Did You Know...
...that in 1800 ether was first used by partyers as a fun diversion? Sniffing the gas led to hilarious and raucous laughter as people watched each other become more and more intoxicated and silly. Several doctors independently realized the value ether would have to anesthetize surgery patients. Of those who claimed rights to the "discovery," none had a happy ending. One had a seizure and died defending his rights. Another spent his life in an asylum because he had been denied acclaim. A third became addicted to chloroform and, in a New York City jail, he soaked a cloth in the drug, severed an artery and bled to death.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7249920 | Strapping retainer for lading and method for using the same A retainer having an elongated body secures one end of a cargo-engaging strapping to a wall anchor of a cargo transport unit wall. In operation, a loop is formed in the strapping and passed from a first side of the anchor to a second side, where the retainer is inse... | 07/31/2007 |
| 7182244 | Mailbox A mailbox includes opposing side pieces, a bottom piece, a rear piece, and a door, all made from die-cast aluminum. The side pieces include abutting top flanges and the mailbox further includes a channel engaging the top flanges to hold the top flanges together. Scr... | 02/27/2007 |
| 7052223 | Lockable key A lockable key comprises a handle, a flange, a shaft, a first spring, a second spring, and two depressible balls. The handle is connected to the top of said flange, and the shaft is connected to the bottom of the flange. The shaft provides two lateral appendages, an... | 05/30/2006 |
| 6928766 | Automatic outrigger lock An automatic outrigger securing assembly, for use on a fishing boat which has structural support members on the vessel. The securing assembly includes a coupler for releasably securing the outrigger in a fixed position, as well as a collar assembly for interfacing w... | 08/16/2005 |
| 6811348 | Device for locking in position a mobile part relative to a fixed part A device for locking a position of a moving part with respect to a fixed part. The moving part is positioned with respect to the fixed part isostatically. The device generates a force opposing the loss of contact of all the points of isostatic contact between the mo... | 11/02/2004 |
| 6220778 | Apparatus for retaining and aligning an electrical switch housing in a cast housing member An apparatus retains and aligns an electrical ignition switch of a motor vehicle with respect to a steering column housing. A switch housing supports the electrical switch and has at least one first aperture formed therein. The steering column housing sli... | 04/24/2001 |
| 6163942 | Two-piece lock with hidden locking mechanism A two-piece lock comprises a male connector; a locking mechanism provided on the male connector including a pair of connecting rods each having a rod portion and a slope portion, a pair of springs each putting on one of the rod portions, a tube member for... | 12/26/2000 |
| 5878930 | Bicycle seat pack The bicycle seat pack comprises a clam shell structure wherein a top portion includes a releasably locking bicycle seat engaging assembly including a release lever. A zipper extending almost completely around a periphery of the pack allows for a drop down... | 03/09/1999 |
| 5522529 | Clasp assembly for a watch bracelet A clasp assembly for selectively connecting and disconnecting a pair of bands which define a watch bracelet is described. The clasp assembly includes a male coupling defined by a housing and a depending insert, and a female coupling having an inside wall ... | 06/04/1996 |
| 5170541 | Fastening apparatus for handbag straps An apparatus for fastening a pair of handbag handling straps includes a longitudinal first grip member fixed to one handling strap and a longitudinal second grip member fixed to the other handling strap. The first grip member has a first face including a ... | 12/15/1992 |
| 5075936 | Clasp for bracelets and the like A clasp for bracelets and the like made up of two locking cylinders is described. The clasp is readily separated by compression, turning and then withdrawing one cylinder from the other.... | 12/31/1991 |
| 5020947 | Automatic locking system An automatic locking system for different sized containers on flat cars or trailers. The locks at the corner of the loading space are not retractable but have automatic locking mechanism that holds the container down. The locks in the center of the loadin... | 06/04/1991 |
| 4564984 | Positioning cone for containers A positioning cone for positioning containers stacked one upon another on a ship or the like engages the containers without the need of turning a separate external lever. This arrangement saves time required to clamp the containers to one another and ensu... | 01/21/1986 |
| 4433459 | High strength push type fastener The push fastener of this invention includes a plastic receptacle held by a metal member to a workpiece, the receptacle having four leaf springs for improved alignment and load carrying ability. Two inclined inner surfaces are provided on the receptacle, ... | 02/28/1984 |
| 4420860 | Quick disconnect pin assembly A quick disconnect pin assembly is provided with a bushing having an intel bore with an axially extending recess. The disconnect pin, insertable into the bore, has an annular groove in alignment with the recess when the pin is in an inserted position wit... | 12/20/1983 |
| 4069558 | Latch mechanism A latch mechanism for use in safety belt buckles, connectors and couplings, in which a female portion is provided with a slot having two opposed edges and inner and outer wall surfaces on opposite sides of the slot edges, and a male portion having a membe... | 01/24/1978 |
