Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Marguerite Daisy plant named Midas Gold, characterized by its rounded, outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit; freely branching, dense and bushy plants; very narrow, deeply divided, lacy, fern-like leaves; freely flowering with numerous inflorescences per plant held beyond the foliage; large single-type inflorescences; yellow ray florets and distinct brownish red-tipped immature disc florets which give an “bull's eye” appearance to the inflorescence; and high temperature and humidity tolerance.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Marguerite Daisy plant named Lemon Delight, characterized by its rounded, spreading and mounding plant habit; compact; freely branching, dense and bushy plants with short internodes and numerous leaves; freely flowering with numerous inflorescences per plant held beyond the foliage; large single-type inflorescences; lemon yellow ray florets and dark yellow disc florets; and high temperature and humidity tolerance.

Abstract: Hybrid tea rose plant having a deep red flower; large bud; glossy, disease resistant foliage; and strong, upright growth.

Abstract: Hybrid tea rose plant having high production of red flowers on medium long stems having a long vase life; vigorous, upright growth; and resistance to powdery mildew.

Abstract: A new and distinct Fraxinus nigra Marsh.×Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr. hybrid ash cultivar is provided which exhibits a vigorous growth habit. An attractive oval to round-shaped tree form with an acute branching character is exhibited. The tree crown is almost as wide as tall when grown in an open setting. Dull green compound leaves are formed. The flowers are perfect, seed production is low, and no production of viable seeds has been observed to date. The tree hardiness is good. The new cultivar is particularly well suited for growing as a shade tree.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe plant named ‘Jeplina’, characterized by its numerous large yellow flowers; upright and compact plant habit; small dark green crenate leaves; and good postproduction longevity.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘Caroline’, characterized by its glossy, undulate, very dary green leaves, upright, outwardly spreading, uniform, dense and symmetrical plant habit that is appropriate for container production; very freely flowering; numerous orange-colored flowers; good resistance to flower bud abscission; and excellent postproduction longevity.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘Lisa Dark Pink’, characterized by its large and numerous double inflorescences that are about 7.8 cm in diameter; dark pink ray florets; mostly upright, mounded and uniform growth habit; dark green leaves; and strong peduncles that hold inflorescences above the foliage.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus has in a housing a hydrostatic transmission with a variable displacement type hydraulic system having a slantingly movable swash plate. In one embodiment, the movable swash plate is manually slantingly operable. A leg member integrally extends from an inner wall of the housing, a lid for closing an opening of the housing, or a center section. The leg member has a support portion for supporting a shaft provided on an axis of rotation of the movable swash plate. Accordingly, the movable swash plate is suspended in the housing for slanting or pivoting movement.

Abstract: A clamp for use in an electrolytic plating bath is disclosed. The clamp comprises two levers at least two opposing levers, at least one lever being pivotally attached to each other at a fulcrum wherein the clamp, when floating on top of a liquid, is in an open position but when submerged is caused, by virtue of its buoyancy, to move to a closed position. Each lever comprises a first part integrally attached to a second part. The first part and the second part are situated on opposite sides of the fulcrum from each other such that rotational movement about the fulcrum between the open position and the closed position causes the second parts of each lever to move from an upper position to a lower position. In operation, at least one substrate is supported in a substantially vertical plane for submersion into an electrolyte bath. The substrate is positioned over the electrolyte bath and then is submersed into it. The clamp clamps the substrate at its lower edge as the substrate enters the electrolyte bath.

Abstract: A semiconductor gain medium has an optical cavity comprising a multimode region permitting propagation of light with a diverging phase front and a single mode region. An optical cavity is formed by optical feedback within the medium. Preferably, the feedback comprises a combination of a cleaved facet and a grating. The gain medium may be an amplifier or, in addition to the amplifier, may include a resonator cavity, or operate as an unstable resonator.

Abstract: A copy prevention method and apparatus of a digital magnetic recording/reproducing system performs the copy prevention function by encoding to insert a marker involving copy prevention function information and executing the function and allows a program supplier to realize a desired copy prevention function of various patterns, in which the marker formed by a control word for scrambling audio and video bit straps and copy prevention information for preventing an illegal copy is encrypted by an encoded key to be multiplexed with the audio and video bit strips scrambled by the control word. The marker transmitted is detected from the bit strips to be decrypted and analyzed by the encoded key to determine whether the copy is permitted or not, so that the detected marker is updated to be recorded on a video tape and the control word is produced from the marker to perform the descrambling to supply the result to a monitor to be displayed.

Abstract: Improved aerodynamically light particles for drug delivery to the pulmonary system, and methods for their synthesis and administration are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the aerodynamically light particles are made of a biodegradable material and have a tap density less than 0.4 g/cm3 and a mass mean diameter between 5 &mgr;m and 30 &mgr;m. The particles may be formed of biodegradable materials such as biodegradable polymers. For example, the particles may be formed of a functionalized polyester graft copolymer consisting of a linear &agr;-hydroxy-acid polyester backbone having at least one amino acid group incorporated therein and at least one poly(amino acid) side chain extending from an amino acid group in the polyester backbone. In one embodiment, aerodynamically light particles having a large mean diameter, for example greater than 5 &mgr;m, can be used for enhanced delivery of a therapeutic agent to the alveolar region of the lung.

Abstract: A load-bearing protective vest is provided and is adapted to selectively carry detachable elements such as supply receptacles and other auxiliary items. The vest is in the form of a unitary member having a front panel, a rear panel and a central panel interconnecting the front and rear panels. Each panel has at least a first inner layer of durable abrasion-resistant material for positioning against the body of a user and a second outer layer of durable abrasion-resistant material. The central panel defines a center opening sized and shaped for receiving a human head therethrough and a pair of shoulder support straps disposed on each side of the center opening adapted to support a load imposed by the vest during use thereof. A layer of attachment fabric in the form of hook-and-loop type fastening members covers a substantial portion of the outer surface of the second outer layer material of each of the front and rear panels, the detachable elements carrying complementary hook-and-loop type fastening members.

Abstract: A light shielding helmet system includes a helmet shell (2) configured for placement on the head of a user and at least two interchangeable lens holders (8, 70) having different lens-holding configurations. Each lens holder holds one or more lens plates (12) and each can be releasably mounted on the helmet shell (2). The lens holders (8, 70) can be of different styles (e.g., flip up or fixed front) and/or hold lens plates (12) of different sizes.

Abstract: A tissue face mask similar to that used by a dentist but placed in covering relation over the face of a patient preparatory to an abrasive dental procedure in which mask there are shaping stays that are manually conformed to the facial features of the patient to prevent harm to the patient from the particulate fall out of the abrasive dental procedure.

Abstract: A convertible swimsuit is a one-piece bathing suit that can be changed to a two-piece tank top style or bikini style bathing suit for purposes such as, but not limited to, tanning or using the restroom. This is accomplished by unfastening the upper piece of the swimsuit from the lower piece of the swimsuit. The material at the bottom of the upper piece of the swimsuit is folded upward and fastened behind the back to create a two piece tank-top style bathing suit. The material can again be folded further upward and fastened either behind the back or behind the neck to create a bikini-style bathing suit. The wearer can thereby use the swimsuit as either a one-piece swimsuit or as a two-piece swimsuit with adjustable coverage of the individual's stomach or midriff.

Abstract: A cool garment includes an inner, flexible liner including at least one pocket, a pouch for holding a phase change material having a melting/freezing temperature between 50-60° F. held in the pocket, an outer metalized skin for reflecting heat away from the wearer of the cool garment and a non-glare coating on the metalized skin to reduce or prevent potentially dangerous reflection of high intensity light.

Abstract: A changing robe provides ample room for a person to change attire in public places without loss of modesty. The robe is provided with a draw string that encompasses the back, sides and only a fraction of the front of the robe, that may be drawn tight to convert the robe from a tent-like garment into a fashionable beach toga that may be worn by either sex. When the draw string is pulled tight, gathers form on the sides and back of the robe, while in contrast the front of the robe is smoothed and pulled closer to the person. The robe is short enough not to become entangled about ones legs during activities such as walking and running, but is provided with an extension along the back side, so that when a person bends down, the person remains covered.

Abstract: A personal thermal garment has a shell and a thermal insert that overlay and cover a substantial portion of the back and the chest of a user. The shell has inner and outer layers that are interconnected to define a chamber between the layers, the chamber extending substantially throughout the shell and overlaying a substantial portion of the back and chest of the user. An access opening to access the chamber is provided in the shell. The thermal insert can be preheated to warm the user or can be precooled to cool the user. The thermal insert substantially conforms to the chamber and has a body portion with two leg portions that extend in the same general direction from the body portion. The insert body substantially overlays and covers the back of the user, with one of the two legs extending over one of the user's shoulders, and the other of the two legs extending over the other shoulder.

Abstract: This invention relates to a clothing combination comprising a shirt and a pair of pants wherein the shirt and the pair of pants are fastened together by a self-releasing bond. Preferably, the bond is made using hook strips and loop strips that, in combination, form a hook and loop fastener. The self-releasing bond separates in a reformable manner when subjected to severe tensile strength or shear strength but has sufficient flexibility and bond strength to enable the clothing combination to be useful in sporting activities. Multicomponent kits and processes of making the same are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shirt with a display of the upcoming schedule of an athletic team, wherein the display has blanks or fields that the wearer or shirt owner individual can fill in after each event to record information such as the winner and loser of the event, the final score, and the cumulative won/lost record of the chosen team. The information is recorded on the shirt using a washable, non-bleeding ink marker. Thus, the invention allows individuals to customize the shirt display after each event and wear the shirt throughout the season. At the conclusion of the season, the shirt can continued to be worn, or is suitable for framing.

Abstract: A glove and method of making it. The glove has a thumb portion and four finger-receiving portions and is knitted of fibers, e.g., cotton, polycotton, Kevlar®, rendering it flexible, but susceptible to wear. The palmar side of the glove includes plural patches of a wear-resistant flexible material, e.g., polyvinyl chloride, applied, e.g., silk-screened, metal screened, etc., thereto in a flowable state that it intimately bonds to the fibers. The patches on the palmar side of the glove are arranged in a pattern defining plural palmar flexure lines between immediately adjacent patches. The plural palmar flexure lines are arranged to be located over and substantially aligned with the respective crease lines of the hand of the person wearing the glove, such that the person may readily flex his/her hand without the patches interfering with that action.

Abstract: A billed cap with integrated sunglass holder has a band of elasticized fabric which lies on the superior surface of the bill. The band is about 1⅞ inches in width, and has a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to the anterior edge of the bill by folding the first end over the anterior edge and sewing it to the inferior surface of the bill close to the anterior end. The second end of the band is sewn into the seam which attaches the posterior edge of the bill to the cap body. The band is slightly stretched when sewn onto the bill in this manner, so that the band is unobtrusive when not containing the sunglasses.

Abstract: A hat and scarf that is made from coordinating material. A band extends around the circumference of the bottom of the hat and secures it to one's head. A loop is secured to the top of the hat. Each end of the loop is stitched to the hat top, thereby creating a small opening between the hat and the loop. At the rear of the hat, a band is secured at both ends by means of a fastener. The fastener is preferably a button or snap, thereby allowing the band to be easily attached or detached from the hat. A strand of coordinating material extends along the rear of the hat. It is fitted through the loop at the hat top and is secured under the band, consequently leaving two ends of the strand dangling from the bottom of the hat. The scarf is made from a flexible material that drapes loosely over one's neck. It is made from the same material as the hat, thereby creating a matching set.

Abstract: A portable cooling device that is easily fitted around the user's neck. The cooling device comprises a pouch with an interior portion and a fastening means that securely fits it around the user's neck. The cooling device is provided with a cap attachment means that allow securement of the cooling device to the user's cap. The pouch is filled with ice that cools the air around the user to provide a cool sensation.

Abstract: There exists many different devices for connecting articles of clothing together. The present invention is such a device for attaching articles of clothing together. The present invention utilizes paired fasteners on each of the two articles of clothing to be attached together. This allows the two articles to either be attached together or turned inside out and folded upon themselves and attached to themselves. In this folded-down state, the fasteners are hidden from view.

Abstract: A gaiter having on its outside surface an air vent system which allows a user to vent the gaiter in order to permit air to pass through the side of the gaiter, and having on an opposite outside surface a coated fabric protective surface which has a coated fabric surface top seam which is slanted in a downward direction from the back of the gaiter to the front.

Abstract: A full-face type helmet in which the breath of a person wearing the helmet and accumulated between the person (user) and the inner surface of the shell and flowed toward both right and left cheek pads is guided efficiently from the lower portion of the helmet in a slant rearward direction and released out of the helmet without reducing an original holding function of the cheek pads in contributing to good helmet fit. The user's breath is not accumulated in the helmet space at the front area of the face of helmet wearing person.

Abstract: A toilet seat automatic lowering system is provided including a toilet having a bowl portion with an open top having an upper peripheral edge, an annular seat with a generally planar O-shaped configuration, a rear tank portion extending upwardly from a rear of the bowl portion, and a water intake line. In use, the toilet is adapted to accept water from the water intake line upon being flushed. Also included is at least one mounting assembly coupled to the bowl portion and pivotally coupled with respect to the seat of the toilet. The mounting assembly is in communication with either the rear tank portion or the water line of the toilet for effecting the lowering of the seat of the toilet upon the same being flushed.

Abstract: Apparatus for flushing a drain pipe with an accessible open end has a valve assembly with a hollow body connectable to a source of liquid under pressure for the supply of liquid under pressure to the interior of the hollow body, the hollow body having an open end positionable in communication with an open end of a drain pipe. A valve member is mounted for sliding movement in the valve body between a closed position in which the valve member prevents flow of liquid under pressure from a source thereof through the hollow body to the open end thereof, and an open position in which the valve member permits flow of liquid from the source thereof through the hollow body to the open end thereof.

Abstract: A hand-held sprinkling rose for washing hair includes a sprinkling head having outlet openings disposed substantially linearly in a number of rows ranging from one to five. The outlet openings have a diameter between 0.2 and 0.8 mm and the outlet openings are spaced apart 2 to 5 mm. The outlet openings are formed such that water streams are ejected which do not mix with one another before reaching a work plane at least 20 centimeters from the sprinkling head.

Abstract: A system for manual control, by a user, of water delivery to an interior of a tub, spa or shower includes a plurality of ports and a flow control device. The device includes a handle, a first pipe, and a second pipe. The handle is movable among a plurality of positions. The first pipe includes a plurality of inlets. The second pipe is movable relative to the first pipe, and the second pipe includes a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with the plurality of ports. The handle is connected with the first pipe or the second pipe. Manual moving of the handle by a user serves to cause communication of an inlet of the plurality of inlets with a first outlet of the plurality of outlets. The first outlet is in fluid communication with a first port of the plurality of ports. The communication of the inlet with the first outlet serves to allow flow of water from a water source to the inlet to the first outlet to the first port to the interior of the tub, spa or shower.

Abstract: A device in draining gutters comprises a gutter member (11) adapted to be imbedded in a hole in a floor in relation to the surrounding floor, connectable to a conduit (6) for draining water, said member being adapted to receive water, and an arrangement for sealing the floor covering (8) in relation to the gutter member, for preventing water from finding its way between the latters. This sealing arrangement has means (23, 24, 25) aranged to seal against the floor covering (8) by bearing on the latter from above around an upper water receiving opening (32) of the gutter member.

Abstract: A built-in furniture unit is provided with a fixedly mounted toilet, a shower, a shower tray, a rear wall rigidly connected to the shower tray, and a toilet seat movably mounted on the rear wall. The built-in furniture unit is designed as a cubicle. The essential advantage of this built-in furniture unit is that it can be installed, for example, in the bedroom of a person in need of nursing, so transforming the bedroom into a nursing care room.

Abstract: A tap used for controlling the flow of liquid, such as water, oil, or gas, is disclosed. The liquid control tap of this invention has a valve capable of being effectively operated using inexhaustible energy, such as gravity, hydraulic pressure, buoyancy, magnetic force, frictional force, or elasticity. In the tap, a connection pipe, used for the purpose of connecting the tap body to a separate device such as a shower device, is integrated with the rear portion of the tap body into a single structure. The tap is also provided with an eccentric union for controlling the vertical position of the outlet port of the tap. Therefore, the present invention reduces the number of parts, the manufacturing process, improves productivity, and reduces the manufacturing cost of taps.

Abstract: A system for raising a person lying on the ground includes a lifting seat 10 comprising a back rest 12 coupled to a seat portion 18. At either side of the back rest 12 and seat portion 18 there are provided side supports 14, 16, 20 and 22. The system is such that in use it can be slid onto a person lying on his/her side, rotated such that the back rest 12 lies on the ground, with the supports 14-22 supporting the person during rotation to a back-lying position. The back rest 12 can then be rotated upwardly to bring the person into a sitting position.

Abstract: A collapsible baby bed includes a fabric cover which covers a collapsible tubular frame. The frame may include a plurality of links which are coupled by a resilient cord such that when in use, the bed may take a conventional crib or playpen shape and when the links are decoupled, the bed may be folded into a collapsed shape for storage or transport.

Abstract: A hammock which comprises a bed having an entrance slit, situated in the same vertical plane as its longitudinal axis of symmetry and located on one side of its center of symmetry. The bed is provided with a self closing feature for the entrance slit. This feature is located at the mid point of the bed's short side, where the entrance slit begins. The bed has a bundle of gathered folds, situated at both its ends. The bundle is made of each short side of a rectangular sheet which forms the bed. A ridge line goes through each opposite bundle of gathered folds, where it is connected to each suspending rope.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a positioning shaft is fixedly connected to a frame of a folding bed. A switch is operable to cause a motor to rotate the positioning shaft in a manner that alternatively causes the frame to rotate to either a raised storage position or a lowered functional position. In a second embodiment, a power assembly and the frame have axes of rotation that are displaced from each other. A motor of the power assembly is coupled to an end of a threaded shaft that engages threads of an internally threaded sheath that is connected to the frame at a datum location. The frame is raised in response to a distance between axis of rotation of the power assembly and the datum location being increased. The frame is lowered in response to the distance being decreased. The distance is changed in response to a rotation of the threaded shaft.

Abstract: An inflatable beach pillow system with an attachable blanket including a pillow in a generally circular configuration. The pillow has an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of inflatable sections. The sections include a circular interior section, an enlarged annular radially exterior section and at least one annular intermediate section therebetween. Each of the sections are individually inflatable. A separately inflatable arcuate section is formed in the exterior section and extends for about ninety degrees of its extent. The arcuate section is adapted to constitute a head pillow when inflated with an inwardly sloping upper surface each of the inflatable sections having an individual valve. A blanket is provided in a circular configuration and adapted to be positioned on the upper surface of the pillow. The exterior surface of the blanket is formed with a plurality of concentric rings to constitute scoring sections with indicia thereon.

Abstract: The bed covering anchor system in the preferred configuration has a pair of adjustable length crossing support straps to allow attachment to the area of the corners of a variety of sizes of bed covering placed on bed mattresses. Elastic straps are engaged at the ends of the crossing straps and have a grasping device at one or both ends of each elastic strap to grasp the covering and provide a retracting force to keep the covering taut on the mattress. One or more lateral support straps may also be attached to the cover to keep the longitudinal edges of the covering taut at the points of attachment.

Abstract: A bed includes a base frame, a bed deck above the base frame, and an intermediate frame carrying the bed deck. The intermediate frame is mounted to the base frame for movement relative to the base frame between a raised position spaced apart above the base frame and a lowered position below the raised position. The bed also includes a side rail mounted to the intermediate frame and extending generally upwardly therefrom to a top of the side rail, a drive assembly coupling the intermediate frame to the base frame, and control buttons mounted on the side rail and coupled to the drive assembly so that activation of the control buttons activates the drive assembly. The drive assembly moves the intermediate frame between the raised position and the lowered position when the drive assembly is activated. The control buttons include resident control buttons facing toward the bed deck and caregiver control buttons facing away from the bed deck.

Abstract: A cushion support to be placed on a bed or other horizontal support surface which allows a woman to lie or sleep in a face-down position without exerting pressure on the breasts. The cushion support includes an elongated block of foam material, the front section of which is horizontally oriented and supports the upper rib cage and the sternum of the user, and a wedge-shaped lower section which supports the torso of the user. Vertically oriented arcuate recesses are provided to accommodate the breasts. When lying in a face-down position, the breasts of the user depend downwardly into the recesses without contacting the underlying support surface or the cushion support. The device is particularly designed to be used after surgical procedures to the breasts, such as breast implantations or breast reductions.

Abstract: A chair apparatus includes a base frame, an intermediate frame coupled to the base frame, and a resident support frame including a back section, a seat section, and a leg section pivotably coupled to the base frame and the intermediate frame by a plurality of links to permit the support frame to move from a chair position to a flat position.

Abstract: An air mattress includes an upper sheet with a tufted top surface, a lower sheet, and front and rear sheets. The front sheet has upper, lower and lateral edges. The upper edge of the front sheet is sealed to a front edge of the upper sheet, is longer than the front edge of the upper sheet, and has excess portions on two sides of the front edge of the upper sheet. The rear sheet has upper edge, lower and lateral edges. The upper edge of the rear sheet is sealed to a rear edge of the upper sheet, is longer than the rear edge of the upper sheet, and has excess portions on two sides of the rear edge of the upper sheet. The lower sheet has a front edge sealed to the lower edge, the lateral edges, and the excess portions of the upper edge of the front sheet. The lower sheet has a rear edge sealed to the lower edge, the lateral edges, and the excess portions of the upper edge of the rear sheet. The lower sheet further has lateral edges sealed to lateral edges of the upper sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates primarily to a versatile hand-held pocket tool having slidable pivoted jaws that are extensible from within the handle grips. The pivoted jaws are rotatably locked in the extended position thereby preventing the pliers from retracting when being used. When not in use the pliers are retracted into each of the handle grips and rotatably locked, maintaining the jaws in their storage position. Each of the jaws has two cutting surfaces; one notched cutting surface for cutting wire and one shearing surface for wire stripping and the like. Two foldable pivoted screwdrivers comprising a flattened blade type and a Phillips end type are included to provide versatile portable tool operation. The pocket tool can be manufactured using powdered metal technology to reduce the manufacturing cost and to ensure greater uniformity and precision.

Abstract: A belt with a fastener wherein one ring of the fastener is adapted for use as a bottle opener. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener comprises a first ring and a second ring, the first ring having a nub and being attached to a front surface of the strip of material, wherein the first ring is adapted to open bottles by grasping a portion of a bottle cap with the ring and applying upward pressure under the bottle cap with the nub. To fasten the belt, the second end of the strip is adapted to be threaded through the second and first rings and re-threaded through the second ring. In a another preferred embodiment, the fastener may further include a third ring such that the second end of the strip is adapted to be threaded through the third, second and first rings and re-threaded through the second and third ring.

Abstract: A school locker having remote controlled locking, opening, and beeping functions. The locker includes a key pad transmitter having a first button that activates a locking mechanism, a second button that activates a door opening mechanism, and a third button that activates a sound-making device, much like the beeper in a wristwatch, in order to help a visually impaired student more easily find his or her locker. Two embodiments of the locking mechanism are presented, the first being a solenoid actuated remote control locking mechanism, and the other being a remote controlled motorized pendulum lock. Again, the second feature of the locker is a door opening device, which may be used in connection with either locking mechanism, and which opens the locker door after it is unlocked. The door opening mechanism utilizes a solenoid actuated system of release levers which urge the locker door's latch pins off of their corresponding latches.

Abstract: A wash liquid inlet nozzle is provided for directing wash liquid against a bottom wall and a side wall of a vertical axis basket of an automatic washer. The inlet nozzle has a body with a rear wall, a front wall and a top wall connecting the rear wall and front wall. An inlet passage extends through the rear wall for directing a flow of wash liquid into the inlet nozzle. The front wall is arranged and configured in a first area to direct wash liquid against the basket bottom wall and a lower region of the basket side wall and in a second area to direct wash liquid against a middle and an upper region of the basket side wall. With such an inlet nozzle, wash liquid is directed in a sheet against the entire height of the basket wall to wet all of the clothes in the basket.