Abstract: A pool cover drain substantially completely drains collected rainwater without use of pumps or electrical hookups. The pool cover drain is non-centrally located in a pool cover. It is attached to a flexible hose that directs the water to a swimming pool sidewall drain outlet. A weighted tubular element creates a conical depression in said swimming pool cover. The weighted tubular element is placed atop the pool cover in close proximity to said pool cover drain. Collected rainwater is directed along the outside and, optionally, the inside walls of the weighted tubular element, and into the pool cover drain. Angled weighted projections are located on an end of the weighted tubular element proximate the pool cover drain to facilitate gravity feed of collected rainwater into the pool cover drain. These angled weighted projections are weighted by filling the projection tube with sand, or optionally without sand by slotting the projection tube and allowing rainwater to collect therein and act as a weight.

Abstract: A single use self-contained surgical knife provides twist stability and lateral support for the knife blade. Turning a knurled ring member within the containment casing retracts the knife blade into the containment casing. Retraction of the blade is permanent; once retracted, subsequent usage of the knife blade is prevented. A substantial safety margin is provided, in that injuries occasioned by the retraction process are virtually eliminated. The knife blade remains forever in the retracted condition, preventing spread of blood borne infections such as AIDS, Hepatitis and the like, that might otherwise result from subsequent usage of the knife blade.

Abstract: A flexible abrasion resistant omnidirectionally reflective pet leash has handle, central pet leash, and pet collar sections that reflect an incoming light beam back in the same direction as it was emanated. The reflected light beam provides accurate illumination of the pet owner's hand, pet leash and the location of the pet during dusk or nighttime hours. This pet leash is created by surrounding a central braided rope of nylon or polyethylene fibers with a cylindrically braided reflective sleeve that is coated with an abrasion resistant transparent polymeric coating. The braided reflective sleeve is composed of narrow width reflective strips that comprise narrow nylon or polypropylene sheets thermally bonded to a flexible polymeric sheet with attached corner cube or microsphere retroreflectors.

Abstract: A luggage identifier for air and rail travelers uniquely identifies a luggage piece on a airport carousel or train station conveyer belt. A battery powered remote radio wave transmitter carried by the passenger sends a radio wave to a battery powered receiving and activating mechanism associated with the luggage piece. The transmitted signal triggers a latch release mechanism connected to a flexible flagpole that is held under spring tension in the collapsed state. Upon being triggered, the latch release mechanism releases the flagpole, which is driven to an extended state under spring power. Identifiers carried by the flagpole are thereby moved into a conspicuously visible position, which facilitates identification of the luggage piece. The identifiers can comprise LED lights mounted on the flexible flagpole, a colored puffball, a name flag, and a sound generation mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing interactive audience participation at live spectator events. The method includes providing spectators with an interactive device that presents a promotional message and includes a user interface, broadcasting audio programming to the spectator through the interactive device, querying the spectators, wherein answers to the querying may be entered by spectators via the user interface of the interactive device, transmitting the answers to a central processor, storing the answers as spectator data, processing the spectator data into results, storing the results of the processing of the spectator data and broadcasting the results of the processing of the spectator data.

Abstract: A computer mouse pad comprises a rigid base and a plurality of fanfolded paper sheets arranged in a stack and detachably fixed to the base. Each of the stacked sheet is detachably fixed to a sheet immediately below it in the stack through microperfs. A subtle opening and closing of two levels of paper at the fold where two perfs occur, induced by mouse pressure, endows the working ply surface with a flexibility of vertical movement, creating a subtle mouse buoyancy. The sheets are provided with printed messages on upper surfaces thereof. A coating is applied to the upper surfaces of the sheets. The coated upper surfaces are resistant to being written upon, thereby preventing accumulation of carbon, graphite and ink markings, which tend to contaminate the roller ball, prevent proper mouse tracking and adversely affect curser control.

Abstract: An automatic razor blade sharpener simultaneously sharpens multiple edges of a spring-loaded disposable razor blade cartridge by gently contacting the blade edges with a moving rubber or polymeric compliant belt that is motor driven. The disposable razor blade handle is set in a cradle aperture, which is spring loaded against the moving belt. A timer terminates the blade sharpening operation, indicated by a green LED. A liquid is dispersed on the moving belt forming a thin liquid layer on the belt surface, illuminated by transversely located light illumination and the reflected light is received by a transversely located sensor. When the blade contacts the thin liquid layer, deep grooves in the blade cutting edge reduce this reflection indicating that the blade is too worn to be sharpened and a red LED light is indicated. Absence of reflection indicates that the thin liquid film has evaporated or spilled out.

Abstract: A Multi-Directional Clustered Signal Light system for land vehicles is incorporated on opposing sides of a land vehicle's front and rear bumpers. The system signals the driver's intention to turn left, move forward or turn right by illuminating arrows within the cluster light. The left and right turn lighted arrows are color-coded and flash until the steering wheel is straightened upon completion of a turn. The move forward lighted arrow indication is color-coded and remains on for a period of about 0.5 minute to 1 minute. The system signals nearby drivers and pedestrians, to inform them concerning the vehicle's intended direction of movement. Safety margins are improved and accidents otherwise resulting from miscommunication between drivers are virtually eliminated. The signal light is connected using a single connector and installed as a single unit, thereby facilitating cost effective installation and replacement.

Abstract: A compact scanning apparatus has an infrared laser adapted to emit light. The light is delivered as a beam by an optical system to illuminate an interrogation area on the surface of an object being scanned to cause selective desorption of molecules of the contraband substance, which are present on the surface, without substantially damaging the surface. A collection system collects at least a portion of the desorbed molecules. At least a portion of the collected molecules is thermally decomposed to form NO2 and transferred to a reaction cell containing an aqueous, alkaline, luminol-containing solution. The NO2 reacts with the luminol to produce light by chemiluminescence. A light detector registers the presence of this light to carry out a rapid screening of the object for the possible presence of the contraband substance. The apparatus further includes a supplemental detector such as a GC/IMS detector that is activated in response to the detection of the chemiluminescent light.

Abstract: An open-air filtration device cleans swimming pools and hot tubs in an efficient, reliable manner. An open-air filter with a suction chamber unit comprises two scrubbing brushes and an impeller powered by a motor drive. Water containing debris is pumped to a level above the swimming pool or hot tub surface. The debris containing water is discharged through a spout into a filter tube. A filter element associated with the filter tube, and open to atmosphere filters the debris containing water by gravitational forces solely. The spout and filter tube are, optionally, attached to a pole that manually propels the suction unit. They may alternatively be attached to a floating platform that floats on the water surface of the pool or hot tub. If filter efficiency decreases, the water level in the filter tube rises, indicating that the filter element must be replaced. A rise in water level is visually observed or detected automatically and communicated using a visible or audible alarm.

Abstract: A strong, lightweight, impact resistant helmet system protects the wearer from impact injury and minimizes bodily injury to other players brought into contact therewith during blocking and tackling events. Weight reduction is achieved by reinforcing inner and outer surfaces of the helmet shell with long length, high strength fibers. Orientation of the fibers is such that the fiber lengths are aligned generally in the direction of tension and compression forces imposed on the helmet surface during impact. This reinforcement geometry permits use of a thin helmet shell. Efficient impact absorption by the helmet shell is accomplished by limiting the bend curvature produced at the impact location. The bend curvature reduction increases the contact area between the helmet shell and a second pliable padded inner helmet made from energy absorbing polymeric foam disposed within the helmet shell in contact with its inner surface.

Abstract: A magnetic core has a toroidal configuration, formed by winding an iron-based amorphous metal ribbon. Thereafter the core is heat-treated to achieve a linear B-H characteristic. Advantageously, the linear B-H characteristic does not change with the level of magnetic fields applied and the frequency utilized. With such properties, the core is especially suited for use in a current transformer.

Abstract: An apparatus for finely pulverizing lawn debris has a central drive shaft driven by a gasoline or electrical power source. Lawn debris is drawn into a suction and grinding chamber by the rotation of a distribution plate which has a plurality of curved impeller blades permanently attached to a perforated plate. A grinding blade with a plurality of blade elements is mounted on the central drive shaft above the distribution plate and effects pulverization of the debris. The distributing plate apertures dispense the pulverized debris uniformly over a lawn. Optionally, additional fan impeller blades may be mounted on the central drive shaft to draw and initiate pulverization of the debris. In this case, the rotation of the distributing plate may be stopped by disengaging a clutch mounted on the central shaft to direct pulverized debris to a side collection chamber, which is periodically emptied through a bottom discharge gate.

Abstract: A plurality of Integrated Devices are provided with an Internet connection and a telephone number. The telephone number has associated telephone connectivity via a telephone line, such that the Integrated Devices can be connected to by dialing the associated telephone number via telephones on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The Internet connection has an associated Internet protocol (IP) address which is dynamically assigned when one device calls the telephone number of a called device via the PSTN. The dynamically assigned IP address for a first one of the calling or called device is provided to the other device, which initiates an Internet connection between them by sending an Internet message to the dynamically assigned IP address of the first device. Local and intermediate proxy servers perform dynamic IP address management, providing privacy and security for user IP addresses and data transmissions.

Abstract: A flexible omnidirectionally reflective pet leash having a handle, central pet leash, and pet collar sections that reflect an incoming light beam back in the same direction as it was emanated. The reflected light beam provides accurate illumination of the pet owner's hand, pet leash and the location of the pet during dusk or nighttime hours. This flexible omnidirectionally reflective pet leash is created by surrounding a central braided rope of nylon or polyethylene fibers with a cylindrically braided reflective sleeve composed of narrow width reflective strips that comprise narrow woven, braided or knitted nylon or polypropylene strips thermally bonded to a flexible polymeric sheet with attached retroreflectors of the corner cube or microsphere configuration. This omnidirectionally reflective pet leash reflects light over a larger angle of acceptance, illuminating pet owner's hand, pet leash and the pet's collar, thereby providing an improved measure of safety for both the pet and the pet handler.

Abstract: A portable cooler has at least three separate storage compartments that comprise at least one ice-cold storage compartment; at least one dry moderately cold storage compartment; and at least one dry non-cold storage compartment. A temperature gradient construction enables the user to proficiently store food and non-food items of varying water sensitivities and temperature needs. Typically, a wet cooling medium is added to the ice-cold storage compartment. Discrete thermal conduction pathways extend from the ice-cold storage compartment into the moderately cold storage compartment, cooling the moderately cold storage compartment. The less cold compartment and the non-cold compartment are completely dry of water. Each of the compartments has its own lid enabling selective entry and thereby preventing temperature fluctuations and moister transfer when another compartment is accessed. The portable cooler has a plurality of foldable wheels on the base thereof to facilitate portability.

Abstract: An apparatus for finely pulverizing lawn debris has a central drive shaft with a clutch driven by a gasoline or electrical power source. Lawn debris is drawn into a suction chamber by a fan impeller blade mounted on the central drive shaft. The fan impeller blade initiates pulverization of the debris. A grinding blade with a plurality of blade elements is mounted on the central drive shaft below the fan impeller blade and effects additional pulverization of the debris. A clutch is mounted next on the drive shaft followed by a distributing plate with a plurality of inclined apertures for dispensing a high velocity stream of the pulverized debris uniformly over a lawn from the rotating distributing plate. When the clutch is disengaged the distributing plate rotation is stopped and the finely pulverized garden debris is collected in a side collection chamber and is periodically emptied through a bottom discharge gate.

Abstract: A topical applications is used to treat and prevent the spread of nail infections or onychomycosis caused by bacteria, fungi and other pathogens. The topical application has a composition that comprises, as an active ingredient, at least one species selected from the group consisting of 2,2?-(alkyldioxy)bis-(alkyl-1,3,2-dioxaborinane) and 2,2?-oxybis(alkyl-1,3,2-dioxaborinane). More specifically, the composition comprises, as an active ingredient, at least one member selected from the group consisting of 2,2?-(1-methyltrimethylenedioxy)bis-(4-methyl-1,3,2-dioxaborinane) and 2,2?-oxybis(4,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborinane).

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and manufacturing methods useful in the manufacture of large transformer cores, particularly, in the manufacture of large transformer cores made of a ferromagnetic material, especially of annealed amorphous metal alloys. The invention further provides transformer cores produced utilizing the inventive apparatus and manufacturing methods, as well as finished transformers which include such transformer cores.

Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating the contents of a pocket book has a battery in electrical contact with a switch, and an illuminating light source comprised of incandescent light or at least one light emitting diode. An optically transmitting light pipe is coupled to the illuminating light source to bring the light closely proximate to the contents of the pocketbook. Light from the transmitting light pipe is extracted at selected locations to illuminate the pocketbook contents. A set of individual light emitting diodes connected to the battery and switch can, optionally, be disposed along the bottom or at least one sidewall of the pocketbook to illuminate its contents. Each of the illuminating systems provides omni-directional illumination in close proximity to the pocketbook contents without subjecting them to injury from hot or broken light bulbs.