Abstract: An energy supply unit (1) for an electrical device comprises a housing (2, 3) having an outer wall and an electrical energy source arranged in the housing (2, 3). A non-reclosable tear-open closure (10, 13) is provided such that the energy source can be removed in order to be disposed of separately but the energy supply unit cannot be equipped with a new energy source.

Abstract: A folding pet bed includes a frame with a top face and a bottom face and includes: a spine; a first and second frame plates coupled to the spine to form rotating joints; the first and second frame plates including flexible arms, where each of the flexible arms includes a first end fixably coupled to the corresponding frame plate and a second end not fixably coupled to the corresponding frame plate; and a plurality of casters coupled to the second ends of the flexible arms at the bottom face of the frame. The pet bed further includes trays coupled to the frame plates at the top face of the frame upon which a pet may rest. The trays may be rotated toward each other to place the pet bed in a folded position for easy movement and storage.

Abstract: The invention relates to an applicator (1) for inserting an elongated object into a human or animal body orifice, comprising a one-piece, elongated applicator body (2). An accommodating area (5) for the object is arranged at a first end (3), and a handle area (6) is arranged at the second area (4). The accommodating area (5) is hollow and is open at the first end (3). At least one slit (9) open at the first end (3) extends from said end (3) in the wall of the accommodating area (5) in order to accommodate a flexible retracting means arranged on an object to be inserted by means of the applicator.

Abstract: A shark deterrent device is disclosed. The device comprises at least two hollow cylindrical shafts, a tip, a twist-release mechanism, and at least one self-lock mechanism. The tip may be replaceable. The shark deterrent device is a retractable unit that is easy for a diver to carry and stow, and yet can be extended in order to deter a shark. The device is unlocked from its retracted position by twisting a collar, thereby unlocking the concentric shafts and allowing the unit to be fully extendable by hand. Once the unit is fully extended, a self-lock mechanism lock the unit to prevent it from retracting during use. The unit has a handle formed at one end of the outermost cylindrical shaft and a tip at the opposing end of the innermost cylindrical shaft. The tip may be replaceable and removed, and other useful tips may be attached.

Abstract: A heel protector is disclosed. The heel protector includes a stem portion having a body and at least one retaining portion. A channel is formed between the body and the at least one retaining portion. A biasing portion extends from the stem portion. The biasing portion includes an opening therein. A leaf portion extends from the biasing portion. A shoe and heel protector assembly is also disclosed. A method of using the heel protector to protect the heel and waist of a shoe is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing material includes: a chamber for the material, the chamber sealed by a flexible seal; a nozzle coupled to the chamber and residing at a front end; and a pump, the pump comprising: a piston that moves in a tube, and an activator. When a user presses the activator, the piston moves toward or away from the front end, and a portion of the material is emitted onto the user's palm or fingers. The pump emits the portion of the material regardless of a direction of gravitational pull. In one embodiment, the piston emits the material by directly contacting the material in the chamber. In another embodiment, air is allowed into the chamber through a weep hole, which resides between the piston and the material. The air is used to expel the material through the one-way valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing material includes: a chamber for the material, the chamber sealed by a flexible seal; a nozzle coupled to the chamber and residing at a front end; and a pump, the pump comprising: a piston that moves in a tube, and an activator. When a user presses the activator, the piston moves toward or away from the front end, and a portion of the material is emitted onto the user's palm or fingers. The pump emits the portion of the material regardless of a direction of gravitational pull. In one embodiment, the piston emits the material by directly contacting the material in the chamber. In another embodiment, air is allowed into the chamber through a weep hole, which resides between the piston and the material. The air is used to expel the material through the one-way valve.

Abstract: A bracelet to be worn on the wrist which includes a dispenser for dispensing liquid or powdered materials such as sunblocks or germicides. The dispenser on the palm side of the wrist and when the user presses an activator, the dispenser emits a portion of the material onto the user's palm. The dispenser is approximately the size of a wrist watch. A preferred embodiment of the dispenser employs a pump which will work at any orientation. The pump uses air pressure differences produced by the movement of a piston to pull the material into a chamber and expel it from the chamber through a one-way valve. The one-way valve in a preferred embodiment of the pump is made from a silicon diaphragm which opens when it flexes in response to pressure differences and a support for the diaphragm which permits it to flex in only one direction.

Abstract: A strut holding assembly for flexible elongated struts engaging a flexible wall, the assembly including a hub, a plurality of holding arms pivotally connected at spaced locations to the hub between storage positions adjacent the hub, and extended positions extending outwardly of the hub, each holding arm being adapted to immobilize a free inner end of one strut. At least one of the holding arms has a seat adapted for receiving and immobilize the free inner end of a strut in at least one direction and a hook spaced from the seat by a fulcrum distance, the hook being adapted for engaging the strut at a distance from the free inner end of the strut equal to the fulcrum distance, for immobilizing the strut in a bent and tensioned position and in at least three directions and being free to move in a remaining direction.

Abstract: A strut holding assembly for flexible elongated struts engaging a flexible wall, the assembly including a hub, a plurality of holding arms pivotally connected at spaced locations to the hub between storage positions adjacent the hub, and extended positions extending outwardly of the hub, each holding arm being adapted to immobilize a free inner end of one strut. At least one of the holding arms has a seat adapted for receiving and immobilize the free inner end of a strut in at least one direction and a hook spaced from the seat by a fulcrum distance, the hook being adapted for engaging the strut at a distance from the free inner end of the strut equal to the fulcrum distance, for immobilizing the strut in a bent and tensioned position and in at least three directions and being free to move in a remaining direction.

Abstract: An insert for a drill bit that includes diamond particles disposed in a matrix material, wherein the diamond particles have a contiguity of 15% or less is disclosed. A method of forming a diamond-impregnated cutting structure, that includes loading a plurality of substantially uniformly coated diamond particles into a mold cavity, pre-compacting the substantially uniformly coated diamond particles using a cold-press cycle, and heating the compacted, substantially uniformly coated diamond particles with a matrix material to form the diamond impregnated cutting structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A shark deterrent device is disclosed. The device comprises at least two hollow cylindrical shafts, a tip, a twist-release mechanism, and at least one self-lock mechanism. The tip may be replaceable. The shark deterrent device is a retractable unit that is easy for a diver to carry and stow, and yet can be extended in order to deter a shark. The device is unlocked from its retracted position by twisting a collar, thereby unlocking the concentric shafts and allowing the unit to be fully extendable by hand. Once the unit is fully extended, a self-lock mechanism lock the unit to prevent it from retracting during use. The unit has a handle formed at one end of the outermost cylindrical shaft and a tip at the opposing end of the innermost cylindrical shaft. The tip may be replaceable and removed, and other useful tips may be attached.