A tapered, collarless femoral hip joint prosthesis formed of a surface hardened titanium alloy having a highly polished surface is provided.

A plant stem protector includes a tubular sleeve having a slit arranged parallel relative to an axis of the tubular sleeve, with the tubular sleeve further including first and second radial flanges projecting exteriorly of the sleeve fixedly mounted thereto to permit compress of flanges towards one another to effect opening of the sleeve to permit a plant stem to be directed through the slit. A modification of the invention includes the sleeve having feed tubes mounted parallel relative to the a...

A modular prosthesis system which includes a modular stem extension which has an offset between its attachment point to the prosthesis base portion and the main body of the stem. The stem extension can be attached in a selected orientation with respect to the base portion, thus enabling the main body of the stem to be positioned in any of one of a plurality of orientations with respect to the base portion.

A valve stem seal assembly for installation about a valve stem surrounded by a valve guide includes a sleeve-like elastomer body having the following four components: (1) an annular, outer, oil-sealing lip for sealingly surrounding the valve stem in the installed state of the seal assembly; (2) an annular, inner, gas-sealing lip for sealingly surrounding the valve stem in the installed state of the seal assembly; (3) a diaphragm situated axially between the oil-sealing lip and the gas-sealing li...

A stopper drain guide stem is provided for centering and positioning a stopper in a drain guide hole. The unitary guide stem has a spindle portion extending axially downwardly therefrom for attachment to a drain stopper. The downwardly extending flexible stem portion of the guide element has a radiused nose portion for supporting the drain stopper in its raised, draining position, and for centering the stem and guiding it into a central aperture of the drain body assembly. The intermediate lengt...

Cutting apparatus comprises a pair of elongated limbs extending in the same general direction and operatively connected to each other by connecting means which guide the limbs for movement towards and away from each other and simultaneously in a generally longitudinal direction relative to each other, one limb adapted to carry a cutting blade having a cutting edge directed towards a support surface provided on the other limb, the support surface and blade being adapted to cooperate upon relative...

A femoral stem prosthesis designed for secure fixation to the walls of the intramedullary canal of the femur. The prosthesis has an elongated stem portion, with a ball-shaped head, which carries one or more elongated resilient spring strips which are acted upon by an adjustable screw actuator to cause the spring strips to bow outwardly into engagement with the canal walls.

The seal for a valve stem wherein a sleeve-like seal has alternating grooves and lands surrounding the valve stem. The lands have frustoconical surfaces, the opposed surfaces on each land having different angular relationships to the axis of the valve stem to promote the flow of lubricating oil in the desired direction.

An apparatus to confirm an orientation of the stem of ship by making use of a satellite included in the Global Positioning System. Radio wave signals from the satellite are received by a directional or omnidirectional antenna and the phase difference between a rotating period of said antenna and either the period of distance fluctuation, Doppler fluctuation, phase fluctuation or amplitude fluctuation is detected to obtain an orientation of the satellite which is used to obtain an accurate orient...

The invention disclosed herein concerns a drill stem intended for sinking shafts in the ground, especially for the oil and natural gas industry. It has on its outer periphery a surface of revolution providing a succession of hollow profiles with a rounded shape relative to the axis of the stem, said surfaces for revolution being adapted to rest against the internal faces of complementary shape of self-gripping slips which ensure holding of the drill string.