Abstract: A modular window shade assembly has two embodiments. One includes a frame with a generally arcuate opening containing a blind system with horizontal slats that may be pivoted to control transmission of light through the opening. In the other embodiment, an arcuate portion contains a fixed fan shade within the arcuate opening. In each of the embodiments, the frame is sized and configured to fit within an existing window opening juxtaposed to the window for easy assembly. A decorative molding is provided to be installed within the inner walls of the existing window frame to provide an aesthetic appearance in front of the shade assembly as installed.

Abstract: A grate at the bottom of a hearth leads to a funnel shaped ash hopper and then to an ash removal pipe conduit. An electrical motor creates a vacuum in a canister located at an end of the pipe conduit distal from the ash hopper. An electric switch in a residence containing the hearth actuates the motor and causes cooled ash to move from the hearth to the canister where it can be removed for off site disposal.

Abstract: A star-shaped stent and replacement valve or replacement graft for use in repairing damaged vascular organs: Two to eight star-shaped members are interconnected into a “chain”. Once this “chain” has been created through interconnection of the star-shaped members, a central opening through all of the interconnected star-shaped members receives a graft made of any suitable flexible and bio-compatible material. A catheter delivery system is used to deliver the stent with the graft to the desired site. The star-shaped stents are made by using a laser to cut out a plurality of flat star-shaped members with a plurality of outwardly and inwardly directed points. The outwardly directed points are bent so that they face away from a plane defined by the inwardly directed points and then a series of such stents are fastened together in a chain.

Abstract: A packaging system for tart shells includes transparent plastic lower and upper halves connected together and lockable together by protrusions and recesses in the halves. The upper and lower halves have one or more chambers defined by chamber halves formed in the lower and upper halves that combine together to form each chamber. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, anywhere from one to eight chambers may be provided in the packaging system. Concerning each such chamber, the lower half of the packaging system includes a recess sized and configured to receive the undersurface of a tart shell. The upper chamber half includes a generally dome-shaped portion designed to overlie a recess within the tart shell that is normally filled with an edible material and has a lower periphery spaced radially inwardly from the periphery of the lower chamber half.

Abstract: A stent is disclosed in several embodiments including the use of a material known as NITINOL forming the ends of the stent as well as support structure connecting the ends. A fabric is interconnected with the NITINOL structure to form the stent. The NITINOL material ends have slits parallel with the direction of elongation of the stent allowing radial expansion of the ends. The pieces interconnecting the ends have a serpentine shape allowing longitudinal expansion of the stent. The NITINOL material structure may be located within the fabric portion or outside the fabric portion. The connecting pieces may be separate structures attached to the fabric. Alternatively, the end pieces may be separate structures attached to the fabric without the connecting pieces.

Abstract: The dive stick is a one piece molded flexible polymer having four elongated wings joined at a common edge at right angles to each other. An enclosure is molded to one end of the four elongated wings and a first shelf is molded to the opposite end. A second shelf is parallel and spaced apart from the first shelf. In a first game, one or more dive sticks are thrown into a pool. Different players are timed to determine who can retrieve the dive sticks the fastest. A second game is played by dropping a dive stick at one end of the pool and having a race to see who can retrieve a dive stick and return to his/her side of the pool the fastest.

Abstract: A purse has a rear panel made of a dry erasable material on which the user can draw a design that can, as desired, be modified or erased or otherwise changed or altered. The dry erasable material panel also can be decorated by affixing decorative materials such as facial features, artificial hair, ornamentation such as sequins, rhinestones, or any other decorative material. A transparent flap overlies the dry erasable material panel and is fastened in a position overlying the panel through any suitable fastener such as, for example, hook and pile fastening system, snaps, hooks, adhesive or the like. The purse can have a carrying strap.

Abstract: A rear view mirror device for use with an elevated hunter platform is disclosed. The device includes a frame member retaining a mirror element on a front side. A back side of the frame member includes a rod receiving portion for receiving and retaining a top end of a flexible rod. A bottom end of the flexible rod attaches by a screw and wing nut to a center portion of a clamp. The clamp includes a pair of handles and a pair of fingers which are actuated by a spring disposed within the clamp center portion. To deploy the device, pressure is applied to the handles which opens the fingers. The device is then located to its desired position on the elevated hunter platform whereafter the pressure on the handles is released causing the fingers to engage a rail of the platform. The mirror element can then be positioned by rotating the device about a plurality of axises such that the hunter does not have to turn his head to see the area behind or to the side of his forward facing view.

Abstract: A stent is made generally tubular and is initially formed in a collapsed configuration. A fabric cover is provided for the inner stent and is attached outside the stent at one or more desired locations. The fabric cover is larger in diameter than the diameter of the collapsed stent, however, when the stent is expanded through activation of the balloon catheter therewithin, the stent expands to closely conform to the interior walls of the fabric cover. The securement of the fabric cover or intermediate stent layer about the inner stent is accomplished through the use of a wire spiraling externally about the outer surface of the fabric cover to secure the fabric cover or intermediate stent layer about the inner stent. When the stent sandwich is expanded, the configuration of this spiraling wire permits it to expand as well and lie against the inner walls of the blood vessel at the desired location. The stent has spaced ends, each of which may be coated or otherwise provided with a radio-opaque material.

Abstract: The steps include cutting an old ferrule and hose from a bead lock fitting, inserting axially a new ferrule having an oval or irregular opening over the bead lock fitting and wedging an edge of the oval opening between two annular flanges on the bead lock fitting. Thereafter, a new hose is inserted axially between the ferrule and bead lock fitting and the ferrule is crimped to the hose to permanently lock it into position over the bead lock fitting.