Abstract: A curling iron pouch comprised of an inner heat-resistant pocket and a pair of outer, auxiliary pockets is disclosed. The inner pocket is comprised of a pair of longer, generally rectangular panels, and the outer pockets are comprised of a pair of shorter, generally rectangular panels. The four panels are affixed to one another by a common seam around an end edge and along a substantial portion of their side edges. A pair of open end edges of the inner pocket project beyond the open tops of the outer pockets. The opposing inner panel surfaces adjacent the open end edges of the inner pocket include opposed mating portions of a snap. The longer panels of the inner pocket are of a three-layer construction and are comprised of a pair of outer heat-resistant textile fabric sheets with a layer of nonflammable, nonwoven, insulative batting material therebetween.

Abstract: A self-leveling underlayment for a tile countertop is disclosed. Roofing felt covers the deck, and a flashing strip is fitted along the seam where the deck meets walls. Metal lath is laid over the felt, and rebar is laid along edges of the deck. Backsplash tile is supported by lengths of backer board along walls adjacent the deck. A self-leveling, water-based, cementitious underlayment mix, once set-up, supports the tile.

Abstract: A kit for starting an I.V. is disclosed, as is a coupling for preventing blood and fluids from spilling out of the kit's catheter. The kit is comprised of a catheter portion, a coupling portion and a flesh piercing portion. The cannula portion includes a cannula having a hub. The coupling portion is comprised of first and second tubular portions, and a septum bound integrally therebetween. The flesh piercing portion is comprised of a needle and a handle. The method disclosed includes the steps of lodging the first tubular portion of a resilient coupling into the hub of a catheter; driving a guide needle axially through the coupling and catheter; driving the coupling and catheter into a vein; and withdrawing the guide needle from the catheter and coupling. Although blood flows into the catheter, it is prevented from flowing beyond the self-sealing septum.

Abstract: A floatation unit comprised of a generally rectangular air bag, and having an inflation hose and valve, is disclosed. Four grab loops project from the four corners of the air bag, two of the corners also including hooks for engaging a water craft's gunwale, the other two of the corners including cinch straps. A pair of the floatation units is used to stabilize a water craft by engaging the hooks of each to opposing gunwales of the craft, and tensioning their cinch straps beneath the craft. A pair of floatation units is also used to displace space with a water craft, thereby reducing its likelihood of sinking if swamped. For displacement, each of the pair of units is hooked to a thwart within the water craft, and their cinch straps are tensioned between them to suspend the units securely between the thwarts. A pair of the units may also support a seat panel between them, the seat panel having corner loops through which the cinch straps pass.

Abstract: A carrying case for planar, rectangular articles of minimal thickness, such as the housings in which audio compact discs are packaged, is disclosed. The carrying case includes a housing comprised of six rectangular side panels, five of which are integrally bound into a fixed rectilinear relation with one-another, leaving a remaining sixth side open, the sixth side panel being hingedly fixed adjacent the housing's open side to one of the five fixed side panels. Hook and loop fabric fasteners on the housing, and on a hinged closure flap of the sixth panel, permit the sixth side panel to cover the open sixth side securely. A plurality of drawers is slidably disposed within the housing upon opposed pairs of drawer supports comprised of tracks and runners. Each drawer has a bottom, and upstanding front, rear and side walls. Each also includes a plurality of thin, upstanding rectilinearly-oriented fences dividing the drawer's interior space, into nine compartments.

Abstract: A swimmer's hand paddle comprised of a planar member having a perpendicularly depending fin is disclosed. The paddle's planar member is bilaterally symmetrical and generally triangular. It has a textured upper surface, a rounded forward apex, a pair of divergent opposing side edges and an inwardly-curved rearward edge. A rearward projection is defined on each side of the planar member between the outer end of the rearward edge and the rearward end of the adjacent side edge. The fin is generally triangular and depends from the planar member's lower surface. Its narrower end is disposed adjacent the planar member's forward apex and its wider end is disposed adjacent the planar member's rearward edge. Opposing ends of a length of resilient tubing pass through a pair of adjacent apertures in planar member, thereby forming a loop which projects above the plane of the upper surface and is adapted to receive and bind a swimmer's middle finger to the planar member.

Abstract: A sodium chloride filler for resin-based simulated stone products is disclosed, as well as a simulated stone product including the sodium chloride filler, and a method of preparing same. The product includes a resin base, a catalyst capable of polymerizing the resin and particulate sodium chloride. Pigments and other fillers may be included to yield special aesthetic effects. The method of the invention comprises the steps of mixing a quantity of the resin with catalyst and particulate sodium chloride, and perhaps pigment and other fillers. Two sodium chloride filler particle size ranges are preferred. Finally, the mixture is transferred to a mold, the mold having been coated with a gel coat, and/or a coat of resin with an alternative filler, in preparation for receiving the mixture. A kit including the foregoing ingredients and instructions for combining same is also within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling movement of a tether in a conduit is disclosed, the apparatus being comprised of a winch, two braking systems, a pair of extensible stabilizer bars and a crossbar for engaging an opening. The winch is engine-driven and mounted on a frame having wheels. Engine power is delivered through a dog clutch to a cable spool through a reduction sprocket set. A brake control arm having a friction pad positioned thereupon to bear against the spool and having a hand grip connected to a drum brake in the drive train is provided. A power arm operable to control the dog clutch and including a throttle tab is also provided. A level winding arm is positioned to be swept across the spool for even cable storage. A pair of stabilizer bars are extensible from the frame and have screw jacks at their ends which mate with a crossbar adapted to engage an opening such as a manhole. The screw jacks are operable to bias the apparatus' weight against the crossbar.

Abstract: A Fire Hose Clamp is disclosed, this clamp being comprised of a shaft with a first jaw rigidly projecting from a first of its ends; a second jaw opposing the first, slidably mounted on the shaft between the shaft's first and second ends; a lever arm pivotally affixed via its first end to the shaft's second end at a first joint; and, a pitman having a first end pivotally affixed at a second joint to the lever arm between the lever arm's first and second ends, the pitman having a second end pivotally affixed to the second jaw at a third joint. Movement of the lever arm toward the shaft's first end causes the jaws to occlude.

Abstract: A self-leveling underlayment for a tile countertop, and a method and kit for forming same, is disclosed. In practicing the method on the top deck of a cabinet, a protective paper sling is hung in an interior deck opening and a protective shroud is hung over front cabinet faces. The deck is covered with roofing felt and a flashing strip is fitted along the seam where the deck meets walls, masking tape being used to bind these together. A styrofoam punch-out is fixed in place over the sink opening. Metal lath is laid over the felt, and rebar is laid along edges of the deck. Lengths of backer board are placed along walls adjacent the deck to support backsplash tile, and a dam is affixed along the deck's front edge, thus defining a mold for an underlayment. A self-leveling, water-based, cementitious underlayment mix is poured into the mold to form a surface, once set-up, for supporting tile.

Abstract: A mechanical shooting apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus having an elongate body comprised of two connectedly displaceable body members, the first body member having a pair of opposed pulleys adjacent its rearward end and another pair adjacent its forward end, and further including an elongate track portion on its upper surface. A loop member having a linearly resilient segment is seated against the second body member's forward end, opposing lengths of the loop extending rearwardly around the rearward pulleys, and forwardly around the forward pulleys, a sliding dog being attached to the loop between the forward pulleys and being slidably engaged with the track portion A trigger for holding the sliding dog rearwardly when drawn from between the pulleys, and for suddenly releasing the dog, is provided. A velocity increasing mechanism replacing the sliding dog is also disclosed, the mechanism comprising a ferrule affixed to the loop between the forward pulleys.