99results about How to "Increased frictional contact" patented technology

A stent deployment system, handle, and method of loading of a medical device are provided. The system includes an outer catheter having an inner liner extending past the end of the outer catheter and an inner catheter disposed within the outer catheter. The inner liner is inverted and attached to the inner catheter. Relative movement between the outer and the inner catheters can urge the inner liner to peel away from the medical device. A handle is disposed at the proximal end of the outer catheter, and may include a splitter configured to slice the wall of the tubular member. The handle may also include a rotatable mechanism that can be attached to the tubular member. Rotation of the rotatable mechanism retracts a portion of the tubular member into the handle and winds the sliced portion about the rotatable mechanism.

An attachment assembly for a firearm handguard includes a barrel nut for mounting on a firearm barrel and engaging the firearm handguard thereon. The barrel nut includes a first end for engaging an upper receiver of a firearm, a second end opposite the first end for receiving the firearm handguard, and a transverse groove formed on an exterior surface of the barrel nut between the first end and the second end, which mechanically locks the firearm handguard on the barrel nut. The barrel nut can include an interior surface with threads formed thereon proximate the first end for engaging complementary threads of the upper receiver. A knurled section can be formed on the exterior surface between the transverse groove and the second end, which provides frictional engagement at the interface of the barrel nut and the handguard.

The invention is directed to a bladeless trocar obturator to separate or divaricate body tissue during insertion through a body wall. In one aspect, the obturator of the invention comprises a shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end; and a bladeless tip disposed at the distal end of the shaft and having a generally tapered configuration with an outer surface, the outer surface extending distally to a blunt point with a pair of side sections having a common shape and being separated by at least one intermediate section, wherein each of the side sections extends from the blunt point radially outwardly with progressive positions proximally along the axis, and the shaft is sized and configured to receive an optical instrument having a distal end to receive an image of the body tissue. With this aspect, the tapered configuration facilitates separation of different layers of the body tissue and provides proper alignment of the tip between the layers. The side sections include a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion of the side sections being twisted radially with respect to the proximal portion of the side sections. The intermediate section includes a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion of the intermediate section being twisted in a first radial direction and the proximal portion of the intermediate section being twisted in a second radial direction opposite the first radial direction.

A method for analyzing an operation of an organization, especially in the context of an outsourcing. The method includes decomposing the operation along a value chain containing a plurality of processes, associating a process of the value chain with an element that is subject to the process, and designating a characteristic of the associated process and element. As an example, the element is a device (e.g., PC workstation) that is subject to processes (e.g., customer relationship management). As an example, the characteristic is an actor (e.g., an organization or an outsourcer) responsible for performing at the intersection of the associated process and element.

A novel mounting bracket for an inflatable curtain is described. The mounting bracket includes a pair of attachment plates for engaging respective sides of the inflatable curtain. One plate includes an opening through which a fastener may be positioned to secure the bracket and attached inflatable curtain to the interior of a vehicle. A bushing having an inner surface and an outer surface is positioned within the opening in the mounting plate. Flanges extending from an outer surface of the bushing maintain the bushing within the opening. The outer surface of the bushing is smaller than the opening which allows the bushing to rotate freely within the bracket when a fastener is used to secure the mounting bracket to the interior of a vehicle.

A crimpable centralizer has been invented for installation on pipe, such as would be useful in well bore drilling and casing operations. The present invention provides a centralizer having a cylindrical body which when coaxially placed over a pipe and substantially radially inwardly displaced at a plurality of points (i.e. crimped) about the circumference of a section of the cylindrical body, attaches to the pipe to create a connection having structurally significant axial and torque load transfer capacity. When crimped according to the methods of the present invention, the load transfer capacity of the connection between the centralizer and the pipe can be arranged to substantially prevent significant relative movement of the centralizer on the pipe under loads that may be encountered when using one or more of the pipes as components of a tubular string used for drilling or completing well bores.

An apparatus for storing at least one elongated and flexible object, such as an insertion tube that functions as a portion of an endoscope or a borescope device. The apparatus includes a rotating storage carousel having a base and a peripheral barrier. An elongated and flexible object, such as an insertion tube, is stored along the inner side of the peripheral barrier and the base. The storage cavity of the carousel rotates while accepting the transfer of the elongated and flexible object for storage.

A staple removal tool includes a working end with an enlarged area and forked portion. The forked portion includes two prongs separated by a substantially V-shaped slot, wherein the V-shaped slot includes a rounded junction. The working end tapers in thickness along two non-parallel planar surfaces that may include grooves set transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tool. A second embodiment of the staple removal tool includes a working end with both outwardly and inwardly curved exterior surfaces. The outwardly curved exterior surface leads to a prong. A blunted tine is separated from the prong by a substantially U-shaped slot that includes a rounded junction. The working end tapers along two non-parallel planar surfaces that may include grooves set transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tool. Methods of using the tools are also provided.

A crimpable wear band (105) tool has been invented for installation on casing (6), used in well bore drilling. A wear band (105) is provided having a cylindrical body which when coaxially placed over a pipe and substantially radially inwardly displaced at a plurality of points (i.e. crimped) about the circumference of a section of cylindrical body, attaches to the pipe to create a connection having structurally significant axial and torque load transfer capacity. When crimped according to the methods of the present invention, the load transfer capacity of the connection between the wear band (105) tool and the pipe (6) can be arranged to substantially prevent significant relative movement of the wear band tool on the pipe under loads that may be encountered when using one or more of the pipes as components of a tubular string used for drilling or running the casing in to complete a well bore.

An article of footwear with a gripping system is disclosed. The gripping system helps to enhance the wearer's ability to contact an athletic ball during kicking. The gripping system can be centered about a region where the wearer tends to kick the ball, and the gripping system can be distributed in a pattern that provides an even or symmetric contact area with the ball.

The friction clutch between the prime mover and the change-speed transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle is actuatable by a slave cylinder cooperating with a master cylinder wherein the piston is movable by a clutch pedal or by an electric actuator. The casing of the slave cylinder is made, at least in part, of a plastic material and defines a plenum chamber arranged to receive pressurized fluid from the master cylinder by way of a conduit extending through a bell which contains the clutch and the slave cylinder. The annular piston of the slave cylinder surrounds the input shaft of the transmission. The plastic material of the casing of the slave cylinder can contain one or more additives which enhance its strength and / or influence its frictional engagement with the adjacent surfaces of the piston or of a lip seal which reciprocates with the piston. The piston and / or the lip seal can be installed in the casing to contact one or two metallic or plastic guide sleeves which are connected to or form part of the casing.

The friction clutch between the prime mover and the change-speed transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle is actuatable by a slave cylinder cooperating with a master cylinder wherein the piston is movable by a clutch pedal or by an electric actuator. The casing of the slave cylinder is made, at least in part, of a plastic material and defines a plenum chamber arranged to receive pressurized fluid from the master cylinder by way of a conduit extending through a bell which contains the clutch and the slave cylinder. The annular piston of the slave cylinder surrounds the input shaft of the transmission. The plastic material of the casing of the slave cylinder can contain one or more additives which enhance its strength and / or influence its frictional engagement with the adjacent surfaces of the piston or of a lip seal which reciprocates with the piston. The piston and / or the lip seal can be installed in the casing to contact one or two metallic or plastic guide sleeves which are connected to or form part of the casing.

The invention is a wedge-shaped support adapted to be fastened to a user's lower leg to provide comfort when the user is kneeling on an inclined roof, used in pairs. Each shin wedge comprises a wedge of lightweight material capable of supporting the user's weight. The acute dihedral angle of each wedge is approximately equal to the pitch angle of the roof on which the wedge kneepads are being used, thereby providing a substantially horizontal upper kneeling surface when the wedge is oriented towards the peak of the roof. The wedge's lower surface typically comprises a durable pad that prevents premature abrasion of the lightweight material and improves grip onto the inclined surface. Each wedge's upper surface typically includes a soft layer that serves as an ergonomic kneeling pad for the user. An attachment harness secures the wedge kneepad to the user's shin and thigh or knee.

Provided is a gimbal mechanism comprising a support stand, an outer frame and an inner frame. The support stand includes a spaced pair of L-shaped legs comprising a first member having at least one first slot formed therethrough. The outer frame is nested within the support stand and comprises outer frame sides joined to outer frame ends. Each one of the outer frame sides is pivotally engagable to the first slot of an adjacent one of the first members such that the outer frame is selectively angularly and laterally positionable relative to the support stand. The inner frame is nested within the outer frame and comprises inner frame ends joined to inner frame sides. Each one of the inner frame ends is pivotally engagable to an adjacent one of the outer frame ends such that the inner frame is selectively angularly adjusted relative to the outer frame about an inner frame axis.

A lighter-holder apparatus for use with a water pipe involving a flexible collar. The flexible collar includes a gripping feature for accommodating a lighter and a hooking feature for facilitating disposition of the apparatus around the water pipe. The hooking feature is coupled with the gripping feature.

A hammer mechanism including: a motor; a piston reciprocatingly driven by the motor; a ram reciprocatingly driven by the reciprocating piston via an air spring; a beat piece supported in an axially slideable manner within a beat piece support structure which, during the normal operation of the hammer mechanism, is repetitively struck by the ram and which transfers the impacts to a cutting tool when held by the tool holder; wherein the beat piece comprises a first impact surface and the beat piece support structure including a second impact surface, the first and second impact surfaces coming into contact with each other when the beat piece axially slides to its furthest position away from the ram; and wherein the shape of the two surfaces relative to each other is arranged so that there is a non-uniform amount of contact between the first and second surfaces around the longitudinal axis.

A holder for a mobile telephone headset includes a base and arm members extending outwardly from the base with a receiving member attached to ends of the arm members. The receiving member includes spaced apart upright members forming a gap for loosely receiving an ear bud of the mobile telephone headset. A clip may be removably attached to the base for removably securing the holder to a support structure within a motor vehicle. The holder further includes illumination for locating it or the headset in a darkened environment. Yet further, the arm members are spaced apart to form an opening sufficient for receiving an ear hook of the headset, the holder thus providing ease for a user to safely store the mobile telephone headset.

The invention relates to yo-yos and in particular high-performance ball- or roller-bearing yo-yos capable of extremely wide string-gap settings suitable for “new school” yo-yo tricks. The present invention addresses the need to center the yo-yo string on the bearing or bearing sleeve along the axial extension of the outer surface of the yo-yo bearing or bearing sleeve or in relation to the effective “string gap” between the opposed inner faces of the two yo-yo halves. The present invention also provides an effective and economical string-bearing surface able to span the wider string gap required by “new school” styles and modes of play. The present invention enables the variable stacking of successive lays of string either side of the securing loop during complicated yo-yo string trick routines.

A multi-function light assembly is disclosed having a base and providing a plurality of universal sockets. The light assembly further includes a lamppost attached to the base, the lamppost having an upstanding portion, a cantilevered portion, and curved portion therebetween. The base includes a bottom surface formed of a pad of tacky material, e.g., sticky polyurethane pad, that enhances friction contact with the corresponding surface top. The pad provides a strong, non-adhesive bond to a surface to enhance stability. As a result, the base can have a comparatively small footprint and still achieve appropriate stability requirements.

A handheld guide for guiding a cable being wound onto a powered winch drum includes a split tubular member with opposed longitudinal slots. A pair of cable gripping members are positioned in the split tubular member and each gripping member includes a longitudinally extending actuating member extending outwardly through a slot in the split tubular member. Each of the cable gripping members includes a groove oriented in facing relationship to engage a cable being wound onto the winch drum. The split tubular member and cable gripping members are retained in assembled relation by a pair of slotted end caps threaded onto the ends of the split tubular member.

A chain or belt tensioner comprises a plunger displaceable in a housing between retracted and extended positions. A stop ring between the plunger and housing frictionally contacts a smooth surface of the housing. A recess in the plunger has a tapered face for engagement with a bevelled surface of the stop ring. Inward movement of the plunger causes the tapered face to engage the stop ring and to force it to deform outwardly to a wedging position in which the stop ring is wedged between the tapered face and the surface thus preventing further inward movement of the plunger. The recess has a second face that engages the stop ring when the plunger moves out of the housing so as to slide it over the surface. The invention provides for a stop mechanism that enables retraction of the plunger to be prevented at an infinite number of positions.

A leash apparatus includes a housing containing a spool assembly, a spring biased lever arm, and a first tensioning line. The first tensioning line is attached to a first end of the lever arm and wrapped at least once around the spool assembly, and has an opposite end attached to other than the rotatable portion of the spool assembly, such as a fixed location on the leash housing on a mounting of the spool assembly. A surface of the spool assembly slidingly rotates relative to the tensioning line portion that wraps at least once around the spool assembly. A second tensioning line is wound about the spool assembly and extends outside of the housing. The second tensioning line is guided around a wheel attached to a second end of the lever arm located on an opposite side of the lever arm.

An instrument organizer for at least partially supporting one or more surgical instruments includes a base structure having opposed terminal ends and at least one end post fixedly positioned at one terminal end of the base structure. The instrument organizer also includes at least one movable stabilizing structure that is mountable on the base structure at a location spaced from the end post, to thereby stabilize and at least partially support the one or more instruments. At least one of the base structure and the movable stabilizing structure may include a radiopaque material. Also, the end post may include a generally triangular shape in cross section and a coupling device for coupling multiple instrument organizers together. Further, a method of applying a radiopaque substance to the instrument organizer.

A scalable high-performance bouncing apparatus provides convenient access to untensioned internally semi-mounted springs / tension elements. A holster retains the inoperative semi-mounted elements and avoids contact or friction with fully engaged tension elements. Adjustable connection elements permit compensation for lengthening of spring elements due to creep or elongation set. The connection elements include collars that compress the tension elements, and may be connected to the springs / tension elements by first stretching the elements beyond their working elongation and then placing the collars onto the stretched portions.

An electrical connector including an adapter, having an electric component attachment flange and a hollow bored nipple which is continuous with the adapter, the nipple having an outwardly opening “C” band receiving channel; an electrical cable extending through the nipple; a tubular sheath having a forward end overlying the hollow bored nipple's outwardly opening “C” band receiving channel; a first steel “C” band overlying the flexible tubular sheath, the first steel “C” band being positioned along the flexible tubular sheath so that it further overlies the outwardly opening “C” band receiving channel, the first steel “C” band extending the flexible tubular sheath into the outwardly opening “C” band receiving channel; and at least a second steel “C” band oppositely overlying the first steel “C” band.

A handle apparatus includes a substantially elongate cylindrical section, a bulbous top section formed at the top of the elongate cylindrical section, and a flange section formed proximate the bottom of the cylindrical section. A trigger can be positioned within a recess formed in the elongate cylindrical section. The flange can extend outwardly from the elongate cylindrical section a greater distance than the trigger to prevent damage to the trigger if the handle falls to the ground. The bulbous section can have an oblate spheroid shape, and a gripping band that provides a comfortable grip to the user and helps prevent the handle from slipping when leaned against a wall. The handle can be utilized on a cleaning implement, such as a liquid dispensing mop.

Textured coatings for implantable medical devices can be provided in metallic or polymer surface layers having surface texture factors down to nanometer and sub-nanometer levels. Implantable devices having such textured surfaces and methods of coating such devices comprises providing a substrate surface of an implantable device and forming a coating layer of the substrate surface by directing a mixture of atoms of a first type of material and a second type of material toward the substrate surface while simultaneously and collinearly bombarding the substrate surface with ions, wherein the first type of material is substantially resistant to a removal process and the second type of material is substantially susceptible to a removal process.

A leash apparatus includes a housing containing a spool assembly, a spring biased lever arm, and a first tensioning line. The first tensioning line is attached to a first end of the lever arm and wrapped at least once around the spool assembly, and has an opposite end attached to other than the rotatable portion of the spool assembly, such as a fixed location on the leash housing on a mounting of the spool assembly. A surface of the spool assembly slidingly rotates relative to the tensioning line portion that wraps at least once around the spool assembly. A second tensioning line is wound about the spool assembly and extends outside of the housing. The second tensioning line is guided around a wheel attached to a second end of the lever arm located on an opposite side of the lever arm.