Abstract: A cutting board has two opposed longitudinal edges, two opposed transverse edges, a first diagonal edge between the first transverse edge and a first longitudinal edge, a second diagonal edge between the first transverse edge and a second longitudinal edge. The edges define broad upper and lower cutting board surfaces. A permanent magnet is affixed to each of the diagonal edges. Two elongate ferromagnetic fences have first and second legs disposed at right angles. In a dispensing trough position the second leg is engaged by the magnet to hold the second leg tightly against the diagonal edge with the first leg lying flat against the lower broad surface to thereby provide two fence members extending above the cutting surface to guide cut items toward an opening defined by a space between the fence members at a transverse edge. The size of the opening is adjusted by moving the fences.

Abstract: This invention solves the problem of what to do with the valve cap when it is removed from the valve while checking tire pressure. A cap holder elastic or rubbery projection on the pressure gauge is adapted to removably receive the cap. Caps have a standard internal female thread. The projection has ridges that increase the outside diameter to greater than the inside diameter of the threaded portion. The ridges as composed of a rubbery material that is so soft that they will bend without damage to the cap threads when the cap is pressed on to the projection. It will remain there securely while the operator is checking or adjusting the tire pressure.

Abstract: A telephone system includes a user-carried emergency communication system in combination with a cordless telephone. The user-carried handset has a large button on a first face. Pressing the button summons help by automatic connection to the 911 emergency telephone network. It also activates a signaling device mounted on the inside glass surface of a window that illuminates a message that 911 has been called. It may also sound an alarm. A pre-recorded massage may also be sent to the emergency call center. The other face has the functions of a cordless telephone. All elements are within the building, with installation by simply plugging cords into power and telephone outlets the same as any cordless phone and mounting the signaling device with suction cups. There are no monthly fees except for the usual cordless phone fee.

Abstract: The invention provides a multilayer sleeve liner for application to the skin of a limb before applying a cast or brace. The liner is readily conformable to the limb configuration. It has a first layer that is applied to the skin. This has protective and cushioning functions. A second layer has a mesh structure that encircles the limb. It is constructed so that when its first end is pulled away from its second end, the encirclement of the limb is tightened. When one end of the mesh is attached to one end of the cast, and the other end is attached to another end of the cast, tension on the limb will tighten the liner. Without removing the cast, the liner may be adjusted by releasing one end of the mesh from the cast, and increasing or decreasing tension as necessary, then reattaching the mesh to the cast. A third layer may be provided to prevent adhesion of the cast to the liner.

Abstract: The apparatus holds open the mouth of a plastic film bag, while holding it upright for filling. It is readily applied and removed after the filling has been done. It is easily cleaned. The holder has a convenient footprint for storage beneath the bag package when in a storage mode. The holder has arms that engage a surface of the bag proximate the bag opening and leg members that engage the other surface of the bag. The arms are removably attached to the leg members with the bag film sandwiched in between them by magnetic force. The combination of spaced-apart arms and spaced-apart leg members together hold the bag open and upright for filling.

Abstract: Jaw plates for removably attaching to the jaws of machine vises extend above the top of the jaw to hold taller workpieces. They are made from aluminum alloy for readily machining to conform to contours of a workpiece not easily held by flat jaw faces. They are sections cut from a special extrusion for enhanced physical properties and economy of production. Through holes are drilled for fastening to the jaw face. The plate has a planar vertical face for lying flat on the vertical jaw face. A second face engages the top horizontal face of the jaw. A groove between the two plate faces ensures the second face engages the horizontal face of the jaw away from the intersection of the faces. Alternatively, material on the plate may conform to the workpiece when hot and retain shape when cool.

Abstract: A serving receptacle dispenses food therefrom onto a diner's plate while overcoming the problem of food being dropped onto the table during dispensing. At least one dispensing ramp is coextensive with the serving dish upper surface and extends upward and horizontally over the edge of a diner's plate. Each ramp has two opposed side edges that extend upwardly from the ramp surface to reduce the chances of food or fluid dropping off the ramp during dispensing. The food is moved onto the ramp and then past the leading edge of the ramp, where it will then fall onto the diner's plate. There may be two opposed ramps that also serve as handles. The ramps have an upper surface that is slightly sloped upwardly as it approaches the outer edge of the ramp. This enables liquids to flow back into the dish instead of dripping over the edge. A drip projection under the free edge of the ramp causes liquid at the edge to drip down onto the plate.

Abstract: A telephone system includes a user-carried emergency communication system in combination with a cellular telephone. The user-carried handset has a large button on a first face. Pressing the button summons help by automatic connection to the 911 emergency telephone network. It also activates a signaling device mounted on the inside glass surface of a window that illuminates a message that 911 has been called. It may also sound an alarm. A pre-recorded massage may also be sent to the emergency call center. The other face has the functions of a cellular telephone. All elements are within the building, with installation by simply plugging cords into power outlets the same as any cellular phone and mounting the signaling device with suction cups. There are no monthly fees except for the usual cellular phone fee.

Abstract: The invention is a pot holder that will insulate the hand from heat, have adequate friction for holding, and be readily available and usable with one hand. The holder or handgrip of the invention comprises an elastomer sheet such as silicone rubber with a small permanent magnet affixed adjacent one edge. The magnet has sufficient attractive force to support the holder in place against a ferromagnetic surface such as the vertical side of a refrigerator or microwave oven, for example. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a small piece of ferromagnetic material may be affixed to an opposite edge of the sheet to removably attach to the magnet on the opposite edge to thereby form the sheet into a tube that may be used to removably attach to a handle. The sheet may have one or both broad surfaces provided with a texture to enhance friction to provide a non-slip surface. The sheet has sufficient insulating properties to protect a hand from a hot handle.

Abstract: A device and method for capturing a live or dead insect on a surface and disposing of the captured insect while the user's hands are remote from the insect and the insect is covered from view and captured by an adhesive sheet. A handle is at one end of an elongate tube. The adhesive sheet is removably held by a support at a second end of the tube with the adhesive surface exposed for capturing an insect. The device is operable with just a single hand on the handle. The adhesive sheet is remote from the handle. The sheet is positioned on the insect to adhesively capture the insect. The operator can then position the sheet at a suitable waste receptacle, and pressing the end of the handle releases the sheet with the insect into the waste receptacle.

Abstract: A vise jaw assembly can be easily mounted on, and removed from, the jaws of a machine vise. A first reusable component bolts onto the face of a machine vise jaw. A second component is inexpensive and disposable. It is made by extrusion of an easily machinable material such as aluminum. It has a flat face that is designed to engage a flat face of the first component. It has an element extending from the flat face such as a dovetail element that slides laterally into a correspondingly shaped recess in the first component to complete a dovetail type joint. A slot below the recess in the first component is compressed by threaded fasteners to tighten the joint. The second component has a uniform cross section so that it may be produced by extrusion with minimal finishing except for cutting to length.

Abstract: A plastic film bag serves as disposable urine collection device especially suitable for female use. The bag has a resealable top opening. Adjacent the top opening along opposed long sides are two tubular members with an end aperture dimensioned for insertion of a finger into each tubular member. When the bag is mounted on two fingers, the fingers can hold the bag open and press the bag against the body on either side of the urinary orifice. In this position, the user can void into the bag without mishap. The device may be used by inserting the bag mounted on the fingers of one hand inside the panties. The device may be formed from a thin plastic film. A grasping tab is connected to the aperture and extends away therefrom adapted to facilitate entrance of the finger into the member. The aperture may be provided with a stiffer annular element to further facilitate insertion of the finger into the tubular member.

Abstract: Tongs for operations with one hand have a pair of arms hinged at one end. A spring biases the second, grasping ends apart. When the arms are closed, magnetic elements on the inner aspects of the arms together to hold the arms closed and locked. To unlock the arms without the use of another hand or other accessories, a finger or thumb of the holding hand is inserted between the arms, forcing the magnetic elements apart enough to release their hold. A mechanism is provided for inactivating the magnetic lock mechanism when desired.

Abstract: A spherical world globe with geographic features imprinted on its surface rotates on an axis through the poles. The sphere is not large enough to carry legible details of all areas. Greater details are stored in a memory such as a compact disc. An indicator on the sphere is positionable north and south or the sphere is positionable relative to a fixed indicator to position the indicator along a north/south meridian. A sensor senses the north/south position of the indicator and sends a signal to a control circuit connected to the memory. Another sensor connected to the rotation of the sphere sends an east/west signal to the control circuit. Using the two signals, the circuit finds the area corresponding to the area selected on the sphere in the memory and displays it on a display in greater detail than is visible on the sphere.

Abstract: A spherical world globe with geographic features imprinted on its surface rotates on and axis through the poles. The sphere is not large enough to carry legible details of all areas. Greater details are stored in a memory such as a compact disc. An indicator on the sphere slides north and south. A sensor senses the north south position of the indicator and sends a signal to a selection circuit connected to the memory. Another sensor connected to the rotation of the sphere sends an east/west signal to the memory. Using the two signals, the circuit find the area corresponding to the area selected on the sphere and displays it on a display in greater detail than is visible on the sphere.

Abstract: A method and controlled release oral unit dosage form of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) delays the release of the drug until a predetermined time interval after ingestion. This enables the drug to reach optimal therapeutic blood levels at a time in the early morning when the events leading up to a vascular obstruction culminating in a heart attack or stroke are most commonly occurring after the drug is taken in the evening. The convenience of taking the drug every evening should enhance compliance. By arranging for the optimal blood level to coincide with the peak incidence of strokes, a much smaller total dose of the drug may be used than is normally prescribed. This may reduce the incidence of side effects that are dose related. This will make the prophylactic use of aspirin available to more of the population.

Abstract: Light apparatus for removably mounting on a person or an item to be illuminated. The apparatus has its own battery power supply mounted on a web of material. When the web is of pliant material, two opposed sides are provided with fasteners so that the web may be wrapped around an item or a person and the opposed sides then joined together to hold the apparatus in place. The battery is rechargeable, and a built-in battery charger is incorporated into the apparatus. Light emitters are powered by the battery and positioned to emit light that is readily seen. The lights may be light emitting diodes (LEDs), electroluminescent strips (EL), or incandescent bulbs. The lights may be flashing and/or sequencing for safety and/or decoration. Prongs are provided on the web for directly inserting into an electrical outlet to recharge the battery and support the apparatus on the outlet.

Abstract: Vehicle light apparatus for removably mounting on an elongate member of a vehicle such as a stroller or bicycle has its own battery power supply mounted on a rectangular web of pliant material that has opposed long sides. The long sides are provided with fasteners so that the web may be wrapped around an elongate member of a vehicle and the two long sides then joined together to hold the apparatus in place. The battery may be rechargeable, and a built-in battery charger may be incorporated into the apparatus. Light emitters are powered by the battery and positioned to emit light from opposed sides of the member. The lights may be light emitting diodes (LEDs), electroluminescent strips (EL), or incandescent bulbs. The lights may be flashing sequencing for safety and decoration.

Abstract: When beside an obscuring obstruction such as a truck, sport utility vehicle, building, or vegetation beside a driveway, a vehicle operator cannot see if a person or vehicle is approaching from the side into the area about to be entered. Only after moving out partially into the traffic lane will an approaching person or vehicle become visible. This can result in damage and injury. The invention provides the driver of a land vehicle with a view of the roadway ahead and to the side of the vehicle and of the roadway behind and to the side of the vehicle that may not be visible from the driver's position. An electronic viewing element, or elements, of the invention extend beyond the front and/or the rear of the vehicle and view the roadway lateral to the vehicle. Because such apparatus is very vulnerable to damage, provisions are made to retract the element to a protected position within the contour of the vehicle when not in use, and to extend the apparatus to use position as required.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for processing used vehicle tires that separates the steel metal from the rubber and other non-metallic materials for recycling. The tire is rotated at sufficient speed to force the materials outwardly by centrifugal force. Heated blades move centripetally to melt and cut through the non-metallic materials, dividing the tire into at least two arcs that are held together by the steel reinforcement that is not easily cut through. Electric heating apparatus heats the steel more than the rubber so that the forces binding the rubber are released, enabling the rubber and other non-metallic materials to be flung outwardly away from the steel. The steel is then collected separately. The differential heating apparatus may be inductive or resistive.