Abstract: A toilet drip and splash guard is comprised of an annular sheet with a central opening. A down-turned flange is arranged at an inner edge of the sheet, and an upturned flange is arranged at an outer edge of the sheet. A tongue is arranged at a rear end of the sheet. The guard is positioned on a toilet rim, with the tongue inserted between the hinges of the toilet seat to prevent the guard from rotating. The inner diameter of the guard is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the toilet rim. The guard is centered about the toilet rim by having the down-turned flange engaged around the inner edge of the toilet rim. The toilet rim is thus shielded from urine drips and splashes. The guard is substantially wider than the toilet rim, so that it is projected substantially beyond the toilet rim for shielding the floor under the toilet from urine drips and splashes. The front of the guard is narrower than the sides so as not to obstruct a user standing in front of the toilet.

Abstract: A taxi trip meter system includes a taximeter and a location sensor connected to a computer loaded with street information and driver evaluation software. In a first embodiment, the estimated shortest route and distance between the starting and ending points of a trip are determined. If the estimated shortest trip distance is exceeded by an actual trip distance by a permissible margin, a distance violation is indicated. An actual average speed is calculated based on an actual trip duration and the actually traveled distance. If an estimated average speed limit for the actual route is exceeded by the actual average speed, a speed violation is indicated. In a second embodiment, an estimated taxi fare is calculated based on the estimated shortest route. If the estimated taxi fare is exceeded by an actual taxi fare calculated by the taximeter by a permissible margin, a fare violation is indicated.

Abstract: A fishing reel drag mechanism includes a spool for a fishing line, a brake drum attached coaxially to the spool, and a resilient circular brake shoe positioned inside the brake drum. The outer diameter of the brake shoe is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the brake drum. A gap is provided on the brake shoe, and a movable spreader is positioned in the gap. When the spreader is moved to a first position, the brake shoe is in a relaxed position spaced from the brake drum, so that the spool may rotate with zero drag. When the spreader is gradually moved to a second position, the gap is gradually expanded by the spreader, and the brake shoe is gradually expanded against the brake drum. The drag on the brake drum is thus adjusted by changing the width of the gap with the spreader. Grooves arranged concentrically around the brake shoe provide additional compliance which improves smoothness in drag application and the range of drag force provided.

Abstract: A carrying strap for a notebook computer includes a continuous loop strap generally formed into an elongated oval shape, which includes a generally parallel pair of generally straight portions with opposite ends connected by curved portions. The strap is folded about a transverse axis, and wrapped around a hinged bottom edge of a notebook computer. A plurality of separable fasteners are arranged in a series on an intermediate segment of each straight portion of the strap and attached to opposite sides of the computer. There are preferably four separable fasteners attached to each side of the computer. Each separable fastener is preferably comprised of a first hook-and-loop fastener detachably fastened to a second hook-and-loop fastener. The first hook-and-loop fastener is preferably fixedly attached to the strap by stitching, and the second hook-and-loop fastener is preferably fixedly attached to the computer by adhesive.

Abstract: An external equipment carrier with a cargo box for a vehicle includes an arm with a proximal end for being attached to a trailer hitch on the vehicle. A manual scissors jack and a vertical guide rail are attached to the distal end of the arm. The top end of the jack is slidable along the guide rail. A cargo box is removably carried on a support bar attached to the top of the jack, and can be raised or lowered by operating the jack. Although the jack has a very high lifting capacity, it is very inexpensive, and does not require a locking or braking system. A pair of mirrors and brake lights are attached to an extendable arm connected to the guide rail. The mirrors enable a driver to see behind and below the box when backing up. The arm is articulated for retracting the box to a stowed position behind the vehicle, and pivoting the box to an extended position away from the tailgate or rear door of the vehicle.

Abstract: A double clip is comprised of outer and middle jaws pivoted together about an outer axle and biased to a closed position by a first spring. A pivoted gripping member is pivoted to the distal end of the outer jaw. An inner jaw is pivoted to the middle jaw about an inner axle and biased to a closed position by a second spring. The clip is removably attached to clothing by clipping the clothing between the inner and middle jaws. An item to be carried is removably clipped between the outer and middle jaws. The pivoted gripping member is automatically maintained in a parallel relationship with the middle jaw, regardless of the thickness of the item.

Abstract: A furniture with an integrated computer comprises an easy chair with large, thick cushions, and a pair of wide armrests that extend from about waist level to almost the ground. The right armrest is hollow, and serves as the case of a personal computer by housing the circuit boards, power supply, and hard disk drive. A small console at the front of the right armrest houses removable media drives within easy reach. A pad on the right armrest supports a mouse, joystick, or other input device. A monitor support and a keyboard support are mounted on a horizontal arm pivotally attached to the left armrest, and respectively support a monitor and a keyboard. A pair of speakers are mounted on either side of a headrest. A reclining mechanism arranged under the seat enables a backrest to be reclined, and a footrest to be extended by moving a lever on a side of the chair.

Abstract: A sunshade includes a flexible sheet with a hub generally positioned at its center. A plurality of radial arms are hinged to the hub about parallel axes which are perpendicular to the sheet. The outer ends of the arms are secured to the corners of the sheet. The sunshade is folded by pivoting the arms toward each other along a two-dimensional plane, so that it may be folded in the tight confines of an automobile's interior. In several embodiments, one or more arms are collapsible arms that facilitate the folding of the sheet. The collapsible arms are comprised of two sections connected by a bi-stable hinge, or comprised of spring-loaded telescoping sections. In another embodiment, the flexible sheet is of a wide rectangular shape supported by radial arms hinged to separate hubs positioned on left and right sections of the sheet. In yet another embodiment, the arms are all rigid, and the sheet includes a slit extending from its center to an edge.

Abstract: A vehicle blind spot mirror with a mirror having a single plane outwardly curved surface, an extension member attached to the rear portion of the outwardly curved mirror and having a double stick foam tape attachment means on the opposite surface of the extension, allowing the extension and attached blind spot mirror to be affixed to a vehicle's existing rear view mirror even if the rear view mirror is set in a recessed frame, thereby allowing for a larger blind spot mirror than the original rear view mirror. A preferred embodiment includes wherein said outwardly curved mirror is approximately seven and one half inches wide and five inches tall and is radially curved in such a way that the vertical center axis of said mirror is raised between thirty and eighty thousandths of an inch higher than the right or left edge. An alternate embodiment wherein the outwardly curved mirror is installed in place of a traditional flat plane driver's side rear view mirror found in current motor vehicles.

Abstract: An ambidextrous upright computer mouse includes a relatively upright finger engaging side on one side, and a thumb engaging side on an opposite side. Two sets of buttons are positioned at opposite ends of the finger engaging side. The mouse is symmetrical about a vertical transverse medial plane. When the finger engaging side is on the right side, the mouse can be grasped by a right hand. When the mouse is rotated so that the finger engaging side is on the left side, it can be grasped by the left hand. There is always a set of buttons at the forward end of the mouse, regardless of its orientation. Only one set of buttons is enabled at any time. The sets of buttons are alternately enabled and disabled by moving a selector switch. Ambidexterity is provided without compromising feel and comfort for either hand.

Abstract: A regulation disc valve with discharging device comprises a body (1) containing an easily removable fixed seat (2) with peripheral ports (3) and a central channel (13); a rotary disc slide (4) with notches and a central longitudinal aperture constantly engaging seat (2); a spindle (5); and a lid comprising a cylinder (8). A piston (7) permanently connected to slide (4) cooperates with cylinder (8) to form a discharge chamber (9), which is in turn connected to a drainage cavity (11). On the sealing surface of slide (4) is an intermediate chamber (12) formed by sectorial notches that interact with central channel (13) of seat (2) (FIG. 1, FIG. 2). The valve provides optimal pressure of slide (4) against seat (2) under various surface areas of the passage ports (3) without modifying the dimensions of the discharging device for that type of valve.

Abstract: A double-sided massager includes a housing with a slot sized for receiving a hand. Opposing sets of massaging members are arranged on the upper and lower sides of the slot for simultaneously massaging both sides of the hand. The massaging members are driven in a reciprocating up and down motion by crankshafts driven by a motor. One set of massaging members is attached to a movable carrier, which is adjustable so that the spacing between the opposing sets of massaging members can be varied for fitting hands of different thickness. In a second embodiment, the housing is wide enough for massaging both hands simultaneously. In a third embodiment, a pair of housings, each sized for receiving one hand, are hinged together for massaging the hands in a vertical position.

Abstract: An adjustable strap is comprised of an elastic band generally folded in half with one section slightly longer than the other. The end of longer section is folded back over the shorter section and stitched to the end of the shorter section and an adjacent portion of the longer section. An elongated small loop and an elongated large loop are formed on opposite sides of the stitching. A D-ring is connected to the small loop, and a clip hook is hinged to the D-ring for clipping to a supporting structure. The lateral sections of the large loop are both threaded through at least two slots in a buckle, which is slidable along the large loop to divide it into two variable-size storage loops for strapping and holding items. The buckle is slidable for changing the sizes of the storage loops for tightening around the items. A triangular ring is connected to the storage loop farther away from the clip hook. The strap may be wrapped around a supporting structure by clipping the triangular ring to the clip hook.

Abstract: A digital solar system model includes a display with a center representing the sun, and discrete lamps arranged in concentric loops around the sun representing the planetary orbits. The lamps are controlled by a processor. The orbital motion of each planet is represented by sequentially illuminating the lamps in a corresponding orbit. Each planet must wait through a predetermined count between adjacent lamp positions, and the count is proportional to the size of the orbit. Upon startup, the planets are set to their proper relative positions on a default starting date, then set in motion at their proper relative orbital rates. The speed, direction, and starting/stopping of orbital motion are controlled via a motion control keypad. Time passage is shown on a digital date display. Numeric keys are provided on the motion control keypad for entering a GOTO date of a desired Earth year and month within a permitted range of past and future dates.

Abstract: An adaptable plant protector includes a flexible shield and a pair of bendable supporting rods. The shield is comprised of a springy frame spanned by a flexible sheet, and rings attached around the sheet. The shield is supported over a plant by inserting the top ends of the rods through the rings, and the bottom ends into the ground. Each rod is provided with a stop at an intermediate position for supporting the shield off the ground. The rods may be positioned closer together for holding the shield in an arc shape, or farther apart for holding it flat. The rods can also be bent to support the shield in many different shapes and positions for protecting plants in a variety of landscaping and horticultural situations. Gardening staples may be used instead of the rods for attaching edges of the shield directly to the ground in some situations. In a second embodiment, the shield is comprised of a springy frame spanned by a coarse mesh. The bendable rods are inserted directly through the coarse mesh.

Abstract: A hopping model car includes a body, a pair of vertically adjustable rear wheels mounted near the rear of the body, a pair of vertically movable front wheels mounted near the front of the body, and an actuator connected to the front wheels. The car is balanced to have a center of gravity slightly in front of a rear axle. To use, the rear wheels are adjusted downwardly to raise the rear end of the car. The front wheels are quickly extended downwardly to propel the front end of the car into the air. The car is balanced for hopping with less power consumption and a less powerful actuator, and for causing the front end to fall realistically slowly.