Abstract: Jewelry having a jewelry clasp comprising a pair of clam-shell-like clasp halves pivotally joined together and movable between an open and a closed position. A pair of hooks are mounted on the inner side of one of the clasp half for interchangeably and releasably attaching to the ends of a string of pearls or chain necklaces. A pair of magnets are attached to the inner side of the clasp halves to maintain the clasp halves in a normally closed position.

Abstract: An article of clothing which comprises one or more pieces of fabric which are gathered within a member and releasably held together at predetermined ends by weighted attachment means thereby securing the article of clothing about an individual and allowing the material to hang in an attractive manner.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for controlling the delivery of therapeutic respiratory agents to the respiratory system of a patient. The device includes a drug delivery means which is extremely controlled by a fluid flow control means in response to the respiratory cycle of the patient. The device is so arranged that, upon inhalation, a therapeutic agent is delivered by the device of the invention to an individual in a programmable manner so that the quantity and periodicity of the therapeutic agent can be varied according to a user's requirements.

Abstract: A bracelet fastening device to assist a person in quickly and easily fastening a bracelet around his or her own wrist. The device overcomes the problems associated with fastening a bracelet around one's own wrist without the assistance of another person and particularly by a person with impaired fine motor skills. The device generally includes a handle and releasable clamping means operably attached to the handle. The clamping means is operable to releasably hold at least one interlocking member of a releasable clasp of a bracelet. The handle is sized and configured to be held in a hand of a person so that the clamping means is positioned to rest on a wrist adjoining the hand holding the handle. A person using the bracelet fastening device can hold and position with one hand at least one interlocking member of the releasable clasp on the adjoining wrist while using the other free hand to fasten the other interlocking member of the clasp therewith to securely retain the bracelet around the wrist.

Abstract: An edible greeting card includes two edible leaves. Each leaf of the card is imprinted with a message and/or design which is suggestive of a celebratory event and each leaf is individually wrapped in clear plastic. The two leaves are coupled to each other by a hinge which may be formed from a strip of adhesive tape or from a folded cardboard member which embraces an edge of each leaf. The wrapped and hinged leaves are preferably packaged with at least one self-adhesive label upon which the sender may write a personal message and affix the label to one of the leaves. The edible greeting card and the self-adhesive label are preferably packaged in a plastic box which serves as the "envelope" for the greeting card.

Abstract: A temperature gauge for drills of the type having a head to which a drill bur having a throughbore extending to its drill bur tip is removably mounted includes a temperature sensor receivable in the drill bur throughbore for sensing and measuring the temperature at the drill bur tip and a thermometer coupled to the temperature sensor for displaying the temperature at the drill bur tip. A method of measuring the temperature of the drill site is also disclosed.

Abstract: A data transmission apparatus includes a telephone line interface, a telephone line fault detector, DTMF and pulse dialing detectors, data pulse and tone detectors, a tone generator, a microprocessor controller, and a radio transmitter. The line fault detector monitors the phone line for a fault. The DTMF and pulse dialing detectors detect the telephone number dialed by the dialer. The microprocessor directs the radio transmitter to transmit a message indicting a telephone line failure if a line failure is detected. When a line failure is detected, the microprocessor causes the telephone line interface to disconnect the telephone dialer from the telephone line and to "capture" the dialer by coupling it to the data pulse and tone detectors and the tone generator. The data pulse and tone detectors and the tone generator emulate telephone line communication between the dialer and a monitoring station. The data received from the dialer is transmitted by the radio transmitter as an RF data burst.

Abstract: A composition, in unit dosage form, for the batchwise purification for drinking purposes of a relatively small predetermined volume of contaminated water includes: (a) an organo-chlorine compound serving as a disinfectant-sanitizing agent; (b) a solid inorganic metal salt having a trivalent cation serving as a coagulant-precipitate agent; (c) a solid alkali which is highly soluble in water and highly effervescent in the presence of an acid serving as a dispersion-buffer agent; (d) a solid anionic polymeric hydrophilic primary colloid flocculant; (e) a solid cationic, polymeric hydrophilic secondary colloid flocculant; (f) long fiber cellulose serving as an agglomeration matrix and pre-filter for absorbing flocs and trapping visible debris and cysts; and (g) a bulk ion exchange absorbent. A water purification kit and method employing the composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A holder for conveniently holding an open beverage container, a scorecard, golf balls, golf tees and a pencil. The holder comprises a generally rectangular panel having a top surface and a bottom surface. Attached to a bottom surface of the panel are two generally parallel and spaced-apart downwardly depending legs for attaching therebetween to an upper member of a golf cart so that a first and a second portion of the panel extends to opposite sides of the upper member of the golf cart. A well having an open end opens onto a top surface of the second portion of the panel for receiving a beverage container therein. The well includes a bottom flange and a cylindrical sidewall. The bottom flange lies within a plane disposed at an angle to the top surface to support the bottom of a beverage container in a stable Vertical orientation when the panel is attached to a golf cart. A pair of resilient clip members attach to the first portion of the top surface of the panel to hold a scorecard.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pump and refrigeration system including an evaporator from which refrigerant vapor is withdrawn by an absorber and absorbent is recharged by a generator. Further, a condenser is provided between the generator and the evaporator so that refrigerant vapor from the generator can be condensed prior to being returned to the evaporator. In addition, the system is provided with an ejector which is positioned downstream of the evaporator so as to withdraw refrigerant vapor from same and upstream of the condenser so that said withdrawn refrigerant vapor passes through the ejector to the condenser. Thus, in the system of the invention, both an absorber and ejector withdraw refrigerant vapor from the evaporator, thus enhancing the efficiency of the system and further refrigerant vapor passing through the ejector is delivered directly to a condenser, thus reducing the burden of the absorber.

Abstract: An improved structural system for supporting a building includes prefabricated light weight steel framed bearing wall panels supporting hollow core concrete slabs which are joined with grout. The invention presents improved devices for attaching exterior finishing to exterior bearing walls without requiting a studded non-bearing exterior wall, improved attachment devices for connecting upper level and lower level bearing walls, improved design of bearing walls to eliminate the need for bearing plates between studs and tracks, and an improved splice member for aligning reinforcing bars. The exterior finish mounting device includes a deck stud channel which is mounted to a reinforcing bar by a channel clip and secured in grout by a gusset plate with a hole in it. The exterior finish is attached to the stud channel by screws which are also secured in the grout. Flat metal straps welded to the tops of double studs eliminate the previously used threaded members with angled bearings, nuts and washers.

Abstract: A compact portable misting fan includes a novel and attractive housing which makes extremely efficient use of space, encased fan blades which are mounted between front and rear baffles, a liquid reservoir with an atomizer, conveniently located mist and fan controls, and an easily accessible battery compartment. The housing has a substantially flat profile with a substantially cylindrical upper section in which the fan is mounted and a substantially rectilinear lower section in which the reservoir and batteries are contained. The fan on/off switch is located on a lower portion of the cylindrical upper section and the misting button is located on an upper portion of the rectilinear lower section and on a side opposite to the fan switch. It is easily held in the user's hand so that the fan and the mister can be operated separately by thumb or index finger. A small hole is provided in the housing for the outlet of the atomizer.

Abstract: A pivot shaft for a damper assembly includes a steel cylinder having a reduced diameter end, a brass sleeve bearing rotatably mounted on the reduced diameter end and a steel cap press fit over the bearing thereby enclosing it and protecting it from the environment. The area enclosed by the steel cap is preferably lubricated with grease before the cap is pressed onto the bearing. The possibility of galling is prevented by the use of a brass bearing between two steel members. The steel cap protects the lubricated bearing from dust and dirt. According to a first embodiment, the sleeve bearing and cap are provided at one end of the pivot shaft. With this embodiment, a closed end bushing is also provided which ensures that only the cap of the pivot shaft engages the bushing. According to a second embodiment, a first solid steel cylinder is provided with two reduced diameter portions, one at each end.

Abstract: A stand, particularly suited for use within a vehicle, engages two spaced armrests in order to support an electronic entertainment component, such as a television. The stand comprises a support surface, at least one attachment member for attaching an entertainment device to the support surface and members for releasably securing the support surface to two separate vehicular armrests.

Abstract: A clothing accessory includes a molded plastic plate and a molded plastic ring. The periphery of the plate is provided with a first engagement surface and the interior of the ring is provided with a second engagement surface. The relative dimensions of the plate and the ring are chosen such that the fabric of an article of clothing can be engaged between the first and second engagement surfaces. More specifically, when the ring is placed on one side of a fabric and the plate is placed on the other side of a fabric, the plate and ring may be pressed together so that the plate is frictionally engaged inside the ring by the fabric of the clothing. According to a presently preferred embodiment, the engagement surfaces are V-shaped. I.e. one of the surfaces is a concave V-shaped groove and the other is a convex V-shaped edge.

Abstract: A device for repairing a damaged vehicle includes a generally V-shaped base having a first substantially horizontal elongated member and a second substantially horizontal elongated member, which are fixedly attachable to each other at an angle less than 90 degrees. At least a pair of slidably attachable clamps on the first member attach to two locations of a vehicle, and preferably to two pinch weld locations of a unibody. A slidably attachable clamp on the second member attaches to a third location on the vehicle, and preferably to a pinch weld location on a unibody. In one embodiment, the first member and the second member are pivotally attached to one another for varying the angle therebetween.

Abstract: Methods, circuits, and kits for converting battery powered smoke detectors to AC power include a power converter which converts standard household AC voltage to a DC voltage suitable for use by a battery powered smoke detector and a battery clip connector for connecting the power converter to the battery clips of a battery powered smoke detector. According to one embodiment of the invention, a light emitting diode is coupled to the battery clip connector to indicate the presence or absence of DC voltage at the smoke detector. According to another embodiment of the invention, several battery powered smoke detectors are coupled to a single power converter. In yet another embodiment of the invention, several battery powered smoke detectors are provided with an AC power supply having an automatic battery back-up power supply. Preferred aspects of the invention include: providing the battery backed-up AC power supply with a battery tester and providing fuses for each smoke detector and for the battery.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a roulette-type game comprising two sets of concentric indicia. According to a preferred embodiment, players may wager on either set of indicia and on the occurrence of the same indicia from both sets of indicia being indicated. A preferred roulette table comprises two independently rotatable plates each bearing identical indicia, and a mechanism for accurately aligning the indicia from the inner plate with indicia on the outer plate when the plates are not in relative motion.