Abstract: A weather shield device for a medical stretcher includes a generally square-shaped malleable main body member that is constructed from one or more layers of waterproof fabric. An elongated hollow channel is positioned along the periphery of the main body for receiving and housing a self-supporting frame. The frame and main body are transitioned between a folded position, a fully open position and an arched position for use with a stretcher. A plurality of connectors are disposed along the sides of the main body and function to selectively engage the sides of a medical stretcher. When secured onto the stretcher, the frame forms an arched shape so as to fully cover the stretcher with the waterproof main body, and a pair of semi-rigid struts maintain a set separation distance between the sides of the main body when in the arched position.

Abstract: A post-surgical drain management pouch is disclosed. The pouch has resilient tubing clamps to hold the tubing in a friction fit arrangement. The guides organize drain tubing and prevent their binding while also providing sufficient slack to prevent the tubing from dislodging or otherwise accidentally discharging the drainage from a surgical site. The clips also prevent the accidental disconnection of the drain tubing from the drain if the tubing is pulled tight.

Abstract: A cosmetic apparatus includes a double-ended cosmetic container having a liquid cosmetic reservoir chamber therein. Interchangeable end caps are removably attached to generally opposite ends of the container. An applicator wand, attached to the first end cap, is insertable through the first end and a first wiper insert, and selectively moved to the generally opposite second end so as to be insertable through the second open end and second insert, which is configured to funnel cosmetic material into the second insert and onto the applicator so as to capture the remaining cosmetic material.

Abstract: A cosmetic apparatus includes a double-ended cosmetic container having a liquid cosmetic reservoir chamber therein. Interchangeable end caps are removably attached to generally opposite ends of the container. An applicator wand, attached to the first end cap, is insertable through the first end and a first wiper insert, and selectively moved to the generally opposite second end so as to be insertable through the second open end and second insert, which is configured to funnel cosmetic material into the second insert and onto the applicator so as to capture the remaining cosmetic material.

Abstract: Environmentally-friendly materials 1000 intended to be tossed into the air are constructed of water soluble materials which dissolve in the rain. These may also be made of materials which birds and squirrels may eat without doing them any harm. One preferred material, based upon its density and rigidity is rice papers. The materials are cut into pieces 1000 which are sized and shaped to resemble flower petals, confetti 1200 or a petal 1300 made to spiral down to the ground like a falling maple seed. The rice petals 1000, 1200, 1300 have a pale color to reduce the chances that they will stain the ground or other surfaces. These are designed to be used in areas which restrict throwing flower petals, which cause staining, rice, which harms wildlife, or confetti which must be cleaned up. The rice petals 1000, 1200, 1300 do not stain, may be eaten by wildlife and biodegrade in the environment. Since the material of the rice petals may be made of rice, they preserve the tradition of throwing rice at celebrations.

Abstract: Methods and computer readable media are provided for creating a dialing string. The dialing strings are used in a dial-up session to establish a communications link for transferring data between computing configurations from an origination location to a destination location. In a preferred embodiment, queries are made regarding geographic information of the origination and a destination locations. In response thereto, a database is searched for phone dialing codes, such as foreign country codes and regional city codes, that correspond to the geographic information. The codes are then fashioned into the dialing string. Preferably, a dial-up manager serves to provide the functions of querying about the geographic locations, searching the database and fashioning the dialing string. It is a feature of this invention that the dial-up manager also monitor the actual dialing of the dialing string to determine whether a communications link between the origination and destination locations is ever established.

Abstract: A fuser is disclosed that includes a pair of outer rollers with one or more inner rollers displaced within at least one of the outer rollers. Each inner roller may optionally have a convex outer surface.

Abstract: A mobile configuration manager application is provided for managing network configuration parameters essential for the configuration of a computer for operable interaction in a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) environment. The network configuration parameters are partitioned into intuitive profiles that may be re-used in additional network configurations including LAN and WAN environments. The population of the profile parameters is facilitated by the application through the use of intuitive menus and windows with competed configurations being stored and selectively activated by a user without requiring subsequent parametric input by the user when selecting a different network environment. The transfer and exchange of network configuration parameters between different computers is also presented.

Abstract: Methods and systems for configuring communication systems to access public telephone networks. communication systems, such as modems, that connect to public telephone networks are required to meet certain access requirements defined by the telephone network. The present invention provides a list of countries/locations to select from in configuring a communication system to operate with a particular telephone network. The methods and systems also include an import feature to address political changes such as the change of a country's name as well as telephone network equipment changes that necessitate modifying how a communication system and telephone network interact. Because political boundaries do not always indicate differing telephone access requirements, the present invention may also store a unique country/location identifier where the communication system groups political subdivisions together so that a configuration can be associated with a single country/location.

Abstract: Methods and computer readable media are provided for creating a wireless dialing string. Wireless dialing strings are used in a dial-up session to establish a communications link for transferring data between computing configurations from an origination location across a wireless network to a destination location. In a preferred embodiment, queries are made regarding the origination location and the wireless service provider. In response thereto, a database is searched for phone dialing codes, such as enhanced services modem pool availability codes and wireless digital data transfer protocol codes, that correspond to the origination information. The codes are then fashioned into the dialing string. Preferably, a dial-up manager serves to provide the functions of querying about the origination location, billing information, and preferred wireless service provider; searching the database; and fashioning the dialing string.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a connection monitor to concurrently interact with a concurrent diagnostic-capable modem during an open connection controlled by a communication application without terminating the open connection between a host system and the modem. The connection monitor and a communication application operate concurrently to enable a user to interrogate a modem for status information while a connection with the modem remains open and functional with other communication applications. A serial device driver presents two types of entry to the operating system, one for normal communications and one for a collateral or side-door entrance from a connection monitor. The serial device driver multiplexes a packaged diagnostic command into the open channel with the data process by the serial driver and dispatched to a local modem.

Abstract: A snubber arrangement which connects to a composite hollow beam structure without requiring the penetration of the composite material. The snubber includes an attachment assembly having first and second metallic outer layer bonded to an inner layer of composite material, with one of the outer layers being in intimate bonded contact with a surface of the composite hollow beam. A threaded insert in the attachment assembly receives a bolt around which a multipart spool is located. The hollow beam is mounted on a support structure and the spool has upper and lower flange portions which are located on either side of an aperture within the support structure such that the spool is maintained in position to limit excessive movement of the composite structure to which the snubber is attached.