Abstract: A wound treatment apparatus is provided for treating tissue damage, which comprises a fluid impermeable wound cover sealed over a site for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the site. The apparatus also can include a cover with protrusions on its surface for purposes of monitoring pressure at the site. One or more sensors can be positioned under the cover to provide feedback to a suction pump controller. The apparatus can have a miniature and portable vacuum source connected to the wound cover.

Abstract: A collapsible ladder (10) is disclosed having rungs secured to telescopically collapsible stile sections and at least one stabiliser bar secured to the foot of the ladder, the (or each) stabiliser bar (12a, 12b) being displaceable between a storage position in which the bar lies, at least predominantly, between the two stiles and a deployed position in which the bar widens the footprint of the ladder to improve the lateral stability of the ladder. A rod (20) is connected to extend downwardly from the uppermost stile section of the ladder and a catch mechanism (30) is provided at the foot of the ladder to engage the lower end of the rod to prevent the ladder from being extended. The catch mechanism (30) is operable by the (or a) stabiliser bar to release the rod and permit the ladder to be extended only when the stabiliser bar is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A collapsible ladder (10) is disclosed having rungs secured to telescopically collapsible stile sections and at least one stabiliser bar secured to the foot of the ladder, the (or each) stabiliser bar (12a, 12b) being displaceable between a storage position in which the bar lies, at least predominantly, between the two stiles and a deployed position in which the bar widens the footprint of the ladder to improve the lateral stability of the ladder. A rod (20) is connected to extend downwardly from the uppermost stile section of the ladder and a catch mechanism (30) is provided at the foot of the ladder to engage the lower end of the rod to prevent the ladder from being extended. The catch mechanism (30) is operable by the (or a) stabiliser bar to release the rod and permit the ladder to be extended only when the stabiliser bar is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A stabilizer accessory releasably securable to a ladder having two one piece stiles and at least three rungs extending between the stiles, characterized by an elongate housing to be secured in use to the lower end of the stiles of the ladder and two stabilizing arms retractably received within the housing and extendable laterally in opposite directions, when deployed, to contact the ground at points that are further spaced apart than the ends of the housing, wherein the stabilizing arms are spring biased in a direction to protrude from the housing and are retained within the housing, and a catch mechanism is provided on the housing to retain the stabilizer arms in the retracted position.

Abstract: A stabiliser accessory releasably securable to a ladder having two one piece stiles and at least three rungs extending between the stiles, characterised by an elongate housing to be secured in use to the lower end of the stiles of the ladder and two stabilising arms retractably received within the housing and extendable laterally in opposite directions, when deployed, to contact the ground at points that are further spaced apart than the ends of the housing, wherein the stabilising arms are spring biased in a direction to protrude from the housing and are retained within the housing, and a catch mechanism is provided on the housing to retain the stabiliser arms in the retracted position.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the embodiments described herein, there is provided a matchmaking system for massive multiplayer online games. In one or more embodiments, the described matchmaking system is easily tunable enabling the gaming administrator to make quick adjustments to the parameters of the matchmaking system. The system is configured to provide game players with a fair gameplay experience across their entire career of matches. Fine tuning of the point values assigned to vehicles, the player-specific point modifiers, and the point ranges used for creating matches allows for long-term improvement to the matchmaking results. In one or more embodiments, the matchmaking system assigns points to each game player and a vehicle and relies on specific point ranges and values assigned to vehicle, and player specific point modifiers.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the embodiments described herein, there is provided a matchmaking system for massive multiplayer online games. In one or more embodiments, the described matchmaking system is easily tunable enabling the gaming administrator to make quick adjustments to the parameters of the matchmaking system. The system is configured to provide game players with a fair gameplay experience across their entire career of matches. Fine tuning of the point values assigned to vehicles, the player-specific point modifiers, and the point ranges used for creating matches allows for long-term improvement to the matchmaking results. In one or more embodiments, the matchmaking system assigns points to each game player and a vehicle and relies on specific point ranges and values assigned to vehicle, and player specific point modifiers.

Abstract: A collapsible structure is described that can be erected to provide an elevated working platform having two ends and two sides. Two telescopically collapsible ladder frames (10, 12) are disposed above the level of the platform, one on each end of the platform. Each ladder frame (10, 12) is formed of two stiles (20, 22) having telescopically collapsible sections, rungs each extending between respective sections of the two stiles and latch mechanisms for locking the stile sections in the extended position of the ladder frame. Each of the ladder frames (10, 12) further incorporates a guardrail (30, 32) that lies parallel to the rungs (24) when the ladder frame is collapsed. The guardrail (30, 32) is mounted for rotation about a first stile and releasably secured to the second stile. After release from the second stile of the same ladder frame and rotation about the first stile each guardrail is connectable to the second stile of the other ladder frame to lie parallel to a side of the platform.

Abstract: An extendable ladder having a collapsed mode and an extended mode, characterized in that when the ladder is transformed from the collapsed mode to the extended mode, at least one ground stabilizer extends laterally from the ladder to widen the footprint of the ladder.

Abstract: A telescopic loft ladder has two stiles with sections that are telescopically collapsible within each other, rungs having lateral ends each connected to respective sections the stiles, retractable pins in the ends of the rungs for engaging holes in the stile sections to retain them in an extended position, and levers on the rungs that automatically operate when two rungs contact one another to disengage pins of the upper of the contacting rungs from the holes to permit collapse of the next higher rung. Each uppermost stile section is rotatable relative to the section connected to the uppermost rung of the ladder and has circumferentially and axially offset pin receiving holes. At least one resilient element biases the next to uppermost rung away from the uppermost rung to ensure that the locking pin of the uppermost rung engages a hole in the uppermost stile section as the ladder is lowered.

Abstract: An extendable ladder having a collapsed mode and an extended mode, characterised in that when the ladder is transformed from the collapsed mode to the extended mode, at least one ground stabiliser extends laterally from the ladder to widen the footprint of the ladder.

Abstract: A ladder for use as a fire escape has two stiles comprising telescopically collapsible tube sections, a plurality of rungs each secured to the upper end of two tube sections, each of the two sections being part of a respective one of the two stiles, and retractable spring-biased pins supported by the lateral ends of the rungs and engageable in holes in the walls of the tube sections to lock the tube sections to one another in the extended state of the ladder. The ladder is capable of being suspended from the uppermost tube sections of the stiles and the holes in the walls of the tube sections in which the sprung pins are engageable are dimensioned to allow free play between the pins and the holes in at least the axial direction of the tubes.

Abstract: A telescopic loft ladder has two stiles with sections that are telescopically collapsible within each other, rungs having lateral ends each connected to respective sections the stiles, retractable pins in the ends of the rungs for engaging holes in the stile sections retain them in an extended position, and levers on the rungs that automatically operate when two rungs contact one another to disengage pins of the upper of the contacting rungs from the holes to permit collapse of the next higher rung. Each uppermost stile section is rotatable relative to the section connected to the uppermost rung of the ladder and has circumferentially and axially offset pin receiving holes. At least one resilient element biases the next to uppermost rung away from the uppermost rung to ensure that the locking pin of the uppermost rung engages a hole in the uppermost stile section as the ladder is lowered.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for treating a wound by applying reduced or negative pressure to the wound can include a wound cover, a fluid collection container, a vacuum pump, an inflation pump, and one or more conduits. The wound cover can be configured to move between at least a relatively rigid, generally raised position and a relatively flexible, generally collapsed position according to a predetermined program or in response to input from a user or one of more sensors. In some embodiments, the wound cover can be configured to move between at least the relatively rigid, generally raised position and the relatively flexible, generally collapsed position by adjusting the air pressure in one or more channels in the wound cover or by adjusting or by adjusting the length of piezoelectric or other length changing material supported by the wound cover.

Abstract: A collapsible structure is described that can be erected to provide an elevated working platform having two ends and two sides. Two telescopically collapsible ladder frames (10, 12) are disposed above the level of the platform, one on each end of the platform. Each ladder frame (10, 12) is formed of two stiles (20, 22) having telescopically collapsible sections, rungs each extending between respective sections of the two stiles and latch mechanisms for locking the stile sections in the extended position of the ladder frame. Each of the ladder frames (10, 12) further incorporates a guardrail (30, 32) that lies parallel to the rungs (24) when the ladder frame is collapsed. The guardrail (30, 32) is mounted for rotation about a first stile and releasably secured to the second stile. After release from the second stile of the same ladder frame and rotation about the first stile each guardrail is connectable to the second stile of the other ladder frame to lie parallel to a side of the platform.

Abstract: A wound treatment appliance is provided for treating all or a portion of a wound. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises an impermeable flexible overlay that covers all or a portion of the wound for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the covered portion of the wound. In other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the wound in the area under the flexible overlay. In yet other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes wound packing means to prevent overgrowth of the wound or to encourage growth of the wound tissue into an absorbable matrix comprising the wound packing means. In still other embodiments, the appliance may include a suction drain. In other embodiments, the appliance may include a collection chamber to collect and store exudate from the wound. In yet other embodiments, a suction bulb may be used to provide a source of reduced pressure to an impermeable overlay that covers all or a portion of the wound.

Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment appliance is provided for treating a wound on the body of a patient. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises a cover, which can have a top cup member and an interface member. The interface member can have flow control means, configured to permit exudate from the wound to flow through the flow control means into the volume under the cover, but not in the opposite direction. Also, in some embodiments, the top cup member can have a lid member, a cup body member, and lid attachment means to removably attach the lid member to the cup body member. In some embodiments, the cover can be configured to facilitate access to the wound for monitoring, treatment and other purposes without removing the cover from the body. The wound treatment appliance can have a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the site of the wound in the volume under the cover. A suction bulb can be used to provide a source of reduced pressure to the cover.

Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment appliance is provided for treating a wound on the body of a patient. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises a cover, which can have a top cup member and an interface member. The interface member can have flow control means, configured to permit exudate from the wound to flow through the flow control means into the volume under the cover, but not in the opposite direction. Also, in some embodiments, the top cup member can have a lid member, a cup body member, and lid attachment means to removably attach the lid member to the cup body member. In some embodiments, the cover can be configured to facilitate access to the wound for monitoring, treatment and other purposes without removing the cover from the body. The wound treatment appliance can have a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the site of the wound in the volume under the cover. A suction bulb can he used lo provide a source of reduced pressure to the cover.

Abstract: A portable video game and video playback holder for holding a portable video game and video playback device. The holder includes a tiltable tray, a frame portion to which the tray is pivotally mounted, the tray being adapted to retain a portable video game and video playback device and including audio speakers, and a mechanism for the tiltable tray to be retained in at least two discrete tilt positions relative to the frame portion. The device also includes straps for detachably attaching the portable video game and video playback holder to another object, such as an automotive headrest. The device includes electrical connectors adapted for electrically connecting the portable video game and video playback holder to a portable video game and video playback device.

Abstract: A breastpump is provided which is programmable for different suction sequences, and which records a pumping sequence or an entire session of varying sequences for later retrieval and playback in operation of the breastpump.