Abstract: A surgical instrument for implanting one or more rows of staples in living tissue has a pair of juxtaposed beam members with forward portions that jointly define a thin gap in which the tissue may be received and clamped. A latch couples the beam members together at a location behind the tissue gap. Operation of a first actuator forces staples out of one of the beam members and into the tissue, the other beam member having indentations shaped to close the staples. A tensioner flexes the beam members to create internal stresses which resist spreading of the beam member tips in response to load forces that are exerted on the members by clamped tissue and the stapling operation. This assures that the gap has a uniform width along its length and thus assures that the successive staples are each formed into an optimum configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing, dispensing, and applying surgical staples includes a pistol-like tool having a handle portion with a manually movable trigger lever, and a rotatable barrel portion with a staple track for storing staples in parallel, stacked, column fashion, the axis of the column extending generally colinearly with the barrel axis. The staples are urged distally in the track, and the distal track portion is curved out of axial alignment so that the distal staples are urged into points-first alignment. A form tool is slidably disposed in the barrel portion and adapted to advance and urge the distal-most staple against an anvil tool to crimp the staple. The form tool includes a drag spring which engages the distal-most staple in the staple track as the form tool retracts after a crimping cycle, pulling the distal-most staple from the track into a dispensing position for the next dispensing cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and automatically dispensing and applying surgical staples in serial fashion includes a pistol-like tool having means for storing a large plurality of staples in parallel, stacked column fashion aligned along the longitudinal (barrel) axis of the tool. A form tool and an anvil tool extend longitudinally parallel to the axis, and are advanced in synchronism by actuation of a trigger lever. The form tool includes a pair of arms which impinge upon and rotate the legs of the staple about the web portion thereof to dispose the staple in a points-first dispensing orientation. The form tool advances the staple to the distal dispensing end of the tool, where it drives the staple into a portion of the anvil and crimps the staple thereabout. Release of the trigger causes an elevator member to separate the next distal staple inthe column from its column alignment into postion to be engaged by the anvil tool and form tool at the start of the subsequent dispensing cycle.

Abstract: A device for applying a plurality of hemoclips to blood vessels and the like includes a longitudinally disposed frame having a pistol grip and an opposed trigger lever extending from the proximal end thereof. A narrow, internal passageway extends the length of the frame, from a loading opening at the proximal end to a fixed lower jaw at the distal end of the frame. A plurality of U-shaped hemoclips is disposed in the passageway with the points thereof extending toward the distal jaw portion. An upper jaw extends from a clevis member which straddles the frame and is pivotally joined to an upper medial portion thereof. The trigger lever is pivotable to cause the clevis member to pivot upwardly and the upper jaw to close upon the lower jaw to crush a hemoclip disposed therebetween.

Abstract: An improved fruit harvester, including a self-propelled main frame with means for grasping a fruit tree and inducing vibration in the fruit tree so that fruit will be caused to fall and a retractable collection surface which extends beneath the tree to gather the fruit as it falls. The gathered fruit is directed to either of two longitudinal conveyors disposed on each side of the main frame which transport the fruit to the rear of the harvester. A transversely mounted conveyor is disposed between the respective termination points of each of the longitudinal conveyors and is capable of selectively receiving fruit from either of the two longitudinal conveyors and depositing said fruit in either of two receptacles elevatably supported at the corners of the main frame of the harvester.

Abstract: In a down-the-row type of tree shaking apparatus, a support frame is pivotally mounted to a carrier vehicle for rotation about an axis which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and a suspension frame, from which a tree shaking and clamping assembly depends, is pivotally mounted to the support frame for rotation about an axis which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The shaking and clamping assembly includes a housing and a pair of clamping arms which are pivotally mounted to the housing for rotation about parallel axes which are perpendicular to the transverse axis of rotation of the suspension frame. Each clamping arm is retractable from the position it assumes during shaking through an arc of approximately 90.degree., and each arm is operated by a separately controllable hydraulic cylinder.