Abstract: A retractor support assembly for assisting a surgeon by supporting a portion of a breast of a patient during reconstructive surgery. The retractor support assembly includes a retractor having a blade which is insertable into a wound generally under a portion of the breast whereby a portion of the breast is supported generally on the blade. The retractor support assembly also includes a retractor support connected to the retractor for exerting a predetermined force on the retractor pulling the retractor a predetermined distance in a generally upwardly direction whereby the portion of the breast supported on the blade of the retractor is lifted and moved in the generally upwardly direction the predetermined distance toward a breast lifted position. the retractor support supports the retractor and the portion of the breast supported on the retractor in the breast lifted position during the reconstructive surgery.

Abstract: A retractor support assembly for assisting a surgeon by supporting a portion of a breast of a patient during reconstructive surgery. The retractor support assembly includes a retractor having a blade which is insertable into a wound generally under a portion of the breast whereby a portion of the breast is supported generally on the blade. The retractor support assembly also includes a retractor support connected to the retractor for exerting a predetermined force on the retractor pulling the retractor a predetermined distance in a generally upwardly direction whereby the portion of the breast supported on the blade of the retractor is lifted and moved in the generally upwardly direction the predetermined distance toward a breast lifted position. The retractor support supports the retractor and the portion of the breast supported on the retractor in the breast lifted position during the reconstructive surgery.

Abstract: A core sample box for diamond drilled core samples is integrally molded from a plastics material to form an inner core engaging layer and an outer layer adjacent thereto but separated therefrom. The inner layer defines a plurality of part cylindrical receptacles for receiving the cylindrical cores. The outer layer is spaced from the outer surface of the core engaging layer so that the two layers together forms sufficient rigidity to hold the device against twisting. Further rigidity is provided by connection points between the outer layer and the base of the receptacles molded into the outer layer.

Abstract: A sorting gate assembly adapted for use in cooperation with a holding pen including a sorting gate and a gate support assembly. The sorting gate is movably connected to the gate support assembly for movement in a first direction generally toward the gate support assembly and for movement in a second direction generally away from the gate support assembly. The gate support assembly also movably supports the sorting gate for movement of the sorting gate in a first direction generally away from the exit of the holding pen and for movement in a second direction generally toward the exit of the holding pen. The sorting gate is movably supported on the gate support assembly for movement within the holding pen to sort a selected animal and to move the sorted animal into an exit area portion of the holding pen for exiting the animal through the exit of the holding frame.

Abstract: An animal holding chute with a retaining frame retainingly surrounding an animal holding space having an entrance formed through a portion thereof, the entrance being sized and position for permitting an animal to pass therethrough and into the animal holding space. An entrance gate is positioned in the entrance and the entrance gate is movable to an opened position for permitting access to the animal holding space through the entrance and to a closed position for preventing an animal to pass from the animal holding space through the entrance. The entrance gate also is movable in the closed position from a start position to an animal holding position, the entrance gate engaging the rear end portion of the animal and moving the animal into the animal holding space as the entrance gate is moved from the start position to the animal holding position.

Abstract: An improved wind collecting apparatus utilized for transforming wind energy to rotary motion. The rotary motion then can be utilized for driving an electric generator, for example. The apparatus generally comprises four semi-cylindrically shaped wind collecting blades connected to a shaft which is mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation and includes blade and cable support systems for reducing the effect of various destructive forces and for providing structural integrity, the apparatus also including flexibly connected joints to provide some flexibility in the supporting structure while maintaining the required structural integrity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cargo loading apparatus for loading a cargo disposed on a first level onto a deck disposed on a second level generally above the first level, the deck having a cargo supporting surface and an end. The cargo loading apparatus includes a platform with a cargo supporting surface for supporting the cargo to be loaded onto the deck, a base which is hingedly connected to the platform, and means for pulling the base and the platform connected thereto onto the cargo supporting surface of the deck. The base is of a sufficient size such that the base and the platform are positionable in an initial loading position wherein the platform is supported generally on the first level and the base extends from the platform generally toward the deck to a position wherein the end of the base is disposed generally above the second level and a portion of the base engages the end of the platform.

Abstract: An animal handling apparatus for turning over from one side to the other side a relatively large animal with front and rear legs, a back, a stomach, and opposite sides including a frame, a first brace connected to the frame, a winch connected to the frame, a cable having opposite ends with one end connected to the winch, a handle with one end connected to the frame, and a second brace connected to the frame. In operation, the animal handling apparatus is positioned near the animal's back, the cable is extended under the animal and secured to the animal's front legs, the winch retrieves the cable drawing the animal's front legs toward the animal's stomach, and the first brace engages the animal's back near one side of the animal.

Abstract: An improved animal prod having a base shaped to engage a portion of the animal's hindquarter and a thigh engaging assembly shaped and positioned to engage a portion of at least one of the animal's hind legs generally near the animal's inside thigh and generally near the animal's hindquarter in an operating position of the animal prod with the base engaging the animal's hindquarter.

Abstract: An improved wind collecting apparatus utilized for transforming wind energy to rotary motion. The rotary motion is then used to drive an electric generator or the like. The apparatus generally comprises four semi-cylindrically shaped wind collecting blades connected to a shaft which is mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation and wind deflectors are positioned near the blades for directing portions of the wind. In one embodiment, the shaft is disposed in a plane substantially parallel with the earth's surface and, in one other aspect, the blades are mounted for rotation generally above a cavity formed in the earth's surface. The present invention also contemplates an improved blade structure.

Abstract: A livestock transport apparatus particularly useful for transporting a disabled animal, such as a cow or the like, to a therapeutic apparatus, such as a whirlpool bath, the livestock transport apparatus also being utilized in general for transporting animals or other relatively large objects. In one embodiment, the livestock transport apparatus includes a movable frame, a cage and a positioning assembly for moving the cage to a first position wherein the cage is supported in a portion of the movable frame, to a second position wherein the cage is supported in a position generally above the first position and to a third position wherein the cage is supported in a position generally below the first position. In one operational embodiment, the cage is moved to the third position generally near the ground surface and the animal is moved into the cage. The cage then is raised via the positioning assembly to the second position and the movable frame is adjusted for supporting the cage.