Abstract: The invention is an endodontic handpiece, its control system and method of use for rotating an endodontic file to clean a root canal. The invention control system provides for rotating a file clockwise or counterclockwise through a desired first arc of rotation and, next, sequentially rotating the instrument in the opposite direction of the first arc of rotation through a second arc of rotation, wherein the first arc of rotation exceeds the second arc of rotation such that sequentially occurring rotations cause debris material removed in cleaning the canal to be ejected upwardly from the clean surfaces as such file is advanced in cleaning the canal.

Abstract: An improved fishing lure employing a wire frame (10) having first (14) and second arms (16) that extend in divergent directions with respect to each other. A fish attracting element (18) and a hook (20) are secured to one arm (14), and a spinner (32) is attached to the other arm (16). The wire frame is formed of a nickel titanium alloy which provides flexibility and shape memory that are substantially greater than that provided by conventional stainless steel wire whereby when the lure is pulled through water, it has improved fish attracting action. Wire and cable fishing leaders formed of a nickel titanium alloy are disclosed which exhibit appreciable elongation and resistance to kinking and spiralling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a super-elastic, lightweight bail wire in combination with a bail assembly for use in connection with spinning-type fishing reels. In the most preferred embodiment the bail is made of an austenitic nickel-titanium alloy wire.

Abstract: The cutting insert disclosed is a block of hard metal configured on at least one of its major faces to provide peripheral cutting edges successively index able about a central fastener location to position each edge serial for cutting. The major face slopes downwardly and inwardly from the cutting edges to provide rake surfaces of positive rake behind the cutting edges, and then rises as a sloping ledge to a central boss. A series of depressions disposed along the rake surface produce a ribbed chip which breaks more readily, and into smaller chips, easier to flush or otherwise remove from the cutting site.

Abstract: A method of cleaning and shaping a root canal in a tooth in preparation for filling the root canal with a filler material, such as gutta percha, as a part of an endodontic procedure includes the step of inserting into the root canal a tapered file having a spiraled scraping edge formed thereon, the scraping edge having a neutral rake angle, the file having a taper of about 0.04% such that, as a sequence of files of the same characteristics but having different tip diameters are employed, the root canal is shaped and cleaned from the coronal area towards the tooth apex in contrast to the traditional endodontic procedure wherein root canals have been shaped and cleaned in the step back method beginning with the root canal apex and progressing towards the coronal area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a super-elastic, lightweight bail wire in combination with a bail assembly for use in connection with spinning-type fishing reels. In one preferred aspect, the bail wire has a modulus of elasticity (E) and a moment of inertia (I) whose product (E.times.I) is equal to or less than 45 lbs.-in..sup.2. In another preferred aspect, the bail wire has a weight per unit length equal to or less than 1.0.times.10.sup.-3 lbs./in. Both aspects of the invention are achieved in an austenitic nickel-titanium alloy bail wire.

Abstract: An improved file for use in the endodontic preparation of a root canal, the file having a handle portion at one end and an active working portion tapering toward the distal end, the active portion having an external surface with at least one helical flute forming a helical scraping edge and, preferably, an axially adjacent land, the working portion having areas or zones of reduced surfaces that contact root canal surfaces during use. Preferably the zones are a plurality of axially spaced zones of reduced diameter so that the total length of file working portion in contact with canal wall surfaces during use is reduced. In manufacturing the improved file, a plurality of axially spaced zones of reduced diameter are formed on the working portion of a conventional file, including helical flutes and lands as desired, wherein the file of the invention includes an undulating external working portion profile.

Abstract: An impact energy absorbing composite material of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and an elastomer is disclosed. The composite is comprised of at least one layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and at least one layer of an elastomer. The individual layer thicknesses of the ePTFE and elastomer are controlled to achieve superior high energy impact resistance. The invention herein provides a material having performance that also can be tailored to meet other design needs for a given application, for example, space considerations or comfort.

Abstract: A high-speed end-milling router for ramping entry into a workpiece has plate-like hard metal cutting inserts fitted in pockets milled in chip gullet surfaces to present the insert at a desired axial rake angle and with radially inwardly and outwardly facing cutting edges. Each insert is secured in its pocket by two countersink headed machine screws whose holding power against centrifugal dislodgement of the insert is reinforced by a projection from the seating surface of the pocket extending into a blind recess molded in the undersurface of the insert.

Abstract: The cutting inserts of this patent are provided with positive cutting geometry and are especially adapted for service in face milling and shoulder milling raw castings and other hard-shelled workpieces by providing a cutting edge land which varies in width along the cut from narrowest at the bottom of the main cutting edge to broadest where the cutting edge meets the hard surface of the workpiece. In double-ended cutting edges, i.e., where the cutting edge is designed to cut equally in cutters of either hand of rotation, the maximum land width occurs at cutting edge midpoint and tapers to minimum width at each end. The surface of the land may also desirably be warped, twisting from radially positive rake at the bottom of the main cutting edge to neutral or even negative radial rake where the cutting edge meets the hard surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: An obturator for use in filling an endodontically prepared root canal in a tooth formed as an elongated body having a handle portion and a shaft, the handle portion being configured for grasping by a practitioner whereby the shaft may be inserted into a root canal, the shaft tapering from the handle to the shaft distal end, the shaft having an exterior surface having a generally linear groove therein extending from near the handle to the shaft distal end, or at least adjacent the shaft distal end, the groove providing: (a) a channel for flow of excess filler material as the shaft is positioned into a prepared root canal; (b) increased flexibility of the shaft, and (c) a passageway that will accept a slender, tapered metallic retrieval tool, such as a typical endodontic file, to assist in the removal of the shaft from a root canal.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for producing a self-supporting ceramic body by oxidation of a molten precursor metal with a vapor-phase oxidant to form an oxidation reaction product and inducing a molten flux comprising said molten precursor metal through said oxidation reaction product. A second metal is incorporated into said molten flux during the oxidation reaction. The resulting ceramic body includes sufficient second metal such that one or more properties of said ceramic body are at least partially affected by the presence and properties of said second metal in the metallic constituent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing a self-supporting body comprising the steps of:(a) forming a permeable mass comprising at least one solid-phase oxidant selected from the group consisting of the halogens, sulphur and its compounds, metals, metal oxides other than the silicates, and metal nitrides other than those of boron and silicon;(b) orienting said permeable mass and a source of said parent metal relative to each other so that formation of said oxidation reaction product will occur into said permeable mass;(c) heating said source of parent metal to a temperature above the melting point of said parent metal but below the melting point of said oxidation reaction product to form a body of molten parent metal;(d) reacting said body of molten parent metal with said at least one solid-phase oxidant at said temperature to permit said oxidant at said temperature to permit said oxidation reaction product to form; and(e) maintaining at least a portion of said at least one oxidation reaction product

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel method of manufacturing a composite body, such as a ZrB.sub.2 --ZrC--Zr (optional) composite body, by utilizing a post-treatment process and to the novel products made thereby. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of modifying a composite body comprising one or more boron-containing compounds (e.g., a boride or a boride and a carbide) which has been made by the reactive infiltration of a molten parent metal into a bed or mass containing boron carbide, and optionally one or more inert fillers, to form the body.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel method for removing metal from a formed self-supporting body. A self-supporting body is made by reactively infiltrating a molten parent metal into a bed or mass containing a boron donor material and a carbon donor material (e.g., boron carbide) and/or a boron donor material and a nitrogen donor material (e.g., boron nitride) and, optionally, one or more inert fillers. Once the self-supporting body is formed, it is then subjected to appropriate conditions which causes metallic constituent contained in the self-supporting body to be at least partially removed.

Abstract: This invention broadly relates to methods for producing self-supporting silicon carbide and silicon carbide composite bodies. More particularly, this invention relates to silicon carbide and silicon carbide composites, grown by the oxidation reaction of a silicon metal with a gas comprising at least one gas selected from the group consisting of fluorinated hydrocarbon gases, chlorohydrocarbon gases, and chlorofluorocarbon gases.

Abstract: Material having improved characteristics for filling endodontically prepared root canals is obtained by heat treating gutta percha based material at a temperature in the range of 210.degree. F. to 310.degree. F. for a period of two to twenty-four hours, the time being decreased as the temperature is increased.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel method of preparing self-supporting bodies, and novel products made thereby. In its more specific aspects, this invention relates to a method for producing self-supporting bodies comprising one or more boron-containing compounds (e.g., a boride or a boride and a carbide, etc.) by reactive infiltration of molten parent metal into a preform comprising boron carbide or a boron donor material combined with a carbon donor material and, optionally, one or more inert fillers, to form the body. Specifically, a boron carbide material or combination of a boron donor material and a carbon donor material, and in either case, optionally, one or more inert fillers, are sedimentation cast, spray coated, tapped, slip cast, pressed, etc., onto or into a body and into a particular desired shape.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel, environmentally stabilized formed product and to a method of producing a hard, dry, e.g., agglomerated or formed, environmentally stabilized product useful as a construction material, e.g., as pellets, panels, bricks, etc. comprising: a) ash such as RDF or coal ash (typically stack scrubber solids or bottom ash obtained from the burning of coal), b) an oxidizer and c) water. The amount of water present is selected to render the product plastic so that it can be molded to the desired shape. The oxidizer is provided in a sufficient amount to oxidize unstable compounds and to convert potassium, calcium or magnesium bisulfite to the sulfate form. Following the addition of the oxidizer, the admixture is exposed to electromagnetic energy, preferably ultraviolet light, to help drive the oxidation reaction to completion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to self-supporting ceramics or ceramic composite bodies which include a polycrystalline ceramic material comprising the oxidation reaction product of a silicon parent metal with a nitrogenous oxidant, including a nitrogenous vapor-phase oxidant, and optionally, one or more metallic constituents dispersed throughout the polycrystalline ceramic material. A barrier means comprising, for example, at least one of titanium nitride, zirconium nitride, aluminum nitride and boron nitride or a barrier means that has undergone chemical changes or alterations may be removably attached to the self-supporting ceramics or ceramic composite bodies of the present invention.