Abstract: A collapsible boot storage tote bag for a convertible top boot cover. The boot storage bag is particularly configured to protectively store a flexible boot cover. Likewise, the boot storage bag is a compact easily managed package that is particularly configured to minimize the consumption of limited storage space. The boot storage bag has a tailored elongated rectangular shape that easily constrains the convertible boot cover when it is folded and placed inside. The elongated rectangular shape is closed at one end and closable at the other by a fold-over flap equipped with hook and loop fastening strips. The open end is further secured with two secondary dirt/dust guard flaps that fold under the main fold-over flap. A convenient carrying handle is centrally anchored on the top wall for balanced single handed means of transport.

Abstract: An improved concealed holster comprises a holster bracket worn at the abdomen and having a pair of laterally-spaced spacer flanges joined by an arcuate panel generally conforming to the curve of the body. A pistol seating clip protrudes inward from the arcuate panel for seating a pistol thereon within the confines of the flanges, panel and the user's body. The holster is intended to be worn under the trousers at the abdomen and the pistol is easily dislodged by pressing up on its barrel with one hand, and then quick-drawn with the other hand. The improved holster does not compromise between accessibility and full-concealment, permitting instant accessibility to facilitate a quick-draw. Both holster and pistol can be worn comfortably and securely over a prolong period of time. Moreover, the device can easily and economically be made using a variety of economical manufacturing processes (molding, metal stamping, etc.) using a variety of alternative economical materials (plastic, metal, leather, etc.).

Abstract: An improved trailer coupling with integral brake actuator that employs sturdier telescoping inner and outer casings and adjustable rollers there between to compensate for wear and tear tolerances over time. The outer casing is a hollow tubular outer beam, and the inner case is formed as a section of hollow I-beam adapted for a telescoping fit inside the outer case. A plurality of rollers are secured to each side of the outer case and project inwardly to provide bearing support against the outwardly-projecting lateral ridges of the I-beam, and this results in a substantially frictionless telescoping extension. Each roller is selectably offset on an axle to allow adjustment of the degree of support against the lateral ridges of the I-beam, thereby allowing compensation for increased wear tolerances over time. The device also employs an improved damping system including a pair of damping cylinders between the telescoping inner and outer casings, plus a master brake cylinder mounted on damped spring-brackets.

Abstract: An electric grill comprising a large planar surface with shallow sides defining a first cooking surface and an adjustable grillpan carrying a second cooking surface. The first cooking, surface is smooth and flat suitable for cooking or grilling foods. The second cooking surface comprises a plurality of parallel ribs along its surface, and is adapted for grilling foods. Sloped channels between the ribs carry grease away from the food while it cooks. A reservoir on the downside of the sloping surface collects the run-off. The parallel ribs are flat on top but are deeper as the channels approach the reservoir. Placement of the grillpan within the structure comprising the first cooking surface generates three separate cooking compartments. Juices from different foods cooked simultaneously on the three respective grill surfaces are thereby prevented from mixing.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus for a snowplow comprises a plurality of lamps fixed to the top portion of a snowplow. Holes are applied to structural members of the snowplow moldboard, and fasteners and protectors are employed to fixedly attach electrical connections through the holes. Fasteners such as eye bolts are used to fixedly attach the electrical connections that run from the snowplow blade, through the snowplow frame, and into the engine compartment. The resultant lighting system illuminates the area in front of the snowplow for better operation.

Abstract: An automatically actuated, pressure responsive air intake valve for an internal combustion engine generally a fixed valve seat housing and a sliding valve member. The valve seat housing is threaded into the head of a working chamber on an internal combustion engine. The sliding valve member reciprocates through the housing in response to differential pressures on either side of the valve. The sliding member has a hollow chamber that opens in a sidewall of the valve seat housing, thereby directing a stream of air outward from the valve structure. By providing multiple valves in the head of the cylinder, a swirling effect may be accomplished to better distribute the fuel/air mixture and enhance cooling of the cylinder.

Abstract: A composition and method for treating circulatory conditions by promoting systemic vascular relaxation and dilation. Exemplary circulatory conditions are disclosed and include wound healing and/or reduction of hypertension. The composition is a natural combination of L-arginine, ginseng and Zizyphi fructus in an orally or topically administered dosage. The combination works synergistically to synthesize NO and thereby promote systemic vascular relaxation and dilation. The mechanism works in the wound compartment to promote and sustain the wound healing process. Likewise, the combined constituents, when administered orally or topically in proper concentration, work to maintain a critical threshold level of NO in areas that cannot themselves produce it, thereby promoting systemic vascular relaxation and dilation in order to reduce hypertension.

Abstract: A cleaner calculator for maintaining a count representative of the number of times that a garment has been worn between dry cleanings. The cleaner calculator includes a tag stem with an attachment section for hanging the cleaner calculator, a promotional label area for promoting the dry cleaner, and a base section. The cleaner calculator also includes a turn-dial indicator rotatably mounted on the base section of the tag stem. An indexing mechanism provides an indexed engagement between the turn-dial indicator and the base section of the tag stem. Count indicia are provided with numbers ranging from three to five as determined by the specific dry cleaner. The count indicia indicate the number of times a piece of clothing has been worn between dry cleanings, and the count indicia can be incremented each time the garment is worn by rotating the turn-dial.

Abstract: An improved hammer head structure with integral nail-starting feature. The nail-starting feature is accomplished by a nail head seat horizontally forged, bored or otherwise machined into the neck of the hammer head parallel to and beneath the poll. The nail head seat is formed with a conical-taper to accommodate a range of nail types/sizes, and to eliminate sliding and prevent shifting of the nail head despite a downwardly-arcing drive. In addition, a nail-holding device is inserted upwardly into the poll of the hammer head, and this extends either a clip or magnet downward beneath the poll to support the length of the nail. The nail-holding device is flanked by two opposing lobes which provide a deeply grooved nail shaft guide for further support and protection of the nail. The length of the nail is supported by a clip or magnetic nail-holding insert that is set into a borehole running upward into the poll of the hammer.

Abstract: A legging that is esthetically pleasing, amenable to ornamentation, and capable of providing warmth and comfort. It is comprised of a lower portion which engages the periphery of the foot or shoe at the bottom edge of the legging and may have means of securing the legging to the bottom of the foot or shoe, and an upper portion that adjustably engages the lower leg along its length using closures such as hook and pile fasteners. The upper portion folds over to engage the leg more securely and prevent slippage. It is designed to be easy to put on the legs and feet of a child and permit its use while walking or standing, or in an infant car seat or stroller.

Abstract: An improved horizontally-disposed lower tank for a grinder pump unit, the lower tank being formed of at least one section of corrugated pipe, and at least one aperture formed therein for mounting a grinder pump unit. The lower tank is buried lengthwise in the ground with the aperture(s) directed upwardly. A transition collar is fitted into each aperture of the cylindrical lower tank for mounting grinder pump unit(s) thereon. The lower tank is buried lengthwise in the ground. The horizontally-disposed lower collection tank can accommodate one or more grinder pump units mounted to the inside of the single collection tank, and readily available parts (such as, for instance, the Series 2000—60 gallon tank e.g., from Environment One Corp.) can be used for the grinder pump unit.

Abstract: A stabilizing plate for a dual-barrel dispensing gun of the type having a pair of laterally-displaced and adjustable plunger shafts with end-mounted pistons for extruding compound from twin cartridge packs. The stabilizing plate spans both plunger shafts rearwardly of the pistons and engages both sides of a twin cartridge pack seated in the dual-barrel, thereby aligning the cartridge pack relative to the plunger shafts during use. This helps to maintain a proper mix ratio from both sides of said twin cartridge pack. The stabilizing plate is formed with side-by-side apertures to pass the plunger rods of the dispensing gun. The front face of the stabilizing plate is defined by radial centering channels. More specifically, two sets of radial centering channels are provided, one set on each side of the stabilizing plate (each set corresponding to a plunger shaft), and each set being a series of circular channels of increasing diameter.

Abstract: A material with high surface area can be obtained through the partial or total removal of CaO and MgO by acid leaching of blast furnace slag. This is accomplished by an improved process for selective leaching of blast furnace slag and other solid solution materials by control of temperature during leaching, rate of addition of acid, type of the acid, concentration of the acid, and concentration of the slag in the slurry. When these variables are controlled as disclosed a hierarchy of dissolution occurs. The hierarchy begins with MgO, progresses to CaO, and is followed by A12O3, and the rate of acid addition is slow and controlled so that alumina does not dissolve (thereby depriving the remaining silica has no acid sites or catalytic activity). By invoking the hierarchy one gains selectivity, and this can be used to convert blast furnace slag to a material with high surface area which may have applications as an absorbent could be economically feasible.

Abstract: A self-contained root canal dental instrument that combines the operations of a root canal spreader, a root canal condenser, and a root canal filling material heater in a less expensive and easier to replace plugger unit. A different heating circuit using balanced resistor elements in both the hand piece and the tip makes use of the instrument more cost effective for the dentist. The instrument combines a sterilizable condenser tip with the capability of achieving the correct heating temperature via standard AA alkaline batteries.

Abstract: A new and improved gutta-percha point for obturation of root canals comprising a cone with a gripping hub and an insertion tip and generally tapered toward the tip. The cone is also defined by indicia running side-to-side at predetermined positions relative to the tip to allow a visual alignment relative to a point of reference plane. The indicia further comprises a marking scale that includes a succession of discrete ring markings spaced incrementally along the gutta-percha point. A method of using the above-described gutta-percha cone is also described and this includes the steps of establishing a reference plane relative to the prepared root canal, inserting the gutta-percha cone into the prepared root canal, visually ascertaining a position of the markings relative to the reference plane to determine if the gutta-percha cone is too long, and cutting back the gutta-percha cone with reference to the markings if the gutta-percha cone is determined to be too long.

Abstract: A composition and method for causing a positive psychoactive effect in which phenylalanine, vitamin B-6, vitamin C, copper, folic acid, taurine, vitamin B-5 (or pro-vitamin B-5), choline, fruit sugar, caffeine, and optionally green tea are combined in a carbonated mixture. The mixture is orally administered in beverage form to support the production of and to stimulate release of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in the brain and to enhance and modulate their effects to produce a positive psychoactive effect.

Abstract: A bar code scanner for either fixed or hand-held disposition at a counter. The scanner includes a compact housing including a spherical head with a window and a downwardly protruding stem, and a sliding carriage attached to the base of the stem. The stem and sliding carriage cooperate with arcuate guide rails in the compact base for positioning the window via pivoting the head about a horizontal axis.