Abstract: A reversible shoe that can be taken apart and reassembled with inside and outside faces reversed includes: (a) a reversible sole; (b) two side flaps, each affixed to the sole along a longitudinal side edge of the sole; (c) a heel flap attached at one end to a posterior end of the sole; and (d) attachment means, such as zippers, laces, snaps, and buttons, for attaching one portion of the shoe to another. The reversible shoe has a generally flat, unassembled position for storage, and two opposite assembled positions ready for wear as a shoe. This reversible shoe allows the user to switch from one style to another, one color to another, monotone to multi-hued, or from plain to decorated. A method for assembling a reversible shoe, and a kit for building a reversible, readily assembled shoe are also included.

Abstract: A reusable, multi-walled cooler bag for maintaining a cool temperature within the bag includes: (a) a front portion comprised of at least one front layer; (b) a rear portion comprised of at least one rear layer, the layers being identical to one another, the front portion being sealed to the rear portion along at least two of its edges, the bag having a closable opening at its upper end; and (c) a reclosable fastener mechanism for opening and closing the opening in the bag; wherein the front or rear portions hold nontoxic coolant material between the front and/or rear layers; and the bag has a water-tight interior for storing items to be kept cool.

Abstract: An instrument for a health practitioner to use in the course of a neurological or physical examination includes: a cylindrical, battery-operated penlight device, a pin prick mechanism, a reflex hammer and/or measuring device, and/or a vibratory mechanism. The pin prick mechanism includes: (a) a removable cylindrical pin dispenser carousel which fits closely over one end of the instrument, and has adjacent pin compartments around the periphery of the pin dispenser carousel, each compartment being capable of loosely holding a straight pin; (b) a recessed band at one end of the instrument, which the pin dispenser carousel fits down over; and (c) a slide mechanism for pushing a portion of a single straight pin from the carousel compartment up through an aperture at the top of the pin dispenser carousel. The pin dispenser carousel is rotatable to a next pin position for repeated use.

Abstract: A paintball gun support cradle includes: (a) a generally horizontal support base adapted to be disposed on a supporting surface, which includes: (1) a pair of elongated side members, which are parallel to each other and are adapted for supporting a paintball gun gas cylinder between them, and (2) one or two cross members which connect the side members; (b) a vertical arm member having an upper end and an opposite, lower end, the lower end being coupled to the cross member, the vertical arm member extending generally perpendicularly upward relative to the length of the support base; and (c) a T-shaped T-bar portion attached to the upper end of the vertical arm member. The T-bar portion is adapted for supporting a gun barrel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically gauging container and syrup requirements for beverage production includes: (a) dropping the level in a syrup recovery tank down to a pre-set level and maintaining it at that level; (b) loading remaining containers onto a conveyor belt system, which leads to a filler; (c) receiving input from a depalletizer confirming that the remaining containers have been loaded to the conveyor system; (d) stopping the flow of syrup from a syrup supply tank to a syrup recovery tank; and (e) pushing remaining syrup in at least one distribution line, which leads from the syrup supply tank, into the syrup recovery tank.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically gauging container and syrup requirements for beverage production includes: (a) dropping the level in a syrup recovery tank down to a pre-set level and maintaining it at that level; (b) loading remaining containers onto a conveyor belt system, which leads to a filler; (c) receiving input from a depalletizer confirming that the remaining containers have been loaded to the conveyor system; (d) stopping the flow of syrup from a syrup supply tank to a syrup recovery tank; and (e) pushing remaining syrup in at least one distribution line, which leads from the syrup supply tank, into the syrup recovery tank. This apparatus and method allow conservation of syrup and containers at the end of a production run.

Abstract: A bookmark in the shape of a doll or animal includes: a) a rounded head portion; (b) a longitudinally extending body portion attached at an upper end to the head portion, the body portion including at least two generally rigid, matching leg portions extending downwardly at a lower end; and (c) at least one strand of hair-like material attached to the head portion. The leg portions are spaced apart and adapted for placement over the edge of a cover of a book or other text. The strands are of a length and thickness adapted for placement between two pages of the book to mark one or more pages for future reference. A head swivel mechanism is also described.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for biopsying soft body tissue includes: (1) a distal barrel section, which includes: (a) a hollow barrel having an open, distal end and a proximal end; (b) a piston rod which movably extends substantially through the barrel; (c) a cutting mechanism coupled to the distal end of the barrel, which includes a movable surgical blade; (d) a trigger mechanism coupled to the cutting mechanism for releasing the movable blade; and (2) a proximal handle section coupled to the barrel and the piston rod. When the proximal handle section is compressed by a user, the piston rod retracts, and suction is created within the distal end of the barrel. When the trigger mechanism is pulled by the user, the movable blade moves from an open, ready position to a closed position, and the tissue sample is excised.

Abstract: A system for protecting a window or other opening to a building against hurricane-force winds, including: (a) four or more bolts, screws or rods; (b) four or more wedge brackets, each wedge bracket having a longitudinal slot along its centerline, and an aperture at the base of and continuous with the slot, the aperture having a diameter larger than the diameter of the bolt head, sloped sides along the slot, the slope along the sides decreasing from the top of the slot to the aperture at the bottom of the slot; and (c) one or two rectangular-shaped protective panels, each panel being of slightly larger length and width than the opening to be covered, each panel having an aperture in each corner area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically gauging container and syrup requirements for beverage production includes: (a) an enclosed syrup recovery tank, (b) an inlet port leading into the syrup recovery tank; (c) an outlet port, syrup being transportable into and out of the syrup recovery tank through inlet and outlet distribution lines; (d) a pump connected to the outlet distribution lines for pumping syrup from the syrup recovery tank; (e) a microprocessor; (f) a level transmitter for measuring syrup levels within the syrup recovery tank and transmitting information concerning syrup levels to the microprocessor; (g) a level control valve on the inlet distribution line for controlling the flow of syrup to the syrup recovery tank; and (h) a control mechanism connected to the microprocessor for a user to input to, and receive information from, the microprocessor. This apparatus and method allow conservation of syrup and containers at the end of a production run.

Abstract: A multipurpose, adjustable hand-held shower apparatus, including a pivotable shower head with an inner chamber through which water flows from an inlet to an outlet, handle-mounted controls for selecting the flow pattern and adjusting the flow rate of water to the shower head, and, if desired, an in-line temperature indicator for measuring the water temperature. The shower head pivots through a full circle (360°), allowing the user to adjust the direction of water flow to any desired angle; the controls are ergonomically positioned so that the user can quickly and easily adjust the flow pattern and intensity with one hand (the same hand with which he or she holds the apparatus).

Abstract: A pre-programmed device and method for forming and displaying images includes: electrically powered light emitters in one or more rows that can be moved in a path generally perpendicular with the row of lights; a microprocessor(s) controlling the lights; motion or speed sensors which enable the display device; and a source of electrical power within, on, or connected to the display device is provided. The microprocessor turns the individual electrically powered light emitters on and off in a time-controlled manner to display graphics, words or messages when the display device is moved at or above a rate of speed required to be seen by humans.

Abstract: A simple, inexpensive, portable carrying device for easing the manual carrying of containers with handles, such as full, plastic, grocery bags, is provided. The device comprises: (a) an upper grip portion comprising a grip which is adapted to be gripped in a person's hand, and a central, downwardly extending stub rod; and (b) a lower handle engagement portion comprising an upright central rod stem, and between one and ten hooks. The hooks depend from the upright central rod stem and are adapted to engage the handles of the portable containers. The upper grip portion is secured to the lower handle engagement portion by means of a joint such that the lower handle engagement portion can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise while the upper grip portion remains stationary.