Abstract: A detachable tee-top includes a framework having base portions fastened to two opposed sides of a center console of a boat and consisting of elongated tubes having fasteners fastened to the center console by threaded fasteners. The framework includes a further elongated tube for each of the elongated tubes making up the base portions with each of the further elongated tubes being sized to be slidably receivable within the upwardly facing opening of a respective one of the base portion elongated tubes. Thus, the further elongated tubes or pipes may easily be removed from the base portion elongated tubes when it is desired to remove the detachable tee-top from the associated vessel. The tee-top also includes a horizontally oriented support frame for a cover. Flexible straps attached to this support frame are stretched downwardly and attached to the base portions of the device to support the frame in high wind conditions. The framework is disclosed in two alternative configurations of elongated tubes.

Abstract: A sun shield is mounted on a bracket that is provided for support of a side-view mirror on a truck cab. The sun shield is mounted horizontally with respect to a ground surface and is located in a position to shield an area just inside the driver's window to protect the arm of the driver from the sun's rays. In the preferred embodiment, the sun shield is made of a high density polymer that is opaque to the sun's rays and is located in a position that does not obstruct the driver's view.

Abstract: A carrier having a layer of embossing resin deposited thereon is provided with an image or design applied to the layer of embossing resin. A top film having a layer of adhesive applied thereon is laminated to the carrier. The carrier can be a throw-away or a component type carrier. If a throw-away type carrier is employed, it is peeled from the two laminated sheets, leaving the layer of embossing resin, having the image retained thereon, affixed to the adhesive side of the top film. If a component type carrier is employed, the image retained on the embossing resin is encapsulated between the top film and the carrier. Thereafter, a substrate suitable for aircraft interior panels is provided. The top film having the embossing resin and image affixed thereto is laminated to the suitable substrate. If a texture is desired, a textured material may be applied to the top side of the top film immediately before it is laminated to the suitable substrate.

Abstract: A hip and knee abductor having a pair of leg securing members and a center pocket integrally attached therebetween. The center pocket receives an air inflation means capable of receiving, retaining and expelling air. The introduction of air in the air inflation means permits abduction of contracted legs. The unique use of the air inflation means permits the use of the abductor with fully contracted legs. A pair of rigid plates are inserted within retaining pockets formed in the pair of leg securing members for communicating with the expandable air inflation means and thereby applying lateral pressure to an inner portion of contracted legs.

Abstract: A star-shaped stent and replacement valve or replacement graft for use in repairing a damaged cardiac valve includes two to eight star-shaped members interconnected into a "chain". Once this "chain" has been created through interconnection of the star-shaped members, a central opening through all of the interconnected star-shaped members receives a replacement aortic valve tri-cuspid made of any suitable flexible and bio-compatible material. A catheter delivery system is used to deliver the stent with the aortic valve tri-cuspid to the desired site. The star-shaped stents are made by using a laser to cut out a plurality of flat star-shaped members with a plurality of outwardly and inwardly directed points. The outwardly directed points are bent so that they face away from a plane defined by the inwardly directed points and then a series of such stents are fastened together in a chain.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an endoscope system which includes an endoscope, specifically a laryngoscope, having a handle, a blade connected with the handle and means including an optical eyepiece through which an area immediately in front of the distal end of the blade may be viewed along the optical axis of the eyepiece. The system also utilizes an arrangement including a camera and monitor for displaying the area immediately in front of the blade when the camera is mounted to the eyepiece. A coupling member connectable to the camera is provided for mounting the camera to the eyepiece and locking means forming part of the coupling member and part of the eyepiece is provided for preventing the coupling member and therefore the camera from rotating in a plane normal to the optical axis of the eyepiece and for preventing the coupling member and therefore the camera from rocking in a plane parallel with the optical axis.

Abstract: A self-sanitizing toilet seat cleaning apparatus includes a seat in the shape of a generally circular ring that is rotatably mounted above the toilet bowl and includes a gear on its underside meshing with a pinion gear attached to the drive shaft of a drive motor for the seat. An arm extends over a rear portion of the seat and includes flow passages that convey a disinfectant on top of the seat, under the seat, and into the toilet bowl. Under the arm, a wiper is provided that wipes the top surface of the seat as it rotates. The toilet includes a weight sensor that stops rotation of the seat if a person is sitting on it and a proximity sensor to activate flushing of the toilet and rotation and disinfecting of the seat and bowl.

Abstract: A patient hip guard is designed to be worn inside or outside of the clothing of the user. The guard includes a hip pad on each side, sized and configured to cover each hip, and consisting of an aesthetically pleasing pocket containing a pad having a configuration designed to approximate the femoral head of the hip bone. The pads are connected together by a belt adjustable in length to account for varying waist sizes. The inventive guard includes no buckles or other hard components that could cause discomfort to the user.

Abstract: A dry bottom ash handling system contemplates a plurality of hoppers disposed beneath a solid fuel-fired steam boiler. Each hopper includes angled walls converging at a generally rectangular opening controlled by a grate door. Air inlets are provided at intersections between adjacent angled walls to (1) facilitate combustion of unburned fuel in the storage hopper, and (2) facilitate flow of ash through the hopper opening. Ash flowing through the hopper opening enters a crusher and is then conveyed via a vacuum line to a point of disposal including a mobile tank truck that receives heavier ash particles and allows bypassing of lighter particles to a silo.

Abstract: A bowling game is made to be played on any flat, smooth table top. Nine bowling pins are arranged in a pattern on the table top in a 3.times.3 array. A ball is provided having one hemisphere made of lead glued to another hemisphere made of hard wood. The ball is spun toward the array of pins. Scoring is based upon knocking down a particular prescribed pattern of pins and being awarded the number of points corresponding to that pattern and varying between 5 points and 40 points. The first player to earn 100 points wins the game.

Abstract: Embodiments of multiple interconnected stents each include a stent having a plurality of rows of slots with spaces between the slots being staggered in adjacent rows. In each embodiment, a plurality of stents are interconnected together with a connector. In one embodiment, the connector consists of a single flexible bar. In a second embodiment, the connector consists of a plurality of U-shaped members fused together. In a third embodiment, the connector consists of a plurality of slots orthogonal to the stent slots. In a fourth embodiment, a multiplicity of stents are interconnected together by flexible bars that are vertically staggered with respect to one another. In a fifth embodiment, adjacent stents are interconnected by flexible connectors resembling the letter "H". In a sixth embodiment, adjacent stents are interconnected by a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal bars.

Abstract: A tubular member is formed from a flat sheet having opposed longitudinal edges. Rows of parallel longitudinal slots are cut in the flat sheet and at least three holes are cut along the opposed longitudinal edges. The holes are aligned with the holes on the opposed edge and sutured together to form the tubular member. The tubular member is compressed over a balloon catheter and thereafter permanently positioned within a desired portion of a blood vessel.

Abstract: A window brace includes a vertically disposed pole to which is coupled one or more braces, each of which includes a pad bearing against a portion of a surface of unsupported glass. Each pad defines an internal chamber connected to ambient atmosphere by a check valve such that when the glass bows inwardly toward the pad, air is forced out of the chamber via the check valve that prevents air from returning into the chamber. Evacuation of the chamber, in this way, enhances adherence of the pad to the window glass and, thus, enhances effectiveness of the inventive device. For large pieces of window glass, a plurality of pads may suitably be employed. Alternatively, a valved port in the pad may be connected to a source of vacuum to evacuate the chamber.