Abstract: A towing head is provided including three primary members. The first member is stationary and includes a channel which receives the tow pin or towing fitting of an aircraft. The second member pivotally attaches to the first member and itself includes a channel which communicates with the channel of the first member. The third member rotatably attaches to the second member and includes a handle for which to place the towing head in either a locked, partially locked, or unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the second member is moved away from interfering with the channel of the first member so that the tow pin or fitting may be freely inserted or removed from within the channel of the first member. In the locked position, the second member is moved to a position so that it interferes with the channel of the first member and prevents the tow pin from being removed from the towing head.

Abstract: An improved faucet assembly is provided which includes a standard valve assembly used in basic plumbing systems, and a spout which communicates with the valve assembly to deliver water to a desired area. The valve assembly includes a valve stem which serves as the means by which the flow of water through the valve assembly is controlled. A simplified knob or handle attaches to the valve stem by means of a spring member which minimizes rotational and longitudinal movement of the knob or handle with respect to the valve stem. The spring member may either be a D-shaped spring, or a flat spring, depending upon the specific type of movement which must be restricted with respect to movement between the knob or handle and the valve stem. The use of the spring member and the simplified knob or handle results in a compression or friction type attachment.

Abstract: A sterile enclosure is provided having a body portion for encapsulating one or more video monitors used for viewing one or more surgical areas in a sterile operating field. The enclosure may be flexible or rigid and have one or more cable drapes extending from the body to cover one or more cables associated with the video monitor. In some embodiments, the body is flexible. In another embodiment, the body is rigid. The body is transparent in at least an area for viewing the screen of the video monitor and is substantially impervious to liquid and gas. A vacuum line may be connected to the body portion to evacuate air therefrom. An air vent filter may be used in conjunction with the vacuum line to allow air to flow through the sterile enclosure thus cooling the video monitor therein.

Abstract: A pet toy product for holding one or more animal treats has a body member having an outer surface with one or more recesses for removably holding one or more animal treats. The recesses may be of varying depth so that the treats in the deeper recesses are more difficult for the animal to extract than are the treats in the shallower recesses. The recesses may be circular, triangular, irregular, in the form of a groove or any other suitable configuration. The outer surface of the toy may be raised to accommodate the recesses or the recesses may extend into the surface. The pet toy may have recesses forming openings which extend through the side wall of the pet toy product for receiving treats. With the structure recited, the pet owner can replenish the treats as often as necessary to maintain the pet's interest in the toy. Different treats can be provided with different nutritional values and tastes.

Abstract: A reduced area imaging device is provided for use in medical or dental instruments such as an endoscope. In one configuration of the imaging device, the image sensor is placed remote from the remaining circuitry. In another configuration, all of the circuitry to include the image sensor is placed in a stacked fashion at the same location. In a first embodiment of the invention, the entire imaging device can be placed at the distal tip of an endoscope. In a second embodiment, the image sensor is remote from the remaining circuitry according to the first configuration, and wherein a control box can be provided which communicates with the image sensor and is placed remotely from the endoscope. In yet another embodiment, the imaging device can be incorporated in the housing of a standard medical camera which is adapted for use with traditional rod lens endoscopes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for measuring the concentration of gases that are unstable or difficult contain in a sample cell. A frequency modulated laser is tuned to the frequency of a first spectral feature of a gas of interest and a laser beam is projected through a reference cell containing, at a selected pressure, a selected second gas that has a second spectral feature near the first spectral feature of the gas of interest. The laser is line-locked to an outer zero crossing of a third harmonic of the detected laser beam coincident with the first spectral feature. The concentration of the gas of interest is calculated from a second harmonic of a portion of the laser beam projected through a transmission medium containing the gas.

Abstract: A combine rotor assembly and method of using the same are provided. The rotor assembly is characterized by a cylindrical drum having an outer peripheral surface. A plurality of helical or spiral shaped threshing groups are attached to the outer peripheral surface and extend substantially the length of the drum. Each of the curved threshing members making up a helical group are placed end to end resulting in a continuous and uninterrupted spiral or helical pattern. A plurality of straight threshing members are attached to the outer peripheral of the drum. The straight threshing members are interspersed between the helical or spiral groups in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows. The rows may be arranged in alternating fashion resulting in a staggered appearance.

Abstract: A floatable pet toy including a hollow deformable body with a buoyant material, such as a closed cell foam, inside of the body. The buoyant material increases the pet toy's buoyancy and resistance to deformation for durability. A rope may be attached to the body. In a second embodiment, the body may be elongated, made from elastomeric material, and substantially filled with a closed cell foam insert. This insert has a rope running longitudinally through its center and through an opening in a second end of the body. In a further embodiment, the body may be made from a flexible material, such as canvas or plastic. In a still further embodiment, the buoyant material may be injected into a sealed hollow deformable body for increased buoyancy and durability.

Abstract: The tooth extraction device includes a pair of handle members with opposing jaws and a force limiting spring or biasing member interconnecting the handle members to provide an adjustable and selective force to be applied to a targeted tooth. A pin is mounted between the handle members and may be positioned so that more or less clamping force is exerted upon the tooth. The jaws of the handle members have contacting surfaces which surround a concave or recessed area, and the jaws have a curved shape enabling the jaws to effectively grasp teeth of different sizes and at different locations in the mouth. The method of the invention includes the steps of preselecting a desired amount of clamping force to be applied to the targeted tooth by choosing a first set point, engaging the tooth with the extraction device and, if desired, adjusting the amount of force applied to the tooth by selecting a different set point reflective of a different amount of clamping force.

Abstract: An ultraviolet air sterilization device includes a housing and one or more mounts which connect to germicidal lamp units which protrude into the air stream of an air handling duct. Each lamp has an integral receptacle with an electrical connection for attachment to a source of power from within the housing. The receptacle/lamp combination provides stiffening reinforcement to the lamp. The receptacles connect to their corresponding mounts by means of a threaded connection which enables the lamp units to be easily removed from within the air handling duct.

Abstract: An improved snowshoe is provided which includes a unitary molded planar platform and a peripheral curved lip extending away from the platform. Integral with the underside of the platform is a plurality of stiffening ribs to provide support to the platform. Retaining straps are provided for securing a wearer's foot to the snowshoe platform. A plurality of slots are formed through the platform which enables snow trapped on the surface of the platform to fall therethrough. In a first embodiment, the slots also serve as anchor points for selective placement of the retaining straps and selective positioning of the foot on the platform. Based upon the wearer's desire, the straps may be arranged in a number of different combinations and selectively adjusted to accommodate the particular type of foot gear worn. A second embodiment enables the platform to receive either a cross-country ski binding or a snowboard binding. A third embodiment discloses a snowshoe adapted for use by children.

Abstract: A sterile enclosure is provided having a body portion for encapsulating one or more monitor modules used for viewing one or more surgical areas in a sterile operating field. The video monitor can be very thin and lightweight monitor modules. The sterile enclosure may be flexible or rigid and have one or more cable drapes extending from the body to cover one or more cables associated with the video monitor. In some embodiments, the body is flexible. In another embodiment, the body is rigid. The body is transparent in at least an area for viewing the screen of the video monitor and is substantially impervious to liquid and gas. A vacuum line may be connected to the body portion to evacuate air therefrom. The video monitor may be controlled by controls located on the monitor, or may be controlled by voice activation or by a remote video control system. During use, the monitor module may be placed on or adjacent to the patient.

Abstract: A jet aircraft engine transport apparatus utilizes three major subcomponents. The first subcomponent is a shipping stand which enables a jet aircraft engine to be configured for transport in either a truck transport mode or air transport mode. The second subcomponent is a fan dolly which releasably secures the fan section of the jet aircraft engine for transport. The fan dolly serves the dual purpose of enabling removal of the fan section from the jet aircraft engine and providing a means of transport so that the fan section may be transported on the fan dolly or loaded onto a fan shipping frame, the third major subcomponent of the transport apparatus of this invention. The fan shipping frame enables transport of the fan section in either an upright or horizontal position, and further provides for a fan storage container for securing the fan blades of the fan section.

Abstract: A threaded coupling assembly is provided for interconnecting the ends of first and second fluid-carrying conduit members in fixed releasably locking relationship. First and second coupling members are circumferentially engageable with the ends of the conduit members to hold them in fluid communication. The coupling members are rotatable in a locking direction and in an opposite unlocking direction. The first coupling member has a peripheral facing surface with a pair of annular slots, each of a different length and width. The second coupling member has a lock ring longitudinally slidable thereon with a facing surface having a pair of annular raised locking tabs. Each locking tab is of a predetermined height but of a different length and width which corresponds to the respective length and width of the annular slots.

Abstract: The ball lift device includes an improved track structure for stabilizing a bowling ball along a path of travel or guide path as it is lifted within the device. The device includes a means for lifting the ball by use of a pair of rotating V wheels and a drive means which rotates the V wheels through a drive belt which is driven by a motor. The V wheels are housed within a frame which has an entrance point for receiving the bowling ball to be lifted, and an exit point which ejects the bowling ball at a specified height. A guide support or single track structure defines the path of travel in which the ball is lifted through the device. The guide support includes a guide support bracket and a wear strip mounted over the bracket. A pair of side wear strips extend along the path of travel and are positioned so as to laterally stabilize the bowling ball as it is lifted along the guide support.

Abstract: A pet toy has an elongated hollow body extending along a longitudinal axis with first and second spaced bulbous sections, each having a side wall of substantially constant cross-section throughout. The first and second sections each include respective first and second openings defining respective first and second diameters. A center section has an inner surface forming a center opening of a third diameter which is less than at least one of the first and second diameters. The center section interconnects the first and second bulbous sections. A plurality of longitudinally spaced annular ribs extend around the periphery of the bulbous sections forming grooves to facilitate an animal gripping the toy with its teeth. At least one of the bulbous ends has an opening with a diameter greater than the diameter of the center section so that a knot of a pull rope extending through the center of the pet toy will pass through the opening in the bulbous section but will not pass through the center section.