Abstract: A fabric comprising a blend of at least one polyester fiber and at least one elastic fiber for making postoperative garments, athletic garments, and other garments where it is desirable to provide for enhanced muscular support, performance, injury prevention, and comfort. The fabric has an elasticity of about 200-220±10% in both the warp direction and in the fill direction, the difference between the warp and fill direction elasticity preferably being no more than about 3% to about 5%, a compression modulus of about 1 to about 4, and a breathability measurement of 70-100% moisture loss within 30 minutes and an approximate skin surface temperature reduction of about 4-6° F. within about 3-7 minutes as measured by evaporative cooling, and the panels being attachable to each other along one edge by a closure means, such as mated hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: A wall member with a first side having a tongue extending therefrom, a second side having a headed tongue extending therefrom, a third side having a groove defined therein for receiving a tongue of an adjacent panel, and a fourth side having a groove and cavity defined therein for slide-lock receiving of a headed tongue of an adjacent panel. The wall member may have a surface with a recess defined therein, and ribs extending from the recess. Also, the wall member may have a generally square, trapezoidal, hexagonal, or octagonal planar shape. Apertures may be defined in the tongue and grooves for aligning and receiving a dowel to lock panels together. A first corner section is defined by longitudinally extending the profile of the tongue through the profile of the headed tongue. A second corner section is defined by longitudinally extending the profile of the third side groove through the profile of the headed tongue.

Abstract: An apparatus for organizing, transporting, and using medical devices and supplies during obstetrical evaluations, comprising a portable housing with an alarm system for contents thereof, a base housing capable of being structurally and electrically coupled to by the portable housing and optional housings, and a fixture mounting bracket for attaching the base housing to an examination table. The portable housing and base housing preferably have compartments for medical devices and supplies. The portable housing has a medical device compartment for accepting a Doppler receiving insert for storing a conventional Doppler device with a probe connected to a base, for accepting a customized Doppler base unit of an integral Doppler device with a probe connected to the base, or for accepting a scanhead receiving insert for storing a sonogram device with a scanhead connected to a console.

Abstract: A container with a front opening and a top opening, and a top wall preferably hinged to the container to cover the top opening. A hinged front wall covers the front opening and has a curved guide rail extending therefrom which is slidingly received in a curved guide channel formed in the left or right wall, with the rail having a knob for manually pivoting the front wall. A cross-bar assembly preferably comprises two parallel top rods with rollers, two parallel bottom rods with rollers, and two sets of two diagonal cross-rods, the rods interconnected such that the top rods move upward when the diagonal rods pivot upon the application of a force to the bottom rods. An actuator assembly preferably comprises a lever with a foot pedal coupled thereto. A linkage assembly is preferably coupled to the lever and the bottom rods, such that depressing the pedal actuates the linkage assembly to pull the bottom rods inward which moves the top rods upward against the bottom wall to raise the container.

Abstract: An automatic fluid control having a first and second tube members and a slidable valve element capable of moving from a sealed closed position to an open position permitting fluid passage therethrough. In a preferred first embodiment, the elastomeric valve element is slidingly received with a passageway in the first tube. The valve element has a flange portion containing a plurality of slits that, when inverted and stretched, permit fluid to pass therethrough, but when closed, are in contact with the inner wall of the first tube and prevents fluid from passing therethrough. The valve element also can have a rigid plug attached within an opening in the top surface to present a preferably non-deformable contact point for a male luer tip, which, when pressed downward on the valve element, breaks a seal between the valve element and the first tube inner wall.

Abstract: At least one first column having a lower portion attached top a first floor and an upper portion attached to a second floor. The upper portion has a bore with an inner dimension. At least one second column having a lower portion and an upper portion attached to a third floor or building top structure. The lower portion has an outer dimension that is substantially the same or slightly less than the first column upper portion inner dimension so that the second column lower portion may be slidingly received in the bore of the first column upper portion in an overlapping, telescopic arrangement. At least one first retainer is attached to the first or second column, the retainer capable of engaging and supporting the second column thereon.

Abstract: A post with a series of generally parallel grooves defined therein and at least one shelf received, engaged, and supported by any of the grooves. A support frame has a base, a top, and cross-members disposed within and generally coextensive with the tubular post. A generally elastic sheet is disposed about the post to generally conform to the post sidewall and generally cover the grooves.An optional extension bar assembly has a collar receivable within any of the grooves and a bar with notches for receiving hangers. An optional connecting bar assembly has an elongated bar supported by two collars receivable within any of the grooves. Furthermore, there may be provided a holder for product information, and top and bottom housings mounted to the post with each containing a lighting assembly or the like.

Abstract: A versatile bench mounted fixture for automotive repair applications is disclosed. The fixture, for assembling and testing a transmission, or removing a concentric member press fit to a shaft, for example, comprises a base having a first arm extending vertically therefrom. The fixture further includes a second arm fixed to the remote end of the first arm, and a pivotal support member pivotal from a midportion of the first arm. Finally, a third arm is provided and extends between a distal end of the pivotal support member and a temporary engagement with a free end of the second arm.

Abstract: A body heating/cooling apparatus comprising an enclosure (10) for raising or lowering the temperature of a fluid (22) prior to circulating the fluid (22) through a vest (55). The enclosure (10) has a first chamber (13) where the fluid (22) returning from the vest (55) is picked up by a pump (25) and recirculated through a second chamber (16). The vest (55) has an integrally formed channel (67) that passes through the vest (55) in serpentine fashion. The enclosure (10) may also be equipped with a module for also providing helmet cooling for racing car applications.

Abstract: A rotating turret (10) having an outer plate (12) with several interchangeable tool (13) posts mounted to an index plate (22). The index plate (22) is mounted to a first axle (23) that extends through a block (24) and rotates on a set of bearings (28) mounted inside the block (24). The index plate (22) provides for rotation of the turret (10) between the several tool (13) positions. The index plate (22) is locked into position by a set of pins (34, 37) that fit into apertures (31) in the index plate. The pins (34, 37) are spring-biased toward the index plate (22) by springs (52, 55, and 58). A handle (16) attaches to a second axle (40) to provide a quick release mechanism. The second axle (40) mechanically engages with the pins (34, 37) and a sliding wedge (49) such that when the handle (16) is rotated the pins (34, 37) are retracted from the index plate (22) against the force of the springs (52, 55, 58).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting and compacting articles, such as hospital scrub garments. Included is a cabinet assembly, having user and operator accessible doors; collection bags and support associate with the cabinet; a control assembly including a microprocessor and receiver board capable of recognizing an authorized user and permit him or her access to the apparatus, and optionally a video monitoring system; a drive assembly comprising a drive motor, arm linkage, drive chain and sprockets; a pair of sweeping arms operable by the drive assembly and which cooperate with a pair of packing arm assemblies. The sweeping arms urge garments deposited by authorized users downward and to the side in the cabinet and the packing arm cooperates to compact garments which have dropped into the collection bags. A method is disclosed for selectively identifying and permitting user access to the apparatus and for automatically processing received garments into a compacted condition in the collection bags.

Abstract: A cutting and crimping apparatus (14) for automatically cutting and finishing the ends of a spiral coil. The apparatus (14) comprises a jaw set (17) comprising a first fixed plate (20), a second fixed plate (50), a cut plate (70) and a push plate (130), each plate having a tooth extending therefrom capable of engaging the coil. The plates are substantially flat and disposed in sliding contact with each other. The cut plate (70) of the apparatus (14) is driven in a reciprocating, substantially linear motion by a linkage (100) mechanically coupled to a motor (18).

Abstract: An automatic fluid control having a first and second tube members and a slidable valve element capable of moving from a sealed closed position to an open position permitting fluid passage therethrough. In a preferred first embodiment, the elastomeric valve element is slidingly received with a passageway in the first tube. The valve element has a flange portion containing a plurality of slits that, when inverted and stretched, permit fluid to pass therethrough, but when closed, are in contact with the inner wall of the first tube and prevents fluid from passing therethrough. The valve element also can have a rigid plug attached within an opening in the top surface to present a preferably non-deformable contact point for a male luer tip, which, when pressed downward on the valve element, breaks a seal between the valve element and the first tube inner wall.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming insulated glass from a first and second sheet of glass, normally with a spacer seal disposed therebetween, comprising a frame assembly having a rigid frame assembly, a plurality of torsion bars pivotably mounted thereto, an aluminum lower platen resting on a plurality of pistons capable of raising and lowering the lower platen, an upper platen fixedly attached to the frame substantially parallel to the lower platen, heating elements for heating the lower platen and the space between the lower and upper platens, and a control panel for operating the apparatus. The lower platen has a series of spaced apertures through which pass a plurality of ball bearing assemblies, each assembly being attached to the frame assembly. The control panel has an emergency stop switch, timer circuitry and temperature indicator/limit circuitry. An adjustable stop assembly permits fine adjustment of the maximum distance between the lower and upper platens when the lower platen is raised.

Abstract: A method is provided for the real-time automatic determination of the approval status of a potential borrower of a loan. The method of acquiring information from the potential borrower includes the steps of (1) detecting the change in a data stream of a trunk link routed telephone call; (2) answering the call initiated by the potential borrower; (3) determining the DNIS; (4) choosing a proper lender script from a library; (5) starting the script, the script being a series of pre-recorded voice messages which are questions, statements and/or instructions; (6) receiving the DTMF tones transmitted by the telephone keypad button pressed by the caller in response to a question; (7) translating the tones into the numerical values; (8) storing the values in a data processor; (9) terminating the call; and, (10) resetting the system for the next call.