Abstract: A hand operated tool for extracting an embedded elongated object, including: a) an elongated, movable first handle member with a first, upper end portion divided into two matching legs separated by an opening; b) a corresponding second handle member with a first jaw member and a first, upper end extending through the leg opening, the second handle member being pivotally attached to the first leg and the second leg; c) a floating head portion pivotally attached to the first and second legs, the floating head portion including a second jaw member and an adjacent, upper curved edge; and d) two matching lever bars facing one another from opposite sides of the extraction tool, each being pivotally connected to the second handle member and to the floating head portion; and wherein the second jaw member is engaged against the first jaw member when the extraction tool is in a closed position, and disengaged from the first jaw member when the extraction tool is in an open position.

Abstract: A device for exercising hand and forearm muscles includes: (a) a substantially rectangular-shaped support frame; (b) a pivotable lever bar extending down at an angle from a first, inner corner of the frame, substantially bisecting the substantially rectangular-shaped frame when the device is not in use; (c) a pivot mechanism in the first corner of the frame for pivoting the lever bar, an upper end of the pivotable lever bar being affixed to the pivot mechanism; and (d) a weight support mechanism on the opposite, lower end portion of the lever bar for supporting at least one removable weight. Also included herein is a smaller, hand-held hand exercise device.

Abstract: A reading tray for mounting on an aircraft seat includes: (a) a substantially planar top side and bottom side; the top side being substantially parallel to the opposite, bottom side; (b) a space in the center of the top side extending partially through the tray; (c) a support panel that is removably insertable in the space; and (d) an arm support assembly connected to the support panel for supporting the support panel in an open, inclined position, or in an alternate, closed position wherein the support panel fits closely within the space with an upper face of the support panel flush with the top side of the tray.

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 secondary headlight system for detecting and compensating for failure of an automotive vehicle's low beam headlight, includes: (a) at least one photoresistor; (b) fiberoptics connected to the photoresistor; (c) at least one potentiometer; (d) at least one NPN transistor operably connected to the photoresistor and the potentiometer; (e) at least one switching relay operably connected to the potentiometer and the NPN transistor; (f) at least one power resistor operably connected to the switching relay; and (g) an automatic reset subsystem comprising at least one capacitor and at least one light emitting diode, the light emitting diode being operably connected to the capacitor and the transistor; wherein the secondary headlight system is connected to a power supply of the vehicle, and a low beam headlight of the vehicle, the failure of which is to be detected and compensated for; and wherein when the low beam headlight of the vehicle fails, the secondary headlight system is automatically activated, resultin

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.