Abstract: An improved actuator handle for a surgical instrument that can be used in endoscopic surgery with the emphasis on applying hemostatic clips. The instrument receives a longitudinal input from the actuator handle and translates the input into relative component motion to apply the hemostatic clips. The improved handle is fabricated primarily from a reusable, engineering resin having exceptional resistance to degradation by steam sterilization. Other improvements to the actuator handle include a drive stem mechanism of unitary construction that can be removed from the actuator handle as an assembled unit to facilitate sterilization. The actuator handle is provided with a quick release mechanism to facilitate the removal and replacement of the drive stem mechanism. The improved actuator handle also features a ratchet mechanism that enables the user to incrementally adjust the longitudinal input force that is transmitted to the surgical instrument and includes a switch for selective operation of the same.

Abstract: This invention is a quick attach fan guard for shroud type fans. A plurality of L-shaped slots are provided in the front and rear edges of the shroud with hooks with bends in the same are mounted on the fan guard so such bends lie a juxtaposed parallel plane to the interior of the shroud and the hooks engage the slots with such guard being rotated to lock the same to the shroud. At least one bolt is used to prevent undesirable counterrotation which might disconnect the guard from the shroud. Also malletable tabs are provided in a connector plate for the shroud to support the fan when used as a circulating fan. When the fan is used as an exhaust fan, a hook is mounted on the connecting plate for engaging an angle bracket on an adapter plate with a circular opening therein. Pivotable tabs mounted on the interior edges of the shroud engage the circular opening in the adapter plate. The same tabs are also used to stabilize two or more fans when they are stacked during storage and transport.

Abstract: An improved livestock feeder for use with an automatic feed delivery system having a feed drop tube operatively connected thereto for dispensing feed into a feed bin. The improved feeder features a feed drop tube holder fabricated from a flexible, resilient material which is installed intermediate the opposed side walls of the feed bin by compressing the holder lengthwise with hand pressure to effectively reduce its overall length and to allow tabs formed on the ends thereof to engage a plurality of horizontally opposed slots formed in the opposed side walls. The holder is next released and springs back to its original flat configuration so that the tabs engage the slots and the holder is retained intermediate the opposed side walls. The flexible holder includes a central opening that is adapted to loosely receive a feed drop tube associated with the automatic feed delivery system.

Abstract: The invention is a device for expediting the cutting of boxes containing goods used in restocking shelves and the like. This device can either be free standing or operatively mounted on a stocking cart or dolly. In either case, a free-wheeling turntable is used to support the box being cut and a box positioner is disposed adjacent thereto to raise one edge of the box when the same is being cut. This positioner can then be lowered to allow the box to be rotated 90.degree. for the next cut, etc. thereby greatly expediting the cutting open of boxes. The box positioner for raising the box at least partially off of the turntable is mechanically activated by either a foot pedal in the free standing version or by a handle in the cart mounted version.

Abstract: This invention is an integrally-formed entry door flashing pan that fits snugly in the threshold of a rough-entry door opening. The flashing pan has an upwardly projecting rear lip, upwardly projecting side lips, and a downwardly projecting exterior lip. The pan lies juxtaposed to the threshold subflooring with the side lips having felt building paper or other building wrap overlapping the same. The downwardly projecting exterior lip lies juxtaposed to the exterior of the building structure in which the rough entry door opening is formed. A entry door assembly can be placed on the flashing pan and secured to the sides and top of the rough opening without penetrating the watertight integrity of the flashing pan. The entry door is then trimmed out in the normal manner to provide an entry door flashing that is water proof and completely concealed when the building structure is completed.

Abstract: This invention is a means and method for mechanically removing the meat from crab claw pincers and their attached claw arms. This is accomplished by placing the claws on a conveyor and holding the same in position prior to and during cutting of the claw pincer jaw ends and attached claw arm body joint ends. The cut claws are placed in paired diverging openings in pads with the cut ends disposed downwardly. The pads are then conveyed into a vibratory meat extracter where the meat within the cut claws is extracted therefrom prior to removing the remains of the claws from the pad and returning such pad for reloading.

Abstract: This invention is a spacer that has a plate portion with a U-shaped opening in one end and a foot portion attached to the opposite end. This spacer can be passed through the inspection opening or port of the bell housing of a transmission with the plate portion being inserted between the clutch brake and the transmission housing with the drive shaft disposed within the U-shaped opening in the plate. The foot portion is bolted to the bell housing to hold the spacer in place. The spacer has enough thickness that when the release bearing presses on the clutch brake, the clutch brake will engage the spacer and press the same against the transmission housing to make a worn clutch brake once again operate normally.

Abstract: This invention is a barbecue type grill that can be used either indoors or outdoors. By disposing a convertible drip pan that can be opened and closed between the food supporting rack and the cooking heat source, rapid preheating can be accomplished as well as searing of desired food products, followed by closing of the drip pan to prevent unwanted flare-ups caused by juices dripping from the food being cooked. This closing of the drip pan allows the food to cook slower than over direct heat which allows the food to retain more juices when done. This invention overcomes the slow preheating and slow initial cooking inherent in the prior art using a solid impervious drip pan. Also, since different types of heat sources can be used in conjunction with the present invention, the problem of the bottom of the housing rusting out in the area adjacent the round burner below the heat deflecting plate is effectively eliminated.

Abstract: A fan housing having a peripheral wall disposed about the fan's axis of rotation. A plurality of flanges including reinforced hems are integrally formed with and extend perpendicularly of the peripheral wall toward the fan's axis of rotation. A screen fabricated from interconnected, perpendicular wire strands is coupled to the flanges by means of the reinforced hems with rigid but malleable tabs integrally formed thereon that are bent around a peripheral strand of the screen. Apertures are defined by and extend through the peripheral wall and the flanges to provide access to the tabs such that the tabs may be urged toward the flanges to secure the screen in position. The same apertures provide access to the tabs such that the tabs may be urged away from the flanges to disengage the peripheral strand from the tabs such that the screen may be removed and replaced.

Abstract: A method of handling defogging agents used in operating rooms. A defogging solution or agent is sterile filtered into an aerosol container that is ergonomically sized to fit the hand of the user. The solution is then capped with a sterile inert gas such as nitrogen as a propellant. The aerosol container is then placed in a pouch and sealed about its periphery. The sealed pouch is then sterilized by gamma radiation. Sterile wipes can also be included in the sterile pouch if desired so that they will be readily available to wipe foreign matter from instruments, masks, glasses and the like, prior to applying the defogging agent. In the operating room, the sterile pouch is opened and discarded and the sterile defogging agent is sprayed on sterile instruments, masks, glasses and other articles to prevent condensation from forming on surfaces due to temperature differential.

Abstract: A hood and duct system that is lightweight, easy to install, and has at least four different adjusting points which allow exact placement for optimum operational results. The hoods are made from lightweight, clear polycarbonate so that the operator can view the equipment associated with the hood. The ducts are also made of lightweight material such as polypropylene. Also the hoods have an outwardly extending, bubble-like feature on one side so that the associated equipment can be operated without moving or removing the hood.

Abstract: This invention is a dental cleaning device disposed within a visually attractive furniture grade cabinet. The cleaning tank within the device is kidney shaped with a pair of inlets that direct a circulating liquid upwardly and inwardly from an area adjacent the bottom of one end of said tank. At least one liquid outlet is provided at the opposite end of said tank and connected to a circulating means such as a circulating pump so that a continuous flow of liquid can be accomplished across dentures placed in the tank, The kidney shape of the tank causes eddy currents to flow off of the main swirling inlet to outlet liquid circulation to further clean the various areas of the dentures.