Abstract: A resilient seed firming attachment for a planting machine designed to effectively place seed at a consistent depth and at consistent spacing. The attachment may be of any geometrical configuration having a length adequate to firm the seed in the opened furrow and is mounted in a position trailing the discharge end of a seed boot. The resilience of the seed firming attachment being of sufficient force to pressure the seed into the soil at the desired planting depth, but flexible enough so as to not disturb the depth obtained by the furrow opening device.

Abstract: A heart pacemaker which is arranged to stimulate the apical area of the heart. Stimulation of this area provides synchronous mechanical contraction of the left and right ventricles and overcomes the problem of pacemaker induced left bundle branch block type conduction disturbance. The pacemaker has a base surface which conforms to the apical area of the heart and mounts a plurality of epicardial stimulating electrodes. Selection of electrodes can be made to provide the most clinically appropriate stimulation. An opposite side of the pacemaker is arranged to contact the diaphragm and is provided with sensing electrodes to sense activity of the diaphragm and adjust pacing of the heart in accordance with changes in physical activity of the patient. The electrodes used are preferably of capacitive construction, having first and second capacitive plates either side of a dielectric formed by the body of the pacemaker.

Abstract: In a washer-dispensing machine, a chute open at a lower end receives a stack of roofing washers of a type having a central aperture to receive a fastener shank and possibly having downwardly extending barbs. A shuttle engages a single washer from the stack, displaces the single washer to a separated position as the shuttle is moved from a displaced position to a normal position, and releases the single washer in the separated position as the shuttle next moves from the normal position to the displaced position. A known mechanism is employed for moving the shuttle between the displaced position and the normal position. A novel mechanism is mounted operatively to the chute for supporting the stack so as to prevent any of the washers in the stack from dropping through the lower end of the chute and for releasing the stack so as to permit a lowermost washer in the stack to drop through the lower end of the chute.

Abstract: A surgical stapler for effecting simultaneous cutting and stapling of tissue includes a frame and a staple cartridge positionable in the frame. The stapler includes a knife blade mounted for movement distally of the staple cartridge, with the cartridge including a rotatable member which cooperates with the knife blade for preventing use of the stapler unless it is fitted with a fresh, unused staple cartridge. The rotatable member on the staple cartridge is configured to facilitate convenient and efficient use of the stapler by reducing the force required for operation of the device.

Abstract: A lock for use with an associated toilet having a rim portion and a generally outwardly oriented, depending surface, and having a seat cover thereon includes a releasably engageable receiving member and locking member. The receiving member has a housing and a pivotably connected mounting member. The mounting member is mountable to the rim portion of the bowl on the depending surface thereof. The housing includes at least one lock receiving element therein. The releasably engageable locking member has an elongated cover retaining element and at least one biased locking element. The locking element includes a releasing member thereon for releasing the locking member from the lock receiving element.

Abstract: A system is provided for securing together a container having an opening and a finger-operable pump. One form of the system includes a mounting flange on the pump and a support structure in the container for receiving the flange in a snap-fit or press-fit engagement. In another form, the pump mounting flange is heat bonded to the container with a liner that includes at least two layers of a heat-weldable plastic around at least one interposed layer of substantially electrically conductive metal which can be heated with induction heating. The container can be threaded, and a threaded collar can be screwed onto the container. The collar can have an abutment surface for facing the pump actuator, and the collar can be screwed up or down on the container to establish a selected distance between the collar abutment surface and the pump actuator so as to define the stroke length of the pump.

Abstract: A gravity feed system for a merchandise dispenser such as a refrigerated cooler. This includes a plurality of downwardly inclined track assemblies that support a row of bottles by its neck flanges. The forwardmost bottle is prevented from exiting its track by a stop member. The stop member includes an opening whereby when the bottle is tilted toward the horizontal it can be removed from its track. The stop member also includes an arrangement for preventing tilting of the bottle when in its forwardmost position.

Abstract: A liquid filter having a quick-disconnect filter element mount includes a filter vessel having an inlet nozzle and an outlet nozzle. The vessel has a tube sheet which spans across at least a part of the vessel and defines an influent chamber in communication with the inlet nozzle and a filtrate chamber in communication with the outlet nozzle. A plurality of support core elements are connected to the tube sheet at a fixed end. A free end of the core elements extends into the influent chamber and includes a retaining barrel mounted to the free end. Filter elements, such as cartridge type elements which have a central opening therein are positioned on the core elements, against the tube sheet. The quick disconnect mount includes a post having a retaining body adapted to be releasably connected to the retaining barrel in the support core, to retain the filter element in place on the support core, in engagement with the tube sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hand-held unit (200) for cleaning smooth surfaces and for squeegeeing liquid. The hand-held unit is made up of a cleaning unit (230) with a handle (234) and a wiper plate (238) as well as of a squeegeeing unit (232) with a rear stop (252) of the squeegeeing unit (232). A handle (236) of the squeegeeing unit (232) can be pushed telescopically into a tubular handle (234) of the cleaning unit (230) until a stop edge (252) of the squeegeeing unit strikes against a front stop edge (242) of the wiper plate (238). The two units (230, 232) can be held, by at least one latching and/or frictionally locking connection, in the position in which they are pushed one inside the other to provide the hand-held unit (200), and can be released from one another by hand. Consequently, for the connection of the two units (230, 232), there is no need for any additional shaping or parts which obstruct the combined or separate handling of the units.

Abstract: A ferrite composition is created by adding a high Curie temperature ferrite, such as lithium ferrite, to a soft magnetic ferrite, such as magnesium manganese zinc ferrite. The composition is used in a microwave oven dish or laminate wrap to crisp or brown food by maintaining the food at a desired temperature during microwave operation. The high Curie temperature ferrite is preferably selected from the group consisting of lithium ferrite, nickel ferrite, copper ferrite, magnesium ferrite, strontium ferrite, barium ferrite, manganese ferrite, strontium zinc ferrite, barium zinc ferrite, and mixtures thereof. Additionally, the preferred process of making the new ferrite composition for use in microwave browning dishes includes the low-cost method of sintering raw materials in an air atmosphere. A browning plate including the ferrite compositions, and a microwave oven suitable for use with the browning plate are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various mechanisms, and a method of operating them, are provided for use in a surgical instrument. A shaft and an engaged lost motion operating knob are provided for rotation relative to a handle portion. A latch system prevents rotation of the shaft unless the shaft is rotated by means of the knob. A cartridge is provided for rotation at the distal end of the shaft. Engaging structures are provided for preventing rotation of the cartridge relative to the shaft when axial forces are applied to the cartridge. A loading tool is provided for engaging the cartridge to install the cartridge on the instrument. The cartridge includes a washer for engaging a carrier on which the cartridge is mounted so as to prevent rotation of the washer. The washer is adapted to engage a fastener advancing member in a first angular orientation and is disengaged when the cartridge is rotated to establish a second relative angular orientation.

Abstract: An elongate, flexible sensor for sensing an electrically conductive liquid, such as water, has two flexible electrodes extending along the sensor and two flexible sleeves extending therealong and being attached adhesively to each other along the sensor. Each electrode is a ribbon made from a carbon-filled, silicone rubber material. Each sleeve extends around an associated one of the electrodes and is braided from a filamentary, polyester material so as to define multiple apertures enabling such a liquid reaching the sensor to pass through the sleeves so as to cause a short circuit between the electrodes.

Abstract: A reloadable film canister system provides light-tight and dust-free enclosure for 105 mm microfilm and the like. A gear-toothed reel inside the canister meshes with a gear assembly of the canister and linearly drives a detectable element adjacent a sensing element located in a host machine.

Abstract: The firefighter's garment of the invention comprises an inner liner attached to and located within an outer shell of abrasion resistant material. The inner liner consists of a layer of a thermally insulating material attached to a layer of moisture resistant material along a plurality of seams that extend around the periphery of the liner such that the area enclosed by the layers is completely enclosed. A plurality of releasable fasteners are positioned at desired locations in the garment, preferably in the seams, to allow the firefighter to visually inspect the area enclosed by the moisture resistant layer and the thermally insulating layer.

Abstract: A support beam for a storage rack has a tubular profile, which defines a ledge opening upwardly and inwardly, and which defines a generally flat, indicia-receiving surface facing outwardly and either downwardly or upwardly at an angle from about 20.degree. to about 70.degree. relative to a vertical plane. Alternatively, the tubular profile may define two such surfaces defining an obtuse angle relative to each other, namely an upper surface at an angle from about 20.degree. to about 45.degree. relative thereto and a lower surface at an angle from about 45.degree. to about 70.degree. relative thereto, or a generally arcuate, indicia-receiving surface having a suitable measurement. The indicia-receiving surface enables a person who is standing, or who is sitting on a lift truck, to have a generally perpendicular line of sight to such surface. The support beam may also be used in combination with a properly positioned fire extinguishing device to extinguish a fire in a supported load.