Abstract: This invention relates to a headrail and mounting bracket for retractable venetian window blinds. The bracket has a top plate and a rear plate extending downwardly from the top plate. A hook near one end of the top plate engages with a lip on a front wall of the headrail. Means are provided to ensure that the hook is securely and tightly engaged with the lip. A latch associated with the rear plate engages with the rear edge of the bottom wall of the headrail to secure the headrail in the bracket. An end plate may also be provided on the bracket.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for accurately and precisely locating specific points on ceilings or, alternatively, on the the same horizontal plane. A light emitting means, a pendulum, a support, and two cylindrical rods act in concert to provide a light beam that is always plumb or always horizontally level.

Abstract: This invention relates to a curtain rod mounting assembly. The configuration of the mounting clip allows one or two base members to be mounted thereon. Either a curtain rod member or a valance extender can be inserted into the base member. A plurality of valance extenders can be used to increase the distance that the curtain rod bracket is from the window. The base members valance extenders and curtain rod mounting brackets are provided with means that allow for precise and simple positioning of the curtain rod mounting bracket from the window frame.

Abstract: An improved visual acuity tester is disclosed that is adapted both to measure the visual acuity of a patient and to function as an integral optical prescription calculator. The visual acuity tester essentially includes a display monitor for displaying visual acuity targets, electronic means for generating a plurality of visual acuity targets to be displayed on the monitor, and a hand-held remote control unit provided with a display unit and a keyboard coupled to the electronic means for controlling the display on the monitor and for performing prescription calculations. The visual acuity targets are created by toggling on/off the electronic means when horizontally scanning the lead lines of screen memories of the targets. Preferably, the electronic means includes a dynamic memory having two screens of memory: an active screen and an inactive screen.

Abstract: A visual function tester with binocular vision testing capabilities is disclosed, which includes a video display monitor and optical means, such as stereo vision glasses, to control the patient's viewing of the display. The opening and closing of the apertures of the glasses is synchronized to the display of a variety of visual acuity images. Certain images are made visible to each eye but not visible to the other, and certain images are displayed such that they appear out of the plane of the images. Methods for use of the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A headrail and bracket combination is provided in which the headrail comprises a main body portion in the form of a U-shaped channel the forward wall of which is suspended from a top plate of the bracket and also restrained against forward motion, and the rear wall of the main body is supported by a rear plate of the bracket, the bracket being adapted for mounting on a window frame. An end plate is also provided for the bracket for end mounting, which end plate can be removed from view either by breaking it off or by bending it backwardly out of sight.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument is disclosed, having upper and lower elongate jaws, one of which is adapted to receive a staple magazine, the other jaw being adapted to receive an anvil or to serve as one itself. A pusher bar and knife assembly including a pair of pusher bars and a central knife carrier moves along the jaws to eject staples from the magazine sequentially and to form laterally spaced staple rows in tissue gripped between the jaws while the knife cuts the tissue along a line between the staple rows. The instrument includes structure for locally supporting the jaws in the region of the forward ends of the pusher bars as these elements move along the jaws to resist forces which arise during staple ejection and shaping and which tend to vertically separate or laterally distort the jaws, or both. The magazine and the pusher bar and knife assembly may together constitute a unitary disposable cartridge. One jaw may have tabs or lugs for gripping the other jaw to provide additional lateral stability.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying surgical fasteners to tissue is disclosed. The apparatus includes an actuator, an applicator section for applying the fasteners and a transversely flexible shaft connecting the applicator and the actuator. The actuator and applicator preferably each contain a hydraulic fluid chamber. The chambers communicate via a hydraulic line contained in the flexible shaft. Actuation of the instrument causes movement of a piston in the applicator fluid chamber, which causes application of the fasteners. A similar second hydraulic system is preferably provided for adjusting the axial position of an anvil used to clinch the fasteners. The two hydraulic control systems are operable wholly independently of each other, permitting precise control of the anvil pressure on the tissue.

Abstract: A surgical stapler comprising a stapling section, an actuator section remote from the stapling section, and a longitudinally flexible shaft connecting the stapling and actuating assemblies is disclosed. The stapling section generates a force to staple tissue responsive to a much smaller force transmitted hydraulically from the actuator section via the flexible shaft.

Abstract: A surgical stapler including a stapling assembly, an actuator assembly remote from the stapling assembly, and a longitudinal shaft assembly having a longitudinally flexible section for connecting the actuator assembly to the stapling assembly and for transmitting the forces and motions required to operate the stapling assembly from the actuator assembly to the stapling assembly.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint for implanting in the body is provided wherein the socket portion of the joint can have various orientations with respect to the patient's anatomy, and the orientation used for a particular patient can be selected and/or changed in situ, that is, during or after implantation of the joint. In addition, the configuration of the joint, e.g., constrained versus semi-constrained, as well as the materials making up the socket portion of the joint, e.g., plastic versus metal, can be selected and/or changed in situ. The questions raised in reexamination request Nos. 90/004,732, filed Aug. 26, 1997 and 90/005,596, filed Jun. 22, 1999, have been considered and the results are reflected in this reissue.