Abstract: The present invention describes an invention called the “Handheld Powered Box Cutter” which makes it much easier and faster to cut up cardboard packaging and boxes. It uses a handheld ergometric compact design and uses a rechargeable battery-operated motor, to drive a protected rapidly oscillating cutting blade, to ease the task of slicing various thicknesses of cardboard. The cutting blade is housed within a hooked protective cutting slot area. This slot allows pieces of cardboard to be slid into a rapidly oscillating cutting blade and it protects human fingers from being cut by the blade.

Abstract: An ultrasound scanning system and methods of using the same. In one preferred form, an ultrasound scanning system comprises an acoustic imaging catheter comprising an ultrasonic transducer, a motion control system and an imaging computer system for imaging a patient's genitourinary system. In another preferred form, an ultrasound scanning system is used for imaging a patient's prostate gland.

Abstract: A cooker has a pan of circular configuration with an open upper end receiving a circular lid and a bottom having apertures therein. A disk shaped drip tray disposed below the pan and having upstanding lugs thereon is selectively moved between raised and lowered positions using opposite latching mechanisms which adjustably couple the drip tray to the pan. In the raised position, the drip tray engages the bottom of the pan and the lugs on the drip tray extend into and close the apertures in the pan. In the lowered position, the lugs are removed from the apertures, permitting greases, fats and similar substances to drain through the apertures and onto the drip tray. The latching mechanisms permit separation of the drip tray from the pan for separate cleansing thereof such as by placing in a dishwasher.

Abstract: A quick start barbecue comprises a kettle, column and base. A moveable charcoal grate, when lowered into the column, folds into a basket shape thereby holding the charcoal in a compact configuration ideal for starting. Once the charcoal has ignited the grate is lifted into the kettle and in the process unfolds into a flat shape with the charcoal evenly distributed in a configuration ideal for cooking. The charcoal may be started using crumpled newspaper placed below the charcoal grate in its lower “basket” position or by use of a self igniting propane torch removably affixed to the column. A long chimney may be placed in the kettle to aid starting and stored around the column. A removable ash drawer in the base makes cleanup easy. Removal of the ash drawer causes a gate to close so that excess ash is confined to the column while the drawer is out.

Abstract: A quick start barbecue comprises a kettle, column and base. A moveable charcoal grate, when lowered into the column, folds into a basket shape thereby holding the charcoal in a compact configuration ideal for starting. Once the charcoal has ignited the grate is lifted into the kettle and in the process unfolds into a flat shape with the charcoal evenly distributed in a configuration ideal for cooking. The charcoal may be started using crumpled newspaper placed below the charcoal grate in its lower “basket” position or by use of a self igniting propane torch removably affixed to the column. A long chimney may be placed in the kettle to aid starting and stored around the column. A removable ash drawer in the base makes cleanup easy. Removal of the ash drawer causes a gate to close so that excess ash is confined to the column while the drawer is out.

Abstract: A liquid valve assembly for a toy water gun is provided, the assembly comprising: a conduit being designed to transport liquid therethrough from a liquid source, the conduit comprising an inlet and terminating in a tube, the tube having opposing ends, one of the ends forming a closed tip; and a movable sleeve, the tube being inserted within the sleeve, the sleeve having an outer end, the outer end having a central passage, the sleeve being movable relative to the tube from a first position to a second position, in the first position, the sleeve locates the closed tip and forms a fluid tight connection with the central passage thereby preventing flow of liquid through the central passage, in the second position, the sleeve locates the outer end spaced from the tube thereby permitting flow of liquid through the central passage.

Abstract: A liquid reservoir for a toy water gun is provided, the reservoir comprising: a housing having an internal chamber for containing a quantity of liquid; a fill opening situated on the housing leading to the internal chamber; and a valve plate situated adjacent to the fill opening, the valve plate being movable between a first position and a second position; in the first position, the valve plate covers the fill opening thereby preventing flow of liquid into and out of the internal chamber; in the second position, the valve is spaced apart from the fill opening thereby allowing flow of liquid into and out of the internal chamber.

Abstract: A massaging apparatus which utilizes an array of air inflatable bladders. The array is to be located in conjunction with a portion of the body of a human. The array can be mounted within a housing such as a flexible belt-type of device or can comprise a rigid stand-type of device within which is incorporated one or more pockets in order to accommodate a human appendage such as a foot. A separate inflation apparatus is associated with the array which is to supply and extract pressurized air to and from the inflatable bladders. The inflation apparatus utilizes at least one opposed piston assembly so that when one piston is supplying pressurized air to certain bladders the other piston is extracting pressurized air from certain other bladders thereby achieving a sequence of alternating pressurizing and depressurizing which produces a desirable massaging effect on the human body.

Abstract: A hand operated water gun which utilizes a base section which can be mounted on the upper arm of the user or carried by the user. The base section may include an elastic bladder and a pumping apparatus. The elastic bladder connects with a reservoir. The pumping apparatus is manually operated by a movable section which can comprise a handle. The movable section is pivotally mounted to the base section. Movement of the movable section causes water to flow from the reservoir into the elastic bladder causing the elastic bladder to expand. A discharge nozzle is connected to the elastic bladder with the discharge nozzle being normally closed preventing flow of water therethrough by a discharge valve. The discharge valve is to be manually openable to cause the dispensing of the water in the form of a stream. The water is to be supplied into the elastic bladder until it expands to a certain degree prior to opening of the discharge nozzle.

Abstract: A liquid reservoir for a toy water gun is provided, the reservoir comprising: a housing having an internal chamber for containing a quantity of liquid; a fill opening situated on the housing leading to the internal chamber; and a valve plate situated adjacent to the fill opening, the valve plate being movable between a first position and a second position; in the first position, the valve plate covers the fill opening thereby preventing flow of liquid into and out of the internal chamber; in the second position, the valve is spaced apart from the fill opening thereby allowing flow of liquid into and out of the internal chamber.

Abstract: A liquid valve assembly for a toy water gun is provided, the assembly comprising: a conduit being designed to transport liquid therethrough from a liquid source, the conduit comprising an inlet and terminating in a tube, the tube having opposing ends, one of the ends forming a closed tip; and a movable sleeve, the tube being inserted within the sleeve, the sleeve having an outer end, the outer end having a central passage, the sleeve being movable relative to the tube from a first position to a second position, in the first position, the sleeve locates the closed tip and forms a fluid tight connection with the central passage thereby preventing flow of liquid through the central passage, in the second position, the sleeve locates the outer end spaced from the tube thereby permitting flow of liquid through the central passage.

Abstract: A method by which to easily and inexpensively make a matched set of male and female embossing dies so that articles can be embossed in an arts and crafts environment. Upper and lower sheets of adhesive are applied to opposite faces of a substrate, and each adhesive layer is covered with a paper backing to form a sandwich with the substrate secured between the upper and lower sheets. A design to be embossed is then cut through the sandwich. A portion of the backing covering the upper adhesive sheet is removed to expose an area of the adhesive, and a first die plate is bonded to the upper sheet. A different portion of the backing covering the lower adhesive sheet is removed to expose an area of the adhesive, and a second die plate is bonded to the lower sheet.

Abstract: The subject invention is a delay door closer that is to be used in conjunction with a dual door arrangement such as a screen door mounted in conjunction with an entry door of a house or other building. A catch mechanism is mounted on the door jamb with the catch mechanism functioning to lock and hold the screen door in an open position when the entry door is in the closed position. Upon opening of the entry door a sufficient amount to where the user is now able to enter the building, the catch mechanism is disengaged which will cause the screen door to be moved from its open position to a closed position.

Abstract: A water gun which utilizes a piston movable within a piston cylinder by a manually operated handle. Movement of the piston to a retracted position within the piston cylinder will result in supplying water from a water reservoir into the piston cylinder. Moving of the piston in an inward position within the piston cylinder will result in expelling water from the piston cylinder into an elastic bladder. The quantity of water being expelled from the piston cylinder within the elastic bladder will cause the elastic bladder to expand substantially, and at the point of full inward motion of the piston, the handle will come into contact with a discharge valve which will be moved to cause release of the water that is confined within the elastic bladder. This water is to be expelled through a nozzle to be emitted into the ambient in a form of a stream.

Abstract: A periodontal cleaning device including a hollow housing having a handle member and a brush head member. The brush head includes a gear train reciprocally driven by a rack. The gear train includes at least one drive gear engageable by the rack which in turn drives a plurality of series interconnected driven gears. The drive gear includes one portion engaged by the rack and another portion engaged by an adjacent driven gear. An axial width of a gear portion of the drive gear is greater than the axial width of gear portions of the driven gears so that in operation, the rack does not engage the driven gears. The drive and driven gears each include a tuft holder by which bristles are removably held.