Abstract: A method using a mixer for disbursing an additive in a tube of compound. The mixer includes a rigid cylinder and a plunger assembly. The cylinder is configured for receiving an opened tube of compound, to which additive has been introduced. The plunger assembly includes a shaft on which a cap is slidably and rotatably mounted. A mixer blade is mounted on a first end of the shaft and a second end of the shaft is provided with a handle. The cap is provided with a pair of cutouts designed for receiving a pair of studs mounted on the outside surface of the cylinder, such that the cap may be fitted on the cylinder and turned to engage the studs with the cutouts and connect the cap and the cylinder. The handle may be rotated and reciprocated to move the mixer blade through the contents of the tube for mixing.

Abstract: A valet parking envelope includes a front panel and a rear panel. The front panel of the valet parking envelope preferably includes an identification number, vehicle owner area, a date/time area, a vehicle make/model area, a color area, a license plate area, emergency contact area and a valet driver area. A vehicle tag and an owner coupon are removably attached to a bottom of the valet parking envelope. The rear panel of the valet parking envelope includes a right side image of a vehicle, a top image of a vehicle and a left side image a vehicle. The valet parking envelope further includes a flap and a metal clasp. A vehicle key is preferably retained relative to the valet parking envelope with a length of string. A storage box with a lid may be used to retain a plurality of valet parking envelopes.

Abstract: The parking detection system method described herein could guide people around urban environments detect guide and navigate them to empty parking spaces, add-on to the car-based navigation systems and or to the cellular phone. We have focused on the task of detecting and navigating even in situations in which Global Positioning Systems (GPS) cannot provide this information, such as when the person is indoors or in crowded urban areas where there is no line of site to the GPS satellites and without the need for central computer system or internet connections. The parking information will be received directly from RF sensors and will display as a floating overlay on the existing navigation system and or cellular phone as Bluetooth application.

Abstract: A retainer for maintaining a tubular sheath used to store a catheter guide wire in a coiled configuration includes a body having a bottom defining a plurality of substantially parallel channels. Each channel is designed to closely receive a coil of the tubular sheath. A loop is affixed to and extends adjacently above the body and defines an aperture therethrough for receiving and guiding the catheter guide wire after removal of the guide wire from the tubular sheath.

Abstract: An automatic water cooler replenishing system for a free standing water cooler, having an internal reservoir. The system includes a pump having an inlet port and an outlet port configured for collecting water from a supply bottle and dispensing water into the reservoir. The pump is selectively powered and automatically controlled. A relay is provided for automatically controlling the operation of the pump. The relay is configured to receive an electric signal and control the pump. A fill control assembly and a low water shut-off assembly are electrically connected to the relay. The fill control assembly is configured to detect at least one water level, in the reservoir and signal the relay to energize or de-energize the pump. The low water shut-off assembly is configured to detect a low water condition in the supply bottle and signal the relay to de-energize the pump.

Abstract: A pressure stabilizer for mediating changes in pressure within a pipeline is provided. The pressure stabilizer incorporates a plurality of perforations about a central pipeline and a circumferential enclosure about the perforations. This structure allows excess fluid to flow from the central pipeline into the space provided between the central pipeline and the circumferential enclosure. As the pressure increases within the overflow space, the medium applies a pressure to an elastomeric membrane, which in turn transfers the pressure to a plurality of dampening materials. The elastomeric membrane can be filled with a porous material providing a smoother transition within the pressure dampening process. The elastomeric membrane and respective dampening materials can be placed within the circumferential enclosure assembled about the central pipeline or utilized with a pressure-stabilizing chamber.

Abstract: An anchor incorporates a release mechanism that is releasably assembled to a shank. An anchor chain is affixed to a crown section of the anchor. The chain is slideably inserted through a tubular release mechanism body. A tension controlling mechanism is elastically coupled between the release mechanism and the anchor chain. A pair of release interface notches is formed within the proximal end of the release mechanism; the slots are placed on opposing sides of the release mechanism. A pair of release interface fasteners is disposed along a distal end of the shank. The release mechanism is held in a mooring configuration by engaging the release interface notches and the release interface fasteners. The release mechanism maintains the chain in a mooring configuration until the release mechanism is rotated perpendicular to the shank, wherein the release interface notches disengage from the release interface fasteners changing a tensile force from an anchor engaging direction to a releasing direction.

Abstract: A floatable workstation including an inflatable tube including a floor, partitions disposed internally within an air receiving cavity of the tube to form one or more inflatable chambers, each chamber including a valve for inflating the chambers. A plurality of handles are disposed on the corners of the inflatable tube or on a deck assembly. The deck assembly includes a plurality of deckboards assembled together to form a floorboard. The deckboards are either inserted within a recess above the floor of the tube or alternatively attached to the top of the tube. One or more deckboards may include a receptacle for removeably holding a bucket. A tether arrangement is attached to the floatable workstation for securely positioning the floatable workstation alongside a vessel allowing one or more persons to stand on the workstation to perform maintenance on the outer surfaces of a vessel. The tether arrangement includes tethers, a means for fastening the tethers to the handles, and suction mechanisms.

Abstract: An electrical connectivity disc (100, 130, 200) includes a plurality of serrated slots (106, 108) positioned about the disc. The disc preferably includes a plurality of barbs (136) about a peripheral edge (104) of the disc (130). A center aperture (110) can be formed in a center of the disc (130). A portion of the serrated slots (108) can be located in communication with the center aperture (110). The discs (130) are inserted into a generally an electrically conductive, cylindrical tubular structure (160). A cable (190) is inserted into a receiving aperture (168) and crimped providing an electro-mechanical interface with the tubular structure (160). The cable (190) provides an electrical connection to an air conditioning power input terminal block.

Abstract: Connectors capable of connecting socket and/or ratchet elements in a wrench assembly in such a manner that a nut- or bolt-engaging member at one end of the assembly is disposed at a selected position or orientation with respect to a handle at the opposite end of the assembly. The connectors include a variety of connectors characterized by male and female connector elements disposed in generally perpendicular relationship to each other. The connectors further include parallel offset connectors in which male and female connector elements are disposed in offset, parallel relationship to each other. The male and female connector elements are capable of removably engaging companion female and male connector elements, respectively, of various socket and/or ratchet elements to assemble the wrench assembly and facilitate positioning of a wrench handle at one end of the wrench assembly at a selected orientation with respect to a nut- or bolt-engaging element at the opposite end of the assembly.

Abstract: A fingertip manipulation device is provided which gives the user the ability to manipulate items such as small controls on consumer electronic products while wearing gloves. The fingertip manipulation device includes a mounting disk that is placed inside a glove preferably at the fingertip, a projecting member extending substantially perpendicularly from the mounting disk and configured to extend through the glove material, and a tip that is attached on the exterior of the glove to the distal end of the perpendicular projecting member. A method of conveniently inserting the device into a glove fingertip, as well as an insertion device, is provided. While wearing gloves to protect the hands, the tip of the fingertip manipulation device is easily used to engage or manipulate switches, buttons, or items.

Abstract: A floatable workstation including an inflatable tube including optional partitions disposed internally within an air receiving cavity of the tube to form one or more inflatable chambers, each chamber including a valve for inflating the chambers. A plurality of corner fasteners is disposed on the corners of the inflatable tube or on a deck assembly. The deck assembly includes a plurality of deckboards assembled together to form a floorboard. The deckboards are assembled via an interlocking assembly feature. The deckboards are secured via a series of straps and D-rings. At least one deckboard may include a receptacle for holding tools or a bucket. A tether arrangement is attached to the floatable workstation for securely positioning the floatable workstation alongside a vessel allowing one or more persons to stand on the workstation to perform maintenance on the outer surfaces of a vessel. The tether arrangement includes tethers, a means for fastening the tethers to the handles, and suction mechanisms.

Abstract: A propulsion system for use in a liquid or gas fluid is provided including an axially-extending funnel-shaped conduit, a flow generator, a power source, and, optionally, an airfoil-shaped wing. The funnel-shaped conduit has outer walls forming an inner fluid passageway, an upper edge defining a fluid inlet, and a lower edge defining a fluid outlet. The optional airfoil-shaped wing is connected to and circumferentially surrounds the funnel-shaped conduit upper edge. The flow generator is rotatably mounted about the axis of the funnel-shaped conduit and is configured to force the fluid from the fluid inlet rearward through the fluid outlet. A forward force is produced by the combination of both thrust from the flow generator plus the lift force created as the flow generator draws the fluid across the annular airfoil-shaped wing and inwardly through the fluid inlet forcing the fluid rearward to exit out of the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A method for simulating the entire superset of potential valid keyword regular expression requests constructed during an Internet browser search and converting the result sets into Environmental Bitmap data to enable efficient and accurate searching without requiring Browser Engine supercomputer cluster searching capabilities.