Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical stapling apparatus and method of use that includes a cartridge assembly which is capable of being reloaded during a surgical procedure without being removed from the surgical site. This allows a surgeon to continue a surgical operation without withdrawing or removing the surgical stapler for reloading and thus reduces the length of the surgery while allowing the physician to concentrate solely on the surgical procedure rather than dividing attention between the surgical procedure and reloading of the surgical stapler. The surgical stapling apparatus includes an elongate member having a plurality of fasteners arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows which is longitudinally translatable through the cartridge to position the plurality of fasteners relative to a plurality of retention slots extending through an upper surface of the cartridge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical stapling apparatus and method of use that includes a cartridge assembly which is capable of being reloaded during a surgical procedure without being removed from the surgical site. This allows a surgeon to continue a surgical operation without withdrawing or removing the surgical stapler for reloading and thus reduces the length of the surgery while allowing the physician to concentrate solely on the surgical procedure rather than dividing attention between the surgical procedure and reloading of the surgical stapler. The surgical stapling apparatus includes an elongate member having a plurality of fasteners arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows which is longitudinally translatable through the cartridge to position the plurality of fasteners relative to a plurality of retention slots extending through an upper surface of the cartridge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shoe system which comprises a shoe, at least one clip, and at least one detachable upper. The shoe has a midsole portion having a sidewall surface extending around the shoe, and at least one elongated channel defined in and extending along at least a portion of the sidewall surface. The elongated channel is configured for receiving the clip in a locking fashion. The clip has a locking portion for locking within the channel. The clip connects with the detachable upper via a connection portion.

Abstract: A carrier tape comprises a flexible body portion having a top surface. The flexible body portion comprises a plurality of pockets. Each of the plurality of pockets comprises pocket side walls, a base bottom portion fully circulating a raised bottom portion of a pedestal. The pedestal is made up of the raised bottom portion and pedestal side walls. The pedestal sidewalls, the base bottom portion and a lower part of the pocket side walls constitute a trench fully circulating the pedestal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fastening system that is adapted for securing a sheathing board to an associated framing member. The system includes a feedband for retaining a series of fasteners and a powered drill for sequentially driving the fasteners. The feedband is made from a membrane of a polymeric compound. As the fastener is driven into the sheathing board, a portion of the membrane tears away from the surrounding feedband and becomes seated beneath the fastener. This acts to seal the penetration point and prevent water intrusion and otherwise prevents deterioration of the sheathing board.

Abstract: Touch fastener products (10) are made by distributing a multiplicity of discrete fastening bits (14, 14a, 14b) over a support surface (12) and fixing the distributed bits (14, 14a, 14b) to the support surface (12), such as by an adhesive (32). Each bit (14, 14a, 14b) has opposite side surfaces (24, 24b, 26, 26b) forming boundaries of surfaces defining projections (16) extending in different directions from the fastening bits (14, 14a, 14b), at least one of the opposite side surfaces (24, 24b, 26, 26b) being non-planar, and each projection (16) has an overhanging head (18). As fixed, each bit (14, 14a, 14b) is oriented with at least one of its projection heads (18) raised from the support surface (12) to releasably engage fibers (30). Bits (14, 14a, 14b) are made by pelletizing shaped rails (36). Applications include securing floor coverings (150).

Abstract: Disclosed is a holder for holding a set of knitting needles with a main body having first and second end portions. Each end portion has a corresponding aperture, and each aperture is sized to hold one knitting needle of the set of knitting needles. The holder can hold circular knitting needles connected by a flexible cord, for example. Slots may be provided to receive a portion of the flexible cord therein to reduce and/or prevent the cord from twisting and/or tangling during storage or transportation. The body may also have gauge for measuring a size of the knitting needles.

Abstract: A surgical fastener system can comprise a plurality of fasteners which can be connected to one another by a retention matrix which is assembled to the fasteners in order to capture tissue therebetween. In various embodiments, each fastener can comprise a base and the distance in which the retention matrix is seated relative to the fastener bases can be selectively determined by a surgeon in order to apply a desired pressure to the tissue. In certain embodiments, each fastener can further comprise a fastener leg and the retention matrix can comprise a first layer configured to engage the fastener legs. The retention matrix can further comprise a second layer mounted to the first layer which can comprise one or more encapsulations containing a medicine therein. The encapsulations can be aligned with retention apertures in the retention matrix such that they can be punctured by the fastener legs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fastening system that is adapted for securing a sheathing board to an associated framing member. The system includes a feedband for retaining a series of fasteners and a powered drill for sequentially driving the fasteners. The feedband is made from a membrane of a polymeric compound. As the fastener is driven into the sheathing board, a portion of the membrane tears away from the surrounding feedband and becomes seated beneath the fastener. This acts to seal the penetration point and prevent water intrusion and otherwise prevents deterioration of the sheathing board.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fastening system that is adapted for securing a sheathing board to an associated framing member. The system includes a feedband for retaining a series of fasteners and a powered drill for sequentially driving the fasteners. The feedband is made from a membrane of a polymeric compound. As the fastener is driven into the sheathing board, a portion of the membrane tears away from the surrounding feedband and becomes seated beneath the fastener. This acts to seal the penetration point and prevent water intrusion and otherwise prevents deterioration of the sheathing board.

Abstract: Interconnected and on-site severable deck clips with cooperating installation tool for joining two adjacent decking planks to an underlying support structure. The deck clips are interconnected and on-site severable, are attached to the underlying support structure, and engage the two adjacent decking planks so as to fasten the two adjacent decking planks to the underlying support structure without a need for nails or screws to pass through the two adjacent decking planks. The installation tool is hand-held, removably receives a number of the deck clips, and feeds the deck clips one at a time to fasten to the underlying support structure, and when a deck clip is fastened to the underlying support structure, the deck clip is severed from the other deck clips in the installation tool and a next deck clip is feed by way of the installation tool and attached to the underlying support structure to engage the two adjacent decking planks.

Abstract: In order to improve a holding device for an implant, comprising a first connecting device for releasably connecting the holding device and the implant, such that very small implants, in particular, are easy to handle, it is suggested that the holding device have a second connecting device for releasably connecting the holding device and a storage unit.

Abstract: A surgical staple assembly is disclosed and can include a surgical staple. The surgical staple assembly can be moved between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the surgical staple can be in an original shape. Moreover, in the second configuration, the surgical staple can be in a deformed configuration.

Abstract: A rivet collating system is provided that includes a rivet holder for supporting rivets in a predetermined pattern. In one form, the rivet holder includes a unitary plate in which apertures are configured for supporting the rivets depending therefrom. In another form, the collating system includes a plate body and drive heads that are integrally connected via frangible portions to the plate body. Preferably, retaining webs are provided about the apertures to releasably hold the rivet heads therein. The drive heads are driven downward to sever the frangible portions with the webs flexing to release the rivet heads so that the rivets can be received in bores of a guide block of a belt fastener installation tool. A method of manufacture of the rivet holders is also disclosed.

Abstract: Hemostatic clamps are used to tie or clamp blood vessels during surgical procedures. Special containers are used to store and advantageously provide hemostatic clamps. These containers completely and clearly hold clamps in each phase without tilting, and enable reliable removal by a surgeon using a surgical instrument. This is achieved with the container according to the invention, which avoids friction between the clamp and the surgical instrument.

Abstract: The container of this invention may have a plurality of slots formed proximate an upper perimeter of the container such that a lower portion of the slots is exposed when a lid is secured over the upper perimeter. Optionally a plurality of notches may be formed in the container below the slots. Hooks of tie down straps engage the slots and are held in place therein by the lid. When the slots are present hooks of tie down straps are secured in the slots. Another embodiment includes a hanger having a handle and an optional L-piece, the handle having apertures or notches, which can be, for example oval or rectangular, for securing both hooks of a tie down strap, the L-piece either attachable, or permanently attached, to the handle for further securing the hooks disposed in the apertures. Yet another embodiment includes a receptacle having an attachable or permanently attached bracket or plurality of brackets, each bracket having slots, each slot for storing both hooks of a tie down strap.

Abstract: A staple holder for driving staples into a suitable surface, such as driving U-shaped staples during installation of wire, such as barbed wire, or wire cloth, such as chicken wire, includes a headpiece that defines an opening and a handle that extends essentially normal to a major axis of the opening. The headpiece can include magnets to facilitate holding a staple in the headpiece. The handle can include markings, such as would be employed to properly distance staples during use of the staple holder.

Abstract: A non-intrusive surface mount interconnect that provides a through-hole interconnect to the opposite side of a PCB board. A headed pin (head up/shank down) can be picked by standard placement equipment from a specially configured pocket tape using a hole that is tightly controlled for pin location. The head of the pin rests on top of the packaging tape preventing the pin from passing through the hole. A tapered section on the pin fits with minimal clearence assuring that a vacuum nozzle on the placement equipment when it descends sees and contacts the head top for vacuum nozzle pick-up.

Abstract: In a needle inserter with a needle protector for surgical suturing instruments, including a needle insertion structure having a handle part at one end and a needle mounting part at the other end, a slot is disposed in a needle mounting part for engaging therein a suturing needle. Means are provided for placing the needle inserter onto a jaw of a suturing instrument such that the needle can be locked with the jaws of the suturing instrument, which then, upon compression of the handle part, can be removed. The protector, which is installed on the needle inserter by a manufacturer, holds the needle in its proper position in the needle inserter and covers the needle tip to prevent displacement of the needle and injuries to persons installing the needle in the suturing instrument.

Abstract: In a device for inserting a surgical suture needle into an endoscopic suture apparatus wherein the device includes two legs which are movable relative to each other, one of the legs has a front end with means for receiving a jaw of an endoscopic suturing apparatus and the other leg has needle engagement means for holding a surgical needle in a predetermined position such that one needle tip enters a needle support of the surgical suturing apparatus jaw when the other leg holding the needle is moved toward the one leg while the one leg is disposed on the surgical suturing apparatus jaw.

Abstract: A carrier tape for fasteners includes a substantially planar web, a plurality of substantially equally spaced holes formed in the web to receive the stems of the fasteners, and a plurality of spaced, discrete formations integrally joined to the web. Each of the formations is designed to releasably engage the head of a fastener with the stem of the fastener received in a respective hole. The formations are upstanding from a top surface of the web and have an inwardly directed engagement portion spaced from the web which, in use, engages the heads of the fasteners so that the heads are received between the engagement portion and the web. The formations are deformable to allow a fastener driving means to pass downwardly to permit the fasteners to be driven through the web and thereby released from the tape.

Abstract: A screw-holding belt (10) is composed of a belt body (11) made of a flexible plastics sheet, and cutouts (12) serving to intermittently drive the belt body are formed in and along either or both the lateral sides of the belt body. Screw-holding cylinders (13) are formed in the belt body at the same pitch as the cutouts so as to receive and hold shanks (17) of headed screws (16). The belt further has apertures (14) formed in it and extending outwardly and radially from the opening of each cylinder (13), and each aperture (14) is of a sector form having a width increasing towards its bottom (14a) such that these bottoms are portions of an imaginary circle coaxial with the cylinder and having a diameter greater than that of a head (18) of each screw (16). The adjacent two apertures (14) define between them a skirt (15) whose circumferential width decreases towards the imaginary circle.

Abstract: A device for packaging continuous length spiral binding combs used for the binding of loose-leaf systems, in particular, annular calendars, note books, planners, catalogs or advertising papers. The package includes a carrier plate having a row of comb holders, each having opposing retaining strips pivoting outwardly to an open position for securing the binding combs and being in the shape of an H, for engaging nonadjacent combs to hold a bottom portion of the comb on the carrier plate.

Abstract: A cartridge for holding a generally cylindrical surgical fastener in position for ease of handling, comprising a holder having a surface for grasping by a user, the holder having a cup-shaped surface for engagement with the surgical fastener and for fixing the fastener in position on the holder and a threading loop extending from the holder for extending through an aperture in the surgical fastener. A combination, preferably provided as a sterile packaged unit includes the cartridge and the surgical fastener and may also include the suture and a surgical fastener emplacement tool.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a surgical apparatus for manipulating a surgical incision member and an associated loading mechanism for replacing the surgical incision member. The surgical apparatus comprises an elongated body portion, first and second jaw elements extending from the body portion, securing member for securing the surgical incision member, releasing member cooperating with the securing member for releasing the surgical incision member and locking member cooperating with the securing member for preventing at least one of the jaw elements from moving.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus is provided for manipulating a surgical needle and an associated loading mechanism is provided for replacing the surgical needle. The surgical apparatus comprises an elongated body portion, first and second jaw elements extending from the body portion, securing means for securing the surgical needle, releasing means cooperating with the securing means for releasing the surgical needle and locking means cooperating with the securing means for preventing at least one of the jaw elements from moving. A loading mechanism is also provided and includes structure for supporting a surgical needle and a storage member for retaining at least a portion of a length of suture material attached to the surgical needle.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for housing a stacked supply of hooks which permits the individual withdrawal of a lowermost hook from the stack. A dispensing apparatus provides a chamber having an open top, a rear wall, two side walls, a front wall, a spaced floor providing a gap between the floor and the front wall, the front wall providing a longitudinal opening transversing the wall, the opening permitting the passage of a loop portion of each hook.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus is provided for manipulating a surgical needle and an associated loading mechanism is provided for replacing the surgical needle. The surgical apparatus comprises an elongated body portion, first and second jaw elements extending from the body portion, securing means for securing the surgical needle, releasing means cooperating with the securing means for releasing the surgical needle and locking means cooperating with the securing means for preventing at least one of the jaw elements from moving. A loading mechanism is also provided and includes structure for supporting a surgical needle and a storage member for retaining at least a portion of a length of suture material attached to the surgical needle.

Abstract: A rivet feed system which includes a base feeder assembly (28), having a rivet passageway (30) extending lengthwise therethrough. The base feeder assembly (28) includes cutout regions to receive rivet injectors (24) which are moved in operation between a first position and a second position. In the first position, an opening (80) in the injectors (24) forms a part of the passageway (30) through the base feeder assembly (28), while in the second position, the opening (80) is positioned directly beneath a vertically oriented rivet cartridge (22) to receive a rivet therefrom. The passageway (30) is connected to a source of pressurized air (32) which moves rivets therealong to a rivet machine or the like. The plurality of cartridges (22) positioned along the base feeder assembly contain rivets of various selected sizes.

Abstract: A packaging format for fasteners constituted by a strip of interconnected fastener retainers 10. Each retainer comprises a land of material, typically 9.5.times.9.5 mm (0.374 inch squared) in plan. Each land 12 has a hole 13 therethrough for receiving a fastener, in the form of a screw 14. The tip 16 of the fastener protrudes approximately 5 mm (0.2 inch) beyond the land. Between adjacent retainers a support 18 is located which would, in use, support the tip 16 of the fastener 14 clear of a work surface 20 while allowing visually unobstructed positioning of the tip 16 of the fastener. The strip also includes a locating tab 24 to assist in the accurate location of a tapping drill hole. This invention also extends to a drilling tool to further assist in drilling the tapping hole in conjunction with the tab 24.

Abstract: A mechanic's bolt and small parts receptacle for storing bolts, screws, and other small parts removed during repair of an engine or other machine is formed of cardboard as a polyhedron that includes a sloping front panel having a plurality of perforations thereon for receiving and storing individual bolts and screws and that also includes an internal cavity accessible through an opening in a sloping rear panel for storing other small parts.

Abstract: A cartridge for storing and retaining a plurality of medical ligating devices such as hemostatic clips and surgical staples, the cartridge having a movable device retaining member situated in each device chamber. The retaining member is adapted to frictionally engage the legs of an open C-shaped device and is further adapted to be displaced away from engagement with the device when it is engaged in the jaws of a forceps-type applier. In one embodiment, the retaining member is adapted to fit between the legs of an open hemostatic clip and is further adapted to be displaced downwardly away from the clip when the clip is engaged by a clip applier. The disclosure further includes a method of storing hemostatic clips in a cartridge, the method incorporating retaining the clip within the cartridge by a separable member which is displaceable from engagement with a clip when the clip is engaged by a clip applier.

Abstract: A carrier tape system includes an elongated base strip and an elongated cover strip both formed of a plastic film material. The cover strip is substantially coextensive in length with the base strip. The cover strip has a top surface and opposed sidewalls extending downwardly from the top surface. The opposed sidewalls are spaced apart from each other a distance substantially equal to the width of the base strip. A cover strip further includes retaining means formed integrally therewith for mechanically engaging and holding down thin component parts seated in cavities formed in the base strip. The retaining means is comprised of a pair of spaced apart rail members which are formed coextensive with the cover strip extending longitudinally to the sidewalls and projecting downwardly and outwardly from the top surface thereof. The rail members are flared outwardly at a slight angle toward the respective opposed sidewalls.

Abstract: A carrier tape system includes an elongated base strip and an elongated cover strip both formed of a plastic film material. The cover strip is substantially coextensive in length with the base strip. The cover strip has a top surface and opposed sidewalls extending downwardly from the top surface. The opposed sidewalls are laterally spaced apart from each other a distance substantially equal to the width of the base strip. The cover strip further includes retaining means formed integrally therewith for mechanically engaging and holding down thin component parts seated within cavities formed within the base strip. The retaining means is comprised of either a ridge or a pair of laterally spaced apart rail members which are formed coextensive with the cover strip and which extend longitudinally, parallel to the sidewalls and which project downwardly from the top surface thereof.

Abstract: A sheath is provided for lacing hooks and the like, and comprises a channel-shaped body having a web with flanges extending along opposite sides of the web. The sheath flanges include outwardly facing apertures in which sharpened points of the hooks are received. The web is readily deformable, so that it can be manually compressed between its opposite sides to converge the apertures, and thereby disengage the hook points received therein. The sheath may then be removed from the hooks by simply pulling the sheath outwardly from inbetween the hook points. The sheath also facilitates manually severing a strip bar-type of lacing hooks to length. The sheath is preferably constructed from a material such as stiff paper materials, cardboard, thin plastic, et cetera, which can be manually cut by a conventional knife edge, like scissors, or a pocket knife.

Abstract: A shipping package comprising an exterior carton having a rectangular bottom, sides and top closure defining an interior space. A bottom panel, a top panel, and usually at least one divider panel are mounted within the interior space dividing the same into a plurality of tiered spaces. The construction of the panels is such that each tiered space is defined along its lower surface by an upwardly facing corrugated sheet and along its upper surface by a downwardly facing corrugated sheet. A plurality of coiled fastener packages are mounted within each tiered space so that the fastener head defining end thereof engages one of the corrugated sheets defining the same so as to collapse the engaged corrugations thereof and the fastener point defining end thereof engages the other of the corrugated sheets defining the same so as to penetrate the engaged corrugations thereof.

Abstract: An improved hemostatic clip cartridge wherein hemostatic clips are stored prior to use is disclosed. The cartridge, having a number of parallel walls defining individual clip compartments in which the clips are stored, is provided with outwardly extending channel members that extend into each clip compartment. The opposed channel members are positioned to releasably secure a clip therebetween. An applicator is provided so that an individual clip may be removed from its compartment without releasing the remaining clips.

Abstract: The magazine comprises a platform upon which, in slidable disposition, are carried a plurality of blade carriers. The carriers are movable sidewise of the platform, and each such carrier defines a recess in which to nest a blade. The carrier recess is formed of a pair of limbs rising from a base, one of the limbs being integral with the base, and the other being pivotably coupled to an end of the base. The limbs have mutually confronting channels formed therein, with springs set therein, for receiving and latching therein a blade. The pivotable lime is so coupled to the base to allow it to slue and open the recess formed of the confronting channels, so as to release a blade held therein, and to accommodate its closure of the recess by its slueing in the opposite direction to latch and hold a blade in the recess.

Abstract: A traveler carrier for refilling a traveler magazine of a traveler insertion device with travelers, includes a clip formed of springy flexible material holding the travelers together in a row by spring action from outside the travelers, the clip having an open longitudinal slot formed therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a supporting strip for connections for capacitors or the like, a strip provided with such connections and a process for fixing capacitors to such connections.According to the invention, the connection supporting strip has series of upper and lower slots, which are respectively aligned with one another. Each upper slot is wider than the corresponding lower slot in such a way that the introduction of hairpin-like connections with a base shaped like a U located on the side of the upper slot brings about a progressive tightening of the ends of the arms of said connections.This leads to an improvement of the fixing of clips or tabs for capacitors of the "paving stone" type prior to the welding and coating stages.Application to the production of capacitors.

Abstract: This invention relates to a portable, hand-operated, staple magazine holder for supplying staples to a work location. The staple magazine holder comprises in combination, an elongated housing having a slot for slidably receiving a plastic strip containing a plurality of staples of a predetermined height, and an extension from said housing through which said staples pass upon exiting from said housing. The extension has a vertical dimension less than said predetermined height such that the staples, contained in and moved by said plastic strip, will project above and below said extension. Additionally, the staple magazine holder includes means for indexing the movement of the staples, and for loading the holder with staples. To operate the staple magazine holder, the user moves the staple containing strip a predetermined distance to expose a staple in said extension. In this position the staple may be anchored in a post by striking the crown portion of the staple.

Abstract: Cartridge containing a plurality of non-metallic, bio-compatible hemostatic clips.

Abstract: An apparatus and supply strip is disclosed for inserting terminal pins into an apertured workpiece. The apparatus includes reciprocating feeding means for sequentially advancing a supply strip of integrally connected preformed terminal pins toward the workpiece; shearing means for severing the leading one of said pins from the remainder of the supply strip; and driving means for inserting the severed lead one of said pins into the workpiece. The feeding means comprises grasping means operable only when the feeding means is moving in a first direction toward the workpiece to grasp the supply strip at the juncture of adjacent integrally connected preformed terminal pins.

Abstract: A wound clip rack has a base and a plurality of groups of flexible support fingers projecting upwardly from the base. Each group of flexible support fingers is adapted to support one wound clip. Each group includes at least one and preferably two pairs of flexible support fingers, the fingers of each pair being spaced apart from one another and having facing support surfaces.