Abstract: A feeder is rotatably mounted in cooperative relation to a discharge end of a conveyor system. In a first position, the feeder is in line with the conveyor system so that the path of travel of conveyed articles is not changed. In a second position, the feeder device is disposed at a right angle to the conveyor system so that the path of travel of conveyed articles is changed by ninety degrees. An adjustable length conveyor belt enables the discharge of conveyed articles into the feeder at differing positions, depending upon the size of the articles. A pair of upstanding walls having sloped edges reciprocates as the feeder operates to ensure that all articles are in shingled relation to one another so that the articles are fed into the feeder one at a time in the substantial absence of jamming.

Abstract: An air-tight bailer is filled completely and closed at its open upper end with a flat cap so that no ambient air is trapped in the bailer. A mounting member to which a rope is secured for lowering and lifting the bailer is recessed with respect to the open upper end of the bailer so that it does not interfere with the cap. A disc-shaped protuberance formed on the bottom of the cap fills the recess. An annular groove around the recess receives the rim of the open upper end to enhance an air-tight seal between the cap and the open upper end. In a first embodiment, the bailer is emptied by piercing a thin membrane formed in the cap with a spout device having a trailing end in fluid communication with a container. A second embodiment eliminates the membrane and the spout device.

Abstract: A device for thawing frozen food requires no electrical energy consumption. A frozen food item is supported by a metallic bottom part and a metallic top part overlies the food item so that the food item is held in sandwiched relation between the top and bottom parts. The distance between the top part and the bottom part is vertically adjustable to accommodate frozen food items of differing sizes. A plurality of heat transfer fins are integrally formed in the top part and deliver heat from the ambient environment into the food item. A second embodiment includes fins on the bottom part as well. Moisture created by the thawing drains away from the food item under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: A prosthetic lock assembly of the ratchet type for connecting a liner for a prosthetic socket to a prosthesis. The lock assembly includes a two part locking mechanism held together by suitable fasteners. Removal or loosening of the fasteners enables a user to separate the two parts from one another in the event a sock gets into and jams the locking mechanism. In a first set of four embodiments, a latch is formed in a first part of the locking mechanism and in a second set of four embodiments, the latch is formed in a second part of the locking mechanism. The lock assembly may be mounted internally or externally of the prosthetic socket. The first part of the locking mechanism may be a laminating ring or a thermoforming plate and the second part may be a mounting block with or without a pyramid for controlling a prosthetic pylon.

Abstract: A prosthetic lock assembly of the ratchet type for connecting a liner for a prosthetic socket to a prosthesis. The lock assembly includes a two part locking mechanism held together by suitable fasteners. Removal or loosening of the fasteners enables a user to separate the two parts from one another in the event a sock gets into and jams the locking mechanism. In a first set of four embodiments, a latch is formed in a first part of the locking mechanism and in a second set of four embodiments, the latch is formed in a second part of the locking mechanism. The lock assembly may be mounted internally or externally of the prosthetic socket. The first part of the locking mechanism may be a laminating ring or a thermoforming plate and the second part may be a mounting block with or without a pyramid for controlling a prosthetic pylon.

Abstract: Openings in a mammalian body made by any medical procedure or non-medical event are sealed with a bioabsorbable plug or sewn with a bioabsorbable suture. In one exemplary embodiment, the plug in dehydrated, unexpanded condition is pushed by a pushing device through the lumen of a needle until a first part of the plug is external to the opening and a second part is internal to the opening. The needle is then withdrawn while the position of the pushing device is maintained. The pushing device is then withdrawn, leaving the plug in sealing relation to the opening. The body's moisture causes the plug to expand to complete the sealing of the opening, or the expansion may be caused by exposure to air, light, or other stimulant. The opening may be formed in soft tissue, internal organs, or hard tissue. The plug seals the flow of liquid or gaseous biological fluids.

Abstract: Improvements in high-speed machines for inserting sheets into envelopes include a first apparatus for pre-opening envelopes after they are pulled from a hopper and before a blade-like envelope flap opener fully opens them. The first apparatus includes a roller and a roller housing having a top part that defines a small space between them through which a flap-including longitudinal edge of an envelope passes. The edge is constrained to form a curvature as it passes through the small space, causing the flap to open at least to some extent. A second improvement in pre-openers includes a cut out formed in an envelope support plate and a rigid deflector positioned in the path of the envelopes as they leave the hopper. The envelope flaps are partly opened as they are deflected below the plane of the support plate. A third improvement includes a plurality of vacuum dishes formed in an envelope-supporting plate.

Abstract: A prosthetic lock assembly of the ratchet type for connecting a liner for a prosthetic socket to a prosthesis. The lock assembly includes a two part locking mechanism held together by suitable fasteners. Removal or loosening of the fasteners enables a user to separate the two parts from one another in the event a sock gets into and jams the locking mechanism. In a first set of four embodiments, a latch is formed in a first part of the locking mechanism and in a second set of four embodiments, the latch is formed in a second part of the locking mechanism. The lock assembly may be mounted internally or externally of the prosthetic socket. The first part of the locking mechanism may be a laminating ring or a thermoforming plate and the second part may be a mounting block with or without a pyramid for controlling a prosthetic pylon.

Abstract: A prosthetic lock assembly of the ratchet type for connecting a liner for a prosthetic socket to a prosthesis. The lock assembly includes a two part locking mechanism held together by suitable fasteners. Removal or loosening of the fasteners enables a user to separate the two parts from one another in the event a sock gets into and jams the locking mechanism. In a first set of four embodiments, a latch is formed in a first part of the locking mechanism and in a second set of four embodiments, the latch is formed in a second part of the locking mechanism. The lock assembly may be mounted internally or externally of the prosthetic socket. The first part of the locking mechanism may be a laminating ring or a thermoforming plate and the second part may be a mounting block with or without a pyramid for controlling a prosthetic pylon.

Abstract: A prosthetic lock assembly of the ratchet type for connecting a liner for a prosthetic socket to a prosthesis. The lock assembly includes a two part locking mechanism held together by suitable fasteners. Removal or loosening of the fasteners enables a user to separate the two parts from one another in the event a sock gets into and jams the locking mechanism. In a first set of four embodiments, a latch is formed in a first part of the locking mechanism and in a second set of four embodiments, the latch is formed in a second part of the locking mechanism. The lock assembly may be mounted internally or externally of the prosthetic socket. The first part of the locking mechanism may be a laminating ring or a thermoforming plate and the second part may be a mounting block with or without a pyramid for controlling a prosthetic pylon.

Abstract: An earth anchor has a thin, elongate base to facilitate its introduction into the earth. Strengthening ribs extend along its longitudinal extent on both sides of the elongate base. The distal end of an anchor strap is secured to the elongate base and a proximal end of the anchor strap remains above the surface of the earth so that it can be pulled upon when the elongate base has reached a desired depth. In a preferred embodiment, a water jet positioned at the leading end of the elongate base bores a hole into which the earth anchor is inserted. Pulling on the anchor strap causes the elongate base to rotate about its trailing end until it assumes a horizontal, deployed position. Items secured to the proximal end of the anchor strap are held firmly to the ground because the deployed earth anchor offers substantial resistance to displacement.

Abstract: A prosthetic lock assembly of the ratchet type for connecting a liner for a prosthetic socket to a prosthesis. The lock assembly includes a two part locking mechanism held together by suitable fasteners. Removal or loosening of the fasteners enables a user to separate the two parts from one another in the event a sock gets into and jams the locking mechanism. In a first set of four embodiments, a latch is formed in a first part of the locking mechanism and in a second set of four embodiments, the latch is formed in a second part of the locking mechanism. The lock assembly may be mounted internally or externally of the prosthetic socket. The first part of the locking mechanism may be a laminating ring or a thermoforming plate and the second part may be a mounting block with or without a pyramid for controlling a prosthetic pylon.

Abstract: A prosthetic lock assembly of the ratchet type for connecting a liner for a prosthetic socket to a prosthesis. The lock assembly includes a two part locking mechanism held together by suitable fasteners. Removal or loosening of the fasteners enables a user to separate the two parts from one another in the event a sock gets into and jams the locking mechanism. In a first set of four embodiments, a latch is formed in a first part of the locking mechanism and in a second set of four embodiments, the latch is formed in a second part of the locking mechanism. The lock assembly may be mounted internally or externally of the prosthetic socket. The first part of the locking mechanism may be a laminating ring or a thermoforming plate and the second part may be a mounting block with or without a pyramid for controlling a prosthetic pylon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a sloped floor includes a plurality of elongate arms disposed in radial array relative to a drain. Each arm has a common height along its extent. The radially innermost end of each arm is positioned near or connected to the drain. In a first embodiment, the radially innermost end of each arm is pivotally connected to an adapter that is connected to a center ring that circumscribes the drain. In a second embodiment, each arm is positioned at an incline by an adapter that rigidly joins the arm to the center ring. In a third embodiment, the arms are of shallow construction and are removed after the concrete has been poured. A mounting strip secured to the shower wall may support the radially outermost end of each arm. In all embodiments, the concrete is worked so that it is flush with the uppermost edge of each elongate arm.

Abstract: A dual function water pipe includes a water-holding container and serves as a loose leaf tobacco pipe and as a cigarette smoking device. A bowl surmounts the container and a downspout of the bowl extends into the container an extent sufficient to submerge the free end of the downspout. A hollow adapter having a radial bore that holds the unlit end of a cigarette surmounts the bowl. A smoker applies suction to a smoke tube that draws smoke from the cigarette and the structure of the device causes the smoke to follow a path of travel that constrains the smoke to pass through the water before entering the smoke tube, removing some toxins from the smoke. The smoke tube is positioned one hundred eighty degrees from the cigarette and has a telescopically-extended configuration that positions a flame source a safe distance from a user's face.

Abstract: An anti-smoking system is built into a lidded container that holds cigarette packs. When the lid of the container is opened to grant access to the cigarette pack, an audible anti-smoking message is generated and played by an electrical circuit. Plural messages of differing content are provided so that the same message is not heard twice in a row. In a first embodiment, the circuit is activated in response to a signal from a light-sensitive device positioned within the lid so that the act of opening the container in an illuminated environment triggers the message. In a second embodiment, a normally open switch in the electrical circuit is closed when the lid is removed from the container. This activates the circuit independently of lighting conditions. In both embodiments, the system delivers an anti-smoking message at the moment of impulse, maximizing the psychological impact of the message.

Abstract: A shock absorbing platform includes a bottom plate and a top plate joined to one another at their respective rearward and side peripheral edges by elongate rigid links that enable the plates to remain in parallel relation to one another as the top plate moves in relation to the bottom plate. In a first embodiment, an opening formed in the bottom plate accommodates the upper end of a platform-supporting pedestal so that the platform may be retrofit onto a pre-existing pedestal. The forward edge of the platform is open so that height-adjusting and seat-rotating pins are readily accessible. A cylinder is pivotally mounted on each outboard side of the platform and its plunger bears against a roller of a truncate link assembly that interconnects the top and bottom plates at their respective forward edges. Downward forces applied to the top plate are resisted by the cylinders.

Abstract: A balloon angioplasty or stenting apparatus includes a guide wire, a balloon catheter ensleeving the guide wire, and a guide catheter ensleeving the balloon catheter. The balloon catheter has slots formed in it to define elongate members between the slots. A joint is formed at the proximal, distal, and mid-point of each elongate member. Displacing the proximal and distal joints toward and away from one another causes the respective middle joints to displace radially outwardly and inwardly, respectively. A mesh that captures emboli while allowing blood perfusion partially overlies the jointed members is opened and closed when the jointed members are opened and closed. A guide wire having an outer coil and an inner rod slideably received within it has jointed members formed in the outer coil. The mesh is opened and closed by axially retracting and advancing the inner rod with respect to the outer coil, respectively.

Abstract: A prosthetic liner having a soft gel interior and a fabric-covered exterior includes an air passageway formed in the gel near the distal end of the liner. A one-way valve is positioned between the gel and the fabric with its intake side being disposed in fluid communication with the air passageway. Air passing through the air passageway is expelled through the output side of the valve through the fabric exterior. Ambulation of a user wearing the liner on a residual limb causes expulsion of air entrapped within the liner through the one-way valve.