Abstract: An endoscopic surgical apparatus is configured to be loaded with a replaceable cartridge. The cartridge is loaded with a single-file line-up of a series of endoscopic clips. The endoscopic surgical apparatus is furthermore configured to apply (ie., dispense) each clip serially in the line-up, one clip at a time, wherever and whenever the user (eg., surgeon) chooses.

Abstract: A bolt configured for preventing loss of the bolt during removal can include a bolt head, a bolt shaft extending from the bolt head in an axial direction, the bolt shaft including threads, and a bolt capture channel defined through the bolt head and the bolt shaft in the axial direction. The bolt capture channel can include a head opening and shaft opening.

Abstract: An elongated endoscopic apparatus has an elongated catheter provided with a snare provision for performing a snaring procedure, a surgery clip, and a clip applier for clipping the wound left by the snaring procedure with the surgery clip. Preferably the elongated catheter is formed with an elongated inner tubular conduit that can accommodate a plurality of surgery clips, each having a C-shape characterized by a pair of elongated jaws mated together at a hinge end, wherein the jaws have tip ends forming the head end for the clip and hinge end forms the tail end for the clip when said plurality of clips are loaded into core of the inner tubular conduit in head to tail procession. The clip applier dispenses the clips a single at a time.

Abstract: Endoscopic surgery clips are dispensed out of an endoscopic catheter that has restriction provisions that cooperate with spring-biased jaw-clenching provision(s) that are provided to the clips. The cooperation between the restrictions of the catheter and spring-biased jaw-clenching provisions of the clips cooperate to facilitate reversal of the lead clip to-be-ejected, prior anytime before full ejection past the dispensing end of the endoscopic catheter, and at least partially reversed back into the lumen therefor in the endoscopic catheter.

Abstract: An assembly tool for facilitating assembly of a surgical instrument includes a handle, a neck extending from the handle, and a portion of or an entire pivot pin engaged with the neck via a frangible connection. The pivot pin is engagable with the surgical instrument. The frangible connection is configured to break upon application of stress thereto above a threshold, thereby separating the pivot pin (or portion thereof) from the neck. A method of assembling using such an assembly tool includes positioning a component of a surgical instrument for receipt of a pivot pin, manipulating the assembly tool to operably engage the pivot pin with the component, and manipulating the assembly tool to apply stress to the frangible connection to break-off the pivot pin (or portion thereof) from the assembly tool along the frangible connection.

Abstract: A fastener pin has a head at a topmost end that is the greatest diameter of the fastener. A shoulder extends downward from the head and includes a bottom surface for displacing material of a host object. A broaching section of rectangular lateral cross-section is located immediately below the displacer by cutting a rectangular profile into a round installation hole in the host object. Immediately below the broaching section is a tapered tip at a bottommost end which may be in the shape of a rectangular pyramid rotated radially out of alignment with the remainder of the other fastener features which all have parallel side edges. This individual fastener is one of a series of substantially identical pins attached toe-to-head at severable joints in a continuous string of fasteners.

Abstract: A drawing pin comprises a head portion and a spike, the head portion having an aperture therein in order to receive the spike of a subsequent drawing pin.

Abstract: An interlocking shim system having interlocking grooves and teeth. The interlocking shim does not require extraneous tools for the process of installation. The system also includes magnets for placing a shim pack in an uneven environment. Since the interlocking shims can be attached to each other through the interlocking groove members the user can manipulate a connected shim pack, by removing the first interlocking shim. There is also a magnet system in the present invention for aligning the bottom shim in mechanical applications without having to scribe the position for correct placement. The shims interlock for easy removal of shim packs.

Abstract: Interlocking means are provided on the front and rear surfaces of adjacent clips to restrain relative movement between adjacent clips in one direction and to permit relative guided movement between adjacent clips in another direction and wherein the restraint of the relative movement is maintained for at least a substantial portion of the movement of the one of the adjacent clips toward a secured position on the support surface. Also, each clip has at least one bore means having first and second cross-sectional configurations so as to provide a shoulder and a surface penetrating fastening device having an enlarged head portion located in the bore means so that, when a force is applied to the surface penetrating fastening device to drive the surface penetrating fastening device into the support surface, the enlarged head will contact the shoulder so that the clip is firmly held in position on the support surface.

Abstract: A system for fastening cable to a support system using an insulated, protective housing that has surface penetrating fastening devices mounted thereon in such a manner so as to allow a multiplicity of housings to be positioned, discharged and applied in a uniform automated process. The applicator has a base plate with a slot that cooperates to position the housings slightly above the support surface with a portion of the cable passing through the slot.

Abstract: An improved apparatus incorporated in a cast metal frame of circular configuration to allow one frame to accommodate similar objects of slightly different sizes and retain them therein to prevent rotation of the object within the cast frame. Further improvements are designed in the retaining means which rigidly hold the object in cast frames of circular, rectangular and oval configurations while at the same time allowing the retaining means to be easily removed.