Abstract: Method of making airline luggage inspection secure while accommodating the needs of the traveler comprises making a special lock available to airline travelers, the special lock having a combination lock portion and a master key lock, the master key lock portion receiving a master key that can open the master key lock portion of any special lock of this type. The special lock is designed to be applied to an individual piece of airline luggage and has an indicia thereon conveying to luggage purchasers that the special lock is “approved” by a luggage screening authority and conveying to the luggage screening authority that the special lock can be opened using the master key. The method includes providing the luggage screening authority directly or indirectly with exclusive access to the master key. The manufacturers and/or providers of the master key and special lock retain copies of the master key.

Abstract: High frequency shock absorber/accelerator built in at any or both end of conventional air cylinder that includes piston moving axially inside cylinder body and sealed against inner surface of body by sealing structure. Cylinder piston rod protrudes outside thru cylinder front-end block Shock absorber/accelerator comprises piston with sealing structures moving axially in inner chamber, which communicates with outer chamber thru aperture(s). Air cylinder piston meets the protruded rod of the shock absorber/accelerator piston and starts to move it thus pushing volume of compressed air through provided aperture from inner chamber to outer chamber. Piston sealing structures seal air coming through the aperture thereby isolating compressed air in the outer chamber from the inner chamber. Compressed air coming through the open venting valve forces pistons to move in opposite direction.

Abstract: A disposable grill cover for indoor counter top grills having two cooking plates such as the George Foreman® grills contains a first and second sheet or sheet portion of aluminum foil of a fixed shape designed to mate with the two contoured cooking surfaces of the grills. The sheets are positioned over the cooking surfaces of the grill using tabs on each side of the sheets extending the same layer of aluminum. The contoured surface including ribs/grooves and bumps of the two sheets correspond exactly to the contoured surface including ribs, bumps and a rim on the two cooking surfaces of the grill to minimize heat loss. Cleaning the grill from fat, grease and odor from food residue is avoided before each use. A front extension of the first sheet extends into and covers the interior surface of the drip tray of the George Foreman® grill.

Abstract: A powerful high frequency shock absorber/accelerator uses compressed air but maintains a substantially uniform level of force throughout retraction and extension strokes. A piston moving in an inner chamber compresses gas in the chamber. Initially, an aperture allows compressed gas to be pushed to an outer storage chamber surrounding the inner chamber. As the piston moves further, sealing structure seals gas coming through the aperture thereby isolating the compressed air in the outer chamber from the inner chamber. At the end of the retraction stroke the small amount of remaining air is vented to outside and the piston faces a small counterforce-generating member. When the extension stroke is initiated the counterforce-generating member moves the piston a small distance until the seal is broken. The force of the compressed air rushing back into the inner chamber drives the extension stroke. Additional embodiments include replacing outer chamber with external source of gas.

Abstract: A freezer insert, a warmer insert or a freezer/warmer insert designed for use inside plastic food containers conforms to the bottom of the various sizes and shapes of the most popular plastic food containers sold under brand names such as Ziplock, Glad, Tupperware. The insert is a flat disk and contains known gels or thermal preservation fluids useful for portable cooling or warming. The insert also can rest on the walls of the container if those walls slope outward in the direction of the opening. The inserts divide the container vertically into cool, extra cool or hot compartments for different types of food. The disk can be round, square or of other shape. The inserts are stackable to allow efficient storage, for example in a freezer or kitchen cabinet.

Abstract: High frequency shock absorber/accelerator built in at any or both end of conventional air cylinder that includes piston moving axially inside cylinder body and sealed against inner surface of body by sealing structure. Cylinder piston rod protrudes outside thru cylinder front-end block Shock absorber/accelerator comprises piston with sealing structures moving axially in inner chamber, which communicates with outer chamber thru aperture(s). Air cylinder piston meets the protruded rod of the shock absorber/accelerator piston and starts to move it thus pushing volume of compressed air through provided aperture from inner chamber to outer chamber. Piston sealing structures seal air coming through the aperture thereby isolating compressed air in the outer chamber from the inner chamber. Compressed air coming through the open venting valve forces pistons to move in opposite direction.

Abstract: Heat alert safety device for warning individuals that a surface is hot wherein a fiber optic cable runs from an electric light source to a heat warning symbol. The cable has a plurality of fibers connected at a first end thereof to the light source and transmits light from the light source beginning from the first end to the second end of the cable and shines light out of the second end of the cable to a predetermined symbol adjacent the second end of the cable. The symbol is readily visible when illuminated to an observer who can also readily see the surface and the symbol communicates that the surface of the stove, in particular, the heating element, is dangerously hot. A controller controls the light source. Whenever a specified surface temperature is reached, the symbol is lit and remains lit as long as said specified surface temperature is maintained.

Abstract: A furniture ornament comprised of a plurality of parallel and spaced-apart double-layered planar sheets of transparent material, e.g. rigid plastic. The sheets contain designs usually having repeating patterns thereon wherein all of the designs on the sheets are visually superimposed on one another to create a composite design when looking perpendicularly at the sheets, and wherein a view from the side at an angle shows fewer of the sheets superimposed on one another, providing an unusual three-dimensional visual effect. In an embodiment for a ceiling lamp, the viewer looks up toward the light placed between the uppermost sheet and the ceiling and sees the superimposed designs as one design. Chains hanging from the ceiling maintain the sheets in spaced-apart relation to one another with attachment member Other embodiments include a design for a table and for the front of a door that may not have an independent source of light.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for easily allowing a user of little to no programming language knowledge to convert a computerized spreadsheet model to a structured programming language model, which method includes: (i) receiving, from the user via a computer input device, outputs and inputs of the computerized spreadsheet model desired to be processed for conversion; (ii) checking the user entries for errors; (iii) if an error is found, then requesting corrected user entry; (iv) if no error is found, then identifying all relevant spreadsheet model cells based on the user entries; (v) processing formulas used in the spreadsheet model for parsing; (vi) converting the formulas into final form and determining calculation priority order; and (vii) generating the structured programming language model.

Abstract: A high-heeled dancer's shoe providing the structural integrity to prevent bowing and to execute energetic character dancing steps and simultaneously maintaining the flexibility necessary to execute jazz steps. The shoe comprises a front sole support made of hard rubber with a predetermined tensile strength or of fabric cushioning, the front sole support spanning a length and width of an area of a front sole, a hard plastic high heel, a metal shank extending from a back of the shoe and entirely covering the heel and forward over the arch in a middle portion of the shoe, and a shoe body including a flexible shoe upper shaped for receiving the dancer's foot, including left and right sides that have an elastic insert above in an area of an arch, and a continuous layer of leather spanning a length and width of the shoe.

Abstract: A charger and adapter interface assembly compatible with any nonremovable rechargeable battery of a mobile telephone comprises a charger element having a male connecting member of standard size and shape and an adapter interface having a female cavity on a first side to removably receive the male connecting member to make the adapter interface electrically in contact with the charger element and on a second side the adapter interface has a second male connecting member uniquely compatible with a recess on a wall of a mobile telephone so the battery is in electrical contact with the adapter interface. The recess is unique for a particular model of mobile telephone. The adapter interface is light enough and compact so the adapter interface stays attached to the mobile telephone regardless of the orientation of the telephone and does not interface with a user holding and speaking on the mobile telephone.

Abstract: A hot-button type heat alert safety device attachable to a surface, such as metal or glass, for warning individuals that the surface is hot, comprising a thermochromic composition, a button-shaped container for housing the composition, having a convex face, the convex face overlying said composition and the container container being transparent in at least a portion of the container overlying the thermochromic composition. The thermochromic composition is shaped in a predetermined symbol which communicates that an underlying surface is dangerously hot, substantially visible through the convex face of the container, and designed to undergo and maintain a readily perceptible color change whenever the temperature of the hot surface exceeds a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A two-sided washcloth is made of a sheet of loofah that is lined on an outside perimeter with cloth. The washcloth has a convenient set of parallel spaced-apart linear openings also lined with cloth. The surface area of the loofah between the linear openings together with the lining around the openings constitutes a holding area for pressing the back one's hand against after inserting four fingers of a person's hand through both linear openings. The grip is secured by maintaining the thumb on the near side of the first opening. The grip permits both sides of the sheet comprising the washcloth to be applied to the body conveniently, thereby assuring maximum use of the loofah.