Abstract: A multiple player team sport, rules and equipment combining features of volleyball, dodge ball, hand ball and table tennis. Two player teams are positioned opposite one another with multiple elevated playing surfaces between them. A tennis ball sized spheroid having a leather cover and resilient inner core for bounce is initially served by one team from one of its elevated playing surfaces toward and onto the opposing team's playing surface. The defending team may then strike the ball with any part of the body to return it, or it may be passed from one teammate to another to set up a kill shot onto either the opposing teams playing surface or by attempting to strike one of the opposing team's players. When the ball is not successfully returned, the last team successfully striking the ball is awarded a point. During play the ball may only be struck by a player's hand or body.

Abstract: A lower body equestrian garment is provided. Sections of gripping, protective fabric are provided on the inner portions of the legs extending from inner thigh to ankle. The gripping/protective fabric has flared sections near the bottom, and slots for receiving and retaining spurs worn by the rider. Zippers are provided on the outer legs allowing quick removal of the lower body garment to improve comfort of the rider when not riding. An adjustable waistband is provided to allow the lower body garment to be adaptable to the differently sized individuals.

Abstract: A vertical pet excrement collection device. The device is an absorbent fabric collecting sheet mounted on a frame and maintained in a substantially vertical orientation to catch pet excrement emitted that would not land on or be absorbed by a horizontal collection device. In one embodiment, the device is incorporated with and connected to an existing horizontal collection device such as a litterbox. In a second embodiment the collection device is a frame on which an absorbent sheet is mounted, the frame having an interconnected horizontal frame and vertical frame defining a horizontal pad and a vertical pad. Simple and quick removal and replacement of the absorbent material is provided so that a solid sheet may be easily replaced.

Abstract: An electronic animal identification ear tag. A self powered transponder is encased in a plastic housing, and the housing is affixed to a one piece metal ear clip. The ear clip has self clinching provisions that are metal only, and the housing has a bubble opening therein to accommodate the closure of the self clinching means. The self clinching locking means and, in a first embodiment, a retaining tooth formed on a leg of said metal ear clip maintain the position of the sleeve on said metal ear clip. In the first embodiment, the housing is a sleeve sliding onto the metal ear clip, while a second embodiment has the housing formed and molded around the metal ear clip.

Abstract: A pipe cleaning tool comprises a rod slidably retained in a housing. The housing is affixed to a pipe in the area of the blockage so that, when affixed, the rod slides through the housing and through the blocked pipe. The end of the rod is pushed into and through the blockage, allowing free flow of fluid through the pipe to resume. A blowout port on the housing is in fluid communication with a rod bore in the housing through which the rod slides so that, when the blockage is removed, fluid flows out through the rod bore and out the blowout port. Fluid flowing out through the blowout port can then be controlled and directed by coupling a hose to the blowout port. The pipe cleaning tool is particularly useful to remove blockages in the test cocks of backflow prevention valves.

Abstract: A self cleaning dental mirror having air orifices and water orifices integrated into the handle to clean the reflective surface. An air valve and a water valve are positioned within the handle and are operated by depressing appropriately positioned pushbuttons. The reflective surface itself is removable from the handle and replaceable. Alignment provisions between the reflective surface and handle insure that the reflective surface is properly positioned relative to the handle so that the air orifice and water orifice are directed at the reflective surface. A quick disconnect allows the self cleaning dental mirror to be readily connected and disconnected to air and water supply lines. The self cleaning dental mirror and all of its components are autoclavible.

Abstract: A system for use with fishing lures that allows partial release of the lure upon becoming snagged. The lure is attached to a fishing line at a head end and by way of a line extension leader at a hook end. The line extension comprises a heavy gauge leader extending the length of the lure. A fish decoy is permanently affixed to the line at a hook end, and releasably attached at a head end. A line attachment clip provides three attachment loops, one of the loops being a resilient, releasable leg. The line attachment clip has a line loop to which the fishing line is securely attached, a leader loop to which the leader is securely attached, and a releasable leg to which the head eyelet of a lure is attached. Upon application of sufficient force, the head eyelet is released so that the lure becomes inverted, allowing is to be freed from a snag and reeled in with the hooks in the opposite orientation.

Abstract: A packaging machine having multiple modules each performing a separate function in a packaging sequence. The modules are building blocks that are assembled to define a packaging machine. An infeed conveyor/lane divider module, a blank magazine and infeed tray module, a collation and synchronization module, a gluing and closing module, a turning module, a stacking module, a film cutting module, a film wrapping module and a heat shrink module are selectively assembled in various combinations to define machines that pack articles into trays, wrap the articles with heat shrink film, turn the packages, stack the packages for multi-tier packages, or any combination of these functions. The modules each have an independent conveyor driven by an onboard servo drive. The servo drives are coordinated to provide controlled flow of articles from module to module. The servo drives are all connected to and controlled by a supervisory computer such that no mechanical connection between modules is required.

Abstract: A beehive having a bottom board for separating mites from bees working in the beehive. A permanently installed screen in the bottom board separates mites from the bees, and a sticky sub-board below the screen traps the mites to prevent re-infestation. Notched members around the perimeter of the sticky sub-board prevent bees from climbing up into the beehive and prevent re-attachment. The sticky sub-board is accessible from the rear of the beehive so that the entry and exit of the bees into and out of the beehive are not disturbed.

Abstract: A burial monument having a memorabilia storage compartment incorporated therein. A monument is solid construction has a cylindrical boring removed to provide a compartment within the solid monument. The compartment is closed to form an airtight and watertight chamber by providing a cap with a gasket affixed thereto. The cap engages a threaded inner ring or is hinge mounted to the monument in alternative embodiments. A method for modifying burial monuments to provide a memorabilia storage compartment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A concealed lower body garment support belt worn under a lower body garment includes a raised lip on which the lower body garment is supported. The lip is formed from a loop in a length of fabric and is filled by filler material that is adequately flexible to conform to the shape of the user's waistline and rigid to resist flattening. The belt is worn by the user immediately adjacent to his skin or undergarments. A high friction surface and adjustable fastening means allow a snug fit to be obtained around the waistline to prevent slippage of the belt down the user's stomach. The belt is worn and maintained around the user's waistline so that the waistband of his lower body garment, supported on the raised lip of the belt, is maintained around the user's waistline. An exterior belt worn by a user cooperates with the concealed belt by cinching and gathering the waistband of the lower body garment over the raised lip of the concealed belt.

Abstract: A device and method for securing a tablecloth to a picnic table. Multiple strips of elastic with hook and loop type fasteners at opposed ends of each strip, which provide releasable closure of the strips into binding bands, wrap around the tablecloth and secure it to the picnic table. The releasable closure means allow the strips to be threaded through and under the supporting framework for a table or other article of furniture. The strips are sized and constructed for application to a wide range of different sized tables and other outdoor furniture.

Abstract: A point of entry water treatment system. Components mounted on a base frame are interconnected and provide a system and method for treating freshwater, including from a lake, river, well or cistern, to provide potable water. A pre-filter removes sediment and reduces turbidity, followed by chlorine disinfection of the water. Finally, the water passes through an activated carbon filter to remove remaining free disinfectant and by-products resulting from the application of the disinfectant. Controls are provided that prevent untreated water or raw disinfectant from being output by the system. The controls also dampen the cycling of the system major components to reduce wear and maintenance.

Abstract: A package handling apparatus. The layout of each layer of a palletized stack may be individually defined by an operator on a personal computer by graphically arranging packages into a desired layout on the computer. The personal computer communicates to a programmable logic controller which controls handlers. Packages from an exit conveyor of a packaging machine are positioned and oriented onto a pre-palletization conveyor by the handlers. The desired layout is achieved when the positioned and oriented packages reach a compression station and are compressed together. The layout of packages, forming a layer for a pallet, is then stacked onto the pallet for shipping. A related method for handling and assembling packages is also disclosed.

Abstract: A smoke detector test device comprising a stamped plate. Combustible elements are positioned and retained on the stamped plate which, when ignited smolder to provide smoke of sufficient volume to actuate a properly functioning smoke alarm without requiring or causing an open flame. The stamped plate has an aperture and inwardly projecting flanges that allow the plate to be effectively attached to a broom handle to give a user extended reach to place the device, and smoke generated thereby, in close proximity to the smoke detector. A method for forming the smoke detector test device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ambulatory aid device allowing self ambulation for impaired persons having reduced weight bearing capabilities. A wheeled framework provides overhead support by cables that are pulleyed and terminate on a locking winch. A harness comprising a torso harness and leg bindings for both legs is provided to which the cables are readily hooked and unhooked. An impaired person is lifted from a seated or reclining position by suiting him in the harness, attaching the cables and cranking the winch until he is in a substantially upright position with his feet on the ground, his body weight being at least partially supported by the harness and cable arrangement.

Abstract: A movable washstand comprises a device for supplying water having a spray nozzle, a head rest, a catch basin, drain and bladder for temporarily holding discharge water and effluent and an electrical outlet, all mounted on a C-shaped frame with wheels that allow easy portability. A dual line extension hose having an inlet line, outlet line and quick connect capabilities allow the unit to be connected to a remote sink. An on-board extension cord allows the unit to be plugged into a remote electrical supply. The base of the cart slides under a bed and out the way while the catch basin is positioned under a patient's head. The height of the catch basin is adjustable to accommodate different bed configurations. The upper and lower members of the cart are hinged so that they fold over onto themselves transforming the unit into an extremely portable unit. A self-supporting movable wash pan is also disclosed that minimizes displacement of a patient.

Abstract: A computer monitor attachment with mirrors for reflecting and manipulating the image presented on the monitor. Two mirrors mounted in a housing, which is easily attached to and detached from the monitor, reflect the monitor image such that it is visible to a user at a lower level in a substantially horizontal orientation. The housing is constructed form a paperboard blank and is detachable and collapsible, facilitating transport from one monitor to another.

Abstract: A tray packing-shrink wrapping machine for packaging articles along a conveyor is disclosed. The machine is operable in a dual lane mode and a single lane mode. In both modes a collation section receives articles from an infeed section and arranges the articles into rows and columns to create batches of articles. In dual lane mode a lane divider structure separates each batch into smaller microbatches. Separate trays and sheets of heat shrinkable film are simultaneously formed around the microbatches. An in-line stacker is selectively operable in single lane or dual lane modes to stack a packed tray on top of the preceding packed tray. The machine is quickly converted to single lane mode by removing the lane divider structure and center trayforming structures, removing the center stacker elements and retracting knives in the blank feeding and film wrapping devices. A method for converting a dual lane machine to a single lane machine is also disclosed.