Abstract: There is provided by the present invention a speed changing apparatus having a housing mounting a plurality of inwardly directed, circumferentially disposed teeth, preferably in the form of a ring gear. The housing has a hub that rotatably receives at least a first shaft that in turn eccentrically mounts a plurality of elongate follower arms. Each follower ann is mounted at one end to the shaft with the other end having at least one tooth configured to engage the circumferentially disposed teeth. The housing further includes a base plate that is rigidly attached to the second shaft. Rotary motion is transferred between the first shaft and a second rotatable member by apparatus that includes a base pin that is rigidly attached to the base plate, an arm pin rigidly attached to a follower ann and a linking ann pivotally attached at opposite ends to the base pin and the arm pin. The second rotatable member may be a second shaft, the housing, or the base plate.

Abstract: A device (10) and method for cutaneously marking the venous anatomy with an ink. The method comprises selectively locating a portion of the venous anatomy to be marked and coating the skin (20) corresponding to the venous anatomy to be marked with a transmission gel (22). The transmission gel (22) permits a technician utilizing an ultrasound transducer to pinpoint the portion of the venous anatomy to be marked. Device (10) simultaneously clears the transmission gel from the skin (20) corresponding to the portion of the venous anatomy to be marked and marks the open space (24) on the skin (20) with the ink.

Abstract: An abutment adapted for use with a dental implant includes a hollow tubular member of a size and shape adapted for use with an abutment or insert, and includes irregularities on its exterior surface that are adapted for engaging metals cast thereto. The tubular member has, at one end, a retention member for engaging a complementary retention member on the dental implant. The tubular member includes an internal passage adapted to receive a fastener for engaging a complementary fastener in the implant. The tubular member also includes an exterior sidewall portion adapted to form a positional transfer impression of the abutment in a dental cast.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a cylindrical sleeve (7) during continuous displacement of the sleeve (7) in its longitudinal direction, for example in connection with continuous manufacture of the sleeve (7) in an appropriate machine. The apparatus includes a longitudinal slide (30) which is displaceable synchronously with the sleeve (7) during rotation thereof and movement in its longitudinal direction. A knife (36) is impressible into the wall of the sleeve (7) during longitudinal displacement of the slide (30) and the sleeve (7). The knife (36) is mounted on a cross slide (39,40; 43,44) which is reciprocal transversely of the longitudinal axis of the sleeve (7), and thereby transversely of the direction of movement of the longitudinal slide (30) for impressing the knife (36) into the wall of the sleeve (7) for cutting a desired length of the sleeve.

Abstract: A pneumatic variable resistance rehabilitation/therapy apparatus for the balanced strengthening of musculature surrounding injured, weakened, and post-operative ligaments associated with the major joints of the lower extremities. In a preferred embodiment, a leg press machine is provided comprising a frame, a foot rest assembly including a foot rest pad, and a reciprocating carriage having a patient supporting bed surface thereon. A pneumatic circuit comprising a cylinder having a reciprocating piston therein, an accumulator, an air supply and a pressure regulator is provided for the variable progressive resistance against the movement of the carriage during the working stroke (where the patient straightens his/her leg(s)). The reciprocating piston rod is linked to the reciprocating carriage by a cable and pulley system to provide a longer and more physiologically tolerable working stroke.

Abstract: A dump vehicle, such as for agricultural use, includes a movable support member and a slide structure for supporting and guiding the support member, a container pivotally mounted to the support member, a hydraulic actuator mechanism actuable to lift the container from an original lowered position to a predetermined raised position and to tilt the container at the support member when in the predetermined raised position to a preselected tilted position to permit discharge of the contents of the container. The dump vehicle further includes a hydraulic lock mechanism actuable in response to tilting of the container towards the tilted position to lock the support member in the predetermined raised position to prevent over centering and downward movement of the container from the predetermined raised position during tilting and discharging of the container.

Abstract: A valved cannula assembly having a gasket retaining collar positioned internally within a gasket receiving member, the gasket retaining collar having a recess to receive and retain in a fixed position an annular gasket, which acts in conjunction with either a flapper valve assembly or an inserted instrument to seal the axial bore of the cannula and prevent escape of fluids or gases. A plugging member forces the retaining collar against the gasket receiving member. The recess of the gasket retaining collar is preferably provided with annular ridges to secure the gasket and a conical shoulder to allow some deflection.

Abstract: A lumbar support back rest having an interior ribbed structural member. The structural member has general configuration which conforms to the curvature of the human back and protruding ribs which conforms to a user's back. A resilient removable covering surrounds the interior structural member and contains a strap to hold the lumbar support back rest on a chair, car seat or the like once it is properly positioned.

Abstract: A multi-part abutment adapted for use with dental implants such as cylindrical-shaped endosseous dental implants having an internal opening or passage with an internal, non-circular shape at the top includes part one that sealingly engages the opening or passage in the top of the implant at the bottom end of part one, and engages another abutment part, part two, at the top end of part one through a multi-sided projection. Part two has at its bottom end a multi-sided cavity that interdigitates with the projection from part one so that part two can be seated in a plurality of positions atop part one. At the top end of part two is a prosthesis-engaging or prosthesis-forming projection which can be at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the implant, or lie on the longitudinal axis of the implant.

Abstract: An apparatus for animating a figurine movable element having a pivot point for pivotally coupling the movable element to the figurine to allow the movable element to pivot between the first position and a second position, a first portion of the movable element extending in front of the pivot point and a second portion of the movable element extending behind the pivot point; a hollow solenoid on the figurine with an elongated steel shaft having one end inserted in the hollow solenoid winding and the other end pivotally attached to the second portion of the movable element behind the pivot point such that the shaft pivots the movable element between the first position and the second position depending upon the solenoid operation.

Abstract: A device (10) and method for cutaneously marking the venous anatomy with an ink. The method comprises selectively locating a portion of the venous anatomy to be marked and coating the skin (20) corresponding to the venous anatomy to be marked with a transmission gel (22). The transmission gel (22) permits a technician utilizing an ultrasound transducer to pinpoint the portion of the venous anatomy to be marked. Device (10) simultaneously clears the transmission gel from the skin (20) corresponding to the portion of the venous anatomy to be marked and marks the open space (24) on the skin (20) with the ink.

Abstract: A support bar for a storage rack includes a first downwardly facing u-shaped channel forming two sidewalls each having a lower edge at the open side of the channel. A second upwardly facing u-shaped channel faces the opposite direction of the first channel, and is formed as an extension of the lower edge of one of the sidewalls so that the two channels form an s-shape. A low friction material is disposed in the second channel, the material having a channel formed therein. A flange is formed as an extension of the lower edge of the other of the sidewalls, the flange extending upwardly away from the lower edge.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus, suitable for deployment from small vessels, for obtaining samples of materials from the sea bottom and, more specifically, to a multi-bucket sampler particularly suited for, but not restricted to, gathering samples from bottoms comprising hard or compacted materials and/or having coarse matter, such as gravel, distributed therein. In one embodiment the sampler comprises, in general, a dual bucket assembly pivotally attached to a frame, cover means for the buckets, and an actuator for pivoting the buckets from an open position wherein the buckets can penetrate the bottom to a closed position wherein the buckets are urged against the cover. The apparatus is designed to achieve maximum penetration of the seabed and to prevent washout of the materials collected upon recovery. The dual buckets provide sample duplication which may be used to assess local variability of bottom conditions.

Abstract: There is provided by the present invention a mechanical drive system for driving first and second screw conveyors from a single power source. This system includes a primary drive providing power to the first conveyor from the power source and a secondary drive that includes a pair of gear boxes and that supplies power to the second conveyor from the primary drive.

Abstract: A multi-mode signal measurement system provides at least True RMS and Average RMS signal measurement modes in one system in response to a measurement mode selection made by an operator. The system controls the processing of the input signal by a selected signal measurement unit according to the operator selected signal measurement mode. After signal processing is complete, a display unit displays a value of the measurement of the input signal according to the selected measurement mode. Other measurement modes providing peak value and resistance measurement readings may also be provided.

Abstract: A nested fiberglass structure (10) comprises a plurality of strips (66) each in the shape of a sinusoidal wave (20). The waves (20) have peaks (22) and valleys (24) which have equal amplitudes about a central axis (26). A positioning string (32) is placed over the peaks (22) and into the valleys (24) to provide a guide for the depth of penetration of adjacent strips during nesting of the strips (66). The structure (10) may be formed on an apparatus for manufacturing (46) which forms a continuous web (48) into the strips (66) and nests the strips (66) into the structure (10). The structure (10) may then be wound onto a reel (154) for fabrication into a cylindrical structure (34). The apparatus (136) spirally winds the nested structure (10) around a mandrel (182) to form the cylindrical structure (34).

Abstract: A novel chair rung repair kit and method to repair a broken chair rung is described. Normally, after a period of time, chair rungs tend to dry out, especially those made from wood. By drilling a small, tapered hole in the longitudinal end of the broken rung, and by inserting a small, tapered and barbed element therein, the rung can be expanded to its normal size and thus repair can be accomplished quickly and easily. The repair is then permanent.

Abstract: A therapeutic pillow for supporting the neck and head of the user is described. The pillow has a generally rectangular shape. However, all of the four sides are concaved rather than straight. The radius of curvature is selected to approximate the position of the shoulders of the user when the user lies on his or her back in an at rest position. The pillow also has an irregular-shaped central hollow. This configuration yields four lobes each of which is designed to support the neck and head in a different way.