Abstract: A Quick-release Gun Lock is disclosed. The gun lock comprises a base that cooperates with the gun's extractor, a pliable and expandable portion attached to the base for expanding to create an interference fit with the gun's bore, and a compression shaft that, when rotated, will force the expandable portion outwardly to create the interference fit. The device may further include a cam hub that interacts with the compression shaft to provide the desired interference fit with less than one rotation.

Abstract: An Improved Ground Cover Cutter is disclosed. Also disclosed is a device that permits the user to cut normal home garden green waste and other plant material into plugs that can then be used as a highly efficient and decorative ground cover. The disclosed cutter may be configured to be portable and further may include a collapsible platform that is configured to permit the cutter to rest atop a receptacle, such as a standard trash can, while in use. The preferred device and method provide the ability to cooperatively use a standard off-the-shelf hand circular saw to cut the plugs. The device preferably also includes a saw chamber for reducing the emission of environmental noise and dust. It is a further feature of the device to include a feed stabilizer means for restrain materials being fed down the device's feed tunnel and into the cutting chamber.

Abstract: An Improved Bus Seat Safety Restraint is disclosed. The preferred safety restraint comprises a padded U-shaped bar that has indexed stops at stowed, in-use and lower locked positions. The bar locks and restrains the passenger when the vehicle experiences a side or front collision, or if the vehicle rolls over. The bar preferably has a single, fixed pivot point. The bar further comprises a padded thigh pad that is height-adjustable to provide greater comfort to a wide variety of body shapes and sizes. Still further, the restraint bar system is installable and easily aligned on both new and existing buses and other mass transportation vehicles.

Abstract: A Vehicle-Mountable Picture Frame is disclosed. Also disclosed is a frame that includes a front side and a back side and a pocket formed therebetween, and having an aperture at the top for inserting photographs therethrough. The frame further includes one or more display portions disposed on the front side for displaying indicia there. The frame further includes a variety of attachment mechanisms that are connected to the backside of the frame via a swiveling attachment. The attachment mechanisms are configured to attach to a variety of surfaces within a vehicle, and further to permit the interchangeability of the attachment mechanisms with a variety of other types of mechanisms. The frame further is available in a variety of shapes and sizes to provide a package that is pleasing to the user's eye.

Abstract: A Retractable Funnel is shown. Also shown is a funnel that includes a base that is insertible within an existing reservoir and a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the base. The fins are configured so that they will collapse to form a tube such that the funnel can be slid into the reservoir. Each of the tips of the fins include lip segments provided to form a continuous lip ring when the fins are collapsed into the tube. The preferred lip ring prevents the funnel from falling into the reservoir, while still permitting the lid of the reservoir to be attached over the funnel. The funnel's base further includes a ridge running around its periphery in order to restrain the funnel from being inadvertently removed from the reservoir when extending the funnel for use.

Abstract: An Improved Collet Assembly and Manufacturing Process is disclosed. Also disclosed is an improved collet that includes a spindle, a center portion comprising several tabs and a collar. The disclosed collet is manufactured from a single piece of stock, and as such, the tabs are formed from this unitary piece. The disclosed collet is inserted into a collet housing that is further defined by a bore at its center. The preferred collet housing bore is further defined by a sloped portion that cooperates with the tabs formed on the collet to restrain a burr shaft from rotational or axial movement. The collet assembly of the present invention provides improved balance and therefore wear properties over previous collet assemblies. In particular, the disclosed collet assembly is well-suited for application inside a canister assembly of an air-powered dental tool handpiece.

Abstract: An Improved Bucket Stand is disclosed. The stand includes a base and at least one receptacle extending generally vertically, provided for the storage of elongate items. The preferred stand includes clamp means for attaching to the bucket or pail, and in other embodiments, a wheel or castor on its bottom to provide the bucket with mobility. The stand might also include the ability to insert elongate tubes into one of the previously-mentioned receptacles in order to permit the stand assembly to be collapsible for storage. Finally, the stand also may include a generally circular base, and still further include an embodiment wherein a plurality of peripheral receptacles be formed in the base for further storage utility.

Abstract: A Bus Pan Cover is disclosed. Also disclosed is a cover that includes a top and a plurality of sides to form a cover for a conventional bus pan. The cover further includes a pass-through aperture formed in the top such that the user might access the bus pan for passing dishes and the like therethrough. The preferred cover includes one or more handle apertures formed in the sides such that the handles formed in a standard bus pan line up to provide access thereto through the handle apertures so that the cover and bus pan might be picked up in a single motion. Finally, the cover might furthermore include decorative or informative display panels formed on the sides to display indicia or otherwise improve the aesthetic qualities of the bus pan and cover.

Abstract: A Coin Bank Having Twistable Segments is disclosed. Also disclosed is a bank that has a lockable lid and a plurality of twistable segments, such that when the segments are aligned in the proper rotational position in relation to the throat and base of the bank, then the lid will be unlocked. The bank includes a lid that is hinged and further is defined by a slot formed therethrough for inserting thin objects, such as coins, through the slot and into the bank. The bank also includes a coin detector for detecting when a coin is placed into the slot, and responsively playing sounds perceptible to the human ear. Furthermore the segments are formed from circular rings having artwork or other indexing markings on their outer surface, such that when the artwork or indexing markings are aligned, then the segments are aligned with the non-rotating base, and the lid can be unlocked.

Abstract: A Formulation and Process for the Selective Control of Bermuda and other grasses in Bentgrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Dichondera, Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Annual and perennial Ryegrass and St. Augustinegrass turfs and Iceplant is disclosed. The disclosed process and formulation will not leave bare holes in the turf being treated. The disclosed formulation will not leave a chemical residue that is harmful to the turf under treatment. Said disclosed process may be employed as a preventive measure, such that bermudagrass and the like will be prevented from re-sprouting in the turf after the initial eradication. Also disclosed is a formulation and process that includes a biodegradable surfactant. Said surfactant is applyable to plants when the ambient temperature is in excess of eighty degrees Fahrenheit (80.degree. F.) without harming the turf plants.

Abstract: An Improved Vehicle Curtain is disclosed. The curtain system is installable with suction cups to the windshield or other vehicle window, and further includes a telescoping suspension member for hanging the flexible sheet from during use, and wrapping the flexible sheet around when stowing the sheet. The flexible sheet might also be stowed by wrapping around a sun visor. The suspension member is attached to the window via a pair of a variety of mounting assemblies configured to fit virtually every window configuration. The curtain system also includes support brackets for insertion at the door post trim pieces such that the suspension member might be extended fully around the perimeter of the vehicle and that flexible sheets might be used to cover all windows. The support brackets permit the user to cover side windows that roll down without interfering with the rolling down and up of the side windows.

Abstract: A Lockable Stand for Trailers is disclosed. The preferred stand comprises an upwardly-extending pedestal assembly terminating in a head assembly that is configured to lockably attach to a trailer tongue. The preferred head assembly will further include a detachable ball for accepting the trailer tongue and a pair of vertical side brackets through which a removable tongue lock extends to prevent the tongue from being removed from the ball. The stand is very compact for convenience, while also being stable to prevent trailer roll-away. In another preferred form, the pedestal assembly is height-adjustable to accommodate a variety of trailer styles and designs. The pedestal assembly might also be made from two telescoping pieces that can further be disassembled for storage or transport.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a chamber filled with fluid and cascading contents, such that when tape is dispensed, the chamber rotates, thereby causing the cascading contents to cascade through the fluid. Furthermore, the cascading chamber assembly includes a display portion and a clear chamber cover whereby indicia inscribed on the display portion are viewable through the chamber cover. Also, the dispenser may include a sound-producing mechanism for producing an entertaining sound or sounds when the chamber rotates.

Abstract: A Collapsible Rotary Blister Sealer with Improved Heating Plate Assembly is disclosed. The disclosed blister sealer comprises a lightweight, tubular frame, detachable legs and a lightweight, modular turntable. Further disclosed is a sealer that is mountable on a table-top or other horizontal surface. Said disclosed turntable is height-adjustable; easily removable, and further includes an indexing means for stopping said turntable at predetermined angular positions. The disclosed press of the present blister sealer may be height- and pressure-adjustable, and said frame may further include a strut to further strengthen said frame when greater pressures are desired from said press. It is further disclosed that said sealer include a unique heater plate assembly that permits easy access to the heating coils and further may include a protective sheath to prevent damage to said heater plate assembly.

Abstract: A Quick-release Gun Lock is disclosed. The gun lock comprises a base that cooperates with the gun's extractor, a pliable and expandable portion attached to the base for expanding to create an interference fit with the gun's bore, and a compression shaft that, when rotated, will force the expandable portion outwardly to create the interference fit. The device may further include a cam hub that interacts with the compression shaft to provide the desired interference fit with less than one rotation.

Abstract: An Exchangeable Stacked Pickup Assembly for Stringed Instruments is disclosed. The preferred system and assembly permit the user to change magnet characteristics and/or the number of coil windings without necessitating string removal and subsequent guitar re-tuning. The pickup system further includes a lower coil assembly for attaching to the face of a guitar or other stringed instrument, and an upper coil assembly for attaching to, and detaching from the lower coil assembly. As described, the lower coil assembly and the upper coil assembly include conventional pickup coil assemblies, which are in electrical circuit when attached to one another. Furthermore, the preferred system includes a variety of upper coil assemblies, each having unique electromagnetic qualities, such that the user need only exchange one upper coil assembly with another in order to effect a desired change in sound to the stringed instrument.