Abstract: A device and method of sharpening hair cutting scissor blades passes a blade over the perimeter portion of a flexible sharpening pad to flex the perimeter portion out of the plane of the pad. The blade is held in an angled orientation over the pad and is moved horizontally and downward during the sharpening motion. Independent horizontal and vertical movements allow addressing irregularly shaped blades including blades with a radial shape and convex blades.

Abstract: A device and system is provided for alerting or signaling a vehicle driver after the driver leaves a vehicle compartment. A signaling device, in a deployed condition, is physically located in a forward line-of-sight of a driver operator of the vehicle. The signaling device is deployed automatically in the event of the opening of a vehicle door from the inside of a vehicle compartment. Resetting of the signaling device, out of the line-of-sight, requires manual operation by the vehicle operator outside the vehicle compartment. The system ensures that the operator will be alerted to safety procedures required after activities outside vehicle.

Abstract: A releaseable multi-channel electrical connector is designed for small size, and ease of use without generating manipulation forces that might be transmitted to an attached living subject. Two pivoting frame members on which electrical snap connectors are mounted are oriented such that the two snap connectors face a male connector element placed between the two frames. The male connector includes mating snap connectors on opposing sides that join with the snap connectors on the frames when the frames are squeezed together. Because two frames are squeezed together with opposing forces to make a connection, no net force is generated or transmitted to the male element nor to attached subject bodies. The use of two snap connectors on opposing sides on a single male element increases the conductor density over prior devices.

Abstract: A kite is formed of a single sheet of tough but flexible material. A narrow slit in the sheet body defines two distinct flight bodies, one of which is substantially smaller than the other. The smaller forward flight body is elongated and joins the larger flight body at the smaller portion's ends. The kite requires no rigid support structures and is capable of stable flight at very low wind speeds.

Abstract: A marking device or scribe for marking masonry pieces on a horizontal deck area surrounding a pool, sauna or similar below-ground construction. The device is designed for use during construction of deck areas to enable defining a border or margin a constant distance from a curved vertical edge. This marking facilitates subsequent cutting of the marked masonry pieces for removal and construction of a more aesthetic edge border. Device guide wheels follow curved vertical walls of the pool and guide a frame and attached marker that is supported on wheels on the deck. The marking device is biased against the masonry pieces to create a path line mark as the frame and guide wheels are manually move along the edge.

Abstract: A novel rotor blade is presented with an integral tip portion from which two diverging blade portions extend to separated respective roots. The blade may have conventional airfoil sections, or may be made from flat or curved sheet material. The two rotor blade portions may have dissimilar angles of incidence. Leading edge holes or slots are located behind the leading edge of the blade. The two blade portions may have distinct angles of incidence.

Abstract: An inflatable dive float is provided with a supported flag that is collapsible to a small size for ease of handling and storage. The dive float includes a novel buoyancy element formed of a durable flexible cover and lightweight replaceable bladder provided by a conventional balloon. The cover is configured to allow easy replacement of the bladder. A collapsible frame internal to the cover provides rigid support for a flag pole and connection to a rigid counterweight staff. The internal frame element is held in place, during use, by the pressure of the inflated bladder. Deflation of the bladder allows collapsing of the frame element and the cover which provides a greatly reduced geometry for storage and handling after use. Both the flag pole and counterweight staff are preferably collapsible as well to reduce storage dimensions.

Abstract: A manual operated and battery powered device is provided for complete removal of liquid spills by use of both vacuum and blow-drying. The device provides a wheeled cart including a liquid-tight pan on which are retained one or move waste liquid receivers. An electric motor powered blower within an enclosure provides both suction and blown air through attached flexible hoses. In operation, the blower creates a vacuum in the receiver which, through the flexible hoses, is used to suction waste material from a working surface. The waste material is captured in the receiver. The device is small to reduce interference with surrounding activities. The design enables cordless operation with convenient recharging from standard electrical power sources during non-operational periods.

Abstract: A simple “hands-free” electric guitar tremolo and tremolo actuator is provided. An actuator is pivotably attached to the guitar body within a rear cavity of the solid body of the instrument. A portion of the actuator bears against an external surface of the instrument's movable “floating” guitar bridge to produce the desired effect. The actuator is controlled by the user during play by moving an elongated lever that is connected to the actuator and protrudes from the guitar body cavity. The lever is preferably curved and oriented to fit against a user's hip or waist when the guitar is held adjacent to the user in the typical mode of operation of an electric guitar. In play, tremolo effect is produced by drawing the guitar toward the user's body such that the lever is forced toward the guitar body. In this manner, the user is allowed unhindered use of both hands for normal play of the guitar.

Abstract: Multifocal and single focus lenses are defined by nonconical aspheric optical surfaces. Various alternative surface shapes provide one or more vision regions bounded by optical steps. Each optical step has rapidly and smoothly changing power in the radial direction which creates an induced aperture through which the cortical elements of the human vision system are induced to concentrate. The induced aperture results in increased clarity and enhanced vision. In various configurations, the induced aperture decreases spherical aberration to further enhance vision. To increase correction intensity at one or more powers, redundant power regions are provided in repeated optical steps or annular apertures. In several embodiments, the redundant power regions create multiple induced apertures at one or more optical powers directed at one or more vision distances.

Abstract: The present devices apply resistance force to a user's body in close simulation of the impact and resistive forces experienced in martial arts techniques and interactions to provides more effective muscle and neurological training of the user. The devices include a conformable grip that accepts a user's fist for directing resistive force in a distributed manner to the outside surface of the user's fist. Flexible straps extend from the side of the grip to be positioned, in use, on the sides of a user's arm. The straps are connected by additional cross-straps to allow for transfer of force to the user's forearm. The configuration of straps allows transfer of varying proportions of the resistive force to the fist, and separately, the forearm. A system for physical training includes a resistance device.

Abstract: A flexible protective cover is configured to be removably attached to the external outward-facing surfaces of a personal buoyancy compensating device (BCD). The BCD cover is preferably formed of a single layer of water resistant coated fabric or similar flexible and durable materials. The perimeter of the cover includes securing devices such as a zipper or hook-and-loop fasteners configured to retain the perimeter of the cover to the BCD. The attachment devices may include elements that are permanently secured to the BCD such as one half of a zipper device. In optional configurations, the BCD cover includes ancillary elements such as weight pockets and equipment attachment devices. The BCD cover may be configured to be installed onto existing prior BCDs.

Abstract: An anaerobic digester is disclosed including a single orbicular vessel having two chambers configured for the separate treatment of high-solids and low-solids phases of organic matter. The vessel combines a high solids, plug flow path wherein low solids liquids are separated and directed to a high rate treatment path. The invention provides a novel and simple apparatus for the anaerobic conversion of both high solid and low solid wastes to methane, carbon dioxide, a liquid effluent that can be used as fertilizer, and a solid residue that can be used as a soil amendment. The invention combines the advantages of high solids loop digesters and low solids high rate digesters into a single orbicular vessel. Due to the orbicular geometry, in which a first chamber is a path surrounding and orbiting a second chamber, the apparatus has greater thermal and material efficiencies.

Abstract: A wheelchair propulsion system provides a wheelchair user with a continuous input drive path of linear or elliptical shape. The propulsion system includes a Cardan gear system defining a linear reciprocating or elliptical input path over which propulsive force may be continuously applied to the wheelchair wheels. Because the input path is continuous, efficiency is increased and impact on the user's body is reduced thereby reducing discomfort and physical demands on the user's body. The angle of the input path may be altered to suit the particular needs of a user by rearrangement of the relative angular orientations of the gears in the propulsive system. The present propulsive mechanism may be integrated into a wheelchair or retrofitted to existing wheelchairs.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to tools particularly designed to remove replaceable rear-view mirrors from the inside of automotive windshields. The present invention is a tool specifically shaped and sized to grasp a windshield mounted removable automobile mirror base and move a locking tab away from a mounting pad to remove the mirror without touching the windshield glass. The tool includes a first jaw that has a curved inside surface with a protective surface or coating. A second jaw of this embodiment is spaced and sized to fit under the locking tab without touching the adjacent glass. The two jaws are configured to allow the second jaw to depress the locking tab by biasing the jaws together while the first jaw rests on the mirror base without damaging it.

Abstract: The present invention is rocking chair rocker cover consisting of an elongated pocket-shaped sleeve that fits snugglely over the entire length of a rocker. The cover has an elongated opening to allow the cover to the fitting onto, and easily removed from, a rocker. In use, the opening is drawn closed over the top of a rocker by closure devices such as elastic cord secured to the opening perimeter and cross ties. The covering material may consist of woven fabric such as readily available quilting, providing a means of easily adding to the aesthestic appeal of the device. To increase protection from contact injury, the cover includes cushioning such as foam rubber or polyester fiber fill captured on or within a flexible covering material. In some embodiments a nonskid element is positioned under the rocker bearing surface to increase friction of the rocker against a floor surface in use.

Abstract: The present invention is a device and method for efficient composting of organic matter using a low-cost composting structure and high efficiency methods. A composting container incorporates rigid insulated panels to form an insulated composting container of a generally cylindrical shape with polygonal cross-section. The insulated panels provide high thermal efficiency at low cost to help maintain composting temperatures. A rigid frame supports the panels and allows the container to be rotated. An internal manifold or plenum supplies air while the container is stationary or rotating. Rotation in various embodiments is effected by motor driven rollers bearing on external hoops integrated to the container support frame. In preferred methods, the container is rotated at rates slower than one revolution per minute as air is introduced.

Abstract: A novel storage sleeve has a longitudinal bore for retaining an elongated tool such as a drill bit and a handling tab. The handling tab provides a gripable element which is easily manipulated for retrieving the tool from a storage container or incidental flat surface. The handling tab includes a data surface including indicia such as text or numbers providing information associated with the tool. The storage sleeve includes a sleeve body having a rounded surface that enables a user's fingers to rotate and grasp the storage sleeve when located on a flat surface. The storage sleeve, or portions of the storage sleeve, may distinguishing characteristics to indicate related groups of tools such as a drill series. The invention also includes sets of sleeves retaining associated sets of drill bits. Each sleeve of the set having identifying information associated with the respective drill bit. A storage container is provided to conveniently present such sets of sleeves and bits.