Abstract: A stapler delivers a fastener so that the legs of the fastener penetrate two abutting portions of fascia from the inside out so that, after penetration, the legs of the fastener are outside the body. The stapler subsequently positions a retainer over the ends of the fastener in order to hold the fascia and fastener in place. Once the retainer is properly positioned, the stapler may trim and capture the ends of the fastener that protrude beyond the retainer to avoid patient discomfort, injury or post-operative complications. A wide variety of fastener and retainer combinations are presented for use in differing environments and conditions.

Abstract: A cover for a hand-held device or a hand-held device housing includes a channel in communication with a speaker of the hand-held device for redirecting at least a portion of the sound waves emitted from the speaker to a location remote from the speaker.

Abstract: A fastener machine is provided. In another aspect, a rivet machine employs a rivet feeding mechanism. A further aspect includes a guide located at an intersection between a feed track and a feed rail with the guide having an angular offset orientation relative to both in order to deter ricocheting of the rivet back into the feed track when the rivet enters the feed rail. Moreover, an aspect of the present machine employs a rocker arm.

Abstract: A roll forming machine includes a frame supporting a conical drive roll rotatable on a fixed axis, and a conical pinch roll rotatable and movable transversely and angularly toward and away from the drive roll. Transversely movable and angularly adjustable forming rolls are disposed on opposite sides of the pinch and drive rolls, operable to selectively bend a workpiece frictionally held between the pinch and drive rolls and moved by their counter-rotation. The drive and pinch rolls rotate the workpiece about a transverse axis as they move the workpiece through the machine, enabling a consistent and accurate bending of workpieces to desired conical geometries. The machine can employ elongate drive and pinch rolls with guides to selectively place the workpieces along the rolls, to controllably vary the ratio of small-end to large-end radii in shaped pieces. Alternative versions feature a single forming roll, and rolls that alternatively serve the pinching and forming functions.

Abstract: A coupling assembly is adapted to removably couple an associated bucket to an associated foot of a user. The coupling assembly includes a lower component. The lower component is adapted to encompass an associated bucket. The coupling assembly also includes an upper component. The upper component is formed as a strap. The upper component is adapted to couple with respect to a foot of a user. The coupling assembly also includes an intermediate component. The intermediate component is formed as a plurality of vertical straps. The straps couple the upper and lower components.

Abstract: A discharge valve comprising a valve body, a valve member, and a valve seat. The valve body has a first end; a second end; a central axis therebetween; an inlet formed through the first end; a flow channel extending from the inlet to the second end; a valve channel extending from the inlet and terminating within the valve body; and at least one discharge port extending from the valve channel to an outer surface of the valve body. The valve member is substantially-spherical and movably disposed within the valve channel. The valve seat is disposed adjacent the first end of the valve channel. The valve seat has an orifice defined therethrough The valve member is movable between a first position, engaging the valve seat to substantially seal the orifice, and a second position adjacent the second end of the valve channel to permit fluid to flow through the orifice.

Abstract: A pump comprising a body assembly and a plunger assembly slidably received in the body assembly. The body assembly comprises a standing valve, a discharge valve, and a pump barrel cooperating to define a pump chamber. The standing valve opens to permit fluid to flow into the pump chamber from outside the tubing responsive to a negative pressure gradient across the standing valve. The discharge valve opens to permit fluid to flow out of the pump chamber and into the tubing responsive to a positive pressure gradient across the discharge valve.

Abstract: A discharge valve comprising a valve body, a valve member, and a valve seat. The valve body has a first end; a second end; a central axis therebetween; an inlet formed through the first end; a flow channel extending from the inlet to the second end; a valve channel extending from the inlet and terminating within the valve body; and at least one discharge port extending from the valve channel to an outer surface of the valve body. The valve member is substantially-spherical and movably disposed within the valve channel. The valve seat is disposed adjacent the first end of the valve channel. The valve seat has an orifice defined therethrough The valve member is movable between a first position, engaging the valve seat to substantially seal the orifice, and a second position adjacent the second end of the valve channel to permit fluid to flow through the orifice.

Abstract: A vehicle resonator structure and attachment method is provided and includes a resonator chamber that has a first intake tube and a first exhaust or outlet tube attached thereto. At least one of the tubes includes a projection that can be molded (e.g., via flash molding after the tube itself is blow molded) onto the tube. The resonator chamber can include upper and lower tube mount structures that can be hot plate welded and sandwiched onto the projection in the tube. Thus, the tube(s) is/are positively retained in position with respect to the resonator chamber such that the tuning of the resonator does not change due to fluctuations in geometry of the tube(s) and resonator chamber structure, and such that there is little or no vibration noise and/or possible damage that might result if the tube(s) were free to move with respect to the resonator chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle resonator structure and attachment method is provided and includes a resonator chamber that has a first intake tube and a first exhaust or outlet tube attached thereto. At least one of the tubes includes a projection that can be molded (e.g., via flash molding after the tube itself is blow molded) onto the tube. The resonator chamber can include upper and lower tube mount structures that can be hot plate welded and sandwiched onto the projection in the tube. Thus, the tube(s) is/are positively retained in position with respect to the resonator chamber such that the tuning of the resonator does not change due to fluctuations in geometry of the tube(s) and resonator chamber structure, and such that there is little or no vibration noise and/or possible damage that might result if the tube(s) were free to move with respect to the resonator chamber.

Abstract: A is adapted to form a flanged ring including an elongated curved extension from an elongated straight flange with an elongated base and an elongated protrusion extending from the elongated base. The device comprises a first pair of opposed surfaces adapted to compress an elongated protrusion of a flange to increase a length of the elongated protrusion. The device further includes a second pair of opposed surfaces adapted to compress an elongated base of a flange to increase the length of one portion of the elongated base relative to another portion of the elongated base. A flanged ring is also provided that is formed by process comprising the steps of providing a device including a first pair of opposed surfaces and a second pair of opposed surfaces.

Abstract: An underground prospecting method and apparatus that utilizes the harmonics and fractional harmonic waves induced into the earth by the electric power grid. The data are converted to amplitude-depth and phase-depth data. The resulting data may be plotted and are compared to known patterns of the interested underground features, such as hydrocarbon, water, minerals and cavities, to identify whether the features exist and at what depth such underground features lie.

Abstract: Multi-lumen catheters are intended for advancement through the accessory channel on endoscope into a body passage into the gastrointestinal system. The catheters have two or more independent lumens extending continuously to ports at the distal tip for injection of a contrast medium simultaneously with a guide wire for ERCP procedures and for passage of accessories such as visualization devices, polypectomy snares, cytology brushes, papillotomes and stone baskets for catheterization, diagnosis and treatment within the biliary tract. Use of balloons for maintaining a catheter in fixed position in the biliary tract and for dilatation is also disclosed. The catheters employed are extrusions of a resin comprised of nylon and PEBA. The catheters may also be extruded from polyurethane. Multi-lumen catheters having a reduced diameter distal tip portion on which a dilatation balloon is located are also disclosed. The reduced diameter distal tip portion may serve as a platform for support of a stent.