Abstract: An improved safety needle, including a needle base, for fixing therein a rigid needle containing a hollow hub at one end, a hollow needle connected thereto and a sharp needle tip at the other end, the base defined by a proximal end and a distal end spaced-apart therefrom, the distal end of the needle base having formed therethrough a first bore concentric to the needle and covering the sharp needle tip, and a cap covering the first bore and rotatably positioned thereover, having formed therethrough a second bore, wherein the cap is rotatable between a first, safe position placing the first and second bores out of alignment and preventing passage of the needle and the sharp needle tip therethrough, and a second, armed position placing the first and second bores in alignment to allow passage of the needle therethrough to expose the sharp needle tip.

Abstract: A self-locking nut designed to work with a male thread's that have a slot, keyway or hole along their threads. A novel locking ring (13) placed in a cavity (23)in one end of the nut. One or more fingers (24) on the locking ring lock into a slot, recess, hole or keyway in the male thread and multiple projections on the clip lock into recesses (22) in the female component. By locking the male component to the clip and the female component to the clip the device locks the male component to the female component.

Abstract: A braking system is disclosed for foot-bound roller skates, particularly in-line roller skates, consisting of a method and apparatus for activating the brake, continuously applying braking force while the brake is activated without the application of force to the activating apparatus, and stowing the brake. Preferably, the brake deploys to serve as the aft point on which the skate rides, along with one or more forward wheels.

Abstract: Hydraulic drilling method and apparatus in which the drilling fluid itself is utilized to control the direction in which a hole is bored in the earth. The drilling fluid is discharged through a plurality of forwardly facing nozzles which are inclined at different angles about the axis of the drill head, and the drilling fluid is selectively applied to the nozzles by a rotatable valve member to control the direction in which the hole is cut.

Abstract: Hydraulic drilling method and apparatus in which the drilling fluid itself is utilized to control the direction in which a hole is bored in the earth. The orientation of the drill head is monitored by tilt and roll sensors, and the discharge of drilling fluid through radially or obliquely directed nozzles is controlled by poppet valves in accordance with the orientation to control the direction in which the hole is cut.

Abstract: Hydraulic drilling apparatus and method suitable for use in a variety of applications including the drilling of deep holes for oil and gas wells and the drilling of vertical, horizontal or slanted holes, drilling through both consolidated and unconsolidated formations, and cutting and removing core samples. The drill head produces a whirling mass of pressurized cutting fluid, and this whirling fluid is applied to a discharge nozzle to produce a high velocity cutting jet. The cutting action is enhanced by abrasive material in the drilling fluid. The direction of the borehole is controlled by controlling the discharge of the drilling fluid either in side jets directed radially from the distal end portion of the drill string which carries the drill head or in a plurality of forwardly directed cutting jets.

Abstract: Quick release mechanism which can be locked to prevent unauthorized removal of a bicycle wheel or other object secured thereby. The mechanism has an axially extending drawbar, a pair of clamping elements mounted on the drawbar for axial movement relative to each other between securing and released positions, an operating lever connected to the drawbar for moving the clamping elements between the securing and released positions, and a lock forming an integral part of the mechanism. In one embodiment, the operating lever is disconnected from the drawbar and locked in this position to prevent unauthorized removal of the object secured by the mechanism. In other embodiments, the operating lever is locked to prevent unauthorized release of the mechanism. A force indicating nut employed as one of the clamping elements indicates when the mechanism is adjusted for the proper tension to retain the mechanism in the secured position.

Abstract: An articulated joint of changing the direction of a light beam passing through the joint has an inlet for the incoming light beam, an outlet for the outgoing light beam, two turning mirrors and three precision bearing units associated with the turning mirrors for permitting rotation of the mirrors with a minimum amount of error of angular displacement of the redirected beam. An apparatus providing movement of at least a portion of a beam delivery system and directing an outlet beam to a desired location includes the articulated joint, a motion delivery device operatively associated with the joint and connecting means disposed between the joint and the motion delivery device. The connecting means are adapted to provide relative motion between an attachment of the connecting means to the joint and an attachment of the connecting means to the motion delivery device.