Abstract: An inventive traction device is provided for extricating mired vehicles from mud, snow or sand. The device is comprised of modules linked together to create a track upon which a mired vehicle drives over. The individual modules each have four walls forming a trough and a number of tire supports which rise up from the floor of the trough. The trough-like construction of the device helps prevent the device from becoming overloaded with mud deposited from mired vehicle tires.

Abstract: The present invention is a device which redirects motor exhaust fumes a distance away from a boat. This device can be applied to a boat's propulsion motor or to its generator for purposes of preventing carbon monoxide poisoning of a boat's passengers. The device includes an adaptor for attaching to a boat motor exhaust port and an elongate extension hose attached to the adaptor. The extension hose is made buoyant through use of a plurality of flotation collars disposed along the length of the hose. An extension rod is inserted into the collars to keep the hose rigid and the distal exhaust end of the hose directed away from a boat to which the device is attached.

Abstract: Ion injection in a drift tube apparatus for mobility spectrometry was accomplished without conventional ion shutters such as the Bradbury-Nielson or similar designs common to such drift tubes. Instead ions were passed between the ion source and drift region by using time-dependent electric field gradients that act as ion barriers between ordinary drift rings. Benefits of this design are simplicity and mechanical robustness. This ion injection technique dynamically accumulates the ions created between shutter grid pulses, as does the Bradbury-Nielson method. The invention provides not only structural improvements to the well known apparatus, but also provides inventive methods for operating a drift tube apparatus in achieve maximum analyte injection efficiency and improving ion detection sensitivity. Improving ion detection sensitivity of drift tubes has practical experimental application. Incorporation of the inventive apparatus into a smoke detector is a further practical application of the invention.

Abstract: The inventive device functions to warn a user of the undesirable condition of an appliance or other equipment. An “undesirable condition” may be an automatic garage door that is left open, a toaster oven or electric heater that is left on, an air conditioner that is left on, a security alarm that is left de-activated, or any other condition which is deemed undesirable and would benefit from a warning device which allows a user to return to the location of the appliance and remedy its undesirable condition. The inventive device is comprised of a base unit system that is in monitoring contact with the appliance of interest through at least one sensor, and a remote receiving unit system which travels in the user's automobile. The base unit communicates status information regarding the appliance to the receiving unit and the receiving unit can determine whether the status of the appliance is undesirable.

Abstract: Ion injection in a drift tube apparatus for mobility spectrometry was accomplished without conventional ion shutters such as the Bradbury-Nielson or similar designs common to such drift tubes. Instead ions were passed between the ion source and drift region by using time-dependent electric field gradients that act as ion barriers between ordinary drift rings. Benefits of this design are simplicity and mechanical robustness. This ion injection technique dynamically accumulates the ions created between shutter grid pulses, as does the Bradbury-Nielson method. The invention provides not only structural improvements to the well known apparatus, but also provides inventive methods for operating a drift tube apparatus in achieve maximum analyte injection efficiency and improving ion detection sensitivity. Improving ion detection sensitivity of drift tubes has practical experimental application. Incorporation of the inventive apparatus into a smoke detector is a further practical application of the invention.

Abstract: A cooking implement is disclosed which is comprised of a hollow sheath and a utensil, wherein the utensil can be stored within the hollow sheath. The utensil can be a fork, knife, spoon, skewer or any myriad of other types of utensils. The sheath serves as both a storage compartment for the utensil, and when coupled to the end of the utensil, serves as an elongate handle which allows the user to stand back a safe distance while manipulating food items over flames and smoke. When the utensil is stored within the hollow sheath, the implement is very compact and can fit easily in a portable cooler or the like for later use at a barbeque, camping event or any other outdoor cooking venue. The implement also has a hanger to allow it to be hung at any desired cooking location by the user.

Abstract: Ion injection in a drift tube apparatus for mobility spectrometry was accomplished without conventional ion shutters such as the Bradbury-Nielson or similar designs common to such drift tubes. Instead ions were passed between the ion source and drift region by using time-dependent electric field gradients that act as ion barriers between ordinary drift rings. Benefits of this design are simplicity and mechanical robustness. This ion injection technique dynamically accumulates the ions prior to their release into the drift region of the apparatus instead of destroying the ions created between shutter grid pulses, as does the Bradbury-Nielson method. The invention provides not only structural improvements to the well known drift tube apparatus, but also provides inventive methods for operating a drift tube apparatus to achieve maximum analyte injection efficiency and improving ion detection sensitivity. Improving ion detection sensitivity of drift tubes has practical experimental application.

Abstract: An inventive bib comprising a hoop made of memory material, a collar for fitting around a wearer's neck and a body portion for protecting the chest of the wearer. The hoop communicates with the collar and both the collar and hoop can be expanded to form a neck opening for placing on a wearer's neck. Upon releasing the expanding force on the hoop, the hoop naturally contracts due to its memory material construction. The contraction of the hoop provides an encircling force upon the collar and the collar thereby encircles the wearer's neck to form a snug fit.

Abstract: A two piece incorporated device designed to assist in the lifting and transfer of such person who is partially incapacitated by infirmity or disability from one sitting position in one location to another sitting position in another location. (ex: wheelchair to toilet, bed to chair, etc.) The device includes a torso belt with hold and support handles on back, secured by sewn on hook and loop style fastener; and a thigh support segment with handles sewn into either end, which supports the posterior and weight of said patient. The connection of these two pieces with quick-disconnect buckles provides a greater sense of balance for patient and attendant(s) and helps eliminate weight stress on the patient by virtue of proper weight distribution. The thigh support segment is also equipped with forward positioning straps (at either end), which facilitate a rocking forward by the attendant(s), bringing patient closer prior to lifting.

Abstract: A pourable composition for use in gas fireplaces that, when heated to an effective temperature, produces an audible crackling sound and emits the scents of a wood fire. This composition is intended to introduce the pleasant sounds and scents of the wood fire experience to a gas fireplace. The composition is comprised of various edible items, such as seeds and non-edible items such as pumice, volcanic ash, and calcareous sand. A liquid oil component acts as a binder. When placed in a ceramic receptacle, and heated, a tablespoon amount of the composition produces audible crackling sounds for between 30-120 minutes.

Abstract: An apparatus for building stem wall forms which can be easily deployed by a form laborer to set up stem wall forms at a building site. The apparatus is collapsible for easy deployment and removal from a stem wall form. The preferred embodiment is comprised of a collapsible rectangular center structure coupled to a board holder and a board support arranged in diagonal relation to each other. The board holder allows the apparatus to hang from a first form board and the board support allows a second form board to rest thereon. In use, the apparatus functions by holding opposing form boards of a stem wall form in a parallel relation to each other, so that the form boards can be staked and nailed into place. Once the form boards are staked in place, to create a stem wall form, the apparatus can be collapsed, and removed from the form to be reused again at another location.

Abstract: This is a personal earphone assembly comprised of a flexible, elongate tube having open ends and a central lumen therethrough. Earphones are disposed at each open end of the tube, each earphone having a neck projecting therefrom and a wire passing from the neck, through the lumen, to a central aperture in the tube. In a stereophonic embodiment, the earphone wires run parallel from the central lateral aperture to a plug adapted to engage a stereo jack on a signal source. In a monaural embodiment, the earphone wires join a single double-strand lead to a mono jack. Lateral slits are provided adjacent the open ends of the tube for receipt of the temple ends of a pair of eyeglasses. The portions of the tube between the lateral apertures and the open ends wrap over and around the forward portions of a user's ear, and the earphones lodge in the outer ear canal. The assembly may also be worn without eyeglasses.

Abstract: The invention provides a fusion plate system, and method for installing this system upon a patient's spine. The system uses a distractor device which measures an appropriately sized fusion plate for a corpectomy or discectomy application. Once a properly sized fusion plate is selected, the distractor device compresses the vertebrae and any associated bone graft placed between the vertebrae, thereby assuring maximum contact between the vertebrae and bone graft at a corpectomy or discectomy location. Compression is maintained by the distractor device while the fusion plate is anchored upon the corpectomy or discectomy site. Furthermore, the inventive fusion plate system and method results in the fusion plate being properly centered upon a patient's spine, so that an aesthetically pleasing, as well as functional, surgical result is achieved.

Abstract: A golf sock with a golf tee holder coupled thereto. The golf tee holder is coupled to the body portion of the sock and includes one or more receptacles for holding golf tees vertically upon the body portion. The golf tee holder is comprised of an elastic material that stretches to hold the golf tees snugly within each receptacle. The golf tee holder is positioned on the body portion of the sock a sufficient distance above the foot portion of the sock so as not to interfere with the wearing of shoes during normal golf play.

Abstract: A modular dovetail joint bracket includes a planar first flange, a planar second flange at a right angle to the first, and a dovetail-shaped tenon projecting from the second flange, adjacent the outer apex of the first and second flanges. The tenon has slots along one of its tapered faces. An alternative embodiment of the bracket has a truncated second flange.

Abstract: A foundation forming tool is comprised of an upper base and a lower base wherein the upper base is for resting upon the opposing planks comprising a foundation form well, and the lower base extends below the upper base, into the form well, for purposes of precisely and consistently defining the form well's width. The lower base can be made in 6, 8 or 10 inches in length, to conform to standard widths of foundation form wells. Additionally, this forming tool can be made to be telescoping and adjustable between these standard widths, so that one tool could accommodate a variety of forming needs. Finally, this forming tool further comprises a leveling apparatus for allowing a precise horizontal and vertical level to be achieved across a foundation form.