Abstract: A prosthetic nail that is intended as a replacement or substitute for an injured or diseased nail for the digits on a hand or foot. Each embodiment of the invention generally consists of three main components: (1) a generally smooth and slightly curved plate having a rear edge that is adapted to be partially buried within the eponychial fold of a digit, somewhat like the proximal portion of a natural nail is buried; (2) an anchor member connected to the plate near the forward edge theeof and serving to anchor the forward part of the plate against unwanted movement with respect to the distal phalangeal bone; and (3) some means for preventing lateral movement of the plate with respect to the bone. Several versions of frontal anchor members are shown, and all versions share a characteristic of having at least some space into which the patient's tissue may be positioned for "mechanically" locking the prosthetic nail to the digit.

Abstract: A shock absorber for the pumping unit of an oil well, adapted to be placed between the walking beam and a string of sucker rods in the borehole. The shock absorber has a tubular body of steel (or an equivalent structural material) having a closed top and an open bottom. A circular top on the tubular body has a central opening through which the polished rod is adapted to pass; and a rod clamp is affixed to the polished rod--above the tubular body. A plurality of elastomeric discs, typically four or five, are positioned in a stack within the tubular body; and each disc has an external diameter which is slightly less than the internal diameter of the tubular body. The plurality of elastomeric discs rest on top of a rigid circular plate having an OD smaller than the ID of the tubular body; and the circular plate, in turn, rests on top of a rigid spool.

Abstract: A light-weight brace adapted to be affixed externally of a patient's leg so that it lies partly above and partly below the person's knee. The apparatus includes first and second flexible sheets of cushioned material which are adapted to be snugly wrapped around the thigh and calf. The width of each of the flexible sheets is sufficient to circumferentially envelope at least most, and preferably all, of its associated leg member; and the length of each sheet is sufficient to encompass at least half of the length of the respective leg member. A preferred cushioning material is a sheet of polyurethane foam (about 9 mm thick) bonded to a sheet of pile-type material having sufficient "nap" to serve as an anchor for resilient hooks of the Velcro type. Also provided are first and second pairs of elongated braces, which braces are relatively stiff so as to resist both torsion and bending loads. The pairs of elongated braces are adapted to lie on opposite sides of the wearer's thigh and calf.

Abstract: A vending apparatus for dispensing a controlled amount of material upon deposit of a prescribed coin. A high reservoir contains material such as candy or the like in suitable holders such as size-V plastic capsules. A coin-operated device, preferably including a coin slide mechanism, is manually operated by a customer. When the slide is pushed in and pulled out by the customer, he contributes energy to the apparatus which is utilized in dispensing the material in an amusing way. In one embodiment, the act of moving the coin slide causes a relatively heavy steel ball to be elevated to a position where it engages a transportation device such as a simulated coal car or bulldozer. The transportation device carries the plastic capsule from a loading station (immediately below the reservoir) to an unloading station some distance away--where the capsule is dumped into a dispensing chute to be received by the customer.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for re-claiming used or damaged tube turns and rendering them equivalent to new tube turns with correctly oriented openings. A salvaged tube turn is temporarily fixed to a platform in a position such that the longitudinal axis of one of tube turn ends is approximately perpendicular to the plane of an adjacent circular track. The platform is moved so that the opening of the tube turn end is near the circular track. The circular track is then accurately centered with respect to the opening by use of a spider or the like which is temporarily fixed to the center of the track. Either the spider (and track) or the tube turn is moved so that the spider engages the interior of the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a scope on a rifle without the necessity of drilling or tapping any holes in the rifle receiver. A small removable plate has a configuration which permits it to be inserted into a prepared recess along the side of the rifle. The plate has front and rear edges which are appropriately shaped and sized so as to be inserted into confronting grooves which coincide generally with the front and rear boundaries of the prepared recess. The plate is configured so as to abut a rigid portion of the rifle (e.g., a top portion of the receiver) in order that there will be a limitation on its upward movement. The plate has threads which are accessible from the outer surface of the plate; preferably, these threads are female threads in a central bore which extends through the plate. A base for holding a scope is selectively mountable on the plate, so that the scope will be essentially parallel to the bore of the rifle.