Abstract: A multilayer compression support sleeve construction. The laminate material includes a thin polyurethane film coated on both surfaces with an adhesive. A stretchable elastomeric polymer material is bonded to each of the adhesive surfaces. A substantial portion of one of the elastomeric polymer surfaces is coated with a discontinuous layer of silicone microdots. The microdots are applied by gravure roll printing to project a uniform distance above the elastomeric polymer surface to form small tacky dots. The laminate material is fabricated into a sleeve with the material oriented so that the microdot coated face is adjacent the skin of the wearer. Microdots may be applied in a predetermined pattern in order to impart enhanced compression to certain areas of the support sleeve. The resulting support sleeve retains its breathability while presenting a nonslip inner surface which prevents migration of the garment on the skin of the wearer during exercise.

Abstract: An anti-splay closure with a pair of spaced removal apertures, includes a cylindrical closure body with an external, continuous, helically extending anti-splay guide and advancement flange and a breakaway installation head. The removal apertures are spaced from and parallel to an axis of the closure body and are also spaced from a radially outer surface of the body. The apertures are sized and shaped to receive a removal tool having prongs with a complementary shape to the bores. The closure is used with an open headed bone implant screw which is provided with internal, helically extending mating guide and advancement structure complementary to the flange of the closure body.

Abstract: A meat mallet for tenderizing and flattening meat with a handle, a neck and a head with interchangeable face plates. The face plates have a meat-engaging surface of varying patterns that can be flat, have outwardly projecting points of different sizes and shapes to accommodate meats having different connective tissues or other suitable tenderizing structure. The head has a partially hollow cavity that opens at a front end and stores the face plates in a nested configuration with the top-most plate being an in-use plate. The face plates have a perimeter support shoulder that facilitates the nesting configuration providing a perimeter support system while protecting the meat engaging surfaces of the face plates. A retainer ring has an inner threaded surface that threadedly engages an outer threaded surface of the front end of the head and allows the meat-engaging surface of the in-use plate to partially extend past the retainer ring to engage the subject meat.

Abstract: A self-propelled mower includes a frame and a mower housing mounted underbelly relative to the frame by a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly allows the mower housing to be disconnected from the frame and swung near the front of the housing from a mowing configuration to an access configuration as a front end of the mower is raised. In one embodiment the frame includes a yoke that receives a nose of the housing, as the front of the mower is raised. A mechanized drive is utilized in certain embodiments to swing the mower deck to the access configuration.

Abstract: A dental training aid and method which assists a student in learning how to determine the position of a root canal apex, repair of dental decay, and how to perform crown and bridge procedures. In certain embodiments, modular inserts are utilized that include structure thereon for performing root canal procedures, repair of dental decay procedures, crown and bridge procedures or other procedures. The inserts can be assembled and configured to all provide practice on the same procedure or on different procedures and can be exchanged for other inserts once they are no longer reusable or because the user wants to train on a different procedure.

Abstract: A bone screw having a head and a shank. The shank having a ball thereon and the head having a socket for receiving the ball. The ball being externally threaded and the chamber communicating with the exterior of the head through a threaded bore. The ball being threadably received through the bore and being swivelable in the chamber after passing through the bore. The bone screw including at least one set screw that operably engages the ball to lock the head in position relative to the shank.

Abstract: The manufacture is carried out in a continuous manner simultaneous to the filling of the shot holes, in a mixer, preferably a rotating mixer, wherein a water-based, non-explosive or low sensitivity matrix, an air bubble stabilizing agent, and optionally, an oxidant in granular form and a combustible material are mixed together. The nature of the water-based matrix, together with the use of an air bubble stabilizing agent, allows the incorporation of air during the mixing, regulating the density of the final product and acting on the variables of the process. On coming out of the mixer, the explosive is totally sensitized and has reached its final density, allowing for quality control before filling the shot hole. The process may be carried out on the explosives pumping truck, with compartments for the transportation of a water-based matrix, an oxidant in granular form, a combustible material and a gas bubble stabilizing agent.

Abstract: A cartridge for a hand operated food processor including a blade holder holding at least one blade. A quick release lock is provided for retaining the cartridge in a casing. The cartridge preferably includes at least one series of aligned blades held by the blade holder utilizable for piercing and cutting food. The invention further includes a food processor having a housing including the above cartridge and a casing holding the cartridge. The invention also includes a food processor having a housing that has at least one blade and preferably at least one longitudinal series of blades for piercing and cutting food where each of the blades has side surface portions and a cutting tip edge portion. A base is provided with openings through which the blades can pass to pierce and cut food. The base includes a fixed base portion and a removable base portion.

Abstract: A convex spinal fusion interbody space device includes spaced apart superior and inferior abutment surfaces which are effectively medially convex. The peak of such convexity is displaced anteriorly of a central plane through the device. The spacer device has front to rear lateral concave surfaces and top to bottom lateral side channels that intersect with said convex surfaces. The spacer device has a height which is greater than the width of the device. The spacer device is implanted between a pair of adjacent vertebrae by insertion in a tipped-over orientation and then reoriented to an upright orientation for engagement by facing surfaces of the vertebrae. Fusion promoting bone material is packed between the vertebrae and about the spacer device subsequent to implantation.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing and promoting fusion between adjacent vertebrae includes at least a pair of implants to promote bone growth and to fuse with vertebral bone. The implants are joined by a connector. Preferably the implants are inserted into receiving bores in a non-parallel configuration and/or the connector joins the implants so as to bias the implants to a non-parallel configuration. A pair of connecting members also preferably secure the implants to each of the adjacent vertebrae. A method of using the apparatus provides for stabilizing between vertebrae where the original cushioning disc has deteriorated or become damaged. The implants are connected together. Also in the method, the implant receiving bores are non-parallel and/or the implants are biased to non-parallel configurations by joining the implants to the connecting element so as to reduce the inadvertent disturbance of the implants from the receiving bores and to further stabilize the implants overall during the fusion process.

Abstract: The process consists of making react (i) an alkylene oxide polyether polyol, (ii) an organic compound which has an ethylenic unsaturation and a hydroxyl, carboxyl, anhydride, isocyanate or epoxy group and (iii) an alkylene oxide selected from ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and mixtures thereof, in the presence of an effective quantity of a potassium naphthenate catalyst. The unsaturated polyester polyols produced have a reduced degree of unsaturation and are useful in the synthesis of polymeric polyols with good viscosity, filterability and particle size properties, suitable for the production of cellular polyurethane compounds.

Abstract: A grain spreader includes a vertical shaft, a receiver for receiving the grain and distributing the grain to a diverter that is rotatably mounted on the shaft with an outlet that is eccentrically positioned relative to the shaft, and a spreader pan that receives the grain form the distributer. The spreader pan is mounted to rotate on the shaft beneath the diverter. The diverter and the spreader pan are rotated by controllable motors so that the diverter can be stopped and the rotational speed of the spreader pan can be varied. The spreader pan has a bottom base and a series of varying length vanes that are vertically and radially aligned on the base to operably engage the grain and spread the grain within a bin or the like. The lengths of the vanes are preferably determined by a formula. In certain embodiments the spreader pan may have an opening to allow grain to pass through the pan without engaging the base so as to fill the center of a bin more evenly.

Abstract: A closure for use in conjunction with an open headed medical implant for capturing and locking a rod member in the implant comprises a radially outward threaded cylindrical body sized and shaped to be threadably received between two arms of a head of the implant. The closure also includes a driving head and a coaxial removal head. The driving head breaks away from the body at a predetermined torque leaving the removal head. The driving head and removal head are of sufficiently dissimilar shape to prevent a tool with a socket for gripping the driving head from inadvertently gripping the removal head during installation and over-torquing the closure.

Abstract: A launching device for launching multiple firework shells skyward th a base having foldable wings hinged to a central body. The foldable wings fold downward and reduce the size of the base for the purpose of providing a low-profile profile shipping configuration. The base has a connector, such as an engagement cylinder, that matingly engages an elongated or tubular member that is sized and shaped to receive aerial fireworks. The engagement cylinder provides either a male or female engagement with the tubular member. An adapter is provided to adjust the diameter of the connector to fit tubes of different diameter.

Abstract: A shock absorbing tow bar for connecting between a drive trolley and a load carrying trolley of a conveyor system. The tow bar includes a pair of tubes that reciprocate relative to each other. A plunger is located within a first of the tubes and attached to a second tube. Mounted on the plunger are a pair of brake surfaces that frictionally engage the first tube. The brake surfaces are biased toward the first tube by springs and the force applied to the brake surfaces is adjustable through an adjustment mechanism including a pair of wedges upon which the springs are located. An adjustment rod is joined with the adjustment mechanism and extends outwardly from the tow bar to allow an operator to adjust the friction produced by the brake surfaces without disassembly of the tow bar.