Abstract: A container accessory for a portable device includes a substantially planar body, a holder mechanism having a sleeve and a cavity for containing small items, second securing means for removably attaching the sleeve to the body, first securing means for removably attaching the body to the portable device or to cooperatively attach the sleeve to the body, an optional clip mechanism for removably attaching the body to the portable device, a closure mechanism to enable selective closure of the cavity, and indicia inscribed along sides of the body. A modified embodiment includes a false bottom and a slider mechanism for expelling short items from the holder mechanism.

Abstract: A torsionally-biased, shock-absorbing fifth wheel hitch includes a first mounting mechanism removably and non-rotatably mounting a lower frame portion thereof to the bed of a towing vehicle; an upper frame portion; a second mounting mechanism with a pair of opposing resilient members pivotally mounting the upper frame portion about a horizontally-oriented transverse hitch axis relative to the lower frame portion, the second mounting mechanism having an inactivated configuration wherein the upper frame member is not pivotally biased about the transverse hitch axis relative to the lower frame member and an activated configuration wherein the upper frame member is pivotally biased about the transverse hitch axis relative to the lower frame member; and a fifth wheel hitch mechanism mounted to the upper frame portion.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and/or controlling a glycemic state of a subject, comprising a housing device having one or more chambers, extendable and retractable sensors, extendable and retractable catheters, insulin reservoir, neuroprotective agent reservoir, release mechanism for releasing insulin and neuroprotective agent into the subject, and a control mechanism with a processor for receiving and analyzing outputs from the sensors and for controlling the release mechanism, a clock mechanism for providing logging and/or circadian information to the processor, an internal analysis chamber, a byproduct storage chamber, a sampling mechanism, a transfer mechanism, a self-sealing membrane, a calibration chamber, a replacement sensor chamber, a prevention mechanism to prevent deposition of unwanted substances on a sensor or catheter, a removal mechanism to remove unwanted substances from a sensor or catheter, a warning mechanism, a real-time clock and non-volatile memory to store and log information proce

Abstract: A converter apparatus for connecting a fifth wheel-type trailer to a towing vehicle having a ball hitch extending above a bed thereof, the apparatus including a horizontal first body member; a clamping mechanism releasably securing the first body member to the ball hitch; a mounting member having a horizontal second body member fixedly secured perpendicularly to and above the first body member, a pair of horizontal arm members perpendicular to and extending adjustably outwardly from opposing ends of the second body member, and a pair of horizontal arm extension members extending adjustably outwardly from opposing ends of each of the arm members; a fifth wheel hitch mechanism; and securing mechanisms releasably securing the fifth wheel hitch mechanism to the arm extension members of the arm members.

Abstract: A motorized photo display having a base; a frame including a bottom portion mounted on the base, a wall portion including first and second wall portions mounted on the bottom portion, at least one opening having a retaining tab; a drive element having a drive shaft rotatable about a vertically-oriented drive axis and a drive mechanism; a spool mechanism mounted on the drive mechanism and having a spindle with a longitudinal axis colinear with the drive axis, opposing upper and lower pivot rings extending outwardly from upper and lower extremities of the spool mechanism and having vertically-aligned pairs of orifices; centering plates fixedly securing the upper and lower pivot rings about the spindle; a plurality of photo holders having pivot hinges mounted to corresponding pairs of the vertically-aligned orifices of the upper and lower pivot rings; and a power source.

Abstract: A system (10) analyzes signals representative of a subject's brain activity in a signal processor (12) for information indicating the subject's current activity state and for predicting a change in the activity state. One preferred embodiment uses a combination of nonlinear filtering methods to perform real-time analysis of the electro-encephalogram (EEG) or electro-corticogram (ECoG) signals from a subject patient for information indicative of or predictive of a seizure, and to complete the needed analysis at least before clinical seizure onset. The preferred system then performs an output task for prevention or abatement of the seizure, or for recording pertinent data.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning and decontaminating an air distribution system includes a sources separately containing a first fluid and a second fluid, a pressurizing system for separately pressurizing the first and second fluids, a distribution subsystem for separately conveying the first and second fluids to a plurality of injectors that convert the first and second fluids into a foam-like substance before injecting the foam-like substance into the air distribution system. The apparatus includes a control system for controlling the pressure and flow rate of the first and second fluids, and a system for removing the foam-like substance from the air distribution system after the foam-like substance has cleaned and decontaminated the air distribution system. A method for cleaning and decontaminating an air distribution system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A credit card is used to purchase services, such as special pay-per-view television events, when the purchaser is located remote from his or her home base. When a subscriber is in a location remote from his or her base, that is, out of his or her subscription area, and wishes to view an event that is carried by his or her subscription service but which is not carried by the carrier serving the remote location, the purchaser contacts the system that is offering the event by telephone for example and uses a credit card that is issued by the system to purchase the event.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning and decontaminating an air distribution system includes a sources separately containing a first fluid and a second fluid, a pressurizing system for separately pressurizing the first and second fluids, a distribution subsystem for separately conveying the first and second fluids to a plurality of injectors that convert the first and second fluids into a foam-like substance before injecting the foam-like substance into the air distribution system. The apparatus includes a control system for controlling the pressure and flow rate of the first and second fluids, and a system for removing the foam-like substance from the air distribution system after the foam-like substance has cleaned and decontaminated the air distribution system. A method for cleaning and decontaminating an air distribution system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing adapter for connecting a fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer to a towing vehicle including a lower plate, an upper plate, first and second guide means, cushioning means, a first coupling mechanism for releasably connecting the lower plate to the towing vehicle, and a second coupling mechanism for releasably connecting the upper plate to the fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer. The upper plate is operably displaceable relative to the lower plate to thereby compress the cushioning means and responsively cushion relative movements between the first coupling mechanism and the second coupling mechanism.

Abstract: An electrode with three-dimensional capabilities for detection and control of brain state changes of a subject. The electrode includes a disk portion having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a shaft portion secured to and extending perpendicularly outwardly from the lower surface of the disk portion; the shaft portion having an outer surface. The disk portion and shaft portion may include one or more recording or stimulating contact surfaces structured to operatively interact with the brain of a subject. Insulating material isolates each of the recording or stimulating contact surfaces from each other. At least one conductor operatively and separately connect each of the recording or stimulating contact surfaces in communication with external apparatus. The disk portion and shaft portion are structured relative to each other to operatively provide support and anchoring for each other while providing three-dimensional capabilities for detection and control of brain state changes of a subject.

Abstract: A system for accessing the brain of a subject to record and/or stimulate brain stares thereof. The system includes control means, first accessing means having a plurality of contact surfaces configured to operatively connect the control means to the brain of the subject to provide three-dimensional stimulation thereof; second accessing means having a plurality of contact surfaces to operatively connect the control means to the brain of the subject to provide access thereto for the purposes of obtaining three-dimensional recordings of the brain electrical activity of the subject; and a waveform bank containing a plurality of stimulating waveforms.

Abstract: A spare tire pressure monitoring system includes a detection mechanism releasably connectable to the valve stem of a spare tire and includes a sensing device for measuring the actual air pressure contained in the spare tire, a selection mechanism for selecting an air pressure desired to be contained in the spare tire, and a transmitter unit for transmitting signals corresponding to the actual air pressure and the desired air pressure; a monitoring unit having a control mechanism, a receiving unit for receiving the signals from the transmitter unit, a display unit for displaying the desired air pressure, a discriminator mechanism for determining the difference between the desired air pressure and the actual air pressure, and an alerting mechanism that is activated when the difference between the desired air pressure and the actual air pressure varies from certain predetermined magnitudes; and an energy source.

Abstract: A quickly installable mulch-type accessory for a walk-behind or riding mower, having a deck with a deck opening for discharging grass clippings, includes a removable mechanism having a covering portion dimensioned to operably cover the deck opening of the mower; a connector mechanism fixedly secured to the deck of the mower, the connector mechanism structured and dimensioned to removably mount the removable mechanism to the deck of the mower wherein the covering portion assumes a blocking position whereat grass clippings are operably prevented from being discharged through the deck opening of the mower; and a lock mechanism structured and dimensioned to selectively and releasably lock the covering portion of the removable mechanism adjacent to and covering the deck opening.