Abstract: A thermal check valve for use in a gravity flow hot water recirculating system. The hot water system has a hot water heating tank, a water faucet, manifold piping from the hot water heating tank to the faucet, return piping from the faucet to the hot water heating tank, and a thermal check valve interposed in the return piping and adjacent a return inlet into the tank. The check valve has a valve body, an inlet chamber formed within the valve body, an inlet port in communication with the inlet chamber, an outlet chamber formed within the valve body, and an outlet port in communication with the outlet chamber, the outlet port being below the inlet port.

Abstract: A surgical instrument which easily disassembles for sterilization comprises an inner rod coaxially disposed in a hollow tube with a handle at one end of the rod and a working tip at the other end. The handle is detachably interconnected to the inner rod and the inner rod is detachably interconnected to the hollow tube by the cooperation of at least one locking pin secured to the inner rod and a locking tab formed on the inner surface of the hollow tube.

Abstract: An acoustic sensor system for detection of insects in agricultural commodities. The system includes isolation structure for isolating the agricultural commodities from external noise and vibration, an improved acoustic sensor for detecting sound from within the agricultural commodities and for generating a signal in response to sound so detected, and a user recognizable output such as earphones or a light emitting diode for producing user recognizable output in response to signals generated by the acoustic sensor.

Abstract: A totally disposable contact lens cleaning device including a polyurethane ester foam, contact lens cleaning pad and a polyethylene cross linked foam, soft base member thermally bonded to the contact lens cleaning pad. The contact lens cleaning device is manufactured by cutting an aperture through a soft base member; and then thermally bonding a contact lens cleaning pad to the soft base member over the aperture.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed for tightening and trimming the loop formed by a self-locking strap around a bundle of articles. A strap stop is driven away from the apertured head of said self-locking strap by means of a carrier lever. Bearing against said apertured head is an excess strap cutter either fixed to or ratchetting within said carrier lever. Said cutter severs the excess strap protruding through said apertured head when said tool is rotated so as to engage the cutter blades with said excess strap.

Abstract: A holder for a boat seat clamp assembly. The holder includes a hook for embracing the transverse arm of a first clamp of the boat seat clamp assembly to prevent undesired separation of the first clamp from the boat. A modified second clamp includes a latch for engaging a lip on a transverse member of the boat to prevent undesired separation of the second clamp from the boat.

Abstract: A retainer for gathering together a shoulder strap of a first garment and a shoulder strap of a second garment and for holding one or more shoulder straps in place on a wearer's shoulder. The retainer includes a body having stabilizing structure for holding the retainer stable on the wearer's shoulder; and grip structure attached to the body for gripping one or more shoulder straps and for securing one or more shoulder straps to the body.

Abstract: A nail flattening apparatus for use primarily in re-furbishing wooden pallet components, comprising a loading station and an operating station interconnected by a conveyor. Boards having nail stubble protruding from opposite sides are placed onto the conveyor in the loading station and transferred to the operating station, whereupon a reciprocating hammer and stationary anvil disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor cooperate to substantially flatten all nail stubble in a single operation. In the preferred embodiment, a microprocessor controls a plurality of hydraulic cylinders which automatically move each board into the proper operating position, lift each board off of the surface of the conveyor, move the hammer to compress substantially all nail stubble, release the hammer to its retracted position, return the board to the conveyor for transfer out of the operating station, and move the next board from the loading station into the operating station.

Abstract: The present device is an improved table for attachment to the frame of a chair.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a trial implant and method of using same. The implant includes a modular bracket defining a structure having an internal surface adapted to be seated on the distal aspect of a resected femur bone and an external surface with a shape resembling the normal distal condyle of the femur. The bracket has an opening appointed to expose a portion of the resected bone of the femur, including guide structure for guiding a tool along a predetermined path for controlled shaping of a patellar groove in the bone exposed through the opening. Removal of any portion of the bracket or guide structure is unnecessary following the shaping steps prior to performing a trial reduction.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a cutting device from a vehicle and for allowing the operator of the vehicle to use the cutting device while the cutting device is supported from the vehicle. The cutting device includes an elongated shaft, a cutting head attached to one end of the shaft, and a drive mechanism for activating the cutting head. The apparatus includes a base for attachment to the vehicle; a support arm member having a first end for attachment to the base, having a midportion, and having a second end; and hanger structure attached to the support arm for suspending the cutting device from the support arm.

Abstract: A retrofit posterior stabilizing housing is disposed in a resected receptacle in the trochlear groove of a human femur during revision surgery through the intercondylar notch of a previously implanted condylar-type femoral prosthetic component. The posterior stabilizing housing is dimensioned to pass through the notch in the existing implant and seat superiorly to the trochlear opening of the notch. The posterior stabilizing housing includes medial and lateral side walls extending from a proximal ceiling portion, and anterior and posterior end walls disposed between the side walls, defining a box-like container. An aperture is formed in each of the side walls for receiving screw-like fasteners anchored in the cancellous bone portion of the femur. A pair of anchor posts extend superiorly from the ceiling portion for fixation within the femur. The posterior stabilizing housing may either be cemented in place or the superior surface thereof textured to enhance bone ingrowth.

Abstract: A die lubricant applicator for spraying lubricant from a pressurized source of lubricant through a plurality of injector nozzles onto a die press. Associated with each injector nozzle is a solenoid-operated valve for selectively gating the flow of the lubricant to the injector nozzle, and also an electronic control, such as a portion of a programmable logic controller, responsive to the movement of the die of the die press, for opening the solenoid valve for a predetermined and programmable dwell time, thereby passing a predetermined volume of lubricant from the pressurized source to the injector nozzle. The electronic control associated with each injector nozzle includes a programmable timer that causes the solenoid valve to open for the programmed dwell time, and the electronic control may also include a programmable counter that can inhibit the firing of the programmable dwell timer for a number of die press cycles.

Abstract: An improved gantry crane that has a control cab mounted for vertical up and down movement substantially parallel with respect to the upstanding columns of the crane between a lowermost position adjacent the ground and infinite positions within a fixed range. One or both of the sill beams of the crane include a downwardly offset mid-portion extending adjacent to the ground but spaced therefrom with the mid-portion of one of the sill beams being positioned to receive the control cab when in the lowermost position thereof. A supporting beam supports the control cab therebeneath so that the operator in the cab has a 360 degree substantially unobstructed view in all directions.