Abstract: A support framework for an umbrella-type tent, the tent including a fabric tent shell suspended from the support framework. The top and center hubs for the support framework are fabricated from a suitable material so as to provide increased strength to the top hub and the center hub. The fabric tent shell is tethered to the support framework to limit slippage of the fabric tent shell down the tent poles. The tent poles are segmented so as to provide foldable tent poles. A bungee cord keeper system is incorporated into the upper coupling for the segmented tent pole.

Abstract: A receptacle for the safe storage and disposal of used cutting blades, the receptacle being configured as a closed receptacle having an insert slot at opposite ends for the insertion of the used cutting blades into the receptacle. Each insert slot includes an angled guide for guiding the used cutting blade toward the insert slot. Interiorly, the angled guides act as detents inside the closed receptacle to inhibit the inadvertent dislodgement of the used cutting blade outwardly through the adjacent insert slot. The top wall of the receptacle is angled inwardly into the receptacle to serve as a deflector to prevent a used cutting blade from passing directly from one insert slot to the other insert slot. The receptacle is configured to be belt mounted or to be releasably secured to a toolbox, wall, or the like. The receptacle is also configured to be readily disposable when filled with used cutting blades.

Abstract: A foldable shopping bag support apparatus and method for removably supporting a shopping bag on the wheelchair. A mounting sleeve is telescopically mounted to the armrest of the wheelchair. A backstop is removably secured to the mounting sleeve and is braced against the frame of the wheelchair. A shopping bag support frame is pivotally mounted to the backstop and includes a pair of support arms from which the shopping bag is suspended. A pair of sockets on the shopping bag telescopically receive the support arms.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing the formation of a herpes lesion by applying an electrical stimulation to the prodromal herpes lesion. The electrical stimulation apparatus is configured to be small enough to be hand portable and, preferably, concealable within the hand to accommodate treating the prodromal lesion at the onset of the formation of the prodromal lesion at any time and under any circumstance. The electrical stimulation is applied as an alternating current having a frequency range between one and 600 Hz. The alternating current is supplied with one of a square wave, a modified biphasic square wave, or a sine wave and between one and 100 milliamperes for a period of time up to 20 seconds.

Abstract: A low-profile hinge for hingedly joining adjacent door sections of a sectional door. The low profile for the low-profile hinge is attained by using a relatively small diameter hinge pin fabricated from spring steel. The greater strength characteristic of spring steel compensates for the smaller diameter of the spring steel hinge pin to provide a hinge that has a lower profile while maintaining the necessary mechanical strength at a level equal to or greater than a conventional hinge. The spring steel hinge pin is fabricated to be incrementally shorter than the pin tube and the ends of the pin tube are crimped to retain the spring steel hinge pin in the pin tube.

Abstract: A spine fixation apparatus and method including at least one longitudinal rod mounted parallel to the axis of the spine and having a plurality of stem clamps adjustably mounted to the longitudinal rod. Each stem clamp has a stem extending outwardly therefrom with the diameter of the stem being identical to the diameter of the longitudinal rod. A plurality of C-clamps are provided and are mounted to the stems and to the longitudinal rods. A plurality of bone pins are provided and are used to preliminarily mount the spinal fixation construct to the spine to allow the surgeon to determine by X-ray the accuracy of the construct with regard to the spine. A plurality of innovative bone screws are used to simultaneously anchor the C-clamps to the bone and to the respective stem and longitudinal rod. The bone screws are configured with a smaller diameter at the distal end having threads thereon for threadedly engaging the underlying bone.

Abstract: A subsurface irrigation apparatus and method, the apparatus including an underlayment of water resistant material which also serves as a mounting surface for the remaining elements of the subsurface irrigation apparatus. Water is supplied to the subsurface irrigation apparatus through a water supply conduit and distributed through a plurality of water distribution conduits. Each water distribution conduit includes a plurality of spaced holes through which the irrigation water distributed by the water distribution conduits. A diffuser is mounted across each hole to diffuse the water into the surrounding soil. Each diffuser includes a layer of fibrous material partially covered by a water resistant overlayment. The fibrous layer diffuses the water outwardly from the hole while simultaneously inhibiting root encroachment into the hole.

Abstract: A barricade apparatus for providing a barrier across the gap between door sections of a sectional door. The barricade is fabricated from a strip of resilient sheet material formed into a generally L-shaped configuration along its length. The horizontal foot portion of the L-shaped configuration is secured to the upper edge of a lower door section to thereby support the vertical leg portion across the gap that opens and closes as the adjacent door sections are moved across the curved portion of the support track of the sectional door.

Abstract: A carbonaceous material coated with a molybdenum carbide coating, the molybdenum carbide coating protecting the carbonaceous material against attack by molten metal while simultaneously providing a wetting action for the molten metal to infiltrate the carbonaceous material. The carbonaceous material is any suitable carbonaceous material such as diamond; graphite fibers, both continuous and discontinuous; carbon and graphite particulate; lampblack; and carbon-rich surfaces. The molybdenum carbide coating is produced by reacting a gaseous molybdenum compound with the surface of the carbonaceous material under a reducing atmosphere. The molybdenum carbide coated carbonaceous material is formed into a metal/carbonaceous material composite by being heated with the metal under an inert atmosphere until the molten metal infiltrates the molybdenum carbide coated carbonaceous material.

Abstract: A mixing bowl lift apparatus and method for lifting a mixing bowl above a work table and partially inverting the mixing bowl to empty the contents thereof on the work table. The lift apparatus includes a lift framework having a pair of spaced lift arms extending outwardly from the lift framework at an obtuse angle. The lift framework is pivotally coupled between a pair of upright columns that are secured to a base plate bolted to the floor beneath the edge of the work table. The lift arms are configured with a C-shaped cross section so as to securely receive the circumferential, raised ridge on the mixing bowl. An electrically driven piston raises and lowers the lift arm assembly. The obtuse angle between the lift arms and the lift framework allows the lift arms to be raised beyond the vertical axis and thereby partially invert the mixing bowl above the work table.

Abstract: A grout delivery apparatus and method for delivering grout through a flexible conduit from a bulk supply of grout to a hand tool. The bulk supply of grout is held in a hopper which feeds the grout under gravity to a pump. The pump is driven by an electric motor which receives its electrical energy through a controller. The controller is adjustably preset to control the electric motor as a function of the individual settings on a multifunction switch operable by the worker. The switch can either be mounted on the hand tool and directly wired to the controller or incorporated into a remote transmitter which transmits the particular switch position to a receiver on the controller.

Abstract: A composite of a metal infiltrated into a carbonaceous material. The carbonaceous material is coated with a molybdenum carbide coating, the molybdenum carbide coating protecting the carbonaceous material against attack by molten metal while simultaneously providing a wetting action for the molten metal to infiltrate the carbonaceous material. The carbonaceous material is any suitable carbonaceous material such as diamond; graphite fibers, both continuous and discontinuous; carbon and graphite particulate; lampblack; and carbon-rich surfaces. The molybdenum carbide coating is produced by reacting a gaseous molybdenum compound with the surface of the carbonaceous material under a reducing atmosphere. The molybdenum carbide coated carbonaceous material is formed into a metal/carbonaceous material composite by being heated with the metal under an inert atmosphere until the molten metal infiltrates the molybdenum carbide coated carbonaceous material.

Abstract: A minimally invasive bladder pressure and urinary flow measurement apparatus and method, the apparatus including a cuff configured to be removably mounted to the penis of the patient and an inflation system for selectively inflating and rapidly deflating the cuff. A pressure transducer is mounted to a catheter and inserted into the urethra to a position upstream from the cuff. A bead on the catheter helps the cuff hold the catheter in place. A urine collection and measurement system is provided to measure the volume and rate of urine discharged by the patient. The transient response also provides an indication whether a constriction of the urethra is proximal or distal.

Abstract: A noninvasive bladder pressure and urinary flow measurement apparatus and method, the apparatus including a pressure cuff configured to be removably mounted to the penis of the patient and an inflation system for selectively inflating and deflating the pressure cuff. A urine collection and measurement system is provided to measure the volume and rate of urine discharged by the patient. The transient response also provides an indication whether a constriction of the urethra is proximal or distal.

Abstract: A novel heat transfer apparatus and method including a body of carbon/carbon material with cooling tubes brazed therein. The carbon/carbon material includes carbon, graphite, carbon fibers, graphite fibers and combinations of the same and silicon carbide and boron carbide. The cooling tubes are prepared from stainless steel, nickel and its alloys, cobalt and its alloys, copper, molybdenum, molybdenum rhenium alloy, and carbon. A wetting agent is applied to the carbon surfaces to protect the carbon surfaces from attack by the molten brazing material and is selected from molybdenum niobium, tantalum, tungsten, and carbides of these refractory metals. The brazing material is selected from copper, copper alloys, silver, and gold.

Abstract: A belt-mountable tape dispenser operable with one hand for the retrieval and cutting of a predetermined length of tape from a spool of tape mounted to the dispenser. The tape dispenser includes a frame fabricated from a malleable material to accommodate conforming the frame to the waist of the wearer. Belt clips on each end of the frame releasably mount the frame to the belt. A strut extends downwardly from the frame and rotatably supports a reel upon which the spool of tape can be mounted. A cutter assembly and a cutter shield are removably attached to the strut. The cutter assembly and the cutter shield are adaptable to being mounted to the strut for either a left-hand operation or a right-hand operation. The placement of the reel below the frame prevents the pulling and tearing forces imposed on the tape from dislodging the tape dispenser from the belt.

Abstract: A door assembled from a plurality of discrete lengths of door section, the door sections being identical in appearance to the door sections of an adjacent sectional door. The length of each discrete length of door section is selectively predetermined in order to produce the door with the correct width. A body of foam is placed in each discrete length of door section for insulative and structural support purposes. One or more blocks of wood can be included at preselected locations inside the door for mounting purposes. A unitary backing sheet is affixed to the back surface of the door to provide the door with a monocoque construction while the peripheral edges of the door are enclosed in a U-shaped channel member.

Abstract: A spinal fixation apparatus and method for applying corrective forces to the spine through the use of one or more longitudinal rods placed adjacent the spine. A plurality of sublaminar hooks are configured to be independently mountable to the longitudinal rod and enable the surgeon to selectively engage portions of the spine against which the corrective forces are to be applied. Cross-link plates are provided and are used to interlink one longitudinal rod to another to provide a more rigid construct. The sublaminar hooks and the cross link plate system has a very low profile when secured to the spine. Side opening recesses in each sublaminar hook accommodate the lateral insertion of the longitudinal rod into the recess. A unique wedge bolt securely engages the longitudinal rod in the recess. The sublaminar hooks are oriented such that their wedge bolts face outwardly for ease of access for adjusting the same.

Abstract: A bone drill enclosed by a retractable sheath, the sheath having bevel points at its distal end for engaging the bone and a spring at its proximal end for resiliently urging the distal end against the surface of the bone while allowing the sheath to be retracted as the drill penetrates the bone. The sheath telescopically shields the bone drill to protect the adjacent tissue from the rotating bone drill. Indicia on the sheath provide a visual indication of the depth to which the drill bit has penetrated into the bone by the degree to which the sheath has been retracted as the bone drill penetrates into the bone. The bone drill is configured with a hollow, tubular shaft having an orifice adjacent the drill bit. Suction is applied to the lumen of the bone drill to remove debris generated by the drilling action, the debris being drawn through the orifice.