Abstract: A non-invasive percutaneously acting apparatus for relieving constipation or diarrhea and appropriately stimulating peristaltic movement in the human gastro-intestinal (GI) tract. The apparatus includes an annular or toroidal shaped hollow housing having a working surface on one side thereof. A multi-point electrode generally coextensive with the working surface includes a plurality of point electrodes each separately mounted in and preferably biasingly moveably extend outwardly from the working surface. A d.c. pulse generator selectively and sequentially connectable to the point electrodes whereby, when the working surface is positioned against or in close proximity to the skin over the GI tract, the point electrodes deliver electrical pulses percutaneously and sequentially moving from one point electrode to the next adjacent point electrode repeatedly around the working surface.

Abstract: An internet-facilitated system and method for retrieval of ancestral information relating to a deceased person. A medallion is permanently attached to a gravestone at the gravesite of the deceased person. The medallion bears viewable indicia including an identification number (I.D.) facing outwardly when the medallion is permanently attached to the gravestone. The I.D. is assigned is unique to the deceased person. A host computer database is configured to include ancestral information related to the deceased person retrievable via the Internet from a remote personal computer (P.C.) terminal. The information typically includes known ancestors, descendents, family history genetic/DNA profiles and exact geographic location of the gravesites of each of the deceased persons subscribed to the system according to each particular I.D. whereby individuals interested in obtaining the ancestral information with respect to a particular decedent, once knowing the particular I.D.

Abstract: An adjustable articulated bed with separate adjustable leg and head/back assemblies which support an articulating mattress. The invention is manufactured in three pieces specifically designed for economical shipping directly to consumers via United Parcel, FedEx or US Postal, and is easily assembled without tools. The appearance of the bed is similar to that of a standard bed box spring or platform foundation and may be assembled and placed on a traditional metal frame, headboard, or footboard with side rails. Optional adjustable height legs are threadably attachable into support brackets connected to the bottom of each assembly to adjust the overall height of the bed.

Abstract: A telescoping boat tower apparatus attachable atop a deck structure of a boat. The apparatus includes lower and upper frame assemblies each including spaced upright tubular supports, the lower frame assembly supports attachable at a lower end thereof to the deck. The tubular supports of the upper assembly are connected at an upper end to a standing platform positioned above a console of the boat. The upper frame assembly includes spaced upright elongated second tubular supports, which are connected at an upper end thereof to a body support rail and held in telescoping coaxial alignment and registry with corresponding first tubular members whereby the upper frame assembly is slidably movable vertically with respect to the lower frame assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating heavy isotopes of hydrogen from contaminated water. The apparatus includes a treatment chamber with an elongated hollow core fiber (HCF) extending within the chamber. A reservoir holds contaminated water mixed with beads formed of an exchange resin, the mixture of contaminated water and beads forming a flowable slurry. The slurry is continuously circulated through the hollow core fiber and the reservoir preferably by a pulsating peristaltic pump. The beads absorb a portion of the heavy isotopes from the slurry by exchange with waters of hydration of the beads while the hollow core fiber allows permeation of only light water from said slurry outwardly through the HCF wall as a permeate.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device for the selective oral administration of a liquid medicine simultaneously with a liquid beverage. The device includes a cup for holding a beverage and a lid sealably connectable onto the open upper end of the cup. The cup includes an elongated cylindrical medicine cavity having an open lower end and a narrowing upper discharge tip. The medicine cavity is formed into the outer perimeter surface of the cup for concealment. A medicine plunger is sealingly movable within the medicine cavity for discharging liquid medicine from the discharge tip. The lid has a tapered upwardly extending drinking spout with preferably two spaced ports and a second port positioned between the first ports whereby liquid beverage in the cup may be dispensed from the first ports by gravity feed and liquid medicine in said medicine cavity may be independently selectively dispensed from the second port by movement of the medicine plunger.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling movement of a hydraulic actuator of a hydraulic control system associated with, for example, an off-road vehicle or a vessel. A geared transmission adapted to be connectable to a support member has rotatable input and output shafts, and a speed ratio of greater than unity and preferably as high as 5 to 10:1. A manually operated steering wheel is supported for substantially free rotation with, the input shaft. A rotatably actuated voltage generator is driven in rotation by the transmission output shaft to produce a high d.c. voltage, low current output signal which is proportional to the speed of rotation of the steering wheel while the output signal polarity is determined by the direction of movement of the steering wheel. A hydraulic valve driver transforms the d.c. output signal into a proportional pulse width modulated voltage control signal which controls position and movement of the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A pair of preferably substantially buoyant-in-water hand pliers comprising a pair of non-metallic lever members each having a handle portion and a jaw portion and formed of material preferably having a density greater than water. The lever members are pivotally connected together at common central portions between the jaw and handle portions. Each handle portion preferably has one or more outwardly opening cavities formed into a side surface of the handle portions. An elongated tubular sheath preferably formed of material buoyant in water covers and sealingly encloses the cavities whereby the effective density of the pliers is less than that of water. An effective, durable, non-corrosive wire cutting arrangement is also provided, the components uniquely configured and supported in the non-metallic jaw portions.

Abstract: A mattress pad positionable atop a rectangular mattress which better accommodates diverse weights and sizes of the human anatomy for enhanced comfort. The mattress pad includes a flexible bottom sheet having a size and shape substantially similar to that of a top surface of the mattress. A flexible fabric top sheet is connected to the bottom sheet by peripheral stitching along common perimeter side, head and foot margins. A plurality of generally side-by-side body supporting chambers are each defined by peripheral stitching and spaced lines of continuous stitching which interconnect the top and bottom sheets. Each chamber is filled with a loose stuffing of fibrous or synthetic material which is movable within the chamber and capable of localized accumulation within the chamber by manual body or hand manipulating pressure against the top sheet. Preselected nominal thicknesses of each of the chambers provides the comfort and accommodation to each portion of the human anatomy.

Abstract: A toy lowrider model vehicle which simulates the lifting and lowering movement of a full-size lowrider vehicle. The toy vehicle, preferably wireless or remote controlled having an onboard control signal receiver and battery power, has a chassis which supports spaced front and rear suspension assemblies each including a transverse axle supporting a wheel thereon for rotation and chassis support. Each suspension assembly is preferably independently movable, carrying an axle and wheel thereon for controlled up and down movement to selectively raise and lower each corner of the chassis separately or in any desired combination together. Lifting motors supported on the chassis each include an output shaft connected to one corresponding suspension assembly whereby the corresponding axle and wheel thereon are carried to move up or down to effect the corresponding corner of the chassis to raise or lower in lowrider fashion.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically lowering a raised toilet seat pivotally attached to a back of a bowl of a toilet. The apparatus includes a preferably U-shaped support member to be supported over a front wall of the water tank. An elongated arm is pivotally supported at an upper end thereof to an upper end of the support member. A float is to be positioned in the water tank and is moved vertically on the support member when the tank is flushed. A movable member is positioned in contact between the support member and the arm and is attached to a flexible line which extends along the support member to the float. The movable member is arranged to pivotally move the arm outwardly when the toilet is flushed, pushing the cover and toilet seat together away from the tank a distance sufficient for the cover and toilet seat to then pivotally fall into a closed position atop the bowl.

Abstract: For an electronic fish scale including a molded housing having upper and lower portions for supported hand grasping and a pair of opposed C-shaped jaws which open when a jaw actuator is manually moved upwardly to receive a lower lip of a fish securely held and unhurt between the jaws when closed for weighing the fish, a jaw tip cover for the lower distal end portion of each jaw half. The jaw tips or GRIP SOCKS are over-molded of resistant plastic material to enhance gripability of fish lips and to reduce harm to the fish when released.

Abstract: A universal paint shield for releasable attachment to an electrical wall outlet or switch assembly for preventing paint from contacting any exposed surfaces thereof as the wall is painted. The paint shield has a molded plastic body formed as a unit having a front panel and top, bottom and side walls projecting rearward of the front panel and having substantially continuous outer edge portions. At least two opposing edge portions biasingly engage against the corresponding outer edge surfaces of the cover plate to entirely cover all surfaces of the cover plate and assembly. Top, bottom and side walls resiliently cooperate with edge portions which have concaved or arcuately inwardly contoured longitudinal edges to require that the edge sections, slightly smaller than the cover plate, be force fitted over the corresponding outer edge surfaces of the cover plate.

Abstract: A rotary blade blocker for preventing inadvertent harmful firing of the engine of a rotary-type mower during rotary blade removal and reinstallation or during removal of mowing debris from within the mower deck. The blade blocker includes a clamping portion temporarily clampingly securable to a lower edge of the deck and a blocking portion rigidly supported by the clamping portion and positioned within the deck perimeter to make contact with the distal portion of the rotary blade to facilitate safe blade changes and during manual debris removal from within the deck when the blade blocker is temporarily secured to the edge of the deck.

Abstract: An optical/electrical transmission type acupuncture needle, controller and system for acupuncture treatment. The needle has a sharpened needle point one end configured for penetration into body tissue and a needle holder at the other end. The needle body is formed of a central optical transmission core, preferably an intermediate opaque non-conductive clad layer atop the core and an outer conductive layer positioned atop the clad layer, all of which are substantially coextensive one to another. The needle point is formed as a unit with the needle body by tapering, sharpening and highly polishing one end portion of the core sufficiently for body tissue penetration. The core carries light provided by a light source in the system controller which may simultaneously provide pulsed electricity carried by the outer conductive layer whereby pulsed light and electricity are transmitted into body tissue through the needle point.

Abstract: A tennis racket hand-positioning device attachable to a handle of a tennis racket. In one embodiment, a saddle shaped support member including an elongated thin attaching strip connected to and extending in spaced relation along a reverse surface of the support member. The attaching strip is adapted in width and thickness to be supportively engaged beneath a turn of handle grip wrap of the handle and against the top right bevel of the handle to support a selected position and orientation of the support member. Felt orientation indicia against the base of the thumb adjacent the palm of the user then advises of the preselected reorientation of a head of the tennis racket during a backhand stroke. Another embodiment provides support against the palm of the hand during backhand strokes and a third embodiment also provides both felt indicia and a physical stop against the base of the thumb to achieve proper preselected racket reorientation during a backhand stroke.

Abstract: A sign-in device having a privacy screen provides a clipboard which supports a sign-in sheet for patent or visitor sign-in purposes. An elongated spool of substantially opaque flexible sheet material is held within a housing or support of the paper clamp. An elongated header bar is movably attached to a side margin of the board. An exposed end margin of the opaque material is attached to the header bar whereby movement of the header bar along the length of the clipboard causes the opaque material to be withdrawn from the spool forming the privacy screen which covers and conceals a selected portion of the sign-in sheet which includes the names and/or signatures of previously signed-in patients or visitors.

Abstract: A system and process for the treatment of wastewater in a series of sequencing batch reactor basins wherein wastewater is sequentially fed, treated and discharged on a continuous basis.

Abstract: A non-conductive substantially buoyant-in-water hand tool comprising an elongated handle portion formed of non-corrosive, non-conductive material having a density greater than water and an elongated working tool connected to and extending axially from a proximal end of said handle portion. The handle portion has one or more outwardly opening cavities formed into a side surface of the handle portion. An elongated tubular sheath formed of material buoyant in water covers and sealingly encloses and forms one or more airtight cavities whereby the effective density of the hand tool is less than that of water.