Abstract: Nail clippers having both shielded cutting blades to prevent intentional or accidental injury and an integral means for collecting clipped nails. The nail clippers include two hollow cylindrical housings each having both a closed and open end. The edges of the open ends of both housings each have a corresponding concave sharpened section, forming the cutting edges of a nail clipping slot. The housings are both slideably connected to and spring biased against each other. A nail inserted into the nail clipping slot is clipped by squeezing the housings together. Clipped nails are collected in the closed end of one of the housings. The closed end may be opened and/or removed to discard the clippings.

Abstract: A system of hardware, software and a business method that enables printer and copier vendors to outsource network printing. The method is implemented on a local area network including a server PC, a plurality of connected client PCs, and a plurality of printers each networked through a secure network connection device that communicates only with Secure Print Servers. The business method comprises the steps of running Assessment Software over a test interval to determine a customer's printer cost per page, making an outsourcing proposal to the customer based on the customer's printer cost per page and a predetermined rationalization of printer layout, conducting a network survey to determine the customer's network characteristics, and installing print job tracking software on secure print servers attached to the customer's network. The print job tracking software captures all print traffic and automatically sends print job data to a secure web-site database for review by Dealers and Customers.

Abstract: A pneumatically actuated valve assembly for use as intake and/or exhaust valves on two- or four-stroke internal combustion engines. The assembly includes a valve (100), valve housing (200), and compressed gas distribution and timing mechanisms (FIGS. 5–8). The valve (100) is comprised of a short light weight hollow cylindrical body with a capped lower end and an opened upper end. The valve is further defined by a plurality of ports (104) adjacent to the lower end and a collar (198) encircling the body adjacent the upper end. The valve housing (200) is hollow and tubular having a larger diameter upper section and a smaller diameter lower section in which the valve (100) slides up to close and down to open. The housing (200) further includes hollow channels which direct compressed gas, managed by the distribution and timing mechanism, alternately towards the areas above and below the valve collar at regular intervals to open and close the valve, respectively.

Abstract: A wind meter comprising a plurality of micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) differential pressure sensors positioned in a lobed housing, with an even number of circumferential ports arranged in an equally-spaced, circular pattern at the distal ends of the lobes of the housing, with tubes leading inward from the ports to the MEM sensors. The MEM sensors and other control system electronics are contained in the housing and are fully enclosed therein. The lobed housing structure does not impede or influence the movement of the wind as it passes and yet serves to prevent the ingress of moisture into the housing, thereby preventing fouling of the sensors. The tubular structures include an internal coating of hydrophobic material and are oriented at a slight angle from the horizontal in order to accomplish this protection. The openings at the ends of the tubular structures are positioned outside the fluid boundary layer.

Abstract: A computer workstation having a desktop/work surface defined by a central aperture and a pivoting liquid crystal display (LCD) support panel mounted on pivot shafts in the aperture. In addition, a sliding input device platform is mounted on telescoping roller brackets underneath the front edge of the work surface. Lever arms are rotatably engaged with the pivot shafts and are linked to the roller brackets. The lever arms automatically pivot the LCD support panel to an upright position upon extension of the input device platform, and vice versa, and a hydraulic damper brings the LCD support panel to a safe, gentle stop. Aa mercury switch turns the LCD on and off automatically upon opening or closing. Two or more such LCD support panels and associated hardware can be included in a single desktop/work surface for a computer training and/or conferences.

Abstract: An improved ten-layer performance polarized lens for sunglasses. The lens design maximizes visual acuity while minimizing blue-light transmission using a multi-layer dielectric mirror to reduces glare and overall light transmission, two layers of high-contrast blue-blocking amber CR-39 plastic or polycarbonate, sandwiching a polarizing layer. An outer hydrophobic overcoat is also provided to protect against haze, delamination, and smudging, The foregoing layers are arranged to provide a balanced light transmission profile optimum for use on the water in which 100% of UV-A & B light is absorbed to at least 400 nm. The resulting dielectric-mirrored sunglass lens reduces both overall light transmission and ocular photochemical damage.

Abstract: A method for power saving routing in wireless networks is disclosed. The present invention calculates a distance to a destination node to select and estimate candidate nodes so as to reduce the amount of calculations in the event of routing. Furthermore, the invention repeats the algorithm by optimum value n so that accessibility to the destination node can be obtained. This enables more efficient routing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an EL metal dome keypad which comprises a plurality of domes which are disposed at positions corresponding to fixed contact terminals of a printed circuit board and are brought into contact with or separated from the fixed contact terminals by means of elastic deformation; a base tape which is laminated on the printed circuit board, has a plurality of holes formed at positions corresponding to the domes, and is used to mount the domes to the printed circuit board by inserting and holding the domes into the formed holes; double-sided adhesive tape which is laminated in the base tape and the domes inserted into and held to the holes formed in the base tape, and used to attach and hold the base tape and the dome thereon; and an EL sheet which is attached and laminated on the double-sided adhesive tape.

Abstract: An adjustable device installed at the inlet of conventional junctions/splitters (116) for on-line control of the distribution of coal among the outlet pipes is herein disclosed. The device includes a plurality of wake inducing airfoils (60) each positioned upstream of a plurality of flow channels in the riffler (50) for directing coal flow to the outlet pipes. Each wake-inducing airfoil has a cross-section defined by a width W that varies along its length H for creating upstream turbulence, and a particle wake that preferentially diverts the coal flow to one of the outlet pipes at the splitter junction without affecting primary air flow. For example, each wake inducing airfoil may comprise a rounded convex edge leading to straight tapered sides. The surfaces of the sides may be roughened or textured (63) for promoting turbulent boundary layers. In addition, conventional fixed or variable orifices may be used in combination with the wake inducing airfoils for balancing primary air flow rates.

Abstract: A valve stem pressure poppet incorporated into a tire valve cap for monitoring tire air pressure. The indicator assembly is screw attached by a connector onto an existing valve stem. The assembly includes a hollow outer tube for housing a slideably disposed indicator, a sealed space above the indicator, a compression spring and a connector end fitting. An air passage runs throughout the length the indicator. Once the assembly is engaged, pressurized air feeds directly through the indicator into the sealed space, forcing the indicator down against the force of the compression spring. If the tire remains above a predetermined critical low pressure point, the indicator will remain in the down “equilibrium” position. However, if the air pressure in the tire drops below the critical pressure point the compression force of the spring will overcome the downward pressure on the indicator, and the indicator disengages or “pops” up.

Abstract: A temporary under-eye anti-glare sport tattoo comprised of a solid dermatological composition with anti-glare properties. The composition forms a film that is deposited on a person's skin underneath the eyes and over the cheekbones by a dry transfer method. The film thus applied reduces eye glare and increases contrast sensitivity. By incorporating team or business logos, trademarks or the like, into the film, the present invention also serves as either an advertising mechanism for businesses or a mechanism to promote team spirit. The film is able to sustain a predefined shape, has adhesive properties, is water resistant, color fast, and heat resistant. The composition comprises oil, a gelling compound, dyes and a mixture of wax and carbon.

Abstract: A spraying system for the application of fertilizer, insecticides, fungicides, etc. to plants, vegetables, small trees and lawns. The spraying system presents several improvements over the original Lacy Sprayer (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,852) inclusive an improved bladder attachment and improved bladder design, and a new pressure-limiting flow restrictor to ensure safe operation, and a spray discharge fitting incorporating a porous filter to protect the bladder from excessive stresses. The spray hose is connected to this assembly. The improved system facilitates a method of use in which the tank containing the spray solution is placed stationery in an area to be sprayed. The operator attaches a long (30?+ or ?) small diameter spray hose for remote spraying within a radius permitted by the spray hose. The spraying system avoids the need to pump or to carry a heavy tank while spraying.

Abstract: An improved ten-layer performance polarized lens for sunglasses. The lens design maximizes the benefit to watermen, giving them a combination of outer hydrophobic overcoat to protect the lens from seawater and smudging, multi-layer dielectric mirror which further reduces glare and overall light transmission, two layers of high-contrast blue-blocking amber or color-discriminating grey ophthalmic CR-39™ plastic or polycarbonate, sandwiching a polarizing layer. The foregoing layers are arranged to provide a balanced light transmission profile optimum for use on the water in which 100% of UV-A & B light is absorbed to at least 400 nm. An alternative embodiment is described in which a Rugate filter is incorporated in place of or in addition to the multi-layer dielectric mirror. The resulting watermens' dielectric-mirrored sunglass lens reduces both overall light transmission and ocular photochemical damage, and is available in either high-contrast blue-light blocking amber or grey coloration.

Abstract: An apparatus designed to assist the manual transportation of large, heavy or unwieldy articles. The preferred embodiment is an economically-designed mattress caddy fabricated of a variety of strong light-weight materials (e.g. nylon, aluminum) to provide functionality and durability. The main components of the present invention include a support strap, with handles formed at each end, and two cradle assemblies. To transport a mattress, the apparatus is first laid out lengthwise, with the cradle assemblies positioned open-end-up, to facilitate the loading of the mattress. The cradle assemblies are then positioned along the strap at intervals. A long edge of the mattress is then placed into each of the cradle assemblies. Each individual then grasps a handle with one hand, places his/her other hand on opposite surfaces of the vertically-oriented mattress to balance the load, and lifts the mattress off of the ground/floor.

Abstract: An optical media disc protector comprising a transparent plastic disc formed in a substantially circular configuration with a center-hole, and a temporary adhesive applied to one side of said plastic disc for removable bonding with a media disc. The laser of a conventional player can read the contents of the optical disk through the disc protector. In one embodiment, water-soluble adhesive is applied to one side of the optical media disc protector, such as in an inner ring around the center-hole, and a peripheral outer ring. In another embodiment, the transparent plastic disc is formed in a substantially circular configuration with a center-hole and a plurality of axial tabs protruding from about its periphery. Temporary pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to one side of each of the tabs. In both cases a removable backing may be supplied to protect the adhesive until application.