Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for a bowed plate for fixating osteotomies and joint arthrodeses. The bowed plate includes a backplate comprising a support portion and an aperture portion that share an intervening central portion. The central portion angles the support portion and the aperture portion toward a midline of the bowed plate. A leg extends from the support portion and includes fixation features that enable the leg to grip an inner wall of a hole drilled in bone. A slanted aperture in the aperture portion is configured to countersink a bone screw. The central portion is configured to be straightened by way of a surgical bending instrument and implanted at a bone fixation or fusion site of a patient. Upon relaxing the surgical bending instrument, the leg and the bone screw compress the fusion site.

Abstract: A stock stabilizer hook attachment, in the shape of a generally triangular or L-shaped body, can be removably secured to the lower rear edge of a standard rifle stock butt. Most rifles are equipped with front and rear swivel or fixed sling studs which can be used to attach a sling. In order to attach the hook attachment of the present invention to a conventional rifle but having installed swivel studs, the rear swivel or fixed sling stud is removed, the hook attachment is positioned on the rifle butt, and a screw/bolt is used to secure the hook attachment to the stock butt. For one embodiment of the invention the hook attachment is slidably adjustable along the lower edge of the stock butt, and can be tightened in any position within a provided range of movement. Another embodiment of the invention is non-adjustable.

Abstract: Sharp edges formed during forging are removed from cam lobes by tumbling prior to machining of mounting bores which have been rough formed by punching. Tumbling effectively removes the sharp edges from non-hardened steel and prevents the formation of burrs caused by prior grinding techniques.