Abstract: A head gear apparatus (10) is provided that moves air to cool a caregiver's head. The head gear apparatus (10) includes a helmet (12) that has a shell (114) configured to rest upon a head of a user and a fan housing (120) movably coupled to shell (114), a fan (122) is positioned to lie within fan housing (120) and moves with fan housing (120) relative to shell (114), and a garment (14) selectively coupled to helmet (12). Garment (14) includes a face shield (20).

Abstract: A modular glenoid assembly is provided for attachment to a glenoid surface of a scapula. The modular glenoid assembly includes a base adapted to couple with the glenoid surface and a bearing insert. The base includes a lip that defines a channel. The bearing insert includes a bearing surface adapted to engage a head portion of a humeral component and a tab. The tab is formed to be received within the channel and engage the lip when the insert is moved in a superior direction into position against the base.

Abstract: An automatic tarp tensioning device operable to remove slack from a tarp cover due to stretching and wear includes an extension mechanism attached to a tarp cover and an adjusting element attached to the tarp cover and movable relative to the extension mechanism to apply tension to the tarp cover. A biasing mechanism is disposed between the extension mechanism and the adjusting element to bias the adjusting element away from the extension mechanism to thereby tension the tarp cover. The biasing mechanism includes a plurality of springs under compression between the extension mechanism and the adjusting element and a limiting element to limit the maximum extension of the spring. The limiting element includes a bolt and nut assembly interconnecting the extension mechanism and the adjusting member and is adjustable to control the expansion of the spring. The device operates to automatically tension the tarp cover when the cover is deployed.

Abstract: A shoulder prosthesis of the present invention includes a modular humeral prosthesis component employing a collarless design. A body portion of the prosthesis is provided without a collar, and it may be implanted into a prepared proximal end of a humerus such that the body sits recessed below the level of the cut proximal surface of the humerus. A head portion is provided in which a support surface of the head functions as collar by direct apposition of it to the cut proximal humerus. The modular connection is thus recessed below the proximal bone surface. By providing a modular connection which is recessed below the bone surface, the benefits of modularity may be retained, while joint overstuffing may be reduced or eliminated, and a substantially full range of motion may be achieved.

Abstract: A fail-safe proportional mixing valve is provided that tempers a hot fluid supply by proportional flow from a hot fluid inlet and a cold fluid inlet. The valve includes a fail-safe mechanism disposed within the body of the valve to isolate flow from the hot fluid inlet in the event the temperature of the mixed fluid exceeds a predetermined set point. The valve also includes a check valve in the fluid inlets to prevent backflow in case of failure of a fluid supply. In a further aspect, the cold fluid inlet includes an adjustment set screw to adjust the cold fluid flow into the mixing valve, thereby adjusting the maximum mixed fluid temperature that can be discharged from the valve assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in affixing material to a location under repair includes a material retention member and an anchor. The anchor is configured to be inserted into a cavity in bone tissue, the anchor having a first end and a second end. The anchor also includes one or more raised ribs. The material retention member extends radially from the first end of the anchor in a plurality of directions, the material retention member including at least one contact surface adapted to exert a retention force on material that is interposed between the material retention device and the bone tissue.

Abstract: A sensor and associated method is disclosed for detecting presence of a sheet which is being advanced on a photoreceptor of an electrophotographic printing device. The sensor includes a vibratory member which is configured to be positioned in contact with the photoreceptor. The sensor further includes a drive circuit operable to generate an input signal on a signal line which is coupled to the vibratory member. In addition, the sensor includes a sensing circuit operable to (i) determine if a current level of the input signal falls below a threshold value, and (ii) generate a control signal in response thereto. The control signal may be used to stop advancement of the photoreceptor such as in the case where the control signal indicates that the sheet is improperly being advanced on the photoreceptor such as into a cleaning station.

Abstract: A method of performing a retail transaction with a retail terminal having (i) a display monitor which includes a touch screen, (ii) a scanner, and (iii) a card reader. The method includes the step of displaying a home display screen with the display monitor. The home display screen has a first plurality of local-navigation touch buttons which are located in a first local navigation area and a first plurality of global-navigation buttons which are located in a first global navigation area. Use of the local-navigation touch buttons and the global-navigation touch buttons facilitates use of the retail terminal by a user to complete a retail transaction. A retail terminal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A retail terminal assembly includes a portable communication device for use by retail personnel. The assembly also includes a signal transmitter for transmitting a personnel-request signal to the portable communication device. The assembly further includes a processing unit electrically coupled to the signal transmitter. Moreover, the assembly includes a memory device electrically coupled to the processing unit. The memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to (a) detect an intervention-needed activity and generate an intervention-needed control signal in response thereto, and (b) operate the signal transmitter so as to transmit the personnel-request signal in response to generation of the intervention-needed control signal. A message is communicated to the retail personnel by the portable communication device in response to receipt of the personnel-request signal by the portable communication device.

Abstract: A method for thermally coating the cylinder barrels of a cylinder block of a combustion engine is disclosed. Air flows through the cylinder bore whose barrel is to be coated. This air flow is generated by means of extraction, whereby the air is extracted from the bottom of the cylinder bore through the crank case of the cylinder block. For extracting the air, a plurality of extraction collars are provided that are connected to an extraction fan and are moved from the bottom through the crankcase to the lower end of the cylinder bores. The pressure of the air flowing through extraction conduits to the extraction fan is measured and the value of the velocity of the air flow through the cylinder bore is calculated. An adjustment mechanism controls air chokes in the air conduits in response to the calculated flow velocity present in the cylinder bores.

Abstract: Proposed is a coffee machine for brewing coffee powder pre-packed in a cartridge. For perforating the cartridge, the bottom of the brewing chamber is provided with inclined perforator members which provide the cartridge with elongate slots that have a greater cross section than the cross section of the particular perforator member. A brewing chamber housing receives two chamber portions delimiting the brewing chamber. The upper chamber portion is adapted to vertically support the cartridge and biased by a spring. For closing the chamber, the brewing chamber housing is raised against a closure piston. The closure piston entering the brewing chamber moves the upper chamber portion against the force of the spring downwards towards the lower chamber portion. In the final position of the brewing chamber housing, the front portion of the cartridge is hydraulically sealed with regard to the rear portion of the chamber by sealing members.

Abstract: A centralizer for an intramedullary stem of an orthopaedic component that is adapted to be implanted into a medullary canal of a bone includes an annular body having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The centralizer also includes a first exterior fin secured to the exterior surface of the annular body so as to extend outwardly therefrom. The first exterior fin possesses a first length. The centralizer also includes a second exterior fin secured to the exterior surface of the annular body so as to extend outwardly therefrom. The second exterior fin possesses a second length which is greater than the first length. A method of implanting an orthopaedic component into a patient is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drill and drive apparatus includes a tube assembly which defines a tool chamber, the tube assembly including a shank adapted to be received within a chuck of a drill. The apparatus further includes a tool holder which is configured to be at least partially received in the tool chamber of the tube assembly, the tool holder having (i) a first tool locking mechanism at a first end portion thereof, and (ii) a second tool locking mechanism at a second end portion thereof. The drill and drive apparatus further includes a tube locking mechanism which is configured to releasably lock the tool holder to the tube assembly when the tool holder is at least partially received in the tool chamber.

Abstract: A sprinkler cover assembly includes a polymeric sprinkler housing which is configured to receive a sprinkler head. The sprinkler cover assembly also includes a polymeric cover for covering an open end of the polymeric sprinkler housing. Moreover, the sprinkler cover assembly includes a thermoreactive adhesive disposed between the polymeric sprinkler housing and the polymeric cover so as to secure the polymeric cover to the polymeric sprinkler housing.

Abstract: A method of compensating for initial signal interference exhibited by a differential transmission line includes the step of determining whether the differential transmission line has been at a first differential voltage state for at least a first predetermined time period. The method also includes the step of transmitting a first data bit across the differential transmission line by impressing a first differential voltage having a first magnitude upon the differential voltage line in order to drive the differential transmission line from the first differential voltage state to a second differential voltage state if the determining step determines that the differential transmission line has not been at the first differential voltage state for at least the first predetermined time period.

Abstract: In order in a digital electricity meter (1) to permit flexibility in terms of user wishes, it is provided that, in addition to its basic meter (2) containing the basic metering functions, the electricity meter (1) includes an additional computing module (23) with which user-specific computations or functions can be implemented. In that way a virtual meter is formed within the electricity meter (1). Preferably the additional computing module (23) is accessible by way of an access module (20) and is freely programmable by the user without the calibrated function of the basic meter being violated.

Abstract: An endless cable tarp extension/retraction system spooled around front and rear pulleys includes drive components that are self-contained and encapsulated within an elongated housing that can be removably mounted to the container body using multiple clamp assemblies or mounting bolts disposed within a T-slot in the housing. A front idler pulley is provided that is sized and oriented relative to the drive pulley to maintain the upper and lower runs of the cable to travel essentially parallel along the length of the container. A self-tensioning rear idler pulley is provided that utilizes a spring to exert an adjustable force against the rear idler pulley. In another aspect of the invention, an anti-sail bracket extends downward from the bow ends of the tarp system and includes an inwardly projecting pin that is restrained from upward movement by a rail mounted to the side of the container.

Abstract: A cover system for an open top container, such as a dump truck bed, includes a pair of pivoting load arm assemblies, one mounted on each side of the bed, configured to jointly convey a cover tarpaulin over a heaped load within the bed. In one embodiment, the load arm assembly includes a pair of telescoping arms, with a lower arm pivotably mounted to an upper rail of the dump bed. The free end of the upper arm of each assembly includes a yoke, formed by a pair of arms diverging to form a notch. The notch is configured to catch or receive a pull bar connected to a retractable tarp. The notch opening is maintained at the level of the edge of the dump bed side boards by a catch projecting generally perpendicular to the yoke. The retractable tarp is unwound from a roller at one end of the dump bed, preferably using a pull rope attached to the pull bar. As the tarp is initially unfurled, the pull bar rides on the side boards of the dump bed until it reaches the position of the load arm yokes.

Abstract: An inflatable raft tethering arrangement includes an inflatable raft and a tether. The inflatable raft has an aperture and a rigid reinforcement. The rigid reinforcement is disposed about the aperture. The tether includes a clasp, a cord, and a suction mechanism. The clasp is secured to the raft through the aperture and the cord secured to the clasp and the suction mechanism.

Abstract: An improved tarp cover system for covering the open-topped container body of a vehicle is characterized by the provision of generally U-shaped inverted hold-down arm that is pivotally connected with the front wall of the container body and that is spring biased to apply a downward force on the front portion of the cover when the container is in the completely closed condition, thereby to reduce flapping of the cover during transport. The flexible tarp cover is wound on a roll that is rotatably supported adjacent the front wall of the container. In a first embodiment, to cover the container, the free end of the cover is displaced rearwardly of the container by a cover arm that is pivotally connected with the side walls of the container. The cover arm is biased toward its rearmost container covering position by a pair of side mounted spring arrangements that include compression springs that are concealed within the hollow leg portions of the cover arm.