Abstract: A personal item tracking and monitoring system is herein disclosed, comprising a transmitter unit and a receiver unit. The transmitter unit is a relatively small unit attachable to an object, particularly a mobile telephone, that emits a radio frequency coded signal to a receiving unit carried by a person. The transmitter unit is of a small size relative to the object and is attached to the object by use of a fastening means. The receiver unit is envisioned to be the size of a key fob typically used to wirelessly lock and unlock the doors of a motor vehicle. As such, the receiver unit is envisioned to be carried on a ring of keys, carried in one's hands, carried in a pocket, purse, or briefcase, worn upon a belt, or a similar manner. The receiving unit allows a user to adjust and set an allowable distance between the object and the receiver unit using a range selection control. If the object is located farther then the allowable distance the user is alerting by an audible or visual warning signal.
Abstract: An insert for containers designed to store and organize small hand tools comprising two (2) discs, each of a slightly smaller diameter than the interior diameter of the bucket is herein disclosed. Each disc is provided with multiple holes and slots to hold various types of hand tools. The discs are separated a few inches from each other and the lower insert is held off the bottom of the bucket by a set of legs. The insert is designed to hold hand tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, hammers, utility knifes and the like. The configuration of the discs allows each tool to stand upright and not fall over, enabling a user to quickly find a desired hand tool.
Abstract: An apparatus for steam heating a baby bottle comprising a reservoir in which water is heated by an electric resistance-type heater to produce steam, which is controlled via an on/off switch and an electronic control panel, is herein disclosed. A probe is used to measure an exact temperature of the heated liquid such as milk or formula, and displays said temperature upon a digital readout. Thus, the parent or caregiver is assured of the liquid being heated to the exact temperature without danger of burning. The apparatus is capable of heating a bottle of liquid in mere seconds in lieu of the minutes usually taken by conventional heating methods. It is envisioned that the apparatus can not only heat a bottle in a shorter period of time, but also can do so in a more consistent and accurate manner compared to current manual methods.
Abstract: A device and method by which hunting arrows are provided with a plurality of phosphorescent vanes to aid in their location and retrieval, particularly during times of limited visibility is herein disclosed. The plurality of vanes of the arrow are coated with a phosphorescent paint which will self-luminescence at night and give off radiation in the form of visible light. Additionally, the phosphorescent nature of the paint makes finding the arrow easier during the day.
Abstract: A shoe with retractable metal spikes on a heel area is herein disclosed. A bottom portion of a shoe heel comprises a plurality of metal spikes that retract in and out via a cam plate, driven by a cam lever and activated by a control dial located on the outside face of the heel. When the metal spikes are extended, they can be used to walk safely on snow and/or ice, and can also be used in wintertime sporting events. The metal spikes can be retracted by simply turning the dial and allowing them to retract flush or slightly below the surface of the shoe sole. The invention is viewed as being particularly useful for those in construction, public service, law enforcement or any profession in which walking outside in winter conditions and walking inside on finished floors is a regular and repeating part of their work day.
Abstract: A system by which a building structure is protected from wildfires, adjacent structure fires, and similar disasters while also affording a method to clean the roof using a plurality of specially-formed shingles, end caps, and ridge units designed to deliver a dispersing water spray, is herein disclosed. The shingles and ridge units would be provided in sectional pieces that interconnect theretogether to extend across a roof area. The end cap units provide plumbing connections thereto connected shingle units and a central water supply line within the structure. The system covers the roof and end wall areas of the building structure with water, thereby preventing ignition from an external source to take place. The system can also be used to clean the roof of dirt and debris if desired, and may additionally protection from chemical, biological, and/or radiological (CBR) attacks by rinsing off contaminates.
Abstract: A wall-mounted, hot air body blow drying apparatus comprising a plurality of round nozzles located along a front surface of the apparatus is herein disclosed. Said nozzles are adjustable and capable of directing jets of warm air over a person's body. A flow of heated air is provided by a resistance heater, an electric blower, and a plurality of distributing ductwork. The apparatus may be hard-wired thereto a standard household power circuit or by using a standard power cord. The apparatus is variably controlled by a temperature and fan speed controlling system and a timer. To use, a person would stand in front of the dryer apparatus and slowly turn around, allowing the multiple heated forced air streams to dry their body in a similar fashion as a forced warm air hand dryer.
Abstract: An electrical power strip with multiple outlets capable of being controlled by a wireless remote controller is herein disclosed. The handheld wireless controller is used to control the operation of the power strip via a radio frequency (RF). As such, the power strip is particularly advantageous for use under desks, behind shelves and in otherwise inaccessible locations, as the user can turn the entire power strip on and off without reaching it. Additionally, individual bypass switches are provided for each receptacle to turn it on permanently.
Abstract: An apparatus designed to catch flies and other flying insects comprises an aesthetically pleasing rectangular housing with a top opening which allows an insect to fly or crawl onto an internal tacky sheet to be trapped. The housing may be placed upon any flat surface or be wall-mounted, thereby minimizing an occurrence of observing the trapped dead insects. A side surface of the housing provides loading and unloading of a slide-in tacky sheet. The tacky sheet attracts and traps flying or crawling insects such as flies through the top opening of the housing, thereby partially blocking a view of the trapped insects inside.
Abstract: A bracket system enabling secure attachment and access of a ladder thereto a flatbed type trailer used with tractor-trailer rigs is herein disclosed, comprising two (2) generally square metal plates. One (1) side of the metal plate is provided with a narrow āUā-shaped cut-out which slides over a rub rail feature typically provided around the perimeter of a flatbed trailer. The exterior portion of each plate is then bolted to the side rails of a ladder. The plates are located so the ladder is completely supported and the bottom of the ladder is positioned approximately one (1) foot off of grade to allow use of the bracket system on any type of terrain.
Abstract: A hand-driven receiving bracket for galvanized or steel pipe used with yard fences, gateposts, pet pens, and the like comprises a round galvanized pipe and three (3) downwardly directed triangular steel plates. The bracket is then driven into the ground such that the top of the pipe is flush with the ground surface. After driving, the receiver bracket is ready for fence posts, gateposts, and other ground style devices. A plate device that sits atop the bracket and can be driven with a large sledgehammer provides a large flat surface that is suitable for impact and spreads such impact over the entire bracket, thus preventing damage. Alternately, a sliding hammer that slides upon a tall steel pipe which connects to the top of the bracket is used to drive the bracket into the ground and comprises a twist lock mechanism that engages the bracket and spreads the impact to prevent damage. When driven flush, it also is removed and replaced with a permanent fence or gateposts.
Abstract: An apparatus designed to aid in the winding of cargo straps used on flatbed trailers of tractor-trailer rigs comprising a metal cylinder with an internal power/spiral spring is herein disclosed. A first end of the cylinder is closed with an outer spring case while a second end is slipped through a standard cargo strap winch bracket system commonly found on conventional flatbed tractor-trailers. A similar arrangement is used on all cargo straps systems on a truck. The user pulls out enough strap to anchor on an opposite side of the truck and over a carried load. The strap is then tightened and cinched down in a conventional manner. When unloaded, a lever is released, and the entire cargo strap is quickly retracted back onto the winch shaft. This not only represents huge timesavings for the truck driver, but also protects the stored cargo strap from damage.