Abstract: A powered lift assist toilet seat assembly is disclosed for assisting physically impaired persons in being raised from and lowered to a position above a conventional toilet to perform normal toilet functions. The seat assembly includes a movable platform having a central opening, a toilet seat secured over the opening, and a pair of handrails secured to the platform on both sides of the toilet seat. An arrangement of link members are pivotally connected between the movable platform and a lower frame for controlling a movement of the platform upon actuation of a drive member. The arrangement of link members is such that the movable platform is pivoted and moved forwardly when the platform is raised by actuation of the drive member. The arrangement of link members includes first and second link assemblies positioned on respective sides of the platform which are interconnected by a pair of transverse shafts to increase a load capacity and stabilize the platform during operation.

Abstract: A push-pull door lock is disclosed. The push-pull door lock comprises a lock case installed within an installation hole of a door. A slider is slidably mounted within the lock case. A latch bolt is connected to the slider through an elastic member. A push member is slidably mounted to a first side of the lock case and operably connected to the slider by a first intermediation assembly so as to slide the slider. A pull member is slidably mounted to a second side of the lock case and operably connected to the slider by a second intermediation assembly so as to slide the slider. The first intermediation assembly comprises a push plate, a first slide projection and a push rod. The second intermediation assembly comprises a pull plate, a second slide projection and a pull rod. The push and pull plates are rotatably mounted around a fixing pin. The first and second slide projections are formed on the slider and are respectively in contact with the push and pull plates.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting the lid of a refuse container comprises a handle arm having first and second ends with a handle pivotally coupled to the first end. The lifting apparatus further includes a lifting arm having a first end coupled to the second end of the handle arm. The lifting arm is pivotally attached to an end wall of a refuse bin, the bin having a generally rectangular body with a bottom, front and rear walls, opposing end walls, and a lid pivotally attached to an upper edge of the rear wall. The lifting arm is offset from and normal to the handle arm such that an operation of the handle arm rotates the lifting arm between a first horizontal position beneath the lid of the refuse container in a closed configuration and a second vertical position supporting the lid in an open configuration. A free end of the lifting arm is slidable between a position adjacent a forward edge of the lid in the first position and a position rearwardly displaced from the forward edge in the second position.

Abstract: An improved cooking device includes a generally bowl-shaped fat separator assembly adapted to be placed substantially within a cooking chamber of a crock pot and supported by an upper rim of the crock pot. The fat separator assembly has a fat collection chamber with an adjustable overflow passage for maintaining a predetermined fluid level within the fat collection chamber. A lower cooking plate is supported by the fat separator assembly and has a support surface positioned above the predetermined fluid level for supporting food during cooking. A sidewall extension member has a lower edge supported on the upper rim of the crock pot. A removable cover is supported on an upper end of the sidewall extension member. An upper cooking plate is supported by the sidewall extension member above the lower cooking plate. The upper cooking plate permits fluids to pass therethrough and fall onto the lower cooking plate during cooking.

Abstract: Novel antimicrobial products and methods of making and using the same are shown, whereby the products can be used in the same or greater percentages as conventional microbial growth inhibitors without imparting an off-flavor, taste, color or odor to the products in which they are used. The antimicrobial products are formed by reacting azodicarbonamide or an ammonia gas with a compound selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, sodium benzoate, calcium benzoate, potassium benzoate, acetic acid, sodium diacetate, paraben, niacin, calcium acetate, calcium diacetate, citric acid, lactic acid, fumaric acid, sorbic acid, sodium sorbate, calcium sorbate, potassium sorbate, propionic acid, sodium propionate, calcium propionate, potassium propionate and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the product is prepared by placing a layer of azodicarbonamide on a substrate and covering the layer with a gas permeable separator.

Abstract: An appliance cabinet comprises an inner support frame having a plurality of panels releasably attached thereto for providing complete access to inner working components of the appliance needing maintenance or repair. Removable pre-painted colored panels having smooth inwardly molded edges cover the entire exterior of the appliance cabinet. Side panels include hem slots for receiving hemmed edges of a front panel, thereby interlocking side and front panels together. Similarly, side panels include tab slots for receiving tabs of a rear panel, thereby interlocking side and rear panels together. Side panels additionally include brackets which correspondingly overlap with threaded apertures in the rear panel for screwably securing side and rear panels to the support frame. The front panel also includes a plurality of fasteners which are releasably joined to the support frame. Individual panels can therefore be selectively removed without unnecessary removal of other panels.

Abstract: A solar heated windshield comprises two matching glass sheets with a hollow interlayer therebetween for inhibiting frost or ice formation on the outer glass sheet by collecting and retaining solar energy within the interlayer. The inner sheet includes a tinted film such that solar energy passing through the windshield is partially deflected into the interlayer to warm the air contained therein. Deflected solar energy may also impinge on or be deflected into a reservoir containing a heat retentive and conductive liquid such as propylene glycol. Air within the interlayer will be warmed repetitively by the heated glycol through the fluid motion of convection. Heat may be transferred by convection to air throughout the interlayer or only to specifically focused areas.

Abstract: A door sealing assembly for closing the gap between the lower edge of a door and an underlying floor surface includes an elongated threshold mounted to the floor beneath an overhead door. The threshold presents a plurality of slots which can be aligned with and coupled to fasteners anchored to the floor surface itself. The lower surface of the threshold further includes an adhesive layer which further contributes to the secure mounting of the threshold to the floor as well as inhibiting draught between the floor and threshold. The upper surface of the threshold presents a recess extending along the length thereof. A seal is attached to the lower edge of the door and is configured to nest within the recess. A resilient sheet of impervious material extends across the recess when the door is in an open position and is depressed into the recess by the seal when the door is moved to a closed position to close the gap between the lower edge of the door and the underlying floor surface.

Abstract: An infant car bed for a vehicle comprises a resilient, flexible shell having front, rear, and end portions attached to a bottom portion for transporting a recumbent infant. Front, rear, and end portions include interior and exterior walls which encase a plurality of hollow chambers separated by partitions. Air within the chambers is expelled through the channels when the volume of the chambers is reduced as a result of pressure being exerted upon an exterior wall. Air is drawn back into the chambers when pressure on the wall is relieved to restore the volume of the chamber. The controlled exhaust of air from the chambers absorbs energy from a direct impact with the car bed. Front and rear shell portions further include a recess for securing the car bed to a seat by guiding a seat belt around the front side of the car bed. Straps are mounted to the rear portion of the shell through which a seat belt may be inserted to further secure the car bed to a seat.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering diagnostic and therapeutic agents intravascularly in which the apparatus has a shape defined by a preset shape of a resilient fiber core. The resilient fiber core is covered by a soft polymer tubing or other polymer material to form a delivery apparatus that takes the shape of the resilient fiber core. Various shapes and structures are disclosed that infuse diagnostic and therapeutic agents through a lumen of the polymer tubing, that deliver the agents in the form of a soluble coating, and that circulate or contain a preloaded charge of radioactive material for intravascular radiotherapy. The resilient fiber core and soft polymer material permit the construction of a very small apparatus that can be removed easily following treatment. Various deployment systems are disclosed for deploying the delivery apparatuses into a vessel and for protecting against radiation exposure.

Abstract: A cosmetic applicator includes a body adapted for grasping by a user having a base with at least three walls extending upwardly therefrom. Each side presents a purchase surface for receiving one of the fingers of a user. The walls converge to form a top section of the handle. An applicator is releasably attached to the top section of the handle for receiving a cosmetic material thereon. The applicator includes a base having at least three sides with a face extending upwardly from each side of the applicator base. The applicator faces converge to form an applicator top, each face being generally parallel to a respective corresponding wall of the handle.

Abstract: A rotary blade assembly for a rotary mower that provides an equivalent cut with a substantial reduction in necessary driving power, and a method of implementing the same to reduce the necessary driving power of a mower. The rotary blade assembly includes a support structure fixedly disposed to a rotary drive shaft, at a height sufficient to avoid or to minimize contact with vegetation, such that the rotary drive shaft rotates the support structure about an axis. The rotary blade assembly includes a plurality of cutting elements that project downwardly and outwardly from the support structure to a predetermined distance such that the cutting elements are positioned to avoid contact with the ground and to cover the area to be cut in a more uniform way. The support structure of the rotary blade assembly can be a support arm having the cutting elements spaced over a length thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for nonextrusion manufacturing of catheters that can be used to produce catheters having a simple or complex configuration. A polymer material in a particulate preform is applied in a layer over an outer surface of a core member. By applying the polymer material in a particulate preform, a composition of the polymer material can be varied continuously as it is being applied to provide a variable hardness over the length of the catheter. A fibrous reinforcement can be used having a constant or variable pitch and a constant or variable number of fibers and fiber types. Sensors can be easily placed in a wall of the catheter as the catheter is being fabricated, thereby allowing more sensors to be used without placing conductors in the lumen of the catheter. Deflection passages can be provided in a wall of the catheter for inserting a wire to deflect the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fastening concrete reinforcement steel members together using deformable metal fastener clips. The concrete reinforcement steel members are used to strengthen concrete structures in a known manner and can be in the form of wire mesh sheets or rebar positioned in a grid pattern. The deformable metal fastener clips are generally U-shaped members that are open on one side before being deformed so that the fastening clips can be easily placed over two or more adjacent reinforcement steel members. The metal fastener clips are deformed around the reinforcement steel members to close the open side of the metal fastener clips, thereby securing the reinforcement steel members together in a desired formation. The free ends of each fastener clip preferably overlap each other after the fastener clips are closed around the reinforcement steel members.

Abstract: A hand held applicator tool for applying deformable metal fastener clips to secure together reinforcement steel members used in concrete construction. The concrete reinforcement steel members are used to strengthen concrete structures in a known manner and can be in the form of wire mesh sheets or rebar positioned in a grid pattern. The deformable metal fastener clips are generally U-shaped members that are open on one side before being deformed so that the fastener clips can be easily placed over the reinforcement steel members. The tool comprises a frame, an anvil supported at one end of the frame, a movable blade assembly supported for sliding movement along the frame toward the anvil, and a handle for manipulating and positioning the tool. The movable blade assembly has a generally U-shaped receptacle for holding a fastener clip.

Abstract: A light glare reducing device being all or partially constructed of light transmitting materials with light reflecting surfaces in different designs. When the light glare reducing devices or lenses are placed over lighting sources they reduce the high glare and blinding effects of the light sources. Increasing the light output of lighting sources when used with lenses can maintain the lighting level while reducing glare. When used for automotive usage alternative automotive headlights are used. The combined usage of the alternative headlights and the lenses provides roadway and side of the roadway lighting without high glare to oncoming vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians and animals. The existing automotive headlight system can be maintained so that the high beam headlights can be used if necessary or desirable.

Abstract: A universal mount housing construction for parallel offset gearboxes that includes a generally cubic-shaped cast housing member having an input opening in a first side for receiving a rotational power input, and an output opening in a second side for transmitting a rotational power output through a hollow or solid output shaft. Two plate-shaped housing extensions are integrated into the cast housing member and provide a pair of integrated torque arms. Each of the integrated housing extensions have a machined planar surface oriented perpendicular to the central axis of the output opening, and a through-bore extending through the machined surface. A raised ring surface extends around the output opening and has a machined planar surface which is coplanar with the machined planar surfaces of the integrated housing extensions. The raised ring surface has tapped holes spaced about its circumference for flange mounting.

Abstract: A pre-wash process and apparatus for recycling polymer tubing contaminated with large amounts of organic matter, soil, and so forth. The pre-wash process includes the steps of sizing the contaminated polymer tubing into small pieces, conveying the polymer tubing on a first conveyor into a rotating wash trommel, washing the polymer tubing in the rotating wash trommel, conveying the polymer tubing on a second conveyor through a pre-rinse stage and then into a rotating rinse trommel, rinsing the polymer tubing in the rinse trommel, discharging the polymer tubing from the rinse trommel into a float/sink tank, passing the polymer tubing through the float/sink tank to a third conveyor, and conveying the polymer tubing into a suitable container for delivery to a final wash and pelletizing process. The wash trommel and rinse trommel each comprises a rotating cylinder with internal helical flighting that causes intense rolling and agitation of the polymer tubing.

Abstract: An arcade roping game and roping training apparatus having a mechanically movable steer that moves around a track on a game table. The game includes an automatic timer arrangement to measure the length of time from when the steer rounds a corner of the game table to when a player successfully ropes the steer and wraps the rope around a dally horn at the player's corner of the table. The dally horn has an electric switch which is triggered to stop the timer when the player's rope is wrapped around the dally horn. A dally horn is supported over the track at each corner of the game table by an arch structure. The arch structure prevents a player from roping the steer before the player's timer starts. The shape of the game table and the arch structures at each corner simulate a popular roping competition where a steer is turned 90 degrees just before its rear legs are roped.