Abstract: A combination P-trap, shutoff switch and cleanout fitting for installation in a drain line has a hollow generally cylindrical body with a central chamber, an integrally formed tubular inlet and outlet, and a removable cap with a depending float switch which is disposed in the chamber. The float switch is electrically connected between the thermostat and air handler unit. The inlet conducts liquid from a drain pan into the lower portion of the chamber beneath a partition and the outlet conducts water from the upper portion of the chamber into the downstream portion of the drain line. When the surface of the liquid in the chamber is above the partition the device functions as a P-trap to prevent backflow of undesirable gases and odors from downstream being drawn up through the drain line by the air conditioner recirculation fan and entering into the system.

Abstract: A foot scrubbing implement used in the shower or bath to wash and exfoliate skin of feet. The foot scrubber (1) holds a washing and scrubbing surface (8) in an outwardly curved, dome like shape. This domed shaped scrubbing surface (8) allows all areas of the feet (Balls of feet, toes, arches and side of foot and heal) to be scrubbed. The scrubbing surface (8) is made from materials suitable for cleaning and exfoliating the tougher skin of the feet. The foot scrubber (1) is held in place by standing on the flat bottom portion (2) with one foot, thus allowing the other foot to rubbed back and forth on the top portion. The shape and texture of the scrubbing surface provides an effective way to exfoliate both bottom and sides of feet. The foot scrubber is small and lightweight. It is constructed of materials that rinse out and dry quickly.

Abstract: A combustion-driven hydroelectric generating system has one or more combustion cylinders that contain a liquid (such as water) and receive a combustible fuel/oxidizer mixture that is ignited and the explosive force of the combustion acts on the surface of the liquid to transfer a metered slug of the liquid to a pressurized vessel containing a pressurized gas (preferably an inert gas). The pressurized liquid from the pressurized vessel serves as a “head of water” that can be used to operate a water wheel (Pelton wheel) or hydroelectric generator and perform other useful work. The transferred liquid is replaced in the combustion cylinders, another charge of the fuel/oxidizer is introduced and ignited and the process is repeated.

Abstract: A portable adjustable stand for mounting and supporting a digital satellite dish antenna eliminates the need for drilling holes and physical attachment to the surfaces of a dwelling with screws, bolts, or other fasteners. The stand has a pair of parallel spaced laterally adjustable longitudinal bracket mounting members and a first and second transverse cross member. The longitudinal bracket mounting members are provided with apertures for receiving and securing an existing mounting foot or mounting bracket of a variety of different commercially available satellite dish antennas. When assembled, the bracket at the lower end of the dish mast arm is secured on the longitudinal bracket mounting members inwardly a short distance from one of the transverse cross members and the mast arm extends toward the other transverse cross member.

Abstract: A roof mounted evaporative cooling system utilizing a plurality of elongate deflectors that are supported and secured a short distance above the ridge of a gable roof by a plurality of spaced apart support bracket connectors. Each support bracket connector has a central longitudinal portion with a hose barb at each end, and a vertical portion in which a spray nozzle is mounted. The support bracket connectors are joined together by a plurality of sections of flexible tubing having opposed ends engaged on the hose barb of the connectors and secured by hose clamps. Water is supplied to the connectors and adjoined sections of flexible tubing by conduit connected through a battery operated timer to an outdoor water faucet or to the cold water supply pipe in the attic of the building. In operation, the fine mist of water, under standard domestic water pressure impinges and spreads evenly along the underside of the deflectors and drips off of lateral side portions of the deflectors and runs onto the roof.

Abstract: A solid-state brake condition monitoring system for a vehicle brake system having a rotor rotatable about an axis and a pad mounted on an extendable metal shoe that frictionally engages the pad with the rotor for creating braking force. The monitoring system includes at least one thermoelectric power converter cell secured on a heat absorbing surface of the brake system for producing electrical power in response to thermal energy, an electronic distance sensing transducer powered by the power converter cell for sensing the distance of the metal shoe relative thereto when extended and outputting an electrical signal corresponding to the sensed distance, the signal being indicative of pad wear, and a signal processing and RF transmitting module coupled with the distance sensing transducer and powered by the power converter cell for receiving the electronic signal from the distance sensing transducer and transmitting a RF signal corresponding to the signal indicative of pad wear to a remote RF receiver.

Abstract: A unitary truncated conical insert for installation in the interior of flat bottom animal feeders to prevent accumulation of particulate or granular feed material on the flat bottom and allow all of the feed material to flow through the outlet hole of the feeder. The insert also has a cavity for receiving a desiccant to absorb moisture that may otherwise be absorbed by the feed material to flow through the outlet hole of the feeder, prevent sticking, clumping and spoilage of the feed material, and prevent wet feed material from damaging the feeder or its dispensing mechanism. The insert can be easily and quickly trimmed to fit the interior of a wide range of commercially available drum type and pail type animal feeders. In a preferred embodiment, the insert is formed of polystyrene foam material.

Abstract: A method to measure the brake force for railroad vehicles without replacing any part of the braking system, comprising the steps of opening a clearance between the braking elements, inserting a special sensor between the braking elements and applying the brake followed by the processing of the signal generated by the sensor and displaying the result in force units. A device to measure the brake force for railroad vehicles, which uses a sensor, the main part of which is a prismatic steel plate (3) with strain gauges (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b,) on both sides. To measure the brake force, the sensor is positioned, depending on the braking system, between the brake shoe (1) and the wheel tread (2) or between the brake pad and the brake disc.

Abstract: A smooth stable viscous gelled printing ink composition comprising a mixture of water, a gelling agent, a chelating agent, and a colorant or pigment, property enhancing additives evenly dispersed into the mixture, and an alkaline electrolyte viscosity increasing agent that raises the pH of the mixture and forms a smooth homogeneous stable gel with a viscosity level having the consistency of a custard or jelly. In addition to the colorants or pigments, additives may also include drying oils, resins, surfactants, film forming components, water flight agents, and other additives. The stabilized gel prevents separation and settling of the homogeneously suspended colorants, pigments, and property enhancing additives, and significantly improves storage stability. The ink compositions do not require shaking, stirring, or mixing prior to use are fast drying on paper, and do not dry on the printing press, in the storage containers, or in the ink jet or bubble jet injector nozzles.

Abstract: A refrigerated automatic fruit and vegetable washer that washes fruits and/or vegetables and stores them in a cool environment after they have been washed. A portable self-contained embodiment has a cabinet that sits on a countertop and contains a water spray system and a thermoelectric cooling system and sits on a kitchen countertop and has water inlet and drain hoses releasably connected to the sink faucet. Another self-contained embodiment fits into a lower storage compartment of a refrigerator and can be removed and placed on the countertop for the washing operation. A built-in cabinet embodiment is permanently installed in the kitchen. A wash-only embodiment is slidably received in the lower portion of a refrigerator in place of the existing vegetable crisper to be cooled by the refrigerator cooling system and is removed therefrom and placed on a countertop for the washing operation. The fruit and vegetable washer may also be built into a refrigerator as an integral component of the refrigerator.

Abstract: A seat attachment for attachment to the side of a desk has a retractable support arm with a seat at one end that is movable between a stored position closely adjacent to the side of the desk and an outwardly extended deployed position to provide an auxiliary seating surface. In a first embodiment, the support arm is slidably received in a generally rectangular outer housing secured horizontally to the side of the desk, and is movable relative thereto between a stored position within the outer housing and an outwardly extended position disposed horizontally a distance above the surface of a floor. In a second embodiment, a support arm is pivotally connected to a generally rectangular outer housing secured vertically to the side of the desk, and is movable relative thereto between a stored position within the outer housing and an outwardly pivoted extended position disposed horizontally a distance above the surface of a floor.

Abstract: An automated parallel and redundant subscriber contact and event notification system capable of being triggered by the change in status of any sensing device or process including the sensor of an alarm system or other event. The system enables automated simultaneous contact of one or more persons over a plurality of telephonic and electronic communication channels and provides parallel event-specific notification via voice, pager, voice mail, fax and email to the recipient(s) that are identified by electronic or speech recognized entry of a PIN and then provides them with a detailed message including the date and time of a specific event which has occurred with respect to a monitored sensor. A telephone switching or conferencing feature allows the recipient(s) to communicate directly with a predetermined or pre-programmed location or person or select from a menu based upon the type of event that has occurred and the pre-programmed selection list.

Abstract: A portable combination clipboard and book holder has a flat generally rectangular board with a hinged book support at one end connected by stop hinges to allow it to be pivoted between a horizontal stored position on the top surface of the board and an upright in-use position. The unhinged edge of the book support has a wide V-shaped configuration. A pair of generally rectangular transverse bars secured to the top surface of the board in laterally opposed spaced apart relation extend inwardly from the left and right sides of the board and a short distance vertically upward from the top surface of the board. When the book support is pivoted to its upright position, an opened book may be supported in a generally inclined position with the laterally opposed lower edges of its cover or pages engaged on the transverse bars and the exterior of its cover supported on the V-shaped edge and its spine disposed toward the apex portion of the V-shaped edge.

Abstract: A candle maintenance device according to the invention preferably has a body with a handle portion to grip the device. A trigger is used to engage a wick cutting element and lighting element. The wick cutting element preferably includes a cutting actuator mechanism, cutting guide and cutting device. The lighting element preferably includes a fuel cell for housing a fuel, fuel lines and an igniter source. A candlewick placed in the wick cutting element will be drawn into or forced against a cutting device such as a cutting blade. Contemporaneously with the cutting of the wick, the lighting element will release fuel from the fuel cell and ignite the fuel via the igniter source. The fuel is discharged through piping to a location in close proximity to the cutting device. An igniter source causes a spark to ignite the fuel thereby igniting the wick.

Abstract: A paint can attachment for supporting a paintbrush in a generally vertical position adapted to be removably mounted on an annular rim of a paint can having an inner circular wall with inner and outer surfaces, an annular bead at the top end thereof, and a concentric radially spaced circular rim channel. The attachment is a resilient integrally formed member having a planar generally crescent-shaped main body portion with lateral sides, an arcuate inner edge, a semicircular outer edge defined by a peripheral semicircular lip depending from an underside of the main body portion adapted to resiliently engage the outer surface of the inner wall of the rim, and a semicircular rib depending from the underside of the main body in radially inward spaced relation to the lip and terminating in an inner bead at its lower end adapted to snap over and frictionally engage the annular bead at the top of the rim inner wall.