Abstract: A jewelry holding apparatus is adapted for attachment to a flat surface, and particularly the inner surface of a medicine cabinet door in the interest of convenience, privacy and space efficiency. The apparatus has a two-part frame which clips together to suspend a mesh screen for storing a variety of hook-type or loop earrings, as well as accessory hooks. The apparatus further includes an arrangement of adjacently positioned foam pillows that are packed tightly together for holding various items of jewelry between the foam pillows. An arrangement of hooks on the frame allow for storage of bracelets, watches, small necklaces, rings and earrings. One or more posts on either side of the top of the frame allow for hanging of longer necklaces. The apparatus mounts to the inner side of a medicine cabinet door using built-in magnets or adhesive pads.

Abstract: A disposable and recyclable water bottle formed of a non-toxic plastic composition includes a flexible sidewall, a neck with an open top and cap, and an open bottom end. A filter cartridge is received within the open bottom and contains activated carbon sandwiched between 0.7 to 50 microns filtration membranes, all contained between upper and lower perforated plates. A lower portion of the filtration cartridge provides a filling chamber for receiving a flow of unfiltered water on to the lower perforated plates for passage through the filter. An arrangement of slots in the walls of the filling chamber allows a portion of the flowing water to bypass the filter in order to prevent overflow when filling the bottle. A cap containing internal screw threads attaches to the external screw threads of the open bottom end, sealing the interior of the bottle. Once sealed, the contained water is allowed to move around in a fluid motion between the interior of the bottle and the filling chamber.

Abstract: An injury protection device for attachment over foot rest brackets on the front legs of a wheelchair includes a generally rectangular main body having an outer case constructed of a durable soft fabric material and defining a top side and a bottom side. An interior pocket formed between the top side and bottom side of the outer case is filled with a central core of premium densified batting sandwiched between upper and lower layers of polyester batting. An arrangement of tacking stitches made from the top side to the bottom side of the outer case increase flexibility of the main body and provide bend points to promote contoured wrapping of the main body around the front leg and foot rest brackets on a wheelchair, while also stabilizing the batting material fillers. A pair of straps extend from a side of the main body and include a component of a hook and loop fastener on one side for relaseable attachment with a mating component of a hook and loop fastener on the exterior top side of the case.

Abstract: An exercise grip and method for performing a low cable pectoral muscle development exercise is disclosed wherein the exercise grip is attachable to a cable weight system. The exercise grip includes a body substantially formed to receive thereon the palmer side of a human hand. The body has an upturned flange formed at an outer edge of the body to bear against the ulnar border of a human hand. An elongate finger grip extends from and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the upturned flange and is formed to accommodate the curled fingers of a human hand therearound. A thumb recess is adjacent to the finger grip opposite from the upturned flange for allowing a human thumb to bear thereagainst. A hook is affixed to the body proximate to the thumb recess to facilitate attachment to the cable of the cable weight system.

Abstract: A system for tracking objects includes a radio frequency (RF) transceiver device integrated in a wireless handheld personal electronic device (e.g., cell phone, BLACKBERRY, iPHONE) having a visual display, a battery power source and a selection of distinct audible ringtones. The transceiver device communicates via RF signals with transponders installed within or attached to personal objects such as, but not limited to: keys; wallets; laptops; handbags; handheld electronic devices; cameras; video cameras; MP3 players; sunglasses and pens. The tracked objects are programed into the wireless handheld electronic device and are viewable on the display, identifying the object by name, transponder number and identifying ringtone. The transceiver device is pre-programed to trigger alarm functions (e.g., distinct ringtone, vibration and/or visual indicator) of the wireless handheld device upon any one or more of the tracked objects becoming separated from the transceiver device beyond a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A measuring fluid dispenser for dispensing fluids in measured quantities has a user input device for generating at least one user input signal. A flow regulator provides a known fluid output flow rate by regulating fluid flow between an input port and an output port of the regulator. A first electronic valve is responsive to electronic signals, wherein a first electronic signal positions the first electronic valve in a flow permissive state, and a second electronic signal positions the first electronic valve in a flow restrictive (i.e. interrupting) state. The first electronic valve has a first valve input in fluid communication with the regulator output and also has a first valve output in fluid communication with a fluid output port. A processing unit is communicable with the user input device and is responsive to the user input signal, and is also in electronic communication with the first electronic valve for transmitting the electronic signals to the first electronic valve.

Abstract: An oil-based composition for application to mucosal surfaces of the human body provides potent activators of cytoprotective antioxidants. The composition includes the following ingredients: soy oil; coconut oil; orange oil; peppermint oil; aloe vera oil; vitamin E; and may further include jojoba and a preservative. Application of the composition increases expression of antioxidant genes and inhibits proinflammatory action caused by exposure to oxidant pollutants, allergens and other cytotoxins.

Abstract: A steering device includes a main body that attaches to a tow rope, inline between a towing vessel and a personal watercraft. The main body, which is positioned just forward of the personal watercraft, accommodates an extendable rudder that moves between a normally retracted position within the main body, and a lowered, operable position to exert a steering force on the main body and the personal watercraft. An elongate tiller extends between the rudder and a handle that is optimally positioned for grasping by the rider of the personal watercraft. In accordance with several embodiments, movement of the rudder from the relaxed, retracted position to the lowered, operable position is achieved by exerting a particular directional force on the handle (e.g., pulling, pushing forward, or lifting). Moving the handle to the left or the right achieves the desired steering action. Upon release of the handle by the rider, the rudder returns to the normally retracted position, thereby removing the steering influence.

Abstract: A swimming pool safety net system includes a net having a first edge affixable to a side of a swimming pool and a second edge extendable toward a center of the swimming pool. A plurality of actuators are substantially regularly spacing around a periphery of a swimming pool wherein each actuator has an extendable end affixed to the second edge of the net. A controller selectively operates the actuators between a retracted position with the second end of the net proximal to the side of the swimming pool and an extended position with the second end of the net extended toward the center of the swimming pool.

Abstract: An exercise device for strengthening the hands, wrists and forearms includes a main body providing a hand grip and an arm member linked to one end of the main body by a ball joint assembly to allow pivoting movement of the hand grip relative to the arm member. A selectively adjustable drag assembly imparts a variable controlled force of resistance to the rotational movement of the hand grip about a central longitudinal axis. The exterior of the main body is formed of a resilient rubber material, such as a spongy foam rubber, and is textured to include segmented ribs to simulate a hand grenade shell. A flexible strap with a releasable fastening mechanism attaches between a distal end of the arm member and the user's wrist to effectively anchor the arm member to the user. While grasping the main body, the user turns his/her hand forwards and backwards in a rotating motion against the resistance of the drag assembly.

Abstract: An engine includes a radial arrangement of cylinders each having a reciprocating piston with a piston head and a connecting rod pivotally linked to the piston head at an upper end. A lower end of each connecting rod is pivotally linked to a crank disk that is rotatably mounted on a crank arm of a crankshaft. Steam intake valves at each cylinder are momentarily opened by a bearing cam roller that is moved in a circular path by rotation of the crank disk to sequentially engage spring urged cam followers on inboard ends of radially extending valve stems. Low pressure steam or gas is injected into the top of each cylinder, as the intake valves of the cylinders are opened in sequence, thereby forcing the piston in each cylinder through a power stroke to move the crank disk and turn the crankshaft. Angular displacement of each connecting rod through the return stroke of the piston urges an exhaust reed valve on the piston head to an open position, thereby releasing exhaust steam to a condenser chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting secured online financial transactions on the Internet provides an electronically readable e-commerce card issued by a financial institution, as well as an electronic card reading device that communicates with the card owner's computer. To enable an online financial transaction on the Internet, the e-commerce card must first be read by the electronic card reading device. Next, the card owner is required to input a security code, and possibly other personal security information, that is known only by the user to the exclusion of others, including the card issuer. This system and method effectively decentralizes the personal security codes and other security information of all e-commerce card owners using the system, thereby substantially reducing the likelihood and extent of fraud and theft stemming from the traditional financial card (e.g.

Abstract: A mattress has at least one cavity that is covered by a flap formed by the top quilt or covering of the mattress. The cavity is formed by eliminating one or more foam layers corresponding to the size, shape and depth of the desired cavity. In a preferred embodiment, two or more cavities are provided, each at a corner of the mattress. The top quilt, forming the flap, is secured with the use of releasable fasteners, such as hook and loop fasteners, to completely conceal the pocket when closed. The releasable fasteners allow the flap to be conveniently opened and closed so that jewelry, currency or other valuables and items can be placed within or removed from the one or more hidden cavities. The manner of creating the hidden cavity allows for ease in manufacturing without additional cost, labor or materials other than the releasable fasteners.

Abstract: A flash accessory device readily adaptable to most compact digital camera models provides a hand grip with a mounting base for attachment to the bottom of a compact digital camera. The hand grip contains a multi-mode digital pre-flash detector circuit, a wireless transmitter and a battery power source. An articulating arm extends from the hand grip and is adjustably movable relative to the front of the camera in order to position a sensor on the end of the articulating arm directly in front of the camera's built-in flash. A cup member surrounding the sensor covers the built-in flash to block light emitted by the built-in flash. Light from the built-in flash is detected by the sensor which triggers transmission of a wireless signal from the transmitter to a receiver in a remote flash device to thereby activate illumination of the remote flash in synchronization with activation of the built-in camera flash.

Abstract: A method provides the steps of: bending a first length of hot rolled steel bar to define a trunk member of a tree frame; bending and welding second cut lengths of hot rolled steel bar onto a bottom end of the trunk member to define feet members; placing a planting pot on top of the feet members with the trunk member extending up through and above the pot; bending and welding third cut lengths of hot rolled steel bar to the trunk member at spaced intervals above the pot to define branch arms; planting flowering vine plants in the pot and braiding the vines up the trunk member and out onto the branch arms; trimming the vines on the trunk member to remove foliage; and allowing foliage of the flowering vine plants to grow on the branch arms to create the appearance of a giant Bonzai tree.

Abstract: An auxiliary drain pan for catching liquid that leaks or overflows from an appliance, system or machinery includes a central well and a pan plate surrounding the central well. The pan plate has a top surface that is sloped downwardly towards the central well such that, when the drain pan is operatively positioned on a generally horizontal plane, liquid on the top surface flows into the confined area of the well, thereby minimizing the weight of liquid collected in the drain pan. The well includes a drain line connection port and a removable wall segment for optional attachment of a water detection device. Parallel score lines in the pan plate, extending both longitudinally and transversely on all sides, define removable areas for adjustment of the overall size and shape of the drain pan, thereby allowing for customized sizing at the installation site.