Abstract: New and distinct varieties of Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium plants exhibit environmental stress tolerance over a temperature range extending as low as about 17.degree. F. and as high as about 115.degree. F., and are also capable of producing flowers having an endogenous pyrethrin content of at least about 1.5%. The new varieties include both triploid plants which are largely sterile, and diploid plants which exhibit good cross fertility.

Abstract: An improved respiratory inhaler and medicated packet which uses a patient's breath to send powdered medication into the oral cavity of the patient. The respiratory inhaler is reusable and controls both the rate of airflow inside the chamber and prevents the patient from blowing into the respiratory inhaler. Disposable medicated packets are inserted into the respiratory inhaler. These medicated packets have preformed holes which pass air through the packet and entrain the medication. One respiratory inhaler can be used numerous times for numerous different types of medication. These medicated packets have a removable, protective layer to maintain the sterility and dryness of the measured dose of medication. In operation, the medication is transported from the packet, through the respiratory inhaler, and into the patient. The medicated packets are transparent on one side to allow the patient to observe if the medication has been completely delivered.

Abstract: An improved firearm with a grip which positions the index finger to be parallel to the barrel of the firearm. The grip contains a recess or other alignment mechanism along the side of the barrel so that the user is able to position their index finger along the edge of the barrel and parallel to the barrel. This permits the user to obtain a bio-feedback through the index finger as the actual direction where the gun is pointing. Further, in the preferred embodiment, a thumb activated trigger is positioned at the top of the gun so that during firing of the gun, a twisting torque is not exerted on the firearm.

Abstract: A trailer hitch alignment device which allows the driver of a vehicle to align the hitch of the driven vehicle with that of its trailer with no aid from another individual. The invention utilizes two masts having acrylic flags attached thereto mounted upon the hitch components of the respective vehicles to provide visual reference points for the driver. The acrylic flags are bright in color which allow them to be sufficiently illuminated by the reverse lights of the towing vehicle during times of darkness, thereby making night-time hitch alignment possible. Each mast is mounted to a hitch component via a dome-shaped base having several magnets underneath. The magnets provide the attraction force necessary to mount the masts to the hitch components and the shape of the mounting bases provide the bases with the ability to mounted upon virtually any hitch configuration. The mountings are further secured through the use of velcro-type straps which extend from the mounting bases to the hitch components.

Abstract: A balloon dissector for use in surgery in which the balloon is constructed of a substantially non-elastic material (such as polyester film) so that its volume and shape are predetermined at the time of manufacture. With the ability to control the shape during manufacture, the dissector is manufactured for specific applications within the patient so as to follow naturally occurring lines within the body. As such, the dissector is especially useful for such applications as the forehead (for brow-lifts) and the breasts (for breast augmentation). Dissection by the balloon is either through a blunt dissection or a sharp dissection through selective manufacture of the balloons edges. Edges, usually formed at the intersection of two sheets of material, can be either blunt (folded inward) or sharp (folded outward and hardened). In this manner, the balloon dissector is specifically designed for certain applications.

Abstract: An enhanced hose for use in fuel transfer and the like. Embedded within the hose's body are fiber-optic fibers in which light is transmitted. At predefined locations on the hose, selected portions of said fiber-optic fibers are exposed and structured to permit light to escape. Structuring of the fiber-optic fibers to permit light to escape is done by: terminating the fiber at that point, removing the cladding on the fiber at that point, or by creating a radical bend in the fiber. The intensity of the light escaping from the fiber-optic fibers is easily controllable by adjustment of the light source's intensity which feeds the light into the fiber-optic fibers. Additionally, compensation is made so that elongation of the hose does not break the fibers. Since no electrical current is being used, the enhanced hose is particularly useful for illuminating the exterior of a hose which is conveying explosive materials such as fuel.

Abstract: Improved exploratory, pre- and post- surgical techniques are now available due to an improved endoscope which uses a housing with a window member thereon. Due to the window's angle and the air-pocket between the viewing tip of the endoscope and the window, exceptional vision is provided without the need to create artificial chambers within the body. Should the window become occluded with debris, the surgeon can easily clean the window by wiping it against a nearby organ or muscle to dislodge the debris. Since no inflating gas is used, techniques employing the endoscope create minimal trauma and are ideally suited for exploratory surgery, pre-surgical inspection of the operation site, and post-surgical inspection to assure the operation obtained the desired results.

Abstract: A decorative cover for the head of a nail and other simlar fasteners used in the carpentry and upholstery trades. Ordinary nails can prove unsightly when used on particular works. The invention is a decorative cover which utilizes a slot to attach the cover to the head of a standard nail. The decorative cover is of any shape and color desired, thereby offering limitless design possibilities. After attachment of the invention to the nail head, the nail is driven into the body of work with no adverse effects on the cover. The invention, then, allows the aesthetic characteristics of a body of work to be enhanced without sacrificing the utilitarian characteristics of the nail.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus which also serves as an effective training device for mountain bikers. The invention utilizes a frame resembling that of a bicycle's frame. The frame supports handle bars having a gripping portion and two foot pedals. Each pedal is fixable to the frame and adjustable in height. Each foot pedal further has an abrasive upper surface for contact with the sole of a user's shoe. This abrasive upper surface acts to prevent slippage of the user's foot from the pedal. The frame is supported by two legs, one supporting the front part of the frame, the second supporting the rear part of the frame. Each leg is rotatably attached to the frame and oriented in a diagonal direction. The range of motion of each leg is limited by a compression spring which further acts to rotate the legs to their extended state after an external force causes them to retract.

Abstract: An environmentally-safe, broad spectrum insecticide that is toxic to invertebrate animals and non-toxic to vertebrate animals. The insecticide comprises a water solution of hydroxy acyclic acid, such as citric acid, and ionic or non-ionic surfactant thoroughly mixed together. The insecticide may be applied by aerosol, misting, spraying, or pouring on the insects or into their abodes. The composition is also an effective mosquito repellant when applied to human skin.

Abstract: An improved automobile anti-theft guard plate that provides exceptional strength through the use of two bonded plates. The first plate has a flanged circumference to enclose the second plate. These flanges, especially when combined with the second plate's inherit strength, provide for enhanced rigidity to withstand deformation from a pry bar. An opening through both plates permits the automobile's handle lock activation and door opening mechanism access to these mechanisms within the automobile door. A tower or vertical member on the guard plate extends vertically from the plates and at least partially surrounds and shields the handle's mechanisms to even further dissuade tampering by a thief. The guard plate is additionally designed to permit the handle to be secured thereto through the use of tabs which engage the handle at the same time the handle is engaging the opening mechanism.

Abstract: A surgical technique in which a tumescent solution of local anaesthetic and a vasoconstrictor in injected into the site via a cannula. Using the same cannula, the surgeon aspirates fat and tissue from the site, depositing the aspirated fat and tissue into the reservoir/bottle from which the tumescent solution was first withdrawn. Preferably, both the injection and the aspiration is accomplished with the assist of a single peristaltic pump. By reversing the headstock of the peristaltic pump, and modulating the speed of rotation, the peristaltic pump both injects and aspirates the site. The aspirated fat and tissue is kept in a closed cycle so that contamination is minimized and exposure to the air by the fat is prevented; thereby permitting the aspirated fat to be used elsewhere for body contouring.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising a body of proton donor electrolyte in effective contact with first and second electrodes one of which consists essentially of a fullerene in contact with a conductive material. By the application of an electric current across the electrodes the cell can be used to hydrogenate the fullerene, thereby storing hydrogen and electric energy.

Abstract: An improved communication channel between two sites in which power for the second site is communicated via the cable from the first site's electrical source. Since the electrical source is used to create a higher voltage instead of power from the host apparatus at the first site, enhanced transmission is possible permitting the cable to extend in excess of one hundred fifty feet. Further, since the remote second site does not require any power at its location, it can operate in a wider range of applications and environments.

Abstract: A method, and product from the method, of faceting a gemstone in which the facets, when combined with the polishing/non-polishing of the facet form an image such as the Star-of-David. The image is visible when viewed through the table of the gem. On one end of a clear or substantially clear gemstone, a series of facets are made which combine to create lines and boundaries. Through selective polishing of the facets, usually as they are made, some of the facets so created are darker and more visible than the others. These darker facets assist in forming the Star-of-David, or other image, visible through the table of the finished gemstone.

Abstract: A portable drakroom safelight which incorporates several features which enhance its usefulness in a darkroom. The portable safelight includes a lamp, a safelight filter, rechargeable batteries, a light sensor, and control means. The safelight filter filters all light produced by the lamp, thus making the safelight safe for use in a darkroom and with photosensitive materials. A surface mounting bracket or stand supports the portable safelight and includes a transformer for converting household electric current into low voltage direct current suitable for use by the portable safelight. When the portable safelight is removed from the mounting bracket it automatically switches to operate from the rechargeable batteries and its illumination level is automatically reduced. The lamp is automatically turned off or on when the light sensor detects the presence or absence of ambient white light.

Abstract: An improved arrow tip suitable for hunting and an arrow assemblage associated therewith. The arrow tip has a tapered main body with four slots therein. Two fixed blades 180 degrees apart, are secured at the rear of the main body and at a swivel point; these fixed blades are removable, permitting the user to create a two blade embodiment by removing the fixed blades. Two angled or L-shaped blades are swivelly attached, at the swivel point, to the main body member such that the longer leg of the angled blades is contained within the slots during in-flight. The shorter leg of the angled blade is exposed during in-flight; but, upon impact and penetration, the shorter leg encounters resistance from the flesh of the animal, thereby swiveling the longer leg from the protection of the slot, and exposing the cutting edge the longer leg. The longer leg's more lethal cutting edge creates extensive bleeding in the animal and thereby causes a faster and more humane death.

Abstract: An improved ceiling system to be assembled under an existing ceiling. The ceiling system is constructed of materials so as to simulate naturally occurring materials. The support members simulate such items as logs, wooden beams, and the like. Panels between the support member also simulate naturally occurring items like latillas and saguaro ribs. In the preferred embodiment, the support beams are constructed through a casting method and are composed of foam which is then painted to simulate the desired naturally occurring material. In the preferred embodiment of the panels, they are constructed of the same materials so that the resulting assemblage is not only extremely light and easy to install and transport, but, is also less expensive than naturally occurring materials which are becoming scarce.

Abstract: An improved dissecting technique in which a balloon dissector having a predetermined inflated size and shape is placed between two naturally occurring layers and then the balloon's envelope is inflated to its full size to force these layers apart. The inflatable balloon is preferably inserted through an incision and is enclosed in a sheath which is removed prior to expansion of the envelope. Once the layers have been so separated, the balloon is deflated and extracted (either by pulling on the fill tube or by reinsertion into the protective sheath). Monitoring of the envelope's positioning is done through either endoscopic monitoring at the surgical site, or using a radiation imaging apparatus (available when the envelope has been treated to be radiopaque). Since the envelope has a predetermined inflated size and shape, the dissection is ideal for such applications as where the entire forehead is to be dissected for a browlift, or to dissect in preparation for breast augmentation.

Abstract: An improved endoscope assembly for exploratory and general surgery which permits exceptional vision while eliminating the requirement of both washing of the lense and expansion of the body cavity. Using a standard endoscope, a housing is placed over the end of the endoscope. The housing is equipped with a window for viewing through by the endoscope's viewing tip. The window is arranged at an angle different from the angle of the viewing tip so that light is reflected back into the housing, and not into the viewing tip. The interior of the housing is coated with a light absorbing material to eliminate back-scattering of light into the viewing tip of the endoscope which degrades the endoscope's vision. An air-chamber between the viewing tip of the endoscope and the window assures the crispest vision possible. Further, fogging of the window is eliminated through the use of heating wires, dry gases, or the like so that the endoscope is also useful for cadaver lessons.