Abstract: A book binding machine has a page-forming mode and a spiral-binding mode, where a curved inexpensive piece of binding spiral coil or a convex member form a collection of pages being bound into a concavity on the spine of the pages to be bound with a proper pitch angle to accept insertion of a plastic spiral binding coil. An optional pivoting page-forming carriage and an optional pivoting cutter/crimper are respectively movable between engaged and disengaged positions. The book forming bar is optionally moved out of the way in an intermediate position while the spiral is spun into the perforations. Then the brackets place the cutter bar in position. Pulsed air is preferably used to operate the vibrator and the exhaust pulsed air is fed to a page aerating manifold to keep pages from clinging to each other prior to the sheets being clamped before insertion of the plastic spiral coil.

Abstract: A mission adaptable multi-purpose, collapsible portable cart/utility table, for use in emergency response and disaster situations, camping, hunting and other outdoors activities, which carries medical rescue carts, canoes, small boats, game, or hauled cargo by hand. It transports injured persons or cargo over long, rough terrain and it can broken down into a carrying position, by hand or by back. The cart has optional removable clamps for clamping a conventional transportable carrier, such as a stretcher or stokes-type rescue carrier bed, thereto. The objects being carried can be held by clamps, by fasteners, or through the use of insertions with longitudinally extending channels. It is collapsible, so that it can be disassembled and carried, and then reassembled at another destination along a wilderness journey.

Abstract: A self-storing basketball goal system includes a foundation box enclosing a portable basketball goal including a backboard and hoop rim. The backboard attaches to the distal end section of a post assembly, which is preferably foldable and telescopic. The foundation box may be dug in the ground so that the post and goal assembly is installed upon a top cover of the foundation box which is flush with the ground, or the foundation box may be a remote storage container away from the playing surface. In that case, the post assembly and supporting struts are attached to keyways installed within the playing surface, such as a driveway, patio or other playing surface. The post assembly may then fold into the foundation box with the backboard and removable hoop rim.

Abstract: An electronic ballast system controls one or more ballasts of HID or fluorescent lamps, which are controlled in an “on/off” manner by a ultra low power controller that is isolated for a primary power circuit or derives its very low switch power from the ballast itself. The on/off control provides a near lossless control system. This system may be applied to electronic ballast for operates at fractional power levels corresponding to different lighting intensities and with conventional occupancy sensors. The system may also be applied to other electronically compatible end-use devices and applications.

Abstract: A mission adaptable multi-purpose, collapsible portable cart/utility table, for use in emergency response and disaster situations, camping, hunting and other outdoors activities, which carries medical rescue carts, canoes, small boats, game, or hauled cargo by hand. It transports one or more cargo bins over long, rough terrain and each bin can include one or more cabinet drawers therein, wherein upon tilting of a cargo bin from a horizontal transport position to a substantially vertical position the cargo bin serves as a supply cabinet. Each bin is openable to expose the supply drawers for use.

Abstract: The installation and removal of a portable but sturdy pool barrier fence uses the hardware installed for attaching a safety pool cover during the pool use season. Multiple rectangular panel frames support a mesh fabric. Each panel has a lower horizontal frame member with a series of slots accommodating the same fastener used to attach the pool cover coupling during the off-season. Sections of fencing panels are attached together using bi-fold hinges, which permit 360 degree rotation of one panel relative to an adjacent one. This allows storage of the barrier fence as a dense rectangular three dimensional unit by folding the panels upon each other accordion-like. Sections of fencing panels are joined together to form respective fence units to form the fence around the pool.

Abstract: A device for protecting weep channels of masonry blocks of a single wythe wall, each block forming at least one inner hollow cell. A plurality of upwardly extending water-permeable bodies is provided for the hollow cells, each of the bodies having a plurality of passages such as to permit water to pass through the passages to prevent passing of mortar and other debris through the passages and to protect the drainage weep hole channels. Preferably each of the bodies has a transverse dimension which decreases upwardly from a lower transverse cross section to cover a draining channel and to direct falling mortar and other debris in the inner hollow cells of each masonry block of the single wythe wall, onto a surface of each of the upwardly extending water-permeable bodies.

Abstract: A starch-reducing rice cooker includes a pot containing a lower compartment and an upper boiling chamber having a top opening. A partition separates the lower compartment from the upper boiling chamber. A perforated basket is located within the upper boiling chamber for containing rice to be cooked, and is adapted to contain more than sufficient water to immerse the rice for cooking. A cover is provided. In one embodiment, the cover is also provided with a top opening having a sprayer, spraying cool rinsing water onto the rice within the basket, after cooking of the rice is complete. A discharge valve within the partition communicates between the upper boiling water chamber and the lower compartment. A detector is programmed to detect when boiling of water in the upper boiling temperature starts and to maintain boiling for a time required to properly cook the rice based upon the boiling temperature of the water.

Abstract: A multi-use electrical box has first and second side walls, lower and upper walls, which, together, form a front opening into the electrical box, and a rear wall. The first side wall includes a plurality of removable alignment tabs extending therefrom. The lower and upper walls each have external grooves which accommodate external attachment nails for the electrical box. One or more exit holes are provided in the first side wall for fastener screws. A slidable wall is removably mounted in the electrical box to receive one or more fastener screws at desired locations within the box.

Abstract: A combination linear spring clip and capturing guide retains a reflector to a ceiling lighting fixture, which has a mounting frame secured in a ceiling, wherein the mounting frame includes an opening to accommodate the reflector. One or more capturing guides are mounted on an upper surface of the mounting frame surrounding the opening. Each capturing guide extends radially from a center of the opening. Respective springs are linearly slidable within the respective capturing guides, with a portion of each spring extending out of each capturing guide. Each linear spring clip engages an outer surface of the light fixture reflector to secure it in place, allowing the mounting of reflectors of varying size.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is mounted external to a section of flue pipe or is an integral part of a section of flue pipe. The heat exchanger preheats a domestic hot water supply and boosts the return water temperature prior to reentry to the furnace coil. The heat exchanger reduces fuel use, pollution and wear of the furnace and burner. A typical heat exchanger installation includes an oil or gas burner located on a furnace or boiler having a flue pipe leading to a gaseous outlet, such as a masonry chimney. A short vertical flue section leads to a draft-regulating damper. The flue heat exchanger may be a coil of tubing wrapped around flue section, such that the tubing picks up heat from the heated flue gasses. Preheated water exits from the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A cable connector is used with either a thin walled internally mounted electrical work box or a thicker-walled externally mounted electrical work box having threaded holes. The cable connector has a central plate between oppositely extending noses, including at least one of a snap-fit, rounded protruding nose and a nose having external threads which are engageable with threads in the access holes of external boxes, or a pair of opposite threaded front and rear sections. Optionally one or more annular grooves are adjacent to the central ridge. The cable connector is squeezed slightly to start the thread engagement from the outside of an external type electrical work box. It is then turned to engage and tighten in place.

Abstract: An air-cooled battery enclosure includes a battery tray frame having a floor section including a plurality of outer slats joined to a lower floor frame. A plurality of corner posts extend upward from the lower floor frame. An array of a plurality of criss-crossed inner slats are joined to the outer slats. Outer side walls join the posts, the outer slats and a set of inner slats in a criss-crossed array of cubbyhole compartments. Each cubby hole compartment contains a battery. A plurality of air spaces are located between respective adjacent walls of the enclosure frame for circulation of cooling gas, such as air. In an alternate embodiment stackable battery trays have outer walls with corrugations to space batteries within the tray from outer walls and an open mesh floor. Criss-crossed internal spring baffles with shallow bends within the trays form spaces for the circulation of cooling gas.

Abstract: A notebook/laptop computer or other personal electronic device locking assembly includes a locking base secured to a working surface. The locking base locks the notebook computer or other personal electronic device securely in place to a work surface such as a desk top or table top. The lock is adapted to engage the notebook computer or other personal electronic device screen in the open position, leaving a front surface of the screen viewable. The lock includes a locking member which prevents removal of the notebook computer or other personal electronic device from the work surface.

Abstract: A notebook/laptop computer locking assembly includes a locking base secured to a working surface. The locking base has a first rear wall to receive a keyboard portion of the notebook computer, with a screen portion of the notebook computer in the open position resting against the rear wall. A locking bar is adapted to pivot over the notebook computer screen in the open position, extending across a front surface of the screen portion. This locking bar has a rearwardly extending locking plug insertable within a locking receptacle of a lock. The locking bar is deployed on the notebook computer, thereby preventing removal of the notebook computer from the locking base. Additionally, locking holes are aligned with each other to receive a padlock to lock the locking bar to the locking base.

Abstract: A composition is provided to treat and/or prevent for treating skin conditions including fine lines and wrinkles, acne rosacea, surface irregularities of the skin and hyper-pigmentation melasma of the skin, which includes use of a topically applied composition such as an ointment, lotion, cream, serum, gel or pad applied formulation, containing an effective amount of polyphenols, such as green tea based polyphenols, including but not limited to catechins, such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicathechin 3-gallate (ECG) and epicatechin (EC). The formulation is preferably composed of 90 percent polyphenol isolates, derived from green tea with potent antioxidant properties, to assist in minimizing free-radical induced skin damage.