Abstract: A stackable, modular triangular desk for holding a computer while providing an easily accessible work area includes: (a) a generally triangular-shaped, substantially planar desk top portion; (b) a frame attached to the desk top portion supporting the desk top portion in an elevated position; and (c) a chair portion supported by the same frame and spaced apart from a front edge of the desk top portion; wherein the frame comprises only two frame components that support the desk on a floor surface, one of the frame components being connected to the chair portion, and the other of the frame components being connected to the desk top portion.

Abstract: A gear shaft assembly for actuating linear movement of an object, including a lower channel assembly, which includes: (a) a threaded rod; (b) a first gear adjacent an end of the threaded rod; (c) a second gear engageable with the first gear and attached to the end of the threaded rod; (d) a mechanism for driving the first gear against the second gear; (e) at least one threaded journal bearing threaded on the correspondingly threaded rod; (f) at least one bearing housing supporting the at least one journal bearing; (g) a movable carrier arm mounted on the threaded rod and attachable to the object; wherein, when the drive mechanism activated, the first gear drives the second gear, rotating the threaded rod, and moving the carrier arm on the threaded rod. A tandem gear shaft assembly and a method for installing a gear shaft assembly and shutter on a window are also included.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a duplicate form includes: a) a rack portion including a frame, a screen supported on the frame, and an arm support extension extending from the frame; the frame including an upper, generally horizontally oriented upper frame portion, and at least two corner frame members extending; and b) a movable arm portion pivotally connected to the arm support extension; the arm portion including a movable torch support arm segment including a cutting torch support mechanism, and a movable stylus support arm segment including a stylus support mechanism; a first end of the torch support arm segment being extendible into a central area of the frame below the upper frame portion; a first end of the stylus support arm segment being extendible above the upper frame portion and above the torch arm support segment. Also included is a method for cutting a duplicate of a template form.

Abstract: A ring pen device convertible between a use as a finger ring and a writing implement includes: (a) a ring hull; (b) a hull insert that is insertable within the ring hull, the hull insert including a channel; and (c) an extendible pen assembly in the hull insert, the pen assembly including at least one marking tube; wherein the pen assembly has a retracted position within the hull insert, and an extended position in which a portion of the marking tube extends from an end of the channel in the hull insert. The pen assembly preferably includes a slide bar with at least one pair of matching stops extending from it, and at least one marking tube adjacent the slide bar, each slide bar stop being removably engageable with at least one of the notches.

Abstract: A joystick apparatus for steering a waterjet propelled watercraft includes: (a) a joystick comprising at least three movably interconnected swinging arms, with a first and third one of the swinging arms being generally vertically oriented, and a second one of the swinging arms being generally horizontally oriented; (b) a mechanical housing supporting the joystick, which includes a generally horizontally oriented housing plate affixed to the watercraft, the joystick passing through an aperture in the housing plate and being swivelable on the housing plate; and (c) at least one mechanism movably connecting the joystick apparatus to an outdrive of the watercraft; wherein the joystick has at least one forward position for putting the watercraft on plane, at least one right steering position for steering the watercraft in a rightward direction, and at least one left steering position for steering the watercraft in a leftward direction.

Abstract: A device for holding and dispensing a fluid for decontaminating a condensate drip pan of an air conditioner includes: (a) a vessel at one end of the device for holding the fluid; and (b) at least one fluid line having a first end inserted in a lower end of the vessel, and an opposite, lower, second end inserted in the drip or drain pan; (c) a flow control device on the fluid line for controlling a rate of fluid drip from the fluid line into the drip or drain pan; and (d) a drip chamber in the fluid line.

Abstract: An artist's color device includes: (a) a board portion having a paintable upper surface; (b) a flexible, removable, disposable, peel-off upper sheet portion with an adhesive on its lower face, which is removably attachable to the board portion's upper surface; and (c) a number of similarly shaped apertures arranged in spaced apart rows and columns in the upper sheet portion. Also included herein is a method of using an artist's color chart device, including the steps of: (a) painting in the outlined shapes on the board portion, which are exposed by the apertures, with a related series of graduated color values within each column, with a different color series in each of the columns; (b) detaching the upper sheet portion from the board portion and disposing of it; and (c) allowing the painted board portion to dry.

Abstract: A ribbed towel device for massaging and/or drying hard-to-reach areas of the body during or after bathing includes: (a) an elongate body of an absorbent material, the elongate body having opposite lateral ends; (b) a handle at each opposite lateral end of the elongate body; (c) a plurality of spaced-apart, rod-shaped pockets in the elongate body; (d) a plurality of massage bars, each one being inserted in one of the pockets; and preferably (e) end seams extending transversely across opposite ends of the elongate body; and (f) a channel at each of the opposite ends of the elongate body, each channel being formed by the end seams; wherein each handle extends through one of the channels.

Abstract: A security latch for a double gate or door includes: a. a striker unit for attachment to a first side of the gate or door, including: 1) a striker with at least two notches at its top, a first notch being proximate to a horizontal center of the striker, a second notch being proximate to a right end of the striker; 2) a security plate adjacent to the striker; 3) a striker bracket attached to the security plate and through which the striker slides; and 4) a locking member slidably attached to the security plate, the striker being slidable through the locking member, a portion of the locking member being slidable into at least one of the notches; b. a separate keeper unit for attachment to an opposite, second side of the gate or door, including: 1) two matching C-brackets for receiving the striker, and 2) a keeper plate, each C-bracket being attached to the keeper plate; and c.

Abstract: A movable mounting bracket arm assembly for use in a monitoring well or the like includes: (a) mounting bracket attachable to a wall of a well; (b) a movable mounting bracket arm including a posterior segment attachable at one end to the mounting bracket, and a breakaway anterior segment removably attachable to an opposite end of the posterior segment, the anterior segment being pivotally coupled to the posterior segment; and (c) a means of suspending at least one monitoring or sampling device in a downward direction from the anterior segment.

Abstract: An input document detecting method includes the steps of: (a) modulating a light source of a relative-type optical sensor with a coded digital/analog signal; (b) emitting a code-modulated light beam and directing it toward the object; (c) collecting the reflected code-modulated light beam with a receiver portion of the optical sensor; (d) forwarding the signal from the reflected light beam through an AC amplifier; and (e) feeding the amplified signal to a decoder. Also included is a system (10) for detecting the presence of an object including: a) a modulator (11) and a driver (12); b) a reflective-type optical sensor (13) with an analog output, and a lightsource; an IR transmitter and a receiver portion with a built-in IR filter for collecting a reflected code-modulated light beam; c) a high gain AC amplifier (14) for amplifying the signal from the reflected light beam; and d) a decoder (15).

Abstract: An interchangeable passive electric guitar circuit control and switching module is integrated into an existing guitar to dynamically alter the electronic relationship of the guitar's electric components (i.e. the existing pickups, volume and tone controls, at least one tonality select switch, and output jack) which are connected to the module through a wiring harness. Individual interchangeable modules connected through the wiring harness establish finite and discrete electronic relationships through the guitar's existing electric components to produce a plurality of selectable desired tonality sounds from a single guitar.

Abstract: A support surface for patient comfort, maintaining a cool skin temperature, or reducing the incidence and promoting the healing of bedsores, includes: (a) a central portion including a hollow, enclosed bladder containing a pre-determined amount of liquid refrigerant with a boiling point between about 23 and about 35 degrees Centigrade; (b) a flexible spacer mechanism contained in the bladder, the spacer mechanism separating an upper bladder wall from a lower bladder wall; and (c) conductive end portions attached to opposite ends of the bladder, the conductive end portions including a flexible heat conductive material layer.