Abstract: A device for receipt in a user's mouth includes a tongue engagement element having a front region, a rear region, and side regions that define an opening for receiving a user's tongue, means for retaining the user's tongue in a forward position, and means for changing the size of the opening. The tongue engagement element is shaped such that when placed in a user's mouth, the rear region extends over the user's tongue and the front region extends under the user's tongue. A method of securing a tongue engagement element in a user's mouth includes moving an expanded tongue engagement element under a front region of a tongue and over a rear region of the tongue, and allowing the tongue engagement element to return toward a non-expanded state. The tongue engagement element acts to resist rearward motion of the tongue.

Abstract: Load transferring systems and related methods for transferring load in a joint are provided. The load transferring system may include two bases configured to couple to bones defining a joint and a spring configured to couple to the bases. The spring may be configured to exert a tensile force between the bases during flexion of the joint. The load transferring system may be employed to treat symptoms associated with osteoarthritis of the lateral compartment of the knee joint. Thus, the bases may respectively couple to the femur and tibia. The spring may exert tensile force therebetween during flexion of the knee joint so as to unload the lateral compartment of the knee joint by transferring load from the lateral compartment of the knee joint to the medial compartment of the knee joint.

Abstract: This invention provides a holder for a sandwich that covers and protects the sandwich, and that allows an end of the sandwich to be exposed to the user while gripping the shell/housing. The holder includes an advancing mechanism that allows the sandwich end to be variably directed through an open end of the holder's shell/housing so that a portion to be eaten is exposed exclusively, while the remainder of the sandwich remains covered and isolated from the user's hands. In an illustrative embodiment, the holder and advancing mechanism is particularly suited to a small child's hands and associated motor skills. A flexible strip can extend from an actuation mechanism, such as a roller spool with an external knob assembly, around a plurality of guides to form a sling around a sandwich-holding base. Rotating the knob in an advance direction cause the strip to be drawn in, thereby raising the base.

Abstract: A personal escape device which can be used by men, women, and children, including physically disabled persons, to descend in a controlled and secure manner from high structures such as office buildings, multistory homes, and the like. The device is designed for a relatively low-cost, small size which may be used by payloads of variable weights. The rescue device of the invention may be a single-use device or a multi-use device.

Abstract: A combination clip and hook (clip) for use generally in suspending articles, which is rotatably movable about a rotary joint between a first position in which two opposing, rotatably joined portions of the overall clip structure are oriented together to form a continuous, enclosed shape that can be secured around another, and a second position in which the two portions of the structure are rotated out of the enclosed shape, and into, for example, a S shaped hook where one portion of the structure supports the item and the other portion can be applied to another supporting member. The joint between the two portions can define a spring-loaded rotating pivot assembly with at least two indexing positions opposed by 180 degrees. The rotary joint can be constructed with a pair of confronting male and female wedge and detent inserts that are biased toward each other by an embedded spring assembly.

Abstract: A personal escape device which can be used by men, women, and children, including physically disabled persons, to descend in a controlled and secure manner from high structures such as office buildings, multistory homes, and the like. The device is designed for a relatively low-cost, small size which may be used by payloads of variable weights. The rescue device of the invention may be a single-use device or a multi-use device.

Abstract: This invention provides a combination clip and hook (clip) for use generally in suspending articles having shoulder or hand straps, or carrying other accessories, such as keys, which is rotatably movable about a rotary joint between a first position in which two opposing, rotatably joined portions of the overall clip structure are oriented together to form a continuous, enclosed shape that can be secured around another strap or loop on an item or piece of clothing, and a second position in which the two portions of the structure are rotated out of the enclosed shape, and into, for example, a substantially S-shaped hook in which one portion of the structure supports the strap of the item and the other portion can be applied to a clothing hook, chair back, table surface, door top, or other supporting member.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatus for suturing tissue penetrations made during minimally invasive surgery. One embodiment of an apparatus for suturing tissue penetrations comprises a shaft, suture capture surface coupled to the shaft, and at least one pair of needles or other penetrating members advanceable from the shaft. The shaft can be detachably coupled to a hand-piece. The surface has a deployed and a non-deployed configuration and is configured to capture a suture in the deployed configuration and retain it in the non-deployed configuration. The surface can be deployed by a frame or other expandable structure. The penetrating members are configured to be coupled to a suture and are advanceable from the shaft by an advancement member or other means to deliver a suture end portion to the deployed surface. Sutures can be contained in a replaceable cartridge detachably coupled to the apparatus.

Abstract: A table interconnection system includes a connector with two or more end portions sized and shaped for engagement with connection receptacles formed in adjacent tables. The connection receptacles each receive an end portion to retain the adjacent tables in a self-retained orientation. The connection receptacles and connector are located at the table surface in full view of a user, so the user can readily appreciate how the tables interconnect. Moreover, adjacent tables may be pivoted with respect to one another by direct manipulation of the table only, without disconnecting or contacting the connector.

Abstract: A newspaper vending machine provides a display newspaper at a height and angle resembling a lectern so that a customer can easily read the display paper from a standing position. The newspaper vending machine comprises a housing having a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, a top, and a bottom, and a storage compartment therein for storing a plurality of newspapers. The top of the housing is generally curved downwardly toward the front wall. A portion of the top in contact with the back wall is higher than the portion of the top in contact with the front wall. A viewing area is provided within the top of the housing through which at least a part of a display newspaper can be viewed. A newspaper display rack is mounted within the top of the housing under the viewing area at an angle from vertical ranging from about 40° to about 70°. The display rack has an upper surface through which at least a part of the display newspaper can be viewed.

Abstract: A table interconnection system includes a connector with two or more end portions sized and shaped for engagement with connection receptacles formed in adjacent tables. The connection receptacles each receive an end portion to retain the adjacent tables in a self-retained orientation. The connection receptacles and connector are located at the table surface in full view of a user, so the user can readily appreciate how the tables interconnect. Moreover, adjacent tables may be pivoted with respect to one another by direct manipulation of the table only, without disconnecting or contacting the connector.