Abstract: A wound closure system and a method of reducing the size of an open wound are disclosed. A suture line is sutured through body tissue adjacent an open wound, the suture line sutured so as to pass into the body tissue at an entry point and exit at an exit point, the suture line including a plurality of barbs extending outwardly at an acute angle with respect to a surface of the suture line. A biasing member applies a continuous pulling force on the suture line for stretching the body tissue toward the open wound, wherein the biasing member is configured to take up any slack of the suture line during stretching of the body tissue and keep the suture line taut.

Abstract: An alarm indicating output appliance can be releasably affixed to a mounting plate. The plate carries wire receiving terminals which couple to the appliance. In the absence of the appliance, at least two of the terminals can be short circuited.

Abstract: An alarm indicating output appliance can be releasibly affixed to a mounting plate. The plate carries wire receiving terminals which couple to the appliance. In the absence of the appliance, at least two of the terminals can be short circuited.

Abstract: An alarm indicating output appliance can be releasibly affixed to a mounting plate. The plate carries wire receiving terminals which couple to the appliance. In the absence of the appliance, at least two of the terminals can be short circuited.

Abstract: An alarm indicating output appliance can be releasibly affixed to a mounting plate. The plate carries wire receiving terminals which couple to the appliance. In the absence of the appliance, at least two of the terminals can be short circuited.

Abstract: A connection assembly includes a housing and a connector element. The connector element can be attached to the housing and the combined unit can be attached to an electrical box prior to affixing an electrical device thereto.

Abstract: A surface mountable strobe incorporates an elongated light source and a multi-element reflector. The reflector includes a first generally circular partial parabolic reflector element with an axis of rotation which corresponds to an axis of symmetry of the source. The first reflector element produces a spike of on-axis radiant energy which substantially exceeds the off-axis output profile. A plurality of spaced apart arcuate reflector elements provides output light profiles in horizontal and vertical planes which intersect at or near the axis of the source.

Abstract: A body protection device in the form of an inflatable vest includes an inflation mechanism that is actuated upon separation or removal of the wearer from a vehicle. A compressed gas cartridge is held in an interior pocket of the vest and attached to an inflatable bladder. The compressed gas cartridge communicates with the interior of the bladder through a cartridge actuation mechanism and an inflation tube. The cartridge actuation mechanism includes a triggering device that operates an actuation lever to open the cartridge. The actuation lever is actuated in response to a pulling force of predetermined magnitude that detaches the triggering mechanism from the actuation mechanism. The actuation lever is connected to the vehicle by a lanyard, which lanyard, when a wearer of the vest is forcibly separated from the vehicle, actuates the triggering device before detaching from the actuation mechanism, thereby opening the cartridge to inflate the vest.

Abstract: A body protection device in the form of an inflatable vest includes an inflation mechanism that is actuated upon separation or removal of the wearer from a vehicle. A compressed gas cartridge is held in an interior pocket of the vest and attached to an inflatable bladder. The compressed gas cartridge communicates with the interior of the bladder through a cartridge actuation mechanism and an inflation tube. The cartridge actuation mechanism includes a triggering device that operates an actuation lever to open the cartridge. The actuation lever is actuated in response to a pulling force of predetermined magnitude that detaches the triggering mechanism from the actuation mechanism. The actuation lever is connected to the vehicle by a lanyard, which lanyard, when a wearer of the vest is forcibly separated from the vehicle, actuates the triggering device before detaching from the actuation mechanism, thereby opening the cartridge to inflate the vest.

Abstract: A strobe unit includes a light source carried by a reflector. The reflector has a plurality of reflecting regions arranged around the light source, each reflecting region including a partial parabolic section extruded linearly in a first direction, and a plurality of parabolic aiming sections extruded to a point and arranged between adjacent partial parabolic sections. The parabolic aiming sections are arranged to direct light from the light source substantially in a radial plane substantially parallel to the first direction. The reflector can also include a planar section arranged between the partial parabolic section and the parabolic aiming sections.

Abstract: A surface mountable strobe incorporates an elongated light source and a multi-element reflector. The reflector includes a first generally circular partial parabolic reflector element with an axis of rotation which corresponds to an axis of symmetry of the source. The first reflector element produces a spike of on-axis radiant energy which substantially exceeds the off-axis output profile. A plurality of spaced apart arcuate reflector elements provides output light profiles in horizontal and vertical planes which intersect at or near the axis of the source.

Abstract: A strobe unit includes a light source carried by a reflector. The reflector has a plurality of reflecting regions arranged around the light source, each reflecting region including a partial parabolic section extruded linearly in a first direction, and a plurality of parabolic aiming sections extruded to a point and arranged between adjacent partial parabolic sections. The parabolic aiming sections are arranged to direct light from the light source substantially in a radial plane substantially parallel to the first direction. The reflector can also include a planar section arranged between the partial parabolic section and the parabolic aiming sections.

Abstract: A system for mounting two alarm-indicating or condition-sensing modules side-by-side onto a junction box provides installation flexibility to locate a particular module on the right or left side of the respective other module. A loudspeaker module can be centered on the junction box and a strobe light module can be placed either on the right side or the left side of the junction box by 180.degree. rotation of a common elongated rectangular frame and 180.degree. rotation of the strobe light module with respect to the frame. The loudspeaker module includes fastener receiving holes aligned with fastener engagement holes of a standard 4".times.4" junction box for securing the loudspeaker module and the common frame with the strobe light module attached thereto, to the junction box. The frame includes a recessed region to receive and support the strobe light module.

Abstract: A wall-mountable strobe unit emits radiant energy over a one hundred eighty degree arc in a horizontal plane and over a ninety degree arc in a vertical plane when so mounted. The unit includes a reflector and an elongated light source. The elongated light source is symmetrically positioned on the reflector with one end thereof carried on the reflector with the light source extending in the horizontal plane when so mounted. The reflector includes first and second planar elements symmetrically located with respect to the light source. The planar elements are joined by symmetrically located curved elements formed of partial parabolic surfaces. The partial parabolic surfaces extend from the planar elements first rising a predetermined amount from the planar elements and then falling back toward the planar elements.

Abstract: A plastic cover covers a surface-mounted junction box which delivers wires to an alarm unit or emergency light or the like which is mounted to the cover. The cover is connected to the junction box by screws which engage threaded holes provided by the junction box. The cover can be mounted to either a single wide junction box or a double wide junction box and provides corresponding holes for connection to either box. The alarm devices can be connected to the cover directly by screws or by a combination of a single screw and a tab which is received into a slot on the cover. The cover and alarm unit together form an architecturally attractive cover for an otherwise industrial appearing junction box. When the cover is attached to the junction box, the box no longer can be seen. The covers can be color coded for a particular alarm service, such as fire, weather warnings, or other emergency conditions.