Abstract: A downhole oil well tool uses impact, reciprocal drilling and an improved rotating bit or like working member, receiving both fluid pressure and weight from an elongated pipe string with a flow bore in order to drive the tool. A valve within tool housing controls fluid pressure to the working end so that the tool pressures up, then releases pressure through the working member allowing the pipe string to load the bit, creating impact. A clutch rotates the working member during drilling to prevent imprint upon the formation. A bias spring is provided to control and adjust the amount of weight on the bit independent of pipe weight.

Abstract: An automatic insulation tester tests the insulation resistance of electrical equipment when the electrical equipment is inoperative. The automatic insulation tester is automatically rendered operative when the electrical equipment is inoperative, and is automatically rendered inoperative when the electrical equipment is operative. The automatic insulation tester applies a voltage on the order of the rated voltage of the electrical equipment to the electrical equipment and measures and displays the insulation resistance of the electrical equipment. When the insulation resistance falls below a predetermined value, an indicator is activated, and remains in an activated state until the insulation resistance of the electrical equipment rises above the predetermined value and the automatic insulation tester is manually reset.

Abstract: A lens housing and cover for a disposable microscope drape including a housing formed of a flexible, easily distortable, resilient material adapted to be connected to a disposable microscope drape and positioned adjacent to an objective lens of an operating room microscope. The housing includes an opening for registering with the objective lens. A lens cover includes an optically clear portion for spanning the opening and a gripping portion projecting from the optically clear portion and from the housing when the lens cover is in the housing.

Abstract: A folding dumbell and barbell device having an elongated far with weights mounted on opposing ends of the elongated bar. Each of the weights contain a pivoting mechanism within the body of the weights and a slot in the inner side of the weights which will receive the elongated bar when the weights are pivoted or folded to the folding position. The pivoting mechanism attaches to the end of the elongated bar in the slot, thereby providing a pivoting point inside the weights. Each of the weights also includes a locking mechanism which locks the weights in the open position while exercising. To fold the dumbell or barbell, the locking mechanism is disengaged, the weights pivot with the pivot mechanism and are folded over on the bar and receive the bar in the slot in the side of the weights. With the slot in the weights receiving the entire size of the bar, the folding dumbell and barbell device, when folded is the thickness of the weights. All parts remain attached for folding.

Abstract: In a well treatment method, a fluid is positioned in a wellbore have formation perforations in alignment with the portion thereof to be treated. A gas generator is positioned in proximity with the fluid and is actuated to disperse the fluid within the wellbore in accordance with a pressure/time relationship. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the fluid is a fluid resin material which is polymerized following operation of the gas generator to form a consolidated, porous, permeable matrix which retains sand and other fine materials while permitting the flow of production fluid into the well.

Abstract: An implant for stimulating the vagus nerve receives commands over a radio frequency link. The communication protocol uses asynchronous communications devices with parity checking and echoing of communicated characters and passwords to improve communication error checking. The implant disables a voltage convertor used in providing the stimulation signal at periodic intervals to monitor for communications attempts. The implant provides radio frequency marker pulses before providing stimulation signals of certain frequencies. During the providing of stimulation signals the implant monitors the voltage overhead present between the voltage source and the load and adjusts the overhead to a desired level. The implant changes the voltage applied to certain internal components during stimulation periods to allow full power operation during those intervals and reduced power levels at other intervals.

Abstract: A food/beverage dispenser for infants and small children includes a tubular flexible outer housing and a tubular flexible chamber which contains food. The bore housing between the tubular chamber and the housing wall is a void area that is filled during use with liquid. When a child squeezes the outer housing, the liquid between the housing and the chamber is forced downwardly compressing the chamber and dispensing food/beverage contained therein out through a dispensing outlet which can be in the form of an elongated tubular spout or in the form of a spoon having dispensing openings in the concave bowl portion of the spoon.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for pumping fluids from horizontal wells with a dip tube used without requiring a packer in the well. Gas is separated from the liquid phase ahead of the pump to avoid slug flow of gas into the pump. This increases the amount of oil that can be pumped from the well by avoiding shutdowns resulting from gas-locking of the pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand splint which is formed of a bladder adapted to fit in the palm of a patient's hand between the thumb and fingers and two pairs of straps for securing the splint to the hand. The bladder is selectively inflatable and deflatable to fit the need of the patient.

Abstract: A novel suturing assembly defined by a new and improved suturing needle, having a bore therethrough for forming an arc of thread to be grasped. The assembly would comprise a first and second barrel portion, the portions working to allow a rod member to secure the arc of thread formed, and hold it in place, while the needle forms a second suture, and secures the loop as part of the suture.

Abstract: Orthopedic implants of zirconium or zirconium-based alloy coated with blue or blue-black zirconium oxide or zirconium nitride to provide low friction, highly wear resistant coatings especially useful in artificial joints, such as hip joints, knee joints, elbows, etc. The invention zirconium oxide or nitride coated prostheses are also useful to reduce microfretting wear in multi-component surgical implants subject to such wear. Further, the coatings provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal prosthesis. Such protection can be extended by the use of oxidized or nitrided porous coatings of zirconium or zirconium alloy beads or wire mesh into which bone spicules may grow so that the prosthesis may be integrated into the living skeleton.

Abstract: A safety device (10) for a water dispenser (1) includes a safety tube (20), a cap (30), and an attachment strap (40) for attaching the safety tube (20) to the spigot (3) of the water dispenser (1). The dispensing button (4) is received in the interior (26) of the safety tube (20), with the wall (27) of the safty tube (20) surrounding the dispensing button (4) of the water dispenser (1). The cap (30) snaps onto a locking ridge (29) on the tube (20) to prevent access to the dispensing button (4) from above. When the cap (30) is properly fitted on the tube (20), the locking ridge (31) and the locking tab (32) on the safety cap (30) are received in the snap groove (28) of safety tube 20. When properly fitted on the spigot (3) of a water dispenser (1), the safety device (10) prevents small children from dispensing water from the water bottle (2) via the dispensing outlet (7) of the spigot (3).

Abstract: A retractable steering device for liquid/bulk cargo carrying barges includes a rectangular barge hull having a generally flat bottom and an upper deck and generally vertical port and starboard sidewalls. A cargo hold is contained at the central portion of and within the barge hull for containing a liquid or bulk cargo. Port and starboard wing tanks are positioned respectively between the port and sidewalls of the hull and the cargo hold. A pair of longitudinally extending slots are positioned adjacent the respective port and starboard wing tanks, each defining an opening that communicates at least with the barge bottom to provide an opening to the sea under the barge bottom.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for mounting on a circuit breaker to tag or indicate that an electrical line or equipment connected to the breaker is being serviced. Once work has been completed, the apparatus can be removed from the circuit breaker for later use on other breakers. When in place on the circuit breaker, the apparatus keeps the circuit breaker switch or handle in an open or off position, while also enclosing the switch to render it inaccessible from inadvertent contact.

Abstract: A stretch wrap multi-layer film having a sound dampening property wherein the sound dampening property is provided by a layer of ULDPE or LLDPE and high strength and puncture resistance are provided by a second layer containing a LLDPE. The neck in characteristic of linear polymers is overcome by blending into the second layer a minor amount of a non-linear LDPE.

Abstract: An apparatus adaptable to a trash bin, the bin being of the type having four side walls, and a swinging door panel on the upper portion of one of the side walls, for allowing the panel to be manually opened and a tray to be slid within the opening and food or trash allowed to be dumped from the tray into a trash can contained within the bin. The apparatus would comprise a foot pedal hingedly secured to the interior wall of the bin, and an opening above the foot pedal so that one may have access to the foot pedal with one's foot, a line running from the front face of the foot pedal upward and interconnecting the interior face of the door panel; and a pulley secured to the side wall of the bin, so that the line runs over the pulley, in such a fashion when one places force downward on the foot pedal, the line is retracted so that the door panel is swung into the opening within the container, thus giving access to the container through the opening formed by the opened panel.

Abstract: A device for the in situ collection of surgically excised material, including whole gall bladder, gallstones, dissected gall bladder and other tissues, for removal from the body, particularly in laproscopic surgical procedures.