Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an anvil and an elongate channel. The elongate channel includes a plurality of first electrical contacts and a plurality of electrical connectors comprising a plurality of second electrical contacts, wherein the electrical connectors are spring-biased such that a gap is maintained between the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts. The surgical instrument further includes a staple cartridge releasably attachable to the elongate channel, wherein the staple cartridge has a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities, a plurality of staples deployable from the staple cavities into the tissue, and a plurality of third electrical contacts, wherein the attachment of the staple cartridge to the elongate channel moves the electrical connectors causing the second electrical contacts to bridge the gap and become electrically coupled to the first electrical contacts.

Abstract: A self-drilling rivet for joining two substrate layers has a hollow sleeve member having a circular cylindrical outer surface, a divergently tapered bore, and an outwardly expandable portion. An internal member has a head portion, a threaded shaft centered within the bore, and a drilling tip extending from the threaded shaft. A wedge member interactive with the threaded shaft can be urged by turning force toward the head portion, whereby retaining wings form from the expandable portion, and are brought to bear against one of the substrate layers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a miniature spectrally selective dosimeter capable of measuring selected bandwidths of radiation exposure on small mobile areas. This is achieved by the combination of photovoltaic detectors, electrochemical integrators (E-cells) and filters in a small compact case which can be easily attached in close proximity to and substantially parallel to the surface being measured. In one embodiment two photovoltaic detectors 13 and 8, two E-cells 15 and 9 and three filters 14 and 16 are packaged in a small case 17 with attaching means consisting of a safety pin 19. In another embodiment, two detectors 31 and 32, one E-cell 33 and three filters 34 and 35 are packaged in a small case 36 with attaching means consisting of a clip 37 to clip over a side piece 38 of an eye glass frame 39. In a further embodiment, the electro-optic elements are packaged in a wristwatch case 51 with attaching means being a watchband 52.

Abstract: A waterproof hip length boot and method of manufacture wherein the fabric lined upper leg portion is attached as a sheet around its lower edge to the upper edge of the lower boot portion by an adhesive such as urethane or another synthetic polymeric material having similar properties that provides circumferential and longitudinal bonded seams and also coats the fabric opposite the wearer's knee for internal abrasion protection.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing boots of rubber or the like wherein the successive boot building operations are carried out on lasts carried by a movable conveyor indexed to and through stations spaced along a line. An elastic sock is mounted on each last at the first station, an adhesive or a chemical reactant such as a coagulant solution are applied to the sock, latex dip coatings are applied, and binding, foxing, toe caps, insulation and the like applied before vulcanization and final lacquer spraying and trimming at indexed stations.

Abstract: A safety boot has a lower foot receiving portion incorporating wearer instep protection in the form of a relatively rigid inverted U-shaped guard of hard non-brittle synthetic plastics material extending over the metatarsal region of the wearer's foot and downwardly at opposite sides to terminate in edges in substantial abutment with the sole whereby impact and crushing forces are transmitted substantially straight down the sides to be distributed and absorbed along the sole.