Abstract: A fluorescent light fixture includes an elongated housing for mounting on a wall or a ceiling. A fixed socket is attached to one end of the housing by a fixed connecting arm. A breakaway socket is movably attached to another end of the housing by a breakaway connecting arm. A tubular lens is secured between the sockets, and a fluorescent tube is centered within the tubular lens by a pair of centering rings. The fluorescent tube is completely surrounded by the tubular lens, which diffuses the light in a 360 degree circle. Electrical connectors arranged within the sockets are mated with corresponding terminals on the ends of the fluorescent tube. The breakaway socket is movable away from the housing for releasing the tubular lens and the fluorescent tube, so that the fluorescent tube may be removed and replaced in a limited space. The breakaway socket is movable against the housing for securing the tubular lens and fluorescent tube.

Abstract: A leash-mounted storage device includes front and rear pouches attached together and forming a channel therebetween. The front pouch includes a front opening for receiving a supply of disposable bags for picking up pet droppings. The rear pouch includes a top opening for receiving dirty bags after they are filled with animal waste. First and second hook-and-loop fastening straps are attached to the front pouch adjacent the opposite ends of the channel. The storage device is attached to a pet leash by slipping the leash through the channel, wrapping the first fastening strap through the hand loop of the leash, and wrapping the second fastening strap around an intermediate portion of the leash. Thus the storage device is securely attached to the leash. Instead of holding pet droppings, the storage device may also be used for holding a variety of other pet related items, such as pet toys, pet medication, water container, water dish, etc., or it may be used for holding personal items, such as keys, wallet, etc.

Abstract: An ophthalmic instrument for removing foreign objects from an ocular surface includes a multi-purpose tool head attached at an angle to the end of a handle. The generally flat tool head includes a main body and an upwardly angled distal tip. A pair of side scoops are arranged on the sides of the main body, and an omnidirectional plane is arranged between the side scoops. A V-shaped notch with a sharply beveled front edge is arranged on one side of the main body. The upturned distal tip is usable for prying out partially embedded objects. The V-shaped notch is usable for securely engaging both sides of an object and gently rocking it loose. The side scoops and the plane are usable for scooping or rocking loose objects. A graduated scale is provided on the tool head for measuring the size of the foreign objects. Accordingly, the present ophthalmic instrument provides several tools for removing foreign objects of different sizes, shapes, and consistencies.

Abstract: A drywall tool filling pump includes a pump head removably attached to the top end of a pump cylinder positioned inside a bucket of drywall mud. Left and right hinge members extend from the pump head. A plunger shaft extends coaxially from the pump head. A lever has a proximal end pivotally attached to the top of the plunger shaft, and is positionable on either side of the pump head. A pair of connecting rods pivotally connect an intermediate portion of the lever to either hinge member. An output port arranged on the pump head may be connected to a variety of automatic drywall tools. A L-shaped mounting bracket has a top end attached to the output port, and extends downwardly for being positioned outside the bucket. A valve cap is attached to the lower end of the pump cylinder by bolts that extend through longitudinal slots on the cylinder, so that the valve cap may be easily removed by loosening the bolts, and sliding them out the slots.

Abstract: A common way for an adult to carry a baby is to cradle the baby in both arms, so that the baby's head is resting on one of the adult's shoulders. However, the baby may drool onto the adult. Also, thin adults with bony shoulders may cause discomfort to the baby's head. Such problems are solved by a combination baby pillow and drool guard that includes a shell stuffed with soft batting. A hole is arranged on the pad, so that it may be worn around the neck of the adult. The pad covers the shoulders and upper chest area of the adult to cushion the baby's head, and to protect the adult's clothing from the baby's drool. In a first embodiment, a pair of straps connect the opposite ends of the pad together when worn. In a second embodiment, a releasable joint extends between the hole and an edge of the pad for facilitating donning and removal. In a third embodiment, the pad includes a pair of wings extending from the sides for providing extra coverage on the adult's shoulders.

Abstract: A glove bag includes a glove portion, an enlarged cuff portion, and a sealing strip arranged on an open rear end of the cuff portion. To use, the bag is worn over a hand, and the hand is used to pick up an article. The glove portion provides complete freedom of movement for the fingers to handle the article with precision. The glove bag is everted over the article to contain it, and the open rear end is sealed with the sealing strip. The article is thus isolated in the glove bag without being contaminated by the hand, and without contaminating the hand. The cuff portion is large enough to hold a variety of articles.

Abstract: Dust mites are a pest that is present in most homes. Their fecal pellets are known to be a significant cause of allergies. A method for controlling dust mites includes providing a 5% disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT) solution, and applying it to an infested surface, such as a carpet or bedding, with a hot water vacuum. The solution is applied evenly, and is partially extracted by the vacuum on the same stroke, so that the surface is left relatively dry. The application and extraction process also cleans the surface by removing dirt and a significant number of dust mites and their fecal pellets. The residual solution kills most of the dust mites, but it poses an insignificant health exposure to humans. After drying, the applied DOT also resists removal by subsequent dry vacuuming, so that it remains effective for many weeks.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a doll includes a pair of arms rotatably attached to a body member for rotation about a horizontal axis, and a lever connected to the proximal ends of the arms. The first end of a deflectable member is attached to the body member, and the second of the deflectable member is movable along the body member. The deflectable member include outwardly bowing intermediate portions. The first ends of a pair of tendons are attached to the arms, and the second ends are anchored to the body member at a point between the ends of the deflectable member. The tendon is curved around the second end of the deflectable member, past the first end, and into the arms through the lever. When the deflectable member is compressed, such as when the doll is hugged by a person, its second end is deflected away from the first end. The tendons are thus pulled by the second end of the deflectable member, and the lever is rotated by the tendons to raise the arms to a hugging position.

Abstract: An adaptable engine usage meter includes engine monitoring circuitry arranged within a front housing. Three different rear housings can be interchangeably attached to the front housing. A first rear housing includes a concave back portion, so that in conjunction with a complementary concave mounting bracket, it allows the meter to be attached to a round handlebar, such as that on a push mower. A second rear housing is slightly narrower than the front housing, so that a shoulder is formed when they are attached together. The second rear housing allows the meter to be mounted on an instrument panel by fitting it through a cutout until the shoulder engages the panel. When either the first or second rear housing is used, the circuitry in the front housing is connected to the ignition wire and the ground of an engine via a cable extended through the rear housing.

Abstract: A high speed, high resolution, programmable laser beam modulating apparatus includes a computer connected to a high resolution micromirror array having individually addressable and movable mirrors. The computer is also connected to a pulsed laser for controlling the emission thereof. A beam homogenizing optic changes an ablating input beam from the laser into a homogeneous beam having a uniform cross-sectional energy density. The mirrors are movable between an "on" position for reflecting a portion of the homogeneous beam onto a cornea, and an "off" position for reflecting the beam away from the cornea. The computer is programmed to move the mirrors to the "on" position in a series of predetermined patterns, and the remaining mirrors to the "off" position, and to fire the laser during the presence of each pattern, so that corresponding patterns of tissue on the cornea are successively ablated therefrom.

Abstract: A cooking pot enclosing a rotatable spherical chamber includes a pot body. A cover is provided on an open top of the pot body to define an enclosed space. A removable, spherical chamber assembly is rotatably suspended within the pot body by a pair of opposite shafts. One shaft end is driven by a mating gear connected to a gear train and motor located external to the pot body. Food is placed in the spherical chamber assembly, which is then placed in the pot body. The pot body is filled with several inches of water, and placed on a stove or other heating element. The spherical chamber assembly is suspended above the boiling water, and is rotated by the motor and gear train, which causes the food to tumble and therefore cook evenly and quickly. Baffles affixed to the interior side walls of the spherical chamber assembly further enhance the mixing action.

Abstract: An infant identification and security system includes an umbilical cord clamp for being attached to the umbilical cord of an infant, a wristband for being worn on the infant's mother, a pair of information storage modules attached to the clamp and wristband, and a compatible terminal for reading and writing information to the storage modules. The modules contain distinctive identification information that is readable only by the terminal, and only after a predetermined password is entered into the terminal. A person wishing to carry the infant from a maternity ward is given permission to do so only after the identification information in her module is checked by hospital personnel for correspondence with the information in the infant's module. A pair of triggering elements are attached to the umbilical cord clamp for triggering a compatible alarm system when the infant is taken from the maternity ward.

Abstract: An umbilical cord cutting and clamping device includes first and second clamps held in a side-by-side abutting relation. Each clamp includes first and second arms hingeably connected at a first end, and gripping surfaces arranged on the interior of the arms. A blade is attached to the first arm of the first clamp and project into a space between the arms thereof. A pair of side splash guards are attached to abutting first arms on either side of the blade. A pair of front splash guards are attached to the second ends of the second arms and extend toward the first arms. When the clamps are closed around an umbilical cord, the cord is simultaneously clamped by the gripping surfaces and severed by the blade. The splash guards prevent blood from splashing onto surrounding persons when the umbilical cord is severed. The clamps are separable after clamping onto and severing the umbilical cord, so that the baby and the placenta can be separated.