Abstract: A bladeless turbocharger is disclosed for use with an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a drive shaft engaged with a bearing assembly that has a turbine driven by the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine at one end and a blower driven by the turbine at the other. The turbine and blower have flat disks spaced at a critical distance apart with open circular centers that have spokes mounting them to the drive shaft. The critical distance between the turbine disks promotes the boundary layer drag effect of the exhaust gas against the turbine disks. The blower transfers rotational energy to air entering the critical distance between the blower disks by boundary layer drag effect of the air against the blower disks only. The energy transfer increases the mass per unit volume of the air that exits the blower through a blower outlet.

Abstract: A temporary license device configured for removable mounting to an interior surface of a vehicle window includes an elongated generally rectangular plate formed of transparent plastic material. The plate is flexible to conform to a curvature of the vehicle window and has a memory characteristic enabling the plate to return to its original shape after being mounted. Each side of the plate has a protective sheet removably attached thereto to prevent damage to the plate prior to mounting. The plate and protective sheets have a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. A plurality of suction cups are removably connected to the plate to mount the plate to the vehicle window.

Abstract: This invention concerns a one piece device which is directly mounted by an installation gun to support electrical wires to a flat surface such as a ceiling or a wall. The device comprises a mounting portion, a distancing portion, a receiving portion, and a fastening portion. The mounting portion has a looped terminal which is positioned flush against the surface. The distancing portion is perpendicularly joined to the mounting portion and extends away from the surface to define a clearance distance. The receiving portion is joined to the distancing portion and comprises a looped wire receiving portion for receiving and supporting an electrical wire. The fastening portion is attached to the looped terminal for fastening to the surface.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a connector that comprises a coupling comprising a first portion, a second portion that is located adjacent the first portion, a top surface, and a bottom planar surface that is located opposite the top surface. The bottom planar surface is continuous through the first portion and the second portion. The top surface is substantially planar through the first portion while defining a shape through the second portion that is asymmetrical in two dimensions about a set of perpendicular axes centered in the second portion. The present invention also provides a connection system, a portable assembly, and a method of assembling a portable structure that utilizes the coupling.

Abstract: A temperature regulating apparatus comprising, an airflow rate controller to increase or decrease the flow of air supplied from a central heating ventilation and air conditioning system exiting a duct into a selected area, a portable programmable thermostat and radio frequency transmitter, the transmitter transmitting a radio frequency command signal in response to the thermostat detecting a difference between the ambient temperature and the programmed temperature setting, a radio frequency receiver which supplies power to the airflow rate controller upon receiving the radio frequency command signal from the radio frequency transmitter, a channel selector switch assembly providing a number of unique radio frequency transmission codes that can be transmitted and received by the radio frequency transmitter and radio frequency receiver, and at least two thermostatic switch for deactivating the airflow rate controller when the duct air temperature is within a predetermined upper and lower temperature range.

Abstract: An improved mascara brush for applying mascara to eyelashes comprises a handle, a shaft extending from the handle having a first and second portion, the length of the first and second portions of the shaft having sufficient combined length to simultaneously reach all of the eyelashes of the eye, a first row of bristles connected to the shaft in a continuous clockwise spiral of decreasing length about the first portion of the shaft, and a second row of bristles connected to the shaft in a continuous clockwise spiral of decreasing length about the second portion of the shaft. A cylindrical storage container for containing an amount of mascara and accepting a mascara brush of sufficient length to simultaneously reach substantially all of the eyelashes of an eye stores the improved mascara brush.

Abstract: The present invention is an electromagnetic relay capable of transferring currents of greater than 100 amps for use in regulating the transfer of electricity or in other applications requiring the switching of currents of greater than 100 amps. A relay motor assembly has an elongated coil bobbin with an axially extending cavity therein. An excitation coil is wound around the bobbin. A generally U shaped ferromagnetic frame has a core section disposed in and extending through the axially extending cavity in the elongated coil bobbin. Two contact sections extend generally perpendicularly to the core section and rises above the motor assembly. An actuator assembly is magnetically coupled to the relay motor assembly. The actuator assembly is comprised of an actuator frame operatively coupled to a first and a second generally U-shaped ferromagnetic pole pieces, and a permanent magnet. A contact bridge made of a sheet of conductive material copper is operatively coupled to the actuator assembly.

Abstract: The protective defibrillator storage device has an enclosure comprised of a plurality of wall sections, a top section, a bottom section and a door section. The wall sections, top section, bottom section, and the door section define an interior compartment. The interior compartment is of sufficient size to house a defibrillator. A defibrillator mount is connected to an interior surface of the enclosure. An alarm means is connected to the enclosure. The alarm means is used to indicate that the door of the protective defibrillator storage device has been opened, and that a cardiac arrest incident is possibly in progress. The alarm means is comprised of an alarm circuit with a visual alarm signal and an audible alarm signal. The alarm means is activated when the door section is opened and remains activated until the alarm means is deactivated and reset.

Abstract: The water cooler bottle has a cylindrical body in order to enable it to be used with most water cooler units, and is enclosed on one end by a top portion and on the other end by a bottom portion. The top portion has a spout portion extending outwardly therefrom. The bottom portion with exception to a circular recessed portion is preferably horizontal in order to allow the bottle to be stored in an upright position while resting on the bottom portion. The circular recessed portion has a wall section and a floor section. The floor section has an aperture therethrough which is positioned concentrically to the cylindrical body. A circular cap is removably disposed within the circular recessed portion in order to seal the aperture. The circular cap has a top surface and a side wall peripherally extending around the cap. The top surface has a gripping means mounted thereon.

Abstract: A transparent self contained spoon which includes a food storage tank and a manually operable food dispensation valve and which allows food to be dispensed into the bowl of the spoon conveniently and without spillage. The feeding spoon has a flattened bowl at one end for supporting soft foods or liquids as they are placed into the mouth. The other end of the spoon is branched to form two completely separated structures, the handle and the food storage tank. The handle is linearly aligned with the bowl of the spoon, and the food storage tank extends upwardly from the handle at an angle. The food storage tank is hollow, and has an increased diameter relative to the handle so as to accommodate several ounces of soft food or liquid. By mounting the food storage tank at an upward angle relative to the bowl of the spoon and handle, gravity is used to urge the food material into the bowl portion and complicated mechanical parts are not required to propel the food toward the bowl of the spoon.

Abstract: The carpet/floor cleaning wand has a vacuum tube with a first section extending roughly parallel to the ground and a second section angled in an upwards direction from the first section. A vacuum hose connects the vacuum tube to a vacuum source. A vacuum head is connected to the first section of the vacuum tube, the vacuum head having bristles therearound and a squeegee attached to the front of the vacuum head. A wheel assembly is releasably mounted onto the vacuum tube. A brush assembly having a motor and a brush is mounted behind the vacuum head. A spray assembly is comprised of a spray manifold mounted behind the vacuum head, a plurality of spray heads emanating from the spray manifold, a fluid feeding tube extending from the spray manifold and to a flow regulator.

Abstract: An electromagnetic relay having a motor assembly with a bobbin secured to a frame. A core is disposed within the bobbin except for a core end which extends from the bobbin. An armature end magnetically engages the core end when the coil is energized. An actuator engages the armature and a plurality of movable blade assemblies. The movable blade assembly is comprised of a movable blade ultrasonically welded onto a center contact terminal. A normally open blade is positioned relatively parallel to a movable blade. The normally open blade is ultrasonically welded onto a normally open terminal to form a normally open contact assembly. A normally closed contact assembly comprised of a third contact rivet and a normally closed terminal. A normally closed contact assembly is vertically positioned with respect to the movable blade so that the normally closed contact assembly is in contact with the movable blade assembly when the movable blade is not being acted upon by the actuator.

Abstract: The present invention concerns shellfish opener apparatus and a method of opening. The apparatus comprises a base and a handle attached to the base for rotating the handle about a first axis. The first axis is transversely defined through the base and can allow the handle to be rotated in 360 degree motion. A rack and pinion geared shaft is attached to the handle and is vertically aligned through the base for axially translating the rack and pinion geared shaft along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. Axial translation along the second axis may be in an upward or downward motion. A punch, such as a wedge-shaped blade, is fixedly attached to the rack and pinion geared shaft for aligning and axially translating the punch means along the second axis for opening the shellfish. A collection and channeling structure, such as a trough, may be provided for receiving and supporting the shellfish and for collecting and channeling shellfish debris runoff during and after opening operations.

Abstract: The electromagnetic relay has a motor assembly with a bobbin secured to a housing. A core is adjacently connected below the bobbin except for a core end, which extends from the bobbin. An armature end magnetically engages the core end when the coil is energized. An actuator engages the armature and a plurality of center contact spring assemblies. The center contact spring assembly is comprised of a center contact spring which is not pre bent and is ultrasonically welded onto a center contact terminal. A normally open spring is positioned relatively parallel to a center contact spring. The normally open spring is ultrasonically welded onto a normally open terminal to form a normally open outer contact spring assembly. A normally closed outer contact spring is vertically positioned with respect to the center contact spring so that the normally closed outer contact spring assembly is in contact with the center contact spring assembly, when the center contact spring is not being acted upon by the actuator.

Abstract: A tomographic imaging system which images ionizing radiation such as gamma rays or x rays and which: 1) can produce tomographic images without requiring an orbiting motion of the detector(s) or collimator(s) around the object of interest, 2) produces smaller tomographic systems with enhanced system mobility, and 3) is capable of observing the object of interest from sufficiently many directions to allow multiple time-sequenced tomographic images to be produced. The system consists of a plurality of detector modules which are distributed about or around the object of interest and which fully or partially encircle it. The detector modules are positioned close to the object of interest thereby improving spatial resolution and image quality. The plurality of detectors view a portion of the patient or object of interest simultaneously from a plurality of positions.

Abstract: A water fall clock comprising a basin, the basin defining a water well, a water fountain, the water fountain being supported by the basin, and a transparent cover. The transparent cover is positioned on the basin and encloses the water fountain. The transparent cover is sized and shaped to encase the water fountain. The water fountain has at least one water spout for ejecting water within the transparent cover. The water fountain further comprises a water pump, the water pump is positioned within the water well, a water pipe, the water pipe extends between the water pump and the water spout and allows water to pass from the water pump to the water spout. The water fountain allows fallen water from the water spout to flow into the water well for recirculation by the water pump. A clock can further be secured to the basin, thereby creating a decorative enclosed water fall clock structure. A cabinet structure can enclose the basin, thereby creating a decorative enclosed basin.

Abstract: The mounting structure is made of a thin rigid sheet of material, having a first section and a second section. The first section is rearwardly bent and is generally perpendicular to the second section. The first section has an aperture therethrough. The aperture is sized to allow a hook portion of a hanger to be inserted through and disposed within the aperture. The second section has a plurality of channel pairs with each channel in the channel pair extending from an edge of the second section and running relatively parallel across the second section. The channel pair consists of a an upper channel and a lower channel. A necktie or any other similarly shaped article of clothing is held onto the second section by interweaving the necktie between the channel pair so that a portion of the necktie is disposed within both the upper and lower channel.

Abstract: A pounding head is mounted onto a handle at an offset with respect to the handle in order to align the pounding head with the forearm. In the preferred embodiment, this offset is defined by an angle &bgr; created between a first reference plane extending through the axial center of the pounding head and bisecting the pounding head and a second reference plane extending through the axial center of the handle, bisecting the handle along its front and rear portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to allow one person to feed a fishtape through a conduit into an electrical circuit panel box and electrically insulating the fishtape from contact with live electrical wires at the electrical circuit panel box, including the steps of: a) placing a translucent closed ended tubular device onto a first end of an empty conduit extending within the electrical circuit panel box; b) feeding a fishtape through a second end of the conduit until the fishtape hits the translucent closed ended tubular device positioned at the first end of the conduit; c) visually inspecting the translucent closed ended tubular device within the electrical circuit panel box to locate the fishtape; and d) removing the translucent closed ended tubular device that contains the fishtape, whereby one person can feed a fishtape through the conduit until the fishtape hits the translucent closed ended tubular device without hitting any live wires located in the electrical circuit panel box, thereafter the person can then i