Abstract: A tri-core solenoid includes first, second and third core segments. The first and second core segments mate to form a low reluctance mating interconnect. The low reluctance mating interconnect includes, in one example, overlapping regions of the first and second core segments that form a joint surface area substantially in the same plane as the flow of flux through the first and second core segments. The third core segment, such as a plunger or armature, is slideably received in an aperture defined by the first and second core segments. The first core segment includes an end portion preferably having a first pole face that mates with a second pole face on the third core segment. The second core segment has a receiving region, such as a journal or bushing, that slideably receives the third core segment and forms a journal air gap therebetween.

Abstract: A personnel and equipment shield which includes at least one partition including a frame and a substantially rigid, high-power laser beam absorption panel affixed to the frame is provided. Each frame includes a base section upon which the barrier stands. In the preferred embodiment, the rigid laser beam absorption panels are a textured, laser absorption material, such as EVER-GUARD.TM. laser barrier material. In the preferred embodiment, the portable, self-supporting laser containment barrier is made up of at least two partitions, which are hingably attached to each other at adjacent sides thereof. Thus, the portable, self-supporting laser containment barrier can be set up in any number of positions. Finally, the base section of each partition may include rollers or casters to facilitate the positioning of the laser barrier as a whole or the positioning of the individual partitions with respect to each other.

Abstract: A universal driving and setting tool is used to drive and set an anchor, such as a concrete anchor, having an anchor sleeve and an anchor slug positioned within a bore formed in the anchor sleeve. The driving and setting tool includes an attachment that fits over standard drill bits used in a hammer drill for drilling a hole in a substrate, such as concrete, in which the anchor is set. The attachment engages an end of the drill bit and can fit over drill bits having different lengths and having shanks of different shapes. The driving and setting tool also includes a reversible adapter that is positioned in the attachment in either a first or second position. In a first position, an anchor sleeve hammering portion on the reversible adapter faces outwardly to hammer the anchor sleeve into the hole within the substrate.

Abstract: A load securing device is used with a support bar to secure a load, for example, in a truck trailer. The load securing device includes a load abutting member that abuts against a side of the load. A mounting member is coupled to the load abutting member for removably and adjustably mounting to the support bar. The mounting member includes an open region for receiving the support bar and having a notch on a bottom portion thereof for engaging the support bar. A spring member is coupled to the mounting member proximate the open region and is biased against the support rod when the support rod is received in the open region. The spring member includes a support bar receiving region for receiving the support bar opposite the notch in the bottom portion of the open region. The load abutting member is preferably angled with respect to the mounting member such that the spring member and the mounting member provide a self-locking mechanism.

Abstract: A bedside swivel device is presently disclosed for assisting individuals with physical impairments to maneuver themselves in and out of bed. The bedside swivel device is a swivel socket attached to the side of the bed and is constructed to accommodate various other structures that may be utilized by a physically impaired individual, without the need to take up indispensable floor space that is needed by the wheelchair bound individuals. Such structures include a crane, tables, drawers, sinks, televisions, and the like. Further, the swivel socket and crane combination can be utilized without the need for electricity or any backup power source. Another feature utilizes the disabled individual's physical abilities to the maximum extent possible thereby increasing the individual's health and rate of rehabilitation. In another instance, a power backup source can be supplied with the assembly.

Abstract: A method of making an article from a lightweight cementitious composition includes molding a castable cementitious mixture including an aqueous slurry of at least perlite and concrete into an article, such as a hollow, decorative article. The castable cementitious mixture can include a fibrous material, for reinforcing the cement and perlite, and an air entraining agent, for facilitating mixability and reducing a density of the cementitious mixture and facilitating casting. The mold can include an external mold form that contains the cementitious mixture and an internal mold form that displaces the cementitious mixture within the external mold form to cast the hollow article in various shapes and with various surface textures. The external and internal mold forms include liners made of a lightweight flexible material that can be removed, unfolded, and prepared and/or cleaned.

Abstract: An intubation device is used to intubate a body passageway or cavity, such as the maxillary sinus, by ventilating, draining, irrigating, medicating or otherwise treating the body cavity. The intubation device includes a flexible tube, for providing access to the cavity, and an anchoring member disposed at a distal end of the flexible tube, for anchoring the tube to a region of the cavity. The tube includes a curved portion proximate the distal end, and the anchoring member includes one or more flanges extending from the distal end. The curved portion of the tube and one of the flanges form a receiving region adapted to receive and conform to a wall in the body cavity, such as the wall of the maxillary sinus. The method of nasal intubation includes inserting the anchoring member and distal end of the tube through a hole formed in the wall of the maxillary sinus.

Abstract: The solenoid assembly comprises a frame having first and second sides with respective first and second frame apertures extending through the first and second sides. A coil assembly having a first end, a second end and a cavity extending between the first end and the second end. The coil assembly is received in the frame such that the cavity is substantially aligned with the first frame aperture. A plunger is slideably received through the first frame aperture in the frame and into the cavity of the coil assembly. A stop is engaged with an inner surface of the first frame aperture to secure the coil assembly in the frame such that the stop mates with a mating pole face of the plunger. A biasing member, such as a spring, can be positioned between the plunger and the stop, for biasing the plunger toward a de-energized position.

Abstract: A gripping device is used to grip and remove a relatively small item or particle from a larger object, such as a tick or other parasite attached to an animal or human, a fruit stem, or a sliver or splinter. The gripping device includes first and second opposing members coupled at a proximal end, for example, by an integral hinge. A gripping region is formed between the distal ends of the first and second opposing members. The first opposing member has a larger surface area and preferably a substantially circular shape adapted to be easily held by the hand of a user. The second opposing member has an arcuate shape at the distal end such that the relatively small particle is more easily disposed within the gripping region formed by the distal ends. The first and second opposing members are preferably made of one piece, for example, from a metal, plastic, or other suitable material.

Abstract: A roll splicing system and method is used to splice a new roll to an expiring roll of material. Each roll includes an adhesive region disposed proximate a trailing end of the strip of material rolled around a core region of the roll. As an expiring roll expires or unrolls, the adhesive region is exposed and adheres to an adhesive adherable region on the leading end of a new roll that is rotating against the expiring roll in an opposing direction. The leading end of the new roll is thereby effectively spliced to the trailing end of the expiring roll. A trailing non-adherable region is disposed opposite the adhesive region so that the trailing non-adherable region contacts the adhesive region when rolled and prevents the strip of material from sticking to the adhesive region. The roll splicing system and method can be used to splice strips of material having adherable surfaces on both sides or having a non-adherable surface, such as a silicone coating, on one side of the strip of material.

Abstract: A stent deployment system includes a delivery catheter, a dilation balloon disposed at the distal end of the delivery catheter, and a stent deployment mechanism disposed at a predetermined distance from the dilation balloon. The delivery catheter includes a plurality of markers at the proximal end that are used to gauge the movement of the delivery catheter and to align the dilation balloon and stent deployment mechanism with a target region in a vessel, such as a lesion or blocked region. The stent deployment method includes introducing the delivery catheter into the vessel until the dilation balloon is aligned with the target region, and inflating the dilation balloon to predilate the target region. The delivery catheter is then advanced until the stent deployment mechanism is aligned with the predilated target region using the markers on the proximal end of the delivery catheter.

Abstract: An asphalt roofing material recycling system and method is used to recycle asphalt materials, such as asphalt shingles and tar paper that include granules, fibers or other particles. The asphalt material is simultaneously heated and milled in a heated milling apparatus, such as a heated ball mill, to reduce the asphalt material granules to a fine mesh in suspension in liquid asphalt. Excess moisture is removed from the asphalt material being recycled, either during heating and milling by continuously venting the heated milling apparatus, or before the heating and milling in a drying apparatus. The heated milling apparatus preferably includes a rotatable milling vessel rotated at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal plane and having an opening that provides continuous venting. The rotatable milling vessel includes a plurality of mixing members, such as rods or paddles, extending from an interior surface and preferably arranged in a helical pattern to force the asphalt material away from the opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of identity verification. Specifically, the invention is directed to a device and method for facilitating signature-less financial transactions as an improvement over common, prior art check-based financial transactions. This system and method provides the ability to use a check as a form of payment at a point of use without having to use the signed check as the binding document that is processed through the financial system to obtain payment by the entity rendering the service. The system and method comprises reading a hardcopy check via an electronic scanner, correlating the account number to a biometric or other piece of data that would positively identify the person tendering the check and using the biometric or other data to confirm the identity of the person tendering the check. This data is then associated with an auditable record of the person who performed the biometric or other data comparison.

Abstract: A motorized tool allows one or more operations to be performed on a workpiece, such as cutting and/or conditioning a surface of a pipe or a pipe fitting or receptacle. The motorized tool includes a cutter and/or one or more rotatably driven accessories, such as workpiece surface conditioners or brushes. The motorized tool further includes a drive mechanism used to rotate the workpiece against the cutter and to rotate the rotatably driven accessories. In one example, the drive mechanism rotates drive rollers that contact a workpiece and rotates the workpiece against a cutting element or edge of the cutter. In another example, the motorized tool includes an internal workpiece surface conditioner and an external workpiece surface conditioner that are also rotated by the drive mechanism to clean, debur or otherwise condition internal and external workpiece surfaces. The motorized tool can be hand-held or hand-operated and includes opposing pivotable members having handle portions.