Abstract: A brake early warning system for a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle has (1) a steering column assembly (500) having a plurality of components, and (2) a vehicle broadcast system, which includes brake lights, a horn, and headlights. The brake early warning system includes a movement sensor (20) which is connected to the steering column assembly (500), and senses relative movement between two of the steering column assembly (500) components when a driver braces against the steering wheel (508) in an urgent braking situation. In such cases, movement sensor (20) senses relative movement, and generates a signal which activates the brake lights, horn, and headlights, thereby alerting any following driver, as well as others in the vicinity, that the vehicle has commenced rapid braking.

Abstract: An aromatic system (20) includes an aromatic member (22) such as a candle which includes a fragrance (25) disposed within wax, and a flameless heat source (24). Aromatic member (22) is disposed in the proximity of heat source (24) so that when heat source (24) is energized it melts the wax and releases fragrance (25). Heat source (24) can be a light or lamp, or alternatively can be a warming device (124) such as a hot plate.

Abstract: A shoe (20) having a removable sole includes an upper (22) and a removable lower sole (34). The upper has an upper sole (24), a heel portion (26), and a toe portion (28). Upper sole (24) has a plurality of upwardly opening alignment holes (30). A lock tab (32) is connected to toe portion (28) and forwardly projects therefrom. The removable lower sole (34) has a heel portion (36) and a toe portion (38). A rearwardly opening slot (40) disposed in toe portion (38) is shaped and dimensioned to receive lock tab (32). Removable lower sole (34) has a plurality of upwardly protruding alignment pins (42) which are engageable with alignment holes (30) in upper sole (24). Lower sole (34) is held in place by inserting lock tab (32) into the rearwardly opening slot (40) in the toe and engaging connector (44) to connect heel portion (26) of upper (22) to heel portion (36) of lower sole (34).

Abstract: A release binding (20) is shown for releasably attaching a ski boot to a telemark or cross-country ski (22). A load spool (50) having a circumferential groove (56) is attached perpendicular to the bottom of a standard toe plate (24) used to secure the toe of the boot. A release plate (40) having a planar load spring (44) inside is attached to the ski. The load spring has two sides (62, 64) attached together at both ends forming an elongated aperture. To assemble the boot on the ski, the skier orients the load spool through a hole (48) in the top of the release plate into the elongated aperture of the spring and pushes down. A pilot surface (60) on the load spool pushes the two sides of the spring apart until the groove is reached whereupon the two spring sides snap into the groove retaining the toe plate on the ski.

Abstract: The present invention includes an anti-sweat lotion specifically designed for use by people suffering from hyperhidroses. In a preferred embodiment, the lotion of the present invention is a composition of the follow ingredients: a. denatured ethyl alcohol; b. hydrophobic silica; c. a monoethyl ester of the copolymer of methyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride; d. iso-octahexacontane; e. octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane; and, f. hydroxypropylcelluose. In another preferred embodiment, the octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane is replaced by decamethylcyclopentasiloxane.

Abstract: A martial arts training device (20) for a punching bag (500) having an outer surface (502) includes a covering (22) which is attachable to a portion of the outer surface of the punching bag. The covering is fixedly attached to the punching bag by one or more connectors (24). One or more arms (32) are connected to the covering in a rigid fashion, so that when a martial arts blow is delivered to the arm, the arm does not move with respect to the punching bag. Rather, the force of the blow is transferred from the arm to the punching bag causing the punching bag to move, as would a martial arts opponent. In a preferred embodiment, the arm has a flange (36) which is captively held between the covering and the punching bag.

Abstract: A magnetic clamp (20) for welding a magnetic object (504), includes a first magnetic member (22) and a second magnetic member (24). A hinge (26) connects magnetic members (22) and (24) so that an angle formed by magnetic members (22) and (24) may be changed. A spring loaded terminal (500) having a contact end (502) is disposed between first magnetic member (22) and second magnetic member (24). Magnetic clamp (20) may be attached to magnetic object (504) so that first magnetic member (22), second magnetic member (24), and contact end (502) all abut magnetic object (504). In a preferred embodiment, a removal tab (36) is connected to magnetic clamp (20) to assist in removing magnetic clamp (20) from magnetic object (504).

Abstract: A method (20) for using a weak acid resin (30) to remove dissolved metal from an aqueous-based stream (36), includes reneutralizing the weak acid resin (30) a plurality of times before regeneration of the weak acid resin (30) to remove the taken-up metal. The present method (20) allows up to 30 times greater volumes of water to be run through the same weak acid resin (30) before regeneration with acid is required, and also inherently adjusts the pH of the effluent (40) to an acceptable level of between about 6 and 9.

Abstract: A cover (20) for an air register (500) includes a first frame (22) having a plurality of first columns (24). A second frame (26) is slidabley received by first frame (22) in drawer-like fashion. A scented pad (28), having a congruent plurality of second columns (32), is inserted in second frame (28) to impart a fragrance when air flows from air register (500).

Abstract: Cargo carry apparatus (20) for a tractor (500) for a semitrailer truck includes a rotatable deck (22) mounted between the fifth wheel (502) and the cab which pivots from a vertical position to a horizontal position until the deck rests upon the fifth wheel. With the deck in the horizontal position, the tractor may be utilized to transport cargo to sites which are inaccessible to the semitrailer truck. A variable length controller (32) such as a hydraulic cylinder is used to rotate the deck. The deck has slots (40) which accept stakes (42) to enclose the deck.

Abstract: A sea trap (20) includes a first jaw (22) which cooperates with a second jaw (24). Jaws (22) and (24) are connected to a base (30), and the jaws (22) and (24), and the base (30) are covered with an animal-retaining enveloping material (26) such as netting. Jaws (22) and (24) are biased by springs (32) and (34) to a closed animal-retaining state. The sea trap (20) is placed in an open animal-receiving state and a trigger mechanism (28) is armed. An animal (500) activates the trigger mechanism (28) thereby causing the sea trap (20) to rapidly close to the animal-retaining state and capturing the animal (500) within the enveloping material (26). In a preferred embodiment sea trap (20) is used in a body of water (502) to trap marine animals (500). In this embodiment a float (50) provides a visual indication that sea trap (20) has been closed and an animal (500) captured.

Abstract: A bird cage (20) includes a centrally disposed bird receiving structure (30) and inwardly sloping sides (28) which in combination cause birds to face inward and thereby defecate away from the bird receiving structure. These features make the cleaning of the bird cage easier. In a preferred embodiment, the bird cage also includes a removable top portion (24) which is selectively connected to a bottom portion (22). Since the top portion can be removed from the bottom portion, cleaning of the bird cage is simplified. In a preferred embodiment, the bird cage does not include a conventional door.

Abstract: A pet carrier (20) includes a cage like enclosure (22) having a top (24), a bottom (26), a front end (28), and an opposite rear end (30). Two spaced wheels (32) are connected to the cage like enclosure at the bottom rear end so that when the front end is lifted off of a support surface (500), the pet carrier can be rolled. A handle (34) is pivotally connected to the cage like enclosure at the top near the front end. The handle is selectively lockable in a plurality of angular positions allowing the height of the handle to be adjusted to accommodate users of different heights.

Abstract: A gas tank door (20) for a motor vehicle (502) includes a frame (22) and an outwardly moveable cover (24). Cover (24) moves outwardly a predetermined distance (D), and then may be rotated out of the way to permit access to gas tank filler cap (500). In a preferred embodiment, an actuator (30) effects the outward movement of cover (24).

Abstract: A hand operated computer pointing device (120) such as a “mouse” includes at least one control button (130) which is selectively positionable to a plurality of desired locations on the surface (127) of the body (122) of the computer point device (120). A user may selectively position the control button(s) (130) to any desired location upon the surface (127) of the body (122) in order to (a) best fit the hand (500) and fingers of the user, and (b) to reduce biomechanical stress. The body of the computer pointing device (120) may be of conventional firm construction (122), or alternatively may be moldable (22) by the user into a plurality of desired shapes.

Abstract: An apparatus for practicing knot tying (20) includes a base (22) to which is attached an inverted U-shaped member (24). A chain (44) is connected between the arms (40, 42) of the U-shaped member. A user then uses a rope (46) to practice tying knots about the U-shaped member and the chain. The chain can also be used to affix a rope for practicing the tying of bends. Knot-tying instruction cards (48) assist in the practice process.