Abstract: The inverted bonnet hair dryer is comprised of a bowl with a closed end and an open end. The bowl is pivotally supported on a stand and is rotatable to a position with its open end facing upward. The bowl is comprised of a hemispherical concave inner wall which is generally spaced from an outer wall. The perimeter of the inner wall is connected to the outer wall to define a space between the walls. A hollow tube is attached to the outer wall. An aperture at an outer end of the tube is in communication with the space within the bowl. The aperture is adapted to receive the head of a conventional hand-held electric blow dryer. When the open end is facing upward, the bowl is adapted to be positioned under the head of a person. The head is inverted to hang the hair under the head. The inner wall of the bowl is adapted to evenly support the hair. When the blow dryer is activated, hot air is forced into the space between the walls and released through holes on the inner wall to dry the hair.

Abstract: An external equipment carrier with a cargo holder includes an arm with a front end for being attached to a trailer hitch on a vehicle. A manual scissors jack and a vertical guide rail are connected to the back of the arm. The top of the jack is slidable along the guide rail. A cargo holder is removably carried on a support bar at the top of the jack, and can be raised or lowered by operating the jack. The arm is articulated for retracting the cargo holder to a stowed position behind the vehicle, and pivoting the cargo holder to an extended position away from the tailgate or rear door of the vehicle. The cargo holder includes retractable legs with wheels. In another embodiment, the cargo holder is supported on a foldable platform attached to the top of the jack. In another embodiment, the jack is comprised of a screw jack connected to a rear end of a hinged arm with a front end for being attached to a trailer hitch.

Abstract: The present eye wear is comprised of a pair of lenses, a pair of releasable connectors connected to respective inner ends of the lenses, a pair of temples pivotally connected to respective outer ends of the lenses, and a rigid strap attached between the rear ends of the temples. The strap is positioned below the lenses so as to not interfere with a hairdo or helmet. The inner ends of the lenses are releasably secured together by the connectors. To wear, the lenses are separated from each other and pivoted outwardly, the strap is wrapped around the back of the head, and the lenses are pivoted toward each other and secured together in front of the eyes. The lenses are instantly separable for easily putting on or taking off the eye wear, but they are instantly connectable together for a secure and accurate fit. In a second embodiment, the strap is comprised of an adjustable-length flexible strap.

Abstract: The present personal watercraft is comprised of a hull with a center portion, and a pair of elongated side pontoons extending substantially behind the center portion. A rear-facing seat is arranged on the rear of the center portion. The rear of the hull behind the seat and between the pontoons is open for enabling a rider to kick for propulsion. The center portion and the pontoons each have a curved bottom for improving directional control. The hull includes a bow with a substantially slanted bottom, and sides that converge to a point for improving speed and gliding over seaweed. The hull is preferably made of a floatable rigid material. A watertight storage compartment is provided in the center portion for stowing equipment. Seat belts are connected across the seat for securing a rider in rough water. A removable apron is stretched across the pontoons behind the seat for use in fly fishing. A detachable harness attached to the top of the pontoons allow the watercraft to be carried on the back of a person.

Abstract: A computer network read-ahead caching method for servers and clients includes compiling a list of addresses associated with the links on a page. The addresses are ordered on the list according to the likelihood that they may be visited by a user. Different compiling methods are provided, including compiling in the order the links appear on the page, compiling only the links which are currently displayed to the user, and compiling currently displayed links and links in the direction the page is being scrolled. Requests are send out to the addresses which are not in a local cache. Any cacheable pages which are received are cached. If the page for the selected link is already cached, it is fetched from the cache and displayed almost instantly, so that the user does not experience the download delay. If the page is not cached, a request is sent out. In another embodiment, the requests identify the client as a read-ahead caching client, and the responses identify the server as a compatible server.

Abstract: The present dry wall patch comprises a disc with a threaded rim. A lock nut is strongly attached to one side of the disc, and a bolt is inserted through the disc from the opposite side and threaded tightly into the nut. A wrench is applied to the bolt to turn the disc into a hole on a wall until the disc is recessed slightly within the hole. The nut includes teeth that dig into the disc to hold it in position while the bolt is being wrenched. The bolt is removed after the disc is in position. The hole is filled with spackle and sanded until completely flush with the wall. Other embodiments include a polygonal block screwed to the disc for mating with a turning tool, radial slots cut into the face of the disc for mating with a turning tool, holes drilled into the disc for mating with a turning tool, and a handle positioned through a block screwed to the disc.

Abstract: A traffic monitoring device is comprised of a housing for mounting on an existing stop sign. A red lamp attached under the housing is for being positioned in front of the sign above the word “Stop.” When approaching traffic or pedestrians are detected by motion detectors on the housing, the lamp is flashed several times to positively alert drivers to the presence of the sign, and to convey the importance of stopping. Detected traffic movements are stored in memory, and intermittently transmitted to a remote monitoring station with a telephone transceiver. A tamper alert is activated by a tamper switch positioned against a cover on the housing, and deactivated by a keyed control switch. A panic switch and speakerphone for being attached to a supporting post of the stop sign is available to drivers and pedestrians for communicating with an emergency response center. In a second embodiment, the sign is comprised of a housing in the shape of a stop sign enclosing the electronics.

Abstract: A square tool with tape measure includes a triangular housing with flat opposite sides and three edges forming a right-angled corner and two acute-angled corners. A groove is arranged along an entire length of each of the edges to enable the tool to be easily grasped and lifted. A measuring tape arranged within the housing is retractable flush into one of the corners. The tape is lockable in any extended position with a locking tab recessed into one of the edges. A bubble level is arranged within a window on the housing for indicating the horizontal position. A pencil holder is attached to one of the edges for holding a pencil. A pencil sharpener is provided for sharpening the pencil. A pair of guide rails arranged along opposite sides of one of the edges can be used for aligning the tool with a work piece. The tool may be clipped to a user's clothing with a belt clip attached to a side of the housing. In alternative embodiments, the belt clip is retractable and extendable.

Abstract: The present cocoon garment is comprised of a tubular body continuously extending between a shoulder end and a feet end for fully covering the torso and legs. A neck opening is provided at the center of the shoulder end, and is cut lower at the front than at the back for comfort. A pair of sleeves is attached to opposite sides of the shoulder end for covering the arms. A center pocket is provided at the front of the tubular body, and includes openings on opposite sides for receiving the hands. A longitudinal slit is provided on the back of the tubular body for entry and exit, even when sitting or lying down. The slit is completely free of fasteners for comfort when sitting or lying on it. Since a person would be mostly sitting or lying down when wearing the garment, the slit does not need to be closed with fasteners anyway. The feet end is removed from the legs for walking. The loose feet end can be raised to avoid tripping by tying it to a higher portion of the garment with cords.

Abstract: The present storm drain filter comprises a tubular housing with a solid vertical surrounding wall and sized for being recessed inside a storm drain. The housing is supported in the drain by a flange around its top edge. A tubular cartridge is detachably attached to a solid annular bottom plate of the housing. The cartridge comprises a solid annular top cover coaxial with a solid annular bottom closure; vertical tubular inner, intermediate, and outer screens concentrically connected between the top cover and bottom closure; and filter media enclosed between the screens. A central overflow opening inside the inner screen is aligned with a hole on the bottom plate of the housing. An annular debris trough is defined between the cartridge and the housing. Debris flowing into the filter is collected in the trough. As the level of debris rises and obstructs the lower part of the outer screen, the unobstructed upper part of the outer screen continues to filter the water.

Abstract: A roller wheel slider includes a mounting plate with clamps on opposite sides for clamping to a shoe. The mounting plate includes a front roller wheel support plate connected to a rear roller wheel support plate by a connecting member. A plurality of axles are mounted transversely under each roller wheel support plate, and a plurality of roller wheels are mounted to each axle. A hard plate on the front end of the mounting plate allows the user to slide when the rear of the shoe is lifted. A resilient friction pad on the rear end of the mounting plate allows the user to brake when the front of the shoe is lifted. The roller wheels are preferably only about 0.5 inch (1.2 cm) in diameter, so that they raise the user by an almost imperceptible amount from the ground to provide a sense of safety, and a sense of sliding along the ground. The large number of roller wheels are distributed across a wide area under the shoe to share the load for durability.

Abstract: The present guitar pick holder comprises a housing formed of a front half and a back half. A plurality of slots are arranged on the front half for receiving guitar picks. The slots are positioned very close together and staggered for compactness, but still enable the picks to be easily gripped. The picks may be randomly selected and removed from any slot. Each slot includes a beveled first edge for aiding pick insertion. A resilient tab projects into the slot from the first edge for securing the pick in position. A plurality of ramps are attached to the interior of the back half of the housing and aligned behind the slots. When a guitar pick is inserted into a slot, it is biased by the resilient tab against a second edge of the slot to an angled position relative to the surface of the housing for being easily gripped. The angle is limited by the ramp which engages the inner end of the pick. A clip on the back half of the housing is for clipping to a guitar strap or belt.

Abstract: A painter's utility belt is comprised of an elongated sash with a widened middle portion embedded with lumbar support inserts. The ends of the sash are releasably attached by a buckle on an adjustable strap. A strip of reinforcing webbing is attached longitudinally on the sash. Loops are formed along the webbing for holding tools, such as a scraper and screwdrivers. A pocket is centered on the sash for holding a sanding block. A pair of vertical loops closed with buckles are attached near the ends of the sash for holding caulking guns, tape, or paint cans. A pair of D-rings are attached to the webbing near the opposite ends for holding a hammer, a rag, etc. A pair of combination pockets are releasably attached to the sash in positions corresponding to the hip positions on the user. The combination pockets are each comprised of a paint pocket lined with a liquid resistant material for holding paint, and a plurality of tool pockets for holding tools.

Abstract: The present weighted exercise vest is comprised of right and left front panels connected to a back panel by elastic sides and webbing straps on top. A plurality of weights are removably but snugly received in elastic pockets arranged on the front panels and the back panel. The weights are securely retained by elastic flaps over the pockets. Each panel is preferably constructed of spandex inner and outer sheets for a snug fit, rubber padding sheets between the spandex inner and outer sheets for cushioning impact, and a strong webbing sheet between the rubber padding sheets for attaching the pockets and straps. The webbing sheet generally spans the entire area of each panel for maximum durability. Each weight includes a core comprised of 90% lead shot embedded in 10% silicone rubber for providing the necessary mass, but also enough flexibility to bend with the user's body. The core is surrounded by a silicone gel shell for cushioning impacts and further improving comfort.

Abstract: The present grooming device is comprised of a flexible sheet generally in the size and shape of a credit card for being carried in a pocket or wallet. The sheet is formed into a comb, a mirror, a nail file, and a nail pick. The comb includes staggered teeth of two different lengths for combing through dry or wet hair equally well. The mirror is a metal foil applied to one side of the sheet. The nail file is an abrasive material applied along a strip on one side of the sheet. The nail pick is claw shaped, and is positioned at a corner of the sheet for being easily maneuvered around nails. A magnetic strip is arranged on an opposite side of the sheet for operating an electronic card reader. Graphics, such as advertising or other information, are displayed on the back of the sheet near the magnetic strip.

Abstract: A skateboard stirrup is comprised of a pair of hollow end caps for cupping over the front and rear ends of a skateboard, and a resilient band connected between the end caps. When the rider's feet are on top of the band, it is yielding enough to allow the feet to make full contact with the top of the board. When the rider's feet are inserted under the band, it is taut enough to lift the skateboard for airborne maneuvers when the feet are lifted.