A decorative device for use with a medical instrument having a tubing structure, the decorative device including at least one connector configured to removably couple to the tubing structure on the medical instrument, the connector having a face plate engaging structure configured to attachably engage at least tone decorative face plate member.

A connector includes a cable tray configured to receive and retain a cable in a stable position and couple with a top cap configured to create an electrical connection with the cable as the top cap is manipulated in a predetermined manner while coupled with the cable tray. An upper surface of the cable tray is configured to receive the cable (e.g., while the cable is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cable tray). The cable tray also includes a finger extending beyond the first end for some distance longitudinally. The finger includes a protrusion that protrudes to some extent in a transverse direction so that a cable-accommodating gap is defined between the protrusion and the first end. The protrusion is configured to bear against the cable and retain the cable in the stable position when the cable is inserted between the protrusion and the first end (before, during and/or after an electrical connection is established).

A connector includes a cable tray configured to receive and retain a cable in a stable position and couple with a top cap configured to create an electrical connection with the cable as the top cap is manipulated in a predetermined manner while coupled with the cable tray. An upper surface of the cable tray is configured to receive the cable. The cable tray also includes a finger extending beyond the first end for some distance longitudinally. The finger includes a protrusion that protrudes to some extent in a transverse direction so that a cable-accommodating gap is defined between the protrusion and the first end. The protrusion is configured to bear against the cable and retain the cable in the stable position when the cable is inserted between the protrusion and the first end (before, during and/or after an electrical connection is established).

A device for connecting up two string ends, having a base element and at least one locking element which are hinged and can be click-fitted together. The base element has at least one opening for introducing the string ends and passing them through, and an insertion groove for each string end. Each insertion groove has a way, for example barb elements, for preventing the string end from sliding in said insertion groove. The locking element has a pressure part which is configured to cooperate with the respective insertion groove in such a manner that the string end is pressed into said insertion groove and remains pressed into said insertion groove after the base element and locking element have been click-fitted together.

A rope control device a main body defining a central opening and first and second side portions, projections extending from the main body, an end recess defined by the first and second projections, an end friction surface formed at a juncture of a projection and the main body, and a bar. With the bar in a first position, the first rope portion is extended through the central opening and at least partly around the bar. With the bar in a second position, the main body and the bar define first and second opening portions of the central opening and the first rope portion is extended through the first and second opening portions and at least partly around the bar. The second rope portion is arranged within the first end recess such that, when the rope is under tension, the second rope portion frictionally engages the first end friction surface.

A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached.

A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached.

Embodiments may have one or more projections which engage one or more recesses to position the sections of the retainer relative to each other. An applicator assembly may be used to apply energy to the retainer. Energy applied to the retainer may affect bonding of end portions of the projections to bottom portions of recesses in the retainer. The end portions of the projections may function as energy directors which concentrate energy. The applicator assembly may grip the retainer with a predetermined force. While the applicator assembly is gripping the retainer, the applicator assembly may apply energy to the retainer to effect bonding of sections of the retainer together.

A cable retention and release mechanism includes a cable gripping device including a cable passage. A cable extends through the cable passage. A cable gripping device collar is movably coupled around the cable gripping device. An outer cable gripping device surface is seated against a cable gripping device receiving inner surface preventing movement of the cable gripping device relative to the cable gripping device collar. The cable gripping device receiving inner surface clamps the cable gripping device on the cable and prevents sliding movement of the cable. A jack is movably coupled with the cable gripping device collar. In a first engaged position the jack is engaged against the cable gripping device proximal end. In a second engaged position the jack unseats the outer cable gripping device surface from the cable gripping device receiving inner surface and releases the clamping of the cable.

A rope control device a main body defining a central opening and first and second side portions, projections extending from the main body, an end recess defined by the first and second projections, an end friction surface formed at a juncture of a projection and the main body, and a bar. With the bar in a first position, the first rope portion is extended through the central opening and at least partly around the bar. With the bar in a second position, the main body and the bar define first and second opening portions of the central opening and the first rope portion is extended through the first and second opening portions and at least partly around the bar. The second rope portion is arranged within the first end recess such that, when the rope is under tension, the second rope portion frictionally engages the first end friction surface.