Abstract: The present invention provides a waistband expander for engaging the button and button-hole on a garment to increase the fastened distance between the button and button-hole to provide comfort to the wearer. The waistband expander includes a central shaft having a first end and a second end, a button-engaging member connected to the first end for engaging a button on a garment, and a button-hole engaging member connected to the second end for engaging a button hole on the garment so as to increase the fastened distance between the button and button-hole to provide comfort to the wearer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel way to use a twelve button telephone keypad for alphanumeric data entry. This invention also relates to a method of alphanumeric data entry using short duration or long duration binary key actuations using a simultaneous coding system and/or sequential coding system for communicating on a standard twelve key push-button telephone keypad. Two binary keys are used for an all capital letter mode or two binary keys for a lower-case letter mode, along with three binary keys for an upper-case letter mode, for producing full alphanumeric text, including punctuation, symbols and control.

Abstract: A lighting fixture having a rotatable lamp assembly including a housing having a rear wall and side walls for forming an interior compartment; the two side walls having first and second arc-shaped track formed therein; and the housing having mounting means for mounting the housing. The lighting fixture further includes a support and control assembly mounted within the interior compartment of the housing, which includes a U-shaped support bracket having upper and lower arc-shaped tracks formed therein. The lighting fixture also includes first and second arc mounting plate members for movably mounting the support and control assembly on the first and second arc-shaped tracks on the two side walls for movement along the first and second arc-shaped tracks. The lamp assembly has a third arc mounting plate member for movably mounting the lamp assembly on the upper and lower arc-shaped tracks of the U-shaped support bracket for movement along the upper and lower arc-shaped tracks.

Abstract: A kayak transport device for transporting a kayak, the kayak having a hull with a pair of existing hull apertures for mounting the kayak on the kayak transport device. The kayak transport device includes a substantially H-shaped transport frame member having first and second vertical frame members, and an adjustable crossbar assembly. The crossbar assembly includes first and second crossbars being adjustable relative to each other, the first and second crossbars being connected to the first and second vertical frame members, respectively. The crossbar assembly being adjustable for adjusting the spacing between the first and second vertical frame member to correspond to the distance between the hull apertures on the kayak hull. The first and second vertical frame members include first and second upper strut members, respectively, having upper strut ends for insertion within each of the hull apertures of the kayak hull for mounting the kayak on the kayak transport device.

Abstract: A pair of men's underpants is provided with a pocket for receiving and covering the wearer's scrotum. The pocket prevents the scrotum from direct contact with the groin, to avoid discomfort or diseases caused by perspiration.

Abstract: Liquid chemical compositions are disclosed for anaerobic biodegradation, detoxification, and transformation of toxic organic and inorganic compounds in a contaminated geologic media under reducing conditions, including, but not limited to, denitrifying, manganese-reducing, iron-reducing and sulfate-reducing conditions. One such liquid chemical composition includes sodium nitrate in the range of one-fifth (0.2) to four (4) pounds per gallon of the chemical composition; sodium hexametaphosphate or other biologically hydrolyzable ring or linear polyphosphate in the range of one twentieth (0.05) to five (5) pounds per gallon of the chemical composition; a surfactant in the range of 0.01% to 10% by volume of the chemical composition; and a diluent in the form of water. A method is disclosed for anaerobic biodegradation, detoxification, and transformation of toxic organic and inorganic compounds in a contaminated geologic media.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the action of TNF for treating neurological conditions in a human by administering a TNF antagonist for reducing damage to neuronal tissue or for modulating the immune response affecting neuronal tissue of the human. The TNF antagonist administered is selected from the group consisting of etanercept and infliximab. The TNF antagonist is administered subcutaneously, intravenously, intrathecally, or intramuscularly.Methotrexate or Leflunomide may be administered concurrently with the TNF antagonist for demyelinating diseases and certain other neurological disorders.

Abstract: A securing device for bone fastener is provided, which allows the bone fastener to be more securely fixed in position in the fractured bone. The securing device includes a bolt having an elongated portion and a head portion, with the head portion being formed with a threaded through hole which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bolt. Moreover, the securing device includes a set screw having a threaded portion which can screw into the threaded through hole in the bolt and which is greater in length than the threaded through hole. In use, the elongated portion of the bolt is inserted through the implantation hole and the opening in the fractured bone; then a hole is drilled through the inclined through hole in the head portion of the bolt; and finally the set screw is screwed through the inclined hole in the head portion of the bolt into the hole in the fractured bone.

Abstract: A housing for a wireless emergency safety light which is mechanically connectable to a conventional light switch for a light fixture or a plug receptacle for providing power to a load. The housing replaces a conventional switch plate having at least one opening for receiving the switch actuator of the light switch or for receiving the electrical plug receptacle. The emergency safety light includes at least one compartment in the housing for receiving batteries; a second compartment in the housing for receiving an emergency light source adapted to be connected to the batteries; and an antenna for sensing the loss of electrical power to the light switch and, in response thereto, for actuating the emergency light source.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for the production of nitrogen trifluoride (NF.sub.3), starting with an anhydrous molten flux including ammonia (NH.sub.3), a metal fluoride (MF), and hydrogen fluoride (HF). The apparatus includes an electrolyzer, an ammonia solubilizer, a hydrogen fluoride solubilizer, a nitrogen trifluoride reactor, two compressors, two pumps, three condensers a gas recycle loop, and, two flux loops of the same component ternary flux, but each loop with different concentration.

Abstract: A body gel composition having glitter contained therein comprising a surface active agent system for moisturizing the skin being in the range of 3 percent to 12 percent by weight of the body gel composition; at least one pH adjuster being in the range of 0.5% to 2.0% by weight of the body gel composition; a preservative system for preserving the body gel composition against microbial contamination being in the range of 0.40% to 2.4% by weight of the body gel composition; at least one anti-oxidant and light stabilizer for preventing oxidation of the body gel composition being in the range of 0.02% to 0.3% by weight of the body gel composition; a diluent in the form of water in the range of 50.0% to 70.0% by weight of the body gel composition; and suspended particulate matter having a plurality of predetermined glitter shapes for cosmetic ornamention of the body being in the range of 10.0% to 20.0% by weight of the body gel composition.

Abstract: A multi-stone setting for four gemstones, including a rectangular-shaped setting having a four-sided frame member with a first crossbar extending in a first direction and a second crossbar extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first and second crossbars form four seats each for receiving one of the four gemstones, wherein the four gemstones each include a side wall having a groove. The first crossbar is seated within the four grooves for keeping the four gemstones seated in the four seats. The setting also has four corners with four prongs mounted on the four corners, respectively; wherein each of the four prongs has a V-shaped configuration for engaging two side walls of one of the four gemstones. Each of the four V-shaped corner prongs cooperate to engage and to keep one of the four gemstones seated within the four seats of the setting.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate with fiber optic lighting for illuminating a skater's pathway including a boot housing having a plurality of closure means, a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, side walls and a bottom wall; and a roller wheel assembly connected to the bottom wall of the boot housing including a mounting bracket for supporting a plurality of skate wheels thereon. The in-line roller skate further includes a power source mounted on the boot housing; and a fiber optic lighting assembly for providing light and being connected to the power source and including a light source, a lens and a plurality of fiber optic lines for transmitting light to a plurality of locations on the boot housing and on the mounting bracket.

Abstract: An alphanumeric data entry system for chordic keyboards permits the entry of vowels with the thumb and digits of the left hand and the entry of consonants with the thumb and digits of the right hand in combination with vowel chords from the left hand. Only the thumb, index, middle and ring digits of the left and right hands, respectively, are necessary for manipulation of 2 four-key sets. The keyboard can either be a conventional side-by-side keyboard or, alternatively, an 8 dot braille keyboard in which the two sets are arranged in two rows in a substantially parallel relationship to each other. The number mode is initiated by depressing all four digits of the right hand and then entering numbers beginning with the ring digit of the left hand as the lowest integer and proceeding in a reverse binary fashion from left to right with the numbers 0 through 9 entered by the left hand.

Abstract: A fire and heat protection wrapping system for wrapping conduits, cable trays, transmission lines, cables and other electrical transmission devices associated with the transmission of electricity and electrical signals, and gas and oil pipelines. The protection wrapping system includes a concentric composite laminate structure having a plurality of concentric layers for the protection of the transmission devices which are exposed to high temperatures in excess of three (3) hours in duration. The plurality of concentric layers incudes an outer first layer, an inner second layer, an inner third layer and an inner core fourth layer for wrapping the electrical transmission device. The outer first layer is a fiberglass textile having an intumescent coating for resistance to fire, heat, water, impact and the outer first layer surrounds the inner second layer.

Abstract: A portable headrest for sunbathing including a head support member having a generally U-shaped configuration. The head support member includes an outer material covering, an internal foam support cushion and a rigid support plate on the bottom thereof; a rigid base support member having a generally curved-shaped configuration for providing a stable support on sand, soft ground, or grass; a plurality of spaced-apart support connecting members for connecting the head support member to the base support member; and the plurality of spaced-apart support connecting members defining a plurality of air passageways between the bottom of the head support member and the top of the base support member for allowing the passage of air therethrough to the user's face when the face is embedded in the head support member.