Abstract: A method for curing an adhesive promoter onto glass. An adhesive promoter having a solvent carrier is first applied to the glass, and the treated glass is introduced into a first chamber maintaining an environment with temperature between approximately 93.degree. C. and 127.degree. C. (200.degree. F. and 260.degree. F.) to flash off the adhesive promoter's solvent carrier. The glass is then introduced into a second chamber maintaining an environment for heating and humidifying the glass with temperature between approximately 65.degree. C. and 93.degree. C. (150.degree. F. and 200.degree. F.) and humidity between approximately 80 and 90 percent for hydrolysis to promote the formation of a laminate on the edge of the glass. Thereafter, the glass is introduced into a third chamber maintaining an environment with temperature between approximately 93.degree. C. and 121.degree. C. (200.degree. F. and 250.degree. F.) to dry the glass and evaporate the water from the laminate.

Abstract: A system and method which provides a complete software implementation of a device driver that is capable of detecting an undetectable data corruption problem without hardware redesign and/or internal modification to an existing FDC. The approach taken consists of software DMA shadowing and use of a software decoding network which allows the implementation of the invention to require a small amount of memory and only degrade the performance of the computer system a minimal amount when floppy diskette write operations occur.

Abstract: A convertible bench/table apparatus in one embodiment of the present invention as including a seat member, a means for supporting the seat member, and a backrest/tabletop member. Connected to the means for supporting the seat member is an armrest assembly that provides structural support to the backrest/tabletop when the convertible bench/table is pivoted from the bench position into the picnic table position. A hinge means accommodates for the pivotal movement of the convertible bench/table into either the first or second position, and is rigidly attached to the armrest assembly and the seat member providing a point of rotation thereon.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a patella-femoral brace which includes an elastic sleeve which is sized so as to be securely positionable about a user's leg and which has a bracing plate located therein which becomes positioned adjacent the lateral side of the patella when the elastic sleeve is correctly positioned about the patient's knee. The brace plate may include a protection pad which extends to cover the lateral side of the knee to protect it from impact or contact with other elements of the knee brace. The brace plate is connected to a set of strap members, each located above and below the patella, and each being capable of wrapping around the medial side of the knee, across the back of the leg, and attaching to a rigid support brace. The support brace includes upper and lower cuffs, each having a single hinge arm which connect together at a hinge. The hinge includes a locking mechanism to prevent hyperextension of the knee.

Abstract: A gas grill assembly comprising a housing, a grill, and a retractor arm assembly. The housing encloses the assembly and is permanently mountable in the wall of a recreation vehicle. The retractor arm assembly supports the grill and is connected between the housing and the grill such that the grill can be extended from the housing for use. The grill is advantageously mounted to the retractor arm assembly by means of a post such that, in this extended position, the grill can rotate approximately 180 degrees in either direction about a vertical axis. The retractor arm assembly is operably coupled to the main gas supply valve such that the valve is rotated to an open position as the grill is pulled out of the housing for use. Conversely, when the grill is pushed back into the housing, the movement of the retractor arm assembly rotates the gas supply valve to a closed position, thereby automatically shutting off the supply of gas to the grill.

Abstract: A novel fluid flow regulating device for varying the rate of flow of fluids for infusion to a patient at extremely low but constant flow rates. The regulator device is interposed at a point on a supply tube between a fluid reservoir and a patient. An input port directs fluid to a fluid metering groove of variable cross-sectional area on a metering plate which is formed as a part of the output port. The metering plate is rotated axially, relative to the input port, allowing fluid to enter the fluid metering groove at any point and flow toward the output port through a fluid metering groove which increases in depth or cross-sectional area at an essentially constant rate. Depending on the point at which the fluid enters the fluid metering groove flow path, the flow rate selected can be any rate from full off to full flow.

Abstract: A sidepocket mandrel apparatus including a mandrel body formed of a resin-based material, such as, for example, fiberglass. The mandrel body defines a through-bore and an enlargement axially offset from the through-bore. A valve receiving pocket formed of a rigid material is secured within the offset enlargement of the mandrel body so as to be substantially parallel to but axially offset from said through-bore. Such pocket may, for example, be formed of stainless steel or of a composite plastic material.The sidepocket mandrel is formed by machining a valve receiving pocket from a rigid material. The valve receiving pocket is removably secured on a substantially cylindrical molding rod, together with at least one removable mold piece, the molding rod and removable mold pieces defining a desired inner shape of the sidepocket mandrel. Fiberglass is then wound around the valve receiving pocket, molding rod, and removable mold pieces to form a fiberglass mandrel body.

Abstract: A nasal sinus endoscope system and method. The system comprises a nasal sinus endoscope having a distal viewing window. A resilient tube is attached to the endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity to the distal viewing window of the endoscope, and a syringe is connected to the proximal end of the resilient tube for selectively forcing fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof. The distal end of the resilient tube preferably forms an oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tube, and the resilient tube is attached to the endoscope such that the oblique opening formed by the distal end of the tube substantially faces the endoscope. The resilient tube is attached to the endoscope by means of suitable fasteners, such as, for example, elastic bands which encircle both the tube and the endoscope.

Abstract: A catheter affixing and anchoring device including a unitary thermoplastic elastomer pad through which a catheter clasping tunnel is bored to lead a catheter to and through a directional channel. The channel affixes the catheter in a preferred configuration preparatory to anchoring of the device and the catheter assembly to the body of a medical patient by means of a simple procedure and in a manner which allows for easy and repeated cleaning of the insertion site with limited disturbance to the catheter assembly or underlying body tissues. This invention is particularly well suited to use in connection with parenteral infusion, drainage of bodily fluid accumulations and administration of medicaments in liquid form directly to various parts of the body. This invention may also advantageously be used in other applications requiring the infusion of fluids, such as, for example, hyperalimentation.

Abstract: A tethered container of desiccant and a surrounding protective cage for entry into an enclosed space to extract moisture. The weight of the cage serves as ballast to settle the assembly to the bottom of any nonaqueous fluid in the enclosed space. In one embodiment, the cage takes the form of an elongated cylinder with perforated side walls slideably mounted on a tether cable disposed through an eye in a solid end wall at one end of the cylinder. The end of the tether cable interior of the cage is attached to the container of desiccant. Preferably, the eye is located on the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical cage to enhance mobility of the device. An access opening in a portion of the cage opposite the eye permits removal of the desiccant container from the cage by sliding the cage along the tether cable away from the desiccant container. In an alternate embodiment, the tether cable opening is selectively closeable to restrain the desiccant container or its contents.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in placing an object inside an inflated balloon is disclosed as comprising a housing forming a first chamber and a second chamber. The housing has a lid with an orifice therein which communicates with the first chamber, and a flexible diaphragm having a hole therethrough is positioned in the orifice. At least three rams are positioned on the lid of the housing so as to substantially surround the diaphragm, and a substantially L-shaped finger is attached to the actuating rod of each ram, the fingers lying adjacent one another when the actuating rods of the rams are in an unretracted position with each finger extending through the hole through the diaphragm. After the neck of a balloon is placed around the fingers, the actuating rods of the rams may be retracted, thereby enlarging the neck of the balloon and forming a substantially air-tight seal between the neck of the balloon and the flexible diaphragm.

Abstract: A bag for carrying a game ball, such as, for example, a basketball. When configured to carry a basketball, the bag comprises two, substantially hemispherical members. A portion of one hemispherical member is preferably non-releasably attached to a portion of the other hemispherical member, and each hemispherical member is formed of a flexible material. The hemispherical members are also preferably provided with reinforcing ribbing. A zipper is provided for releasably fastening the two hemispherical members together so as to form a hollow, substantially spherical bag. The two hemispherical members are configured such that, when releasably fastened together, the hollow bag formed thereby is substantially the same size as a basketball. A handle is also secured adjacent said portions of the two hemispherical members which are non-releasably attached to each other for use both in placing a basketball inside the bag and in thereafter carrying the bag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a knee brace which includes an upper and lower cuff which are attached at the medial and lateral sides of the knee joint by freecentric locking hinges. The freecentric hinge includes a free floating center of rotation which allows simultaneous translation and rotation of the upper hinge arm relative to the lower hinge arm. The freecentric hinge may further include a locking mechanism which comprises a pin located on the upper hinge arm and a hook located on the lower hinge arm which may be forced into engagement to prevent further rotation of the hinge when it is desired to prevent hyperextension of the user's knee. A pair of tension straps may be attached across the back of the user's knee from the upper cuff to the lower cuff, and adjusted in its length so that extension of the knee tends to generate tension in the strap which aids in pulling the upper and lower cuff members to be pulled towards each other.

Abstract: An equalizing blank valve apparatus for use in a sidepocket mandrel in an underground well. The apparatus comprises a first body member and a second body member. The first body has a chamber therein, and the second body member has a proximal end, a distal end, a first orifice located proximate said proximal end, a second orifice located proximate said distal end, and a passageway therethrough communicating with the said first and second orifices. The second body member is configured such that said proximal end of the second body member and said first orifice are telescopically insertable into the chamber in the first body member. Means cooperating with the first and second body members is provided for substantially sealing said first orifice when said first orifice is inserted into the chamber in the first body member. Means is also provided for preventing said proximal end of the second body member from being removed from the chamber in the first body member.