Abstract: A method for establishing signal and power communication between a surgical instrument and a staple cartridge is disclosed.

Abstract: A bulb gripper for decorative light holder has a U-shaped body with projections on the interior surface that enable the bulb gripper to securely hold many different sizes of decorative light bulbs. The interior surface of each arm of the body has an inward tooth near the opening followed by several three spaced apart projections. The projections may have a tab portion which is connected to the arm by a narrower connector. The projections and the teeth on the arms form a ledge which supports the decorative light. A smaller U-shaped projection or several projections which are sized and configured to hold a mini-light are provided at the base of the U-shaped body. The arms can flex outward so that the body can receive and securely hold the decorative light.

Abstract: A stake for holding decorative lights has a stake portion having a pointed end and a head attached to the opposite end of the stake portion. The head has an open center and a top portion. A bulb gripper is pivotably attached to the inner surface of the top portion, such that the bulb gripper can be moved from a position which is co-linear with a centerline through the stake portion to a position which is substantially perpendicular to the centerline through the stake. The bulb gripper has a tab sized and positioned to engage another tab on the head when the bulb gripper is in a position which is substantially perpendicular to the stake portion locking the bulb gripper in place.

Abstract: A clip for holding decorative lights has an arm with a hook at one end, a leg and middle portion between the arm and the leg. The hook and leg together define a space between them in which will receive a roofing shingle or a portion of a gutter. A second hook may be attached to the middle portion and sized to receive a rope light. There may also be a light holding portion attached by a hinge to the corner formed where he arm meets the middle portion. There is a first locking tab attached to the arm and a second locking tab is attached to the middle portion. A first retainer tab and a second retainer tab on opposite sides of the light holding portion are configured and positioned to engage one of the pair of locking tabs.

Abstract: A foot for molded plastic furniture has a pad portion made of a first plastic or thermoplastic rubber and an anchor portion made of a second harder plastic or metal. The anchor has a base with a substantially flat surface that is bonded to a substantially flat top surface of the pad. Preferably the anchor portion and pad portion are co-extruded. A projection having at least one rib extends from the base of the anchor and is inserted into a cavity in a furniture leg creating a reliable mechanical fit which resists removal of the foot from the leg.

Abstract: A bulb gripper for decorative light holder has a U-shaped body with projections on the interior surface that enable the bulb gripper to securely hold many different sizes of decorative light bulbs. The interior surface of each arm of the body has an inward tooth near the opening followed by several three spaced apart projections. The projections may have a tab portion which is connected to the arm by a narrower connector. The projections and the teeth on the arms form a ledge which supports the decorative light. When holding a C7, C9, C4, C5, C6, C12 or G28 decorative light this ledge should be in the gap that is formed by the top of the light socket and the portion of the light bulb adjacent the top of the light socket. A smaller U-shaped projection or several projections which are sized and configured to hold a mini-light can be provided at the base of the U-shaped body. The arms can flex outward so that the body can receive and securely hold the decorative light.

Abstract: A stake for holding decorative lights has a stake portion having a pointed end and a head attached to the opposite end of the stake portion. The head has an open center and a top portion. A bulb gripper is pivotably attached to the inner surface of the top portion, such that the bulb gripper can be moved from a position which is co-linear with a centerline through the stake portion to a position which is substantially perpendicular to the centerline through the stake. The bulb gripper has a tab sized and positioned to engage another tab on the head when the bulb gripper is in a position which is substantially perpendicular to the stake portion locking the bulb gripper in place.

Abstract: A suction mounted door hook has two suctions cups and a hook connected to the two suction cups. Each suction cup has a cup portion and a loop portion attached to the cup portion such that the loop portion and a surface of the cup portion define an opening. There is a recess on that surface of the cup portion and a pair of spaced apart loop projections on the top surface and preferably on the bottom surface of the loop portion that have a recess between them which is opposite the recess in the cup portion. The hook has an S-shaped body and two legs, one leg being within the opening of each suction cup. The hook can be in either an extended position or a folded position. Surfaces and projections on the hook mate with the recesses in the suction cups to hold the hook in either position.

Abstract: A clip for holding decorative lights has an arm with a hook at one end, a leg and middle portion between the arm and the leg. The hook and leg together define a space between them in which will receive a roofing shingle or a portion of a gutter. A second hook may be attached to the middle portion and sized to receive a rope light. There may also be a light holding portion attached by a hinge to the corner formed where he arm meets the middle portion. There is a first locking tab attached to the arm and a second locking tab is attached to the middle portion. A first retainer tab and a second retainer tab on opposite sides of the light holding portion are configured and positioned to engage one of the pair of locking tabs.

Abstract: A lightweight molded plastic Adirondack chair has front legs which each have an inner side wall that slopes inward. A pair of side walls each extends from and along a front leg, along the side edge of the seat and along a rear leg. The side walls vary in height along their length and are tallest adjacent a transition from the side edge of the seat to the rear leg. A front slat extends from the front edge of the seat and between the front legs forming an arch with the front legs. An arm support extends from each front leg to the front of the arm above that leg. The arm supports extend forward relative to the seat. These structural features improve the strength of the chair such that most portions of the chair can be thinner resulting is a chair that weighs less than 6 pounds.

Abstract: A stackable molded plastic chair has a cup holder is connected to a cylindrical boss on the underside of a chair arm for movement between a retracted position lying underneath the chair arm and an open position extending away from the arm of the chair. The cup holder has a tubular boss having a first portion extending from the top surface of the cup holder and a second portion extending from the bottom surface of the cup holder. The first portion is at least partially within the cylindrical boss on the chair arm. A pin within the tubular boss has two or more spaced apart legs each leg having a foot. As the pin is inserted into the tubular boss the legs will move inward and then will move outward when the feet reach a recess on the inside surface of the cylindrical boss on the chair arm. The feet are each sized and configured to fit into the recess and the legs preferably have an outward curvature.

Abstract: A rocking chair has a seat, a back attached to the seat, a right rocker, at least one right leg connected to the seat and to the right rocker, a left rocker and at least one left leg connected to the seat and to the left rocker. The rockers each have a base having an inside edge and an outside edge the base having a slope such that when the rocking chair is placed on a flat surface a portion of the inside edge will be in contact with the flat surface and the outside edge will not be in contact will the flat surface. The rockers may alternatively or additionally each have an inwardly curving center portion. These features alone or in combination can prevent the rockers from splaying outward when a weight is dropped on the chair or while a person is rocking the chair.

Abstract: A rocking chair has a seat, a back attached to the seat, a right rocker, at least one right leg connected to the seat and to the right rocker, a left rocker and at least one left leg connected to the seat and to the left rocker. The rockers each have a base having an inside edge and an outside edge the base having a slope such that when the rocking chair is placed on a flat surface a portion of the inside edge will be in contact with the flat surface and the outside edge will not be in contact will the flat surface. The rockers may alternatively or additionally each have an inwardly curving center portion. These features alone or in combination can prevent the rockers from splaying outward when a weight is dropped on the chair or while a person is rocking the chair.

Abstract: A lightweight molded plastic Adirondack chair has front legs which each have an inner side wall that slopes inward. A pair of side walls each extends from and along a front leg, along the side edge of the seat and along a rear leg. The side walls vary in height along their length and are tallest adjacent a transition from the side edge of the seat to the rear leg. A front slat extends from the front edge of the seat and between the front legs forming an arch with the front legs. An arm support extends from each front leg to the front of the arm above that leg. The arm supports extend forward relative to the seat. These structural features improve the strength of the chair such that most portions of the chair can be thinner resulting is a chair that weighs less than 6 pounds.

Abstract: A foot for molded plastic furniture has a pad portion made of a first plastic or thermoplastic rubber and an anchor portion made of a second harder plastic or metal. The anchor has a base with a substantially flat surface that is bonded to a substantially flat top surface of the pad. Preferably the anchor portion and pad portion are co-extruded. A projection having at least one rib extends from the base of the anchor and is inserted into a cavity in a furniture leg creating a reliable mechanical fit which resists removal of the foot from the leg.

Abstract: A foot for molded plastic furniture has a pad portion made of a first plastic or thermoplastic rubber and an anchor portion made of a second harder plastic or metal. The anchor has a base with a substantially flat surface that is bonded to a substantially flat top surface of the pad. Preferably the anchor portion and pad portion are co-extruded. A projection having at least one rib extends from the base of the anchor and is inserted into a cavity in a furniture leg creating a reliable mechanical fit which resists removal of the foot from the leg.