Abstract: A clamping fixture for use in the assembly of a gate comprised of a number of plastic members includes a flat stationary clamping surface attached to a stationary frame and a flat moving clamping surface extending parallel to the flat clamping surface and driven toward the flat clamping surface by an actuator, so that the plastic members, assembled in the configuration of the gate, are clamped and held between the clamping surfaces. Preferably, the actuator, which includes one or more pneumatic cylinders, is adjustable along the frame to provide for the assembly of gates having different widths. Preferably, the clamping fixture additionally includes a stationary flat guiding strip extending perpendicularly from an end of the flat stationary clamping surface toward the flat moving clamping surface.

Abstract: A pair of lateral structures is removably attached to a vaginal speculum after the speculum is inserted and opened to retract anterior and posterior vaginal tissue. Each of the lateral structures includes a blade extending along a side of a space provided between the opposed blades of the vaginal speculum to retract lateral vaginal tissue.

Abstract: A paper towel roll having a width of 12.7 to 15.24 centimeters (5 to 6 inches) is provided, along with a holder configured to hold the roll. The holder is composed of a plastic resin molded in a flattened condition and including a pair of arm portions that are folded outward to support the roll. A first version of the holder includes a pair of separate sections, with the arm portions extending toward one another and overlapping as the sections are brought together. A second version is molded as an integral structure, with the two arm portions extending in a common direction from a frame including an aperture in which one arm portion extends.

Abstract: A direction-indicating device includes a control unit, which is plugged into an external power source, and a number of interconnected lights, extending in a first direction. When the external power source fails, the lights are flashed, using power from a battery in the control unit, in a sequence indicating a preferred direction of movement. The control unit may also charge the battery from the external power source, and the lights may additionally be flashed in response to a signal indicating that fire conditions exist. The direction indicated by the lights may be reversed, based on a combination of alarm units transmitting fire detection signals.

Abstract: A heat sink is fastened to an annular portion of a substrate of an integrated circuit module on a printed circuit card by means of a cured layer of cure shrinkable adhesive. A circuit chip is soldered to a central portion of the substrate, around which the annular portion extends. A layer of thermally conductive material is placed between the circuit chip and a central portion of the heat sink, to be compressed as the layer of cure shrinkable adhesive is cured. A compression limiting structure may additionally extend between the heat sink and the annular portion of the substrate, limiting the shrinkage of the adhesive and thus the compression of the thermally conductive material and the flexure of the substrate.

Abstract: A plug for stopping the flow of bone cement in a channel within bone includes an elastomeric inflatable structure protected from bone fragments and sharp edges by a shield extending around the inflatable structure. The shield may be formed as two or more coaxial structures having flexible members extending between opposite ends, with flexible members from an inner such structure curving outward to lie between adjacent flexible members from an outer such structure as the inflatable structure is inflated. The core is also removably connected to an insertion tool, with passageways in the insertion tool and in the core being used to insert a fluid into the inflatable structure. A valve extends as a sleeve around the core, and over the passageway, allowing fluid to flow into the inflatable structure, but preventing it from flowing out of the inflatable structure.

Abstract: A method for dyeing a cellulosic material, such as cotton or a blend including cotton, in the form of yarn, fabric, or garments, includes: a) preparing a dyebath including particles of indigo and an additive, such as an anionic acrylic copolymer, causing the particles to become charged; b) preparing the cellulosic material by applying an additive, such as a cationic polyamide, forming a substrate with a charge attracting the particles, c) immersing the cellulosic material in the dyebath; d) chemically reducing the particles retained on the cellulosic material to a leuco form; and e) oxidizing the dye material.

Abstract: The hard disk drive of a computer system is loaded with a preloaded image including an operating system, a number of application programs, and a device driver installation routine, all of which are not dependent on the hardware configuration of the computer system. A hidden partition of the hard disk drive is also loaded with a number of device drivers, which are dependent upon the hardware configuration. During the first boot only of the preloaded image, the device drivers are installed by the device driver installation routine.

Abstract: A support fixture for setting a fractured distal radius includes a pair of lower support plates extending in opposite directions and a central support bracket movable away from the support plates. The support plates are pivotable relative to one another. To set a fractured distal radius, the forearm of the patient is attached to one of the support plates and his hand is attached to the other of the support plates. Then, the support plates are pivoted and clamped to achieve a desired positioning of bones adjacent to the fracture. Next, the central support bracket is moved away from the support plates, moving the patient's wrist until another desired positioning of these bones is achieved.

Abstract: A portable computer includes upper and lower sections that are pivotally attached, together with a hinge assembly extending outwardly from the pivoted edges of the section. When the upper and lower sections are pivoted open, the hinge assembly moves outward and downward to form a handle by which the computer is easily held and a stand for convenient placement of the computer on a horizontal surface.

Abstract: A bottle holding a beverage includes a straw and stopper combination that is moved into a deployed position within the neck of the bottle after the cap of the bottle is removed. In this position, an air path through the stopper provides for air flow into the bottle when suction is applied through the straw. When suction is not applied, the air path is closed by a flexible member of the stopper, so that the beverage cannot leak outward through the air path or through the straw.

Abstract: A suction probe system for cleaning debris from a surgical site includes a probe tip, a cylindrical filter with inner and outer chambers in fluid communication with the probe tip, and a suction source in fluid communication with the filter unit. In a first version, the inner chamber is attached to the suction source, and an outer surface of the filter accumulates debris particles, which are removed by a cleaning cylinder sliding along the outer surface of the filter as a distal portion of the probe system is slid along a proximal portion thereof. In a second version, the outer chamber is attached to the suction source, and a inner surface of the filter accumulates debris particles, which are removed by rotation of a paddle within the filter as the distal portion of the probe system is rotated on the proximal portion thereof.

Abstract: An extruded thermoplastic member includes a first material, having a first color, and an accent strip, having a second color, coextruded with the first material in the form of a ridge extending outward between corners in the surface of the thermoplastic member. A valance is constructed using such a thermoplastic member, with two such ridges extending along curved portions extending along the top and bottom of the thermoplastic member. The curved portions are formed as parts of closed structures, facilitating a miter sawing process used to cut the thermoplastic member into a central portion and a pair of end portions for the valance.

Abstract: A frame holding removable food grills is provided for cooking food within a fireplace. The frame extends behind and below a convention grate holding a fire within the fireplace. The grills are removably held in slots within the frame, with a number of slots being provided for placing the grills at various distances above the fire.

Abstract: A computing system includes a motherboard including one or more connection subsystems, each of which includes a port connector and a device interface circuit conditioning signals transmitted or received through the port connector. The port connector includes a connection-sensing terminal, which is connected to ground through a cable, and which is allowed to float to a voltage supplied through a pull-up resistor when the cable is disconnected. The motherboard also includes a main voltage plane supplying electrical power to a separate voltage plane for each device interface circuit only when a cable is connected to the port connector which is also connected to the device interface circuit.

Abstract: An article holder includes a body member, a clamping member pivotally mounted on the body member and a holding member for holding the article. The holding member may include an arcuate surface and a flexible member for holding a cylindrical article, such as a water bottle, against the arcuate surface. Alternately, the holding member may include an open-top box for holding articles. The body member may include a structure for removably attaching different holding members.

Abstract: A survival device for use in an emergency situation includes a battery, a lamp, and a detection circuit for detecting an occurrence of the emergency situation and for switching the lamp to be powered by the battery when such an occurrence is detected. In one form, the detection circuit detects a presence of water along a surface of the device, with safety tools for escaping from an submerged vehicle being provided. In another form, the detection circuit detects a failure of electrical service within a building, with safety tools for escaping a fire being provided.

Abstract: A gangway includes a ladder, which is removably attachable to extend along a side of a boat, and a ramp, which is removably and pivotally attachable to the ladder at a number of vertically spaced locations. The ladder may include a step that is pivoted to extend outward for use with the ramp attached at or below the step. The gangway may also include a removable step that can be attached to the ladder at the locations provided for attachment of the ladder.

Abstract: A point of sale terminal includes an input device, for reading information to be stored as part of a financial transaction, and a storage device in which data derived from the information is stored, with the amount of data stored being determined by the financial value of the transaction. The terminal may include a document scanner providing an image of a check or of another form of identification associated with a check, and a digitizing tablet, which provides an indication of movement of a pen or stylus to form a signature. The terminal may also include optical character recognition, which is used to obtain a name and address from the check, which is also stored according to the value of the check.