Abstract: An amusement apparatus has a platform with a slot that follows a continuous course including both clockwise and counterclockwise turns, a plurality of cars each supported by respective wheels that ride on the platform, an elongate flexible drive member that translates along a path corresponding to the slot, a plurality of couplers corresponding to the plurality of cars, each respective coupler including a member which couples a corresponding car to the drive member with the couplers allowing the corresponding cars to move away from the slot in opposite directions in response to whipping forces resulting from translational movement of the drive member in clockwise and counterclockwise turns of the path, and springs for the cars that act on the cars to move the cars toward the slot in order to counteract the movement of the car away from the slot as caused by the whipping forces.

Abstract: An amusement apparatus has a platform with a slot that follows a continuous course including both clockwise and counterclockwise turns, a plurality of cars each supported by respective wheels that ride on the platform, an elongate flexible drive member that translates along a path corresponding to the slot, a plurality of couplers corresponding to the plurality of cars, each respective coupler including a member which couples a corresponding car to the drive member with the couplers allowing the corresponding cars to move away from the slot in opposite directions in response to whipping forces resulting from translational movement of the drive member in clockwise and counterclockwise turns of the path, and springs for the cars that act on the cars to move the cars toward the slot in order to counteract the movement of the car away from the slot as caused by the whipping forces.

Abstract: An amusement apparatus has a platform, pulleys mounted below the platform, a cable extending around the pulleys, a motor coupled to a pulley to cause the cable to move, a passenger vehicle supported by wheels on the platform, and a swing coupling having a horizontal arm coupled to the passenger vehicle and a vertical element coupled to the arm and coupled to the cable. The cable traverses a path having both left and right turns. In one embodiment, the platform defines a continuous slot located above and substantially following the path. In another embodiment, the platform defines a continuous slot with first portions above but laterally parallel the cable on one side of the cable, second portions above and laterally parallel the cable on the other side of the cable, and third portions crossing over the cable and connecting the first and second portions. Different swing coupling arrangements are described.

Abstract: An improved needle-free intravenous injection port assembly is disclosed. Embodiments include a boot valve with a helical surface, a boot valve and septum which mate with mechanical interference, a spike with a rough outer surface coated with a lubricant, a septum having a shoulder and a single continuous swabbable surface, a septum and a boot valve which are pre-punctured, a septum with a frustroconical extension and a combination single piece septum and boot valve. The injection port assembly provides zero fluid displacement during coupling and uncoupling.

Abstract: An amusement apparatus has a platform, pulleys mounted below the platform, a cable extending around the pulleys, a motor coupled to a pulley to cause the cable to move, a passenger vehicle supported by wheels on the platform, and a swing coupling having a horizontal arm coupled to the passenger vehicle and a vertical element coupled to the arm and coupled to the cable. The cable traverses a path having both left and right turns. In one embodiment, the platform defines a continuous slot located above and substantially following the path. In another embodiment, the platform defines a continuous slot with first portions above but laterally parallel the cable on one side of the cable, second portions above and laterally parallel the cable on the other side of the cable, and third portions crossing over the cable and connecting the first and second portions. Different swing coupling arrangements are described.

Abstract: An improved needle-free intravenous injection port assembly is disclosed. Embodiments include a boot valve with a helical surface, a boot valve and septum which mate with mechanical interference, a spike with a rough outer surface coated with a lubricant, a septum having a shoulder and a single continuous swabbable surface, a septum and a boot valve which are pre-punctured, a septum with a frustroconical extension and a combination single piece septum and boot valve. The injection port assembly provides zero fluid displacement during coupling and uncoupling.

Abstract: A clamp style garment hanger includes a cross-bar, a hook extending up from the center of the cross-bar, a pair of clamp assemblies in spaced apart relationship depending from the cross-bar, and a pair of gripping pads, one for each clamp assembly. The clamp assemblies each include first and second clamping members coupled to and biased towards each other. According to one embodiment, a clamping member has a recess surrounding a throughbore. The gripping pad has a hollow extension and is dimensioned to fit snugly in the recess with its hollow extension extending into the throughbore. An interlocking plug is inserted through the rear of the throughbore into the hollow extension. According to another embodiment, the gripping pad has a stepped recess on one side and the clamping member has an integral interlocking plug that engages the recess.

Abstract: A hanger has a body, a hook extending therefrom, and at least one clamp coupled thereto. The clamp includes a pair of opposing jaw members that are provided with slots extending through peripheral walls of the jaw member, and a gripping pad having T-shaped lateral extensions, the necks of which are extended through the slots, and the heads of which hold against the back surface of the jaw member to prevent the gripping pad from falling off the jaw member. The back surface of the clamping member includes wall areas defining wells in which the heads of the T-shaped lateral extensions are captured and substantially surrounded. By sizing the wells properly, the T-shaped extensions are easily slipped through the slots and into the wells, but it becomes difficult to remove the gripping pad from the jaw via a finger purchase.

Abstract: An improved needle-free intravenous injection port assembly is disclosed. Embodiments include a boot valve with a helical surface, a boot valve and septum which mate with mechanical interference, a spike with a rough outer surface coated with a lubricant, a septum having a shoulder and a single continuous swabbable surface, a septum and a boot valve which are pre-punctured with a solid core steel needle, a septum with a frustroconical extension and a combination single piece septum and boot valve. The injection port assembly provides neutral fluid displacement during coupling and uncoupling.

Abstract: Radioactive therapeutic seeds include one or more carrier structures each carrying a radioactive isotope, a ceramic spacer or collar member, a metal ring about the ceramic member, and a capsule formed from two tubular parts, each part including a closed end, an open end, and an interior. The open ends of the capsule abut the metal ring and are preferably welded thereto to form a generally uniform capsule wall such that the carrier structure(s) and ceramic member are contained in the interior of the capsule. The ceramic spacer preferably is hollow and a radiopaque or MRI-visible marker extends therethrough. Each of the embodiments is designed to provide a substantially isotropic distribution of radiation.

Abstract: An electronic game for multiple, preferably two, players requires that the players act independently and cooperatively at different points in the game in order to complete the game. Different modes of cooperation are provided within the context of the game story and include, for example, holding a door for a player, handing a tool to a player, giving an item to a player, helping a player lift an object, etc. The cooperation required by the game includes requiring the result that only both players can complete the game together; neither player can complete the game without the other. A split-screen mode and a single-screen mode are utilized to enhance the difference between independent action and cooperative action. When players are cooperating, generally a single-screen mode is used and when players are acting independently, generally a split-screen mode is used. The game is preferably embodied in a medium readable by a personal computer such as a CDROM or DVD.

Abstract: Radioactive therapeutic seeds include one or more carrier structures each carrying a radioactive isotope, a ceramic spacer or collar member, a metal ring about the ceramic member, and a capsule formed from two tubular parts, each part including a closed end, an open end, and an interior. The open ends of the capsule abut the metal ring and are preferably welded thereto to form a generally uniform capsule wall such that the carrier structure(s) and ceramic member are contained in the interior of the capsule. The ceramic spacer preferably is hollow and a radiopaque or MRI-visible marker extends therethrough. Each of the embodiments is designed to provide a substantially isotropic distribution of radiation.

Abstract: Radioactive therapeutic seeds include one or more carrier structures each carrying a radioactive isotope, a ceramic spacer or collar member, a metal ring about the ceramic member, and a capsule formed from two tubular parts, each part including a closed end, an open end, and an interior. The open ends of the capsule abut the metal ring and are preferably welded thereto to form a generally uniform capsule wall such that the carrier structure(s) and ceramic member are contained in the interior of the capsule. The ceramic spacer preferably is hollow and a radiopaque or MRI-visible marker extends therethrough. Each of the embodiments is designed to provide a substantially isotropic distribution of radiation.

Abstract: Radioactive therapeutic seeds include one or more carrier structures each carrying a radioactive isotope, a ceramic spacer or collar member, a metal ring about the ceramic member, and a capsule formed from two tubular parts, each part including a closed end, an open end, and an interior. The open ends of the capsule abut the metal ring and are preferably welded thereto to form a generally uniform capsule wall such that the carrier structure(s) and ceramic member are contained in the interior of the capsule. The ceramic spacer preferably is hollow and a radiopaque or MRI-visible marker extends therethrough. Each of the embodiments is designed to provide a substantially isotropic distribution of radiation.

Abstract: An endoscopic stapler includes a stapling head which is removably locatable on the distal end of an endoscope. The stapling head includes a stationary part which houses a removable staple cartridge and a movable part which includes an anvil for receiving and bending the ends of staples fired from the stationary part. The staple cartridge preferably houses two semi-circular rows of staples which are staggered relative to each other. The movable part is coupled to the stationary part by a threaded shaft which engages a worm gear in the stationary part and a first rotatable control wire is coupled to the worm gear. A substantially semi-circular firing cam is located proximal of the staple cartridge in the stationary part. The firing cam has an interior splined surface which is engaged by a spline gear coupled to a second rotatable control wire. In one embodiment, a knife is coupled to the firing cam so that tissue is cut subsequent to stapling.