Abstract: Fluidic coupling assemblies include a fitting body having a single integral piece or separable pieces such as male and female fittings such as luer fittings. The assemblies further comprise a rotatable fastening assembly having a drive collar and a driven member, and at least one resilient member having a spring bias that defines a threshold torque of the rotatable fastening assembly. The spring bias may be directed axially or radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fluidic coupling assembly. The resilient member is configured to prevent overtightening of the fluidic coupling assembly by allowing the drive collar to rotate the driven member only when less than a threshold torque is applied. Rotation of the rotatable fastening assembly imparts a compressive force on the resilient member, and the resilient member yields when the compressive force exceeds the spring bias of the resilient member.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are provided of wheelchairs. In an exemplary embodiment, a wheelchair generally includes a seat and a carriage coupled to the seat. The carriage and seat are laterally moveable together in a transverse direction relative to a forward direction of the wheelchair. In use, lateral movement of the carriage and seat outside of a wheelbase of the wheelchair enables lateral transfer of a patient to and/or from the wheelchair.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are provided of wheelchairs. In an exemplary embodiment, a wheelchair generally includes a seat and a carriage coupled to the seat. The carriage and seat are laterally moveable together in a transverse direction relative to a forward direction of the wheelchair. In use, lateral movement of the carriage and seat outside of a wheelbase of the wheelchair enables lateral transfer of a patient to and/or from the wheelchair.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to dispensing system configured for dispensing a food product. The invention also relates to a peristaltic pump that has a pumping member configured to move along a path through a pumping position and a loading position. The pump also includes a motor in drivable association with the pumping member to move the pumping member along the path and a backing member having a surface configured to cooperate with the pumping member to pinch a conduit therebetween when the pumping member engages the conduit to establish peristaltic association in the pumping position to peristaltically pump a fluid therethrough. When the pumping member is in the loading position, the pumping member is disposed to allow the conduit to be received in and removed from a pumping space. The present invention also relates to a method for dispensing a food product using a peristaltic pump.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments are provided of wheel assemblies and tires. In one exemplary embodiment, a wheel assembly generally includes first and second wheel pieces attachable to each other. The first and second wheel pieces may include respective first and second rim portions. Each of the first and second rim portions may include an arced portion that defines only a portion of a circumference of a rim, such that the arced portions collectively define the circumference of the rim when the first and second wheel pieces are attached. The first and second wheel pieces may be slidably engagable in a first axial direction that is substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the wheel assembly. The first and second wheel pieces may be slidably disengagable in a second axial direction that is generally opposite the first axial direction.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments are provided of wheeled shovels. In one exemplary embodiment, a wheeled shovel generally includes a wheel assembly having an axle and a wheel. The wheeled shovel also includes a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion. The frame may be disposed relative to the axle such that the axle is operable as a fulcrum about which the frame may pivot. A handle may be disposed at about the upper portion of the frame. A shovel blade may be disposed at about the lower portion of the frame. The wheel assembly, frame, handle, and shovel blade may be cooperatively configured so as to enable the wheeled shovel to throw a load of material generally upwardly and forwardly away from the shovel blade in response to a sufficient force applied to the handle for pivoting the frame relative to the axle with a recoil generated through the fulcrum at the axle.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to dispensing system configured for dispensing food product. The device includes a fluid container in fluid communication with a conduit having a compressible portion which is associable with a pumping mechanism for pumping a fluid therethrough. The compression portion contains an upstream uni-directional valve and a downstream uni-directional valve, so that when the compression portion is resiliently compressed, fluid is forced through the downstream valve, and upon decompression, fluid is drawn through the upstream valve. The present invention also relates to a method for dispensing a food product.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments are provided of hinge apparatus, which may be used, for example, to hingedly connect upper and lower frame members of a device or tool. In one embodiment of a hinge apparatus, first and second linking members each include a base portion, sidewalls, and flange portions. The flange portions define sets of openings configured to receive a portion of a first connector, for selectively adjusting the angular orientation of the upper frame member relative to the lower frame member in an open, ready-for-use configuration. The linking members include connector openings configured to receive a portion of a second connector. When the first connector is not engaged with any set of openings, the upper frame member is pivotably movable relative to the lower frame member about the second connector to a closed, collapsed configuration in which the upper frame member is alongside the lower frame member.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments are provided of wheel assemblies and tires. In one exemplary embodiment, a wheel assembly generally includes first and second wheel pieces attachable to each other. The first and second wheel pieces may include respective first and second rim portions. Each of the first and second rim portions may include an arced portion that defines only a portion of a circumference of a rim, such that the arced portions collectively define the circumference of the rim when the first and second wheel pieces are attached. The first and second wheel pieces may be slidably engagable in a first axial direction that is substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the wheel assembly. The first and second wheel pieces may be slidably disengagable in a second axial direction that is generally opposite the first axial direction.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments are provided of hinge apparatus, which may be used, for example, to hingedly connect upper and lower frame members of a device or tool. In one embodiment of a hinge apparatus, first and second linking members each include a base portion, sidewalls, and flange portions. The flange portions define sets of openings configured to receive a portion of a first connector, for selectively adjusting the angular orientation of the upper frame member relative to the lower frame member in an open, ready-for-use configuration. The linking members include connector openings configured to receive a portion of a second connector. When the first connector is not engaged with any set of openings, the upper frame member is pivotably movable relative to the lower frame member about the second connector to a closed, collapsed configuration in which the upper frame member is alongside the lower frame member.

Abstract: A light analysis system for analyzing light transmitted through an ampoule includes a housing having at least one receptacle for the ampoule, a cover for substantially preventing ambient light from affecting the receptacle and having an interior reflective surface, and a master control system. Each receptacle includes at least one light source and a photodetector positioned such that the light from the light source passes through the receptacle (and thereby the ampoule and its contents) prior to entering the photodetector. According to one preferred aspect of the invention, the receptacles are provided preferably at a 30° to 45° angle relative to vertical. According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the light source is at least one LED which is directed to transmit light upward into the reflective surface of the cover such that the light is reflected by the cover downward into the receptacle toward the photodetector.

Abstract: A light analysis system for analyzing light transmitted through an ampoule includes a housing having at least one. receptacle for the ampoule, a cover for substantially preventing ambient light from affecting the receptacle and having an interior reflective surface, and a master control system. Each receptacle includes at least one light source and a photodetector positioned such that the light from the light source passes through the receptacle (and thereby the ampoule and its contents) prior to entering the photodetector. According to one preferred aspect of the invention, the receptacles are provided preferably at a 30° to 45° angle relative to vertical. According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the light source is at least one LED which is directed to transmit light upward into the reflective surface of the cover such that the light is reflected by the cover downward into the receptacle toward the photodetector.

Abstract: A folding, portable overhead projector includes a thin stage body housing a fresnel lens on its top surface. The stage body is thicker on one side to form a lamp enclosure. A hinged mirror is provided within the stage body below the fresnel lens and a hinged lamp socket is provided within the lamp enclosure. Two pairs of folding legs are hingedly coupled to the stage body and the lamp enclosure and fold out from under the projector to lower the mirror and lamp and form a collapsible base for the projector. When unfolded, the legs tilt the lamp and the mirror so that light from the lamp is reflected by the mirror up through the fresnel lens on the stage. A collapsible bellows, a light baffle, and the mirror provide a substantially light and airtight enclosure for the lamp and mirror. Additional pairs of folding legs provide balance for the projector.