Abstract: A carpet stay-nail tool for positively holding an area of carpet to a desired location during carpet stretching and laying operations. A basic necessity during carpet laying is keeping a first section of carpet temporarily secured while the balance of the carpet is stretched and fastened to its permanent position. The invention provides a plurality of nails configured together in a row which can be pounded through the carpet into the underlayment. Subsequently, the invention can be easily pried up and reused with no discemable damage to the carpet. For safety and convenience, the tool is configured in nesting pairs of nail rows so the nail points are covered and a second nail row is readily available.

Abstract: Embodiments of a fingernail or toenail drilling instrument are described for relieving the pressure of an injured appendage beneath the finger- or toenail. The drilling instrument has a shaft with a sharp, pointed tip and preferably has a generally concave surface, that may be part of an interior hollow surface near the tip point or that may be a concave outer surface near the tip point, making the shaft an effective piercing and drilling instrument. The invented drill may include a holder covered by a removable case, and the case may be adapted to snap onto the holder as an extension for use as a handle. Preferably, the case exterior surface has texture or protrusions for creating a gripping surface for improving accuracy and preventing the drill from slipping the user's fingers. This drilling instrument can be available without a prescription because it conceivably is not usable or adaptable to be a fluid-injection shaft.

Abstract: A hand held tool is used to remove cerumen and other debris through an existing aperture in a hearing aid by evacuating a tip placed in or over the aperture. In one embodiment, the tip is evacuated when a spring-loaded piston in a cylinder coupled to the tip is released to move quickly away from the aperture.

Abstract: Embodiments of a human-powered bumper car are shown and described, each embodiment allowing the occupant of the car to power the car's movement on a surface with his/her feet. Preferably, no motor, fuel, electricity, or pedal mechanism are needed, and no moving parts are needed except for the wheel assemblies and a seat belt. The bottom of the car has an opening which allows the occupant's feet to reach through the car to the ground. The bumper of the car encircles the car and is typically raised up slightly above the elevation of the driver's seat. The resulting distribution of mass of the car and its occupant results in a safe and fun bumper car that is not prone to leaving its stable, horizontal orientation.

Abstract: Embodiments of a coating composition and coating method for seeds are described, the coating including molybdenum and a sulfur-containing component and being for improving seed and seedling performance. The preferred molybdenum source is molybdenum trioxide, and the preferred sulfur source is gypsum. After planting, the seed coating provides protection for the seed during dry spells until moisture is received and seed growth is established. During the establishment period for legumes, the invented seed coating serves as a protective coat for the seed under adverse growing conditions, such as temperature and moisture extremes. Within a few days of emergence of legume seedlings, the invented coating stimulates and/or feeds the Rhizobium bacteria that is in place on the seed and speeds up formation of the Rhizobium, which fixes/feeds nitrogen to the plant. The coating and method may also include inoculation with Rhizobium, and, optionally, other nutrients, pesticides, or herbicides and a binder.

Abstract: The invention is a combination welder's slag hammer and reamer. The slag hammer part of the combination tool may be of conventional design, that is, a handle, a shaft connected to and extending from the handle on one end of the shaft, a head connected to the other end of the shaft, the head having a sharpened blade on one end for knocking off the weld spatter. The reamer part of the combination tool may be anywhere on the hammer. Preferably, the reamer is on the head, at the opposite end from the blade. This way, the hammer handle may be simply rotated to use the blade end or the reamer end. Generally, the reamer is of cylindrical construction so that it easily fits inside the nozzle. Preferably, the reamer is tapered from smaller to larger from the end to the middle of the hammer head. This way, nozzles of different diameters may be cleaned by the same reamer. The reamer has facets or edges on its surface for scraping the weld spatter off the inside of the nozzle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a facade plate, method of assembly, assembled heat exchanger, and kit of parts therefor. The facade plate is adapted for securement to at least part of the tube plate of a heat exchanger, the facade plate having apertures conforming to openings in the said part of the tube plate, the facade plate being of a plastic material. The method of mounting the facade plate to the tube plate includes the steps of {i} securing a locking member within the end of each one of many or all of the heat exchanger tubes; {ii} placing the facade plate against the tube plate with the apertures aligned with respective tube plate openings; {iii} selecting a set of tubular inserts which have a part adapted for engagement with a locking member; {iv} passing a respective tubular insert through all or many of the apertures and into the corresponding tube so that the said part engages the locking member.

Abstract: The invention is a prefabricated door assembly for installation in a roughed-in door frame. The assembly includes a pair of vertically extending door jambs having interengaging casings and a header unit spanning the upper ends of the door jambs. The header unit includes a header board or jamb having interengaging horizontal casings. Both horizontal and vertical casings have pin nails protruding from their tongue portions which engage the jambs lightly during transport and installation prior to final nailing in place. The assembly also includes L-shaped brackets affixed to the upper outer corners which join and fasten the vertical and horizontal jambs together. The assembly may be packaged as a kit, which may include hinges, shims and/or shimming hardware.

Abstract: A portable fly tying storage box and work station generally including an enclosure having a tying surface pivotably attached to the enclosure, with the tying surface defining an access to the enclosure and the tying surface being positionable in a closed position, an open position and a horizontal position. Multiple tying station setups are possible by placing the enclosure upright or on its rear side and opening the tying surface to the desired position then fixing the tying surface in place. The fly tying kit container and tying station further includes both fixed and adjustable dividers within the enclosure. The dividers are dimensioned and positioned with respect to the closed position of the tying surface to form a tray receiving volume between the dividers and the closed position of the tying surface. The fly tying kit container and tying station also includes a tray being closely received within the enclosure and supported therein by the enclosures dividers.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a maternity insert panel for jeans or other button-fly garments are shown and described. The insert is a V-shaped cloth constructed preferably of a firmly-woven stretch fabric and may be faced with generally the same color fabric as the garment. The insert may be designed with a plurality of buttonholes along one side of the V and matching buttons along the opposite side of the V. The panel is buttoned into the fly of a pair of jeans, with the wide part of the V at the waist. Due to its V-shape and firmness, this panel offers support and comfort, because the waist is expanded the same amount to each side of the wearer and the thin, smooth panel applies gentle, even pressure against the wearer. When a pregnancy is over and a normal clothing size is needed, the V-shaped panel can simply be un-buttoned and removed out of the jeans.

Abstract: Embodiments of a carpet layer's aid for protecting floor baseboards or walls during carpet installation, along with methods for using the aid, are shown and described. The carpet layer's aid may be an elongated strip with one of more fold lines. The strip is folded at the fold line(s) to create an anchor portion that acts as a stand for the aid and/or that further protects a baseboard by conforming to the outer shape of the baseboard. The anchor portion is inserted into the corner space, created between the floor and a baseboard and between the wall and the tack strip. Preferably, the shield portion of the aid, which extends up to cover the baseboard, includes an adhesive on its back surface for adhering to the baseboard or wall.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and apparatus for filtering or treating water are shown and described, each embodiment being for multiple-stage processing of water, with storage intermediate between the stages. Water is passed through a first zone of a filter housing cavity and conducted through an intermediate port to storage. When water is demanded by a usage device, water flows in reverse from storage back into the filter, to flow through the second zone for a second stage of filtering/treatment, and then out an outlet port to the usage device. Water may also flow from the water source directly through the first and second zones and to the usage device, without intermediate storage. Preferably, both first and second zones are contained and axially arranged within a single filter housing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bore plug and to a bore plugging method, usually but not necessarily for tubes, and has particular (but not exclusive) application for the isolation of defective heat exchanger tubes. The bore plug comprises a sealing member and a holding member, the sealing member being adapted to span the bore, the sealing member having a longitudinal axis and an axial opening to receive the holding member, the holding member being insertable into the opening solely by axial movement. The method includes the steps of {i} pushing the sealing member axially into the bore, and {ii} pushing a holding member axially into the opening so as to urge part of the sealing member into sealing engagement with an inner surface of the bore.

Abstract: A hand tool combines jaws for gripping a wire with a spool for winding the wire so as to increase longitudinal tension in the wire prior to completing a splice. A method of the present invention for tensioning and splicing two wires includes the step of winding a wire around a spool while maintaining a grip on the wire between manually operated jaws until sufficient tension is established in the wires being joined. The hand tool and method provide splices with greater tension and lower risk of personal injury than possible with conventional tools and methods and are particularly appropriate for repairing electric and barbed wire fencing as used in ranching operations.

Abstract: A process and product formulated by complexing boronophenylalanine (BPA) and related compounds with a saccharide in an aqueous solution are disclosed. Formation of the complex is facilitated by raising the pH of the solution to a higher pH of about 10 or by lowering the pH of the solution to a lower pH of about 2 and then readjusting the pH to a body physiological pH of about 7.4. This BPA saccharide complex can then be delivered by i.v. or other injection or administered orally as a key component of the BNCT cancer treatment process The pH manipulation causes a much higher solubility of BPA or related compounds and thus a higher boron concentration in the tumor, thereby improving the therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, for raising a manhole ring during construction or roads, that includes placing a generally tubular form on a manhole cone in an excavation, and a method and trimming/cutting tool for adjusting the height of the form. Preferably, the cutting tool is positioned inside the form and is rotated around to cut a ring of material off of the top of the form. The cutting tool is set at an elevation, indexed off of the pavement around the excavation, which results in the form being cut to a height that can support a manhole ring at a proper elevation to be flush with the pavement surface of a particular site. Once the manhole ring is placed on the trimmed form, a single pour of concrete may be done to create a concrete collar that fills and seals the vertical space between the manhole cone and ring. The form may include a stabilizing system for holding the form in place on the manhole cone.

Abstract: The invention is a simple and convenient carrier structure for transporting 2 (two) or more ATVs or snowmobiles on a standard-sized pick-up truck. The carrier has a frame which is adapted to be secured on the box, or bed of the pick-up. The front of the frame is cantilevered to extend generally horizontally from the front of the box forward and above the cab with front decking to support a first vehicle horizontally above the pick-up cab. The back part of the carrier frame has back decking to support a second vehicle on an incline from near the top back of the cab to near the bottom back of the box. The back decking is pivotally mounted to the frame at the decking's front end, and may be supported by a rear transverse frame member also pivotally mounted to the carrier frame so that it may be raised and lowered and flipped upside-down in position to support the back decking at a variety of angles or to support a tent fabric for camping.

Abstract: A computer work station provides voice recording and playback without interruption of the user's working conditions, such as the appearance of the monitor screen, location of the user's hands over home positions, or direction of the user's gaze. A first work station embodiment includes a voice messaging mouse pad having a battery operated voice message module for record and playback using a microphone and speaker within the module. A second work station embodiment includes a voice messaging wrist rest that includes a similar battery operated voice messaging module. A third work station embodiment includes a voice messaging mouse that includes a similar battery powered voice messaging module.

Abstract: This invention relates to a product built into the sole of a shoe that will cool and dehumidify one's feet, providing superior comfort to the feet of the person wearing the shoe. The invention comprises two layers, one of which has a liquid-filled area with a liquid powered turbine and the other layer containing a built-in air fan or fans or other turbines which are powered by the liquid turbine responding to the liquid movement in the other layer. These two layers are molded or otherwise connected to a shoe sole.

Abstract: The invention is an end curtain for gymnasium seating which has a generally triangular piece of flexible fabric which is secured to the wall of the gymnasium at the back end of the seating, and which is attached to the lower front end of the seating. The fabric has a cable or sturdy cord which is enclosed in a seam of the fabric along its longest (hypotenuse) side. The cable or cord in the hypotenuse side of the fabric is connected to the side edge of the seating by a plurality of looped hangers which pass through the fabric and around the cable or cord. This way, the weight of the fabric, chains, cables and or cords is distributed among the many hangers. Also, the looped hangers are adapted to not bind the cable or cord tightly. This way, the cable or cord in the seam of fabric along the hypotenuse side has enough give or travel through the many hangers to be flexible and not bind up or tear out at any particular hanger location.