Abstract: An exercise device for strengthening the muscles of the pelvis, particularly the collective group of muscles involved in human sexual response, which are also important for controlling the evacuation of the intestines and the bladder. This exercise device focuses on increasing the strength, tone and endurance of these muscles. The device comprises a longitudinally extending member that includes a blunt head portion and a compressible shaft portion. The first end of the shaft portion is juxtaposed with the head portion. The first end of the shaft portion has an outwardly extending retaining slope formed thereon, particularly when the device is received within a pelvic body cavity and the muscles of the pelvic floor are at rest. The retaining slope is engageable with the retaining edge of the adjacent pelvic floor muscle platform of that pelvic body cavity to facilitate intracorporal retention within the pelvic body cavity.

Abstract: A refrigerant filter, attachable to automotive air-conditioning systems, for removal of debris from air-conditioning refrigerants. The filter media is contained within a two-part hollow body for flow-through filtration of the refrigerants. The first and second parts of the hollow body are sealingly and removably attachable to one another to easily gain access to the filter media, which permits replacement of the filter media without removal of the filter body from the refrigerant line. The apparatus includes a first and second filter media, in which the second filter media prevent transfer of portions of the first filter media into the air-conditioning system.

Abstract: An exercise device for strengthening the muscles of the pelvis, particularly the collective group of muscles involved in human sexual response, which are also important for controlling the evacuation of the intestines and the bladder. This exercise device focuses on increasing the strength, tone and endurance of these muscles. The device comprises a longitudinally extending member that includes a blunt head portion and a compressible shaft portion. The first end of the shaft portion is juxtaposed with the head portion. The first end of the shaft portion has an outwardly extending retaining slope formed thereon, particularly when the device is received within a pelvic body cavity and the muscles of the pelvic floor are at rest. The retaining slope is engageable with the retaining edge of the adjacent pelvic floor muscle platform of that pelvic body cavity to facilitate intracorporal retention within the pelvic body cavity.

Abstract: A prosthesis for replacement of a ball and socket joint in the human body. The prosthetic components comprise a plurality of separate parts which may be inserted through a hole in the femur of the patient and assembled and attached to the prepared acetabulum of the hip bone to form a cup-shaped first shell. A cup is also passed through the hole in the femur and attached to the first shell to form the socket portion of the joint. A shaft having a first end with a ball formed thereon is inserted in the hole through the femur so that the ball engages the cup for movement therein.

Abstract: An exercise device for strengthening the muscles of the pelvis, particularly the collective group of muscles involved in human sexual response, which are also important for controlling the evacuation of the intestines and the bladder. This exercise device focuses on increasing the strength, tone and endurance of these muscles. The device comprises a longitudinally extending member that includes a blunt head portion and a compressible shaft portion. The first end of the shaft portion is juxtaposed with the head portion. The first end of the shaft portion has an outwardly extending retaining slope formed thereon, particularly when the device is received within a pelvic body cavity and the muscles of the pelvic floor are at rest. The retaining slope is engageable with the retaining edge of the adjacent pelvic floor muscle platform of that pelvic body cavity to facilitate intracorporal retention within the pelvic body cavity.

Abstract: A device for holding a light emitting source, including flashlights having incandescent bulbs or light emitting diodes (L.E.D.s), to provide a hands-free light source. The device comprises a clip that is configured for attachment to a support and a member that is attached thereto and extends outwardly therefrom. The member has a hole therethrough that is sized and configured to receive a portion of a light source therein. Many light sources are comprised of at least two parts, that are attachable to one another. A portion of one of the parts is receivable through the hole in the member and is attached to the other one of the two parts, thereby attaching the light source to the member. The clip is then attached to a support to provide a hands free light source.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a foam cosmetic cover for a prosthetic component. The steps comprise selection of an appropriate prosthetic component, collecting data regarding its shape from a replica of the prosthetic component, converting the data into the dimensions of two halves of an interior cavity, and providing this data to a computer-controlled milling machine. The computer-controlled milling machine then cuts a portion of one-half of the cavity into one side of the block and a portion of the other half of the cavity on the opposed side of the block. The cutting head is then advanced longitudinally so that additional portions of the cavity can be cut into the opposing sides of the block. The block is then removed from the milling machine and cut in half longitudinally between the indentations in the sides of a block. The two halves of the block are then attached to one another to form a cavity having the general shape of the prosthetic component.

Abstract: A low-profile life vest particularly suitable for use by pilots having helmets with integrated display and sighting systems. The life vest comprises an inflatable bladder and a generally U-shaped cover that houses the bladder in the deflated condition so that the bladder is as compact as possible. When the inflatable vest is activated, the bladder must have a means for egress or expansion through the cover, conveniently a zippered opening that extends longitudinally along the life vest. On the portion of the life vest that passes over the pilot's shoulder, the zippered opening is formed on one of the sides of the life vest and is spaced apart from its peripheral edge.

Abstract: A food display cooler for display of packaged and non-packaged food products for self-service by customers. The cooler simultaneously provides a cooled frosted display platform and a blanket of cooled air above the display platform and over the food products. The display platform is pivotally mounted to a pan underlying the display platform. The display platform has a first cooling coil attached directly to the bottom surface of the display platform and a second cooling coil and a fan is connected to the display platform such that the cooling coil pivots with the display platform when it is pivoted to the open position. A refrigeration unit is connected in fluid flow communication with the cooling coil, and is connected to the exterior surface of the pan.

Abstract: A primary connector useful for attaching a pre-cast element to a structure includes a receiver member and an attachment member. The receiver member includes a base plate and an acceptor disposed in substantially normal relation to the base plate. The attachment member is a separate plate having a front surface and a back surface with a plurality of anchors extending outwardly from the back surface and a plurality of keyhole slots formed through the plate with each of the slots be accessible from the plate's front surface so that the attachment member may be joined to the receiver member.

Abstract: An astragal used with exterior double door installations, such as french doors. When attached to the edge of the generally inactive door, the astragal provides a door stop for the active door, a seal to prevent intrusion of water, and a lock for the inactive door. The invention particularly pertains to extruded metal astragals capable of increasing the resistance of the double door system to high wind conditions. The astragal comprises a longitudinally extending base member that has at least one longitudinally extending channel and a pair of spaced apart outwardly extending legs. At least one bolt is slidably inserted in the channel adjacent to one of the first and second ends of the channel. The astragal is attached to the door by at least one cleat whose spaced apart arms engage the legs of the base member providing resistance to the astragal rocking in relation to the door edge when the doors are under wind forces.

Abstract: The invention relates to supports for apparatus for transferring weight loads from one concrete structure to another. The devices are particularly suited for concrete highway construction. The support apparatus is used to position joint dowels that extend across paving joints between adjoining concrete slabs. The support apparatus comprises a first and a second support, each positioned on opposing sides of the paving joint. Each of the first and second supports comprise at least one longitudinally extending member having at least two cross members attached thereto such that one end of the cross member extends outwardly beyond the member. At least one clip comprising a body having a cavity therein, a gripper connected to the body and a cylindrical sleeve connected to the body is attached to each support. The clip is mounted to the end of a cross member so that the first end of the cross member is received into the cavity of the body and the attached gripper grasps the adjacent portion of the member.

Abstract: An exercise device for strengthening the muscles of the pelvis, particularly the collective group of muscles involved in human sexual response, which are also important for controlling the evacuation of the intestines and the bladder. This exercise device focuses on increasing the strength, tone and endurance of these muscles. The device comprises a longitudinally extending member that includes a blunt head portion and a compressible shaft portion. The first end of the shaft portion is juxtaposed with the head portion. The first end of the shaft portion has an outwardly extending retaining slope formed thereon, particularly when the device is received within a pelvic body cavity and the muscles of the pelvic floor are at rest. The retaining slope is engageable with the retaining edge of the adjacent pelvic floor muscle platform of that pelvic body cavity to facilitate intracorporal retention within the pelvic body cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for modifying the earth's surface by removing soil from the surface, moving the soil to a new location and filling low areas. It comprises a frame carried by at least two wheels, a tongue mounted to the frame for attachment to a tractor, a cutting blade mounted on the frame, and a bucket pivotally mounted to the frame adjacent the blade to receive the soil cut by the blade. The wheels are pivotally mounted to the frame for movement of the wheels about the back wall and floor of the bucket between a first position and a second position. When the wheels are in the second position, a portion of each of the wheels underlies a portion of the floor of the bucket bringing the wheels closer to the center of gravity of the apparatus and its load.

Abstract: This invention relates to sleeping bags, more particularly to sleeping bags whose outer shell, liner, and insulation characteristics may be varied through selection of various combinations that are particularly suitable for the planned usage. The sleeping bag of this invention comprises a case constructed from two panels whose sides and one pair of ends are attached to one another and the other pair of ends define an opening into the space between the panels. The sleeping bag further comprises an insulation layer that is sized and configured to be easily removable and replaceable through the opening in the case. At least one fastener attaches the insulating layer to the case. Insulation layers having different thermal ratings may be substituted as needed to obtain adequate protection under varying weather conditions. Being removable from the insulation layer, the case may be cleaned and/or aired separately therefrom.