Abstract: A board is provided particularly for supporting a front of a snow vehicle. The board is provided alone as a single board for a forward portion of the snow vehicle with the board capable of floating upon soft snow. The board includes a mounting bracket on an upper surface for mounting to a chassis of the snow vehicle. The running surface opposite the upper surface floats the board upon the snow or other support surface and preferably includes a central fin and a pair of skegs extending down from the running surface. Side edges of the board can engage the snow to allow turns to be carved by the snow vehicle. The central fin can be adjusted in position and depth and has various different configurations to provide optimal steering control of the snow vehicle through the board.

Abstract: A variable volume of solar heated water is stored in an insulated indoor tank. The hot water is indirectly pressurized by incoming cold water, which is accumulated separately to maintain a constant total volume without mixing. A small reduction in the total pressure of hot water is maintained, so that water can flow through a solar heat collector and into hot storage without pumps. In one preferred embodiment, the incoming cold water is accumulated in a tank (8) located above an insulated hot water tank (14). The tanks share a volume of compressed air, which freely passes through a pipe (12) connected between the tops of the two tanks. The transfer of compressed air permits incoming cold water to pressurize and displace hot water without mixing or heat loss. A control valve (24) is opened during sunny hours to permit flow from the upper tank (8), through a solar heat receiver (30), and into the lower tank (14).

Abstract: A kit and a method are provided for modifying an automatic transmission such as a turbo-400 hydromatic transmission. Before modification the automatic transmission couples an engine crankshaft 4 to a forward clutch drum assembly 3 through a fluid coupling such as a torque converter. This kit provides a lockup shaft 10 selectively coupleable between the engine crankshaft 4 and the forward clutch drum assembly 3. As modified, the forward clutch drum assembly 3 can be selectively driven either off of the torque converter turbine 32 or off of the lockup shaft 10 coupled mechanically to the engine crankshaft 4. The lockup shaft 10 extends through intervening structures from the crankshaft 4 out to the modified forward clutch drum assembly 3 where it connects to a lockup hub 20. A drive tube 30 of hollow cylindrical construction surrounds the lockup shaft 10 and is secured to the torque converter turbine 32 within the torque converter housing 8 which is driven by the torque converter pump 9.

Abstract: An incision device 10 is provided for precisely initiating and controlling the depth of an incision I in an artery A, such as a coronary artery A of a heart H, particularly while the heart H is beating. A handle 12 is provided for grasping by a surgeon and from which an arm 40 adjustably extends. A blade 70 is located at a free end 44 of the arm 40. A front depth control pin 80 and a rear depth control pin 90 are oriented parallel to each other and perpendicular to a plane in which the arm 40 and handle 12 are oriented and perpendicular to a cutting plane in which the cutting edge 74 of the blade 70 is oriented. The two depth control pins 80,90 together define a depth control plane with the cutting edge 74 of the blade 70 extending below the depth control plane to a desired maximum depth. The blade 70 is spaced sufficiently away from the front depth control pin 80 that the front depth control pin 80 can be located adjacent the artery A before the incision I is initiated.

Abstract: A note pad dispenser arranged to selectively lift a single web of an underlying note pad is provided, with the note pad having a reusable adhesive strip of each leaf of the note pad, with each adhesive strip arranged in a superimposed orientation relative to one another in the stack of leaves of the pad. A base member is arranged with a base member top wall pivotally mounting a platform. The platform is constructed with a platform top wall spaced from a platform bottom wall arranged in a facing relationship relative to the base top wall and pivotally mounted relative thereto. The platform includes an abutment member arranged to accommodate a stack of individual leaves to define a pad, with each of the leaves having an adhesive strip arranged in an aligned relationship relative to one another relative to the pad, with the adhesive strips positioned at a forward end of the pad, and the forward end of the pad in abutment with the abutment member.

Abstract: A system for securing flexible sheeting material S to a series of interconnected frame elements 60 is provided. Multiple frame elements 60 are secured together, such as through end joints 70. The frame elements 60 generally define an enclosure 80 or other structure which is to be enclosed by sheeting S. The sheeting S is then draped over the frame elements 60 until the sheeting S has the desired configuration overlying the frame elements 60. Clamps 10 are then utilized to secure the sheeting S to the frame elements 60. The clamps 10 are "C-shaped" in cross-section and are sized with an interior region 18 thereof similar to a diameter of a cylindrical surface 64 of the frame elements 60. The clamps 10 are sufficiently resilient that the clamps 10 can be flexed to allow the frame elements 60 to pass into and reside within the interior region 18 with the sheeting S interposed between the frame element 60 and the clamp 10.

Abstract: A ratchet screw driver 10 is provided which has a handle 20 secured to a primary shaft 40, which in turn is secured to a ratchet housing 50. The ratchet housing 50 selectively supports a secondary shaft 140 which supports driver tips 170 thereon. A switch 120 provides for selective operation of the ratchet screw driver 10 to operate only in a clockwise direction, only in a counterclockwise direction, or in a neutral position which operates in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The switch interacts with the ratchet mechanism in a manner such that toggling of the switch in a clockwise direction configures the ratchet screw driver 10 to then be utilizable in a clockwise direction. Toggling of the switch 120 in a counterclockwise direction causes the ratchet screw driver 10 to then be utilizable in a counterclockwise direction. The ratchet housing 50 includes a left pawl 100 and right pawl 110 supported upon a left shelf 70 and right shelf 80 within the ratchet housing 50.

Abstract: A method for polishing radially expandable surgical stents is disclosed where fluid abrasive media M flows over surfaces of the stent 10 causing the surfaces of the stent 10 to be polished and streamlined. The stent 10 is temporarily provided with cylindrical support ends 20, which are not radially expandable to support the stent 10 during the polishing process. An interior polishing fixture 100 is provided which has cylindrical chambers 135 therein adapted to receive a stent 10 therein. Fluid abrasive media M then flows into bores 108 in the fixture 100 leading to the cylindrical chambers 135 and adjacent the inner diameter surfaces of the stent 10. Surfaces of the stent 10 forming the outer diameter are polished by placing the stent 10 within an exterior polishing fixture 200 which has a cylindrical recess 220 therein.

Abstract: A removable steering wheel cover 10 is provided which can be securely attached surrounding a steering wheel 2 of a vehicle. The steering wheel cover 10 is formed from an inner layer 30 and an outer layer 20 both formed from flexible fabric and with a core 40 of foam material interposed there between. A first elastic loop 50 and second loop 60 are oriented within a forward casing 25 and a rearward casing 27, respectively, within the steering wheel cover 10. A plurality of stationary tabs 70 are secured to the inner layer 30. A plurality of pivoting tabs 80 are oriented adjacent the forward casing 25 in a location such that they can be folded back onto the stationary tab 70 with the pivoting tabs 80 attaching to the stationary tabs 70. The pivoting tabs 80 overlap the stationary tabs 70 in a manner causing the forward casing 25 and rearward casing 27 to abut each other and to cause the steering wheel cover 10 to completely surround the steering wheel 2.

Abstract: Radiopaque marker elements for attachment to ends of a radially expandable surgical stent are disclosed. Each radiopaque marker element is homogeneously formed from a radiopaque material and attached through an attachment means to ends of the stent. The radiopaque marker elements enhance the visibility of the stent when the stent is viewed with a medical imaging device, such as a fluoroscope. The marker elements extend beyond ends of the stent. The marker elements are attached to the stent before radial expansion and are configured to radially expand along with the stent during surgical implantation thereof within a body lumen, such as an artery. The radiopaque marker elements can either be attached to an unmodified radially expandable surgical stent or to a prepped stent which includes receivers at ends of the stent particularly configured to attach to the radiopaque marker elements.

Abstract: A non-opposed surgical reduction clamp 10 is provided which has a drill guide 40 integrally formed with a guide leg 20 of the reduction clamp 10. The reduction clamp 10 also includes a reference leg 50 pivotably connected to the guide leg 20 through a pivot 70. The reference leg 50 includes a sharpened tip 57 at a tip thereof which can penetrate into a surface of a bone somewhat to prevent slippage of the reference leg 50. The drill guide 40 has an inner cylindrical surface 44 to provide an alignment axis Z for location of bone fixation structures, such as K-wire, pins or screws for reattachment and fixation of fractured bone fragments. Alignment axis Z of the drill guide 40 is in a common plane with the sharpened tip 57 of the reference leg 50, but extends beyond the sharpened tip 57 of the reference leg 50.

Abstract: A surgical stent 10 is provided which is formed of a plurality of stent segments 40 having a streamlined contour. Each stent segment 40 includes an outer surface 42 spaced from an inner surface 44. The inner surface 44 is bordered by inner edges 54, 56 and the outer surface 42 is bordered by outer edges 50, 52. The outer edges 50, 52 have a contour defined by outer curves 64, 66 and the inner edges 54, 56 have a contour defined by inner curves 60, 62. Radii of curvature for the inner curves 70, 72 are greater than radii of curvature for the outer curves 64, 66. The inner surface 44 is thus streamlined for passage of blood/bodily fluid B adjacent the inner surface 44 and the outer surface 42 is particularly configured for maximum adherence without irritation to an inner surface S of a body lumen L, such as an artery.

Abstract: Five embodiments of Pollution-Free, Efficient, Large Scale Electrical Power Generation Systems, using thermal energy are illustrated herein. Each embodiment is composed of subsystems and/or individual elements which tailor each system to an operating environment that requires different implementation modes or applications.Also illustrated are two embodiments configured to adapt smaller scale power plants to applications such as platform mounted portable power applications, large vehicle propulsion, and other applications.Also illustrated is an embodiment configured to produce high quality fluid at controlled pressures and temperatures as required by a wide range of industrial applications.

Abstract: A gas generator is provided for generating gas including steam and carbon dioxide from the combustion of a hydrocarbon gas with oxygen. The gas generator includes an enclosure with an induction head (201) having an oxygen inlet and a fuel inlet therein, an adapter block (202) to which the induction head (201) attaches and a mixing chamber (203) to which the adapter block (202) is attached. The fuel and oxygen enter the enclosure by first passing through the induction head (201). A start up igniter (210) is located within the induction head (201) to ignite the fuel and oxygen mixture within the enclosure. The adapter block (202) includes a shroud extending away from the induction head (201) and which defines a combustion chamber within the enclosure. The fuel and oxygen mixture is combusted within the combustion chamber before passing out of the shroud of the adapter block (202) and into the mixing chamber (203).

Abstract: A collapsible plant shelter is provided which can be readily erected into a cylindrical form of either elliptical or polygonal cross section and readily collapsed into a substantially flat contour for storage. To erect the shelter, the film is provided in a rectangular planar sheet and then rolled into a cylinder. The film is maintained in its cylindrical form by inserting it within a flexible sleeve. The film has sufficient resiliency that it maintains an elliptical cross section when held within the flexible outer sleeve. The sleeve and film are both formed of at least partially transparent material to allow some light to pass through the sleeve and film and into the shelter. To collapse the shelter, the film is merely removed from within the sleeve and allowed to return to its planar orientation.

Abstract: A low or no pollution engine is provided for delivering power for vehicles or other power applications. The engine has an air inlet which collects air from a surrounding environment. The air is compressed through multiple stages of compression with intercoolers between the compressors. The air is then purged of any constituents which have a relatively high freezing point in a scrubber and then expanded in a turboexpander which causes the air to be cooled down to near air liquifaction temperatures. The air is then passed through a rectifier, where nitrogen is removed from the air. The remaining air is substantially entirely oxygen, which is then compressed and routed to a gas generator. The gas generator has an igniter and inputs for the high pressure oxygen and a high pressure hydrogen containing fuel, such as hydrogen or methane. The fuel and oxygen are combusted within the gas generator, forming water and possibly carbon dioxide.