Abstract: A heel protector for reducing the force amplifications upon the foot when the body is in the supine position, includes a pair of main chambers defining a foot cavity therebetween configured to receive at least the ankle and foot of a patient and defining a leg opening for access to the foot cavity. The main chambers include a self-expanding core that adopts an expanded shape to define the foot cavity and that is compressible to a compressed shape for storage.

Abstract: A patient transfer and positioning device includes a transfer sheet sized for receiving a supine patient, the sheet including at least one lateral inflatable chamber disposed at one lateral side of the transfer sheet. The lateral inflatable chamber is substantially flat in an uninflated configuration and is in a wedge configuration when inflated, the wedge configuration adapted to tilt the patient on the transfer sheet.

Abstract: An improved inflatable body support with novel dog-bone-shaped hand wells that do not create material stress points when they are stretched while in use in place of the prior art oval-shaped hand wells that do create material stress points when they are stretched while in use.

Abstract: An improved inflatable body support with novel dog-bone-shaped hand wells that do not create material stress points when they are stretched while in use in place of the prior art oval-shaped hand wells that do create material stress points when they are stretched while in use.

Abstract: A business card dispenser includes a container having an interior cavity of a size that is just sufficient to accommodate a stack of business cards. A closure is provided on the container, whereby access is provided for the purpose of inserting the stack of business cards. A dispensing slot is provided through the container. A slider is manually movable toward and away from the dispensing slot. The slider has a depending gripping foot that engages an uppermost one of the business cards in the stack and moves said uppermost business card toward the dispensing slot. An inclined plane extends at a gradual upward slope from the bottom of the interior cavity to the dispensing slot to guide the uppermost card up the inclined plane to the dispensing slot, without regard to the number of cards remaining in the stack.

Abstract: The present invention relates to film composite membranes for use as battery separators or coatings on electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to film composite membranes for use as battery separators or coatings on electrodes.

Abstract: A method of enforcing a regular manganese dioxide cathode to become gradually and substantially rechargeable is described, where the cathode capacity is increased towards the theoretical capacity of the cathode. The method involves mixing 20-51 wt % MnO.sub.2, 5-25 wt % metallic bismuth and 30-70 wt % graphite powder to form a homogenous mixture, subjecting the mixture to a pressing force to form an electrode and subjecting the electrode to successive discharge/charge cycles at a rate where the cathode capacity becomes greater than 75% of the theoretical capacity after 4-7 cycles. The method provides for a simple and inexpensive way of forming a rechargeable manganese dioxide cathode without complex chemical synthesis.

Abstract: A modular personal security device is described which includes a body having an interior battery receiving cavity, a handgrip and at least one module mounting surface whereby electronic and mechanical modules are mounted to the body. A first power supply circuit connects the battery receiving cavity with a first power switch connector on the body and a first power connector on the module mounting surface. A second power supply circuit connects the battery receiving cavity with a second power switch connector on the body and a second power connector on the module mounting surface. A multi-position trigger activated switch module is connected to the first power switch connector and the second power switch connector. Upon the trigger being pressed to one position the first power switch connector completes the first power supply circuit. By continuing to press the trigger to another position the second power switch connector completes the second power supply circuit.