Abstract: A compression belt encircles a selected portion of a patient's body to provide temporary compression. The compression belt comprises an elongated belt body having first and second free ends free, a tensioning cord, a handle attached to the end of the tensioning cord, closing mechanism providing a mechanical advantage, a one-way tension mechanism and a selective release mechanism. Pulling the handle causes the closing mechanism to pull the first and second free ends closer together to compress the patient's body and engage the one-way tension mechanism that maintains compression even in the absence of continued pulling of the handle, unless the selective release mechanism is activated to release the compression. A buffer made of compressible material can be attached to the underside of the belt body to provide inward pressure when the belt is tightened. The belt body can further include a respiratory expansion panel that elongates elastically under tension.

Abstract: A compression belt encircles a selected portion of a patient's body and provides temporary compression of the selected portion. The compression belt comprises an elongated belt having first and second free ends free, a tensioning cord, a handle attached to the end of the tensioning cord, closing mechanism providing a mechanical advantage, a one-way tension mechanism and a selective release mechanism. Pulling the handle causes the closing mechanism to pull the first and second free ends closer together so as to compress the selected portion of the patient's body, the one-way tension mechanism maintains compression of the patient's body, even in the absence of continued pulling of the handle, unless the selective release mechanism is activated, and activating the selected release mechanism releases the compression of the patient's body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retractable king pin assembly for a trailer operable between an extended position, for engagement with a truck or tractor fifth wheel, and a retracted position, wherein the king pin is retracted to prevent engagement by a fifth wheel to permit the trailer to be left unattended without the threat of being stolen. The king pin security device includes a base member having an aperture, a king pin disposed in the base member aperture, and an actuator operatively connected to the king pin. The actuator either rotates or slides the king pin to move it in an axial direction between the extended and retracted positions. The actuator can include an electric motor, a solenoid or a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for positioning a bed skirt adjacent a bed includes a support member adapted to be inserted between the top of a box spring and the bottom of a mattress. A frame is attached to the support member for mounting a fastener member. The fastener member is moveable to positions between the top of the mattress and the bottom of the box spring and mates with a fastener on the bed skirt.

Abstract: A valet rack assembly includes a three-piece fully extendable slide assembly having a base rail for installation on a closet sidewall in an operative position, an intermediate extension member slidably coupled to the base rail, an outer housing member slidably coupled to the intermediate member, and an apparel support member in the form of a tie clasp or belt post slidably coupled to the outer housing member. The intermediate extension member provides a first range of extension from a first position wherein the intermediate member is fully retracted and overlaps substantially all of the base rail, to a first stop position wherein the intermediate member only partially overlaps the base rail. The outer housing member provides a second range of extension from a second position wherein the outer member is fully retracted and overlaps substantially all of the intermediate extension member, to a second stop position wherein the outer member only partially overlaps the intermediate extension member.

Abstract: A salt platform (700) is disclosed which incorporates a series of hubs (702), radial braces(704) and curved braces(706) which are snap fit together by use of mating locking members(734) and locking slots (716). The curved braces (706) can be formed with pipe holders to support pipe section(710,712) and pipe elbows (714). A stub spoke(750) can be used if desired.

Abstract: A valet rack assembly includes a three-piece fully extendable slide assembly having a base rail for installation on a closet sidewall in an operative position, an intermediate extension member slidably coupled to the base rail, an outer housing member slidably coupled to the intermediate member, and an apparel support member in the form of a tie clasp or belt post slidably coupled to the outer housing member. The intermediate extension member provides a first range of extension from a first position wherein the intermediate member is fully retracted and overlaps substantially all of the base rail, to a first stop position wherein the intermediate member only partially overlaps the base rail. The outer housing member provides a second range of extension from a second position wherein the outer member is fully retracted and overlaps substantially all of the intermediate extension member, to a second stop position wherein the outer member only partially overlaps the intermediate extension member.

Abstract: A salt platform (500) is disclosed which incorporates a top member (502), a bottom member (504) and a plurality of vertical spacing members (506). The top member 502 is preferably formed as an integral molding. The bottom member (504) is preferably identical to the top member (502). The top surface of the top member (502) forms a support for the salt grid. A salt grid (600) is also disclosed which has a series of lips (646) at the peripheral edge with each lip joining with the rest of the salt grid about a linear hinge line (648).

Abstract: A connector for openly connecting conduits includes male and female parts adapted to couple by plug fit connection and structured to permit relative rotational displacement in coupled condition.

Abstract: A non-corrosive, small particle resistant wheel axle-bearing assembly for a free wheeling hand carry device is provided which includes a wheel, an axle spindle and an annular bearing. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wheel includes a central bore, an inwardly facing-surface, and an outwardly facing surface. The inwardly facing surface includes a centrally disposed retainer between the wheel and the body of the device. The outwardly facing surface includes a cylindrical recess for receiving a thrust flange. The axle spindle is integral with the body of the free wheeling device and includes a plurality of longitudinal channels which terminate in slots on the device's body. The annular bearing has a flange at its outer end, a plurality of locking projections at its inner end, and an inner cylindrical wall defining a central bore and an outer bearing surface.

Abstract: A trocar assembly is disclosed for use in inserting a laparoscopic instrument into the abdominal cavity during surgery and includes a cylindrical member activated by intermeshing gears to expand a cylindrical member having a normally retracted outer diameter when the trocar assembly is within the abdominal cavity, to resist withdrawing movement of the assembly from the abdominal cavity.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for use in laparoscopic surgery being adaptable to provide for clipping, cutting or clamping. The device has a probe having an instrument attached to one end to be inserted in a patient. Slidably disposed over the probe is a sliding sleeve which applies force to the instrument end of the probe to effect the desired action. In one embodiment the probe may be rotatable, while in another embodiment the instrument ends are interchangeable.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument is manually manipulatable by a surgical operator. In one embodiment, the instrument provides an alignment between a hand-held grip and a housing whereby an acute angle is formed at the point of intersection of the axis of the housing and the axis of the grip. In another embodiment, the instrument provides a hand-held grip which includes a pivot portion through which the thumb of the operator is received and which may be pivoted laterally in relation to the housing. In another embodiment, the instrument provides up to complete axial rotation of the housing relative to an instrument body housed therein to permit ease of orientation of the housing and/or body during surgery.

Abstract: A sorting system in which uniquely coded garments are hung on transport carriers, also having unique identification bar codes. The garment transport carriers include a connector for removably attaching garments or garment hangers and a hook which engages the transport rails so that the carrier can be moved along the rails and throughout the sorting system. Such a hook is used with slick-type rails, screw-type conveyor rails and even channel-type rails, or a rotatable wheel may be mounted on the carrier for movement of the carrier along rails, including channel-type rails. The transport carrier bar code is read as it progresses through the sorting system and is compared with a computer data base of garment information to determine the sorting route. The garment identification is initially correlated in the computer data base before sorting with the carrier identification code.

Abstract: An improved trocar sleeve (10) is disclosed for use in laparoscopic surgery. The sleeve (10) is provided with an expanded mushroom hinge (20) at the first end (14) of the sleeve inserted into the abdominal cavity. The mushroom hinge (20) can be expanded within the abdominal cavity to abut against the inner surface of the abdominal wall (18) to hold the sleeve in place. A split seal (52) having a concave shape facing the first end (14) of the trocar sleeve (10) is provided to prevent loss of pressurized gas from within the abdominal cavity through the sleeve (10) as the pressure of the gas itself urges the first and second seal lips (78, 80) on opposite sides of the slit in the seal into sealing engagement. In a second embodiment, a member (138) is rotated relative to an end member (150) to actuate the mushroom hinge.