Abstract: A jig for connecting a part to a body for an on-line painting process may include a plastic adaptor and a metal hanger. The plastic adaptor may be configured to be connected to a part to be painted, and the metal hanger may be removably connectable to the plastic adaptor. The metal hanger may be configured to be connected to a body to be painted.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for securing a cladding to a vehicle body includes a vehicle body defining at least one aperture and a cladding having a body portion and at least one interval attachment structure extending from the body portion. The attachment structure includes a retaining portion received through the at least one aperture for securing the body portion to the vehicle body and a plurality of spaced apart ribs connecting the retaining portion to the body portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a structural column from an impact includes a flexible pad configured to have an installed position wrapped about the column. The original width of the pad is defined by and between opposite side edges. The height of the pad is defined by and between upper and lower end edges that extend horizontally about the column when the pad is in the installed position. An outer side surface of the pad is non-corrugated, and in innerside surface is corrugated. The corrugated inner side surface has ribs that are configured to extend vertically in contact with the column when the pad is in the installed position. Grooves that separate the ribs are configured as cutting guides along which the pad can be severed to adopt a reduced width corresponding to particular column.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting structural supports from damage when impacted by an object such as a moving vehicle is provided. The apparatus has a shaped component which in the preferred embodiment is a semi-cylindrical component having a body defined by a wall, a top, and a base. The wall has at least one flat wall face and surrounds a hollow interior. An indentation for receiving a structural support is present in at least one flat wall face. A device for securing the shaped component to the structural support and for firmly seating one component at its flat wall face against the second component at its flat wall face when two components are present. Preferably, each component has a plurality of impact absorbing indentations, each having an aperture, a base and a wall extending from the base to an aperture mouth. These indentations function to re-distribute the energy of impact when a collusion occurs between the apparatus and a moving object.

Abstract: A device for providing back massage with simultaneous accupressure stimulation along either side of the spine. The device comprises a frame in which are disposed a plurality of rollers which are freely rotatable and capable of being interchangeably positioned within the frame. One roller is of a larger diameter than the remaining rollers and is provided with a central circumferential groove which is bounded on each side by a surface having a plurality of nubs. In use, the nubs contact the user's body on either side of the spine at the desired location to provide accupressure stimulation. By providing the accupressure stimulation roller in a diameter which is larger than the other rollers, the device also provides intervertebral or intersegmental extension during use.

Abstract: A rotational energy storage device or spring which includes a roller-cam assembly having a shaft, a ring rotatably disposed about the shaft, and at least one roller disposed between shaft and ring. The roller is configured such that, upon rotating the ring relative to the shaft, the roller interferes with the ring and the shaft to convert and effect storage of mechanical energy created by the relative rotation of the ring and the shaft. Preferably a plurality of spaced rollers are positioned between ring and shaft. A cam geometry which is symmetrical or asymmetrical is provided on the shaft, the ring, the roller, and combinations thereof. A rotational energy storage device having a back-up ring with alternating thin and thick cross-sectional areas is further provided which is indexed to provide regions of low and high stiffness regions against each roller.

Abstract: Apparatus for tensioning a ligament graft includes a hydraulic tensioning cylinder with a piston having a distal end for holding and affixing, relative to the distal end of the piston, a free end of a ligament graft, where the other end of the ligament graft is affixed to a patient. An inflation device, in hydraulic communication with a cylinder, moves the piston to tension the graft.

Abstract: A surface covering system, e.g. for covering walls, is disclosed in which a covering member is provided including an overhanging portion. A support structure is affixed to a surface for supporting the covering member. A retaining member interlocks with the support structure and wherein these members engage the overhanging portion therebetween in an interference fit, thereby securely and removably retaining the covering member.

Abstract: An accessory adapted to be mounted to a bicycle having the capability of generating audible voice messages based on various parameters sensed by the accessory. The bicycle accessory includes sensing means adapted to be mounted to a bicycle having at least two wheels for generating a signal relating to an operational parameter of the bicycle, input means mounted to the bicycle for allowing the rider to make a request for the current state of the parameter, and means for determining the current state of the parameter in response to the request made by the rider, the current state of the parameter being determined by a microcontroller based upon at the signal generated by the sensing means. The accessory also includes means for generating an audible voice message relating to the current state of the parameter in response to the request made by the user.

Abstract: A suture locking fastener for surgical procedures. The one piece plastic molded fastener features a plurality of triangular-shaped leaves that are attached to a base. At least one of the leaves is attached to the base using a flexible hinge section thus permitting that leaf to articulate with respect to the base. The leaves are positioned at a predetermined angle relative to the horizontal that is at least 30 degrees, and, preferably, 45 degrees which permits a suture, either a thread or a plastic filament, to be held securely without deforming or cutting into it.

Abstract: A holding tray assembly for holding an endoscopic sheath during installation of the sheath onto an insertion tube of an endoscope and removal of the sheath from the insertion tube, wherein the sheath has a distal end and an open proximal end shaped to receive the insertion tube. The holding tray assembly has a tray with a slot formed therein extending inward from the peripheral edge of the tray. The slot is adapted to receive at least a portion of the endoscopic sheath so the proximal end of the sheath is positioned above the tray and the distal end of the sheath is below the tray. A sheath holding clamp is connected to the tray adjacent to a closed end of the slot, wherein the sheath holding clamp is adapted to releasably hold at least a portion of the endoscopic sheath within the slot. A tray securing apparatus is connected to the tray and is adapted to secure the tray onto a floor stand or other tray support structure.

Abstract: A reentrable moisture barrier for use in enclosures for cables and or cable components to prevent entry of ground moisture is disclosed. The barrier is inexpensive and easy to install. One example of the invention is in conjunction with an enclosure or housing with a first cover portion removable from a second base portion. The improved reentrable moisture barrier is formed of an inexpensive flexible sheet which may be deformed and replaceably inserted in the enclosure to prevent ground moisture from migrating from the open bottom of the housing to the top of the first cover portion where it may condense and be deposited on the cables and cable components. The reentrable barrier is wrapped around and stuffed between the cables and the interior of the second base portion and the first cover portion is replaced. Ground moisture is thus prevented from reaching the interior of the first cover portion.

Abstract: An angioplasty syringe has a half-threaded surface which engages a threaded hydraulic plunger for generating balloon inflating pressure. The threaded nut is part of a component having a cam which engages a cam is part of a pistol trigger. The cam positively raises and closes the threaded surface depending upon the trigger position.

Abstract: A hand-held optimal injection high pressure syringe device, typically used for injecting viscous dye into a catheter or manifold. A pistol grip shape permits application of the full compressive force of the closing of the human hand. The syringe assembly is constructed of two major clear plastic sections plus a sealing tip attached to the injector end of the piston. The assembled syringe can be sterilized using standard procedures and disposed of following use. The simple design geometry permits use of efficient and low cost plastic injection molding techniques for manufacture.

Abstract: A guide wire system for use in catheter exchanges avoids the need for a separate exchange wire. Instead of the conventional practice in which the initial guide wire is removed and replaced with a longer exchange wire, a guide wire extension is attached to the proximal end of the initial guide wire thereby increasing its effective length so that it may be used to perform a catheter exchange. The initial guide wire remains in place in the patient's vasculature. The proximal end of the guide wire and the distal end of the exchange wire are formed to define a connection which may be crimped to effect the connection between the two wires. A crimping tool is provided to hold the mating ends of the guide wire and extension wire together while effecting the crimp.

Abstract: A guide wire system for use in catheter exchanges avoids the need for a separate exchange wire. Instead of the conventional practice in which the initial guide wire is removed and replaced with a longer exchange wire, a guide wire extension is attached to the proximal end of the initial guide wire thereby increasing its effective length so that it may be used to perform a catheter exchange. The initial guide wire remains in place in the patient's vasculature. The proximal end of the guide wire and the distal end of the exchange wire are formed to define a connection which may be crimped to effect the connection between the two wires. A crimping tool is provided to hold the mating ends of the guide wire and extension wire together while effecting the crimp.

Abstract: A guide wire system for use in catheter exchanges avoids the need for a separate exchange wire. Instead of the conventional practice in which the initial guide wire is removed and replaced with a longer exchange wire, a guide wire extension is attached to the proximal end of the initial guide wire thereby increasing its effective length so that it may be used to perform a catheter exchange. The initial guide wire remains in place in the patient's vasculature. The proximal end of the guide wire and the distal end of the exchange wire are formed to define a connection which may be crimped to effect the connection between the two wires. A crimping tool is provided to hold the mating ends of the guide wire and extension wire together while effecting the crimp.

Abstract: A surgical blade unit for receiving substantial cutting load and adapted for use with a selected shaft-form handle that has, at its distal end, an axially aligned blade-unit receiving opening. The blade-unit includes a metal blade defining a working edge and a load-transmitting, axially elongated metal support shank extending from the edge, and a intermediate load-transferring member of synthetic resin permanently molded about a proximal portion of the shank and defining an attachment fitting adapted to engage in load-transferring relationship with the handle. The proximal portion of the shank extends through the intermediate member in the attachment fitting region and is permanently embedded therein to define an elongated, load-transferring interface therewith.

Abstract: A removable frame is detachably connected to a supporting frame by a connection having a plurality of spaced apart vertically extending sleeve-like members mounted on the removable frame. Upwardly projecting members are mounted at the periphery of the supporting frame and telescope into each of the sleeve-like members. A horizontal tubular housing attached to each sleeve-like member carries a locking element which cooperates with its upwardly projecting member to form a positively locked connection between the removable and supporting frame.