Abstract: A multilayer film formed by a solution process. The multilayer film includes a plurality of basic film structures positioned in contiguous overlying relationship to form a common multilayer film. Each of the plurality of basic film structures includes one of: a first two-layer structure with a first layer including either a polymer material or an organic material and a second layer including a functionalized inorganic material; a second two-layer structure with a first layer including either a polymer material or an organic material and a second layer including either a polymer binder and/or an organic binder; and a three layer structure with a first layer including either a polymer material or an organic material, a second layer including a functionalized inorganic material, and a third layer including one of a polymer binder and/or an organic binder.

Abstract: A firearm includes a barrel having an end coupled to a receiver. A reciprocating bolt carrier is carried by the receiver and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The bolt carrier includes a buttress formed in a top surface thereof. A key includes a base having a rearward end and is coupled to the bolt carrier with the rearward end abutting the buttress.

Abstract: A turn signal apparatus includes a heading indicator which provides a heading signal and a control circuit which provides a turn direction output signal. The turn direction output signal is chosen to indicate a turn direction in response to the heading signal and a corresponding turn direction input signal. The turn direction can be for a right turn, a left turn, or a neutral turn. A left or right turn indication can be changed to a neutral turn indication in response to the heading signal.

Abstract: A potty bench includes a base supporting a potty seat, and a potty seat opening into the base formed in the potty seat. The potty seat opening has opposing forward and rearward ends. A basin is carried by the base underlying the potty seat opening to collect waste from the potty seat opening. A splashguard carried by the basin, which has a shield projecting through the potty seat opening at the forward end thereof from the basin and upwardly relative to the potty seat. The shield includes a urine deflecting face upwardly relative to the potty seat facing the rearward end of the potty seat opening for deflecting urine from above the potty seat into the basin through the potty seat opening.

Abstract: A high performance thin film transistor includes a flexible substrate, a layer of metal oxide semiconductor material deposited on the flexible substrate, and a layer of self-assembled organic gate dielectric material deposited on the metal oxide semiconductor material. The metal oxide semiconductor material has high carrier mobility and is transparent. An interface is formed between the layer of metal oxide semiconductor material and the layer of organic gate dielectric material that is substantially free of reactions and Fermi level pinning. The polymer materials are not polar and do not give rise to gap state formation and interface scattering.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning according to various aspects of the present invention include a cleaner and a lighting system. The cleaner, such as a handheld cleaner like a brush or lint roller, cleans the item or area to be cleaned. The lighting system illuminates the area or item to be cleaned. In one embodiment, the lighting system generates ultraviolet light to illuminate debris having phosphor materials.

Abstract: A safety razor handle assembly including a safety razor having a handle and a razor blade head. The assembly including an elongated body portion, a hand gripping portion affixed to one end of the elongated body portion, and a safety razor engaging portion affixed to the other end. The razor engaging portion engaging the handle of the safety razor so that the handle of the safety razor extends axially from the elongated body portion and the blade head of the safety razor extends laterally beyond the safety razor engaging portion.

Abstract: Apparatus to electrically connect a first electrical contact to a second electrical contact includes opposed upper and lower elastomer layers formed on either side of an electrically insulating intermediate layer together forming a laminate interposer structure having a thickness. An electrically conducting elastic column to provide a localized conductive path is formed through the thickness of the laminate interposer structure. The upper and lower elastomer layers provide compliance between the upper and lower elastomer layers and the elastic column, and the intermediate layer provides reduced compliance between the intermediate layer and the elastic column relative to the compliance between the upper and lower elastomer layers and the elastic column.

Abstract: A carrier supports property-transferring material and includes a first portion exposed to a first property and a second portion exposed to a second property. The first property is different from the second property causing the property-transferring material to develop micro-cyclic property transfer between the first and second properties. The first and second properties each include at least one of heat and mass.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing fluid transfer through an opening connecting an oviduct to a uterine cavity includes a body having a base with a periphery and a seal carried by the body for overlying and engaging uterine tissue leading to the opening. The seal receives fibroblast in-growth to create a hermetic seal between the oviduct and the uterine cavity. A peripheral anchor portion extends from the base for securing the body to the uterine tissue leading to the opening, the base overlying the opening.

Abstract: A storage device includes a base bounding a storage space and an opening into the storage space, a first panel pivotally attached to the base and a second panel pivotally attached to the first panel. The first and second panels pivot between a stored position including the first panel positioned against the base and the second panel positioned against the first panel, and a closed position including the first panel first panel positioned against the top of the base and the second panel received against the base overlying the opening into the storage space enclosing the storage space.

Abstract: A spa system includes a tub supported by a chassis, an enclosed space formed between the tub and the chassis, first and second vents through the chassis leading to the enclosed space, water heating and cooling devices coupled in series to a circulating system adapted to withdraw and return water relative to the tub, and a thermostat operatively coupled to the heating and cooling devices. The cooling device incorporates a fan operative for drawing air into the enclosed space through the first vent in response to activation of the cooling device, and a blower is operative for expelling air from the enclosed space through the second vent currently with the operation of the fan of the cooling device.

Abstract: A carabiner multi-tool includes a first generally C-shaped portion, a central extended portion, and a second generally C-shaped portion with the central extended portion joining the first and second C-shaped portions into a continuous body. Second ends of the first and the second C-shaped portions form first and second body ends positioned in spaced apart substantially opposed relationship. A shaft has one end pivotally attached to the first body end and a free end pivotally movable into a closed orientation with the second body end and an open orientation with the second body end. An engagement member is mounted on either the free end of the shaft or the second body end for engaging the free end of the shaft and the second body end in a closed orientation. Multiple tools are formed in the first and the second generally C-shaped portions.

Abstract: A plasma-vortex engine (20) is provided. The engine (20) consists of a plasmatic fluid (22) circulating in a closed loop (44) encompassing a fluid heater (26), an expansion chamber (30), and a condenser (42). The expansion chamber (30) is fabricated of magnetic material, and encompasses a rotor (72), fabricated of non-magnetic material, to which T-form vanes (114), also fabricated of non-magnetic material, are coupled. A shaft (36) is coupled to the rotor (72). During operation, the plasmatic fluid (22) is heated to produce a plasma (86) within the expansion chamber (30). The plasma (86) is expanded and a vortex (100) generated therein to exert a plasmatic force (93) against the vanes (114). The rotor (72) and shaft (36) rotate in response to the plasmatic force (93). A plurality of magnets (115,119) are embedded in the vanes (114) and rotor (72) to provide attractive and repulsive forces (97,99,101) and better seal the vane (114) to the expansion chamber (30).

Abstract: In a vehicle including a cab, having a windshield with opposed upper and lower edges, bounding an interior, a dashboard extending into the interior proximate the lower edge of the windshield, a hood extending forwardly of the cab proximate the lower edge of the windshield, a sitting position in the interior of the vehicle rearward of the dashboard, and a field of view to the hood through the windshield overlying the dashboard from the sitting position, improvements therein consisting of a visor, having a glare suppressing property, mounted in the field of view adjacent to the lower edge of the windshield and the dashboard suppressing glare from the hood in the field of view.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes a seat carried by a frame including at least one front wheel and opposed rear wheels. A circular handrim is coupled to one of the rear wheels with spaced-apart connecting pins. A framework is secured to the handrim, and a ratchet operatively couples an inner end of a lever to the framework. The lever extends upwardly from the ratchet to the outer end allowing a user seated in the seat of the wheelchair to grasp the outer end of the lever and move the lever between a first position and a second position. The ratchet acts on the framework to impart rotation to the one of the rear wheels in response to movement of the lever between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A key lock assembly includes a core, formed with a keyway to accept a key, mounted to a fixture for rotation along a break point formed between the core and the fixture. A block assembly and rows of pin assemblies are mounted to the fixture and the core and are each formed with a break point. In a locked position of the key lock assembly the block assembly and the pin assemblies interact between the core and the fixture preventing the core from rotating relative to the fixture. In an unlocked position of the key lock assembly the key is inserted into the keyway interacting with the block assembly and the pin assemblies registering the break points of the block and pin assemblies with the break point formed between the core and the fixture allowing the core to rotate relative to the fixture.

Abstract: A vehicle has a forward end fashioned with a vehicle arresting device. The vehicle arresting device includes an elongate flexible member carried by opposed first and second supports having first and second outer ends, respectively. The first and second supports are mounted to the vehicle together for movement between stored and deployed positions relative to the forward end of the vehicle. The first and second outer ends of the first and second supports are disposed forwardly of the forward end of the vehicle in spaced apart relation in the deployed position of the first and second supports suspending the elongate flexible member therebetween.

Abstract: A method for forming a low dielectric constant insulator in a monolithic substrate and the dielectric formed by the method. The method includes formation and patterning of a mask on a silicon substrate followed by anisotropic etching of the silicon to provide a dense array of deep holes. Isotropic etching may be used to form a cavity beneath the dense array of holes and coupling to bottoms of the holes. Sides of the holes are then thermally oxidized. A conventional dielectric is then formed, sealing tops of the holes. The conventional dielectric is optionally densified. Conventional chemical-mechanical polishing then planarizes the dielectric and further conventional processing may be carried out on the wafer to form active circuitry together with passive components such as high Q inductors.