Abstract: A power takeoff and gearbox is configured for use with an associated vehicle transmission to provide rotational power to an associated auxiliary component. The power takeoff and gearbox includes a housing. An input gear set includes an input gear and a transfer gear mounted for common rotation. The input gear is driven by the associated vehicle transmission. A primary drive gear is disposed on a drive shaft. The primary drive gear is meshed with the transfer gear for rotation with the transfer gear. A planetary gear system includes a carrier, a plurality of planet gears mounted for rotation within the carrier and a sun gear disposed central to the planet gears. The carrier is connected to the primary drive shaft for rotation with the shaft and for rotation of the planet gears relative to the carrier. An output is mounted to the sun gear for providing rotational power to the associated auxiliary component.

Abstract: A drywall trimming element for bridging two sections of drywall is an extruded element having first and second opposing flanges each having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The element is secured to the drywall by joint compound. The interior surfaces are adapted to be positioned on or adjacent to a respective one of the drywall surfaces. The interior and exterior surfaces each define respective surface planes. One or both of the interior and exterior surfaces have a plurality of upstanding longitudinally oriented ribs extending outwardly from the surface. The ribs extend away from their respective surfaces and define a void space between the surface adjacent to the ribs and an end of the ribs, such that a line extending outwardly from and normal to the surface of the flange adjacent to the ribs traverses through the void space and then subsequently contacts the ribs. The void space serves to provide a joint compound locking feature for the trimming element.

Abstract: A fastener assembly is configured for use in an associated fastener driving tool for driving a fastener from the assembly into an associated substrate. The assembly includes a row of fasteners, each having a shank, arranged substantially parallel to each other. A collation system is formed from a plastic material that is molded onto and adhered to the fasteners. The plastic material is molded to define a collar portion substantially encircling the fastener shank and a connecting portion extending between and connecting adjacent collar potions. The plastic material is formulated from an adhesive polymer. When the fastener is driven from the driving tool, the collar portion remains adhered to the fastener such that the collar portion penetrates the substrate with the fastener.

Abstract: A sterilization challenge specimen holder is used with a test indicator to challenge sterilization on a consistent basis. The holder includes a body having an internal chamber region and a sleeve positionable within the internal chamber. A cap is sealable on the holder and a plug is positioned in the body. The plug has a wall having a spiral formed groove therein in communication with the internal chamber region. An opening in the holder provides for a flow path for communication between the environs and the internal chamber, and another opening(s) provides for a second flow path for communication between the internal chamber and the inner chamber of the sleeve. An indicator tube carries a biological indicator and has openings therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vertical tool rack storage device which includes a hollow upright pivot shaft, a plurality of flat tool racks for holding tool bits and parts, and a plurality of connectors for pivotally coupling the flat tool racks to the hollow upright pivot shaft for enabling the tool racks to be arranged in a stack and individually turnable about the hollow upright pivot shaft.

Abstract: A leveling device comprises a generally horizontal frame configured to hold a number of parallel, closely spaced support legs in a generally vertical configuration. The support legs are slidably mounted in collars formed in the frame such that the legs may slide up and down within the collars. The support legs are configured to move independently of one another and to be locked into place using a locking mechanism configured to frictionally or mechanically engage the support legs once the legs are positioned to match the contour of the ground or other uneven surface. Multiple embodiments of the locking mechanism are disclosed. The leveling device of the present invention not only may be used to level an object on an uneven surface, but also can be used to adjust the height of an object on a even or uneven surface by adjusting the length of the support legs.

Abstract: An improved retainer system allowing reliable strapping of a package while incurring only minimized wear. An additional retainer device (17) is placed in front of the inner side of the strap guide frame (11) and comprises an elastic, longitudinally stretching element (18, 19) and a mating support (30). The elastic element and mating support are made of a low-wear material relative to the strap and are mutually parallel, as well as parallel to the strap outlet aperture (23). The elastic element and the mating support together subtend a gap through which the strap is pulled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for setting up a voice conference call or sharing audio content. The method includes the steps of providing an audio mixer that receives an audio input from each of at least three audio interfaces of the conference call, mixes the audio inputs and provides an equalized audio output to each of the at least three audio interfaces, providing a first local wireless interface between a first audio interface of the at least three audio interfaces and a first headset, providing a second local interface between a second audio interface of the at least three audio interfaces and a second headset and coupling a third audio interface of the at least three audio interfaces to a third headset through a base station of a cellular network, wherein the communication paths to the first, second and third persons are all different.

Abstract: A sterilization challenge specimen holder is used with a test indicator to challenge sterilization on a consistent basis. The holder includes a body having an internal chamber region. A cap is sealable on the holder. A plug is positioned in the body. The plug has a wall having a spiral formed groove therein in communication with the internal chamber region. An opening provides for a single flow path for communication between the environs and the internal chamber via the groove.

Abstract: A temperature controlled stroller blanket for controlling the ambient temperature around a child in a stroller is disclosed. The blanket is configured to be placed beneath the child within the stroller compartment. The blanket is constructed with a plurality of sealable pockets. The pockets are sized to receive and hold temperature packs for producing heat or extracting heat (cooling). The blanket also preferably includes a plurality of slits configured to permit passage of the straps of the stroller harness system to secure the child in the stroller. The temperature packs act to warm or cool the ambient air around the child, creating a comfortable environment within the stroller compartment. Once the packs expire, they may be removed and recharged or replaced.

Abstract: A sterilization challenge specimen holder is used with a test indicator to challenge sterilization on a consistent basis. The holder includes a body having an internal chamber region. A cap is sealable on the holder. A plug is positioned in the body. The plug has a wall having a spiral formed groove therein in communication with the internal chamber region. An opening provides for a single flow path for communication between the environs and the internal chamber via the groove.

Abstract: A flat mop is used with a disposable wiper. The mop includes a base member having an upper surface and a lower surface. The base member has a projecting securing elements disposed on opposing sides of the upper surface. At least one resilient clip is associated with securing element. A pivot joint has a first receiving portion for mounting to the base member to define a first pivot axis. The pivot joint has a second receiving portion distinct from the first receiving portion and includes an engagement member received in the second receiving portion to defining a second pivot axis spaced from and perpendicular to the first pivot axis. The engagement member includes a coupling portion to mount to a handle. The pivot joint is mounted to the base member for pivoting the base member relative to the pivot joint about two axes. The associated wiper is secured to the base member, positioned on the lower surface of the base member, wrapped around the base member and over the securing elements.

Abstract: A brick tie anchor secures a brick veneer to an underlying structure. The anchor includes a head portion having a shaped body defining a longitudinal axis. The head includes a key portion extending from an end of the body having generally flat sides and an open central area. A shank has an upper shank portion and a lower shank portion. The lower shank portion is threaded for penetration into the underlying structure. The upper shank portion and the lower shank portion are separated from one another by a shoulder. The upper shank portion includes a knurled region extending from the shoulder. A washer is disposed at the juncture of the head portion and the shank. The washer has a diameter greater than a largest measurement across the head portion. The washer includes a resilient sealing element on the side of the washer adjacent to the shank. A driving tool for the anchor is also disclosed.