Abstract: A bagel slicing device for safely and effectively slicing bagels comprises a holder having a slotted base, upwardly extending end portions at each end of the base and side members attached to the base at their lower end and being pivotal about an edge to engage a bagel therebetween and extending between the end portions. The end portions include a knife slot which cooperates with the base slot to permit cutting a bagel completely through. The side members include gripping ribs on both surfaces thereof and the end portions include ribs to locate the bagel properly between the sides.

Abstract: A dowel hole and slot cutter comprise a motor having a base slidably mounted on a track and a cylindrical cutting bit mounted at one end of the motor and extending outwardly therefrom. A support includes a pair of arms with one arm extending upwardly from each side of the track and a cross-portion joining the arms and having an aperture extending therethrough for movement of the cylindrical cutting bit. A flat member having an aperture therethrough includes a track at its upper and lower end which engages the cross portion of the bracket for movement transverse to the cross portion. In operation, the cutter may be used to drill holes, dowel holes, or slots in a fast efficient manner. A polycarbonate member having a elongated slot for the cylindrical cutting bit is mounted between the flat member and a adjustable support member, which includes a perpendicular portion extending outwardly therefrom and two portions extending downwardly from the perpendicular portion therefrom.

Abstract: This invention comprises a uniquely shaped small paint tray for edger trimmers and pad painters in general with walls extending upwardly from a base and an inclined distribution portion or ramp extending upwardly from the middle of the base and terminating in an upper ledge at a spaced interval from a rear wall. The distribution ramp includes a plurality of spaced raised chevron shaped ridges that distribute the paint on the edger pad. The ramp terminates at a vertical ledge spaced from the rear wall to wipe paint from the pad, which returns into the tray rather than fouling the end wall. A spout is formed in the rear wall between raised portions of the side and rear walls to save and pour paint that accumulates on the base. Side walls join the forward and rear walls. A cover is provided with channels, which fit over and engage mating channels in the base and include flanges having projecting elements, which engage recesses in the cover in a secure fit.

Abstract: The Christoudias fascial closure device comprises an elongated penetrating instrument having a sharp conical trapping end, an elongated hollow body extending rearwardly from the solid trapping end, a stylet movable within the hollow body and an upper manipulating end including a handle mounted on the stylet and a flange grip extending outwardly from the hollow body. An opening is located in the wall of the hollow body near the conical end and a straight spring wire protrudes outwardly therefrom when the handle is compressed. The spring wire is affixed at one end to the conical tip and at the other end to the forward portion of the stylet within the hollow body. The spring wire grasps a thread within the peritoneal cavity in order to pass the thread through the tissues to the outside. The device is then introduced into the cavity in the same manner through the same layers of tissues at the opposite end of the wound in order to close the wound by grasping the other end of the thread.

Abstract: A desktop organizer, particularly for CD's and computer discs, comprises an elongated base having a track with a slot extending axially therealong, end walls supporting the base and a rear wall extending perpendicularly between the end walls and parallel to the base. A support member includes a coiled spring mounted within an upper recess and affixed at its lower end within the base slot for spring urged movement of the support member to and fro along the base. The coiled spring provides a resilient force to the upwardly extending support member to maintain objects on the base between the support member and one of the end walls. The support member and associated track are detachable and may be reassembled along the rear wall or in the opposite direction along the base. The organizer may be mounted on a turntable and includes a plurality of legs mounted to the end members which permit stacking of several organizers or positioning of the organizer at a particular height.

Abstract: A rack for grilling chicken legs in a barbecue and the like comprises a metal surface having downwardly extending support members at both ends and a plurality of predetermined slots to hold chicken legs upside down. The support members position the rack at a spaced distance above a cooking source or fire providing sufficient space for the legs to hang vertically substantially perpendicular to the fire. The slots comprise a plurality of parallel apertures, each including a central circular aperture for insertion of the legs and a pair of narrow elongated slots leading in opposite directions from the circular aperture. The rack may be pivotally mounted to the barbecue so that it moves into position above the fire when the lid is opened or it may be manually placed on the open barbecue. In operation, the chicken legs are inserted through the circular aperture, slid along the slot, and locked in place by the bone at the lower joint.

Abstract: An exercising apparatus for various rowing and non-rowing exercises having an erected tubular frame comprising two parallel elongated front and back legs, two parallel top and bottom arms, a tubular top, a tubular middle and a tubular bottom axle, a handle and a pulley system, a weight cable system, an extended base, two elongated tracks, and a platform. The said legs are pivotally connected to the top axle that is also connected to the top arms that in turn are pivotally connected to the middle axle and the bottom arms. The bottom axle can slide perpendicularly over the front legs thus creating a folded positions of the arms for rowing exercises or creating an unfolded position of the arms for the non-rowing exercises. The said extended base frame is used as a bases for the platform which is used in the non-rowing exercises. The said base frame also serves as the foundation for a pair of tracks for the wheeled seat which is used in the rowing exercises.

Abstract: This invention comprises a towel warmer wherein the towel is removably mounted on a rack within a closed cabinet. The cabinet includes a heater blower mounted on the upper portion thereof and recirculating tubes on each side thereof to recirculate the warm air after it passes through the towel. The heater blower warms the circulated air and forces it downwardly into the hanging towel. The system is totally enclosed so that the operating noise is greatly reduced and the system uses only a fraction of the electric power conventionally required.

Abstract: A cargo support for vehicles comprises a pair of spaced end panels with transversely extending rib panels which are positioned at predetermined intervals to form cargo bays. The transverse ribs include a creased center fold and are hinged at their ends to the panels. The ribs include a central cut-out for ease of folding, tabs which connect at each end to the end panels and lower outrigger portions for support purposes which extend through apertures in the end panels. Once the ribs are assembled to the panels, the cargo support may be collapsed in an accordion fashion for storage purposes. The cargo support is inexpensive, easy to assemble and may be readily used in an automobile trunk, cargo area or on the rear seat.

Abstract: Hybrid golf comprises playing a variety of golf shots around a progressive course comprising a single centrally located hole with a green. A plurality of tees are located at different predetermined distances from the green and at spaced intervals from each other in a substantially circular pattern around the green. Bar coded golf balls are used for scoring purposes in conjunction with a bar code optical or other type of scanner reader mounted on each tee and within the hole. All scoring information is recorded by a central computer in order to facilitate immediate comparison of scoring data of a single player or between and among players. At least one putting green is located adjacent the last tee. A player drives the ball from successive tees and then putts on the putting green to wrap up the game. The object of the game is to put as many of the six bar coded balls as possible on the green, and thereby automatically through the scanner.

Abstract: A football helmet and shoulder pad combination are designed to prevent head and neck injuries. An outer helmet is connected to a neck assembly which permits but limits head turning mobility as well as up-down and left and right head tilt. The neck mechanism which is mounted about the neck comprises substantially circular inner and -outer spherical guides and a concentric movable inner element therebetween with an upwardly extending member on each side of the neck. The guides contain stops to limit the motion permitted by the helmet and the lower portion of the mechanism is mounted on the shoulder pads to distribute the load during impact. The helmet portion with a resilient coupling joining the portions. The upwardly extending members on the inner element are mounted to respective sides of the outer helmet. The helmet may also be retrofitted to existing equipment.

Abstract: This invention comprises an instrument for peritoneal approximation following the application of mesh in a laparoscopic herniorrhaphy or for approximating any tissues that could physically reach each other during the performance of any laparoscopic procedure. The Maritsa Tissue Approximator comprises an elongated cylinder which is divided into two elongated compartments by a central plate which extends outwardly from the bottom of the cylinder. The head of the instrument comprises the outwardly extending fixed plate and two independently controlled jaws which close separately over the fixed central plate. The jaws are pivotally mounted onto a lateral extension of the center plate by pin-means about which they rotate thus opening or closing over the fixed central plate. The rotation about the pin is caused by a control wire which extends through a compartment of the cylinder and is affixed to a pivotal member at the other end of the instrument.

Abstract: A shielding device used on hand-held cellular phones comprises a substantially rectangular shield which extends adjacent to the antenna. A downwardly extending slide arm portion of the shield terminates in a substantially pointed end surface formed by the outer edge of the shield sloping inwardly to engage the inner edge of the slide arm, said outer edge having a notch on the exterior surface thereof. The device also includes a paddle arm portion extending perpendicular to the shield area and then downwardly to terminate in an enlarged paddle engaging the rear of the phone. The shield is mounted to a hand-held cellular phone with the shield area extending vertically upward adjacent to the antenna and the paddle arm extending over the top of the phone and terminating in the rear paddle and the paddle arm extending over the top of the phone. The shield is held in place by an O-ring which surrounds the phone and fits in the notch in the slide arm.

Abstract: A spongestick for .Iadd.retraction, and tissue manipulation in .Iaddend.endoscopic procedures including a hollow stem of substantially cylindrical cross-section with a longitudinal groove along its outer surface and having a handle at one end and a balloon receptor portion at the other end. The stem is surrounded by a retractable sheath having a handle at the end adjacent the stem handle. A balloon system comprises a Leur lock tip at its upper end for coupling to inflation means and an elongated tube portion which extends within the longitudinal groove in the stem to a tubular balloon which fits over the receptor portion. Circumferential grooves are provided on the upper and lower sections of the receptor portion to accommodate rubber bands which secure a tubular gauze member over the balloon. The gauze member is expanded by inflation of the balloon .Iadd.during use.Iaddend.. The hollow interior of the stem provides a passage for endoscopic instruments such as forceps, dissectors, etc.