Abstract: An archery bow shot cover device is attachable to an archery bow for use during hunting an animal. The archery bow shot cover device includes a housing, a sensor, a memory chip and a speaker. During use, a sensor detects the release of an arrow from the archery bow, which triggers a memory chip to send a signal carrying an animal sound to the speaker. The animal sound is emanated from the speaker and covers up or camouflages the noise produced by the release of the arrow from the bow. The sensor may be an accelerometer or other vibration type of switch, a motion detector, a bar code type of reader, or other type of sensor for detecting the release of the arrow from the archery bow. The device includes a USB port or jack for installing additional natural animal sounds or other types of sounds onto the device.

Abstract: A stand for supporting an object includes at least one support attachable to the object and a sliding member slidably secured to the support. The stand also includes a plurality of legs pivotally coupled to the sliding member for allowing the plurality of legs to move with the sliding member when the sliding member slides along the support. A retainer is coupled to the plurality of legs for stabilizing and supporting the plurality of legs. A release mechanism is attached to the sliding member for controlling movement of the sliding member to pivot the plurality of legs into an outward expanded position during use of the stand and to pivot the plurality of legs into an inward collapsed positioned during non-use of the stand.

Abstract: A fastener for mounting elongated material, such as cables and wires, to a supporting structure includes a major body portion having an aperture for receiving elongated materials of various dimensions, and at least one anchor bore through which an anchor is inserted for securing the fastener to the supporting structure. The fastener also includes a prong that is engagable with the anchor for preventing the major body portion from slipping off the anchor. The fastener may include a flexible base member for receiving the elongated material, or the fastener may includes a wire tie slot through which a wire tie can be passed for holding multiple pieces of material in position. The method of installing the fastener includes securing the anchor to the supporting structure, and then sliding the major body portion, with the elongated material positioned within the aperture, onto the anchor.

Abstract: A holder for storing a plurality of fasteners includes a support member having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a plurality of web members positioned therebetween for holding the first and second walls in spaced apart relationship. The support member has a plurality of holes, each having a central aperture and a plurality of wavy slots extending radially outwardly therefrom for forming starburst shaped holes. The wavy slots have support member segments positioned therebetween which are flexible during installation and removal of the plurality of fasteners from the starburst shaped holes. The holder further includes an elongated bracket, a wire tie, or the like for holding differently shaped fasteners to the holder.

Abstract: An audio transmitter and remote control unit receiver and storage apparatus for transmitting audio signals from electronic equipment, such as a television set, to individuals remotely located therefrom includes an audio transmitter for disposition adjacent to the electronic equipment and an audio receiver and remote control unit storage case positioned remotely form the electronic equipment. The audio transmitter having electronic circuitry for receiving audio transmissions from the electronic equipment and an audio antenna or IR sender for transmitting audio signals to remote locations. The audio receiver and remote control unit storage case having a floor and a pair of opposed sidewalls forming a receptacle for holding therein a remote control unit, a receiver antenna or IR detector for detecting audio signals conveyed from the audio transmitter, and an audio output speaker for broadcasting audio conveyed from the electronic equipment to the adjacently positioned individual.

Abstract: A tire bead breaking tool for removing a tire from a tire wheel rim includes an elongated support, which is positionable across the diameter of the tire. First and second clamps are coupled to the elongated support for securing the tire bead breaking tool to the wheel rim. The elongated support is attached to a first and second bracket. A lever arm is removably coupled to the first bracket and provides force against a bead breaker foot, which contacts the tire. The bead breaker foot is positioned at a 10 degree angle and extends between the first and second clamps for facilitating breaking of the bead of the tire. The second clamp is threadedly attached to the tire bead breaking tool for adjustment of the second clamp with respect to the first clamp for using the bead breaking tool for various sized tires.

Abstract: A toilet paper storage container for storing bathroom and lavatory items such as toilet paper rolls and plungers includes a base for disposition on a floor surface with the base having an annular channel formed thereon. Mounted on the base is a cylinder having a lower end for positioning within the annular channel and an opposite upper open end through which toilet paper rolls can be placed for successively stacking the rolls within the cylinder. The cylinder can also accommodate standard plungers, having a suction end of the plunger positioned on the base and the rolls of toilet paper positioned about the handle of the plunger. The toilet paper storage container can be placed within a pliable cover that encloses the storage container therein.

Abstract: A rafter tool and method includes a rafter square portion, a base portion, an extension member, an L-bar and a support bracket. The extension member, such as a string, may be wrapped within the base portion during storage of the rafter tool and can be extended between two points for laying out a rafter board. The square portion may be integrally attached to the base portion and is used for providing angular and distance measurements. The L-bar and support bracket can also be stored within the base portion and are used when laying out rafters. The method includes using a floor surface, a stud wall, or a building to lay out the rafter boards.

Abstract: An oboe reed gouging device includes a base, a pair of pedestals, a rod supported between the pedestals, and a bed pivotally attached to the base for holding a cane to be gouged into an oboe reed. The oboe reed gouging device further includes a first and second carriage portion which houses a blade. The two part construction of the carriage enables adjustment of the blade with respect to the bed without movement of the bed. The blade is held by a pair of cylinders for providing greater surface contact on the blade to prevent pivotal movement of the blade. The blade can be advanced and retracted by a pushing screw having a collar and a groove engagable with a pair of pins. Each of the adjustments, including an adjustment of the bed with respect to the rod, can be made with a single adjustment, making re-adjustment easy.

Abstract: A microphone stand or stand for supporting an object includes a first and a second support telescopically secured together. The second support is attached to a base and the first support is securable to a microphone or other object. A release mechanism for securing together or permitting telescopic movement of the first and second supports includes a spring positioned between two pins. The pins are positioned at an angular disposition with respect to the first and second supports for retaining the first support in a desired position. Compression of the pins toward one another allows slidable movement of the first support within the second support for adjusting the position of the object. A release of the pins allows the spring to push the pins back apart and into the angular position for holding the object at the desired height.

Abstract: A retractable seat cover for providing temporary protection to a seat, such as an automotive seat or piece of furniture, includes a housing, a roll of fabric, a retraction mechanism, and a strap. The housing may have a slit for enabling the fabric to be extended from or retracted into the housing through the slit, or may have a support arm and end brackets for supporting the fabric therebetween. The fabric, which may be waterproof, moisture repellent, have anti-bacterial properties, have anti-slip properties, or combinations thereof for providing additional protection to the seat, is used to cover the upholstery of the seat. The retraction mechanism includes a spring roller mechanism for controlling rotation of the roll of fabric. The strap is coupled to a top portion of the fabric and is used to secure the seat cover to the seat.

Abstract: A retractable seat cover for providing temporary protection to a seat, such as an automotive seat or piece of furniture, includes a housing, a roll of fabric, a retraction mechanism, and a strap. The housing has a slit for enabling the fabric to be extended from the housing through the slit or be retracted into the housing through the slit. The fabric, which may be waterproof, moisture repellent and/or have anti-bacterial properties for providing additional protection to the seat, is used to cover the upholstery of the seat. The retraction mechanism includes a spring roller mechanism and a button for controlling rotation of the roll of fabric. The strap is attached to a top portion of the fabric and is used to secure the seat cover to the seat, such as a headrest of an automobile or the top of a piece of furniture.

Abstract: A magnetic frame for displaying an object, such as a photograph or other item, on a magnetically attractive surface, such as a refrigerator, cabinet, or the like, includes an envelope for enclosing the object therein. The magnetic frame further includes a flat magnetic sheet having at least one magnetized surface for magnetic attraction through the envelope to the magnetically attractive surface. The magnetic sheet is positioned within the envelope adjacent to the object for attaching the magnetic frame to the magnetically attractive surface for displaying the object through a transparent portion of the envelope.

Abstract: A skimmer pool closure assembly for closing off a swimming pool from a pool skimmer that is mounted to the pool adjacent a side wall opening includes a face plate attachable to either the pool skimmer or the side wall and having a configuration generally coextensive with the side wall opening. The face plate has a centrally located opening for registration with the side wall opening and pool skimmer. The skimmer pool closure assembly includes a hatch cover removably and threadedly securable to the face plate and is sized to snugly fit within or about the face plate opening for preventing water from entering the skimmer. The hatch cover includes a tool receiving slot for enabling a person to install and remove the hatch cover from the face plate. Alternatively, a safety insert may be threadedly secured to the face plate for selectively allowing items and water into the skimmer.

Abstract: A process for minimizing the software component and maximizing the hardware component of an infrared code includes separating the software component from the hardware component. The software component may be stored in memory, on a disk, accessed through a remote server, stored on the hard drive of a microprocessor, or the like. The hardware component may be implemented as a simple peripheral device, an outboard integrated circuit or imbedded within a processor or on a PC motherboard. The variable IR data, such as the bit modulation technique, the function data, and the protocol data, are stored in the software component. The software component configures and controls each IR transmission. The hardware component, which transmits the IR light for sending the infrared code, includes a pair of carrier cycle registers, a pair of bit modulation registers, and buffers to enable synchronous loading of frequency, duty cycle, cycle data, and wait time sent from the software component.

Abstract: A ladder stabilizing device is provided for removable securement to the upper ends of the spaced-apart stiles of a ladder in order to position the ladder a predetermined distance from the vertical wall surface of a building structure and which allows the ladder to be leaned against an inside and outside corner of the structure includes a pair of ladder stabilizing support members, and each support member includes an elongated main body portion for spacing the ladder from the vertical wall surface, a socket receiving portion into which the upper end of one stile is inserted, and a wall contacting portion opposite the socket receiving portion and which diverges from the longitudinal axis of the main body portion for engaging the particular wall surface.

Abstract: A reflective safety, signal, and warning patch is disclosed that is attachable to clothing articles worn by an individual or to an object includes a plurality of reflective panels that can have a variety of geometric configurations that are arranged in either rows or columns on one surface of the patch, and each row and column of panels is mounted to the patch by a wire that extends through each panel of that respective row and column. Each panel incorporates a reflective, prismatic, or fluorescent material, and is capable of slidable movement on the wires to diffuse reflected light thus producing a broken-up pattern of light dissemination for enhancing the visibility of the light and the individual wearing the patch or patches, especially during the dusk, twilight, and nighttime hours.

Abstract: A rafter tool and method for laying out rafters includes a first support bracket attached to a speed square with graduated markings, a second support bracket, and a string extendable therebetween. A guide member may be integrally formed with the first support bracket or may be a separate piece. The first support bracket has graduated markings and a notched arm. The first support bracket is positioned on a lower portion of the building, the second support bracket is positioned on an upper portion of the building and the string is extended therebetween. The extended string is secured to the notched arm, the angle that the string aligns with on the speed square is noted, and the rafter tool is moved from the building to a rafter board The guide member is used to pivot the first support bracket to align the string with the noted angle to lay out the rafter board.