Abstract: The new ‘HBOK32’ rootstock, a hybrid between two peach parents, is useful as a commercial under-stock for peach and nectarine cultivars. The stock has been successfully propagated clonally by leafy cuttings and tissue culture. This rootstock imparts significant vigor control to the scion cultivar that is propagated on top of it. This rootstock produces very few root suckers, its anchorage is good and it is resistant to root-knot nematode. Utilization of adapted growth controlling rootstocks in commercial orchard situations reduces the height of the tree and the amount of wood pruned in the winter and summer, without compromising the quality of the fruit. This in turn increases the efficiency of various cultural operations such as pruning, thinning and harvesting by reducing the need for workers in the field to use tall ladders when carrying out these operations.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Mabel White’, characterized by its compact, upright, outwardly spreading and rounded plant habit; freely branching habit; dense and full plant habit; uniform and freely flowering habit; decorative-type inflorescences with white-colored ray florets; and excellent garden performance.

Abstract: A new poinsettia plant named ‘NPCW10184’ particularly distinguished by its upright growth habit and intensive marbling color pattern is disclosed.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plant named ‘Sunmaricomu’, characterized by its compact and mounding to cascading plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; early and freely flowering habit; long flowering period; red purple-colored flowers that are held above and beyond the foliar plane; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plant named ‘Sunmaricoaka’, characterized by its compact and mounding to cascading plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; early and freely flowering habit; long flowering period; red-colored flowers that are held above and beyond the foliar plane; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Phlox plant named ‘Duephopin’, characterized by its compact, upright and outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; and large light red purple-colored flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe plant named ‘Ficalanweaver’, characterized by its compact, upright and uniformly mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely branching plant habit; glossy dark green-colored leaves; uniform and freely flowering habit; double red purple and white bi-colored flowers; and excellent postproduction longevity.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe plant named ‘Ficalanjamaica’, characterized by its compact, upright and uniformly mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely branching plant habit; glossy dark green-colored leaves; uniform and freely flowering habit; double bright yellow-colored flowers; and excellent postproduction longevity.

Abstract: A new Osteospermum plant particularly distinguished by having a violet ray floret color, medium flower size, and compact and mounding plant habit, is disclosed.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Bacopa plant named ‘Duebahwi’, characterized by its compact, mounding and trailing growth habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; and large white-colored flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Bacopa plant named ‘Duebahwini’, characterized by its compact, mounding and trailing growth habit; freely branching habit; dark green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; and large white-colored flowers.

Abstract: An electric control device for a motor-driven derailleur for bicycles includes a supporting body fixed to a handlebar of a bicycle, a supporting body, a pair of electric switches to control the gear change carried by the supporting body, and a gear change lever that can be manually operated to control a first of said switches. The gear change lever comprises a first part connected to the supporting body so as to consent shift of the gear change lever between a position at rest and an operating position, and a second part hinged to the first part.

Abstract: A telecommunications enclosure box for compactly supporting and housing components that provide communicative connection of remote multimedia equipment. The enclosure box includes a base, a front door, pairs of first and second mounting brackets, and pluralities of first and second securing elements. The pairs of first mounting brackets and second mounting brackets are adapted to support various components on the base for communicative connection of remote multimedia equipment.

Abstract: A probe for engaging a conductive pad is provided. The probe includes a probe contact end for receiving a test current, a probe retention portion below the contact end, a block for holding the probe retention portion, a probe arm below the retention portion, a probe contact tip below the arm, and a generally planar self-cleaning skate disposed perpendicular below the contact tip. The self-cleaning skate has a square front, a round back and a flat middle section. The conductive pad is of generally convex shape having a granular non-conductive surface of debris and moves to engage the skate, whereby an overdrive motion is applied to the pad causing the skate to move across and scrub non-conductive debris from the pad displacing the debris along the skate and around the skate round back end to a position on the skate that is away from the pad.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to prevent a conventional problem in that the focal point position cannot be determined before and after an in-focus point, even in a slow shutter mode. To this end, a camera control microcomputer of a video camera determines the drive amount of a focus lens for one field in accordance with the rotation angle of a manual focus dial when the shutter speed is 1/60 sec, 1/30 sec, or 1/15 sec, and controls a focus compensation lens driver and focus compensation lens motor to drive the focus lens by the determined drive amount in a direction corresponding to the detected rotation direction of the manual focus dial.

Abstract: A segment electrode group 10 is passed through a lower side portion of a sealing resin 7 to be connected to a connection terminal group for segment electrode 8. A connection terminal group for common electrode 6 is juxtaposed to the connection terminal group for segment electrode 8 along the lower side portion of the sealing resin 7. The connection terminal group for common electrode 6 is connected to a wiring pattern 5 through the lower side portion of the sealing resin 7. The wiring pattern 5 passes through an area between a right side portion of the sealing resin 7 and a display area 3 to be connected to a conduction portion between substrates Q1. The conduction portion between substrates Q1 contains numerous conductive particles so as to electrically connect the wiring pattern 5 and a common electrode group 4 to each other. By this arrangement, downsizing of a liquid crystal display device can be accomplished.

Abstract: Control device for positioning a visor for protective helmets, wherein the visor is rotatable from a configuration fully superimposed on the front opening of the protective helmet to a configuration of partial or total disengagement from said opening. The device includes structure to reversibly lock the visor in at least one position relative to the front opening. The structure to lock the visor includes a control element anchored, with at least a degree of freedom, to the visor, coupled to which is at least one tooth or pin, for engagement with at least one stop or seat, integral with the cap of the helmet. The control element is movable between a first stable position in which it controls engagement of the tooth with the relative stop or seat, and at least a neutral position in which it controls disengagement of said tooth from the relative stop or seat.

Abstract: A hard hat adapter for a welding helmet is disclosed. The dapater includes a housing which has an outer wall, an interior surface and a bottom surface. The outer wall includes a surface defining a window therethrough. The interior surface includes a recessed surface circumscribing the window. The recessed surface includes at least one planar surface thereon. A rotatable boss is captured within the housing against the interior surface. The boss has an annular lip that includes at least one planar surface thereon configured to selectively engage the planar surface on the recessed surface of the housing and prevent the boss from rotating when engaged thereon and freely rotatable when disengaged therefrom. A mounting post extends from the boss and projects through the window on the housing. The mounting post is configured to selectively couple to a welding helmet. The welding helmet may include a rotatable cam configured to engage a lever arm on the hard hat adapter.

Abstract: A flip-to-wear eye shield is provided that is designed for compact storage and ease of use. The eye shield may be dispensed in a compact, easy-to-assemble configuration and may include a protective lens and a frame coupled with the protective lens by one or more hinges. The one or more hinges may be configured to allow the protective lens to pivot with respect to the frame from a first substantially flat position to a second position assembled and ready for use.

Abstract: An article of apparel, which may be a pair of water shorts, includes a first textile and a second textile. The first textile forms a majority of an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface of the apparel, and the first textile exhibits at least thirty percent stretch prior to tensile failure. The second textile is located around a waistband portion of the apparel, and the second textile exhibits less than ten percent stretch prior to tensile failure.

Abstract: A multi-purpose unisex garment that can be worn in a variety of configurations on different parts of the body and for a variety of occasions. The garment includes a first sheet of material and a second sheet of material, which is positioned opposite the first sheet of material. The first and second sheets of material are secured to one another at or near two opposite ends of the sheets of material. The two other opposite ends of the sheets of material are open to allow a part of the body to pass through at least one of the openings. At least one of the open ends has a securing device positioned along at least a portion of the opening that may securely close at least a portion of the respective opening to secure the garment about the person.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for securely holding a tool are provided. The apparatus includes a glove covering a user's palm and fingers. This flap has a piece of adhesive fabric attached. An additional piece of adhesive fabric is placed on the glove over the user's thumb pad. On the back of the user's hand, over the user's fingernails are located additional pieces of adhesive fabric. In use, the user grasps the tool normally and uses the flap and the adhesive fabric pieces to secure the adhesive fabric, forming a secure grip.

Abstract: A garment adapted to be worn by a wearer. The garment includes a main body portion that is configured to be worn over at least a portion of the wearer's lumbo-pelvic region, hips and at least a portion of the legs, wherein the main body portion includes first and second leg portions that each define an axis. The garment also includes a strap system that includes a plurality of leg straps releasably affixed to the main body portion. Each of the leg straps includes at least one connector for affixing the leg strap to the main body portion. Each of the leg straps overlies a grip layer that is adapted to contact the wearer's skin when the garment is worn.

Abstract: Garments designed to be worn in conjunction with conventional chaps to protect the lower abdomen of the wearer and upper legs of a wearer are described herein. Also described are garments that replace conventional chaps.

Abstract: The present claimed invention is directed to a protective headguard, comprising a rear pad to protectively cover at least the occipital lobe on the back of a human head. The rear pad has an eccentric dimple for accommodating the occipital lobe. A front pad is configured and arranged to protectively cover at least the forehead of a human. The front pad is releasably interconnected to the rear pad at separate and distinct upper and lower connection points on the rear pad positioned on opposite sides of the dimple. The fit of the headguard can be adjusted between a first and second configuration by disconnecting the front and rear pads, rotating the rear pad 180° and reconnecting the front and rear pads with the front pad connections to the rear pad exchanged as between the upper and lower connection points.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shoulder pad for use in a contact sport, such as football, hockey or lacrosse, that is formed from a consolidated polymer fiber composite material, such as polypropylene tape yarn that reduces the overall weight of the shoulder pad. The shoulder pad includes a pair of arch members, each having an upper portion, a front portion depending from the upper portion, and a rear portion depending from the upper portion. The shoulder pad further includes at least one side pad assembly having an epaulet and a shoulder cap, wherein the shoulder cap overlies the wearer's shoulder region and the epaulet overlies both the arch member and the shoulder cap. The side pad assembly is operably secured to the body arch member by a fastening assembly that includes a flexible single band. Unlike conventional designs, the single band secures both the epaulet and the shoulder cap to the upper portion of the arch member.

Abstract: The present invention's toilet provides a toilet odor removal apparatus The toilet may additionally provide a dual flushing system and/or water overflow prevention system. The odor removal apparatus is operable to withdraw air from a toilet bowl via a suction assembly comprised of a motorized fan to discharge air into a sewer discharge line through a ventilating passage. A valve assembly for controlling the configuration of the system includes a valve controlling means and a solenoid iron plunger. Three main configurations include water flow from the toilet tank to the bowl (flushing), no water flow to the bowl and air flow from the toilet bowl through the fan to the ventilating passage (odor removal), and finally no water flow or air flow (not is use).

Abstract: A toilet assembly comprising: a toilet bowl; a toilet seat; and a hinge pivotally connecting the toilet seat to the toilet bowl, the hinge including a base portion connected to the toilet bowl, the base portion being made of a relatively rigid material; a leaf portion connected to the toilet seat, the leaf portion being made of a relatively rigid material; and a living hinge portion pivotally connecting the base portion to the leaf portion, the living hinge portion being made of a relatively flexible material.

Abstract: A self-closing toilet seat assembly includes a longitudinal hinge tube mounted in a cavity on the underside of a toilet lid in coaxial alignment with the hinge flanges thereof. The hinge tube is secured in hinged engagement with both the toilet lid and seat by means of a pair of slow-close hinge dampeners. A self-closing mechanism, in association with a mounting base attached to the bowl of a conventional toilet and to the underside of the hinge tube, is responsive to manual lifting of either the toilet lid itself or of both the toilet lid and the toilet seat to the open or vertical position for initiating closing rotation of the toilet lid and the toilet seat, if also upright, to the vertical tipping point, past which they continue to gravitationally rotate to the closed position, at a rate limited by the slow-close hinge dampeners.

Abstract: A toilet actuating system includes a flush pedal, at least one seat/lid pedal, a control unit interfacing with the flush pedal and the at least one seat/lid pedal, a toilet flush mechanism engaged by the control unit and at least one of a toilet seat and a toilet lid engaged by the control unit.

Abstract: The sink drain assembly (3-5) comprises a downwardly extending drain sleeve (3) integrally formed on the sink (1); a resilient, generally cylindrical mounting member (5) formed with an upper annular section (7) adapted to releasably engage the drain sleeve (3) and with a lower annular section (13) adapted to releasably receive an upper portion (12) of a garbage disposer (8,9); a clamp (14) removably attachable to the mounting member (5) in overlying relation to the upper (7) and lower (13) annular sections, and a strainer (64) having a radially outwardly extending gasket (63) adapted to establish a generally water tight seal between the strainer (64) and a splashguard (66) mounted on the upper portion (12) of the garbage disposer (8,9).

Abstract: Pop-up fountain embodiments are provided which successfully combine aesthetics, utility and ease of installation and are thus especially suited for installation into spas, hot tubs, pools and the like. Different embodiments include a fountain body and a fountain valve which is slidingly received in the body. The valve terminates in a cap which substantially fills an aperture of the body when the valve is in a quiescent position. Applied water pressure forces the valve into an energized position where the form of the valve directs water laterally in an aesthetically-pleasing pattern. The valve preferably includes a deflector which is arranged below the cap and configured to control and enhance the lateral deflection.

Abstract: A spa or hot tub system includes a tub forming a cavity that holds a fluid such as water therein, and a water circulation system provides for circulation of water within the tub. The hot tub includes inner and outer surfaces, and defines an internal space. A heat pump system is operably connected to the water circulation system, and heats the water in the hot tub. The water side heat exchangers of the heat pump may include a polymer housing, and coiled inner elements for refrigerant. The coils may be made of a corrosion-resistant metal tubing or the like. The system may include a conventional electric heating element in addition to the heat pump to provide additional heating capacity.

Abstract: A foot spa tub includes a tub basin, a first magnetic drive member rotatably coupled to a drive motor, and a first casing supporting the magnetic drive member. The first casing is disposed against an exterior surface of a sidewall of the basin. A second magnetic drive member is rotatably coupled to a blade. The first and second magnetic drive members are magnetically coupled to each other so that the blade is drivingly coupled to the drive motor. A nozzle houses the second magnetic drive member and the blade. The nozzle is detachably securable to an interior surface of the sidewall by a magnetic attraction force between the first and second magnetic drive members. A method of circulating liquid in a foot tub spa is also provided.

Abstract: A shower bar assembly that includes a pair of mounting brackets configured and arranged to be mounted to a wall of a shower stall is disclosed. Each of the mounting brackets has a base portion with a first shelf and a second shelf projecting from the base portion. The first and second shelves each have a retaining peg projecting from each shelf, respectively. A tubular shower bar is included and has two opposing ends. Each of the ends of the tubular shower bar has a pair of surfaces in which each defines an aperture through the tubular shower bar. Each end of the tubular shower bar is configured and arranged to slide onto the first and second shelves of the mounting brackets, with the apertures interlocking with each of the retaining pegs, respectively, to suspend the shower bar between the mounting brackets and to prevent the shower bar from rotating between the brackets.

Abstract: A splash guard for installation on a washing basin having a faucet assembly mounted proximate an edge of said basin, said splash guard comprising a one piece, generally concave shell having a floor portion with one or more openings for water supply plumbing to said faucet assembly and an upwardly curved rear wall portion integral therewith for directing splashed material impinging thereon into said washing basin.

Abstract: One example embodiment includes a quick sink system. The quick sink system includes a sink. The sink includes a faucet, where the faucet includes a cold water input for receiving cold water and a hot water input for receiving hot water. The sink also includes a basin, where the basin is configured to retain water and a drain, where the drain is configured to remove water from the basin. The quick sink system also includes a first connector, where the first connector is configured to connect the cold water input to a cold water supply, and a second connector, where the second connector is configured to connect the hot water input to a hot water supply.

Abstract: Disclosed are fittings (e.g. tub spouts) suitable for mounting to a member (e.g. a water pipe). Special clamping structures are provided and located in a cavity of a fitting body. The clamping structures have at least two separate clamp parts that surround the water pipe or other member. A set screw can be extended radially inward from a hole in the fitting body to drive a clamp part. This helps to retain the end of the member in the cavity, while distributing clamping load away from a single point.

Abstract: A drain control assembly has a pop-up stopper controlled by a cammed actuating mechanism allowing the stopper to alternately seal and unseat from the drain opening by repetitively pressing down on the stopper. The seal seats against the structure housing the drain, such as a tub or sink basin and the like, so that a clean look and positive seal can be achieved. The assembly has integral catch basket that serves to both retain items fallen into the drain and removably mount the assembly to a support beneath the drain opening such that the assembly is firmed secured in place for controlling flow through the drain, but also can be dislodged so that the entire assembly can be removed and items in the catch basket can be retrieved. The assembly can then be reinstalled by simply inserting it down into the drain. A method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: A table assembly for a patient transfer device has an upper table with side plates that are differentially extended at the ends, and valve control for pneumatic tubing integrated with retraction of the side plates. During patient delivery only the delivery side plate is raised, to avoid catching linens in the nip formed between upper and lower belts. A slide assembly supporting the table assembly includes a fixed plate, an intermediate plate, and a full-motion plate which extend by means of rack-and-pinion drives. Each plate is symmetrical, and pinions are symmetrically located on opposite sides of the fixed or intermediate plate to allow hyperextension to either the left or right. Improved steerage for the device is provided by two centerline wheels which counter-rotate from a straight position to a turning position and further to a lateral position wherein the wheels are orthogonal to the longitudinal centerline of the device.