Abstract: A salad mixing apparatus includes a first bowl having an inner surface, an interior area, and a plurality of mixing ribs in the first bowl interior area and at least one partition configured for removable attachment to the mixing ribs to form a plurality of compartments. The apparatus includes a lid extending across the partitions whereby the inner surface, the at least one partition, and the lid selectively enclose the plurality of compartments. A second bowl having an interior area is configured for selective attachment to the first bowl whereby the first bowl interior area and the second bowl interior area collectively form a unitary interior area when the at least one partition is separated from the mixing ribs and the second bowl is attached to the first bowl.

Abstract: A security system includes at least first and second monitoring units, each having a motion sensor for detecting motion, a camera for obtaining visual data, a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor in data communication with the motion sensor, camera, transmitter, and receiver. The security system includes means for outputting visual data from the first unit camera when the first unit motion sensor detects motion more recently than the second unit motion sensor detects motion. The security system includes programming for outputting the visual data from the second unit camera when the second unit motion sensor detects motion more recently than the first unit motion sensor detects motion. The system includes a telephone interface for transmitting visual data captured by a respective camera. A unit's camera is only activated when its associated motion detector detects motion and is deactivated when another unit's motion detector detects motion more recently.

Abstract: A solar energy collection system and components includes a vacuum and an air compressor. The system includes a plurality of flexible units each having a backing portion and a solar cell portion upwardly adjacent and coupled to the backing portion. Each backing portion includes adhesive and at least one channel in the adhesive. Each channel is configured for communication with the vacuum to withdraw air from the channel when the adhesive is initially coupled to a structure and for communication with an air compressor to provide air to the channel to separate the adhesive from the structure. Each solar cell portion has an electricity generating element. The structure for coupling units transfers electricity between units. Each unit has an electricity outlet for passing electricity generated by at least one generating element for storage or use.

Abstract: A pet restraint system includes a collar having first and second ends and a fastener to selectively secure the first and second collar ends about a pet. A radio transmitter is coupled to the collar that emits a signal at a predetermined frequency. The system includes a handheld unit separated from the collar that includes a radio receiver configured to receive a radio signal, a GPS receiver for receiving signals from global positioning satellites, a signal indicator, and a CPU in data communication with the radio receiver, GPS receiver, and signal indicator. The CPU includes programming for evaluating a relative strength of signals received by the radio receiver and for outputting the relative strength to the signal indicator indicative of a position of the signal transmitter relative to the handheld unit. The CPU also includes programming for evaluating GPS signals and determining a global position of the handheld unit.

Abstract: A gripper includes a housing defining an interior area and having a work surface, the work surface defining an opening to the interior area. The gripper includes a pair of outer stationary plates in the interior area that are fixed to the housing, each having a plurality of linear first hooks extending away from the work surface. The first hooks are angled parallel to one another and toward a housing first end. An inner plate is positioned in the interior area between the outer plates and includes linear second hooks extending away from the work surface. The second hooks are angled parallel to one another and opposite the first hooks. The inner plate is movable between a grip configuration and a release configuration. An actuator causes the inner plate to selectively move toward a housing second end to the grip configuration and toward the first end to the release configuration.

Abstract: An arm extension apparatus includes a base having an elongate configuration. The apparatus includes a paddle coupled to the base and having proximal and distal portions, the paddle being slidably movable relative to the base between a retracted configuration in which the proximal portion is substantially received adjacent the base and an extended configuration in which the proximal portion is substantially extended from the base. An attachment member is coupled to the base and having a configuration complementary to the person's arm, the attachment member having a strap extending therefrom for removably securing the attachment member to the person's arm.

Abstract: A laundry transport apparatus and method includes a container defining an interior area configured to accommodate a plurality of laundry carts, the container having a door movable between closed and open configurations to selectively allow access to said interior area. The container is a trailer configured to be moved by a vehicle. The apparatus includes a ventilation network to pass air to and from the interior area, the ventilation network including an intake duct for channeling air to the interior area and an outlet duct for channeling air from the interior area. At least a portion of the intake and outlet ducts are immediately adjacent one another to influence temperature of air passing through each duct, warmer air passing through one of the intake duct or the outlet duct becoming cooler and cooler air passing through another of the intake duct or the outlet duct becoming warmer.

Abstract: A device for preparing to mount a wall fixture includes a main base having opposed first and second ends and a first auxiliary base having a substantially similar configuration. The first auxiliary base is coupled to the main base and movable between a closed configuration in which the first auxiliary base is positioned substantially atop the main base and an open configuration in which the first auxiliary base is linearly adjacent the main base. The main base and first auxiliary base each define a slot extending longitudinally between respective first and second ends. Each base includes a marking member situated in a respective base slot and slidably movable therealong. Each base includes a respective locking assembly for securing a respective marking member at a desired position along a respective slot. Each marking member includes a pointed distal end for making a starter hole when depressed against a wall surface.

Abstract: An article of accentuated headwear includes an attire portion configured for attachment to a wearer's head. An electronic visual display and an audio output device are operatively coupled to the attire portion. The headwear includes an electronic memory. A processor is in data communication with the electronic visual display, the audio output device, and the electronic memory. The processor includes programming to actuate the electronic visual display and the audio output device. The headwear includes a user interface for controlling the processor. The headwear includes a power source for powering the processor, the electronic visual display, the audio output device, and the electronic memory.

Abstract: A storm light includes a housing having walls, a light positioned on the housing, and a battery electrically connected to the light. A control unit situated in the housing is electrically connected to the light and battery, the control unit having programming corresponding to ON, OFF, and AUTOMATIC modes. A mode selection switch is positioned on the housing and electrically connected to the control unit, the mode switch being movable between positions corresponding to respective modes. An electrical plug is mounted to the housing and electrically connected to the control unit. The control unit includes programming initiated when the mode switch is at the ON position that causes the light to be energized by AC power if the plug is connected to AC power and the AC power is available and that causes the light to be energized by the battery if AC power is unavailable.

Abstract: A shoe system includes a shoe having a sole with forward and rearward portions, the forward portion having opposed sides and including a plurality of spike elements and the rearward portion being void of spike elements. The shoe system includes a cover configured to span between the opposed sides of the forward portion lowerly adjacent the spike elements; the cover having opposed sides and including a lower layer, an intermediate layer, and an upper layer. The lower, intermediate, and upper layers are removably coupled to the shoe. The lower layer is constructed of flooring-friendly material, the intermediate layer is constructed of a yielding material, and the upper member is constructed of a porous material. The spike elements interact with the upper layer and at least a portion of the intermediate layer when the cover is lowerly adjacent the spike elements.