Abstract: An aerodynamic hand-held umbrella having a curved canopy mounted on a rotatable, horizontally disposed shaft which is hinged to a vertical pole, such canopy having a stabilizer member on the top thereof and being able to rotate the front of the umbrella into the wind.

Abstract: A roll mill having a pair of thick, solid, heated rollers made of refractory material to heat materials to be mixed therebetween to a temperature in the range of approximately 500 degrees C. to 4000 degrees C.

Abstract: An illuminated clipboard for use by a seated individual in dark surroundings with structure to attach the clipboard to a leg of the user, such clipboard having a light-emitting body in one embodiment with means to illuminate therethrough utilizing a sheet of illuminated material disposed thereunder and a translucent roll of film or paper on a spool which is passed from a storage roller to a take-up roller over the active writing surface of the light-emitting planar surface in immediate contact therewith such that indicia or writing thereon is visible to the user by backlighting from the underlying illuminated planar body.

Abstract: An improved test device for the testing of a fluid having a cup and a cover lid, such cover lid having a reagent test strip chamber containing a reagent test strip, a filling chamber, and a cutting chamber. An actuation cover with a window defined therein is positioned over the reagent test strip chamber, filling chamber and cutting chamber, such window positioned over the color change area of the reagent test strip. The actuation cover forms a fluid-tight seal around a first end of the reagent test strip which protrudes into the filling chamber. A pointed member is disposed under an actuation button in the cutting chamber. After the cup is filled with fluid and the cover lid is positioned thereon, the operator depresses the actuation button, forcing the pointed member through the floor of the cutting chamber to form an aperture therein. The test device is then inverted, allowing the fluid to pass through the thus formed aperture into the cutting chamber.

Abstract: A helical motion dampener to dampen the movement of an attached object, such dampener having a flexible container holding electro-viscous fluid with two electrodes therein such that when electric current passes between the electrodes within the electro-viscous fluid, the fluid becomes more viscous to limit the range of movement of the container and the attached object.

Abstract: A tri-strip memory metal actuator is disclosed using first and second oppositely arcuate strips of electrically conductive or semiconductive memory metal, each bound respectively to opposite sides of a straight central strip of electrically conductive material to form, when current is applied therethrough, a Peltier junction causing one of the arcuate strips to heat and return to its memory metal state while the other of the arcuate strips cools and bends along with the central strip to the arcuate shape of the heated strip which bending is reversible when current is applied in the opposite direction and which actuator, if no current is applied, is maintained in the straight position of the central strip.

Abstract: A device for storage of one or more computer discs, such device having a rear wall with a spring clip extending from the top of the rear wall toward the lower bottom of the rear wall to grasp a planar member, such as media, disposed between the rear wall and the spring clip. The front of the rear wall extends at its bottom to form a base, and the sides extend forward first to form side walls and then from such side walls inward to form left and right front walls, each with retention structure to hold the computer disc securely between the rear wall and the left and right front walls.

Abstract: A suture assembly made of bioabsorbable material is disclosed having a central body member with a plurality of elongated lateral members in a plane extending perpendicularly on each side therefrom and interconnected to the central body member by elastic connectors, each lateral member having a plurality of barb members extending at an acute angle therefrom, for the lateral members to be inserted laterally into two sides of a cut in body tissue, stretching the elastic connectors so that after insertion the two sides of the cut are joined at the incision junction around or above the central body member and are retained securely and non-withdrawably in the body tissue by the barb members on such lateral members, with such lateral members and attached body tissue being pulled toward the central body member by the contracting action of the elastic connectors. Also disclosed is a method for utilizing the suture assembly of this invention.

Abstract: In the balancing of piano key mechanisms according to the invention, counterweights are placed in each piano key to balance said key mechanism in order to create a smooth linear progression of key front weights along a keyboard, thereby providing a keyboard with a more uniform "feel" to the piano keys when played by a pianist.

Abstract: A movable saw guard electrically operated by a separate motor which through a gearing system moves the movable saw guard from a closed first position to an open second position upon activation of a switch that is separate from the saw motor's trigger.

Abstract: A hanger for engagement on a support member having a front face and first and second parallel sides, such hanger having a load-bearing portion and a support member engagement portion, such support member engagement portion formed with a fulcrum and arm members attached to hook members having sharpened ends which hanger, when engaged on the support member with the fulcrum against the front face of the support member, causes the support member engagement portion when a load is placed on the load-bearing portion to rotate on the fulcrum, exerting leverage to embed the sharpened ends into the first and second parallel sides of the support member.

Abstract: A device for removing a tick attached to an animal or person having a tweezer with first and second tweezer arms disposed within a casing, such tweezer arms movable within first and second channels defined on the inside of the casing with the front tips of the tweezer arms extendible and retractable through an opening in the front of the casing, the channels tapering inwardly to direct the tips of the tweezer arms together as they pass through the opening. A power source is provided which can be a battery disposed within the casing and interconnected to the first and second tweezer arms. An electrical circuit is completed when the tweezer arms are in their forward advanced position extending out the opening of the casing to heat the tweezer arms and the tick grasped therebetween.

Abstract: A bicycle stand for supporting a bicycle above the ground having a casing embedded in the ground to which an articulative member is pivotally attached at its first end and a bicycle frame engagement member is disposed at the second end of the articulative member, the bicycle stand in its first mode being pivoted downward to rest within the casing and in its second mode of use being pivoted upwards from the casing with the bicycle frame engagement member engaged to a portion of the bicycle frame.

Abstract: A beverage can carrier and storage device formed of a wire form structure having an upper and lower channel, each with a vertically disposed entrance wherein the upper portion of each channel is bent at an approximately 45-degree angle to the vertically disposed lower portion of each channel for cans to pass through such entrance and down the angular portions of each channel to the vertical portion of the channels and in a first embodiment to be caught by cross members within the bottom portion of the structure for storage and carrying of the cans, and in a second embodiment without cross members at the bottom of the channels to allow the cans passing therethrough to fall into and be contained within a storage container disposed therebelow.

Abstract: An air nebulizer to be attached to a bottle containing scented liquid with a housing structure to receive air under pressure to cause the scented liquid to come out of the bottle under pressure and pass through a mesh in the housing to create a fine mist to be dispersed through an adjustable opening in the housing, the size of which opening controls the amount of such mist dispersed into the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A device and method for the brewing of a cup of coffee from ground coffee by using a container disposed in a cup containing water, such container having a bottom with a sieve mesh therein which receives water from the cup therethrough with the sides of the container extending above the surface of the water. Coffee is placed in the container and floats on the water to be roasted while being heated in a microwave oven which heating also then brews the coffee beverage. When the coffee is brewed to taste, the container is then lifted out of the cup and any remaining undissolved ground coffee is strained out of the brewed coffee by the sieve mesh in the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A device for bowing the brim of a cap and for storing, transporting and/or displaying such cap having a central body portion extending downward on each side and terminating with upwardly extending retention arms at each side thereof forming first and second receipt areas for receipt therein of the first side and second side of the cap brim, to form such brim into a desired curve with an elastic band extending over the top of the brim from the first retention arm to the second retention arm. Slots can be disposed inward of one of the receipt areas for receipt of one side of the brim to form alternate brim receipt areas for different desired brim curvatures.