Abstract: A fastener with a recessed drive socket and a driving tool with a cooperable driving head. The socket having a cylindrical interior wall interrupted by a plurality of driving corners. The driver having a tapered driving head including a plurality of sharpened driving edges adapted to engage the driving corners. The tapered driving end may be axially forced into the driving socket such that the plurality of driving edges frictionally engage the driving corners to hold the fastener on the driver and to enhance torque transmission. The cylindrical walls of the socket and the walls of the driver bit between the driving edges cooperate to define a fluid channel for passage of fluid around the driving head during positioning within the socket.

Abstract: A security screen assembly installable in the jamb of a building window or door for preventing unauthorized access therethrough, while allowing for quick and easy egress, is provided. The security screen assembly includes a screen with a height, a width and side edges, and a frame which is dimensioned to fit within the jamb of a building, and which is attachable to the jamb. The frame defines an opening having a height substantially equal to the height of the screen and having a width which is less than the width of the screen. A channel is formed on a rear surface of the frame surrounding the opening. The channel accommodates the screen such that the channel prevents the screen from being swung inward.

Abstract: An eye protection device is formed of an elongated strip of translucent material. The length of the elongated strip of translucent material is such that it will encircle the wearer's head, with strap-like portions overlapping at the back of a wearer's head and being secured to each other. The elongated strip of translucent material is formed with two enlarged eye protection portions spaced apart by a nose bridging portion, with strap-like portions extend from each of the enlarged eye protection portions. A cushioning material encircles the eye protection area and nose bridging portions, somewhat in the shape of a figure eight. Complementary securing means are applied adjacent the ends of the strap-like portions so as to engage each other at the back of a wearer's head to retain the eye protection device over a wearer's eyes. For the comfort of a user, cushioning pads are provided on the strap-like portions in the regions where the strap-like portions pass behind a users ears.

Abstract: A carousel has a ramp for providing wheelchair access. The ramp is slidably stored on the underside of the carousel platform. In use, the ramp is pulled out from the carousel and is then unfolded, using a lever handle. The outer or bottom end of the lower ramp section rests on the ground. The inner or upper end of the second ramp section is positioned on the top surface of the carousel platform, or on a raised vehicle platform above the carousel platform. A wheelchair can then roll up the ramp and onto the carousel. The wheelchair is secured into a vehicle, such as a chariot, on the carousel. The vehicle oscillates vertically, to provide the wheelchair passenger with a more traditional and enjoyable carousel ride experience.

Abstract: A series of rectangular horizontal, garage door panels are joined together by an integral hinge construction which enables the panels to be manufactured at a factory site and assembled at a construction site. The panels as well as the hinge elements may be fabricated from a fiberglass, reinforced, composite or other polymeric materials to enhance the durability of the garage door construction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for cleaning an electrical lighter are provided. A sleeve, e.g., ceramic or metal, surrounds the heater fixture, and a resistive heating element is in thermal proximity with the sleeve. The resistive heating element is either a dedicated element or the cigarette heating elements. The sleeve serves as a aerosol barrier and condensate accumulator to protect other components. Periodically, e.g., substantially contemporaneously with a battery recharge, the heating element is activated to thermally liberate condensates deposited on the sleeve during smoking and also heats, and thereby cleans, other components. Also, a cleaning element is optionally inserted into the cigarette receptacle of the electrical lighter or placed at the exit thereof to absorb, attract and/or catalytically break down the thermally liberated condensates. The sleeve also directs a desired flow path for drawn air within an electrical lighter toward the cigarette.

Abstract: A biocompatible cranioplasty plate structure, and method of its installation, for use in the surgical repair and recontour of large cranial defects of the human skull created or caused by injury, surgical intervention for tumor removal, or congenital anomaly or disease. The plate structure is formed from a sheet of pliable perforated metallic material, particularly commercially pure titanium or titanium alloy material, and is of generally elliptical configuration with a central preformed arcuate and convex area matching the compound and complex curvature of the forehead, side or rear areas of the typical human adult skull. The plate structure includes adjustable peripheral panels for bending fitment and close adaptation of the plate structure to intact cranial bone of the skull adjacent to and surrounding the defect and for attachment of the plate structure to intact bone by bone screws having low profile heads and applicable through perforations of the peripheral panels.

Abstract: Prosthetic apparatus for promoting and supporting guided bone tissue regeneration in at least missing or excised portions of the human mandible or maxilla and in bony defects of the mandible and maxilla. The apparatus includes a bone attachment tray formed of tissue-biocompatible titanium sheet material having perforations therethrough for receiving bone screws to affix the tray to stump portions and ridge sections of the mandible or maxilla proximate the missing or excised stump portions or ridge sections and one or more tissue-biocompatible metallic dental tooth root replacement implants which are releasably affixed at one end to the inner surface of the tray and which depend from the tray into the missing or excised portions or bone defects of the mandible or maxilla for incorporation and support in bone tissue regenerated within the tray.

Abstract: An air/oil separator or other filtering assembly includes a filter media pack having first and second ends. A flange member is located at the first end of the media pack. The flange member includes a flange for mounting the filtering assembly. A retainer member is located at the second end of the media pack. A layer of perforated material is attached to the flange member. The perforated material is located adjacent to the first end of the media pack. Hardenable material permeates the first end of the media pack and permeates the perforated material to mechanically interlock the flange member to the media pack. A similar mechanical interlock is provided between the media pack and the retainer member. These mechanical interlocks eliminate the interior straps which had previously been used to secure the flange member to the retainer member.

Abstract: A provided heater comprises a supporting hub and a plurality of electrically resistive heater blades defining a receptacle to receive an inserted cigarette. Each blade comprises a first heater blade leg having a first end and a second end and extending at the first end from the supporting hub, a second heater blade leg having a first end and a second end, and a connecting section connecting the second end of the first leg and the first end of the second leg. The second end of the second leg extends toward the supporting hub and is electrically insulated therefrom. A resistive heating circuit is formed to heat the electrically resistive heater blade which in turn heats the inserted cigarette. The first and second legs are separated by a gap to permit entrainment of flavor substances into the heated cigarette upon drawing by a smoker.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for alleviating the harmful effects of convolutional and additive noise in speech, such as due to the environmental noise and linear spectral modification, based on the filtering of time trajectories of an auditory-like spectrum in a particular spectral domain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the dehydration of gases utilizing hollow fiber membranes. The invention provides an internal sweep of the permeate side of the membranes utilizing an aperture in the tubesheet at the product end of the module thereby sweeping the permeate side of the membrane with product gas.

Abstract: Mandibular prosthesis apparatus for mounting on the remaining stump portion of the ascending ramus, at the posterior end of a human mandible, from which has been removed by surgical intervention a diseased or fractured condylar process portion of the ramus as part of the temporomandibular (TM) joint complex of the mandible. The prosthesis apparatus consists of: a synthetic condylar replacement member which is formed of non-toxic, biocompatible Delrin acetal resin and includes an upper knob-shaped condyle portion and a lower cylindrical condyle-supporting stem portion; and a ramus attachment fixture which includes a cylindrical sleeve portion for receiving the cylindrical condyle-supporting stem portion of the condylar replacement member and a mounting panel for attaching the fixture to the stump portion of the ramus. The ramus attachment fixture is formed of tissue-biocompatible, perforated titanium sheet material.