Abstract: An energy conversion apparatus using recovered energy sources including motor vehicle kinetic energy and wind resistance, supplemented by liquefied air transferred to the vehicle and by solar radiation thereto. The energy sources are combined, as available, to drive a compressor for supplying intake working fluid of a motor vehicle prime mover.

Abstract: A snow deflector apparatus that easily attaches to a snowplow, a kit that includes two snow deflector apparatus and a control system, and to a snowplow system that includes two snow deflector apparatus and a control system. The snow deflector apparatus includes a deflector plate, a deflector plate rotator mechanism and at least one spring. The deflector plate is dimensioned to obstruct at least a substantial portion of the end of the blade of the snowplow such that an amount of snow that is sloughed off of the blade is minimized when the deflector plate is in a deployed position.

Abstract: An electrostatic shield and a voltage transformer having a high voltage winding and a low voltage winding. The shield takes the form of a concentric winded coil, made from a round conductive wire having a layer of insulation around it and a radius of at least ten times the radius of the wire used for the high voltage winding. This shield is dimensioned to surround the high voltage winding of the transformer.

Abstract: A floating power generating device that includes a support frame having a pair of buoyant pontoons, a power generator mounted to the support frame between the pontoons, an electrical cable in electrical communication with the power generator, and means for maintaining the floating power generating device in a substantially fixed position within the flow of water.

Abstract: An imaging system for locating subcutaneous blood vessels and a method for locating subcutaneous blood vessels using the system. The system includes at least one infrared emitter an infrared detector, a computing unit that enhances images and outputs enhanced images in substantially real time, a display device for displaying enhanced images, and a power source. The method includes the steps of preparing a body target area, putting on the headset, powering up the system, locating a target blood vessel, inserting a needle into the target blood vessel, and performing the medical procedure.

Abstract: A security lock, locking system, kit, and personal apparel, such as garments, purses, and luggage that include the security lock. The security lock is a typical combination lock, which includes a body and a locking member in communication with a lock mechanism disposed within the body and a user interface disposed upon or within the body. A battery powered light is disposed proximate to the user interface such that the light illuminates the symbols on the movable members when power is supplied thereto. The system includes a security lock, with or without a light, and an adjustable cable. The kit and apparel include the system and a pouch.

Abstract: A speaker system having a first speaker, a second speaker, and a housing having a first mounting surface to which the first speaker is mounted and a second mounting surface to which the second speaker is mounted. The first mounting surface and the second mounting surface are substantially planar and abut one another to form an included angle of between 120 degrees and 140 degrees. By so arranging the mounting surfaces, the sound produced by each speaker is allowed to mix to provide a full sound.

Abstract: A travel pillowcase, pillow system and kit. The travel pillowcase includes a first sheet of a water resistant fabric and a second sheet of a substantially flexible water resistant fabric disposed in substantially parallel relation to the first sheet. A substantial portion of the outer edges of the first and second sheets are aligned and joined together such that the first sheet and the second sheet form a pouch having an opening defined by the portions of the outer edge of the first sheet and the outer edge of the second sheet that are not joined together. A third sheet of a substantially flexible fabric that is soft and non-irritating to human skin is attached to the outside surface of the second sheet. A closure is attached to the outer surface of the first sheet for securing the pillowcase in a closed position when the pillowcase is folded.

Abstract: A portable footrest including a foot platform having a top surface and a bottom surface and a heater in thermal communication with the bottom surface. A housing is disposed in supporting relation to the foot platform and the heater. The housing is shaped and dimensioned to maintain the foot platform and the heater above a level of a surface upon which the footrest is placed. An electronic assembly is in electrical communication with the heater. The electronic assembly includes an electrical connector for connection to an power source, means for manually energizing and de-energizing the heater, and means for automatically de-energizing the heater.

Abstract: An improved brewing assembly for a coffee percolator and a coffee percolator using the same. The brewing assembly includes a filter basket, a pump tube and a cover. The filter basket has an open top, a perforated bottom, an inner surface, and an outer surface. The pump tube is attached to the filter basket and engages the filter basket such that the pump tube is removed when the filter basket is removed. The cover has a top, a handle, and an open bottom defined by a sidewall. The sidewall of the cover includes both a means for engaging the container such that the cover remains attached to the container when the container is tipped to pour coffee through the pouring spout, and means for engaging the filter basket such that the brewing assembly remains attached to the cover when the cover is removed from the container after coffee is brewed.

Abstract: An electronic mail system and method in which a message receiver creates an envelope containing envelope media data that is hidden with an embedding-and-extracting key. The message sender acquires the message receiver's envelope and, using an embedding-and-extracting key, embeds a secret message in the acquired envelope media data. The embedded envelope is sent to the message receiver, who extracts the secret message from the received embedded envelope using the same embedding-and-extracting key used to embed the data. As a result a secret message can be sent from the sender to the receiver without being eavesdropped on during the communication.

Abstract: A shawl including a sheet of fabric having an inner surface and an outer surface defined by a top edge, a bottom edge, a right side edge and a left side edge. The sheet of fabric is dimensioned to allow the right and left hands of the user to each extend beyond the right edge and left edge of the sheet of fabric when the top edge of the sheet of fabric is draped over the user's shoulders. A right arm closure extends from the inner surface of the sheet of fabric proximate to the right edge, and a left arm closure extending from the inner surface of the sheet of fabric proximate to the left edge. Each of the arm closures has a width that is less than a width of a human forearm and defines an opening dimensioned to allow the user's hands to pass therethrough.

Abstract: An illuminating pompon that includes a handle, a plurality of streamers extending from the handle, and at least one illuminator extending from said handle within said plurality of streamers. The illuminator being adapted to illuminate at least a portion of said plurality of streamers and is in electrical communication with a power source. In the preferred embodiment the illuminators are a plurality of light emitting diodes attached to flexible wires that are controlled with a processor within the power source such that they blink on and off in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: A garment drying cabinet and a garment dryer utilizing the garment drying cabinet. The garment drying cabinet includes a housing through which at least one heater mounting opening and at least one exhaust hole are disposed. At least one heater mount is attached to the housing proximate to each mounting opening and is dimensioned to attach a heater to the housing such that the air directed from the heater is delivered into the interior of the housing. A cabinet door is movably attached to the housing. The garment dryer combines the drying cabinet with at least one heater.

Abstract: A heat sink, method of making a heat sink, and a heat sink assembly. The heat sink includes a base and a plurality of heat pipes that extend from the base. The base is dimensioned and shaped to promote good thermal contact with the heat source, and the heat pipes are attached thereto in such a manner as to promote good thermal contact to the working fluid. Each heat pipe includes an outer surface and an inner surface that form a condenser portion from which from heat is transferred during condensation of the working fluid.

Abstract: A tire winch, tire winch kit, and method of pulling an object. The tire winch includes a spool having a substantially cylindrical hub dimensioned to accept and wind a cable thereabout, and a means for attaching the spool to a tire such that the rotation of the tire causes the spool to rotate. The kit includes a winding spool, an unwinding spool and a means for attaching one of the spools to the tire. The method includes the steps of attaching the winch to a drive wheel of a vehicle, winding a flexible member around the hub of the winch, attaching the free end of the member to an object, and driving away from the object to unwind the member from the winch and, thereby, pull the object a distance that is less than the distance traveled by the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to view an anatomical structure such as a blood vessel in high contrast with its surrounding tissue. The system and method may be used to produce an image of an anatomical structure using reflected electromagnetic radiation singularly scattered from target tissue. The system and method may also provide same-side illumination and detection of reflected electromagnetic radiation in a convenient integral imaging device. The system and method may also provide helmet mounted imaging technology in a single integral helmet which allows the wearer to view an anatomical structure located within a patient such that the image is continuously oriented according to the orientation of the helmet wearer's head. The system and method may also be used in the performance of venipuncture. The system and method may provide for improved contrast between any anatomical structure and its surrounding tissue for use in any imaging system.

Abstract: An information hiding system that hides information-data in the printing-data according to steganography using an embedding means, and produces printed matter by printing out the printing-data on printable media. A scanner is used to read the data, such as image or pattern data, from the printed matter in order to restore the printing-data. The hidden information-data is then extracted from the restored printing-data using an information-data extracting means. Finally, the information-data is outputted in such a form as an image, musical or voice sound, and/or character letters according to the outputting means.

Abstract: A pipe, piping system, kit, and radiant heating system that include lengths of cross-linked polyethylene pipe, which form connections between flow components. Some embodiments utilize a sheath disposed about the outside of the cross-linked polyethylene pipe to enhance rigidity.