Abstract: A bagger safety system includes a controller, a heating element, a light-emitting device, a light-detecting device and a backing assembly. The backing assembly includes a backing bar, a pair of reflectors and a seal backing element movably coupled to the backing bar by at least one mechanical force generating member so as to create a space between the seal backing element and the backing bar when no external force is applied to the mechanical force generating member. Light emitted from a light-emitting device reflects off the reflectors to the light-detecting device when no external force is applied to the mechanical force generating member. Movement of the seal backing element toward the backing bar prevents light emitted from the light-emitting device from reaching the light-detecting device and the controller controls movement of the backing assembly toward the heating element based on whether light from light-emitting device reaches the light-detecting device.

Abstract: A bagger safety system includes a controller, a heating element, a light-emitting device, a light-detecting device and a backing assembly. The backing assembly includes a backing bar, a pair of reflectors and a seal backing element movably coupled to the backing bar by at least one mechanical force generating member so as to create a space between the seal backing element and the backing bar when no external force is applied to the mechanical force generating member. Light emitted from a light-emitting device reflects off the reflectors to the light-detecting device when no external force is applied to the mechanical force generating member. Movement of the seal backing element toward the backing bar prevents light emitted from the light-emitting device from reaching the light-detecting device and the controller controls movement of the backing assembly toward the heating element based on whether light from light-emitting device reaches the light-detecting device.

Abstract: A snow plow assembly comprises an A-frame assembly, a V-blade assembly pivoted to one end of the A-frame assembly, and a lift frame assembly pivoted to the other end of the A-frame assembly, the lift frame assembly adapted to be removably attached to a vehicle. The V-blade assembly comprises a pair of blades hinged together along inboard ends thereof, each blade of the pair of blades including first and second cutting edge plates removably secured to the blade, the first cutting edge plate fabricated of a first material, the second cutting edge plate fabricated of a second material, the first material having a greater resistance to abrasion wear than the second material.

Abstract: Low-cost, light weight portable cervical traction or spinal decompression devices for home use by a patient. A carriage is slidable along a portion of a support structure parallel to a longitudinal axis. The carriage includes a restraining mechanism adapted to releasably restrain a portion of a patient's body to the carriage. The pneumatic traction force generating apparatus is operatively coupled to move the carriage relative to the support structure when in a pressurized state. The pneumatic traction force generating apparatus is adapted to maintain a generally static traction force during a treatment period when in the pressurized state without additional pressurized air being supplied. A hand pump operated by the patient is fluidly connected to the pneumatic traction force generating apparatus to inject pressurized air. The hand pump is capable of injecting at least 138 kPa (20 psi) of pressure into the pneumatic traction force generating apparatus.

Abstract: A pair of tongs includes a first arm, a second arm, and a plastic hinge structure, constructed at least in part from a material different from at least one of the first arm and the second arm, joining the first arm to the second arm. The tongs may further include a steel spring, and the plastic hinge structure may be over molded to cover the steel spring.

Abstract: A snowplow and mount assembly comprising a mount frame adapted to be secured to a vehicle, and a snowplow frame. One of the mount frame and the snowplow frame has first and second arms and the other of the mount frame and snowplow frame has first and second receivers, the first and second receivers receiving the first and second arms, respectively. Respective ones of first and second latch pins removably secure the first and second arms in the first and second receivers. A latch lever is operably associated with the first and second latch pins and simultaneously actuates the latch pins to latched and unlatched positions. The snowplow frame includes a jack stand movable to and between an extended ground contacting and snowplow frame supporting position and a retracted ground noncontacting and snowplow frame nonsupporting position.

Abstract: An implantable pump system includes: an implantable pump having separate chambers or reservoirs; and a catheter having two or more reservoir-specific inlet ports directed into respective lumens of the catheter. In one embodiment, the distal tips of the respective lumens may be directed to different sites within the patient's body, thereby allowing site specific and independent delivery of the medications stored in the respective pump chambers or reservoirs to be administered to different body sites at independently controlled times and rates. In another embodiment, the distal tips of the respective lumens are directed, more or less, to the same body site or tissue region, thereby providing for the independent delivery of multiple medications to the same regions at independently controlled times and rates.