Abstract: A boxable corner bead for finishing drywall corners that is made from two flanges with a protruding nose section. This bead can be made in regular, bullnose, or flex trim type arrangements. Once the bead is attached to a drywall corner, it can be mudded on both sides of the corner without waiting for the mud on the first side to dry. This is because of the shape of the nose which allows a mud dispensing box to apply mud on one side without getting mud on the nose. The box can then be immediately moved to the other side, where that side can be mudded. The nose itself is prepared to directly receive paint or texture, and hence does not need any mud. The flex-trim version has a raised trapezoidal section with a V-groove cut in the back. The bead hinges around the V-groove to match any corner angle. Both sides can be mudded as with the fixed bead. The beads can be used with both interior and exterior corners.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of purifying air where a photocatalyst is exposed to ambient air to purify it from bacteria, hydrocarbons, and volatile organic compounds. The apparatus can contain a vertical reactor containing the photocatalyst either on sheets, in a web-like structure, or in a fibrous mass, or any other way of holding it. The photocatalyst can be excited with an ultraviolet light source. Air rises through the reactor by natural convection caused by a heater or heater element located in the reactor. The apparatus can contain no moving or replaceable parts. An optional air filter can also be located at the bottom of the reactor to remove particulate matter from the rising air. In one embodiment, excess visible light from the ultraviolet light source is allowed to escape from the top, bottom, or side of the device to provide light for persons to see at night thereby acting as a night light which simultaneously purifies air.

Abstract: A precision fluid dispensing system containing at least one two-piece pump and a precision closed loop controller drive system to address the small volume precision dispensing requirements of bioscience applications. A multiple diameter pump can be combined with a pump having multiple inlet and outlet ports to allow for precision multiple outlet dispenses in a single pump that finds use with microtiter plate pipetting and other precision dispensing. Inlet ports can be located on the smaller diameter of the cylinder with outlet ports on the larger diameter of the cylinder. A micro-controller with closed loop feedback provides exact linear positioning and motion of the pump piston as well as optional control of a nozzle to provide exact micro-dispensing of fluids.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of purifying air where a photocatalyst is exposed to ambient air to purify it from bacteria, hydrocarbons, and volatile organic compounds. The apparatus can contain a vertical reactor containing the photocatalyst either on sheets, in a web-like structure, or in a fibrous mass, or any other way of holding it. The photocatalyst can be excited with an ultraviolet light source. Air rises through the reactor by natural convection caused by heat from a transformer and/or from the ultraviolet light.

Abstract: An ashtray that mounts on the exterior of a vehicle that avoids the undesirable conditions of internal ashtrays. The ashtray can mount on a vehicle window, in a vent, or under a vehicle exterior mirror. The ashtray can also be built-in to the vehicle at the time of manufacture. The window version of the ashtray can contain hook/loop material (VELCRO) to attach it to the vehicle window and magnets so that the ashtray can automatically attach to the vehicle metal when the window is lowered. The mirror mounted version can contain a polished face to act as part of the mirror.

Abstract: A foldable writing board made up of at least four panels attached by hinges or other attachment means so that the board can be folded out flat to become a full size writing board, folded in two to become either a taller or shorter noteboard (folded in a tent-like configuration) or folded in four to either store flat or to be set up as a small computer notepad. The panels are held together by three or more foldable attachment means that hold the panels together, but allow them to also fold along adjacent edges.

Abstract: An adjustable gauge mounting cup with interchangeable mounting pedestals that provide a maximum number of mounting locations within a vehicle. The gauge mounting cup allows the operator to easily adjust the viewing angle of the gauge after the cup is mounted in the vehicle. The cup can also have replaceable mounts that have various types of mounting footprints and sizes. The gauge mounting cup mounts on a ball and socket or other adjustable mounting means. This allows the cup to be swiveled on three axes after the base pedestal is mounted and also allows the cup to be moved forward and backward on the pedistal mount.

Abstract: A method and system for airport or other building security where passengers or persons entering a building approach a check-in point or check-in counter and must undergo a positive identification (ID) by fingerprint scan, retinal or iris scan, face feature scan, or an other means of positive identification. A digital photograph can then be taken of the person. This data plus the positive ID data and optional data about the person including a scan of a government supplied ID like a drivers license or passport is entered in a database and checked against various law enforcement databases such as FBI or others for law enforcement interest in the person. The person is given an electronic card that has wireless capability. The person carries the card while in the airport or building. The system is notified when the person enters a secure gate area, boards or leaves an aircraft, etc. In addition, the system can determine if a person is carrying more than one card or if a card has been abandoned.

Abstract: A ship, ground and aircraft position control system that can also act as a missile control system where a missile communicates with a plurality of satellites in communication with each other and in communication with at least one ground station. The missile can be controlled from a missile control display that can display position, heading and speed of the missile and an operator can control the missile. The missile can determine at least its position by GPS as well as possibly its heading, speed and altitude. The missile control display can be a personal computer.

Abstract: A soap dispensing washcloth system and method where an elastic tulle pocket is attached to a washcloth to dispense soap through cellular holes. The pocket is made by folding a flat piece of tulle into two overlapping flaps which are then stitched perpendicularly to the folds forming a pocket that supports soap in four directions. This pocket is then attached to any washcloth to form a soap dispensing system from which the soap cannot become dislodged accidentally, but can be easily removed. Because elastic tulle material is water permeable, water flows freely in and out of the pocket to dispense soap. The soap can be removed for a soap-free rinse.

Abstract: A system for navigation and collision avoidance where aircraft and vessels determine their position by GPS and report that position to a system of satellites along with local parameters such as heading and attitude. This system of satellites allows communication and exchange of information between all the satellites. Each participating craft receives from at least one of these satellites the positions, headings, speed and other parameters of all craft in the system or of all craft in the vicinity. A display can display a situation or a view located on any craft in the system (but normally on the craft where it is located) to inform o hazards and pending collisions. Icons and craft information appear for all craft being displayed.

Abstract: A space saving cooking appliance having a shape that conserves counter space and/or room space with either a prism shaped outer case that has an apex in the rear to match a corner, or a flat back that can be pushed up against a wall. The front of the appliance can be curved forming a part of an ellipse or circle. The cooking space inside the appliance can be cylindrical. On the front of the arcuate surface there can be a door that completes the arcuate surface when it closes, and on its inner side is shaped so that it completes the cylindrical cooking space when it is closed. Auxiliary side appliances can be located left and right of the main cooking area. These auxiliary appliances can be stacked and can be of many different types including a toaster, rotisserie, grill, broiler, BBQ, egg cooker, coffee maker.

Abstract: A drywall finishing system where a continuously extruded, elongated semi-rigid member with an inner and outer layer of fibrous material has a groove running end-to-end allowing the piece to assume any angle to match a drywall seam. The groove is held at a fixed angle near 89 degrees (or any other fixed angle) by a break-apart bead running in the groove. The break-apart bead can be glue or extruded plastic or other means that holds the flanges at a rigid angle. If the seam is a right angle, the piece is used without breaking the bead. If the seam is any other angle, the break-apart bead is snapped or cut apart allowing the flanges to assume any angle.

Abstract: A hands-free binocular visor headgear for viewing sporting and other events where it is desirable to use binoculars but also have the free use of the hands. An adjustable head securing device secures the unit to the user's head. Binoculars or other optics are attached to the head securing device such that they can be pivoted between an in-use and a not in-use position. The unit can also optionally contain removable earmuffs, a removable or fixed AM/FM radio or scanner or combination AM/FM/Scanner, at least one removable earphone and a removable microphone. The user can pick and choose what exact equipment he needs for a particular sporting event.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that allows a conventional trimmer of the type with flying cutting string or any other type blade to maintain a controllable height above the cutting plane and to swivel 360 degrees. The apparatus includes a set of wheels that also acts as a fulcrum point forming a lever with the heavier head of the trimmer closer to the wheels and the handle acting as a long lever arm. The apparatus allows the operator to trim around curbs and edges without making contact. This conserves string and is safer. The apparatus converts and standard trimmer into a mini-lawnmower allowing less stain on the operator.

Abstract: An improved address display device that can automatically adjust its light output intensity to ambient light conditions and is readily changeable to any address. The device can be remotely turned on by either a bright light or radio signal from an emergency vehicle. An LED 7-segment display with numerals and letters, 7-segment lamp tubes, a dot-matrix LED, electric bulbs or tubes, or any other display means produces a display visible and readable to a person with normal vision at a distance of exceeding 50 feet and preferably over 100 feet both day and night. A photocell or other ambient light sensing device automatically adjusts intensity for various ambient conditions such as bright sunlight, night, fog, or other conditions. The device contains a circuit that allows immediate adjustment or change of the address. There are at least two embodiments of this feature: 1) the ability to set each digit with switches, and 2) a counter circuit that causes the address to count when a button is depressed.

Abstract: A multi-stage particulate matter collector of the type used to collect particles from waste industrial gas. The collector can contain multiple narrow and wide zones formed by a plurality of parallel corrugated plates. Contained in the narrow zones are elongated electrodes with sharp leading and/or trailing edges. These electrodes provide a non-uniform electric field near their sharp edges leading to corona discharge. The corona discharge causes particulate matter in the gas flow to become charged. The region in narrow zones away from the sharp edges of the electrodes resembles a parallel plate capacitor with relatively uniform electric field. In this region, particles can be collected on the plates and on the electrode. Wide regions can contain barrier filters (bag filters) with conductive surfaces. The electric field is also relatively uniform in this region causing electrostatic collection on the plates and filter surface.

Abstract: Drywall endcaps of the type that mate with drywall seam finishing material. The endcaps can be square or bullnose and cap the ends of exterior corners with either three 90 degree or other exterior angles, or two 90 degree or other exterior angles and one 90 degree or other interior angle. The endcaps can be made of two or three laminate layers with an inner layer that faces wallboard and a rigid or semi-rigid layer that can be optionally tapered. The semi-rigid layer can be high impact plastic. An optional outer layer is of fibrous material and is prepared to directly receive paint or texture.

Abstract: A catheter protector designed to be of assistance to patients using a Peripherally insterted central catheter. The catheter is inserted into a vein in the patients arm, usually at the elbow. The catheter has an attached tube which is usually pinched off. The protector can be an elastic tubular sleeve with a zipper or other attachment means at its lower end running longitudinally to a point one-half to three-quarters of the way up the bottom half of the tube. The zipper or attachment is opened, and the sleeve is slipped over the catheter. The attached tube can then be coiled up inside the sleeve and the zipper closed. The device protects the site and tube against pulling and contamination. The zipper or attachement can be opened any time to administer drugs or replace the catheter. The device can optionally contain an inner plastic layer with an optionally inner layer of gauze to further protect the insertion site. The invention can be worn 24 hours a day including wear during bathing.