Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating electricity from the movement of seawater in ocean currents. An impeller is set within a stationary frame. The impeller rotates around a non-moving shaft. There are four sets of electromagnetic coils, two of which are stationary, and two of which rotate with the impeller. The first set of coils is stationary. The second and third sets of coils rotate with the impeller. The second set of coils moves past the first set, generating an electric current which is used to energize the third set of coils. The fourth set of coils is also stationary. The third set of coils moves past the fourth set, generating another electric current, part of which is fed back to the first set of coils until they are brought to a maximum operating electro-magnetic field density, and part of which is transmitted externally to supply electric power on shore.

Abstract: A method of removing salt from seawater to produce potable freshwater. Apparatus that may be used with the method includes a large metal cylinder, with open top and bottom ends, anchored to the sea floor offshore. Several pressure hulls may be attached to the side of the cylinder. Within each pressure hull there are several reverse osmosis devices (“RODs”), each containing a membrane that will allow water molecules, but not sodium and chlorine ions, to pass through. Due to the pressure differential, freshwater passes through the membranes by reverse osmosis, and is pumped out of the pressure hulls to a storage facility onshore. After equilibrium is reached, the pumps for the brine can be turned off, as gravity will cause brine to flow down from the pressure hulls through an opening in the bottom of the cylinder. Alternatively, a reverse osmosis system may be supported on an elevated undersea platform.

Abstract: A switching apparatus and method designed to control a car radio or other device with only one connection to the vehicle and with no modification to the original wiring. (However, the scope of the invention is not limited to vehicles.) In the first preferred embodiment it is used to power a cell phone or other device from the line to the car radio. In both preferred embodiments, the power to the radio is cut off when the cell phone is in use. The fuse in the fuse box for the car radio is replaced with a dummy fuse. That fuse is then inserted into an in-line fuse holder. A connector on each leg of the output from the dummy fuse can supply power to the cell phone. A third connector may be plugged into one of the other connectors for powering of hand-free cellular phones that may be independently fused.

Abstract: A cleat that can be clamped onto a bow rail or spring rail of a boat, using a cylindrical C-clamp. The cleat has two horns that bend inward toward the bow rail at their ends. A middle section joins the clamp and the horns. In the preferred embodiment, the C-clamp has a fixed lower semi-cylindrical member and a pivoting upper semi-cylindrical member. The upper member can be raised to place the clamp around a rail, or to remove it from a rail. Flanges extend from the upper and lower members opposite the side at which the members are pivotally connected and attached to the middle section. Holes pass through the flanges, so that the flanges may be bolted together to secure the clamp on the rail. Rope can be wound around the cleat to keep the rope clean and out of the way when the rope is not being used.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of retaining a beach chair (or other object having metal tubing) on a bicycle (or other wheeled vehicle). The apparatus includes a metal plate, having a hole in its middle, at which it is attached to a bolt extending from the axle of the rear wheel of the bicycle or other vehicle. At one end of the plate is a metallic cylindrical clamp with an interior lining of rubber (or other elastic material). The aluminum tubing of a beach chair may be retained in the cylindrical clamp, to carry the beach chair on the vehicle. The cylindrical clamp has two longitudinal sections, that may opened and securely closed using a lever. There is a notch at the other end of the plate, by which it may be retained on the frame of the bicycle or other vehicle, to prevent it from turning on the axle.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling buckets, pails or other containers with water or other fluid from faucets, and a method of filling containers with fluid using the apparatus. The apparatus comprises an attachment unit or funnel that is placed over a faucet, a hose, and a tip at the opposite end of the hose with a hook to retain the bottom end of the hose in the bucket. The attachment unit is generally cylindrical and made of a solid foam that has a closed cellular structure. The attachment unit can be screwed on and off the upper end of the hose. In a first preferred embodiment the attachment unit is configured for standard faucets, with an opening in the center of its top and a vertical channel. In a second preferred embodiment the attachment unit is configured for contemporary faucets, with an opening in its side and a curved channel.

Abstract: An audience rating system for digital television and radio, using identification codes in control streams of time-multiplexed digital transmissions. When a television set or radio, that is being monitored pursuant to the system, is turned on and tuned into a channel, and each time that the channel is changed, an identification code for each audio, video or auxiliary digital stream of the channel is extracted from the control stream, and recorded along with the time. In the first preferred embodiment, the multiplexed digital transmission is received separately by the television set or radio (or an attached IRD) and a meter connected to it. In the second preferred embodiment, the meter does not receive the multiplexed digital transmission separately, but has access to elementary streams extracted from the transmission by an IRD, and extracts identification codes for the channels being received from their elementary streams.

Abstract: Dental prosthetics, including implants, crowns and bridges, made from nanophase materials. The nanophase materials are generally manufactured by evaporating a metal or other solid substrate by heating it to a temperature at or above its boiling point in a vacuum to form a vapor. The vapor is then condensed back to a solid state through contact with a cold gas. In a first method, the nanophase material is heated until it is in a fluid state, then it is poured into a mold and cooled to form all or part of a dental prosthetic. In a second method, the nanophase material is placed into the mold in a powdered form, then heated so that the grains form a solid mass. Nanophase crowns and bridges should generally be formed in one piece, but the upper surface of a nanophase prosthetic will usually be covered with porcelain or another non-nanophase material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of removing salt from seawater to produce potable freshwater. In the first preferred embodiment, a reverse osmosis system containing one or more reverse osmosis devices (“RODs”) is supported by a platform on the sea floor. In the second preferred embodiment, a cylinder is supported by a flotation device, and the reverse osmosis system is retained on the cylinder. In both the embodiments, an elongated brine return runs downhill on the sea floor. The RODs each contain a membrane that will allow water molecules, but not sodium and chlorine ions, to pass through. Due to the pressure differential, freshwater passes through the membranes by reverse osmosis, and is pumped out of the pressure hulls to a storage facility onshore.

Abstract: An anti-theft system for motor vehicles. The preferred embodiment is designed to prevent theft by preventing a vehicle's wheels from turning when the system is activated. In the preferred embodiment, there are inhibitors in the disc rotors of each wheel. Next to each wheel, there is a solenoid, within which is a locking pin or piston rod. When the user enters an activation coded key in an ignition, the solenoids are energized, causing the piston rods to move outward into arcuate recesses, thus preventing the rotor discs from turning. A deactivation code must be entered in the ignition to de-energize the solenoids, causing the piston rods to move back into the solenoids and releasing the rotor discs. Optionally, the parking brake may also be locked when the system is activated.

Abstract: A sling for holding a baby bottle. In the preferred embodiment, the invention includes a rectangular pad having two stuffed end sections and an unstuffed middle section, on which the bottle rests. An elastic loop helps to hold the bottle in place. The elastic loop is attached to a first strap, which is removably retained on the end sections of the rectangular pad by strips of hook and loop fasteners. Second and third straps are attached to the end sections of the rectangular pad, and have strips of hook and loop fasteners adjacent to their ends, by which they can be. removably retained in loops to hold D-shaped rings. Fabric strips may be attached directly to the rings or to outer straps attached to the rings, with strips of hook and loop fasteners by which they may be removably retained in loops for attachment to narrow elongated objects.

Abstract: A support for a fixture for a lighting or other electrical device, on an acoustic ceiling, so that it will be supported firmly without wobbling. In the preferred embodiment it is a rectangular metal box with an open bottom, formed from a single sheet of metal. It is dimensioned and configured so that a mounting box for the fixture can fit inside. The mounting box is prevented from moving by the broad, flat top surface of the invention. There are diagonal rows of large holes through the top side for electrical fittings, and smaller circular holes for support and grounding screws. It can be supported on the beams of the ceiling by screws that pass through slots in its ends, by using fire tie tabs, or by a stab connection. The longer side walls have flanges which rest against the top surfaces of supporting cross pieces for ceiling tiles.

Abstract: An enema apparatus, including a container for liquid, an inlet situated within the container, a first conduit connected to the inlet and passing outside the container, a hand pump connected to the first conduit, a second conduit connected to the hand pump and passing inside the container, an outlet connected to the second conduit, the outlet being situated in and passing through a side of the container, and a third conduit, having a first end connected to the outlet, and a second end connected to a syringe. When a user activates the hand pump, liquid passes from the container, through the inlet to the first conduit, through the first conduit to the hand pump, through the hand pump to the second conduit, through the second conduit to the outlet, through the outlet to the third conduit, through the third conduit to the syringe, and out the syringe.

Abstract: A holder for a cooler (or a similar object) on a bicycle (or other vehicle), which preferably is combined with a holder for a beach chair (or a similar object). In the preferred embodiments, the bicycle has a rack behind the seat and over the rear wheel, with a holder fastened over the rack. The holder has a rectangular bottom, an open top, and front, back, left and right walls that are perpendicular to the bottom. The front and back walls are joined by rounded corners to the left and right walls. The holder is suitably dimensioned and configured to retain a rectangular cooler with rounded corners. The holder is preferably made out of rigid, smooth plastic, which will not be deformed by the weight of the cooler, but will have sufficiently low friction with the exterior surface of the cooler that the cooler can be easily removed. Different sizes of holders may be used for different sizes of coolers. The holder may be bolted to the frame, or securely retained by other suitable means.

Abstract: A pole that is reinforced by a hardening compound applied to its surface, preferably in vertical strips, and an apparatus and method of anchoring the pole or another upright object. In a first preferred embodiment, the pole is welded to a base plate, with hollow metal cylinders welded to an opposite surface of the plate. In a second preferred embodiment, the base plate is polygonal, with studs extending from vertices. The studs are bent downward at right angles from the plate. In a third preferred embodiment, a sleeve is retained on the base plate, and the pole or a channel is retained in the sleeve. In the fourth preferred embodiment, studs extend downward from the bottom of the pole or channel. In all the preferred embodiments, holes are formed in a concrete surface, adhesive is inserted into the holes, and the metal cylinders or studs are inserted into the holes.

Abstract: An improved dental impression tray, to be placed under an upper jaw or over a lower jaw, combining the following features: 1. Creases or lines of perforations running through the base and side walls of the tray and the middle of the tray's handle, so that the tray can easily be broken in portions, if an impression of only one side of a jaw needs to be taken. 2. Ridges or protrusions on opposite interior walls of the tray, to better retain the rapidly hardening semi-fluid material with which the impressions of the teeth and/or gums are taken. 3. Base panels of the tray separated from the walls of the tray by gaps around their perimeters, and connected only by narrow strips of the material from which the tray is made, so that the base panels can be easily detached when desired, thus creating an opening in the bottom of the tray that may be desirable for certain forms of oral surgery, especially work involving dental implants. 4.

Abstract: A structural cellular grout, formed by combining grout and raw unprocessed road planings. The grout is formed by combining cement, pulverized fuel ash, and a liquid. The liquid comprises water and accelerating admixtures, retarding admixtures, water reducing or water proofing admixtures, and/or superplasticizers. The road planings are produced by grinding the surface of a road. A hardened mixture having a cellular structure is formed, without the use of a foaming agent, compaction, or agitation by mechanical equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of removing salt from seawater to produce potable freshwater. In the preferred embodiments, a large metal cylinder, with open top and bottom ends, is anchored to the sea floor offshore. Several pressure hulls are attached to the side of the cylinder. Within each pressure hull there are several reverse osmosis devices (RODs), each containing a membrane that will allow water molecules, but not sodium and chlorine ions, to pass through. Due to the pressure differential, freshwater passes through the membranes by reverse osmosis, and is pumped out of the pressure hulls to a storage facility onshore. After equilibrium is reached, the pumps for the brine can be turned off, as gravity will cause brine to flow down from the pressure hulls through an opening in the bottom of the cylinder.

Abstract: A pivoting auxiliary handle for a shovel or other hand tool having an elongated primary handle. The range of motion of the auxiliary handle about the axis of the elongated primary handle is limited. A user holds the primary handle in one hand and the auxiliary handle in the other hand. This reduces back strain, makes it easier to pick up, carry, and dispose of heavy loads, and allows the exertion of downward force by both hands (and also possibly a foot) on the tool. In the preferred embodiment, the elongated primary handle is generally cylindrical, and the auxiliary handle is attached to a circular collar that is seated within a recess in the shaft of the primary handle. The means for limiting the movement of the auxiliary handle is a pin extending outwardly from the recess in the shaft through a recess in the collar. The opposite ends of the recess in the collar limit the movement of the pin, and thereby limit the movement of the auxiliary handle.

Abstract: A pole, such as for a parking meter, that is reinforced by a hardening compound applied to its surface, preferably in vertical strips, to prevent theft, and a method of anchoring the pole or other upright object. The hardening compound is preferably a solder that is applied to the external surface of the pole by welding. Once it cools, this hardening compound cannot be cut with an ordinary hacksaw. For esthetic purposes, and to prevent rust to the pole, a PVC pipe with a slightly greater diameter than the pole is placed over and around the pole. In a preferred embodiment, the pole is welded to a base plate, with hollow metal cylinders welded to and extending from an opposite surface of the plate. Holes are drilled (or otherwise formed) in a concrete (or other solid) surface, epoxy is inserted into the holes, the metal cylinders are inserted into the holes, and when the epoxy hardens the cylinders and base plate are bonded to the concrete.