Abstract: A latch has a housing and an operating mechanism mounted on the housing. The operating mechanism has a latch arm pivotably mounted for movement relative to the housing between a latched position in which the latch arm is abuttable against a strike element and an unlatched position. The latch arm has a cam surface. The operating mechanism also has a lever pivotably mounted for movement relative to the housing between first and second operative positions. The lever has an edge which moves along the cam surface as the lever is moved from the second operative position to the first operative position to thereby move the latch arm from the unlatched position to the latched position.

Abstract: Spectroscopic materials analysis wherein a sample under test is bombarded by electrons in a scanning electron microscope to produce an x-ray emission collected over a large solid angle by a polycapillary lens and focused onto the surface of a microcalorimeter detector. The x-ray lens is used to increase the effective collection area of the microcalorimeter detector used in an x-ray spectrometer. By increasing the collection angle, the time period for x-ray collection is reduced and the detector can be located farther from the x-ray source. The x-ray lens is effective over a broad energy range of x-rays, thus providing compatibility with spectroscopic analysis. The microcalorimeter can be calibrated to compensate for any variations in the transmission efficiency of the x-ray lens.

Abstract: A rehabilitative and preventative exercise device for carpal tunnel syndrome. The first embodiment includes a housing having a plurality of elastic bands extending therefrom, each elastic band being attached to a respective one of a series of screws disposed therein. By turning each screw, the tension of the attached elastic band may be either increased or decreased. The ends of each elastic band extending from the housing include a finger receiving assembly. The second embodiment includes a forearm restraint device in combination with a finger tensioning assembly. The finger tensioning assembly includes a shell having a series of tension-adjusting cleat-lock slots to which elastic members may be detachably connected. Each elastic member has a fingerlet for attachment to a finger as well as a protuberance for connecting the member to the shell.

Abstract: A shoulder brace appliance comprising a pressure exerting element positionable about the human shoulder to exert at least anteroposterior pressure, and preferably both inferior and anteroposterior pressure, on the superior aspect of the shoulder. One or more positionig elements may be positionable on the patients body, (e.g. around the thorax) and attachable to the pressure exerting element to hold the pressure exerting element in a desired position on the patients shoulder. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure exerting element comprises first and second curved members attached at their top ends by way of a hinge. The hinges is positionable over top of the human shoulder such that the first curved member extends downwardly over the anterior shoulder and the second curved member extends downwardly over the posterior shoulder.