Abstract: A handle grip and handle grip assembly for shopping baskets. A pair of identical handle grips are fabricated of molded plastic, each comprising a unitary body component and cover component connected by a hinge component. A handle element is seated in each body component and the corresponding cover component closes over the handle element and is locked to the body component. The cover components of the grips engage each other when the basket is carried and the weight of the basket increases the engagement force.

Abstract: A composite insulator with a silicone rubber sheath coating the insulator rod between metal fittings. Adjacent the line fitting, at least, a series of weathersheds are mounted on the rod and fastened to the sheath with their hubs in abutting relationship and with one hub abutting the line fitting. Another series of sheds are spaced from each other and from the series of weathersheds having their hubs in abutting relationship.

Abstract: A corporeal access tube assembly includes a tube segment containing a coil spring. A retention balloon is secured to the tube segment around a portion of the segment. A deflation lumen extends through the tube segment from a predetermined location in said tube segment which is spaced from one end of the tube segment to a location adjacent the balloon where it is in fluid communication with the balloon. A set connector has a fitting with external threads which is threaded into the one end of the tube segment and into the coil spring.

Abstract: A corporeal access tube assembly including a tube segment in which a coil spring is embedded along a portion of the segment. A retention balloon is secured to the tube segment around a portion which does not contain the coil spring. The balloon is inflated when in operation but its walls are not stretched to any noticeable extent. The tube segment extends through a split external bolster which opens to permit positioning of the tube segment and closes to clamp the tube segment in place. A gauging system on the tube segment permits precise positioning of the bolster.

Abstract: A corporeal access tube assembly and a retention bolster for a corporeal access tube assembly. An elongated body formed of silicone rubber is split along a substantial portion of its length to form two legs joined together at corresponding one ends. The legs are separable from their other ends to receive the tube segment between them. When the legs are brought together and secured in that relationship they grip a tube segment and cause it to flex into a configuration where an outer portion lies flush against a patient's abdomen, for example.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for welding a joint edge of a first sheet metal component to a joint edge of a second sheet metal component to form a weld joint. The system includes a gauging sub-system which positions each joint edge at a desired distance from a weld line. A sub-system then clamps the sheet metal components in this relationship. A joint edge butting sub-system then moves the clamped components toward each other until the edges are in butting relationship. A laser welding sub-system then moves a welding head along the butted edges to form the weld joint. The laser beam, which forms the weld joint, passes through an air shield in the welding mechanism so that weld splatter from the welding zone is carried off by an air stream and does not reach the welding head optics. The invention also relates to a method of laser welding.

Abstract: A plastic fastener for securing moldings to frames in vehicles. The fastener includes minor slots formed in the fastener and adjacent to a coupling structure. The minor slots provide sufficient flexibility to allow the fastener to flex inward under pressure, thereby permitting the coupling structure to move between an engagement position and a retracted position. The fastener is pushed through an opening in the frame. The opening is sized such that the edges of the opening apply pressure to the fastener as it moves through the opening, thereby moving the coupling structure toward its retracted position. When the fastener completely in the opening, the pressure is relieved, and the coupling structure snaps back to its engagement position, thereby engaging the edges of the opening and securing the fastener thereto. The fastener may be removed from the opening by applying sufficient pressure to again move the coupling structure to its retracted position.

Abstract: A process of rapidly determining the blood circulation volume in a patient during surgery. Blood circulation volume is determined from circulation transport functions based on the evaluation of a compartmental analysis of a dye dilution curve. The information content of the entire dye dilution curve is utilized for the calculation of the parameters of the circulation transport function.