Abstract: Described are a cooperating solar energy collector panel and an energy converter, at least one of which is adapted to fit within a window opening. Preferably, the solar collector panel and/or energy converter are movable into or within the window opening to allow for the window to still be able to open to let in fresh air, or be free from obstruction to permit entry of light or a view to the outdoors when the solar collector panel and/or energy converter are not in use. In one version, the solar collector panel is adapted to be remote from the window opening, for example, on the top of an awning above the window opening. The bottom of the awning in this case may be adapted to contain an energy converter which may be moved into the window opening to distribute heat into a building.

Abstract: A facial accessory system for prophylactic face protection. The system includes a facial accessory configured to be worn about the face of a user. The facial accessory include a channel disposed therethrough in fluid communication with an array of apertures orientated and positioned to generate a substantially continuous curtain of airflow about a face of a user when air is forced therethrough. The system includes an airflow distribution device in fluid communication with the channel of the facial accessory. The airflow distribution device is configured to selectively force air to flow therethrough.

Abstract: This invention is a firm bodied, clamshell-like device which is adapted to be easily opened to allow a user to conveniently grasp a door handle. Preferably, the clamshell has a hinge, or an easily repeatably foldable section, at or near its proximal end. Extending distally from the hinge section are generally planar both top and bottom plates. The plates may be relatively flat or curved. An easily operated lock/unlock latch may be located in the hinge. Alternately, a latch may be provided on the distal end of either the top or bottom plates, or along a side of either or both.

Abstract: A hide-away windmill is exposed to the wind for use and covered or hidden for storage. In one version, the windmill has a support tower that is extendable and retractable within another housing. In another version, the windmill is inside another housing, and the walls or portions of the housing are movable to open up the housing to expose the windmill to the wind, for example, in a cupola-style housing with louvers or doors. In yet another version, the windmill is surrounded by an extendable and retractable housing, wherein, when the housing is fully retracted, the windmill extends beyond the housing to be exposed to the air and whatever wind is available, and, when the housing is fully extended, the windmill including its turbine blades is entirely or nearly entirely enclosed within the housing. The windmill may be repeatedly exposed to become operable, and repeatedly covered or hidden, not only to become inoperable, but also to be not visible, and protected from high winds, when not in use.

Abstract: The present invention is a windmill with blades with passageways for air to move radially outward from near the hub of the windmill to near the tip of the blades. It is thought that the centrifugal force from rotation of the blades will draw or force air into open passageways near the hub of the windmill, and throw the air out forcefully from openings near the tips of the blades. This way, an additional flow of air in or next to and along the blades is created by the rotating additional blades. This additional air flow may be used to move additional generator devices, for example, turbines in an interior space of the windmill support tower, or near the hub of the windmill, or near the tips of the blades. In one embodiment, a funnel shroud near the windmill hub directs additional air from the windward side of the windmill into the proximal end of the passageway near or around the windmill hub.

Abstract: Embodiments of a door and doorway shield system are shown and described, each including at least one hook for hanging or gripping onto a portion of the door or the doorway. The shield preferably hangs on the door by a J-shaped hook portion that extends substantially along the entire top edge of the shield. The shield preferably includes a protective portion which extends across the space between a door and a doorway and across the trim molding of the doorway to substantially cover, or hook on, the front trim molding of the doorway. In embodiments which hook on the trim molding, the trim hook holds the shield in place to provide resistance to impacts pushing the shield off of the door. A J-shaped hook portion may also be provided on the bottom of the shield, to allow for connection to the bottom of the door or for turning the shield up-side-down for use both left-hinged and right-hinged doors.

Abstract: Embodiments of a door and doorway shield system are shown and described, each including at least one hook for hanging or gripping onto a portion of the door or the doorway. The shield preferably hangs on the door by a J-shaped hook portion that extends substantially along the entire top edge of the shield. The shield includes a protective portion which extends across the space between a door and a doorway and across the trim molding of the doorway to substantially cover, or hook on, the front trim molding of the doorway. In embodiments which hook on the trim molding, the trim hook holds the shield in place to provide resistance to impacts pushing the shield off of the door. A J-shaped hook portion may also be provided on the bottom of the shield, to allow for connection to the bottom of the door or for turning the shield up-side-down for use both left-hinged and right-hinged doors.

Abstract: Embodiments of a carpet layer's aid for protecting floor baseboards or walls during carpet installation, along with methods for using the aid, are shown and described. The carpet layer's aid may be an elongated strip with one of more fold lines. The strip is folded at the fold line(s) to create an anchor portion that acts as a stand for the aid and/or that further protects a baseboard by conforming to the outer shape of the baseboard. The anchor portion is inserted into the corner space, created between the floor and a baseboard and between the wall and the tack strip. Preferably, the shield portion of the aid, which extends up to cover the baseboard, includes an adhesive on its back surface for adhering to the baseboard or wall.

Abstract: A carpet layer's aid for protecting floor baseboards or walls during carpet installation, the aid including an elongated strip which can be separated into two portions. The elongated strip is separated into an edge portion, which is used to anchor the elongated strip, and a central portion, which is used to shield the baseboard or wall. Preferably, the elongated strip has perforations which allow the central portion to be detached from the edge portion of the elongated strip upon completing the carpet installation. The edge portion of the elongated strip is left behind under the tack strip and carpet.

Abstract: A carpet layer's aid for protecting floor baseboards or walls during carpet installation comprising an elongated strip with a separating means. The elongated strip is divided by the separating into an edge portion, which is used to anchor the elongated strip, and a central portion, which is used to shield the baseboard or wall. The separating means is integral with the elongated strip and allows the central portion to be detached from the edge portion of the elongated strip upon completing the carpet installation. The edge portion of the elongated strip is left behind under the tack strip and carpet.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a floor and countertop protector pad are shown and described, as well as the method of protecting a floor or countertop with the invented protector pad. The protector pad includes a barrier means that is a top layer of moisture-impermeable, and puncture-, tear-, and deformation-resistant high density polymeric film and a bottom layer of closed-cell polymeric foam bonded to the film. The film and foam thicknesses are selected to make the protector pad lightweight and easily rollable and unrollable into a flat and uncurled shape, while still performing the barrier and cushioning jobs. The film serves as the barrier to liquid spills and to gouging, scraping, or falling objects and deforms only slightly and in a shallow, spread-out manner.