Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure generally provide polishing pads having a composite pad body and methods for forming the polishing pads. In one embodiment, the composite pad body includes one or more first features formed from a first material or a first composition of materials, and one or more second features formed from a second material or a second composition of materials, wherein the one or more first features and the one or more second features are formed by depositing a plurality of layers comprising the first material or first composition of materials and second material or second composition of materials.

Abstract: A voice prosthesis device is disclosed that includes an improved fluid seal. The device includes a hollow cylindrical tube having flexible retainer flanges integrally formed over the open ends of the tube. A low pressure check valve is disposed within the tube for allowing air to pass from the trachea to the esophagus of the user when the user desires to speak. The external surface of the cylindrical tube includes one or more annular fluid seal projections or ribs that improve the fluid seal when the device is disposed in a tracheal-esophageal stoma of a user. The voice prosthesis device is preferably fabricated from semi-rigid resilient and flexible materials.

Abstract: A locking device is disclosed for use with a resilient flexible endostomal tracheostoma button. Commonly used trachostoma buttons include a retaining lip situated at one end of a cylindrical portion that is insertable into the stoma of the patient and serves to retain the button in position in the stoma. The locking device invention is a hollow cylindrical tube that is removably inserted into the tracheostoma button after insertion of the tracheostoma button into the patient's stoma. One end of the locking device includes an insertion stop radial protrusion for proper positioning of the locking device within the button. The locking device internally supports the walls and retaining lip of the tracheostoma button and substantially increases the retaining force of the lip, thereby reducing awkward ejection of the tracheostoma tube, such as during patient coughing.

Abstract: A tong apparatus is provided for gripping a pipe. The apparatus includes a base and a housing coupled to the base. The housing is formed to include an interior region having a top opening. The apparatus also includes a jaw assembly extending through the top opening and into the interior region of the housing. The jaw assembly includes a lower clamp portion having a lower jaw, a linkage having a lower end coupled to the lower clamp portion and an upper end, and a cylinder having a movable piston. The cylinder is coupled to the upper end of the linkage. The apparatus further includes an upper clamp portion having an upper jaw, the upper clamp portion being coupled to the piston, and at least one removable stop extending through the housing adjacent the top opening.

Abstract: A tong apparatus is provided for gripping a pipe. The apparatus includes a support having a track, a first positive stop, and a second positive stop. The apparatus also includes a jaw assembly having a base slidably coupled to the track of the support. The jaw assembly includes a cylinder having a movable piston. The cylinder is rigidly coupled to the base. The jaw assembly also includes a clamp for gripping the pipe. The clamp has a first jaw coupled to the movable piston and a second jaw coupled to the base. The first jaw has at least one stop located between the first and second positive stops of the support so that when the piston is extended from the cylinder the first jaw initially moves toward the second jaw until the first jaw engages the first positive stop.

Abstract: A back reamer apparatus is configured to be attached to a pipe section of a drilling rig for back reaming and compacting a pilot bore. The back reamer apparatus includes a body having a front end configured to be coupled to the pipe section, and at least three planar side walls configured to form a pyramid-shaped section which is tapered downwardly toward the front end of the body to compact the soil and form an enlarged bore upon rotation of the body by the drilling rig. The body is formed to include an internal passageway for receiving a drilling fluid. Each of the side walls is formed to include at least one aperture in communication with the passageway to permit the drilling fluid to pass through the at least one aperture formed in each side wall.

Abstract: A tong apparatus is provided for gripping a pipe. The apparatus includes a base, and a support rigidly coupled to the base. The support is formed to include an aperture for receiving the pipe. The apparatus also includes a plurality of rollers rotatably coupled to the support adjacent the aperture. Each roller includes a plurality of teeth configured to engage the pipe. The apparatus further includes a movable actuator coupled to the support, and a plurality of wedge plates rigidly coupled to the actuator. Each wedge plate includes a plurality of teeth configured to engage the teeth of a corresponding roller to force the rollers radially inwardly against the pipe to grip the pipe upon movement of the actuator relative to the support. The apparatus still further includes a cylinder having a piston coupled to the actuator. The piston is movable from an extended position to a retracted position to move the actuator relative to the support.

Abstract: An apparatus for directing the forward movement of a rod as it is moved through a loose medium has the versatility either to direct or not direct such movement. The apparatus has a directing member that is disabled in a first position wherein movement of the rod is not directed and is enabled in a second position wherein movement of the rod is directed. The apparatus includes drive-engaging members and a control mechanism for controlling the disengagement and engagement of the drive-engaging members selectively to permit forward movement of the rod in a desired direction. The apparatus may also include fluid passageways and valves for dispensing fluid such as water or drilling mud into the loose medium in the direction of movement to facilitate the movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for directing the forward movement of a rod as it is moved through a loose medium has the versatility either to direct or not direct such movement. The apparatus has a directing member that is disabled in a first position wherein movement of the rod is not directed and is enabled in a second position wherein movement of the rod is directed. The apparatus includes drive-engaging members and a control mechanism for controlling the disengagement and engagement of the drive-engaging members selectively to permit forward movement of the rod in a desired direction. The apparatus may also include fluid passageways and valves for dispensing fluid such as water or drilling mud into the loose medium in the direction of movement to facilitate the movement.

Abstract: A vehicular mounted pipe presser includes a pipe-pressing assembly for pressing pipe through a medium wherein the assembly is movably supported by a vehicle and positionable between surfaces which are transverse to the direction of forces employed to press the pipe. The assembly includes a frame having projectable and retractable feet for engaging the transverse surfaces to stabilize the assembly. Movably carried by the frame is a housing for receiving the pipe and a clamping mechanism which floats with the housing for clamping a portion of the pipe. Two clamp jaws of the clamping mechanism are captured within the housing and pressing forces are limited to the housing and the clamp jaws. The projection and retraction of the feet, reciprocable movement of the housing, and clamping of the pipe within the housing are each separately controllable from a stage carried on the housing by hydraulic systems.

Abstract: A power-driven apparatus for rotating a tubular member such as pipe includes a carriage for rotatably supporting a first rotatable member for receiving the tubular member, a second rotatable member for rotating the first rotatable member, and a bi-directional motor for rotating the second rotatable member in first and second directions to thereby rotate the first rotatable member in first and second directions. A pair of jaws for gripping the tubular member is pivotally mounted in opposed relationship to the first rotatable member, and roller bearings are carried by the second rotatable member for pivoting the jaws to engage the tubular member and through frictional contact with the jaws to rotate the tubular member and the first rotatable member in response to rotation of the second rotatable member in both the first and second directions. The second rotatable member is rotatably supported by and independently rotatable with respect to the first rotatable member.