Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electric knife is provided that includes a blade that is adapted to cut the pulp and shell of pumpkins and other fruits and vegetables but not readily cut the skin and flesh of humans. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electric knife also includes a shield that that is adapted to prevent fruit or vegetable matter from entering the housing of the electric knife.

Abstract: A portable hand-held power stapler with an outer housing contoured to fit comfortably within the grip of a hand, said stapler having an improved actuation system comprising a manually operated power switch that will actuate the stapling mechanism when a paper-sensing arm positioned in a document insertion slot is brought into contact with the inserted edge of a document, thereby completing the electric circuit to the power source of the electric motor driving the stapling mechanism, said actuation system further having a manually actuated reverse switch to engage a reverse function of the stapling mechanism to clear a paper or staple jam.

Abstract: A toilet cleaning apparatus and caddy is provided which includes a tool which may be held in a user's hand. A swab, which is flushable down the toilet after the cleaning process is complete, is provided which is easily attached and detached from the tool. The tool is movable to a number of operative positions which assist in the loading, holding, or removal of the swab. A caddy is also provided which can hold the tool as well as unused swabs.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush comprises a body portion and a head including a motor, a moving portion, a handle, and a gear arrangement between the moving portion and the motor. The moving portion rotates, oscillates and/or reciprocates about an axis normal to a longitudinal axis of the head. The moving portion can include stiff bristles and massaging tips and the static portion can include soft bristles and massaging tips. The body portion houses the motor. A switch is operatively connected to the motor to provide momentary or continuous operation of the toothbrush. In one embodiment the gear arrangement includes a shaft, a worm gear and a pair of step gears. In another embodiment the gear arrangement includes a plurality of gears and at least one swivel arm for drive the moving portion in a rotating, oscillating or reciprocating manner.

Abstract: A portable, handheld sharpener having an elongated body with loop attachments, a battery-operated DC motor with speed reducing gears and a gear plate and a rotatable sharpening unit. A pouch-shaped waste shavings receptacle detachably attached to the body provides a larger cross-sectional dimension ergonomically contoured to fit within the grip of a hand while providing increased internal space for waste shavings storage. An actuator button is molded into the receptacle and is partially circumscribed to provide a hinge-like action to engage a leaf spring connecting the battery source to the motor and also provides a momentary operation of the sharpener while in the original retail packaging. The actuator button will not operate when the receptacle is detached from the sharpener and the internal sharpening unit is exposed, thus acting as a safety feature.

Abstract: An image projection apparatus is provided which includes a projector, image source and reflective element. The reflective element is capable of being rotated by a mechanism housed within the reflective element. Light projected from the projector and through the image source is directed to the relective element and reflective onto a surface for viewing. The rotation of the reflective element creates reflected images which move in a desired direction across the viewing surface.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush comprising an elongated body portion and a head including a static portion and a moving portion, a handle, and an angled shaft between the head and the handle. The moving portion rotates or reciprocates about an axis normal to a longitudinal axis of the head. The moving portion can include stiff bristles and massaging tips and the static portion can include soft bristles and massaging tips. The elongated body portion is hollow and further includes a motor in the hollow portion, which is operatively connected to the moving portion for rotating or oscillating or reciprocating the moving portion. A battery is located within the hollow section for powering the motor. A switch is operatively connected to the motor to provide momentary and continuous operation of the toothbrush. A worm gear and a pair of step gears are located in the hollow portion. The motor is operatively connected to the worm gear and the step gears are operatively connected to the worm gear and to each other.

Abstract: A toilet cleaning apparatus and caddy is provided which includes a tool which may be held in a user's hand. A swab, which is flushable down the toilet after the cleaning process is complete, is provided which is easily attached and detached from the tool. The tool is movable to a number of operative positions which assist in the loading, holding, or removal of the swab. A caddy is also provided which can hold the tool as well as unused swabs.

Abstract: A hand held cleaning tool is powered by commonly available batteries. An output shaft of the tool includes an expandable coupling, such as, for example a set of swaging cams. Torque delivery arms radiate outward from the output shaft. For example, the torque delivery arms are carried by a hub. The hub is attached to the output shaft with a pin and acts to secure a power train to a housing of the tool. The torque delivery arms are received in slots or interdental spaces associated with a cleaning head. Torque is delivered to the cleaning head with a reduced stress concentration. The cleaning tool is associated with a compact stand. The stand can be incorporated into a housing of the tool. For example, a battery compartment door can include the stand. Alternatively, the stand can be a separable item. A separable stand can accommodate a plurality of cleaning heads.