Abstract: An ultrasonically actuatable surgical blade comprises a metal blade and an elastomeric, biocompatible polymeric coating integral with the blade. The metal blade is usually titanium or a titanium alloy. The polymeric coating comprises a fluoropolymer resin and exhibits a Shore Hardness of 50 D to 60 D, an elongation at break of at least about 250 percent at a temperature in the range of about 20 EC. to about 200 EC. Optionally aluminum oxide powder can be dispersed in the coating.

Abstract: An ultrasonically actuatable surgical blade comprises a metal blade and an elastomeric, biocompatible polymeric coating integral with the blade. The metal blade is usually titanium or a titanium alloy. The polymeric coating comprises a fluoropolymer resin and exhibits a Shore Hardness of 50 D to 60 D, an elongation at break of at least about 250 percent at a temperature in the range of about 20 EC. to about 200 EC. Optionally aluminum oxide powder can be dispersed in the coating.

Abstract: A sign for display on a basketball backboard includes a substantially rigid sheet of material having indicia to be displayed on a front surface thereof. The sheet of material includes a notch formed in a lower edge of the sheet of material for engaging rim. When the sign is mounted on the backboard with the rim disposed in the notch, one or more attachment devices secure the sheet to the backboard. Various attachment devices including straps, hooks, and elastic cords are disclosed. At least some of the attachment devices are reversible, such that either side of the sign can be displayed.

Abstract: When dross is removed from a molten-solder reservoir, a substantial amount of molten solder is often removed with the dross. This molten solder can be separated from the dross and returned to reservoir via a conduit for reuse. Additionally, a skimmer for removing the dross from the reservoir includes a skimming plate pivotally attached to a displaceable structure; a stop is provided to restrict the degree to which the skimming plate can pivot so that the skimming plate will not pivot more than 90° from vertical to enable the skimming plate to dig into the dross and collect dross when the displaceable structure is displaced toward on outlet of the reservoir. Further still, the displaceable structure of the skimmer can be controlled via a computer control system storing software code instructions for a motor to extend and retract the displaceable structure such that the skimming plate extends to a position further from the outlet port of the reservoir with each displacement cycle.

Abstract: A sign for display on a basketball backboard includes a substantially rigid sheet of material having indicia to be displayed on a front surface thereof. The sheet of material includes a notch formed in a lower edge of the sheet of material for engaging rim. When the sign is mounted on the backboard with the rim disposed in the notch, one or more attachment devices secure the sheet to the backboard. Various attachment devices including straps, hooks, and elastic cords are disclosed. At least some of the attachment devices are reversible, such that either side of the sign can be displayed.

Abstract: When dross is removed from a molten-solder reservoir, a substantial amount of molten solder is often removed with the dross. This molten solder can be separated from the dross and returned to reservoir via a conduit for reuse. Additionally, a skimmer for removing the dross from the reservoir includes a skimming plate pivotally attached to a displaceable structure; a stop is provided to restrict the degree to which the skimming plate can pivot so that the skimming plate will not pivot more than 90° from vertical to enable the skimming plate to dig into the dross and collect dross when the displaceable structure is displaced toward on outlet of the reservoir. Further still, the displaceable structure of the skimmer can be controlled via a computer control system storing software code instructions for a motor to extend and retract the displaceable structure such that the skimming plate extends to a position further from the outlet port of the reservoir with each displacement cycle.

Abstract: An automatic dross removal apparatus, which can be used with a solder wave apparatus, is provided, that generally includes a reservoir having a cavity for containing liquid solder, dross removal apparatus having a first end extending within the cavity of the reservoir for removing dross on the surface of the liquid solder, and a motor engaged with the dross removal apparatus. In one embodiment of the invention, the dross is automatically removed by a conveyor driven by a motor. In another embodiment of the invention, the dross is automatically removed by a motor driven receptacle. Means for moving the dross from one part of the solder reservoir to another, such as a pump, can be included. Preferably, a computer is used to control the automatic dross removal. The dross can be placed in a dross separation device which can include apparatus for processing the dross to remove any remaining solder.

Abstract: An automatic dross removal apparatus, which can be used with a solder wave apparatus, is provided, that generally includes a reservoir having a cavity for containing liquid solder, dross removal apparatus having a first end extending within the cavity of the reservoir for removing dross on the surface of the liquid solder, and a motor engaged with the dross removal apparatus. In one embodiment of the invention, the dross is automatically removed by a conveyor driven by a motor. In another embodiment of the invention, the dross is automatically removed by a motor driven receptacle. Means for moving the dross from one part of the solder reservoir to another, such as a pump, can be included. Preferably, a computer is used to control the automatic dross removal. The dross can be placed in a dross separation device which can include apparatus for processing the dross to remove any remaining solder.

Abstract: A manifold box adapted to contain manifolds for valves controlling the flow of potentially hazardous liquids. This is a rotationally cast sealed plastic box enclosing the valves to contain any leaks from the valves and allow any leaking liquid to drain from the box through a drain tube at the bottom of the box to prevent the liquid from leaking onto surfaces below or adjacent to the valves. Attachment engaging “tee-nuts” are cast in place within the walls of the box and fittings for tubing connections are attached to the walls of the box at openings in the walls. The box has a front access opening sealingly closed by a hinged plastic cover panel. In one embodiment the box is rectangular and is designed with two adjacent sloping walls which permit drainage of liquid from the box into a drain tube regardless of whether the box is mounted vertically or horizontally. In another embodiment the box is square and has one sloping wall containing a drain connected to a drain pipe.

Abstract: A manifold box adapted to contain manifolds for valves controlling the flow of potentially hazardous liquids. This is a rotationally cast sealed plastic box enclosing the valves to contain any leaks from the valves and allow any leaking liquid to drain from the box through a drain tube at the bottom of the box to prevent the liquid from leaking onto surfaces below or adjacent to the valves. Attachment engaging "tee-nuts" are cast in place within the walls of the box and fittings for tubing connections are spin welded to the walls of the box. The box has a front access opening sealingly closed by a hinged plastic cover panel. In one embodiment the box is rectangular and is designed with two adjacent sloping walls which permit drainage of liquid from the box into a drain tube regardless of whether the box is mounted vertically or horizontally. In another embodiment the box is square and has one sloping wall containing a drain connected to a drain pipe.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that allows the user to create, modify, or delete a configurator using templates. Once the configurator is constructed, the present invention allows the user to generate specific configurations using the constructed configurator. Templates are objects that are created by the configurator generator and recognized and used by the configurator to create configurations. Templates are stored in a persistent storage area of the configurator generator and are recalled when a change or deletion to the resulting configurator is desired. The configurator generator provides the user with a simple, intuitive, and computer assisted way of producing or modifying templates. A user defines a specific domain that describes an end product through a graphical interface of the system thereby creating a set of templates. The system then takes the user-defined templates to create configurations of the end product.

Abstract: A windowed display panel assembly for retaining multiple flat collectible items such as sports cards, photographs and other flat items in such manner that the items can be viewed from both sides without removing the items from the panel. The assembly has a rigid transparent front panel, a flexible transparent pocketed rear sheet which is retained in surface contact with the front panel by a peripheral frame to form a rigid assembly which provides both front and back viewing of cards displayed in the assembly and permits the cards to be easily removed and replaced in the assembly.

Abstract: A connector for connecting electrical conduit to nonmetallic electrical enclosures includes a connector body, a locking ring, and a conduit nut rotatably mounted on the connector body. The connector body has a first threaded end threadedly connected to the enclosure and a second end rotatably coupled to the conduit nut. The second end has an outwardly extending radial flange which mates with an inwardly extending radial flange on the conduit nut to rotatably couple the conduit nut to the body, without limiting rotational movement of the conduit nut on the body. The conduit nut has internal threads to mate with the male threads of an electrical conduit. The assembly allows an electrical conduit to be connected securely to the enclosure by tightening the conduit nut onto the conduit without transferring torsional stress to the non-metallic enclosure. The locking ring is threadedly coupled to the connector body and can be rotated to lock the conduit nut in place.

Abstract: A solder wave nozzle construction allows components to be disassembled for cleaning and removing dross from a solder reservoir. The quick connection joints allow downtime for cleaning a solder wave machine to be greatly reduced. In one embodiment a solder nozzle duct fits over a chimney flow duct and has quick release clips on each side. In another embodiment, a quick release back plate, front plate, exit trough, dross reduction tray and front gate are all easily removable. In a further embodiment a solder nozzle duct fits within a chimney flow duct, and has an adjustable height so it can be positioned for optimum solder wave height.