Abstract: A device has two anchor sleeves (3) in a concrete wall (2) accommodating two parallel anchor bolts (6) of a U-shaped step iron (1) form-fittingly. Between coupling parts formed by the anchor sleeves (3) and the anchor bolts (6), a detent assembly (7) has at least one detent tongue (8) sprung in the radial direction on one of the coupling parts (3, 6) and a detent recess (9) that receives the detent tongue (8) on the other coupling part (6, 3). A guide surface (15) for the detent tongue (8) is inclined in the peripheral direction and extends in the radial direction over the engagement depth of the detent tongue (8) adjoining the detent recess (9) at least in a peripheral direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a heart valve repair method, comprising: advancing a distal end of a suture implanting apparatus from an outside of a body through a transapical approach into a left ventricle or a right ventricle of a heart; holding each leaflet of a heart valve with the distal end of the suture implanting apparatus; implanting at least one suture into the leaflet; withdrawing the suture implanting apparatus from the body; advancing a distal end of a suture locking apparatus from the outside of a body through a transapical approach into the corresponding left ventricle or the corresponding right ventricle; using the suture locking apparatus to lock the plurality of sutures; and withdrawing the suture locking apparatus from the body. The heart valve repair method has a simple surgical procedure, a low degree of patient trauma, and a high success rate of surgery.

Abstract: Modular structure (1) comprising: —a plurality of modules (2), each module (2) having a basic element (5) comprising a basic body (6) that is identical to the basic bodies (6) of the basic elements (5) of the other modules (2), and a facade element (20) chosen from a range of facade elements that each have different functionalities, the basic element (5) and the facade element (20) of each module (2) being designed to be mounted removably one on the other such that the facade element (20) covers at least a part of a front face (7) of the basic element (5), —a plurality of connectors (30) that are each designed to connect two modules (2) disposed adjacently, each connector (30) having a connector body (31) that is identical to the connector bodies (31) of the other connectors (30).

Abstract: The invention concerns a key device intended to hold a nut retainer in the radial position, when tightening the nut on an associated screw connection, characterized in that it comprises a handle (54) and a head (52) comprising a housing (56) into which a tab of the nut retainer is inserted, said tab being intended to be folded 90° on a body carrying the screw connection, after tightening of the nut, one face (58) of the head having geometry that matches a portion of the body carrying the screw connection that receives the nut, such that the end of the nut retainer, inserted into the head of the key, is held exactly perpendicular to the outer surface of said portion of the body when the nut is tightened.

Abstract: An implantable medical device housing has an outer surface and an inner surface that defines an interior cavity. A wire is coupled to the housing outer surface. The wire wholly defines an open aperture for receiving a fixation member. The wire includes a first wire end, a second wire end, and an annular loop between the first and second ends. A cover extends over at least the first end and the second end of the wire.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a suturing bead, a suturing needle, a side suction cap and to an endoscopic organ suturing implement using same. More specifically, the present invention relates to an endoscopic organ suturing implement comprising a suturing bead which can be naturally rested lying against the organ wall during discharge, a suturing needle by means of which it is possible to control discharge of the suturing bead, and a side suction cap constituted in such a way as to be able to prevent damage to other organs during surgery.

Abstract: A fastener for attaching a sheet-like implant to tissue or bone may be provided with a first arm having a proximal end and a distal end, a second arm having a proximal end and a distal end, and a bridge extending therebetween. Each of the first and second arms include a trunk portion defining at least a portion thereof, the trunk portion having a lateral extent larger than a lateral extent of the bridge or non-trunk portion of the arm adjacent thereto and can be mounted eccentrically to the bridge or non-trunk portion of the arm adjacent thereto such that the staple includes a first change in lateral stiffness disposed proximate the bridge or non-trunk portion of the arm abutment with the trunk. Fastener delivery devices and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention includes various embodiments directed to apparatus and methods surrounding a fastener driving device. In particular embodiments, the fastener driving device is a tool designed to drive fasteners into an associated work piece at an angle that includes at least a housing, seating member, magazine with fasteners and a striker. Other novel features of the fastener device exist. In particular embodiments, the present invention also includes apparatus and methods related to driving fasteners at predetermined, or adjustable, angles relative to a substantially planar work piece surface for securing cables and the like.

Abstract: The invention provides an alternative improved use of using screws, spikes and nails in joining pieces of wood. The intent of making use of the above named devices is to use a simple procedure to join separate pieces of wood using the Nail Screw or Twin Spike or Twin Nail. This is easily accomplished by using a Drill and Bit as the primary method by drilling the Nail Screw end into the wood. The secondary method would be to hammer the Twin Spike or Twin Nail using a simple tool fitting over the shank. For either method, in most cases, pre drilling would be appropriate. When using the Nail Screw, pre drilling would simplify the wood joinery. The end result would be that in most cases no metal part is visible after completion of the task.

Abstract: A penetration load reduced staple includes a pair of leg portions configured to penetrate sheets of paper, a crown portion connecting the pair of leg portions. Each of the leg portions includes a protrusion protruding in a direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of the leg portion, from a portion of a side surface of the leg portion between the crown portion and a distal end portion of the leg portion and near the distal end portion.

Abstract: A connecting element is adapted to be placed between two pieces of wood to be joined and includes a body with two opposite main surfaces and with an engaging device which protrude from each main surface. In addition, a joint comprises a connecting device which is adapted to be passed through the pieces of wood and the connecting element and apply a compressing force on the pieces of wood in such a manner that the engaging device of the intermediate connecting element penetrates into opposite wood surfaces. The connecting element comprises a through hole perpendicular to the main surfaces for passing through the shank-shaped connecting device. The hole exhibits engaging formations around its circumference, and the connecting device exhibits matching engaging formations on its shank part in such a manner that longitudinal displacement is allowed while rotary motion of the connecting device relative to the connecting element is prevented.

Abstract: A truss is disclosed which comprises a bottom chord (12) and a pair of top chords (14, 16) arranged obliquely with respect to the bottom chord (12). Webs (20) are arranged between the top chords and the bottom chord. The webs have punched nails (46) projecting from connector plate (40) portions of the webs. The webs have a middle section (30) and load bearing portions (60) are provided between the middle section and the two connector plates (40) at opposite ends of the web (20). The load bearing portions are shaped for blunt end engagement with the chords without regard to the angle of intersection of the web with the chord.

Abstract: A novel carpet seaming method and tools for reducing or eliminating seam peaking and profiling is provided. The backing of abutting pieces of carpeting can be reinforced along their respective edges. A staple is supported on an anvil with its legs facing the carpet backing beneath the seam line while a hammer is driven onto the carpet pile and the underlying staple base. The impact of the hammer impales the carpet backing over the legs of the staple, and compresses the staple base against the anvil. The legs can then be forced towards each other to lock the staple in position. The process is repeated along the length of the seam line until a row of staples spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and extending from one end of a seam to the other end securely holds the abutting pieces of carpet together to form a seam. After seaming, the carpet may be stretched conventionally and secured to tack strips along the periphery of the area being carpeted.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing one log to another during a log machining process. The apparatus has a main body which is shaped in the form of an essentially flat disk. Each side of the disk has at least two protrusions or prongs which are oriented perpendicular to the disk and terminate in a tapered end allowing the protrusion to be driven into a log. The protrusions taper down to a base which is attached to the main body. The main body and protrusions are sized and configured to provide a striking surface between the protrusions to allow a blunt instrument such as a small sledge hammer to be applied to the device to drive it into a log. The device may be further provided with a raised surface portion in the striking surface area, and preferably between the protrusions, to provide a standoff distance between the log and the main body such that the apparatus may be pried loose from the log.

Abstract: An invisible decking connector for wood decking structures fastens elongate decking boards to each other in side-to-side adjacency and fastens the decking boards to underlying perpendicularly oriented joists for positional maintenance thereon. The connector provides a medial disk having axially aligned ribbed nails extending perpendicularly from the medial portions of each of its sides. The periphery of the disk defines a slot to receive the head of a fastening screw extending in angulated orientation through an adjacent decking board and into a joist therebeneath. A tool with a body defining a medial hole to receive one of the ribbed nails to aid installation of the fastener by use of a hammer is disclosed.

Abstract: A new Double-Ended Nail Driving System for securing two boards together without scarring a surface of the boards by securing a conventional fastener into the surface of the boards. The inventive device includes a double-ended nail having a center flange, an elongated cylinder having an elongated cavity projecting into an end for removably receiving an end of the double-ended nail, and a lower flange attached to the end for engaging the center flange of the double-ended nail. The lower flange engages the center flange thereby allowing the user to tap upon an opposite end with a conventional hammer thereby penetrating the double-ended nail into the board within dulling a sharpened end of the double-ended nail. The present invention further reduces the amount of scarring normally associated with conventional fasteners securing the two boards together.

Abstract: A fastener for securing boards to joists includes first and second sharp, pointed prongs. The first prong has a driving portion for driving the prong at an angle through a first board and a joist thereunder. The second prong extends from the first prong at an angle in the range of about 30 to 60 degrees and acts to secure an adjacent board to the first board. In another aspect, a fastener for securing boards to joists thereunder includes a first member having two parallel sharp, pointed prongs, and a third sharp, pointed prong extending from the first member at an angle in the range of about 35-55 degrees. One of the prongs of the first member is driven into a first board and the other of the prongs is driven into the joist. The third prong secures an adjacent board to the first board.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a surgical fastener includes a cartridge which holds a plurality of surgical fasteners in an array, a fastener advancing mechanism, and a mechanism for closing the fasteners, which includes an anvil and laterally moving arms to apply lateral force to bend the legs of the distal fastener inwardly to a closed position. The fasteners can be made of a bioabsorbable material.

Abstract: An elastic clip for osteosynthesis for connecting at least two bone parts together, comprising a body having at least two spaced legs, each leg having a lower end which can be inserted into a bone part and each having an upper end, the upper ends of said at least two legs being attached to corresponding ends of an elastic bridge which is deformable by pressure and which preferably comprises at least two elongated sections which extend alongside each other. Preferably, the clip has four legs attached in pairs to each of the ends of the bridge, the legs of each pair being attached together. The two elongated sections have at least a portion where they are not connected together, so that the two bridge sections can be forced apart to hold the bone parts in place. Alternatively, the two bridge sections are spaced apart and brought together to hold two bone parts together with a prescribed spacing.

Abstract: An arrangement for attaching a suture to a bone includes a device which has an elongate body having first and second ends, a central portion, and a longitudinal axis extending through the ends. A suture is attached to the central portion of the body at a point which is offset from the longitudinal axis so that, when the device is placed in a hole in the bone and a force having a component acting in a direction which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device is applied to the suture, the device will rotate causing the ends to engage the bone and prevent removal of the device and suture from the hole. The ends of the device are preferably formed as sharp points. One embodiment is formed from a continuous length of stainless steel rod which is bent into a 360.degree. loop.

Abstract: A method of fastening biological tissues using a fastener having two opposing heads joined by a connector. The fastener is installed by driving the heads through needles having a slotted bore. The needles are pierced through the tissues and rods are then used to drive the heads through the needle bores. The needles are removed and the heads then move against the tissue surface. The connector draws the heads inward against the tissue. The heads are provided with recesses to securely receive the rods.

Abstract: A surgical staple for use in joining the opposed edges of an incision in the skin of a patient, in which the staple includes an elongated straight bridge portion, a pair of anchor prongs projecting in the same direction from the opposite ends of the bridge portion, and a pair of positioning prongs projecting toward each other from the opposite ends of the bridge portion at acute angles to, and in the same plane as, the anchor prongs. The surgical staple is adapted to be carried in the cartridge of a conventional surgical staple applicator and adapted to be deformed by the applicator to bend the bridge portion spanning the edges of the wound for emplacement of the opposed anchor and positioning prongs into the skin on opposite sides of the incision so that the positioning prongs urge the edges of the incision together, and all of the prongs prevent rotation of the staple relative to the incision.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for simultaneously welding by the stud end welding technique a stud having two or more ends. The stud includes at least one elongated relatively thin metallic projection from each end of the stud to be welded. The method and apparatus maintains a current density in a given projection sufficient to disintegrate the projection with consequent arc initiation. The resultant arcs melt all stud ends and plate. The molten ends are lowered into the pools at a controlled rate at which time the current is extinguished and the material solidifies.

Abstract: A unique triangular point for use by a glazier has a star shaped central opening such that a plurality of such points can be stacked in oriented relationship to one another, and can be retained by a cotter key having skewed legs such that the key is easily inserted in opposed notches of the aligned openings in the points, and such that the key can be twisted for removal when inserting the stack of points in a conventional point driver. A plastic retainer is also disclosed and is adapted to fit into the aligned openings of the stacked points.