Multiple Prong, E.g., Nailing Plate, Staple, Etc. Patents (Class 411/457)
  • Patent number: 6119998
    Abstract: A device for protecting a carpet and underlying pad from an article of furniture. In one embodiment, the device comprises an mounting portion having an upper cavity and a bottom surface. The upper cavity is enclosed by a plurality of walls and has a substantially planar floor surface. The bottom surface is substantially planar. The device further comprises a plurality of support members engaged with and extending from the bottom surface. Each of the support members comprise a conical shaped portion, a leg portion and a terminal portion. The conical shaped portion comprises first and second ends which define an overall length L1. The conical shaped member further comprises a diameter D1 along its length L1. The first end of the conical shaped portion is engaged with the bottom surface of the mounting portion. The leg portion comprises a first and second ends defining an overall length L2. The leg portion has a diameter D2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Anthony Gray Anselmo
  • Patent number: 6086304
    Abstract: A sheet of staples (11) are formed by arranging a plurality of straight staples (1) in a row like a sheet of paper, and a staple set (10) is formed as a result of connecting them to each other by gluing a at least uniaxially oriented film (12) on at least one surface of the sheet of staples (11) so that the longitudinal direction of the straight staple (1) coincides with the orientation of the film (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atuyoshi Hujishima, Ichinari Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6026619
    Abstract: A carpet stay-nail tool for positively holding an area of carpet to a desired location during carpet stretching and laying operations. A basic necessity during carpet laying is keeping a first section of carpet temporarily secured while the balance of the carpet is stretched and fastened to its permanent position. The invention provides a plurality of nails configured together in a row which can be pounded through the carpet into the underlayment. Subsequently, the invention can be easily pried up and reused with no discemable damage to the carpet. For safety and convenience, the tool is configured in nesting pairs of nail rows so the nail points are covered and a second nail row is readily available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventor: Richard J. Hunt
  • Patent number: 5993476
    Abstract: A surgical clip for connecting at least two bio-organic tissue members together, the clip comprising a body having two spaced legs and formed into a U-shape, each leg having a distal end which can be inserted into an opening in bone and each having a proximal end, the proximal ends of said at least two legs being connected to corresponding ends of a deformable bridge comprising two spaced apart bridge sections with a gap disposed between the bridge sections, the bridge sections being deformable by a force, the gap being changed by the force to cause the two spaced legs to move into engagement with side walls of the openings in the bone to which the clip is connected, the body comprising the at least two spaced legs and the two bridge sections comprising a single piece of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Jorge A. Groiso
  • Patent number: 5983547
    Abstract: A four bar kinematic artwork retainer that attaches to a frame for securely holding artwork in a frame. The four bar kinematic artwork retainer device is installed for retaining artwork in a frame by positioning the pivot pin interconnecting two point links of the retracted artwork retainer in the inside corner of a frame and then locking the artwork retainer in position wherein the piercing points of the artwork retainer have engaged with the frame. The installed artwork retainer is in intimate contact with the back of the artwork and corner of the frame. The artwork retainer quickly, safely and easily attaches to the frame without modifying the frame or using tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Charles E. Ellis
  • Patent number: 5971649
    Abstract: A ring binder mechanism adapted to be secured to a cover is disclosed as including a substantially rigid upper curved housing supporting a pair of plates to which three pairs of half-ring members are mounted, and a pair of rivets for engagement with the cover. The plates are pivotably movable between a first configuration in which the pairs of half-rings are closed, and a second configuration in which the pairs of half-rings are open. Each rivet includes an anchor plate to abut the cover and at least one claw penetrable into said cover in order to secure the ring binder mechanism to the cover, and the anchor plate includes a number of ridges or troughs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun Yuen To
  • Patent number: 5941890
    Abstract: An implantable marker for implantation in tissue of a surgical patient is disclosed. The marker has a base and an elevated bridge. A pair of legs descend from first and second transitions of the bridge. Each leg has a distal tip, a generally straight leg arm adjacent the tip, and a camming marker surface between the transitions of the base and the straight leg arm. The camming marker surfaces extend outwardly from the straight leg arms of the legs. In its open configuration, the first and second straight leg arms of the legs of the marker are generally parallel to each other. In its closed configuration, the first and second straight leg arms converge towards each other, and a marker apex is formed at the distal tips of the legs. The marker is particularly adapted for fixation in tissue to mark the site of a lesion or other abnormal tissue which may be removed during a biopsy procedure, for example a breast biopsy procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Voegele, Michael E. Boehm
  • Patent number: 5941652
    Abstract: An improved driving element, fastener placement system, method of fastening and combination of fastened workpieces are disclosed which include a generally U-shaped, staple-like fastener having a pair of legs spaced from each other by a crown which transversely extends between the upper ends of the legs to connect the legs to each other adjacent their upper ends and space the upper ends of the legs apart by a given distance. Each of the legs also has an opposite lower end which enter the respective workpieces which are to be fastened together. The fastener is positioned with the lower end of one leg in contact with one of the workpieces and the lower end of the other leg in contact with the other workpiece, and the fastener is then forcibly driven into the respective workpieces by a driving element which acts upon the crown in a manner to attempt or tend to shorten the distance between the upper ends of the legs by bending the crown and countersinking the legs and/or crown into the workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventor: Philip A. Kuhns
  • Patent number: 5893695
    Abstract: The invention pertains to an improvement upon staples, of the type used for fastening papers together and other materials together, whereby the crown of the staple is replaced with a rigid material extending beyond both staple prongs, allowing the staple to be removed by manually lifting up on the rigid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Inventor: Otis Steven Martin
  • Patent number: 5846019
    Abstract: An improved driving element, fastener placement system, method of fastening and combination of fastened workpieces are disclosed which include a generally U-shaped, staple-like fastener having a pair of legs spaced from each other by a crown which transversely extends between the upper ends of the legs to connect the legs to each other adjacent their upper ends and space the upper ends of the legs apart by a given distance. Each of the legs also has an opposite lower end which enter the respective workpieces which are to be fastened together. The fastener is positioned with the lower end of one leg in contact with one of the workpieces and the lower end of the other leg in contact with the other workpiece, and the fastener is then forcibly driven into the respective workpieces by a driving element which acts upon the crown in a manner to attempt or tend to shorten the distance between the upper ends of the legs by bending the crown and countersinking the legs and/or crown into the workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Philip A. Kuhns
  • Patent number: 5845882
    Abstract: A pipe hanger for suspending a pipe from a support structure at a variety of angles includes a stem and a flexible hook attached to the stem. The stem has at least one groove suitable for accepting a staple for hanging the pipe hanger from the support structure. The grooves may be polygonal, allowing the pipe hanger to be suspended at a variety of angles. The hook has a curved portion to accept a pipe in a snap-fit position. The stem may be shortened to a suitable length by severing the stem at any one of the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventors: B. Eugene Hodges, James Bruno
  • Patent number: 5795121
    Abstract: A continuous impact-driven fastener pack made of ultra-high strength plastic composite materials, for example, thermoplastic or thermoset materials for use in standard impact driving fastener machines. The individual fasteners have sufficient compressive strength and a flexural modulus such that the fastener may be used with commodity woods for construction, furniture making, or for building boats. Further, this fastener pack is non-corrodible and provides plastic fasteners having a length/diameter ratios of a working nail or staple, e.g., heretofore unavailable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Utility Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Pamela S. Tucker, Nancy Showers
  • Patent number: 5704082
    Abstract: A system for decorating the border of a bed having a box spring, the system being used with the box spring. The system includes an anchor with a substantially flat body with an upper surface and an underside surface, the underside surface having an adhesive material. At least two prongs protrude from the underside surface of the body, so that the anchor may be used to secure sections of fabric to the box spring. A section of decorative fabric that includes a substantially flat section and a ruffled section, is also used with the system, so that the prongs on the anchor may be inserted through the substantially flat section of the decorative fabric and into the box spring, and so that the adhesive material on the underside surface of the substantially flat body may adhere to the flat section of the decorative fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Inventor: Catherine V. Smith
  • Patent number: 5695524
    Abstract: A staple and stapler for injecting the staple in a manner so that the staple maintains a near constant width upon penetration of material to be joined and during staple closure/forming such that material perturbation and staple to staple spacing may be minimized. The staple has a rectilinear bridge part from which depend oppositely positioned side parts and from the side parts a pair of straight legs. In a preferred embodiment, the oppositely positioned side parts consist of a proximal arcuate section attached to the bridge part and an oppositely directed distal arcuate section attached to the legs. The legs may have sharpened points. Also disclosed is a stapler adapted to force the oppositely directed distal arcuate sections outward, in one embodiment, thereby forcing a reaction of the legs of the staple to face each other in linear alignment and form a closed staple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Tracor Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Kelley, Phil McDuffie
  • Patent number: 5667527
    Abstract: An improved surgical staple is disclosed wherein predetermined regions of the staple legs are weakened to cause bending and deformation of said legs in a controlled manner. The staple provides a uniform compression of a tissue into which it is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Holobeam, Inc.
    Inventor: Melvin S. Cook
  • Patent number: 5478354
    Abstract: An apparatus for closing trocar wounds and a method for using such apparatus. The apparatus includes a fastener having three or more legs attached to a base. The fastener is placed over a wound and its legs are embedded in tissue about the wound. In other embodiments a fastener is placed under the wound to engage fascia and skin tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: H. Jonathan Tovey, Wayne Young, Peter W. J. Hinchliffe, Oleg Shikhman
  • Patent number: 5466087
    Abstract: A timber connector (10) is disclosed comprising a pair of spikes (11 and 14) disposed at the ends of a cranked stem portion (12/13). The spikes (11 and 14) may be positioned in vertical planes (17 and 18) extending angularly to one another such that the connector (10) may be used for interconnecting respective face of adjacent timber members (15 and 16) which are perpendicular to one another. The spikes (11 and 14) form acute angles with the portions of the stem (13/13) adjacent thereto and the secondary spike (14) tapers away from the axis of the primary spike (11) towards its outer end (25) whereby the timber members (15 and 16) are drawn together during rotation of the stem portion (12/13) about the driven primary spike (11) as the secondary spike (14) is driven home.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Inventor: Kevin G. Doole
  • Patent number: 5460466
    Abstract: A moulded nylon glass fiber reinforced fixing device has an elongate body with leading and trailing ends, the body comprises two or more similar legs which splay apart to hold the device in position when the leading end is driven into blockwork. Devices shown are rectangular in section with legs defined by slot(s) running partially along the length of the device away from the leading end. One form of device has a slot extending through its thickness defining two legs and another two slots defining four legs. A third has two slots each extending partway through the device from opposed faces and which are parallel and separated by a readily rupturable wall part. A fourth has a slot extending between readily rupturable parts of opposed side walls of the device. Surfaces to contact blockwork may be roughened and surfaces defining slot(s) may have triangular grooves therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Inventors: Michael Kenny, David D. Dunkley, Anthony Gillham
  • Patent number: 5445648
    Abstract: An improved surgical staple is disclosed wherein predetermined regions of the staple legs are weakened to cause bending and deformation of said legs in a controlled manner. The staple provides a uniform compression of a tissue into which it is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Inventor: Melvin Cook
  • Patent number: 5423857
    Abstract: A surgical staple for use in surgical procedures. The surgical staple has a crown having a hollow frame. The frame has a top slot in communication with the interior of the crown frame. At least two legs are pivotally mounted in the frame such that when the staple is inserted into tissue and the legs are rotated inwardly, the staple secures tissue and the legs are locked in a fixed position. In an alternate embodiment, at least one leg is pivotally mounted to the frame and at least one leg is fixedly mounted to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel C. Rosenman, Shawn T. Huxel, Brian H. Luscombe
  • Patent number: 5413584
    Abstract: The invention relates to a staple for surgical purposes, made from bendable wire-like material. According to the invention, a staple is so designed that the base is shaped bent backwards from its tissue fastening surface, starting from its center section, on both sides, opposite to the direction of the legs, so far that the ends of the base touch or come close to each other, the base and legs thereby forming an essentially .OMEGA.-shaped contour. The bent-back configuration effects a substantial reduction in the width of the staple when it is pushed forward through the trocar cannula, so that endoscopically larger staples than usual can be set with a suitable fastening mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale Schulze
  • Patent number: 5393186
    Abstract: A staple with parallel legs and two parallel cross pieces therebetween comprising a pair of parallel legs, the legs being formed with upper ends and lower ends, the lower edges being bevelled to facilitate movement into the surface to which the staple is to be secured; an upper first cross piece formed as an integral extension of the legs and extending therebetween at the upper end of the legs; and an intermediate second lower cross piece positioned parallel with the first upper cross piece at a location intermediate the ends of the legs and integrally formed therebetween, the entire staple including its legs and its first cross piece and its second cross piece being integrally formed of a rigid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Inventor: John G. Holloway
  • Patent number: 5350400
    Abstract: A malleable, bioabsorbable polymeric staple includes a back span with two legs depending perpendicularly therefrom that are deformed toward each other initially and then upwardly toward the back span such that end points on each leg extends to the side and past the back span. The staple has a noncircular cross-sectional shape. A surgical staple-deforming anvil for deforming the staples has a staple-receiving face formed with a pair of elongated, non-collinear pocket-like depressions each having an entry end lying on a longitudinal axis parallel to the back span of the staple, and an exit end. The respective exit ends of the pocket depressions are located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis. Accordingly, the legs of a staple driven toward the anvil and received in the pocket depressions are initially bent toward each other and then steered upwardly toward opposite sides of the back span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventors: Felix F. Esposito, John A. Conners, Joseph N. Logan, James W. Dwyer, Laurence Crainich
  • Patent number: 5350267
    Abstract: A system for attaching a rod, pipe or tube to a support surface in a spaced relationship thereto using plastic mounting devices, each of which has a central body portion, integral spaced apart leg portions and an inner arcuate surface greater than 180 degrees and having terminal end portions spaced from end surfaces of the leg portion, in an automated process wherein the leg portions are restrained from pivotal movement relative to the central body portion so that the portions of the mounting device adjacent to the terminal end portions will deform as they move over the rod, pipe or tube and then resile to move the rod, pipe or tube into the inner arcuate surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Inventor: Peter G. Mangone, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5314427
    Abstract: The improved channel ligament clamp of the invention is for human implantation in a surgical procedure for securing a ligament, that is either natural or prosthetic, onto a bone cortex and includes, as a clamp body, a rectangular section of a thin, flat metal material, such as titanium, with identical equal opposite edge portions of which material bent at approximately right angles forming upstanding parallel side walls. Edges of which upstanding parallel side walls are for contacting a bone surface whereto the clamp is secured to closely contain a ligament section therebetween without crushing it, and which parallel side walls are the side walls of a channel section with the flat material therebetween constituting the channel section web. Which channel section web includes a plurality of pointed end parallel pins secured thereto that extend at right angles and are parallel to clamp the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Inventors: E. Marlowe Goble, W. Karl Somers
  • Patent number: 5312456
    Abstract: A system for linking a first member with a second member. The system is comprised of a first plurality of micromechanical barbs disposed on the first member. The system is also comprised of a second plurality of micromechanical barbs disposed on the second member. The barbs on the first member and the second member are of a shape such that a locking connection is formed between the first member and second member through the first plurality and second plurality of barbs when placed together. Each of the barbs of the first plurality and second plurality of barbs extend from the first member and second member, respectively, to a height no greater than 5 millimeters. The first plurality of barbs and second plurality of barbs oppose each other. The present invention also pertains to a micromechanical barb for linking with an object. The micromechanical barb comprises a base. The micromechanical barb is also comprised of a support which extends from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Michael L. Reed, Lee E. Weiss
  • Patent number: 5304204
    Abstract: A self-closing receiverless surgical fastener comprises a fastener body of biocompatible or bioabsorbable material including a bridge member and at least two tines extending from opposite ends of the bridge member. The tines are resiliently deformable from a normally closed position with the distal ends of the tines pointing toward each other to an open position with the distal ends of the tines extending substantially parallel to each other for penetrating into tissue. The tines are resiliently returnable to the closed position with the distal ends of the tines pointing toward each other to secure the fastener body to the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael F. Bregen
  • Patent number: 5263665
    Abstract: A mounting bracket for holding a heat insulating mat in an aircraft cabin has a lower and an upper section configured to conform to a trough-shaped flange of a stringer secured to the fuselage. A holding pin forms part of the lower section and can be connected to the insulating mat. The two sections are onto the stringer (2) as a clip. For this purpose the lower section (4) fits with a trough (10) around the stringer (2) and the upper section (5) formed with a snap-in locking device including an expander pin (9) is arranged with a barrel portion in the trough of the stringer. The upper section (5) has a plate (14) tangentially merging into the barrel portion and extending outside the stringer (2) for the snap-in action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Deutsche Aerospace Airbus GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Koneczny, Hartmut Tijssen
  • Patent number: 5258009
    Abstract: A malleable, bioabsorbable polymeric staple includes a back span with two legs depending perpendicularly therefrom that are deformed along an arcuate path toward each other initially and then upwardly toward the back span such that end points on each leg extend through a gap formed between an underside of the back span and a bend in an opposite leg. A surgical staple-deforming anvil for deforming the staples has a staple-receiving face formed with a pair of guiding path depressions each having an entry end lying on a longitudinal axis parallel to the back span of the staple, and an exit end. The guiding paths are arcuately shaped and form a groove curving and crossing each other approximately at the longitudinal axis. Accordingly, the legs of a staple driven toward the anvil and received in the guiding paths are initially bent toward each other and then steered upwardly and along the horizontally curved path toward the gap formed between the back span and the bend in the opposite leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventor: John A. Conners
  • Patent number: 5250058
    Abstract: A mechanism which is capable of anastomosis of two lumens by an absorbable fastener. The fastener is made from two washer-like plates. One such plate has holes to receive latching prongs protruding from the other plate. Fastening is done through a single linear motion that causes the prongs to pierce the tissue, latches the prongs into a receiver and causes a knife blade to cut through excess fastener material and tissue. The ease of removal, by pulling the mechanism through the formed anastomosis, is greatly enhanced. The system can be used such that the plates can be placed in any configuration to properly anastomose tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Miller, Mark S. Zeiner, James A. Transue
  • Patent number: 5222963
    Abstract: A mechanism which is capable of anastomosis of two lumens by an absorbable fastener. The fastener is made from two washer-like plates. One such plate has holes to receive latching prongs protruding from the other plate. Fastening is done through a single linear motion that causes the prongs to pierce the tissue, latches the prongs into a receiver and causes a knife blade to cut through excess fastener material and tissue. The ease of removal, by pulling the mechanism thorugh the formed anastomosis, is greatly enhanced. The system can be used such that the plates can be placed in any configuration to properly anastomose tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Brinkerhoff, Mark S. Zeiner, Michael B. Miller, James A. Transue
  • Patent number: 5222975
    Abstract: Surgical staples with an improved configuration including a humpbacked configuration providing significant advantages for stacking and staple rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Inventor: Lawrence Crainich
  • Patent number: 5189766
    Abstract: A snap fit cable retainer is illustrated for accommodating multiple diameter cables in a snug fit configuration by having the bit portion between adjacent side legs being closer to the extremities of the legs than is the main bit portion of the overall connector. In this way, large diameter cables can be run lengthwise through the retainer and smaller diameter cables can be run crosswise through the retainer. The retainer can also accommodate a layer of cables in each direction simultaneously by placing the lower level in the crosswise direction through the retainer and the second layer on top in the lengthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Alcatel Network Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William F. Weber
  • Patent number: 5158567
    Abstract: The anvilless surgical stapler includes a pair of stapling assemblies which are mounted on the articulated handles of an applicator. Each stapling assembly includes a mounting block and a staple cartridge which is slidably mounted within the block. Further, each cartridge has a housing with a plurality of openings in which staples are slidably received along with a plurality of pushers. When the stapling assemblies are brought together, one or more ribs in the mounting blocks cause the pushers to fire the staples from the openings of the staple cartridge housings. A pair of deformable lips are also provided at the mouth of each opening for deforming the legs of each staple inwardly toward each other in order to embed into the tissue without penetrating into the tissue. The lips also permit passage of the deformed staples under the biasing force of the pushers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventor: David T. Green
  • Patent number: 5149236
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for assembling frames and moulding frames, comprising a monolithic assembly piece (31) forming a double tenon and having the form of two identical circular truncated cones of a height substantially equal to the thickness of the workpieces (32, 33) to be assembled. Said assembly piece is fitted into blind bores (34, 35) of corresponding shape having on the edge junction surfaces of the workpieces to be assembled. It is intended to assembling, with or without bonding, joinery pieces of wood or other materials, such as mitered moulding frames. The mitering machine for implementing the assembly device (31) comprises a sealed casing (1) equipped with two circular saw blades (4, 5) perpendicular to each other and driven with a single electric motor. The casing is mobile vertically with respect to a working surface (3) equipped with fixing means (15, 16) for the workpiece to be cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Cassese Society
    Inventor: Christian Rapayelian
  • Patent number: 5112177
    Abstract: A flexible retainer which may be used to attach papers and the like to a wall, bulletin board, etc. includes a body formed from flexible material with a spacer section and at least two finger grips extending outwardly away from the spacer section, and at least two pins extending from the body away from the finger grips, the pins normally disposed in a non-parallel configuration so as to define an angle therebetween. The body is deformable to temporarily align the pins in a substantially parallel configuration for insertion thereof into a wall or other surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Inventor: Antony W. Chamings
  • Patent number: 5098243
    Abstract: A tacking strip securing a fabric covering to upholstered furniture comprises the usual tack members and a margin or edge portion which has been cold-worked by rolling into a round or arcuate shape, thereby to decrease its sharpness to prevent the margin from cutting into the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Handy Button Machine Company
    Inventor: Ronald E. Buck
  • Patent number: 5089009
    Abstract: A surgical skin fastener with inwardly biased prongs. The fastener comprises a backspan, horizontal arms, and at least two prongs, each prong having at least one inwardly pointing barb. The prongs are resiliently biased inward for holding adjacent edges of body tissue in close contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventor: David T. Green
  • Patent number: 5063722
    Abstract: A gripstay channel veneer anchor assembly includes a channel member which abuttingly engages an insulation layer which in turn abuttingly engages a plurality of support members which form the inner wythe of an edifice. A clip securement menber projects through apertures in the channel member, pierces the insulation member and abuttingly engages the support member. A mounting screw is provided which connects the clip securement member, the channel member and the support member to form a rigid and reliable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Hohmann Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald P. Hohmann
  • Patent number: 5060468
    Abstract: In producing the surgical staple, a cutting edge is moved toward each of the leg portions of the wire from which the staple is formed in inclined relation to the axis of the leg portion to shear the leg portion, the leg portion being set on a receiving surface. A smooth sheared surface and a coarse ruptured surface are formed in order on the distal end portion of the leg portion toward the distal end of the leg portion. A shearing member having the cutting edge above serves to bend and shear the leg portions of the surgical staple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Matsutani Seisakucho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kanji Matsutani, Masatoshi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 5026390
    Abstract: A surgical staple is made from highly flexible material and has at least two piercing projections or points spaced from each other a first predetermined linear distance in a generally unstressed, neutral and inoperative condition of the staple. The staple is stressed in a selected fashion causing the piercing projections to be spaced from each other a second predetermined linear distance greater than the first predetermined linear distance. While the piercing projections are spaced from each other, the second predetermined linear distance under the induced forces, the staple is implanted by penetrating the skin with the piercing projections at opposite sides of an associated wound or incision. The forces are then removed from the surgical staple which inherently rebounds to its generally unstressed condition which in turn automatically draws opposite margins of the wound toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Inventor: Alan W. Brown
  • Patent number: 5015135
    Abstract: A flexible retainer which may be used to attach papers and the like to a wall, bulletin board, etc. includes a body formed from flexible material with a spacer section and at least two finger grips extending outwardly away from the spacer section, and at least two pins extending from the body away from the finger grips, the pins normally disposed in a non-parallel configuration so as to define an angle therebetween. The body is deformable to temporarily align the pins in a substantially parallel configuration for insertion thereof into a wall or other surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Inventor: Antony W. Chamings
  • Patent number: 5002562
    Abstract: A surgical clip for repairing tears in fibrocartilage and soft tissue. The clip has a pair of opposed legs formed of rigid biodegradable material. Each leg has at least one barb for easily penetrating the cartilage and soft tissue, and for opposing withdrawal from it. The legs are interconnected by a flexible section that is also biodegradable. The instrument for applying these clips has a pair of opposed jaws, each with at least one notch for holding the barbs of the clip. The jaws are biased apart in a normally open position and are interconnected to an actuating handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Inventor: Michael A. Oberlander
  • Patent number: 4994073
    Abstract: A surgical fastener for fastening layers of body tissue as in skin grafting procedures. The fastener comprises a backspan and at least two barbed prongs. The barbs are flat, triangular and are coplanar with respect to each other, as well as being in parallel alignment with the axis of the backspan. The surgical fastener is made of bioabsorbable material to eliminate the need for removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corp.
    Inventor: David T. Green
  • Patent number: 4960420
    Abstract: A ligament fixation device and system for its use that includes a channel ligament clamp (10) fabricated for human implantation and consisting of a channel section having a web (13) between parallel sides wherefrom sections have been removed leaving spaced apart pointed spikes (11) that extend outwardly from walls (12), the channel web including a group of pointed pins (15) that extend therefrom parallel and alongside the spikes (11), and at least one screw-type fastener hole (14) formed therethrough. The system of the invention includes tooling for locating a ligament on a bone surface and scoring that surface for drilling. After drilling, a right angle post (22) of a drilling guide (21) is fitted into that drilled hole (20) and the drill guide longitudinal axis is aligned with the ligament location on the bone surface, which drilling guide has an array of spike and pin holes formed therethrough for receiving a drill turned individually therethrough into the bone surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Inventors: E. Marlowe Goble, W. Karl Somers
  • Patent number: 4955898
    Abstract: A surgical staple has a base portion and a pair of leg portions respectively extending angularly from the opposite ends of the base portion. Each leg portion has at its distal end portion a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface extending from the first inclined surface to the distal end of said leg portion. The first and second inclined surfaces are inclined with respect to the axis of the leg portion. The angle between the first inclined surface and the axis of the leg portion is smaller than the angle between the second inclined surface and the axis of the leg portion. The second inclined surface terminates in a sharp edge at its distal end. For producing the surgical staple, a blade is moved toward each of the leg portions in inclined relation to the axis thereof to shear the leg portion, so that a smooth sheared surface and a coarse ruptured surface are formed on the distal end portion of the leg portion and arranged in this order toward the distal end of the leg portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Matsutani Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kanji Matsutani, Masatoshi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 4955813
    Abstract: A multi-pronged thumbtack which includes a head and a plurality of tines projecting from the head in the same direction to assure that paper impaled upon the tines will not be able to rotate around the axis of any one of the tines. In general, the head has at least one monoplanar side from which the tines extend codirectionally, and three tines are preferably disposed at the corners of an equilateral triangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Inventor: Stephen H. Fochler
  • Patent number: 4944295
    Abstract: A tissue suturing assembly (10) and method involves C-shaped suturing staples (16) embedded in a cartridge (14) formed of a carrier (18) and opposite cartridge jaws (20 and 22). The opposite cartridge jaws are moved linearly along a track in the carrier to bend the C-shaped staples into spiraling overlapping loops by a separate elongated pliers-like clamping tool (12). The cartridge jaws selectively engage the pliers-like tool jaws (90) so that a loaded cartridge can be mounted on the pliers-like tool, the suturing staples mounted therein can be rolled up from their ends to thereby pass through tissues positioned in mouths of the staples, the cartridge can be removed from the pliers-like tool jaws, and a new loaded cartridge can be mounted on the pliers-like tool jaws to repeat this process. An equalizer mechanism (84) is included on the pliers-like tool to cause opposite jaws of the pliers-like tool to move correspondingly uniformed distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Owen Gwathmay
    Inventors: Owen M. Gwathmey, Thomas E. Sloane, Jr., Robert R. Oddsen
  • Patent number: 4932187
    Abstract: A method for lining furnace walls with insulation is provided where a plurality of hanger assemblies which are elongated lengths of metal support members each having a plurality of elongate studs secured to one surface in a predetermined spaced alignment and which extend perpendicularly from the surface of the support member are positioned over the surface of a furnace wall by first securing one length of the metal support members horizontally adjacent the top end of a furnace wall and then sequentially vertically positioning other lengths of the metal support members on the furnace wall with the spaced aligned elongate studs extending from the surface of the support members in vertical alignment with an elongate stud extending from the surface of the horizontally positioned support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Inventors: Robert Kraemer, Robert Kraemer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4923350
    Abstract: A hose coupling or pipe connection (10) has detachable parts (20, 22) which are releasably locked together by two U-shaped cotter pins or locking staples (18) in accordance with the invention, the cotter pins or locking staples being of laminated form and comprising two or more joined-together leaves or plies (26, 28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Inventors: Patrick B. Hinksman, Gary R. Long