Abstract: A small, lightweight sanitizing device that is adapted for attachment to a stethoscope. When the stethoscope is not being used the device covers the diaphragm and bell portions of the stethoscope with sanitizing pads that kill germs and prevent the spread of disease between patients that are examined with the stethoscope. When the health care provider needs to use the stethoscope, the device can be slid up a length of the stethoscope to a desired location so that the diaphragm is exposed for use. The device is advantageously produced with a narrow top that frictionally engages with the tube of the stethoscope so that the sanitizing device stays at the desired location until the user pulls the device back down over the diaphragm. The present sanitizing device can be used with both adult and pediatric stethoscopes.

Abstract: A device for selectively compressing and decompressing an anti-sway bar. The device replaces the hand crank on traditional anti-sway bars and relieves drivers of having to get our to their vehicles to compress or decompress the anti-sway bar by hand. A lever is used to compress the anti-sway bar. The lever's head is attached to the anti-sway bar at the same position as the old hand crank, using the bolts and nuts from the hand crank. The lever is raised with the assistance of an electric motor that is controlled by a switch in the cab of the towing vehicle. The motor turns a screw that extends through a nut in the handle of the lever. Micro-switches are used to automatically stop the electric motor when the lever has reached a desired position.

Abstract: A portable scale that allows travelers to calculate the weight of their luggage and compare the weight against weight limits that are imposed by common carriers. The scale includes circuitry for calculating weight and a memory for storing weight limits. Weight and other information is shown to the user via a display screen. In the preferred embodiment, the scale includes a hook and handle that facilitate weighing suitcases and other objects. The preferred embodiment also includes a digital measuring tape that allows the traveler to check the size of his luggage against size restrictions imposed by common carriers. The scale can also be incorporated into a portable weighing mat, which allows weight to be determined simple by placing the object on the mat. The scale can also be incorporated into the handle of a suitcase wherein the weight of the suitcase is calculated when the suitcase is lifted by its handle.

Abstract: A device for protecting the surface of homes and surrounding soil from heating oil spillage during the filling process of a heating oil tank that is stored inside of or underneath the home. The device catches any spilled oil thereby protecting the home and preventing contamination of the surrounding soil. Traditional heating oil tanks must be refilled on a regular basis, usually via a fill tube that extends from the tank through an exterior wall of the home. Some spillage usually occurs during each filling procedure, causing cosmetic and environmental problems. The present device solves this problem by providing a device that protects the home and surrounding soil by catching any oils that spills during filling. It does so by providing an aluminum device, in the preferred embodiment, that covers the fill neck and vent line, and provides a basin in which the spilt oil can be caught.

Abstract: A two part guidance system that can be added to any vehicle with a traditional ball hitch that provides guidance to the driver during the hitching process. A sensor plate holds multiple sensors in an orientation that surrounds the ball and the sensors provide position information regarding the trailer's tongue to the driver via a display box in the cab of the vehicle. The display box preferably includes selectively illuminated arrows that indicate to the driver which direction to go in order to align the ball directly underneath of the tongue. Detection signals are sent to the display box through a cable or wirelessly. The display box can receive electrical power from the vehicle's electrical system or from batteries.

Abstract: A mirror that, when used as a side view mirror, greatly increases the driver's field of view and eliminates the blind spot that is inherent in traditional side view mirrors. The mirror comprises two halves, the first half consisting of a plane mirror and the second half being a mirror with a convex shape. The plane mirror can be used to view other vehicles at a distance. The half with the convex shape is used to view vehicles that are close to the driver's vehicle. The increased field of view, and elimination of the blind spot, makes lane changes safer for the driver and other vehicles on the road.

Abstract: A device for preventing make-up and other materials from rubbing off onto sweaters and garments that are tried on by customers before being purchased. The present protection device is in the shape of a hood that covers the entire head, including the face, of a wearer. The protection device includes a rigid support in the back and an inexpensive semi-transparent material in the front. The rigid support provides structure to the protection device making it easy to handle, protects the hair of the wearer, and prevents hair gel and other material from being transferred to garments. The semi-transparent material in the front allows the user to breathe and still be able to see, so the wearer can locate armholes and other important areas of the garment. Attachment straps are used to secure the device in place around the wearer's head. The present hair and garment protector is preferably made of inexpensive materials so that the protector can be a disposable device.

Abstract: An apparatus for destroying mosquitoes by luring them into the apparatus where they are killed and their remains are incinerated. In order to lure the mosquitoes to the apparatus a mixture is emitted that attracts mosquitoes. The mixture contains a chemical attractant for mosquitoes that is stored in a container and metered out automatically. The mixture also contains carbon dioxide that is produced by the incineration of the mosquitoes and the chemical attractant. The apparatus includes an electric heater that heats the apparatus so that its skin temperature approximates the temperature of human skin. Once the mosquitoes are within the apparatus, a high velocity stream of recirculated air captures and carries them to a fan where they are killed and shredded. The shredded remains are incinerated to produce the carbon dioxide and to avoid the disposal of captured mosquitoes. Only a small portion of the recirculated air is emitted to the atmosphere thereby minimizing the consumption of electrical energy.

Abstract: Synthetic drumsticks for musical purposes and methods for making them. The present drumsticks are characterized by having a microcellular foamed structure. The preferred method comprises injection molding of thermoplastic materials that are saturated with gasses, particularly in their supercritical phase. The products of the injection molding process are drumsticks formed to final dimensions and ready for use. The foamed materials are preferably made from filled resins. The formation of micron-scale gas cells during the molding process yields formed drumsticks that are similar to woods or better, in feel and durability. The products of the invention further have advantages of durability, recycleability, exact matching of properties (reproducibility of manufacture), improved shock absorption, and “livelier” rebound from the drumhead thus preventing forearm fatigue in the user. The present drumsticks also provide a better/sharper “ring”, than wooden drumsticks, when used on cymbals.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously removing all of the lug nuts on a vehicle's wheel, thereby reducing the amount of time required to remove the wheel from the vehicle. The device has multiple sockets that fit over each lug nut. Each socket is turned by a lug gear and all of the lug gears are turned by a single central gear. The central gear has a hole or slot in its center for receiving a hand tool or power tool that provides the rotational force. The lug gears are positioned around the circumference of the central gear and the teeth of the lug gears engage with teeth of the central gear. An outer ring gear surrounds all of the lug gears providing an inward pressure that maintains the connection between the teeth of the lug gears and the central gear. When the central gear is rotated each of the lug gears rotate in an opposite direction thereby allowing each lug nut to be turned simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for making personalized jewelry and the personalized product of this jewelry making method. The method includes digitally capturing the image of a person or other object. The image is saved as a digital profile and processed to create a numerical profile. The numerical profile includes prototyping machine instructions that cause a prototyping machine to produce a wax block that contains a replica of the scanned object. The wax block is placed in a warm bath so that an outer wax melts away and an inner wax of the scanned object remains. The wax replica is then used in a “lost wax process” to make a mold of the wax replica. The mold is then used in a casting process wherein the mold is injected with precious, semi-precious, or base metals to make a cast of the object. The finished product is a replica of the object with exacting features such as nose, eyes, ears, etc. Any cavity or flat surface can be colored with epoxies, resins, enamels, or decorated further to give color contrast.

Abstract: A skin conditioner made of all natural ingredients that eliminates body dandruff leaving the skin able to breathe and feeling soft and supple; “skin like an angel”. The conditioner can be heated prior to application in order to provide a more relaxing feel to the user and is massaged into the skin of all or part of the body. Thereafter, the conditioner is rinsed or showered off. The conditioner can also be massaged into the scalp to eliminate dandruff and condition the scalp and hair. Ingredients of the conditioner include sea salt, Epsom salt, almond oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, aloe vera gel, castor oil, vitamin E, vegetable glycerin and soap. Essential oils may optionally be included in the conditioner to add fragrance. The preferred soap is castile however other soaps such as antibacterial soap can be used. If the product is heated prior to use, it should not be heated above 100° F. in order to prevent a change in the molecular structure of some of the ingredients.

Abstract: One or more small metallic temperature sensors are attached to a pillow or pillowcase. Since the human head has a rich blood supply and human hair is not a significant insulator of heat, accurate temperature monitoring is achieved while the patient is sleeping. A wire attaches the sensor to a temperature monitoring unit. The monitor reads and stores the patient's temperature and sounds an alarm when the patient's temperature rises above a preset value, such as 98.5 F. The monitor can be placed in the patient's room or it can be located in another room. In cases where the “patient” is a child at home, the monitor can advantageously be place in the parent's room.

Abstract: A device that is placed over an inlet of a motorcycle gas tank that prevents the overflow of gasoline during the filling of the motorcycle gas tank. The device comprises an upper portion that accepts a gas pump nozzle, an inner core that captures gasoline fumes and provides for pressure build up inside the gas tank, and a lower portion that is designed to mesh with the motorcycle gas tank opening. The upper portion and inner core are basically the same on each model of the device, or motorcycle cuff. The lower portion of the motorcycle cuff is specifically designed to adapt to different types of motorcycle gas tanks, such as flush mounted and indented gas tank openings. The motorcycle cuff gives motorcycle riders the same gas filling advantages of filling their tanks to a desired full level, as those enjoyed by car drivers, by working in conjunction with the automatic shut-off feature available in most gasoline pumps.