Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for the secure attachment and restraint of a pipe end within a fitting is disclosed. The invention includes a mechanical restraint apparatus that is integral and monolithic with the flange of a bell of a spigot-and-bell joint architecture, along with one or more internally disposed grooves within the bell that receive a circumferential gasket, in order to maintain a seal about the pipe end when it is inserted into the bell. The inventive apparatus combines features of mechanical connections and push-on connections.

Abstract: An inventive protective device for developing infants is provided, where the protective device is comprised of a triangularly-shaped, padded front portion conforming to the infant's chest, a triangularly-shaped, padded back portion conforming to the infant's back, and a crotch portion connecting the front and back portions. The front and back portions are each constructed of a plurality of tapering tubular-shaped structures extending from the top edge towards the crotch area, with the crotch portion lacking any padding. The inventive protective device fills the gap between the infant's torso and any seating enclosure into which the infant is placed, so as to reduce the chance for injury due to sudden and rapid movement against the enclosure.

Abstract: A server signaler includes a lamp and a housing containing a battery and a switch. The server signaler may be attached to an advertising support or placed directly on a table top or other surface. Actuation of the switch illuminates the lamp to alert the server that service is required. Another server signaler according to applicant's invention includes an elongated base and telescoping portions to extend the lamp upwardly above the elongated base. Another server signaler provides a card-receiving channel containing switch contacts which are closed by insertion of a card into the channel.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method is disclosed for providing auxiliary heat dissipating capacity to a loudspeaker assembly. The apparatus comprises a plug that is inserted into a vent at the back of a loudspeaker assembly and extends away therefrom. The plug makes a thermal connection with the pole piece through which the vent is bored, so that the plug conducts at one end the heat from the pole piece that is radiated thereto by the voice coil and radiates this heat to the ambient air at its other end. A plate may be affixed to it other end to provide an additional heat sink for the apparatus. The apparatus may be removable or permanently affixed to the pole piece.

Abstract: The current invention includes a device and method for the promotion and stimulation of hair growth using one or more light sources such as a diode laser, each light source operating in the infrared range at wavelengths in a range from about 2500 nm to about 10,000 nm and at a low wattage, collectively less than about 1000 mw, with the power level typically being in the region of 500 mw. A diode laser operating in this range will have a greater dispersion rate than heretofore, thus requiring fewer diodes to cover the same area of scalp with less power required per diode laser.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a emergency notification capability is provided by providing a wireless pendant for each user of the system, which sends a signal to a central computer whenever an emergency condition is perceived. The central computer may then send a signal to a telephone dialing device assigned to the wireless pendant, causing the device to dial an emergency telephone number. Optionally, the central computer may select the telephone dialing device that is nearest in location to the user, by using standard techniques known to the art.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and computer program products for a security system to automatically notify by wireless communications means selected classes of recipients of the occurrence an alarm event, receiving acknowledgment of the receipt of the alert by the recipient, receiving either a digital or a vocal message, and responding appropriately to the reception. The recipients may be provided with handheld transceivers that have been assigned to one of a plurality of communications channels. The system includes a communications interface that allows a central computer, in response to an alarm, to locate a communications channel and message text for transmission to a selected group of recipients. The computer system may then programmatically select the communications channel, convert the message text into an audio, synthesized voice message, and send the message to the recipients on the selected communications channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cosmetic holder apparatus for holding a lipstick tube and either a lip liner, a lip brush, or both in a common protected container to prevent damage to the smaller items when carried in a purse or handbag and to allow them to be conveniently accessed with one retrieval operation. The cosmetic holder apparatus is comprised of a base and cover that contain a lipstick tube and at least one lip liner or lip brush. The lipstick tube is contained in a first portion of the base and the lip liner or lip brush is contained in a second portion of the base. The cover encloses the cosmetic items and frictionally engages the base to contain the items therein.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing structure is provided, which comprises two generally parallel metal sheets arranged to receive an impacting force against the uppermost sheet and cooperatively prevent an object supported by the uppermost sheet from impacting a basal surface. One metal sheet may be fabricated from expanded metal for its non-isotropic shock-absorbing properties. The other metal sheet may be fabricated from a non-elastic material and arranged to be supported by pins inserted through holes along the perimeter of the sheet, so that when an impacting force is applied, it will resist the force until the force is sufficiently strong so as to shear the pins through the sheet and abruptly release, thus allowing the metal sheet fabricated from expanded metal to absorb the remainder of the impacting force. The invention may find application in vehicles operating in the air, land, or sea.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pillow for use by a patient during sleep, where the patient must wear a facially oriented medical device, such as a positive air pressure system. The invention provides a uniquely shaped pillow having recesses sized to allow the facially oriented medical device to be worn while the patient sleeps on his or her side, the device cantilevered over the recess and away from the pillow while the patient's head is supported by the patient's forehead, chin. A semi-rigid side panel and a resilient filler material provides sufficient support to prevent the facially oriented medical device from touching the horizontal surface upon which the pillow rests.

Abstract: An inventive stepladder of tripod structure with an actuating mechanism that extends the rear legs and front step assembly in a coordinated manner to assume the tripod footprint. The actuating mechanism may include a vertical center post; a sliding collar journaled on the center post to coordinate the extension and retraction of the rear legs and step assembly; an A-brace for extending and retracting the step assembly and further serving as an auxiliary work platform for the uppermost step in the step assembly; leg braces for extending and retracting the rear legs, and a stop block attached to the lower end of the center post. A locking pin may be provided to secure the position of the sliding collar along the center post. The stop block may function to relieve shear stress on the locking pin and to provide support for a user's weight on the A-brace.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for propelling a small boat through a body of water by use of a sculling action. The apparatus may be comprised of a vertical stock attached to a vertical surface of the boat, normally the transom. A wide, flexible fin may project outwardly and rearwardly from the bottom end of the vertical stock. A tiller may extend from the top end of the vertical stock towards the bow of the boat. The pumping action on the tiller causes the fin to move back and forth in a sculling action so as to propel the boat through the water. The apparatus may be easily folded into a compact package for storage in the boat either for emergency use or for storage of the boat. The fin may be bifurcated into a plurality of panels for more compact and efficient storage. Plates provided to hold the fin in a vertical orientation may have flanges along their upper edges to provide a step for easy reentry of a swimmer into the boat.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spring powered wheelbarrow with a manually powered drive assembly. A foot crank winds a spring through a system of shafts and sprockets in a first direction. By releasing a brake upon a front wheel of a wheelbarrow, the wound spring transfers a rotational movement from a spring shaft to a freewheel sprocket adjacent to the front wheel, the rotational movement upon the front wheel assisting a user in pushing the wheelbarrow.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable dental system for use in areas having inadequate sources of power, either for human or for veterinary dentistry. The system provides one or more handpieces, each driven driven by a pressurized nitrogen gas contained in a portable tank. A water reservoir is also provided for medicated water to be applied to the tooth site. The system has two channels to which either a conventional dental handpiece or an abrasive handpiece can be attached. When two abrasive handpieces are attached, two different abrasive materials may be used by the system, one material for cleaning and one material for cutting or abrading.

Abstract: The present invention presents novel features for providing a lightweight, structurally rigid collection body comprising a loading assembly for dumping refuse into an elevated hopper; a reception area for refuse dumped into the hopper; a storage area for storage and compaction of refuse; a packer assembly for compression of the refuse within the storage area; a tailgate providing access to the storage area; a latching mechanism for the tailgate; and an actuation system comprised of hydraulic and electrical components for controlling the operation thereof. The collection body is self-contained and sufficiently rigid for mounting on the chassis of a vehicle without major vehicle modifications. Its walls are constructed of an inner wall, an outer wall, an upper frame member and a lower triangular member, forming a light weight, composite sidewall structure which resists bending and buckling. The inner wall may be easily replaced when damaged without replacement of the outer wall.

Abstract: A method and appliance for the application of a continuous, low level force tending to oppose rotational movement of the hand about the carpus. This opposing force tends to relieve contractatures of the transverse carpal, volar carpal, and intra carpal ligaments over time, thus relieving the pain caused by carpal tunnel syndrome and correcting altered kinematics associated therewith. This opposing force tends to increase the carpal volume. According to the principles of the invention, a dynamic splint appliance is described which provides free movement of the patient's wrist with minimal impediment during activities of daily living, both at home and at work, while simultaneously applying this opposing force.

Abstract: A trailer for use on standard highway systems and having a hopper with a central conveyor belt system forming the floor and two independent, non-linear sides is disclosed for transporting particulate materials such as asphalt, gravel, or low-slump concrete and delivering such materials in a controlled manner to the point of use. The sides of the hopper are formed as segments having a conic section geometry, i.e. circle, ellipse, hyperbola, or parabola. Such hopper sides have different tangential angles for all points on the surface and different rates of change of said angles per unit distance along the side, depending upon the conic segment selected. This design has the novel and unexpected result of producing a vortexing, or mixing, effect on the particulate material, both when it is loaded into the hopper and during transport.

Abstract: A energy absorbing structure is disclosed for the purpose of protecting human occupants of a vehicle from the damaging effects of sudden accelerative or decelerative forces by means of plastic deformation of the structure. The structure consists of a generally rectangular sheet of a stranded material, preferably expanded metal, which has nonisotropic properties and which is employed in the construction of the bottom or back of a seating structure for the vehicle occupant. The nonisotropic properties of the sheet allow it to be designed in such a way that it resists deformation when exposed to any force below a specified threshold; beyond the specified threshold, the sheet absorbs the force through plastic deformation, thus attenuating damaging force to which the occupant may be exposed. Such a device may be used in the seating apparatus of various vehicles, including aircraft, automobiles, space vehicles, helicopters, heavy machinery, tractors, military vehicles, and the like.

Abstract: A pressurized system for the preparation and mixing of two or more component solutions comprising a cleaning solution to produce a prepared cleaning solution for use with various applicators in common use in the cleaning industry. The system is made up of a mobile frame for supporting a plurality of pressurized tanks which are connected through feed lines to a mixing tee fitting to produce the output mixed cleaning solution. An inline heater can be optionally added in one or more of the feed lines to provide heat to the component solution before mixing, and an inline heater can be optionally added after mixing to heat the prepared solution. Pressure is supplied to the system by an air compressor directly connected to each of the pressurized tanks so that the same pressure is applied to all tanks.

Abstract: A wheeled dispenser for dispensing wire from spools. The dispenser has a rectangular frame, three stationary vertical posts, and two rotatable vertical posts each located between two stationary posts. Each rotatable post has a plurality of laterally projecting rods for supporting spools. The rotatable post can be rotated to a first position such that the rods are accessible for loading spools, and rotated to a second position wherein each rod can latch to an adjacent stationary post, with the spools held parallel so that they all pay out wire in one direction. The dispenser has wheels and a handle which can incline relative to the frame. A pin arranged to close a clevis secures the handle in a substantially upright position relative to the frame. The frame has upright stanchions bearing receptacles disposed to enable bars to span two stanchions and be held in the receptacles in a horizontal position, so that additional spools can be carried.