Abstract: A combination earrings and nape chain and method therefor comprising a set of earrings and a chain coupled thereto. One embodiment of the combination earrings and nape chain comprises a chain dimensioned to restrict the movement of hair proximate the nape. Another embodiment of the combination earrings and nape chain comprises a chain dimensioned to adorn the nape. In all embodiments, the length of the chain varies in proportion to the size of the nape, the amount and type of hair, and the personal preference of the wearer.

Abstract: A fertilizer and irrigation apparatus includes an inflow pipe, a shunt pipe connected to the inflow pipe, and a chemical additive assembly connected in parallel to the shunt pipe. An outflow pipe is also connected to the shunt pipe. A portion of the inflow pipe, the shunt pipe, the chemical additive assembly, and the outflow pipe are all above ground. The chemical additive assembly includes a quantity of a chemical additive. A manifold is connected to the outflow pipe. A plurality of in-ground distribution conduits are connected to the manifold, wherein each of the distribution conduits includes at least one above-ground sprinkler head. In addition, an auxiliary inflow assembly can be connected to the inflow pipe so that chemical additives can be supplied to the fertilizer and irrigation apparatus from an outside source.

Abstract: One end of a stranded steel cable is attached to a cast zinc seal housing having a chamber in which a steel sleeve with a tapered bore is positioned. The sleeve in one embodiment is fixed to the housing in the chamber or may be displaceable and captured in the chamber in a further embodiment. A serpentine clip locking member captured in the housing chamber resiliently radially grips the a second end of the shackle inserted into the sleeve bore and wedges and locks to the cable and sleeve when the shackle is withdrawn. The sleeve precludes damage to the softer zinc housing by the locking member when the locking member is displaced in the housing chamber. Various embodiments are disclosed. In a further embodiment, the one end of the cable exits the housing in a plane different than where the second end enters the chamber to enhance ease of insertion of the second end into engagement with the locking member.

Abstract: An eyeglass holder adapted to be used with a pair of eyeglasses. The eyeglass holder includes an elongated, narrow generally V-shaped substantially rigid loop having an open central area defined by two upwardly diverging slender side portions or legs connected together at a narrow distal lower tip of the loop. An eyelet is provided connected to a top portion of the loop so that the eyeglass holder may be suspended about the neck. The open central area is of a size sufficient for a temple side piece of a pair of folded eyeglasses to be hung over and receive support between the side portions at a point just above the distal lower tip whereby the temple side piece becomes sufficiently wedged within the loop so as to enhance retention of the eyeglasses in the eyeglass holder during active body movement.

Abstract: A line anchoring coupling is disclosed having a base attachable to a support surface and a complementary connector attachable to a line. The connector is insertable into a base cavity and rotatable therein into an operative position permitting the connector to swing into a position aligned with tensioning forces applied to the line.

Abstract: Ring has a removable portion. The removable portion may be a flat object, such as a tablet. The tablet may have a design on it. The tablet may be placed underneath a bezel, which may be clear, and which may be clear and colorless.

Abstract: A zipper closure system is disclosed comprising one or more slider bodies with a reinforced bracing integrated with a lock eyelet, a closed bail, slider body top and bottom platforms and a slider body diamond. A releasing pull tab assembly comprised of a pull tab channeled to receive a pull tab connector attaches to the slider body. The connector's head portion encompasses the slider body's bail and the connector's lower portion is mated with the pull tab securely attaching connector to the pull tab. At a predetermined force, the connector will release from the pull tab, releasing the slider body with no loss of functionality. The other components are designed to withstand a force in excess of the predetermined force. This release prevents damage to other components. The predetermined release force ranges from 25 to 200 pounds in alternate embodiments. A consumer can easily repair the unit by mating the original or replacement connector piece with the pull tab.

Abstract: A tamper evident cargo seal to securely close a cargo container having a pair of doors and at least two spaced apart lock rods, the tamper evident cargo seal including a pair of retention assemblies disposed in engaging relation with the lock rods on opposite sides of a perimeter edge of the door and a cross brace including a generally elongate, rigid construction which is cooperatively associated with the retention assemblies so as to maintain the seal in engagement with the lock rods and prevent removal therefrom, and so as to secure the cross brace in closing relation across the perimeter edge of the door. A lock assembly is provided to secure the cross brace with the retention assemblies, to the container, and at least the cross brace includes a continuous surface pattern defined thereon which is structured to visibly indicate a severing of the cross brace therethrough and a subsequent re-attachment.

Abstract: The present invention includes a latch assembly, such as maybe useful for SMIF pods. SMIF pods are in general comprised of a pod door which mates with a pod shell to provide a sealed environment in which wafers may be stored and transferred. During wafer storage and transport, the pod door is typically held affixed to the pod shell by a latch assembly. When it is desired to separate the pod door from the pod shell, each latch must be actuated outwardly, to withdraw each engagement portion from the pod door, at which time the pod door may be separated. The present invention includes an improved such latch assembly.

Abstract: A decorative jewelry item comprises a base member with a hollow interior and a decorative top, a cap brought down over the decorative top, and a fastener arrangement for fixing the cap to the base member after the cap is brought into contact with the decorative top. The cap has an opening therein through which the decorative top of the base member can be observed. All exposed surfaces of the base member and cap may have surface finishing features and/or graphic representations or designs to make the jewelry item more attractive. The jewelry item may be designed to have the appearance of a single decorative unit, or to have the appearance of a double (or greater) decorative unit. Such units have application in many jewelry items. A number of such units may be connected in series to form a tennis bracelet.

Abstract: A cable tie for bundling together a plurality of elongated objects, the cable tie including an elongated flexible strap having opposing ends, a locking head defining a pair of strap passageways, each of the passageways having an inlet end and an outlet end, and a pair of locking devices, each of the pair being mounted to the locking head and at least partially within one of the passageways, the locking devices being configured and oriented relative to the respective passageways so as to permit the ends of the strap to be inserted into the inlet ends of the passageways, and threaded through the passageways, such that the ends emerge from the outlet ends of the passageways, the locking devices being unidirectional so as to prevent the strap ends from being pulled back through the respective passageways in a direction moving from the outlet ends back toward the inlet ends.

Abstract: A physiotherapy bench includes a frame supported by legs in an elevated, use position, and an arcuate body supporting panel on the frame. The supporting panel includes a substantially horizontal front end for supporting the chest of a patient, and an inclined rear end for supporting the hips and the upper portion of the legs of a patient, whereby the spine is subjected to gentle traction. A headrest is resiliently connected to the front end of the frame for floating support of the head of a patient.

Abstract: A movement system for moving a person. In at least certain aspects, the system has a power apparatus and primary line apparatus connected to the power apparatus. The power apparatus selectively moves or plays out and takes in the primary line apparatus. One or a plurality of secondary lines are connected to the primary line apparatus In those embodiments with a plurality of secondary lines, the secondary lines diverge from each other and extend to a corresponding movement station in a structure. The or each secondary line has a distal end extending into its corresponding movement station for connection to a personal support apparatus around a person, and the or each secondary line is movable by the power apparatus to move a person to whose personal support apparatus the or each secondary line is attached.

Abstract: A trim attachment and method comprises a door lever/knob which is assembled to a spindle housing of a lock assembly by sliding the door lever/knob over the spindle. A retaining mechanism within the door lever/knob automatically engages the spindle to couple the door lever/knob to the spindle when the door lever/knob is properly positioned on the spindle. The spindle and door lever/knob have mating exterior and interior ribs providing torque transfer between the spindle and door lever/knob. An aperture is provided in the door lever/knob to depress a portion of the retaining mechanism to release the retaining mechanism, allowing the door lever/knob to be removed. The improved knob/lever trim attachment and methods provide an easily assembled and manufactured, aesthetically pleasing, and easily replaceable assembly for a door lock assembly.

Abstract: A jewelry assembly which creates the appearance of a space between one or more diamonds or other stones and the supporting jewelry article is provided. The jewelry article is integrally formed with an internal frame for defining a window therewithin. At least one jewelry stone or gem is invisibly set with the window such that an annular space is defined between the one or more stones and the frame of the jewelry article.

Abstract: A plurality of stemware rings, are formed of resilient material in a loop having a pair of opposing and abutting ends. The loops are of a size for accepting a stem of a wine or other stemmed glass, and further, for being supported on a base of such a glass. The stemware rings each provide a distinctive ornamentation so as to distinguish the glasses from each other. The method includes distributing the glasses to guests with the rings engaged on the stems of the glasses so that one glass may be distinguished from the next, personalized, fitted to the occasion and other uses.

Abstract: A method of replacing damaged parts of wastewater channels with inserted parts, e.g. optical cables, includes removing a section of the channel, positioning a lower half-shell (1) below the inserted part (2) at the removed section of the channel, passing an attachment element (3) having two ends (3a, 3b) around the inserted part (2), feeding the attachment element (3) through at least one opening (4, 6) of an upper half shell (5), placing the upper half shell (5) on the lower half shell (1), attaching the upper half shell (5) to the lower half shell (1), attaching the upper and lower half shells (5, 1) to neighboring channel sections, pulling the ends of the attachment element (3) tight to press the inserted part (2) against the inner surface of the channel, and filling the opening (4, 6) with a sealing compound (7).

Abstract: A belt buckle (2) has a frame-shaped buckle body (4) and a swiveling pin (24) that can be pushed through one of usually several longitudinally centered holes in the belt and locked, with the pin compressed by spring loading against a first transverse spar (10) of buckle body (4). The belt buckle is characterized in that the spring loading derives from a continuous elastomer band (28), which extends from a second transverse spar (12) of buckle body (4) at a small distance from the point of attachment of pin (24) around the pin. Such a buckle can be manufactured more easily, and thus profitably. It is functionally safer, and additionally has less danger of causing injury than a buckle equipped with a wire spring.

Abstract: A hospital bed adapted for use with an open geometry imaging system, such as a C-arm imager. The hospital bed includes a mobile base, a frame, a bed top, and a patient support. At least one portion of the bed top and patient support are substantially radiotransparent. The radiotransparent portions are capable of axial displacement along the lengthwise axis of the bed, thereby allowing the use of an imager on a patient in the bed without interference from the base. The axial displacement is preferably indexed to at least one predetermined stop position. One or more independent lateral sections can be selectively moved away from the radiotransparent portion, allowing for a reduction in the overall width of the bed. A patient transport system, in which the bed top and attached patient support can be used as a portable support, such as a stretcher, and may be secured to the base for subsequent transport and/or imaging when appropriate.

Abstract: Clutch handle apparatus for opening doors and the like includes a torque limiting clutch subassembly which selectively disengages the handle from a spindle to prevent damage. The clutch subassembly includes a slip clutch removably coupled to a spindle pin allowing corotation of the handle and the spindle below the application of a predetermined torque, and free rotation of the handle with respect to the spindle by uncoupling the pin and the slip clutch at and above the application of a predetermined of torque to the handle.