Abstract: An apparatus for the prevention of a dog from inhaling a weed seed includes a collar assembly that secures the apparatus around the neck of a dog and is adjustable in length. A snout assembly includes a pair of side plates that are disposed in a parallel spaced-apart orientation on either side of a snout of a dog. A mesh is disposed intermediate at least a portion of the side plates so that the mesh is disposed over a nose portion of the snout of the dog when the apparatus is worn by the dog. The mesh prevents the dog from inhaling certain weed seeds, for example, a foxtail seed through its nostrils and into its nose.

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 includes a first stage that has a smaller inside diameter and is therefore thicker than an adjacent second stage. The outside diameter of both stages includes a taper so that the tines are nearly cylindrical when fully mated with a pin. The second stage includes a reverse taper whereby it has a larger inside diameter proximate the first stage than at an opposite end proximate a tip, which ensures that physical, and therefore electrical, contact with the pin will occur at the tip of the tine. The first stage is in electrical contact with a socket contact portion that is typically crimped or soldered onto a wire. A plurality of sockets are typically included in a connector.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of using jewelry to mark the attainment of personal goals includes a first and a second article of jewelry. An object that has a message inscribed thereon, preferably in shorthand, is detachably attached to the first article of jewelry until the attainment has occurred. Subsequent to the attainment, the object is removed from the first article of jewelry and is transferred to the second article of jewelry where it remains indefinitely. The second article of jewelry is adapted to retain a plurality of objects.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing ventilation into a vehicle includes an exterior frame and a plurality of openings disposed within the frame. A longitudinal recess along a bottom of the apparatus and a longitudinal ridge extends along a top the apparatus. In use, a window of the vehicle is lowered to provide an opening and the apparatus is inserted therein with the recess down and the ridge up. The window is partially raised sufficient for the window to partially enter into the recess opening. The window is further raised an amount sufficient to raise the vent upward and to cause the ridge to enter into a groove at a top of a door frame, thereby retaining the vent in position. An optional pair of adjustable wings are used to accommodate various sizes of openings and an optional hood to prevent access to a door locking knob.

Abstract: An apparatus for the control of electrical energy use by an end-user includes a control panel that is disposed in an electrical distribution panel. The control panel includes a microprocessor and control lines that are adapted to set a main circuit breaker in an on or an off position as well as a plurality of the individual branch circuits. The control panel can be programmed by the end-user to comply with mandatory power outages to shut off the main circuit breaker when desired and to maintain it off for a predetermined period of time. Upon resumption of power, the control panel turns on the individual branch circuit breakers one at a time, pauses, and then turns on the next, and so on until all of the branch circuit breakers have been turned back on. According to an enhancement, the utility company can program the control panel via a telephone line and verify compliance with any required power outage.

Abstract: A method and product for removing at MTBE molecules from a solution, such as a contaminated aquifer, includes exposing the solution to a plurality of molecularly imprinted polymer beads (MIPS) that have receptor sites on the surfaces thereof that include imprints that match the physical shape of at least a portion of an MTBE molecule. A quantity of the MTBE molecules align with and adhere to some of the receptor sites and, accordingly, they are removed from the solution producing a remediated solution. According to one embodiment, the MIPS are contained in an enclosure having a plurality of openings large enough to permit the solution to pass through and small enough so as to prevent the MIPS from passing through. According to a preferred embodiment the MIPS are applied (i.e., coated) to the inside surface of a conduit and the solution is forced or allowed to flow through the conduit thereby removing some of the MTBE molecules therefrom.

Abstract: A portable venting commode apparatus includes a chute attached to a toilet seat that is inserted into a conventional type of flush-type toilet. A modified tapered chute is described along with a seal mechanism. A DC brushless fan motor and flexible vent hoses are used to conduct offensive smelling vapors through an opening in the toilet seat, through a vent assembly and out of the area. A modified stand alone apparatus that does not cooperate with the flush-type toilet is described that includes a removable container for collecting the urine and fecal matter therein that is later emptied when needed. The fan is used to expel the vapors under positive pressure through one of the vent hoses to a distal location.

Abstract: An apparatus for the education and entertainment of infants includes a housing that supports a plurality of objects over a crib or playpen and which rotates the objects in a circle. An audio program includes a recitation of each object when it is disposed proximate an infant disposed in the crib or playpen. Accordingly, the infant learns to associate the speech aspect of the audio presentation with the objects through a pattern of continual visual and synchronized simultaneous audio repetition and reinforcement, thereby optimally learning the names of objects and possibly even contributing to the learning of speech syntax.

Abstract: An apparatus for temporarily securing an object includes a first jaw that includes a needle-nose shape that is less than three-eight's of an inch thick and an opposite second jaw that includes a shape that resembles a letter “C” and has a throat depth that exceeds one inch. The first jaw includes a plurality of serrations along an inner surface for a predetermined longitudinal length. A clamping embodiment and two non-clamping embodiments are described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapidly and safely installing a door panel over an automobile door frame includes a rectangular solid body that is preferably formed of a polyethylene plastic. The body includes a nose portion that has a recessed area. The recessed area has a tapered plane that is used to progressively urge the panel around a lip of the frame when the body is impacted, such as by an air impact hammer. The body has an opposite end distally disposed from the nose that includes a cylindrical recess which is adapted to receive a shaft therein, the shaft being adapted for use with the air impact hammer. A fin extends from the nose portion at an angle with respect to the shaft and is used to prevent the tool from rolling into the panel during installation. In use a first pass around the perimeter of the panel is made with the tool close to normal to initially set the panel in position around the lip. A second pass is then made at more of an angle to complete the crimp of the panel fully around the lip.

Abstract: A control system for maintaining the temperature and humidity for a wine storage area within a predetermined range and at low operating cost includes a conduit field buried in a sand layer at a depth where the temperature normally ranges from 55 to 57 degrees F. An air intake is preferably disposed on a north side of a new or existing structure and draws outside ambient air into the conduit field when an exhaust fan is on and a partial vacuum is created in the wine storage area. The temperature and humidity of the ambient air are altered, as desired, during its passage through the conduit field until it is discharged in the wine storage area as a conditioned air. A pair of thermostats each individually control operation of the exhaust fan so as to maintain temperature below a first maximum setting and above a second minimum setting.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying electrical power to a receptacle connector of a railroad car includes embedding a rigid support ring in an elastomeric nose portion of the receptacle connector. The support ring is disposed substantially in the elastomeric nose portion above a circumferential lip that extends along the inside circumference of the receptacle connector. The support ring preferably includes a raised portion and radius edges.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a book or magazine for reading includes a bottom member and a top member. The top member is elevated at one end above the bottom member and is adapted to pivot about an axis from a first closed position for reading into a second open position for turning the pages. At least a portion of the top member is transparent to permit viewing of printed matter through the top member, which is adapted to press upon the book or magazine when it is disposed in the first position. A lip is attached to the bottom member and is used to further retain the book or magazine in position. A marking device is optionally detachably-attached to a top portion of the apparatus. A stand is described upon which the apparatus may be placed for hands-free use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the separation of husks and other chaff material apart from bird seed includes a smaller diameter inner container that is placed inside of a larger diameter outer container. A plurality of feet elevate the inner container above a floor of the outer container. A lid is used to cover the outer container and also the inner container. A housing is attached to the inside center of the lid and it includes a motor disposed distally from the lid with a fan blade attached thereto to displace air. A plurality of vanes are attached to the housing from which they extend until they contact the inside surface of the inner container. The vanes prevent a cyclonic air current pattern from occurring and so help to displace the husks apart from the seed. An offset mass introduces vibration which tends to raise more of the husks to the surface where they are displaced out from the inner container.

Abstract: An apparatus for the display and presentation of materials, such as an artist's painting or other presentation material, has a first planar member that is pivotally attached to a second planar member and adapted to rotate at least ninety degrees about an axis passing therethrough from a first, landscape orientation into a second, portrait orientation. A lip is attached to the second planar member for supporting the material. A third planar member is hingedly attached to the second planar member and is adapted to pivot about a hinge in an arc. A cord and retainer limits the maximum amount of pivot of the third planar member away from the second planar member.

Abstract: A wheeled apparatus is provided that converts alternate back and forth longitudinal motion supplied by the arms of a user to a pair of members into rotary motion that is used to drive the apparatus forward. The members drive special rack gears that include upper and side gear teeth. An idler gear engages the side teeth and maintains alignment between the two rack gears. The upper teeth of each rack gear drive a first gear of a pair of coaster gears. When the first gear is rotated or driven in a first direction a second gear of each coaster gear also rotates in the first direction. When the first gear is rotated in an opposite direction, the second gear is adapted to coast. Each second gear is operatively connected to a first and to a second driven gear by a first and second chain respectively. The first and second driven gears are attached to a rear wheel of the apparatus and which each are adapted to urge the apparatus forward.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the tasting of wine includes providing a conduit with an upper end and an opposite bottom end. The bottom end is sealed and preferably solid and it includes a first opening that is disposed slightly above the bottom end. The first opening is adapted to permit the wine, absent any sedimentation, to enter into the conduit when a partial vacuum is created at the upper end. A smaller second opening is provided between the upper end and the first opening that is adapted to introduce a quantity of ambient air into the conduit when a partial vacuum is created. The quantity of ambient air that is introduced is limited by the small size of the second opening to ensure that a partial vacuum sufficient to draw the wine through the conduit is maintained. The ambient air mixes with the wine that is passing through the conduit to aerate the wine in the conduit prior to its tasting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to create corsage or wristlet types of floral arrangements includes a planar base member having a preferred ornamental shape to which a length of ribbon is attached. A length of fabric netting is gathered and is attached to the base member on top of, or simultaneously along with, the ribbon. The gathered fabric netting is trimmed as desired to provide preferably an oval three-dimensional shape, thereby completing the assembly of the apparatus. In use, the bottom of a plurality of blooms are dipped in a floral adhesive and pressed into the fabric netting to which they adhere until the entire fabric netting is sufficiently covered with blooms. The ribbon is used to tie the arrangement around a wrist or the excess ribbon is cut off and a decorative pin is used to secure the base member to a garment.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with umbrella types of folding strollers includes a platform with two casters disposed under opposite rear corners thereof. A pair of members are attached to the platform and extend vertically a predetermined distance from two opposite front corners. The pair of members each include a ninety degree radius turn and continue to extend in a direction away from the rear of the platform. The pair of members each terminate in a loop, at least one of the loops having an axial offset wherein an end thereof is disposed further away from a center of the apparatus than is the remainder of the loop. A rod with an offset weight at a first end is provided. The main longitudinal axis of the rod includes a jog at an opposite second end. The rod can be inserted through the loop having the axial offset only if the offset weight is held vertically above the main longitudinal axis of the rod.

Abstract: An apparatus for the protection of a face in general, and in particular the eyes, ears, nose, and respiratory system of a user includes a flexible material that is adapted to be disposed over a portion of the face. The flexible material includes a first end of an upper band or cord that extends from one side thereof and enters into a first seam of the flexible material. The first seam extends along an upper perimeter of the flexible material under the ears and around the back of the neck of the user and to the opposite side of the flexible material. A second end of the upper cord exits from the seam and passes through a first hole in a shield, the shield being formed of a transparent material, for example, a clear plastic. The first end of the upper cord passes through a second hole in the shield. The first and second ends can be displaced with regard to the first and second holes and retain the shield in an upper position relative to the face of the user.