Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying a reacher on a walker includes a bag which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the reacher. Straps on the bag allow the bag to be attached to one of the side assemblies of the walker so that the bag is held in a convenient angled back position. The mouth of the bag is biased open so that the reacher may be easily inserted and removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deploying traffic warning devices, includes loading a plurality of traffic warning devices into a container through a loading port. The traffic warning devices remain stored in the container until they are needed to warn approaching vehicular or pedestrian traffic of an obstruction in a road, such as an accident. At that time, an officer causes the traffic warning devices to be dispensed from the container's deployment port and deposited upon the surface of the road. In a preferred embodiment, the container is modular and includes a top section, at least one middle section, and a bottom section. The holding capacity of the container may be increased by adding additional middle sections.

Abstract: A hanger for a lever-type door handle is constructed such that the hanger will not fall off of the handle when the door is opened and closed. The hanger has a first section having a first hole and a second section having a second hole. The first and second sections are resiliently biased apart so that when they receive the shank portion of the door handle, the hanger is held firmly in place upon the door handle.

Abstract: A release binding is shown for releasably attaching a ski boot to a telemark or cross-country ski having a load spool with a circumferential groove and a substantially elliptical holding portion attached perpendicular to the bottom of a toe plate. A release plate having a load spring with two sides is attached to the ski. To assemble the boot on the ski, a lever is moved to an unlocked position placing the minor axis of the ellipse of the load spool perpendicular to the two sides of the spring. After the boot is assembled to the ski, the lever is moved to a locked position which moves the major axis of the ellipse of the spool until it is perpendicular to the sides of the spring.

Abstract: An electric inside corner planer (20) with a cylindrical cutter assembly (30) has a housing (21) and front shoe (22) constructed with a side angled along a line (46) determined by the front outside of the cutter (30) and the front outside of the bearing (41) holding the cutter. The angled side of the planer puts the cutter assembly as close as possible to the interfering structure in the corner. Right angled (20), left angled (70), and combined right and left angled (120) planer embodiments are shown.

Abstract: A holder for attaching articles to the belt of a user includes at least one aperture though which the belt is threaded. The belt goes between the front side of the holder and the back side of a pants belt loop. An article strap which is connected to an article such as a tool is then threaded in front of the top of the holder, behind the belt, and again in front of the bottom of holder. In this fashion, the pants belt loop and the article strap serve to retain the holder in place with respect to the pants belt loop.

Abstract: A paste dispenser includes a housing which has two angularly spaced vanes which rotate about an axis. The two vanes and a contoured surface form a paste-receiving chamber. Paste is forced into the dispenser under pressure from a paste container such as a toothpaste tube. The paste fills the paste-receiving chamber, and continued pressure causes the contents of the paste-receiving chamber to be deposited at an opening where it can be claimed by a user.

Abstract: A device for removing the filter medium from the spool of an oil filter, includes a spindle assembly having (1) a spindle which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the hole in the first end of the spool, (2) a plurality of bearings, and (3) a cutter. A holder/crank having a rotational rim is attached to the spool of the oil filter and locked in place. The holder/crank and spool are then installed in the spindle assembly so that the spindle engages the hole in the spool and rim engages the plurality of bearings. The holder/crank is then rotated as the cutter is brought to bear against the filter medium so that a circumferential cut is made through the filter medium.

Abstract: A traffic warning device for temporary placement upon the surface of a road includes a single elongated body with a first side having a reflector, and a second side and top having a bright color such as international orange. The shape and size of the traffic warning device are specifically designed to resist turning over when struck by a vehicle tire. When traffic warning device is placed prone, bottom down, upon the surface of the road, the first and second sides form an elongate barrier which extends along the surface of the road, thereby alerting a motorist to a road obstruction. The present invention comprises a safe, one time deployment of reusable barricades, thus eliminating the need to use conventional highway flares which burn hazardous materials.

Abstract: A system (20) for controlling a transmission throttle valve in a vehicle having a fuel management device (500) having a rotatable linkage member (508) includes an adapter plate (22) which is mountable beneath the fuel management device (500), a bracket (26) which is connectable to the adapter plate (22), and a throttle valve cable (30) which is connectable to the bracket (26). Throttle valve cable (30) has a tubular housing (32) which is fixedly connectable to bracket (26) and a cable (34) which is slidably disposed within tubular housing (32), the cable (34) having a first end (36) and an opposite second end connectable to the transmission throttle valve. First end (36) is selectively connectable along a slot (40. Different first end (36) connection positions along slot (40) result in correspondingly different rates of cable pull and therefore different transmission responses.

Abstract: A system (20) for recognizing gaming chips (500) includes pairs of light emitting devices P1 through Pn, each pair emitting light (28) of a different color. The light (28) is reflected off of the surface (502) of the gaming chip (500), is sensed by a light detector (32), digitized by an analog to digital converter (33), and compared with stored intensity profiles for various denomination gaming chips (500). When a match is obtained, system (20) issues a signal indicating the color, and thus denomination, of the gaming chip (500). An energizing circuit (26) produces a constant current to ensure a constant light intensity level. An automatic adjustment circuit (40) changes the constant current to accommodate for factors such as component aging. Adjustment circuit (40) is controlled by a calibration feature wherein light (28) is reflected off of a calibration surface (42) while system (20) is in use.

Abstract: A safety liner (20) for a vehicle tire (500) includes a toroidal tube (22) having at least one hole (24). At least one plug (26) is selectively insertable into the at least one hole (24). Toroidal tube (22) is compressible into a flattened circular shape by a compressive force, and when the compressive force is removed, the toroidal tube (22) resiliently assumes its original toroidal shape. Safety liner (20) is installed in the cavity (503) of vehicle tire (500) as the vehicle tire (500) is being installed on the tire rim (502). If a blowout or other leak occurs, safety liner (20) will cause the shape and pressure of vehicle tire (500) to be retained for a period of time.

Abstract: A method for attaching a top bed covering to a bed, includes (a) providing a bed having a mattress disposed on top of a box spring, the mattress and box spring having adjacent side walls, (b) providing a top bed covering, (c) providing a device for attaching a bed covering to a bed, the device including: an elongated member having a first end and an opposite second end; a connector attached to the first end; an anchor connected to the second end; (d) positioning the anchor so that it simultaneously abuts the side walls of both the mattress and the box spring, (e) positioning the elongated member between the mattress and the box spring, and, (f) attaching the connector to the top bed covering. 1. In an alternative embodiment, the anchor has nubbed sides and is placed horizontally between the mattress and the box spring.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game and apparatus includes a playing area having four lanes labeled diamonds, clubs, spades, and hearts. Each of the lanes have a plurality of card-receiving stations. A player places a conventional wager upon the lane which he or she believes will be filled with cards first. The player can also place a supplemental or bonus wager. A dealer then deals cards on one or more bonus stations. The dealer next sequentially deals cards face up from the deck, and places the dealt cards on a card-receiving station of the lane which corresponds to suit of the dealt card. The first lane in which all the card-receiving stations are filled is declared the winning lane. The player wins a conventional payoff if he or she placed a conventional wager on the winning lane. The player also wins a supplemental payoff if any of the cards dealt on the bonus stations match the suit of the winning lane, and the player placed a supplemental wager.

Abstract: A method of playing an object selection game (20), includes providing a set of objects containing a plurality of different individual objects, wherein each individual object has an order value in accordance with an ordering rule. A subset of the set of objects is dealt to a player in accordance with a dealing rule. A portion of the subset of objects is revealed to the player in accordance with a revealing rule. The player then selects any previously unselected object from the subset of objects in accordance with a selecting rule. After each selection, a terminating rule is used to test whether play shall stop, or whether additional objects are selected. The terminating rule stops play if objects are not selected in proper sequential order in accordance with the ordering rule. After play is stopped, a score is computed in accordance with a scoring rule. In preferred embodiments, the set of objects are playing cards, and a wager is placed on the outcome of the game.

Abstract: A nail covering for protecting a finger or toenail from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light includes a thin sheet of metal (foil) shaped and dimensioned to cover the nail. In a preferred embodiment, the thin sheet of metal is shaped and dimensioned to cover the nail but not any surrounding flesh. In another preferred embodiment, the thin sheet of metal has an adhesive backing for attaching the thin sheet of metal to the nail.

Abstract: An inflatable exercise belt (20) for placement around the abdomen of a user includes a substantially belt-shaped body (22) having a first end portion (24) and an opposite second end portion (26). A selectively inflatable air chamber (32) is disposed at first end portion (24). Backing (36) is disposed adjacent to the inflatable air chamber (32), so that when the inflatable air chamber (32) is inflated, the inflatable air chamber (32) expands in a direction away from backing (36) thereby exerting pressure on the abdomen of the user.