Abstract: A selectively deployable auxiliary wheel system for a refuse collecting vehicle includes a pair of spaced tag axle assemblies. The system can be used with any type of refuse vehicle and is designed to mount either to the truck or the tailgate. Each assembly includes a suspension system including an axle mounting lever carried by a transverse tag pivot shaft and carrying a stub axle and a wheel on the stub axle. A fluid operated tag axle deployment system is used for applying forces to control the deployment of the tag axle between a ground engaging vehicle supporting position and a stowed position. In one embodiment, the system uses a pair of fixed pneumatic springs and a pair of torque arm levers to pivot the axle mounting lever such that the displacement of one of the levers relative to stationary mounting supports raises or lowers the axle mounting lever.

Abstract: This apparatus relates to improved replaceable wear shoes for use with the slide guides of rear-loading refuse trucks.

Abstract: A sawhorse extender attachment adapted to be affixed to the cross beam member of a conventional sawhorse that allows the effective length of the sawhorse to be adjusted. The attachment device comprises a base member having a dove-tail groove extending the full length thereof along with a pair of extension members of a trapezoidal cross-section adapted to slidingly fit within the longitudinal groove in the base member. The extension members can be extended and retracted relative to the length of the base member and locked in place at predetermined locations along the length of the elongated dove-tail groove. Provision is made for stops placed into the extension members to be selectively deployed where the stops project above the top surface thereof for inhibiting lateral shifting of any work piece resting on the sawhorse extender. The sawhorse extender attachment is designed to incorporate various accessories, including workpiece clamps, electrical outlets, a saw guide and spirit level.

Abstract: A product and method of manufacture for an adhesive-based system to removably stick relatively flat articles on surfaces. A cured pressure-sensitive adhesive is coated on both sides of a central flat, flexible support scrim in a zoned thickness pattern which includes sufficient, continuous thickness such that the system is well suited to the removable installation of many types of articles having rough surface textures including, but not limited to, floor coverings such as woven and double-backed carpets having backs of a relatively rough texture and unitary backed carpet having a rough latex or polymeric coating and no applied secondary scrim.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a cardiac lead in the vasculature of the heart includes a guide catheter, a sleeve and a guidewire. The guide catheter has an inflatable balloon at its distal end and a central lumen open distally to the exterior of the catheter for injection of dye or advancement of a guidewire through the guide catheter and past its distal end. The guide sleeve replaces the guide catheter once the guidewire is in position so that a lead can be advanced over the guidewire with the sleeve.

Abstract: A flexible impeller has an insert design incorporating a threaded end within its insert that cooperates with a threaded removal tool for jacking the impeller from the shaft by rotation of the threaded removal tool.

Abstract: A vascular catheter has a highly flexible distal section. A biplanar control system if provided for enabling and controlling the movement of the distal catheter section and tip in any direction in a manner such that the distal tip is capable of accessing any point on the wall of the chamber entered. Dual-wire biplanar control system embodiments include a vertical deflection control wire operable to deflect the distal tip of the catheter in a controlled manner in a vertical plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular catheter and a lateral deflection control wire operable to deflect the distal tip of the catheter in a controlled manner in a lateral plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular catheter. A one-wire system for both vertical and lateral control is also described.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical cutting and coagulating instrument for cutting and coagulating tissue in open surgery. The instrument comprises a handle member from which an electrically conductive first forceps rod and an electrically conductive second forceps rod extend in opposing relationship to each other. An electrically conductive wire extends from the handle member to reside within a longitudinal lumen of the second forceps rod. The first forceps rod is partially movable proximally within the handle member wherein a movable electrical conduit resides. Proximal movement of the first forceps rod causes the rod to contact and move the conduit which, in turn, causes distal movement of the conductive wire with which the conduit is in contact. Such distal wire movement causes the distal end of the wire to extend distally from the second forceps rod.

Abstract: A sling for supporting the urethra and neck of the bladder to prevent urinary incontinence is disclosed. The sling is designed to provide sufficient support to inhibit the unintended flow of urine, yet stretch in a controlled fashion so that the bladder can be voided at approximate times.

Abstract: A changeable portable, solar powered message sign is disclosed which offers reduced power consumption and enhanced visibility to intended observers especially during the difficult hours about dawn and dusk. The system features character matrices and two independent types of pixel defining systems. The system also includes an automatic solar tracking and control system.

Abstract: A ladder rack adapted to be affixed to the roof of a utility vehicle is equipped with a DC motor powered drive which, when actuated, controls the movement of ladders from a location on the vehicle roof to a location alongside the body of the vehicle. The drive includes a DC motor driven lead screw having a traveling nut thereon coupled to an endless chain deployed about a sprocket on an output shaft and a sprocket on an idler shaft such that rotation of the lead screw drives the output shaft. That output shaft is, in turn, coupled to a connecting rod of the ladder rack.

Abstract: A flexible marker system includes a cup member having an aperture centered in its base through which a stake is inserted. The anchor has a tapered stem with two triangular anchor plates extending from the tapered stem. A flexible hinge has two opposing cylindrical members, one for receiving the upper end of the stake and the other for receiving the lower end of a rod. The hinge deflects in all directions. The rod extends upward from the hinge and is colored to indicate distance. A greens mower can approach the flexible marker system from any direction. When the mower encounters the rod, the rod will deflect via the flexible hinge to a position substantially flush with the ground surface. Once the mower has passed the flexible marker system, the rod will return to an upright position.

Abstract: A fluid handling pump for precise metering applications includes a flexible impeller mounted on a shaft that is eccentric to the centerline of a cylindrical chamber of the pump's housing. The impeller includes a plurality of flexible walls, that cooperate with an integrally molded hub and a rim like spokes, to define a plurality of compressible chambers. During rotation of the impeller, the volume of the compressible impeller chambers varies from a maximum in passing the pump's suction port to a minimum when sweeping past the pump's discharge port. In this way, a peristaltic pumping action takes place.

Abstract: A torsion spring tester incorporates a microprocessor based data acquisition/control package and special tooling. The tooling makes calibration of the tester very easy. The combination of the tooling and control package permits acquisition, storage and transfer of test data that is accurate, absolute and repeatable.

Abstract: A ladder rack adapted to be attached to a utility vehicles comprises front and rear four-bar linkages where each of the four-bar linkages comprises a base having a post projecting vertically therefrom, a ladder support member comprising a first straight bar or linkage member having a ladder support arm extending perpendicularly therefrom. A second linkage pivotally connects between the post and a first end portion of the first linkage member. Then, a dog-leg linkage having a first end pivotally attached to the first linkage member proximate its mid-point with the second end of the dog-leg linkage coupled to an elongated connecting rod that extends horizontally between the bases of the front and rear four-bar linkages. The connecting rod is journaled for rotation and when turned by a crank or motor transports ladders suspended on the ladder support arm from a position atop the vehicle to a position alongside the vehicle and vice versa.

Abstract: It is known to provide a collapsible dispenser, for example leaflets and small articles, having an upstanding, elongate recess open at one end for the insertion and dispensing of such articles. However, the need to incline the recess rearwardly means that such a known receptacle is unstable unless a detachable stabilizer is secured thereto. The invention relates to a receptacle foldable to an erect configuration from a blank, the blank comprising a base having hingedly secured thereto a plurality of walls. The base includes extending therefrom a rigid member that serves to stabilize the receptacle. One of the walls includes a recess for the member so that the blank can occupy a completely flat configuration before erecting of the receptacle.

Abstract: A multi-hull watercraft, such as a catamaran or trimaran is constructed to facilitate the righting thereof following a capsize. By providing a pivot connection between the hulls and the cross-members, in accordance with one method, it is possible to right the capsized vehicle by piecemeal rotation of the hulls through 180.degree. from an inverted to an upright disposition. Following this maneuver, the mast may be either rotated up and out of the water to an erect disposition or, alternatively, the mast can be jacked vertically through the deck.

Abstract: A collection vehicle including a material handling system, storage body, compaction system, storage system, and dump system all of which have contact surface areas, wherein the surface areas are self-lubricating. The surface areas may be found in the vehicle's fluid biased cylinder bushings, tailgate hinges, storage body pivot joints, articulated joints, rotation joints, and slides. The self-lubricating, low friction, surface areas reduce wear and repair associated with conventional collection vehicle.

Abstract: An interbody implant for enhancing fusion of adjacent vertebral bodies comprises a rectangular cage member of an open construction dimensioned to fit between adjacent vertebral bodies following surgical removal of the disk. The rectangular cage member includes a plurality of ribs for engaging the plateaus of adjacent vertebral bodies for preventing lateral shifting of the cage. It is held against anterior/posterior motion by a locking screw which threadedly engages the cage and adjacent bone tissue. The cage is adapted to be packed with bone graft material for enhancing solid bone fusion.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical scissors for use in open or endoscopic surgery has a pair of opposed blade members pivotally joined to one another and to the distal end of the scissors itself by a rivet which extends through a insulated bushing member. Each of the blade members comprises a blade support and a blade itself, each fabricated from metal, such as stainless steel. The blades are affixed to their associated supports by means of a suitable adhesive or adhesive composite material such as a fiberglass reinforced epoxy exhibiting dielectric properties. Cutting is performed, steel-on-steel, without causing a short circuit between the two blade supports which themselves function as the bipolar electrodes.