Abstract: A door check device to be mounted to a door for selectively maintaining a gap when door closing is attempted. This prevents injuries to children's fingers and the like. The door check includes a base with a journal having action arm pivoted at its proximal end. The arm has a distal end extending outwardly to engage a doorstop. Indexing sockets are formed along the arm's proximal end. Each socket collaborates with the nose of a spring-biased detent to retain the action arm in a preselected position. The arm may be set in a first position to directly engage the doorstop to form a gap. Set in a second position the arm allows door closing but, upon next opening, the arm automatically reverts to door checking position. In a third position the arm is fully lowered to disable the check device. This device may find application to a variety of closures.

Abstract: A safety gripping device for use by a passenger riding a vehicle in tandem behind a vehicle operator. The device is in the form of a discrete article with ergonomically inclined handles at either end to be manually positioned by the passenger generally in front of the vehicle operator's torso. Rather than depending on straps or belts worn by the operator or handles directly affixed to the vehicle, the gripping device affords a convenient, comfortable and natural way of gripping, generally avoiding a personal hugging engagement with, or distracting pressure upon, the vehicle operator. This facilitates longer journeys with prolonged enjoyment on a shared vehicle. This portable safety device helps the passenger to better and more safely balance and steady him/herself with respect to the vehicle and its operator. The device may be fabricated or molded from a flexible material, and conveniently include an integral storage container with removable cap.

Abstract: A non-electronic hearing aid with a left ear member and a right ear member. The left and right ear members are made of flat sheet material. The sheet is die cut into the left and right members. The left member is a mirror image of the right member. The members each die cut to form a hand shaped pattern. The fingers of the pattern each have a locking tab and or a locking slot. The locking tab of one finger engages with the locking slot of the adjacent finger to form a cup shape. The palm portion of the hand shape has a C shaped portion cut out which is sized to fit over a person's ear. A slot running parallel to the central part of the C shaped portion facilitates a bend in the sheet to allow the cup shape that is ninety degrees to the user's ear.

Abstract: An adjustable garment hanger including an overhead suspension element and a pair of hanger arms extending outwardly from a central housing. Arm inclination is adjustable relative to fabric being supported so as to minimize wrinkling deformation. Arms may collapse immediately downwardly on pivots to a generally vertical mode releasing the garment via its neckline opening. A central, flexible spring element includes ledges latching arms in a first, garment supporting position. When the spring element is driven upwardly or downwardly by twisting the suspension element in a mutually threaded boss, the ledges slightly adjust the arms upward or downward. Quick release tabs may be provided at an upper end of the spring element such that, when manually pressed, the ledges instantly withdraw allowing the arms to collapse and release the garment. With garment weight removed, springs attached to the arms act to bias their return to garment supporting position each collapse.

Abstract: A portable signal system for use by crossing guards, roadway construction flaggers and the like. The signal system is positioned in or alongside a roadway and remotely controllable progressively from an idle or stop mode through a warning stage and ultimately to a traffic stop mode as the signal system frontal profile greatly expands in the face of oncoming motorists. In a warning stage, the signal system presents a flashing amber light array. Following an initial warning period, articulated arms journalled on said signal system and carrying stop signal signs including red lights are swiveled outwardly to stop mode confronting motorists in oncoming traffic. A motor driven gear disk operates through pivoted drive links to control laterally outward and inward movement of the articulated arms carrying the stop signs. The system may be manually moved by handles on wheels to its operational location and anchored in place.

Abstract: Simulated eye structure for plush toys, dolls, mannequins or other simulated or fanciful inanimate articles, sculptures, figurines and the like including at least one receptacle housing for a light source such as a light emitting diode. The receptacle housing has an external surface constructed as a substantially translucent cover having generally opaque regions representing iris/pupil and/or eyelid areas. The receptacle housing is provided with circuitry including a switch which may be a pressure activated type providing power to the light source. A timing circuit may be reset for circuitry activation cycles. The fabrication of the simulated eye structures with covered housings results in an inanimate article with softly illuminated eyes with uses ranging from retail advertising displays to interactive nightlights safely enjoyed by children as nighttime companions.

Abstract: A flexible, elastic gaiter device designed to doubly encircle an upper rim of a wearer's footwear as well as the wearer's ankle to block ingress of debris into the footwear upper rim while bracing wearer's ankle protecting it against external and internal injury. The device is an elongated generally rectangular article. It comprises a closed loop nylon plush fabric outer layer to which is foamed an inner layer of synthetic rubber based on polychloroprene. At one end of the article's rubbery layer a fastener strip of hook elements is attached. The gaiter device is applied with its rubbery layer bridging the footwear upper rim, and firmly stretched to a double wrap, then secured by fastening the strip of hook elements with the plush outer layer. Lower edge corners of the article are diagonally cropped so that, when stretched, the lower edge will not have unsightly exposed portions.

Abstract: A wearable drinkmarker element fitting a variety of beverage containers and customizable to depict individual ownership for health considerations. The element includes inner ribs configured to engage containers and affording space for condensation flow away from rib gripping areas. The element is fabricated from a flexible material and configured in a substantial C-shape defining an interior space where a container is embraced. The element is flexible with memory to embrace the container when spread apart for mounting thereon. The ribs are slightly tapered to promote proper adherence to containers, and have sloped or inclined surfaces at their upper ends to accommodate container placement. The ribs may extend inwardly individually or be interconnected by an inner rim, affording stability in use and comfortable wrist wear by the user when not placed on a container. Finally, outwardly curved ends of the element allow for easy placement and removal of the drink marker.

Abstract: A termite alert device for placement within an area subject to infestation by termites and the like, particularly at constructed walls, wooden floors, concrete, patios, pool deck, and other hard surfaces. The termite alert device housing includes a substantially clear viewing port beneath which is positioned a signal element which may be colored in contrast the housing interior. The signal element is supported by bait subject to ingestion by termites. As bait is consumed the element drops away in a mechanical chain reaction presenting an alerting appearance change established by a change in visualization as the element increases distance from the port. The alert device may be substantially vertical with cylindrical or other suitably-shaped bait material and signal element. Alternatively it could arch outwardly toward a side wall, with signal elements comprising a series of colored balls falling along the arch as they collapse downwardly in a mechanical chain reaction.

Abstract: Device and method for collecting animal urine including a tray mounted to an elongated handle which is at least partially hollow. The handle, at one end, is interconnected to a tray to be deployed beneath the animal in advance of urination. At its other end, the handle is configured as a hand grip. Located at a point along the handle and spaced away from the tray, is a collection bottle mount to which is connected a specimen collection bottle within direct flow connection with the tray via the partially hollow handle. The bottle and mount serve as a second handle for steadying control of the device. By tipping the handle such that the tray is raised above the handle, urine collected in the tray is drained directly to the bottle. The bottle includes a slit wafer ensuring against spillage when the bottle is removed for recapping and transport for analysis.

Abstract: A portable securement system for securing implements such as eyewear and pens to a user's garment for safekeeping. The system includes a device usually hidden in use, and formed as a pendant construction to be mounted on button threads behind a garment placard. There it is anchored while a magnet secured at the device's lower part secures implements for easy retrieval. The device includes an opening which may be placed over the button, with a narrowed portion of the opening engaging the threads and serving as an anchoring trap to hold the device in place. In an alternative arrangement, wire-like segments define the device's central opening and terminate at opposed wire ends at an upper part of the device to form a releasable clip. This clip may be utilized to anchor the device to an inner seam or other garment parts where it can be utilized without being outwardly visible.

Abstract: A portable, free-standing dryer device with generally tapered portions formed about a generally central axis facilitating insertion into clothing items to be dried from inside, for example gloves, mittens, socks and other substantially tubular items. The device has a connector temporarily fastening it to a forced air vent. The dryer device comprises at least first and second drier portions joined by an intermediate shoulder portion, each of which defines multiple air passages widening from inner to outer surfaces of the portions to define an expansion volume fostering air flow. A larger substantially open end in the first portion receives air from the vent. The air flows from within the drier outwardly through the passages. An angular relationship of outer surfaces of the first, second and intermediate portions relative to the device central axis ensures that the second drier portion has an extended, narrowing configuration facilitating its insertion into clothing items.

Abstract: A plush toy playfully animates animals, insects, reptiles, prehistoric creatures and the like having small light emitting diodes representing eyes. The eyes are fabricated LED housings with external surfaces constructed as substantially translucent covers having generally opaque regions representing iris/pupil and eyelid areas. The toy is provided with internal circuitry including a pressure switch activating a battery source for the LED's. A timer sets activation cycles. The fabrication of the eyes as covered housings results in a plush toy with softly illuminated eyes, safely enjoyed by children as nighttime companions in lieu of nightlights. This toy is particularly useful in a method of inducing a young user's sleep. When the circuit timer runs a cycle, the diode eye glow fades as the plush toy “falls asleep.” The user may repeat the cycles until her/his own sleep is induced.

Abstract: A drain trap assembly for separating sediment from wastewater released from kitchen, bath or washroom appliance such as a sink or tub including a conduit with a first upper inlet portion and second upper outlet portion. Between the inlet and outlet is located a lower bend portion. Interrupting the lower bend portion is a third conduit portion including a cup closure for sediment accumulation area out of the wastewater pathway. Affixed to the closure cup and extending generally upwardly within the drain trap assembly and across the wastewater flow is a strainer in the form of at least one plate including through-holes sized to reject particulate sediment and other solids of a predetermined size. A second embodiment of the strainer takes the form of a mass of fibers affixed to the closure and extending across the wastewater flow. Closure removal automatically withdraws the strainer, offering ready access to accumulated sediment.

Abstract: A portable securement system for docking eyewear to a user's garment for temporary safekeeping. Hidden in use, the system docking device is a pendant construction to be mounted on button threads behind a garment placard. There it is anchored while a magnet secured at the device's lower portion secures eyewear for easy retrieval. The docking device includes an opening at its central portion to be placed over the button, with a narrowed portion engaging the threads and serving as an anchoring trap to hold the device in place. As an alternative, a wire-like segment defines the device's central opening and terminates at opposed ends at an upper portion of the device to form a releasable clip employed to anchor the device to the garment inner seam. Eyewear is provided an appliance in the form of a flexible tube including a magnetic element to be fitted over a temple bar.

Abstract: A showerhead facilitating draining of water retained following shut-off. The showerhead includes a housing swivelably fitted on a ball-adapter which in turn includes an integral threaded segment for attachment to a water feed line. An air pathway is formed to extend from inside to outside the ball-adapter where it opens to generally atmospheric pressure. A flexible check valve in the form of an annular skirt is retained by an integral ring portion where the ball-adapter is threaded to the feed line. Under water-flow pressure, the skirt expands, blocking the passage. Upon shut-off, the skirt withdraws, instantly opening the air passage. Opening the showerhead to atmospheric pressure relieves the normally occurring suction effect which keeps water from draining completely from the showerhead spray holes. Thus avoiding the widespread problem of trapped water slowly evaporating and leaving behind stubborn and unsightly mineral deposits that eventually build up to clog showerhead spray holes.