Abstract: High-intensity LEDs are mountd on or form part of an object to be illuminated. The object has first electrical terminals thereon that are coupled to the LEDs. A portable electrical circuit having second terminals for detachable coupling to the first terminals on the object causes the LED to flash and provide visibility to the object. The electrical circuit is contained in a package that has a first Velcro strip thereon. A second Velcro strip is mounted on the object near the first terminals so that the electrical circuit can be attached thereto by the Velcro strips and the electrical terminals coupled together.

Abstract: The ski boot can be adjusted in length and/or width. The outer boot is divided into at least two shell parts, preferably into four shell parts (1, 2, 3, 4). The multi-part outer boot is individually adjustable at the front and back and has a predominantly supporting function. Insulation and sealing against moisture are ensured by a special, stretchable inner boot which is fitted to the foot size simutaneously with the adjustment of the outer boot.

Abstract: A recreational snowshoe and its method of manufacture are disclosed of the type where a single, homogenous, rigid mass is formed by hardening first and second strands of fiberglass roving impregnated with resin woven to define a frame and webbing. The strands are woven between a first series of removable, spaced pins projecting from the peripheral surface of a jig and around the peripheral surface and across the jig. The webbing includes bracing extending between the tip and rear portions of the snowshoe generally parallel to and spaced from the frame of the sides of the central portion of the snowshoe. The tip portion is upturned such that the bracing is elevated from the sides of the frame, with the bracing been drawn toward the plane of the central portion by lateral bracing to provide a cushion effect.

Abstract: A torsion spring with a coil portion having extensions extending from the ends of the coil for receiving forces for torquing the spring. The spring provides a more balanced stress distribution about the coil which in the preferred embodiment include a region of increased cross-sectional area on one side of the coil and a region of decreased cross-sectional area across the coil from the region of increased cross-sectional area and smooth contouring of the coil between these two regions. A particular use of the torsion spring of the present invention is in a torsion spring-type aneurysm clip for providing more uniform stress distributions about the coil portion of the aneurysm clip and for permitting the aneursym clip to open wider so that it may be used on larger aneurysms.

Abstract: A sound-producing toy having a hollow body formed of resilient material, whereby when the body is depressed and deformed by a player, this action produces a honking sound. The body envelops an air-filled cavity at one end of which is an air-intake valve whose actuating element is outside the body so that when the element is actuated by the player, air is admitted into the cavity. Also disposed in the cavity is a sound producer having an air outlet normally closed by a membrane which is partially secured to the outlet so that when the body is depressed by the player, the resultant increase in internal air pressure above ambient is exerted against the membrane and causes deflection thereof to permit air to escape from the outlet. The escaping air causes the membrane to vibrate to produce a honking sound. The air expelled through the outlet creates a partial vacuum in the internal cavity which acts to maintain the body in its deformed state.

Abstract: A clamp assembly and method for surgical skin removal including a first clamp with opposed, laterally elongated segments at one end which present aligned, laterally elongated, end edges and a pair of additional clamp elements with respective end edges that mate with the end edges of the first clamp. First, the first clamp is positioned clamping the skin between its laterally elongated segments, with its end edges defining the line along which the skin is to be cut. Next, the additional clamp elements are clamped against the skin with their end edges substantially mating with the end edges of the first clamp. After removal of the first clamp, the skin is cut along the end edges of the additional clamp elements and stitched together there.