Abstract: A rotating door stop includes a base member which is mounted to a baseboard or other structure. A stop member is connected to the base member so that the stop member freely rotates about its longitudinal axis with respect to the base member. Because the stop member rotates, it cannot be grasped and unscrewed by a child.

Abstract: An extender and method for extending the leg of a ladder can both lengthen and stabilize the leg of the ladder. The extender includes a first channel shaped and dimensioned to receive the leg of the ladder. A second channel is shaped and dimensioned to receive the first channel. A first and second members pivotally connect the first channel to the second channel. The second channel may be selectively moved from a stowed position wherein the first channel is received by the second channel, to an extended position wherein the second channel outwardly projects from the first channel and resides in substantially co-linear relationship with the first member. A lock is selectively connectable between the first channel and the second channel to retain the second channel in the extended position. A retainer fixedly attaches the extender to a desired position along the leg of the ladder.

Abstract: An animal toy includes a plastic drinking straw having a sealed first end, a sealed opposite second end, and an internal cavity. An animal attracting substance is disposed within the internal cavity. At least one hole is punched in the plastic drinking straw so that an aroma from the animal attracting substance seeps through the hole and attracts a small animal.

Abstract: A topper for selectively changing the firmness of a bed includes first and second sheets of foam which are bonded together at a flexible interface. The firmness of the first and second sheets differ, so that by putting one sheet face up on the bed one level of firmness is achieved, and by reversing the topper and putting the other sheet face up another level of firmness is achieved.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle, a method and apparatus for blocking glare from the sun includes a sun shield which is positioned to block the glare. The sun shield has a connector for attaching the sun shield to the vehicle, and has a plurality of rotationally positionable blades. The sun shield is attached to the vehicle, and one or more of the blades is rotated to block the glare. The sun shield may be attached to the vehicle's visor, to the side window, or between the side window and the window weather stripping.

Abstract: A massage system includes a magnetic massage head which produces a pulsating magnetic field. The massage system also includes a foot pad which includes raised areas for massaging the arch and toes of the user.

Abstract: A seat for a bicycle includes two suspended seat straps which support the buttocks of a rider. The straps are attached to front and rear support arms which are attached to two points on the frame of the bicycle. The front support arms form an inverted bifurcated assembly which is attached to the bicycle frame via a shock absorber. A ball and socket fitting permits the inverted bifurcated assembly to move in pitch, yaw, and roll, thereby conforming to the movements of the rider.

Abstract: A method for reducing seizure when a cageless ball bearing is placed in a hostile environment where foreign particles can enter the bearing, comprises removing at least one ball from a full complement of balls. In so doing, a larger circumferential gap between balls is created, thereby making it more difficult for foreign particles to become lodged between balls and seize the ball bearing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a honeycomb structure in a continuous production process includes five process stations. At Station 1 sheets of deformable material are interleaved with a release ply to form a five layer sandwich. At Station 2 the five layer sandwich is corrugated. At Station 3 the two deformable sheets are separated and an adhesive is applied to one. At Station 4 the two deformable sheets are connected to form a single layer honeycomb structure. And at Station 5 a plurality of single layer honeycomb structures are cut and stacked to form a honeycomb structure of a desired thickness.

Abstract: A race track for remote control toy vehicles includes a plurality of interlocking race track segments of several different configurations. Each race track segment includes a removable side rail. The race track is arranged so that the perimeter of the race track is completely bordered by side rails. As such, the remote control toy vehicles are contained within the race track. Three race track surfaces are provided to simulate various racing conditions.

Abstract: A battery powered motor vehicle for transporting a rider in a standing position can be steered by either selective distribution of the riders weight, or alternative by turning a steering console. By attaching a cargo rack, the battery powered motor vehicle can be converted to a hand truck for transporting cargo. In the hand truck mode, the battery powered motor vehicle can either be powered wherein the vehicle moves in reverse, or manually pushed wherein the vehicle is in a neutral state.

Abstract: Methods for playing variations of the game of chess include a playing area having 144 playing stations arranged in a 12 by 12 matrix. Two, three, or four players can utilize the playing area to play a game of chess. The game may be played using common chess pieces of a “phantom” player, wherein the real players take turns moving the common chess pieces. In a preferred playing embodiment, when a player is checkmated, all of the players chess pieces are removed from the playing area. In another preferred embodiment, when a player is checkmated, only the checkmated player's king is removed from the playing area, with all the other chess pieces of the checkmated player remaining immobile on playing area. In another preferred embodiment, one or more master pawns may replace conventional pawns. The master pawns move diagonally and capture straight ahead.

Abstract: A protective cover for a data storage disc such as a compact disc (CD) includes a disc which has a central retainer for engaging the hole in the data storage disc. The protective cover may placed on both the data storage side and the opposite side of the data storage disc. In one embodiment the retainer consists of a plurality of upstanding members disposed on one side of the protective cover, and a corresponding plurality of cavities disposed on the other side of the protective cover. The cavities of one protective cover receive the upstanding members of another protective cover so that a plurality of protective covers may be stacked.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching a bed covering to a bed includes an elongated member having an anchor at one end and a connector at the other end. The elongated member is placed between the mattress and the box spring with the anchor at the head of the bed and the connector near the foot of the bed, the connector being attached to the bed covering. When pulled toward the foot of the bed, the anchor firmly wedges itself between the mattress and box spring preventing the connector from moving and thereby keeping the bed covering in place.

Abstract: A tool and method for painting pinstripes on vehicles or other objects includes a wheel which cooperates with a paint reservoir. As the wheel is rolled along a surface, the wheel picks up paint from the reservoir and deposits it upon the surface. The wheel has rounded edges to prevent damage to the surface being striped. The tool has a rectangular shape which prevents it from rotating in the hand of the user, and has a slim transverse profile so that a pinstripe may be placed close underneath an obstruction such as a side view mirror. The guide bar of the present invention, which cooperates with a magnetic guide strip, is flat and has a rounded distal end. As such, the guide bar provides a more positive fit in the groove of the magnetic guide strip, and also allows the tool to be turned substantially perpendicular to the surface being striped.

Abstract: A method for removing pollutants from a gas such as air includes attaching a multi-layer stack of sheets to the surface of a fan blade. The sheets have a tacky surface disposed on their outward facing side, so that as the fan blade rotates pollutants are captured by the tacky surface. When the tacky surface of the top most sheet becomes contaminated with pollutants, it is peeled off to expose a clean uncontaminated next lower sheet. In an embodiment of the invention, each sheet has a tab which facilitates the identification and removal of the topmost sheet when it becomes contaminated with pollutants.

Abstract: Methods for using a hydrophobic liquid, such as mineral oil, to compress steam include using a compressor to compress a mixture of steam and the hydrophobic liquid. One embodiment includes the steam to be compressed coming from a boiling aqueous solution in an evaporator. The steam compressed with a hydrophobic liquid is routed to a heat exchanger which thermally communicates with the evaporator to create more steam. The resulting mixture of condensed steam and hydrophobic liquid from the heat exchanger is routed to a water/hydrophobic liquid separator. The hydrophobic liquid is also recycled to the compressor from the water/hydrophobic liquid separator.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a hairpiece includes attaching a plurality of hair wefts to an elastic band. The hair wefts are individually stitched to the elastic band leaving small gaps between adjacent hair wefts. In this fashion the elastic band can still expand after the hair wefts are attached. In a preferred embodiment, some of the hair wefts are double thickness to provide enhanced hair body.

Abstract: A case system and method includes a first case and a second case. The first case has wheels and an extendable handle having two handle shafts. The second case has two parallel grooves which receive the two handle shafts. The second case also has two latches which lock the two handle shafts in place within the two parallel grooves, so that the two case are secured together and may be wheeled about as a single unit. In a second embodiment of the invention, the first case has a top half and a bottom half, the top half being removable from the bottom half. When the bottom half is stacked on top of the top half, two cavities in the top half receive the two wheels of the bottom half so that the bottom half resides in a level orientation.