Abstract: An automatically adjustable locking pliers or tool includes a jaw fixed to a first handle and a jaw that pivots about the first handle. The pivoting jaw is connected to a lower tightening handle. A lever connects the tightening handle and first handle. A self-adjusting sizing and locking mechanism includes a thumb jaw sizing piece located near the jaws and movable to open the jaws so that they can be sized around a workpiece. When the thumb jaw sizing piece is released, the jaws automatically size and clamp lightly around the workpiece. The locking mechanism uses balls between a locking rod and a tapered surface. Locking occurs when the balls wedge between the rod and the tapered surface. A release cylinder is connected to a release paddle movable to unlock the mechanism. The sizing piece and locking mechanism are operable to automatically size and lock the pliers or tool.

Abstract: An adjustable power tool attachment for table saws comprises an extension table to enlarge the table saw work surface, and a power tool attached to the bottom of a drop-in plate inserted into the extension table. The power tool can be vertically adjusted to a desired position, and can be lowered below the extension table surface. The table saw and power tool can be used sequentially, and the table saw fence can be used to guide boards or other workpieces to the table saw or power tool. A dado attachment or other power tool can be used in convenient proximity to a table saw for sequential operations, without the user replacing the table saw blades with other cutting elements, or duplicating expensive equipment.

Abstract: An adjustable power tool attachment for table saws comprises an extension table to enlarge the table saw work surface, and a power tool attached to the bottom of the extension table. The power tool can be vertically adjusted to a desired position, and can be lowered below the extension table surface. The table saw and power tool can be used sequentially, and the table saw fence can be used to guide boards or other workpieces to the table saw or power tool. A dado attachment or other power tool can be used in convenient proximity to a table saw for sequential operations, without the user replacing the table saw blades with other cutting elements, or duplicating expensive equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering or installing a surgical suture or suture-like implant into soft tissue, such as the meniscus of the knee, for example, for reattachment or repair of that tissue. The apparatus and method facilitate ease of placement of the suture or implant by the surgeon, protect surrounding tissue and nerves from damage during use, and permit suturing to occur through a single body portal. An injury to soft tissue, such as a tear in the meniscus of the knee joint or detachment of soft tissue from bone, is repaired through a single body portal by installing a surgical suture across the injury, tear, or detachment and passing that suture back through the body portal so that the suture can be joined and the injury, tear, or detachment can be reapproximated by the surgeon while working through the single body portal.

Abstract: A battery powered dent puller for re-contouring sheet metal having a dent is disclosed. A direct current welding electrode mounted on a handle allows the user to attach the electrode to an indentation in sheet metal with a very brief surge of 12 volt direct current. The welding current is regulated by means of a switch mounted on the handle which controls a relay through which the current travels. Once the electrode is attached on the sheet metal, the user may pull with considerable force in a direction that is generally in-line with the electrode. The force of the user pulling on the sheet metal tends to alter the contour of the metal, thus pulling out the indentation. To disengage the electrode from the sheet metal, the user twists the electrode, which breaks the weld. The battery power supply allows portability, increases safety, and tends to reduce assembly costs.

Abstract: A knee reconstruction apparatus and method provides for controlling and adjusting the point of fixation of a ligament graft, for example a replacement for the anterior cruciate ligament, which permits precisely and repeatably adjusting the length of the ligament graft or graft components with the joint under a prescribed load prior to fixation. A fixture is fixed on the tibia and includes an adjustable clamp that holds a ligament graft anchored or held in the femur. The clamp can be moved for adjusting the length of the ligament graft, or individual segments of a composite ligament graft while the joint is under a prescribed load. The load carried by one or more individual graft components also can be measured prior to fixation to ensure that each of the segments of a composite ligament graft will carry the desired or selected load for a joint under a prescribed load.

Abstract: A potential induced on the surface of an orbiting spacecraft is neutralized to the potential of a plasma through which the spacecraft is traveling by directing charged particles into the plasma from the spacecraft surface. The induced potential occurs in response to bombardment of the spacecraft surface by ambient charged particles which may be negative or positive. The charged particles directed into the plasma from the surface have the same polarity as the induced potential to provide the neutralization. The invention can be utilized to maintain different, electrically isolated segments of a spacecraft surface at the same potential to prevent electric discharges between the different parts and thereby protect electric circuits within the spacecraft. The invention can also be utilized to enable charged particle detectors on the surface of a spacecraft to operate more accurately so that the particles are not perturbed by a potential difference between the spacecraft surface and the plasma.