Abstract: The martial arts shoe is comprised of a sole and an upper attached thereon. The sole has a raised rim. A rib is attached to the sole on an outer side of the shoe for providing better grip and for protecting the outer edge of the foot. A rigid insert is embedded in the rim for additional protection. The rim has gaps on the sides near the front to enable a toe portion of the sole to bend back more fully for front kicks. A tread pattern on the bottom of the sole includes suction cups along the outer edge for grip, transverse grooves at the toe area for grip, longitudinal grooves behind the toe area for fore and aft sliding, and concentric circular grooves at the ball and heel areas for pivoting.

Abstract: The present remote control key includes a hollow head comprised of two separable halves. A T-shaped metal socket is attached to the head. A transverse member of the socket is secured inside the head, and a longitudinal member of the socket extends outwardly through a hole at the base of the head. A proximal end of a metal shaft is inserted into a slot in the longitudinal member of the socket. The shaft is secured in the socket by a pin staked through the longitudinal member of the socket and positioned along a channel at the proximal end of the shaft. Remote control electronic components are arranged on a first circuit board inside the head, and a printed antenna is arranged on a second circuit board stacked with and electrically connected to the first circuit board.

Abstract: The present liquid level gauge for a liquid holding tank is comprised of a first tube with an inner section positioned inside the tank, and an outer section positioned vertically outside the tank. A larger diameter transparent tube is positioned around the outer section of the first tube, and has a sealed lower end. The outer end of the first tube is open to the interior of the transparent tube. The inner end of the first tube is connected to a bladder positioned at the bottom of the tank. The bladder and the first tube are filled with an indicator fluid. The transparent tube is partially filled with the indicator fluid that flow from the outer end of the first tube. The height of the indicator fluid in the transparent tube is the same as the level of the liquid in the tank.

Abstract: The present diving tool is comprised of a handle, a threaded lens housing positioned at a front end of the handle and offset to a top side, and a slot positioned at the front end of the handle and offset to a lower side. A battery compartment in the handle behind the lens housing is arranged for receiving a battery. The lens housing is arranged to either activate or deactivate a lamp therein when rotated in opposite directions. An elongated blade is received in the slot of the handle for prying abalone from rocks. The tip of the blade has rounded corners and edges to avoid injuring the abalone. The inner end of the blade has notches on opposite sides which mate with bumps on the sides of the slot to secure the blade.

Abstract: The present shopping bag holder is for holding a used plastic or paper shopping bag as a garbage, trash, or recycling bag. It is comprised of a single side panel connected between opposite end panels to provide an open side. Semi-circular tabs project upward respectively from the tops of the end panels for holding the loop handles of a plastic shopping bag. A hole is provided in each tab for allowing a finger to pass under the loop handle to lift the bag. A gap is provided at the top of each tab to allow the finger to pass through. The side panel is angled outward for leaning a paper shopping bag inward and preventing it from falling out. The open side allows the shopping bag to expand when filled.

Abstract: The present fishing reel is comprised of a reel body for attaching to a fishing pole. A main shaft is positioned in the body and project out the front of the body. A spool is positioned around the front or outer end of the main shaft. A rotor is positioned around the main shaft behind the spool and is rotatable about the shaft. A pinion gear is positioned within the body around the inner end of the main shaft and is rotatable independently about the shaft. The pinion gear is fixedly connected to the rotor through a sleeve around the main shaft for simultaneous rotation. A drive gear is positioned outside the body behind the rotor and coaxial with the sleeve. The drive gear is also rotationally fixed relative to the rotor and sleeve. A lead screw is positioned in the body parallel to the main shaft. A lead screw gear is fixedly attached to a forward end of the lead screw. The lead screw gear is engaged with and driven by the drive gear.

Abstract: The present automated vehicle regulation compliance enforcing system is comprised of an on-board monitoring system for being installed on a heavy truck, and an interrogation system for being installed in enforcement vehicles and inspection stations. The monitoring system is comprised of a processor connected to speed and weigh sensors installed in the truck and trailers. The processor is arranged to monitor various operating parameters of the truck, such as loading, load distribution, speed, driver maintenance information, driving time, and mileage. The processor is also connected to an interface which enables the truck operator to input driver and vehicle information, and a transceiver for communicating with the interrogation system. The interrogation system is comprised of a processor connected to a transceiver, and arranged to interrogate the monitoring system to download data.

Abstract: A bubble ring is comprised of a tubular wall with a height which is greater than its wall thickness. The wall is parallel to the axis of the ring for reducing resistance to airflow along the axis of the ring. Plates extend radially from the inside and outside surfaces of the ring for holding a bubble solution by surface tension and capillary action. The gaps between the plates are generally evenly wide throughout for evenly holding bubble solution. The gaps also have open front and rear ends aligned with the axis of the ring for better releasing solution. Through holes are arranged in the wall parallel to the axis of the ring for holding and releasing additional solution. A handle is hinged to the ring. The handle is pivoted across the ring for shipping, and pivoted outward for use.

Abstract: A gyroscopic diving toy is comprised of a housing and a motor positioned inside the housing. A battery compartment is arranged adjacent the motor for receiving a battery. A swim bladder and a ballast are arranged inside the housing to provide neutral buoyancy and balance. A propeller is attached to an axle of the motor protruding through the housing. The axle of the motor is coaxial with a longitudinal spin axis of the housing. The housing is generally circular about the spin axis for minimizing drag when spinning. When the motor is activated, the housing is spun rapidly in a direction opposite to the rotation of the propeller, and gyroscopic forces generated by the rotation of the housing cause the toy to repeatedly dive and surface automatically for amusement.

Abstract: The present soft article dispenser is comprised of a tube with an open loading end and a constricted dispensing end. The tube is comprised of a rolled up sheet of flexible and collapsible material, such as fabric, with opposite edges which are sewn together. A loading end reinforcing band and a dispensing end reinforcing band are provided at the corresponding ends of the tube. Each reinforcing band is comprised of a rolled up sheet of stronger material, such as leather or vinyl-coated fabric, with opposite edges which are sewn together. The constricted dispensing end is comprised of a disc sewn to the end of the dispensing end reinforcing band. A hole is provided in the disc. A loop is attached to the tube at the open loading end for hanging. Soft articles, such as small items of clothing, plastic bags, disposable gloves, etc., are stuffed snugly into the dispenser from the loading end. The soft articles are removable one-at-a-time through the hole at the dispensing end.

Abstract: The folding camper is comprised of an outer shell hinged to a side wall of the cargo bed of a vehicle, an inner shell hinged to an opposite side wall, a front panel hinged to a front wall, and a rear panel hinged to a rear wall. When collapsed, the outer shell spans the entire cargo bed, and generally follows the contour of the vehicle's cab to maximize volume without protruding beyond the top and sides of the cab for reduced drag. The inner shell is closely nestled under the outer shell and generally follows the internal contour of the outer shell, except for its distal side which is more slanted than the hinged side. To erect, the shells are tilted upward until their opposite sides meet, and the front and rear panels are tilted upward until they meet the lower edges of the shells.

Abstract: The present door gap finger guard is comprised of an elongated rigid fixed plate connected to an elongated rigid movable plate by a narrow springy strip. The fixed plate, springy strip, and movable plate are coplanar when relaxed. The fixed plate is adapted to be attached to an interior surface of a doorjamb, and the movable plate is adapted to be biased against a door hinged to the door jamb. Both plates are transparent for blending in with the surrounding architecture. The movable plate is biased against the door regardless of the door's position to cover the door gap at all times. The springy strip is significantly narrower than either the movable plate or the fixed plate, so that most of the guard is of a rigid material that cannot be collapsed when pushed upon for preventing fingers from getting into the door gap.

Abstract: A fingerprint jewelry includes any jewelry with a person's fingerprints cast in relief onto its surface. It is made by pressing a finger on a sheet of pliable wax medium to imprint it with fingerprints in relief. In a first embodiment, the wax medium is comprised of a soft wax medium soft enough to be imprinted at room temperature. In a second embodiment, the wax medium is comprised of a soft wax medium supported on a hard wax medium. The imprinted wax medium is positioned in a hollow form. A mold is created around the wax medium by pouring a mold material into the hollow form. An oven is used to harden the mold material and melt away the wax to leave a mold cavity. Molten precious metal is cast into the mold cavity with a casting machine to produce a casting with the fingerprints in relief. The casting is freed by breaking the mold. Additional work may be performed on the casting to produce a finished piece of jewelry.

Abstract: The present wall art picture is comprised of a front panel display board and a rear panel enclosing board mounted in a frame. A poster featuring the graphical image of a light-emitting object is mounted to the outer surface of the front panel display board. A hole is made in the front panel display board through the light-emitting object depicted in the graphical image. A non-flammable bushing is positioned through the hole and an electric lamp assembly is positioned within the bushing. The bushing is comprised of a cylindrical tube with a flange at an inner end. The flange is positioned and adhered flush against the rear surface of the front panel display board. A shoulder is arranged inside the tube facing the flange to hold the lamp assembly in place and prevent it from passing completely through the tube. The potentially flammable front panel display board is insulated by the bushing from the heat producing surfaces of the lamp assembly for safety.

Abstract: A necktie knot cover is comprised of a sheet with a center portion for being positioned against a necktie knot, and backwardly curved side panels for hugging the sides of the knot for stability. The sheet has two inwardly slanted side edges below its top edge. The top ends of the side panels terminate at the lower ends of the slanted side edges. The slanted side edges provide clearance for the loop of the necktie. A mounting bracket is attached to an inner surface of the center portion. A spring-loaded arm is hinged to the bracket. The arm is for hooking inside a pocket below a top edge of the knot. The arm has inwardly curved fingers for gripping the inside of the pocket.

Abstract: In the present credit card security method, a credit card company requests a person applying for a credit card account to submit a name and a birth month. The credit card company associates a credit card with essential information, prints the credit card, and issues the credit card to the person. The essential information comprises an account number, the person's name, and an expiration date comprising an expiration month and an expiration year. The expiration month is the birth month of the person. The credit card is printed with the account number, name, and expiration year, but not the expiration month. The credit card company still requires the correct expiration month to be submitted before authorizing a credit card transaction. The cardholder can verbally provide the expiration month to a sales clerk in a telephone or point-of-sale transaction, and can personally enter it into a computer in an Internet transaction.

Abstract: The present mop is comprised of a head attached to the lower end of a long handle. The head is narrow enough to be moved in a figure “8” pattern. Flexible rayon cords are attached to the head for proper absorbency and texture to avoid streaking. A backpack tank holding a solution is connected by a tube to a sprayer nozzle outside the head for evenly applying the solution on a floor. The tank is pressurized by a pressurizing pump which is operated by a pivoting lever projecting in front of the tank. The lever is positioned at waist level so that it is operable by the worker while the tank is worn. A sprayer control valve is attached along the tube on the handle to control spraying. The valve is offset about 90 degrees relative to the nozzle about the axis of the handle for easy reach.