Abstract: An apparatus for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy includes a plurality of iron segments disposed in a circular, generally donut-shaped body that is substantially non-magnetic, and which forms a rotor of an electric motor. Each of a first plurality of coils is attached to a housing and form a stator. Each coil includes a hollow center and is disposed around the body. The coils are pulsed on and off in a pattern to create a magnetic field that attracts the iron segments urging them sufficient to rotate the body. The body forms a rotor of the electric motor. A second plurality of coils are optionally included and energized in an opposite or offset pattern as compared to the first plurality to increase torque or aid in starting rotation of the rotor. A permanent magnet in the rotor is used to indicate the position of the rotor relative to the stator. The rotor includes a pair of horseshoe-shaped overlapping halves that fasten together.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing debris and scale from a water line includes a first portion that is attached to a faucet or to an appliance conduit that is, in turn, attached to the faucet. A second portion is attached to an existing angle stop valve. A filter screen is disposed in between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion is able to separate apart from the second portion sufficient to allow removal and cleaning or replacement of the filter screen without requiring disconnection of the second portion from the angle stop valve or the first portion from either the faucet or the appliance conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing a substance includes a container and a bobble head that is attached to the container. An opening is provided in the container to provide access to the substance. The bobble head is removed to access the opening and the substance. A first modified design includes an upper half and a lower half that are separable and, when separated, provide the opening and access to the fluid in the lower half. A second modified design includes a permanently attached bobble head and a separate opening and screw on lid. A third modified design includes a hex shaped key and a fourth modified design includes a sleeve attached to a bobble head that is adapted to fit over a pre-existing cap.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a table saw to decrease a clearance of a surface surrounding a saw blade includes a throat plate that is inserted into an elongated slot that is provided in the surface of the table saw. The throat plate includes an enlarged opening with a pair of spaced-apart rails that, together, are adapted receive a replaceable T-shaped center portion. The center portion is cut by the saw blade as the blade is raised from below the center portion resulting in a space around the blade having a clearance that approximates the kerf of the blade. Screws secure the center portion in the enlarged opening. A pair of cam screws secures the throat plate in the elongated slot. A side to side adjustable splitter is attached to the throat plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for the dissemination of food to a first animal when the first animal is disposed proximate the apparatus includes a container for receipt of the food and a transmitter that is attached to the first animal and a receiver that is operatively attached to the apparatus. The transmitter emits a signal continuously according to a preferred embodiment or a signal only when it is proximate the apparatus, according to a modification. The apparatus is adapted to receive and respond to the signal to allow access to the food in the container when the signal is present. When the signal is not received by the apparatus, access to the food in the container is denied.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing window blinds converts rotary motion about a vertical axis of a vertical rod into rotary motion about a horizontal axis of a horizontal member. A lever is attached to one end of the horizontal member. A drive gear is attached to an opposite end of the horizontal member. A driven gear is attached to a first end of a vertical member. The driven gear is operatively engaged with the drive gear. The vertical member is perpendicular with respect to the horizontal member. An adapter housing is attached to an opposite end of the driven gear and is used to attach a bottom end of the vertical rod thereto. All component parts are supported by a base member that is attached to a wall. Turning the lever rotates the drive gear which rotates the vertical rod and, accordingly, opens or closes the blinds.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting dados in two boards used to form a box joint includes a support member and a rear member adapted for securing the apparatus to a miter of a table saw or to another type of a woodworking power tool. An insert assembly in the support member includes an adjustable elliptical pin having an oval shaped cross-section. The elliptical pin is adapted for rotational placement into a dado cut and, subsequent to its rotation sufficient to remove all slack intermediate the pin and the boards followed by a tightening thereof, for securing the boards in place for subsequent dado cuts. An insert is placed in the insert assembly and is used to establish the proper offset from the elliptical pin to a dado blade or other type of a cutting instrument. Different sized elliptical pins and inserts are used with different sized dado blades or cutting instruments. The step sequence necessary to make all of the dado cuts in both boards is described.

Abstract: An apparatus for the removal of objects and other debris from cement that is pumped via a concrete pump includes a secondary screen that is pivotally attached at one end thereof to a concrete pump a predetermined distance above a grate that is disposed over a hopper, the screen having a smaller opening size than that of the grate. An opposite end of the screen is urged toward an opposite end of the hopper by a pair of elastomeric straps. A pair of upraised sides are included at a top and bottom of the screen, the screen having a planar member that is disposed at a steeper angle than is the grate. When cement is poured it first contacts and passes through the secondary screen which automatically descends and rises, thereby maximizing the flow rate of cement through the screen as the objects are removed from the mixture.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing an electrical male plug to a female receptacle includes a serrated edge on at least one pin of the plug that cooperates with a retaining member in the receptacle. Linear insertion of the plug into the receptacle allows a portion of the retaining member to engage with at least one sawtooth of the serrated edge sufficient to secure the plug thereto until the retaining member is urged from a first position into a second position, the second position being adapted for release of the retaining member from the serrated edge, at which time the plug can be linearly withdrawn from the receptacle. Fixed-in-position as well as portable extension cord use is described.

Abstract: An apparatus for the cutting and removal of a braid from a person's natural hair includes a first member and a second member that are adapted to pivot about an axis under control by a hand of a user. The first member includes a linear longitudinal edge that cannot cut hair and is adapted to contact an inner edge of the second member. The inner edge includes a comb portion that is preferably detachable and an arcuate recess that provides an opening to receive the natural hair therein, a protrusion that functions as a pick to loosen the natural hair from the braid, and a cutting portion that is adapted to cut the braid where desired. Accordingly, all cutting, loosening, braid removal and combing operations are performed using the one apparatus, thereby expediting braid removal.

Abstract: An apparatus for amplifying the sound of a stringed instrument includes, in its most basic form, a speaker attached to a strap that is adapted to be draped around a musician with each end thereof detachably-attachable to the stringed instrument. An amplifier circuit, according to a first embodiment, is connected to the speaker and attached to the strap along with a battery. A pickup wire is attached to an input of the amplifier circuit and to an electrical jack on the musical instrument. Portable amplification of the stringed instrument is provided. Other embodiments disclose a remote amplifier circuit and a remote battery that are attached elsewhere to the musician while the amplifier circuit output remains connected to the speaker that is always attached to the strap. A two-piece strap is disclosed as are a variety of different types of speakers that are attached to any preferred version of the strap.

Abstract: An apparatus that is adapted to reduce wobble in a tripod that is used to hold an optical instrument, includes a triangular shaped base plate that includes an attachment to each leg of the tripod. The base plate includes slots at each corner or apex thereof that provides for an adjustment range sufficient for most types of tripods. A member that is attached to each leg of the tripod is attached to each corner of the base plate. A lighted carousel that includes a battery operated light and is adapted to hold a plurality of lenses is disposed above the base plate. According to a modification, the slots are eliminated from the base plate and an adjustment bar having a slot therein is attached at one end to a modified base plate and, at a remaining end, to a member that is attached to each of the legs of the tripod.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with posts includes a base section that is adapted to be placed on the ground and around a post. A plurality of stackable members are placed on top of the base section or on top of other stackable members. Each stackable member preferably includes a method of engaging mechanically with another stackable member or with the base section that is disposed below it sufficient to maintain a radial position relative to the stackable member or base section that is disposed below it. A plant support member that is adapted to receive a plant, a shrub, or a pot therein is attached to an arm which is attached to the stackable member or base section. Each of the plant support members is disposed at a different elevation and at a preferred radial position with respect to a plant support member that is disposed above or below it.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming and disconnecting an electrical path includes a split tine socket that is formed of a high yield strength conducting material or metal and which includes a plurality of tines. Each tine functions as a two stage spring to supply a normal force that urges the tine toward the center of the socket. Each tine is machined to include an undercut portion proximate a tip. The undercut portion of each tine produces a patch of material having a greater thickness than the undercut portion. The patch provides an area of electrical contact intermediate a pin and the tine and is adapted to receive and accommodate a pin that does not align axially with the socket. Each patch ensures that physical, and therefore electrical, contact with the pin will occur at the tip of each tine. A plurality of sockets are typically included in a connector.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing a fluid for human consumption includes a container. A spring is attached to a screw on type of lid disposed at the top of the container. A support member of a bobble head engages a top of the spring. A hole is provided in the container that is adapted to receive a straw. The support member is attached to a head. The spring supports the head above the lid so it can bobble from side to side, twist around a center axis, or bob up and down. The head is urged downward and protrusions and recesses in the support member and lid act like gear teeth to engage with each other and permit rotating the head and lid simultaneously to either loosen or tighten the lid. A modified threaded container having a lower and upper half is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing a food and beverage includes a substantially flat stock, for example, cardboard or fiberboard that includes a plurality of perimeter panels that are folded into a three-dimensional apparatus. When formed, the apparatus includes a compartment for holding a food and a beverage. A beverage retaining member attaches in any of a variety of ways where desired to any of the panels to secure various sizes of beverage containers in an upright position on top of a center panel. The outer perimeter panels are each attached on one edge thereof to the center panel and interlock with each other during assembly to prevent accidental opening of the apparatus. A notch is provided to accept a thumb of a user and a semi-spherical opening is provided to receive a napkin or utensil.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing a fluid for human consumption includes a container. A spring is attached to a screw on type of lid disposed at the top of the container. A support member of a bobble head engages a top of the spring. A hole is provided through the bobble head and support member that is adapted to receive a straw. The support member is attached to the bobble head. The spring supports the bobble head above the lid so it can bobble from side to side, twist around a center axis, or bob up and down. The head is urged downward and protrusions and recesses in the support member and lid act like gear teeth to engage with each other and permit rotating the head and lid simultaneously to either loosen or tighten the lid. A modified threaded container having a modified bobble head that is adapted to allow passage of the straw through the modified bobble head and including a lower and a separable upper half is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for the containment of objects includes a container having at least one expandable portion that includes an expandable surface and a plurality of elastomers connected to the container and to the expandable portion that normally supplies a force to the expandable surface to retract it toward the container. When the objects exceed the normal volume in the container and the container is closed, the elastomers expand where needed and to a minimum extent as needed sufficient to accommodate the objects. When the objects do not exceed the normal volume and the container is closed, the elastomers automatically retract the expandable portion into a retracted position.

Abstract: An apparatus for the focusing of incident light includes a base assembly that is adapted to support a primary mirror. The primary mirror includes an outside circumference and an inside aperture. An upright member is attached to the base assembly at a first end thereof at a first location that is disposed inside the aperture and at a second location that is disposed outside the primary mirror. The upright member includes a second end that is distally disposed with respect to the first end. The second end is adapted to receive a turret that includes a secondary mirror and is adapted to pivot between two positions. An IMU is attached to the base assembly proximate the primary mirror.

Abstract: An apparatus for directing air away from a register grill includes a shroud covering that is applied over the grill and a flexible conduit that is attached over an opening provided in the shroud. The flexible conduit is used to discharge air away from the grill where desired. A plurality of flexible conduits may be used with each grill. If desired, a detachable cover is used to obstruct air flow out of a discharge end of each flexible conduit. According to a modification, a section of rigid conduit is used in place of the flexible conduit. An intermediate section that is adapted to flex is attached to the shroud and disposed intermediate the grill and the rigid conduit to allow directional placement of the rigid conduit, where desired. The shroud is attached to the grill by screw fasteners, adhesive, magnetic means, or otherwise, as desired or it may be formed as an integral part of a replacement type of grill.