Abstract: A self-sealing male Luer connector for connection with a female Luer connector. The male Luer connector includes a housing having a distally-projecting tubular male body and a surrounding cuff interconnected by a proximal wall in which is formed at least one activation opening. A valve plug is slidably installed within the housing and formed with a distal end configured to sealingly engage the distal end of the male body's interior flow passage and with at least one activation arm at its proximal end configured to extend through the activation opening into the cavity formed between the male body and the cuff. An elastomeric device is sealingly configured within the activation opening about the activation arm to secure the valve plug in position and bias it distally. The proximal end of the male Luer connector may be configured as a conventional female connector, a blood collection device, or other such device.

Abstract: A customizable theme calendar includes a set of date cells corresponding to an arbitrarily designated time period (e.g., a starting date and a target date), and a theme applied to the calendar. The theme corresponds to an event associated with the arbitrarily designated time period. The time periods and themes may correspond to recognized holidays such Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter and so on, or to arbitrarily designated events having personal or familial significance, such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Such customized calendars may be designed and generated in connection with a computer system and calendar generation software.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus to removably attach wheels to an item, such as a golf bag, for easy transportation. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the device is made up of several individual components that are assembled for operation. These components include a belt, a pair of wheels, and a handle. The belt is secured around the base of a golf bag and includes means for tightening or firmly securing the belt onto the golf bag. A pair of wheels are mountable onto protruding axles on the belt. A handle is then added to the bag itself to make it easy to wheel the bag around a golf course. When disassembled, the apparatus can store easily even within a pocket on the golf bag itself This makes it instantly available to the golfer when desired.

Abstract: Communication devices, methods, and computer program products acquire a first time division multiple access (TDMA) time slot on a TDMA carrier frequency to establish a first call and acquire a second TDMA time slot on the TDMA carrier frequency to establish a second call. The first and second time slots are associated with a single TDMA frame, which may allow, for example, a voice call and a data call to be established concurrently. Accordingly, the need for multiple phones to maintain both a voice connection and an Internet connection concurrently on a TDMA network may be obviated. Inasmuch as the two time slots are on the same TDMA carrier frequency, additional frequency synthesizers or tuning of existing frequency synthesizers may not be required.

Abstract: A self-sealing male Luer connector for connection with a female Luer connector. The male Luer connector includes a housing having a distally-projecting tubular male body and a surrounding cuff interconnected by a proximal wall in which is formed at least one activation opening. A valve plug is slidably installed within the housing and formed with a distal end configured to sealingly engage the distal end of the male body's interior flow passage and with at least one activation arm at its proximal end configured to extend through the activation opening into the cavity formed between the male body and the cuff. An elastomeric device is sealingly configured within the activation opening about the activation arm to secure the valve plug in position and bias it distally. The proximal end of the male Luer connector may be configured as a conventional female connector, a blood collection device, or other such device.

Abstract: A customizable theme calendar includes a set of date cells corresponding to an arbitrarily designated time period (e.g., a starting date and a target date), and a theme applied to the calendar. The theme corresponds to an event associated with the arbitrarily designated time period. The time periods and themes may correspond to recognized holidays such Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter and so on, or to arbitrarily designated events having personal or familial significance, such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Such customized calendars may be designed and generated in connection with a computer system and calendar generation software.

Abstract: A diversity antenna module includes a diversity antenna and preferably has outer dimensions no larger than a SIM card. The diversity antenna module mates with a shell housing communications electronics for a wireless communications device, such as communications electronics adapted for PDC operation. The diversity antenna module, when mated to the shell, provides the communications electronics within the shell with an alternative antenna, as is required by the PDC specifications. The same shell, or another shell of the same mechanical dimensions, may alternatively house a different set of communications electronics, such as some adapted for GSM operation. A traditional SIM module may be mated to this second shell to provide alternative communications functionality.

Abstract: A customizable theme calendar includes a set of date cells corresponding to an arbitrarily designated time period (e.g., a starting date and a target date), and a theme applied to the calendar. The theme corresponds to an event associated with the arbitrarily designated time period. The time periods and themes may correspond to recognized holidays such Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter and so on, or to arbitrarily designated events having personal or familial significance, such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Such customized calendars may be designed and generated in connection with a computer system and calendar generation software.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water-exposure protection of electronic circuitry within a mobile radio communication device such as a mobile cellular telephone. A water-absorbent packing is disposed around buttons or keys which extend through openings in the housing. The packing is able to absorb several times its volume of water. The water-absorbent packing absorbs the water as it enters the housing, thus stopping the further ingress of water and protecting the electronic components in the housing. Once the water source has been removed, the water absorbed by the material will evaporate restoring the full absorption capacity of the material.

Abstract: A cellular telephone incorporating a structural frame member having a side wall and a web, where each of these structural elements are made up of different materials. Through selection of side wall and web materials, an overall frame structure having a significantly reduced web thickness, as compared to conventional cellular telephones, can be obtained. This reduction in web thickness ultimately translates to a reduction in overall phone unit thickness, thus allowing for the production of a smaller, more compact cellular telephone.

Abstract: A recyclable cellular telephone is disclosed having an inner rigid cellular electronics supporting frame member surrounded by a replaceable outer cover. The telephone is acquired having a limited period of use. The electronics of the telephone operate to disable the telephone following expiration of the period of use. Following expiration of the period of use, the telephone is returned for refurbishment where the outer cover is stripped and replaced and the electronics tested before being recycled with a new period of use for an another acquisition. The cellular network supporting telephone operation also monitors the period of use, disabling telephone access to the network following expiration. Directory numbers are selectively assigned to the recyclable telephones from a pool of available numbers, with assigned numbers returned to the pool after expiration of a predetermined period or telephone deactivation for re-use by another recyclable telephone.

Abstract: A recyclable cellular telephone is disclosed having an inner rigid cellular electronics supporting frame member surrounded by a replaceable outer cover. The telephone is acquired having a limited period of use. The electronics of the telephone operate to disable the telephone following expiration of the period of use. Following expiration of the period of use, the telephone is returned for refurbishment where the outer cover is stripped and replaced and the electronics tested before being recycled with a new period of use for an another acquisition. The cellular network supporting telephone operation also monitors the period of use, disabling telephone access to the network following expiration. Directory numbers are selectively assigned to the recyclable telephones from a pool of available numbers, with assigned numbers returned to the pool after expiration of a predetermined period or telephone deactivation for re-use by another recyclable telephone.

Abstract: A recyclable cellular telephone is disclosed having an inner rigid cellular electronics supporting frame member surrounded by a replaceable outer cover. The telephone is acquired having a limited period of use. The electronics of the telephone operate to disable the telephone following expiration of the period of use. Following expiration of the period of use, the telephone is returned for refurbishment where the outer cover is stripped and replaced and the electronics tested before being recycled with a new period of use for an another acquisition. The cellular network supporting telephone operation also monitors the period of use, disabling telephone access to the network following expiration. Directory numbers are selectively assigned to the recyclable telephones from a pool of available numbers, with assigned numbers returned to the pool after expiration of a predetermined period or telephone deactivation for re-use by another recyclable telephone.

Abstract: An electromagnetic shield is incorporated into a radiotelephone. The radiotelephone includes a printed circuit board having a ground trace extending around an electrical circuit formed on the printed circuit board. The electromagnetic shield is disposed adjacent the printed circuit board for isolating the electrical circuit thereon. Forming a part of the electromagnetic shield is a face, a side wall, and a series of spaced apart spring contacts that extend from the side wall for electrical contact with the ground trace on the printed circuit board. Disposed over the shield is a housing structure that engages the shield and urges the shield against the printed circuit board such that the spring contacts thereof engage and make electrical contact with the ground trace of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A cartridge for storing and retaining a plurality of medical ligating devices such as hemostatic clips and surgical staples, the cartridge having a movable device retaining member situated in each device chamber. The retaining member is adapted to frictionally engage the legs of an open C-shaped device and is further adapted to be displaced away from engagement with the device when it is engaged in the jaws of a forceps-type applier. In one embodiment, the retaining member is adapted to fit between the legs of an open hemostatic clip and is further adapted to be displaced downwardly away from the clip when the clip is engaged by a clip applier. The disclosure further includes a method of storing hemostatic clips in a cartridge, the method incorporating retaining the clip within the cartridge by a separable member which is displaceable from engagement with a clip when the clip is engaged by a clip applier.

Abstract: A kit for protectively sheathing the proximally unenclosed portion of a grasping members pair of a surgical instrument assembly resulting from the sheathing is disclosed, the kit including an applicator for spreading the lumen of an elastic tubular sheath member which is mounted on the surgical instrument over unenclosed portions of the grasping jaws adjacent to the distal body mounting the grasping jaws, the sheath member and body member preferably being formed of dielectric material for electrocauterization.

Abstract: A hand-held surgical stapler is provided having a reduced distal profile due to a unique feeding means. A combination of features allows the reduced distal profile. The staple storage cover can be of reduced distal thickness due to the slope effect. The staple pusher has the capability at its distal end to push and by pushing lift all of the staples, including the last, into the staple track. Provisions are made on the staple pusher to allow the form tool to displace it out of the staple track to allow forming of the last staple. Nose assemblies are disclosed which can be interchangeably mounted to various trigger assemblies. The pre-load on the stored staples can be varied. A ratchet feature requires full depression of the trigger before it can be returned to a neutral or extended position and full extension of the trigger to its neutral position prior to initiation of the next staple feed cycle.

Abstract: A hand-held surgical stapler is provided having a reduced distal profile due to a unique feeding means. A combination of features allows the reduced distal profile. The staple storage cover can be of reduced distal thickness due to the slope effect. The staple pusher has the capability at its distal end to push and by pushing lift all of the staples, including the last, into the staple track. Provisions are made on the staple pusher to allow the form tool to displace it out of the staple track to allow forming of the last staple. Nose assemblies are disclosed which can be interchangeably mounted to various trigger assemblies. The pre-load on the stored staples can be varied. A ratchet feature requires full depression of the trigger before it can be returned to a neutral or extended position and full extension of the trigger to its neutral position prior to initiation of the next staple feed cycle.

Abstract: An exercising apparatus which is adapted for home use and is versatile to permit the performing of a large number of exercises with a single piece of equipment and which incorporates the exercise facilities offered by several conventional pieces of exercising equipment. The exercising apparatus comprises a seat section at one end with a back rest capable of being raised from a frame for supporting the lower back during various types of exercises including abdominal exercises. The seat back can be lowered in order to enable an individual to lay in a prone condition on the exercising apparatus in order to perform additional exercises such as abdominal exercises, arm exercises and the like. A method of exercising is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process of forming a durable waterproof coating on a substrate comprising (a) applying to the surface of the substrate an aqueous dispersion comprising at least one film-forming polymer, pigment material including clay in an amount sufficient to improve the adhesion of the coating to the substrate, and water, the pigment volume concentration of the dispersion being greater than 15, and (b) allowing the dispersion to dry on the surface.