Abstract: A fingernail conditioning system and a method for conditioning fingernails are disclosed. The conditioning system includes a power comprising minerals, vitamins and amino acids, an oil comprising minerals, vitamins and an aromatic scent, and an adhesive. The fingernail is first cleaned. Adhesive and powder are applied and the nail is buffed. Adhesive is then applied to the buffed nail and permitted to dry. Oil is the applied to the nail and the nail is buffed until it is smooth.

Abstract: A decorative doorbell apparatus is mounted to a building wall and includes a mounting plate secured to an outside surface of the wall. The plate includes a threaded opening that communicably corresponds with a passageway in the wall. An elongate, exteriorly threaded conduit is interengaged with the opening of the mounting plate. The conduit is received within the passageway and extends outwardly from the plate to a distal end spaced apart from the wall. A decorative member has a hole that receives the conduit such that the decorative member is mounted on the conduit between the plate and the distal end of the conduit. A doorbell switch is releasably engaged with the distal end of the conduit and is operably connected to doorbell wiring. The wiring extends through the conduit and is operably connected to a standard bell mechanism located inside the wall.

Abstract: A method for repairing the cylinder block of an internal combustion engine. The cylinder block engages a standard cylinder head and includes an outer cylinder casting that surrounds an inner cylinder sleeve. The casting has corrosion formed in an end surface that faces the cylinder head. The method includes the steps of providing a repair ring that is separate and distinct from the cylinder sleeve and has a selected thickness. A counterbore is formed in the end surface of the cylinder casting to remove the corrosion therefrom. The counterbore has a depth that is no greater than the thickness of the ring. The ring is installed annularly about and in close tolerance fit with the cylinder sleeve and is introduced into the counterbore. At least one of the cylinder sleeve and the ring are machined for form thereon respective, generally co-planar surfaces that face the cylinder head.

Abstract: An intercooler for the stern drive of a boat engine includes a cover that is attached to the stern drive housing. The cover includes an inner compartment, which communicates internally with the stern drive and accommodates lubricating oil used by the stern drive. An outer jacket is disposed adjacent the compartment. Ambient water is introduced into and discharged from the water jacket such that the ambient water circulates through the jacket to cool the inner compartment and the oil contained therein.

Abstract: A water vehicle lift includes a winch which is operable to extend and retract an elongated flexible cable to lower and raise a platform on which a small water vehicle may rest. The winch is preferably mounted on a piling with the platform moving up and down adjacent the piling. On the face of the platform immediately adjacent the piling, a wheel is provided which rolls on the surface of the piling to maintain the platform slightly spaced away from the piling.

Abstract: An adjustable water nozzle apparatus is disclosed including a generally tubular first conduit portion that is communicably interengaged with the water supply line. A generally tubular second conduit portion has a discharge outlet. A generally tubular, longitudinally flexible bellows portion communicably interconnects the first and second conduit portions. The bellows portion is longitudinally flexed to angularly adjust the second conduit portion relative to the first conduit portion. The bellows portion is sufficiently rigid to hold the second conduit portion in an angularly selected orientation relative to the first conduit portion such that water is directed through the nozzle apparatus and discharged from the outlet in a selected direction.

Abstract: An adjustable clamping assembly is provided for holding and supporting a conventional structural component. The assembly includes a support element having an elongate channel that employs a pair of longitudinal locking grooves. A screw-like component is engaged with a structural component and a clamping nut is aligned with and inserted into the channel at a selected location. The nut includes a pair of locking tabs and a latch mechanism for permitting the nut to be rotated from an aligned orientation to a generally perpendicular orientation within the channel, wherein the locking tabs are respectively inserted in the locking grooves. The latch mechanism holds the nut in the perpendicular orientation to prevent removal of the nut from the channel. The nut further includes a threaded opening that is operably engaged by the screw-like component to attach the structural component to the support element at the selected location.

Abstract: An intensity adjustable fiberoptic cable apparatus is disclosed for use in combination with a standard fiberoptic illuminator having a light output port. The apparatus includes an elongate, light transmitting fiberoptic cable. A fitting and an intensity controller, which are attached to a first end of the cable, operably interengage the output port of the fiberoptic illuminator and introduce light generated by the illuminator into the cable. A second fitting and an intensity adjuster, which are attached directly to a distal, second end of the cable, emit transmitted light from the cable.

Abstract: A theft-resistant display case includes a housing having a lower storage section and an upper display section mounted above the storage section. The storage section has an obscuring exterior wall and the display section has an exterior wall that is at least partly transparent. A platform is movably mounted within the housing for supporting items to be displayed. The platform is selectively raised into a first position in the housing wherein items supported on the platform are displayed in the upper section of the housing. The platform is selectively lowered into a second position in the housing wherein items supported on the platform are stored in the lower section of the housing. An obscuring closure, which includes a roll-up grill, is selectively interposed between the upper and lower sections when the platform is in the second position such that the platform and items supported thereon are enclosed within the lower section of the housing and hidden from view.

Abstract: A cover for a child's rest mat includes an upper cover section and a lower cover section that conforms to the upper cover section and is interconnected thereto along respective peripheral edges of the upper and lower cover sections to form an interior space. An opening is formed into the interior space through one of the upper and lower cover sections exclusively. A child's rest mat is inserted into the interior space though the opening and the upper and lower cover section have a size and shape such that the cover snugly engages the mat.

Abstract: An intensity adjustable fiberoptic cable apparatus is disclosed for use in combination with a standard fiberoptic illuminator having a light output port. The apparatus includes an elongate, light transmitting fiberoptic cable. A fitting and an intensity controller, which are attached to a first end of the cable, operably interengage the output port of the fiberoptic illuminator and introduce light generated by the illuminator into the cable. A second fitting and an intensity adjuster, which are attached directly to a distal, second end of the cable, emit transmitted light from the cable.

Abstract: A color banded jacket assembly is disclosed for use in combination with an antenna feed cable. The assembly includes a plurality of generally tubular first and second jacket segments, each having a split formed longitudinally therein. The antenna feed cable is selectively introduced into and removed from the jacket segments through the splits. Each jacket segment is sufficiently large to wrap at least partially about the periphery of a cable that is introduced into the jacket segment. A plurality of distinct first and second color bands are formed circumferentially about the first and second jacket segments, respectively. The first and second jacket segments are arranged longitudinally on the cable to mark the cable in an alternating color pattern. A method of marking an antenna feed cable through the use of such a color banded jacket is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing combined liquid and solid dental waste from a patient's mouth such that the solid waste is separated from the liquid waste. The solid and liquid dental waste are removed from the patient's mouth and transmitted to a separation chamber. The liquid waste is substantially eliminated from the separation chamber to leave a solid waste residue therein. The solid waste residue is then collected from the separation chamber.

Abstract: A theft-resistant display case includes a housing having a lower storage section and an upper display section mounted above the storage section. The storage section has an obscuring exterior wall and the display section has an exterior wall that is at least partly transparent. A platform is movably mounted within the housing for supporting items to be displayed. The platform is selectively raised into a first position in the housing wherein items supported on the platform are displayed in the upper section of the housing. The platform is selectively lowered into a second position in the housing wherein items supported on the platform are stored in the lower section of the housing. An obscuring closure is selectively interposed between the upper and lower sections when the platform is in the second position such that the platform and items supported thereon are enclosed within the lower section of the housing and hidden from view.

Abstract: A closure is provided for a fisherman's live well. The closure includes a flexible element that is mounted proximate an entrance of the live well. The flexible element is held such that it extends across and generally covers the entrance of the live well. There is a self-closing opening is formed through the flexible element. The opening is formed by an elastic component that urges the opening into a closed condition and that is selectively expandable to expose the opening and provide access to the live well through the opening.

Abstract: A collapsible pitching screen assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes an elongate container. There are a pair of elongate, spaced apart uprights collapsibly mounted within and extending upwardly from the container proximate respective ends of the container. A crossbar is detachably interconnected between respective upper portions of the uprights. There is a flexible barrier including upper and lower ends and a pair of sides that extend between the upper and lower ends. The upper end of the barrier is attached to the crossbar and each side of the barrier is attached to a respective one of the uprights such that the side is restricted from separating from the upright and the barrier is movable between a raised condition wherein the crossbar is connected between the uprights and a collapsed condition wherein the crossbar is detached from the uprights and disposed in the container.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for mounting a receiving antenna to a separate and distinct supporting structure. The apparatus includes a bracket having a slot formed therein. The bracket is secured to the supporting structure. A portable mounting component includes an outer section to which the antenna is secured. An inner tongue section is connected to the outer section and is slidably insertible into the slot such that the mounting component is releasably interengaged with the bracket. There is a stop section attached to the tongue section. The stop section is engaged with the bracket proximate an entrance of the slot to limit the extent to which the tongue section is insertible into the slot.

Abstract: A fishing rod organizer is disclosed. The organizer includes a pair of circular, axially detached brackets. Each bracket has a like plurality of generally radial slots. A resilient element is disposed in each slot for releasably gripping a fishing rod that extends through the slot. The brackets are axially aligned to align each slot of one of the brackets with a corresponding slot of the other bracket such that a fishing rod extended through a respective aligned pair of slots is held by the brackets. A pair of restraining straps are provided. Each selectively encircles the respective bracket and carries a first hook and loop connector on an inside surface of the restraining strap. Each bracket carries a complementary second hook and loop connector that is disposed circumferentially about the bracket.

Abstract: A device is provided for administering medical fluid to at least one of the ear canal and the ear drum of a human ear. The device includes an earplug adapted to fit in the ear such that at least a portion of the earplug is snugly received in and substantially seals the ear canal. The earplug has an outer end section proximate the concha of the ear and an inner end section proximate the eardrum. The conduit extends completely through the earplug from the outer end section to the inner end section thereof for introducing medical fluid through the earplug into the ear canal such that the medical fluid is administered to at least one of the ear canal and the eardrum.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for rendering humic acid bearing particulates substantially free of dust. An aqueous solution that includes one of a caustic humate and a caustic soda is prepared and mixed with humic acid bearing particulates in a concentration and for a duration such that an adhesive humate gel forms about the particulates. The gel causes adjoining particulates to bind together. The mixture is allowed to dry such that the mixture is substantially free of dust-size particulates.