Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a storage and retrieval system may include a storage assembly supported by a plurality of frame members. The storage assembly may include a plurality of storage members that may be engaged with one another such that each storage member may selectively move along a predetermined path. The exterior of the storage and retrieval system may include a front exterior panel that may be configured with an access port therein for interacting with items positioned on the storage members. The exterior may also include a first and/or second display, scanner, and one or more door flaps to allow/prevent access to the interior of the storage and retrieval system through the access port.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a storage and retrieval system may include a storage assembly supported by a plurality of frame members. The storage assembly may include a plurality of storage members that may be engaged with one another such that each storage member may selectively move along a predetermined path. The exterior of the storage and retrieval system may include a front exterior panel that may be configured with an access port therein for interacting with items positioned on the storage members. The exterior may also include a first and/or second display, scanner, and one or more door flaps to allow/prevent access to the interior of the storage and retrieval system through the access port.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a putter the putter comprises a head, a cap, at least one brush insert, and a handle. The brush insert(s) may be positioned between the head and cap and retained by the engagement of the cap with the head. The head and cap may be formed with respective ball apertures such that a golf ball may pass through those apertures. The brush insert, which is replaceable, may be formed with a plurality of radially oriented brushes having distal ends extending inward. The putter may be used to retrieve a golf ball from a golf cup by lowering the putter into the cup and forcing the golf ball into the brush insert. Subsequently removing the golf ball coupled with inserting the golf ball into the brush insert cleans the golf ball.

Abstract: A wire guard for filling an opening in an electrical box, to protect contents contained therein, includes a plate having a circumferential wall projecting outward from the plate at a defined angle. The wall extends for a length of a perimeter of the plate, contacting an interior surface of the electrical box when the plate fills the opening. At least one bracket of the wire guard surrounds a tab formed in the electrical box. Further, an aperture in the bracket aligns with a bore hole in the tab. A mechanical fastener, e.g. a screw, may be inserted into the aperture to engage with the bore hole of the tab, thereby fastening the wire guard to the electrical box. A screw driver or other tool, inserted into an aperture in the plate, may be used to extract the wire guard from the electrical box after use.

Abstract: A subcutaneously implantable distraction device comprises a first arm, having a first skeletal connector for attachment to a first skeletal component at a first location. A second arm has a second skeletal connector for attachment to a second skeletal component at a second location. The first and second arms are slidably moveable with respect to each other. A fluid actuator is associated with each of the first and second arms to apply a separating force between the arms to slidably move at least one of the arms relative to the other.

Abstract: A powered carousel shelving unit is configured to bring individual shelves to a standard handicap accessible height at a front access opening for viewing and selection of product on the shelves. Stationary guide tracks and complimentary tracking elements connected to the shelves are cooperative to tip the shelves forward as they approach and leave the access area so as to organize the product to the front of the shelves.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a base into which the open end of a conventional tube of toothpaste is threaded, a manually operated pump in the base to draw paste from the tube and discharge the paste onto a toothbrush, a perforated tube positioned in the tube of toothpaste to prevent prematurely collapsing of the walls and resulting flow restriction as paste is drawn from the tube, and a cover that hinges to the top of the base to conceal the tube and that provides presentation area for advertising, logos and other graphic or written information.

Abstract: A subcutaneously implantable distraction device comprises a first arm, having a first skeletal connector for attachment to a first skeletal component at a first location. A second arm has a second skeletal connector for attachment to a second skeletal component at a second location. The first and second arms are slidably moveable with respect to each other. A fluid actuator is associated with each of the first and second arms to apply a separating force between the arms to slidably move at least one of the arms relative to the other.

Abstract: A portable filtration assembly includes a housing containing a water inlet port and a water outlet port and a sub-micron filter disposed in the housing having hydrophilic sub-micron rated membrane filter elements. The sub-micron filter is configured to effect a six log reduction of bacteria (99.9999%) and a four log reduction of protozoa (99.99%) at a flow rate between 10-30 mL/sec requiring a pressure of 1.5-10 psi. The assembly also includes structure for venting air through the hydrophilic sub-micron rated membrane filter elements. The assembly may additionally include a monolithic radial flow carbon composite filter also disposed in the housing. The monolithic radial flow carbon composite filter is configured for removing at least 80% of chlorine and at least 90% of lead over a minimum of forty gallons at a flow rate of 10 mL/sec at a pressure drop of 10 psi or less.

Abstract: A flying insect trap includes an insect attracting light located in a generally translucent cover, an axial flow fan to draw the insects into the cover and to force the flying insects onto a sticky, disposable slid-in tray as the air flow impinges thereon prior to exiting laterally through exhaust ports.

Abstract: A flying insect trap includes an insect attracting light located in a generally translucent cover, an axial flow fan to draw the insects into the cover and to force the flying insects onto a sticky, disposable slid-in tray as the air flow impinges thereon prior to exiting laterally through exhaust ports.

Abstract: A filter assembly, particularly for use with a plastic bottle having an open neck with an inside diameter of about 50 mm or less (e.g. about 25 mm), includes a tube of filtering material connected to one surface of a cap while a valve extends from an opposite surface of the cap. The tube is preferably of filtering material such as activated carbon with plastic binder, having a substantially continuous liquid-porous sidewall, a hollow interior, a first closed end, and a second open end. The tube is operatively connected to the cap second surface at the tube second open end by sonic welding, a mechanical connection, or adhesively. The cap has a fitting portion for cooperating with the bottle neck, such as internal screw threads or a snap portion. The valve may be a reciprocating valve, a baby bottle nipple, or a spray device. A biocidal medium may be disposed within the hollow interior of the filter tube, and the tube may be wrapped with a filter material having a pore size of about 1-4 microns.

Abstract: A filter assembly, particularly for use with a plastic bottle having an open neck with an inside diameter of about 50 mm or less (e.g. about 25 mm), includes a tube of filtering material connected to one surface of a cap while a valve extends from an opposite surface of the cap. The tube is preferably of filtering material such as activated carbon with plastic binder, having a substantially continuous liquid-porous sidewall, a hollow interior, a first closed end, and a second open end. The tube is operatively connected to the cap second surface at the tube second open end by sonic welding, a mechanical connection, or adhesively. The cap has a fitting portion for cooperating with the bottle neck, such as internal screw threads or a snap portion. The valve may be a reciprocating valve, a baby bottle nipple, or a spray device. A biocidal medium may be disposed within the hollow interior of the filter tube, and the tube may be wrapped with a filter material having a pore size of about 1-4 microns.

Abstract: A toilet seat (12) usable for both handicapped and non-handicapped users is disclosed. A seat (20) is pivotally positioned atop seat (18) which in turn is pivotally connected to the toilet (14) by base member (16). The toilet seat may operate as an elevated seat with seat (20) in horizontal position or a standard elevation seat with seat (20) and vertical position, or, for cleaning, with both seats in a vertical position.

Abstract: A rod and guide assembly which permits free axial rod movement and does not allow the rod to rotate excessively in the rod guide. The rod is a cast member having a main body of circular cross section and a key integrally formed therewith and extending from and axially along one side of the main body. The parting line plane of the rod passes through the rod axis and substantially at right angles to a plane passing through the center of the key and the rod main body axis. The guide member has a guide aperture through which the rod extends. The aperture is defined by circumferentially spaced axially extending wall sections having circumferentially spaced and radially extending recesses therebetween. Two circumferentially opposite recesses have an axially extending plane passing therethrough and through the aperture axis. This plane is perpendicular to a similarly extending plane passing through at least one other such recess.