Abstract: An antimicrobial composition is provided having a mole ratio of equivalents of silver ion to equivalents of anion of greater than 1. The invention further relates to antimicrobial compositions composed of silver ions and silver salt particles. Also provided are methods for using the compositions of the invention for the treatment of a subject, and methods for conferring antimicrobial protection to an object.

Abstract: A wheel for a motorcycle, bicycle, or other wheeled vehicle includes first and second wheel sections that are bolted or otherwise assembled together over an independently rotatable spinner component. Each wheel section has a hub portion, a rim portion, and a spoke portion such that the two hub portions form a combined hub portion of the motorcycle wheel, the two rim portions form a combined rim portion of the motorcycle wheel, and the two spoke portions form a combined spoke portion of the motorcycle wheel. The two spoke portions define an interior space between them. The spinner component is mounted rotatably on the combined hub portion of the wheel assembly in the interior space between the first and second spoke portions for freewheel rotation about the rotational axis independent of the rest of the wheel.

Abstract: The present invention is a sprayable gel cleaning composition and a method of making said sprayable gel cleaning composition. The gel stays on the stained surface until it is wiped off, unlike non-gelatinous compositions that have a very short surface contact time. The active agents of the sprayable gel cleaning composition are in contact with the stain for a longer period of time than other cleaners. The sprayable gel cleaning composition can be used to remove household and industrial spots and stains that are present on walls, cabinets, stove tops, doors, and trim. In addition, this invention can be used to clean concrete and brick, and remove caulk and paint from surfaces, as well as remove bug and tar stains present on automobiles, trucks, and other machinery and surfaces. The gelatinous composition may be water-based or solvent-based.

Abstract: A laminating system includes a feeder apparatus, a laminating apparatus, and a trimmer apparatus mounted on a movable support structure that is adapted to maintain alignment in order to enable a user to move the system without upsetting the alignment. Simultaneous and differential speed control components for the feeder apparatus and the laminating apparatus are provided according to a separate aspect of the invention to enable the user to control spacing between individual sheets as they move along a feed path to the laminating apparatus. A guide plate provided on the feeder apparatus according to another aspect of the invention has an upwardly extending surface that faces the leading edges of sheets in a stack of sheets.

Abstract: A handheld rotary power unit includes a housing with a handle and a distal end portion, a motor shaft extending through the distal end portion of the housing, and a quick-release chuck assembly connected to the motor shaft. An actuator assembly is provided on the housing that enables a user to operate the quick-release chuck assembly with a hand of the user while that hand of the user is holding the handle portion of the housing. Actuator assembly examples include an electrically powered solenoid, a manually powered linkage, and a pneumatically powered piston.

Abstract: A hydro-therapy spa jet including an inlet connection, a first nozzle to accelerate a water stream from the inlet connection, an air inlet, a second nozzle drawing air from the air inlet to aerate the accelerated water stream, and a third nozzle to slow and directionally adjust the aerated water stream. The third nozzle includes an inlet, a chamber, and an orifice, where the aerated water stream passes into the inlet, through the chamber, and out the orifice. The inlet has a conical inner surface that contracts in a downstream direction. The inlet also includes a spherical outer surface, which is received in a conforming spherical inner surface within the jet. The chamber is conical in shape, expanding in the downstream direction to reduce the water's speed as it passes through the chamber. The orifice defines a passage having a cross-sectional area that is constant in the downstream direction.

Abstract: An illuminator assembly that has a lid that can be easily removed, a spare bulb holder, a color wheel that easily accepts additional filters without disassembly and a snap on filter for a window on the illuminator assembly. The illuminator assembly illuminates one end of a bundle of fiber optic fibers for a lighting system for a swimming pool or a spa or other area to be illuminated. The illuminator assembly includes a hollow housing containing a light socket assembly for illuminating the end of the bundle of fiber optic fibers. The housing has a first tab mounted adjacent to its open upper end. A light bulb is mounted in the light socket assembly and a lid is provided that is sized to cover the open upper end of the housing. The lid has a second tab configured to selectively engage the first tab on the housing upon the rotation of the lid with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A hydro-therapy spa jet including an inlet connection, a first nozzle to accelerate a water stream from the inlet connection, an air inlet, a second nozzle drawing air from the air inlet to aerate the accelerated water stream, and a third nozzle to slow and directionally adjust the aerated water stream. The third nozzle includes an inlet, a chamber, and an orifice, where the aerated water stream passes into the inlet, through the chamber, and out the orifice. The inlet has a conical inner surface that contracts in a downstream direction. The inlet also includes a spherical outer surface, which is received in a conforming spherical inner surface within the jet. The chamber is conical in shape, expanding in the downstream direction to reduce the water's speed as it passes through the chamber. The orifice defines a passage having a cross-sectional area that is constant in the downstream direction.

Abstract: A submersible light having an electrically nonconductive reflector and no other electrically conductive elements requiring grounding, a tough lens to withstand impacts from swimmers and features providing quick and easy serviceability. Because of these features, the light of the invention meets safety requirements allowing the light to be mounted less that 18 inches below the waterline, thereby allowing its placement in areas of pools that have been heretofore off limits to conventional lights. In addition, a cord holder about the external surface of the light's housing and twist lock base and housing with a radial O-ring seal provide for quick and easy disassembly and re-installation of the light.

Abstract: A submersible fiber optic lens assembly for use with a fiber optic cable having an end. The assembly includes a lens cap having a lens plate, a seal nut threadedly received within the lens cap, an O-ring radially sealing between the lens cap and the seal nut, a grommet received within the seal nut, and a compression nut received within the seal nut adjacent the grommet such that the grommet may be axially compressed between the seal nut and the compression nut to form a seal between the jacket and the seal nut. The fiber optic cable has a jacket, the jacket being received within the grommet prior to compression of the grommet. The lens plate has a reservoir formed on an inside surface, with a globule of gel located in the reservoir. Upon assembly, the end of the fiber optic cable is received within the gel. The O-ring seal and the grommet seal form an water tight cavity which is further defined by the reservoir and the seal nut. The cavity is filled by the gel.

Abstract: The fiber optic cable assembly mounts to a perimeter surface of a swimming pool or a spa to provide lighting around the perimeter of the swimming pool or spa. The fiber optic cable assembly includes a bundle of fiber optic fibers, a tube, a track, and a plurality of fasteners. The front surface of the track and the rear surface of the tube cooperatively define a chamber between the track and the tube to eliminate interference between the fasteners and the tube such that the tube is uniformly received in the track. Another embodiment of the invention provides a track with a rear surface that defines a reservoir. The reservoir advantageously collects excess adhesive used in the mounting process of the track to prevent unsightly and difficult to remove excess adhesive from building up around the track.

Abstract: A vehicle tilt-out window with a resilient seal insert includes an annular frame which is bonded to the vehicle window opening. The frame includes a resilient double lip seal which is molded into a recess formed in the frame and the lip seal cooperates with a glass panel mounted upon the frame by homogeneous hinge tabs extending from the frame permitting the glass panel to be tilted relative to the frame for ventilation purposes and an articulated pivoting latch mounted to a homogeneous latch base locks the glass panel against the lip seal.

Abstract: A vehicle tilt-out window with a resilient seal insert includes an annular frame which is bonded to the vehicle window opening. The frame includes a resilient double lip seal which is molded into a recess formed in the frame and the lip seal cooperates with a glass panel mounted upon the frame by homogeneous hinge tabs extending from the frame permitting the glass panel to be tilted relative to the frame for ventilation purposes and an articulated pivoting latch mounted to a homogeneous latch base locks the glass panel against the lip seal.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine fitting containing a thermostatically controlled valve regulating the flow therethrough is formed by two parts interconnectable by relative rotation through a bayonet type connection. The bayonet connection utilizes two stages wherein the first stage maintains the parts connected but a bypass passage defined between the parts permits the flow of coolant through the fitting around the valve to initially permit the engine coolant system to be filled. After the coolant system is filled, the fitting parts are rotated to a final closed position sealing the bypass passage permitting the thermostatic valve to control flow through the fitting during normal engine operation. The fitting parts remain sealed to the atmosphere during both stages of interconnection.

Abstract: A suction fitting for use in a water circulation system, the fitting having a perforated body that is mounted to permit fluid flow through both front and rear perforated faces, and thereby minimize the possibility of complete blockage of the fitting by entrapped hair or skin. Operation of a circulating pump is controlled to prevent damage to equipment and property and also to minimize the possibility of serious personal injury or death. The suction fitting further includes a suction tube for connection to the pump, for circulating water in the tub or spa back through jets in the tub or spa, and a pressure sensor line connecting the water in the tub or spa to a water level sensor. The front face of the perforated body has a number of grooves, to provide fluid communication between the pressure sensor line and the suction tube, through one or more front-face perforations.

Abstract: A center-mounted passenger seat for mounting on either a men's or women's style adult bicycle in which the passenger is situated between the saddle and handlebars of the adult bicycle. The passenger seat comprises a seat for carrying the passenger and a supporting bracket attached to the seat. The supporting bracket is engaged with both the seat tube and the top tube of the bicycle.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously or sequentially edge binding a sheaf of papers and separately laminating single sheets. A heat applying assembly includes a body of heat conducting material having a generally horizontal elongated slot extending through the body and two pairs of rollers, one at an input end of the slot and the other at an output end thereof for feeding a document between two thermoplastic sheets through the slot. Upper and lower imbedded heating coils apply heat above and below the slot for fusing the thermoplastic sheets to effect lamination of the document. The body of heat conducting material provides an upper surface slanted at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal. A rigid guide surface oriented by an equal angle with respect to the vertical provides for gravity retention of a sheaf of paper to be edge bound against the aforementioned upper surface, a heat setting adhesive being introduced along the common end of .[.tyhe.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.