Abstract: This system and invention enables a commercial painter to comb-clean and to wash a paintbrush with the same apparatus; and also to clean roller paintbrushes; and then to use that apparatus to clean itself; and to provide convenient ways for the painter to carry and to store this tool.

Abstract: A telephone which includes a keypad housing. The keypad housing slides in and out of an opening in the telephone. In the retracted position, the keypad housing is held within the opening. This gives a telephone which is small and compact. In fact, the telephone of the present invention is small and compact enough to fit within a user's pocket. The keypad housing may be pulled out and latched in the extended position. In the extended position, the user has access to the keypad which is disposed in the top of the keypad housing. The resulting telephone is small and compact when the keypad housing is retracted, yet allows for the user access to a full sized keypad when the keypad housing is extended.

Abstract: A telephone which includes a telephone body adapted to receive different earpieces is disclosed. A variety of different earpieces may be coupled to the telephone body. In one embodiment the telephone body has an opening formed in it that exposes a connector receptacle adapted to mate with a connector of an earpiece. By inserting the earpiece into the opening, the connector of an earpiece mates with the connector receptacle so as to mechanically and electrically attach the earpiece to the telephone body. Alternatively, screw threads are used to attach the earpiece to the telephone body. Some earpieces conform generally to the contours of the telephone body and others extend from the telephone body. The ability to couple different earpieces to the telephone body allows for the easy and inexpensive manufacture of telephones having an earpiece conforming to the specific needs of a user.

Abstract: An input device for a computer system is provided which translates large body part or multiple body part motion into directional data. The input device includes a rigid support member having sufficient size to accommodate use by a human being for sitting, a riser member, a connection device for connecting the riser member to the support member, a transducer device in physical communication with the riser member for sensing the riser member motion and for conveying the motion to a computer system in the form of representative electrical signals, and a resilient device in physical communication with the riser member for maintaining the riser in a predetermined position relative to the support member when the riser is not subject to external forces. The cross member may be embodied in several forms, including straight and synclinal cross members. Alternatively, a haptic sphere or disc may be employed instead of a cross member.