a second housing member, to provide a collapsible trapping enclosure therebetween. The trap has an opening that provides a passageway to the trapping enclosure, such as an opening disposed in one of the first and second housing members. The trap has an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the opening is unobstructed so that an animal may enter and exit the trapping enclosure. In the closed position, the opening is substantially blocked. A trigger is located inside the trap, so that when the trigger is triggered by an animal, the trap moves to its closed position, enclosing the animal inside.

Abstract: A trap having a housing and an entrance, a trigger plate pivotally coupled to the housing, and when triggered by an animal, the trigger plate pivots towards the housing to thereby trap the animal against the housing. The trap may further include a biasing element to bias the trigger plate towards the housing. The trap may further include blunt fingers extending from the back wall. When the trap is triggered, an animal may be trapped between the trigger plate and the blunt fingers.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is described, provided with an inflatable tongue or bladder for a more secure fit to the user's foot. The bladder may include a plurality of chambers with a valve disposed therebetween to selectively inflate the chambers. The inflatable tongue or bladder has a lightweight pump disposed thereon. Inflatable footwear having an inflation bag under the foot is also disclosed. The inflation bag is formed by two sheets of material that are welded together. Interior welds are provided to moderate the thickness of the inflation bag. A foam layer having apertures is positioned adjacent to the inflation bag. The apertures overlie the interior welds and are sized larger than the interior welds. Also described is a slider valve that enables selective inflation of individual bladder chambers.

Abstract: The present invention is an inflation system utilizing an inflation device and an adaptor therefor. The inflation device includes a cylindrical housing which receives a pressurized cartridge of gas, a head unit, and a nozzle. The head unit of the device includes structure for creating and delivering a metered bolus of gas per each actuation of the device. The device audibly indicates to the user when a single bolus of gas has been successfully delivered to an inflatable bladder. In another aspect of the invention, an elastomeric inflation port which serves as an adaptor for connecting the inflation device of the invention to an inflatable bladder is provided. The inflation port of the invention may also function as a fluid release mechanism to vent fluid from the bladder.

Abstract: The present invention is a pressurized gas inflation device for inflating an inflatable article of manufacture. In the preferred embodiment, the device includes a cylindrical housing which receives a cartridge of pressurized gas, a head unit and a nozzle. The head unit includes a valve assembly for controlling the flow of gas through the device. The nozzle includes a means for controlling the flow rate of the gas flowing through the nozzle and a means for relieving the build-up of excess pressure. The nozzle of the device may be structured to couple in a fluid-tight manner with an adaptor of an inflation valve. The adaptor of the present invention includes a top surface, at least one side wall and several apertures for receiving fluid from an inflation device or for venting fluid from a bladder.

Abstract: An inflation mechanism which comprises an inflation head and a sidewall connected by a living hinge or weakened area which permits the inflation head to invert within the interior chamber of the sidewall during compression of the inflation mechanism thereby permitting a high volume of fluid displacement.

Abstract: The present invention is an inflatable article of manufacture having inflation and fluid release mechanisms. The inflation mechanism generally comprises a pump and a resilient fluid intake valve. The fluid release mechanism includes a housing, a fluid release means and a protective cover which is received about the housing. The protective cover of the fluid release mechanism may also function as a connector for an "off board" inflation mechanism.

Abstract: A chromatography device for separating sample fluids from carrier fluids and analyzing the sample is configured so that it is a modular unit. This modularity enables repairs to be quickly effected on the unit and also greatly simplifies the task of accessing the components of the chromatography cartridge. The modular chromatography cartridge is comprised of separation columns for separating the sample fluid from the carrier fluid. The cartridge additionally includes detectors for detecting distinguishing characteristics of fluids exiting the column. Further, the cartridge preferably includes valve assemblies for directing the flow of the carrier fluid and sample fluid throughout the cartridge and restrictors for adjusting the flow rate of the fluids as they flow through the cartridge. All of the components of the cartridge are configured upon a manifold. The manifold has a means for attaching the cartridge to fluid sources and support structure. The manifold enables the system to exhibit its modularity.