Abstract: An extension and retraction arrangement with a sliding door construction for adjusting a monitor from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration. The door is slidable between an open position and a closed position for at least partially closing the aperture in the framework. A pocket door is pivotally coupled to an arm aperture portion in the door, and a flipper door is pivotally coupled to an arm aperture portion in a framework. The flipper door and the pocket door interlock to be retained in closed positions to seal the arm aperture when the extension and retraction arrangement is in a storage configuration. The door is articulated with multiple sections and is guided by drive pins engaged with drive slots and slide pins that slide along guide surfaces of drive path subassemblies.

Abstract: A lens arrangement with an achromatic homogenizer and collimator for multiple LEDs. The lens arrangement combines the hemispherical emittance profiles from one or more LEDS into a collimated beam without chromatic aberration. The lens arrangement has one or more LEDs, a homogenizer, a solid lightpipe, an internal parabolic reflector, a retroreflector, and a refractor. The emittance profiles of the LEDs are distributed evenly over space and angle by multiple reflections inside a diffusely reflecting cavity of the homogenizer. The internal reflector has a numerical aperture of 1.0, which defines a hemispherical solid angle of collection within air. The retroreflector directs rays away from the LEDs. The retroreflection permits space for the electronics of high radiance LEDs. The refractor converts the retroreflector rays in a plurality of shapes. The lens is optimally designed for applications with high standards for color mixing, uniformity, and efficient conversion of electrical power into light.

Abstract: A cosmetic dispenser with a bottle and an applicator wand retained for slidable extension and retraction relative to the bottle. The applicator wand can be slid from a retracted position wherein a cosmetic applicator is retained within the bottle and an extended position wherein the cosmetic applicator projects through an aperture at a distal end of the bottle. A lateral dividing structure, which can be formed by an adapter insert and a rear seal, slidably receives the applicator wand and divides the inner volume of the bottle into a distal inner volume and a proximal inner volume. A laterally disposed distal wiping wiper with a plurality of radial slits can wipe a distal end of the cosmetic applicator, and a side wiping wiper with an inner throat can wipe a peripheral portion of the cosmetic applicator. A cap with a plug can matingly engage the side wiping wiper.

Abstract: A cosmetic applicator for retaining a plurality of cosmetic members for selective extension and retraction with a housing, a revolver chamber rotatably retained within the housing, a plurality of cosmetic members disposed within longitudinal tubes circumferentially spaced relative to the revolver chamber, a slide button retained to slide along a longitudinal channel in the housing, and an end cap for selectively rotating the revolver chamber to induce one of the plurality of cosmetic members to become an active cosmetic member. The end cap can be rotatably retained relative to the housing and drivingly engaged with the revolver chamber with a key and keyhole combination. The housing can have has an eccentric aperture in the distal end thereof and the cosmetic members can be eccentrically disposed relative to the revolver chamber to align selectively with the aperture in the distal end of the housing.

Abstract: A brush assembly with an applicator rod, a brush sleeve with a tubular core member and a plurality of bristles, a rod hole in the distal end of the applicator rod, and a rivet for being received into the rod hole to retain the brush sleeve. A peripheral retaining wall can retain and protect a proximal end of the brush sleeve. The brush sleeve can have radially projecting, diamond-shaped bristles and can be slidably received over a body portion of the rivet or over a support stem forming a distal portion of the applicator rod. The body portion of the rivet or the support stem can have a non-circular cross section or an arcuate longitudinal profile to induce the brush sleeve to have the non-circular cross section or acruate longitudinal profile. A method for producing brush assemblies can produce brush assemblies with brush sleeves of varied cross sections.

Abstract: A collapsible toy airplane reconfigurable between storage and use configurations. At least one spar member forms first and second wings and is coupled to a fuselage. The main body member and the at least one spar are formed from spring steel with an arcuate cross section whereby they can be reconfigured from a straight, substantially rigid disposition to a coiled configuration. A sheath of flexible material envelops the at least one spar member. The at least one spar member can be pivotable from a use configuration forming the first and second wings to a collapsed configuration substantially in-line with the main body member. The wings can be formed from first and second spar members, each pivotally coupled to the main body portion and each adjustable from a use configuration disposed at a dihedral angle to a collapsed, in-line configuration.

Abstract: A foldable, cross-frame wheelchair with a foldable seat and foldable seatback. The foldable seat has a first outside edge retained relative to a longitudinal frame member at a second, upper end of a first cross-frame member of the wheelchair frame and a second outside edge retained relative to a longitudinal frame member at a second, upper end of a second cross-frame member of the wheelchair frame. A longitudinal hinge portion is interposed between the first and second outside edges to divide the seat into first and second pivotally coupled members. The hinge portion can be disposed to the obverse side of the first and second members of the seat. The foldable seatback can be divided into upper and lower foldable seatbacks.

Abstract: An extension and retraction arrangement with a control system for adjusting a monitor from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration. The control system controls an extension and retraction of a trolley structure and a retained monitor and an opening and closing of a door through which the monitor can be extended. The control system has an operation mode with an UP sequence and a DOWN sequence. Sensors can sense open and closed positions of the door and raised and extended and retracted positions of the trolley and the monitor. The control system can automatically react to monitor positioning issues, losses in power, and obstructions to the travel of the door and the trolley structure.

Abstract: A keyboard, mouse, and wrist support arrangement with a pivotable transverse member, first and second elongate rails in combination with slide rails for slidably receiving the first and second elongate rails for retaining the pivotable transverse member for extension and retraction and for pivoting about a lateral pivot axis, a keyboard support plate retained relative to the pivotable transverse member, and a keyboard wrist support retained relative to the keyboard support plate. A mouse support plate, which can be independently moveable in relation to the keyboard support plate, can be retained relative to the pivotable transverse member, and a mouse wrist support retained relative to the mouse support plate.

Abstract: An arrangement for securing fabric relative to a framework comprising a framework, a grove in the framework, and a locking spline for being received into the groove in the framework whereby a fabric panel can be retained relative to the framework by an insertion of the locking spline into the groove with a portion of the fabric panel disposed between the locking spline and the groove. The framework can have an obverse side, a peripheral edge, and a reverse side and the groove can be disposed to the reverse side of the framework whereby the fabric panel can be applied to the framework with a portion of the fabric panel retained within the groove and with the fabric panel reversing over the peripheral edge of the framework and traversing at least a portion of the framework. A secondary groove can enable a retention of a secondary material.

Abstract: A dental hygiene apparatus for enabling a flossing of teeth. The apparatus can include a dispensing member and an accumulating member. The dispensing and accumulating members can each comprise a ring with an aperture for receiving a finger. Activating switches can selectively enable a dispensing of dental floss from the dispensing member and a retraction of dental floss relative to the accumulating member. A bobbin within the accumulating member can be rotated by a coil spring that can be rewound. The apertures in the rings can be varied. A floss retaining member can alternatively be retained by a ring, an opposed hook arrangement, or any other arrangement coupled to the dispensing member. Dental floss can be dispensed from a distal end of a post. The dental hygiene apparatus can further include as part of a unified system a finger shield arrangement, which can comprise first and second tubular members.

Abstract: The invention includes a bag or receptacle for securely containing stray buttons and for attaching to a garment at a location of repair to identify where a button is to be reattached or replaced. In one embodiment, such a button bag is sized and shaped like a business card for displaying a business name of a dry cleaner, launderer, tailor, hotel, or other service provider. The receptacle can include a strap for attaching to an existing button, or for looping through a buttonhole corresponding to a location where a button needs to be repaired. The invention provides a solution to button repair identification that is especially useful with express laundry and dry cleaning services and that does not require a user to verbally explain where buttons need to be repaired.

Abstract: A keyboard, mouse, and wrist support arrangement with a pivotable transverse member, first and second elongate rails in combination with slide rails for slidably receiving the first and second elongate rails for retaining the pivotable transverse member for extension and retraction and for pivoting about a lateral pivot axis, a keyboard support plate retained relative to the pivotable transverse member, and a keyboard wrist support retained relative to the keyboard support plate. A mouse support plate, which can be independently moveable in relation to the keyboard support plate, can be retained relative to the pivotable transverse member, and a mouse wrist support retained relative to the mouse support plate.

Abstract: A card game with a set of different playing cards or a multiple thereof wherein each playing card is linked to a ball from the pool billiard game, possibly with the exception of the cue ball. In addition to the playing cards the card game can also contain action cards as for instance turn cards, cards that indicate missing a turn, fault cards and jokers. A number of different playing cards can be linked to balls from eight-ball pool billiard. Each playing card can carry a picture of a ball from eight-ball pool billiard with which the card is linked. A combination of pool billiard with such a card game is described, which makes it possible to play pool billiard also with more than two players.

Abstract: A multi-faceted, rotatable promotional display device for being retained relative to a vehicle for enabling the perception of multiple promotional messages from a single vantage point. A display casing with multiple display surfaces is rotatably retained relative to a base structure. Promotional messages are displayed relative to the display surfaces, and a drive arrangement rotates the display casing relative. The display casing can have a square, triangular, or other cross section. The base structure can have a cup portion with a raised peripheral ridge, and a shell can envelope the display casing. The display surfaces can be electronic display screens or light transmissive panels. A light source can be disposed within the display casing. A drive motor can be powered by a battery, a photovoltaic array, or a wind turbine. A clutch or a force sensor can prevent the application of excessive rotational force.

Abstract: A system for harvesting energy from wave oscillation includes an energy harvesting vessel and, possibly, a transport vessel. The energy harvesting vessel can have multiple hulls disposed in parallel with wave channels there between for receiving incoming waves. Multiple bobber devices can be disposed in series within each wave channel to absorb energy from incoming waves. Reciprocating movement of buoyant float heads of the bobber devices can be converted to electrical energy by a hydraulic engine and a generator. The electrical energy can power an electrolyzer to separate supplied water into hydrogen and oxygen. Once harvested, the hydrogen and oxygen can be transferred between storage tanks on the energy harvesting vessel and the transport vessel for transport and usage. A horizontal movement sea anchor can resist undesired horizontal movement, and a vertical movement sea anchor can resist undesired vertical movement.

Abstract: A handheld drinking vessel with a compressible bladder, inlet and outlet members, an inlet valve to allow liquid to flow into the bladder, and an outlet valve to allow liquid to flow from the bladder whereby liquid can be exhausted by a compression of the bladder and liquid can be drawn into the bladder by a decompression of the bladder. The inlet and outlet valves can comprise one-way valves. First and second straps can enable an exertion of an expansion force on the bladder. A skeleton structure can bias the bladder to compressed or non-compressed configurations. First and second side walls of the bladder can pivot about an axis to allow the bladder to achieve a substantially flat configuration. The bladder, which can be formed from a thin film material, can be selectively retained adjacent to a wrist of a user by a strap and a wrist engaging member.

Abstract: Enhancing queries for information retrieval that automatically finds the preferred, first ranked matching term usage subject area (“TUSA”) from a prior query. The process automatically finds alternative TUSAs for the prior query, ranked by degree of match or preference, and provides an option to switch among the alternative TUSAs. It is required that a TUSA for the query be passively accepted or actively selected from a presented list based on the prior query. Using means prepared in advance from data sets of messages collected for each TUSA and general vocabulary the process also ranks and presents to the user alternative and additional query terms and phrases reflecting specificity and relevance to the query and the TUSA. Significantly relevant terms and phrases are presented for query refinement and ranked by relevance permitting the user to select and deselect query terms and effect a new search based on the enhanced query.