Abstract: A step extension for a stirrup is comprised of a top plate for attaching on top of a step member of the stirrup, and a bottom plate for attaching to the bottom of the step member. Fasteners connected between the top and bottom plates secure them to the step member. The top plate has a rear extension for providing better foot support and improving stirrup control. The rear extension extends between an outer portion of the step member and the mid portion of the step member. The top plate has an inner portion which is devoid of any extension, so that its rear edge terminates generally flush with the rear edge of the step member. The lack of a rearward extension on the inner portion of the top plate avoids locking the rider's foot in the stirrup when the rider falls off.

Abstract: A biomolecule microarray support is comprised of a frame with upward projecting side walls. A transparent substrate is detachably positioned on the frame within the walls. A printed hydrophobic grid is arranged on the substrate for receiving spots of biomolecule samples. Each square on the grid is identified with a position number. A resilient gasket with an array of chambers is position on the substrate in alignment with the grid. The chambers are defined by dividing walls which are tapered from top to bottom. A clamping plate is positioned on the gasket which is received in stabilizing grooves under the clamping plate. Holes on the clamping plate aligned with the chambers allow a hybridization fluid to be introduced into the chambers. Fasteners connect the clamping plate and the frame to tightly compress the gasket against the substrate to seal the chambers from each other.

Abstract: A shoe pad includes air pumping elements for cooling the interior of a shoe. The pumping elements include forward pumping elements for pumping air from back to front, and backward pumping elements for pumping air from front to back. The pad includes an upper sheet attached to a lower sheet. Each pumping element includes a channel on the lower sheet covered by the upper sheet. The channel has an intake and an exhaust. Cavities are distributed along the channel. Resilient blisters on the upper sheet are aligned with the cavities on the lower sheet to define pumps. Each pump has an intake and an exhaust. Flap valves projecting down from the upper sheet are respectively positioned against the intakes of the pumps. Alignment pins projecting down from the top sheet are positioned in alignment holes on the lower sheet.

Abstract: A folding table is comprised of a platform connected by hinges to mounting brackets that partially wrap around the vertical supports of a handrail. Slits extend down from the upper edges of the brackets to mate with slits extending up from the lower edges of locking plates on an opposite side of the vertical supports. One of the mounting bracket is a vertically elongated bracket. A folding diagonal brace comprised of upper and lower braces is connected between a lower side of the platform and the elongated bracket. A lower pin at the lower end of the upper brace is positioned through a longitudinal slot in the lower brace. An upper pin on the upper brace is positioned in a coiled slot at an upper end of the lower brace when the platform is fully raised and the diagonal brace is straightened.

Abstract: A stopper holder for a beverage bottle is comprised of a first helical gripping member for positioning on the neck of the bottle, and a second helical member connected to the first gripping member for holding a stopper therein. The first and second helical gripping members are comprised of a continuous rod wherein the upper end of the first helical gripping member is connected to a lower end of the second helical gripping member by an integral connecting portion. Resilient cushions are positioned along the first helical gripping member for a snug fit on bottles of different sizes. The second helical gripping member is positioned above and to a side of the first helical gripping member for positioning the stopper away from the mouth of the bottle.

Abstract: A mouth mounted computer input device is comprised of a curved housing shaped to closely engage the roof of the mouth against the front teeth. A touch pad is arranged on the bottom of the housing, and an electrical stimulator is arranged on the top of the housing. A microphone, a camera, a temperature sensor, a pulse monitor, and a first transceiver are also positioned in the housing. A fiber optic lens connected to the camera and projecting from the housing is arranged to be positioned between two front teeth. A second transceiver is connected to a personal computer. The touch pad is operable by the tongue for cursor control. The stimulator provides pulsed electrical stimulation to the mouth to present alphanumeric information. The microphone enables speech input, and the camera enables video input, the temperature sensor measures body temperature, and the pulse monitor measures heart rate.

Abstract: An adjustable strap buckle is comprised of a barrel member detachably positioned in a hook member. The barrel member is comprised of a tubular housing with a spring loaded push button projecting from an open end. A button hole is positioned through the button, and housing holes are positioned through opposite walls in the housing. A strap is positioned through all the holes. When the button is released, the button hole is misaligned with the housing holes to bind the strap. When the button is pressed, the holes are all aligned for releasing the strap for sliding. The hook member is comprised of spaced apart hooks attached to an anchor member for attaching to clothing, a bag, luggage, etc. The barrel member is transversely positioned inside the hooks to secure the strap, wherein the segment of the strap extending from the barrel member is also positioned between the hooks.

Abstract: A boat light apparatus is comprised of a navigation light and a detachable docking light. The navigation light is comprised of a navigation light housing with a low power navigation light lamp behind a lens. A socket is positioned at the top of the navigation light housing. Electrical connectors are positioned inside the socket. A detachable docking light for mating with the navigation light is comprised of a docking light housing with a high power docking light lamp inside. Docking light housing is hinged to the top of a mounting post for positioning inside the socket in the navigation light. Electrical connectors are positioned at the bottom of the post for mating with the connectors inside the socket. Navigation light lamp and docking light lamp are connected in parallel for connecting to the navigation light switch in a boat. A step relay is connected between the docking light lamp and the navigation light switch.

Abstract: A medal mounting device is comprised of a ribbon with a first end folded into a narrower strip with parallel sides. A second end of the ribbon is attached to a metal clip with foldable tabs. The first end of the ribbon is inserted through a loop attached to a medal and folded behind an intermediate portion of the ribbon. The ribbon is positioned against a medal support bar on a uniform so that the bottom of the medal is aligned with the bottoms of adjacent medals. The second end of the ribbon is folded behind the support bar, and the clip is positioned against the strip at the first end. The tabs are folded around the opposite edges of the strip and pressed against the back of the strip to secure the first end relative to the second end.

Abstract: A standing single leg press exercise machine is comprised of a single movable step arranged to move up and down along an inclined path for exercising only one leg at a time. A resistance mechanism is connected to the movable step for providing resistance to movement. Two stationary steps are positioned on either side of the bottom position of the movable step. Hand rails are also positioned on either side of movable step. A shoulder pad is positioned above the movable step. A method for using the leg press is comprised of standing on one of the stationary steps with a stationary leg, and repeatedly operating the movable step up and down with an active leg. The active leg is exercised until it is tired, and the legs are switched to exercise the previously stationary leg while the previously active leg is rested.

Abstract: A cylindrical member maintenance device is comprised of a housing comprised of two hinged halves for being closed around a cylindrical member, such as a stranded steel cable. A rotary helical brush assembly and a rotary longitudinal brush assembly are positioned in the housing and rotatable about an axis of the housing. Each rotary brush assembly is comprised of coaxial split rings with rotary cylindrical wire brushes connected in between and which are independently rotatable about their own axes. Nozzles are positioned on the inside of the housing for applying a cleaning fluid or paint to the cylindrical member. Apertures in the housing are for connecting to a suction device for removing debris, cleaning fluid, and paint to avoid contaminating the environment. Loops on the housing are for attaching to cables for moving the housing along the cylindrical member.

Abstract: An expandable fire-fighting fluid container is arranged for receiving a fire fighting fluid. The container is comprised of end walls, a bottom between the end walls, and movable side walls connected to the end walls and the bottom with expandable seals. Actuators are attached between the side walls and the end walls. The actuators are powered by an engine attached to the container. The side walls are retractable inward for reducing container width for traveling on public roads, and expandable outward for increasing fluid capacity at a fire site. A pump is attached to the container for pumping the fluid to douse a fire.

Abstract: A submarine is comprised of a hull with an external seat on top and a backrest behind the seat. A control column and a grab handle are positioned in front of the seat. External drive motors attached to the hull drive propellers housed in protective cages. Servo driven dive planes and stern rudders provide directional control. Batteries are attached to a mounting plate positioned in channels inside the hull. The control column, drive motors, dive planes, rudders, and batteries are connected to a controller. A detachable safety key tethered to the rider is arranged to disable the drive motors and control column if the rider falls off and pulls the key from the hull. A water sensor on top of the backrest is arranged to prevent the diving planes from pitching down when the sensor detects water for limiting diving depth.

Abstract: A street curb drain filter is comprised of U-shaped brackets for attaching to an inside wall of a street curb drain adjacent an inlet. A horizontal retaining bar is attached to the outer ends of the brackets. The lower edge of a horizontally elongated flexible net is attached to the retaining bar. The upper edge of the net is connected to the interior ceiling of the drain with eye bolts and S-hooks. A horizontally elongated debris basin is supported within the brackets. A filter media pack is positioned inside the basin adjacent a perforated outer wall of the basin. Water flowing from the street into the drain is directed through the filter. When runoff is relatively light, debris flowing into the drain is collected inside the basin. When runoff is relatively heavy or when the basin is clogged, debris bypassing the basin is filtered by the net.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument includes a surfboard shaped body with strings on top. The strings have first ends attached to tuners under the body adjacent a first end, and second ends attached to a fixed anchor on top of the body adjacent a second end. A pitch changer comprised of an eccentric cam on an axle is positioned on a played string. A lever connected to the axle is provided for rotating the cam to adjust the tension on the string. A second embodiment is comprised of a body with tuners and a pitch changer adjacent the same end of the body. A third embodiment includes a combined tuner and pitch changer comprised of hinged arms with first ends pivoted on an axle. The strings are attached to intermediate positions on the arms. Screws are positioned against second ends of the arms for adjusting the tension on the strings.

Abstract: A clamp jaw for restricted spaces is comprised of a base plate with a clamp engaging plate projecting from a side of the base plate at a right angle, and a gripping plate projecting from an opposite side of the base plate at a right angle. A through hole is positioned in the clamp engaging plate for receiving a shaft of a clamp. The gripping plate is arranged for gripping an article to be clamped, such as a deck board. The gripping plate has a thickness which is no greater than the desired gap between adjacent articles to be clamped, such as the gap between adjacent boards.

Abstract: A roll dispenser is comprised of a tubular housing with a first end cap and a second end cap. Each end cap is comprised of a plate with an integral lip which is parallel to the sides of the housing for a slide fit. The first end cap is removable from the housing. A longitudinal slot is arranged along the housing. Slots in respective lips of the end caps are aligned with the slot in the housing. A rod has a second end attached to the inside of the second end cap in a coaxial position inside the housing. A ring attached to the inside of the first end cap is arranged to support a first end of the rod. A mounting block is attached to a side of the housing. A mounting bracket is detachably mated with the mounting block for mounting the dispenser on a wall.

Abstract: A spice grinder is comprised of a mounting ring for screwing onto a spice container. An outer grinding member comprised of a ring is locked to the top of the mounting ring to prevent rotation. An inner grinding member comprised of a cone is positioned within the outer grinding member. A cap is positioned around the outer and inner grinding members, and rotationally fixed to the inner grinding member. An adjustment knob is attached to a shaft which is positioned through the cap and the inner and outer grinding members. A first spiral ramp under the knob is engaged against a second spiral ramp on the cap. An inner end of the knob is locked to the inner grinding member. Spring arms projecting radially from the inner grinding member are biased against an inner surface of the cap. Coarseness is adjusted by rotating the knob.