Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for controlling movement of a desk or table. The apparatuses, systems, and methods may include a housing arranged with the desk or table and a lever configured to initiate raising or lowering of the desk in response to a force applied by a user.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for controlling movement of a desk or table. The apparatuses, systems, and methods may include a housing arranged with the desk or table and a lever configured to initiate raising or lowering of the desk in response to a force applied by a user.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for controlling movement of a desk or table. The apparatuses, systems, and methods may include a housing arranged with the desk or table and a lever configured to initiate raising or lowering of the desk in response to a force applied by a user.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for controlling movement of a desk or table. The apparatuses, systems, and methods may include a housing arranged with the desk or table and a lever configured to initiate raising or lowering of the desk in response to a force applied by a user.

Abstract: A tool for aiding marking or cutting is described. A V-shaped member having an edge formed at an exterior apex of the V for guiding a marker or cutting tool. The exterior surfaces of the V-shaped member may have a material applied having a higher coefficient of friction than that of the V-shaped member. The edge at the apex of the V may have two substantially planar surfaces, each of which forms a complimentary angle with the interior apex angle of the V, or a thin metal portion formed in the exterior apex of the V so that an edge thereof protrudes sloping towards a surface on which the tool is laid. A graduated scale may be applied to an exterior surface of the tool at a location near the apex.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of automatically shuffling a deck of playing cards is described. The apparatus includes three compartments disposed laterally with respect to each other and at least one compartment movable vertically with respect to another other compartment. Cards placed in one of the compartments are dispensed into the other two compartments so as to cut or strip the deck, and are returned to the original compartment by interleaving cards from the other compartments. The process may be repeated to substantially randomize the deck for use in playing a game of cards. One of the compartments may be operable, either manually or by motive means so as to project outside the envelope of the apparatus so as to accept or dispense a deck of cards.

Abstract: A water cooler caddy device for use in conjunction with a water cooler or other beverage dispenser. The water cooler caddy has an arcuate inner surface as an interface with the water bottle and is sized such that it may be placed over the water bottle and slid down so that it either rests on an upper surface of the water cooler, or is supported by the side of the water bottle. The water cooler caddy may have a gap in the circumference so that the radius of the inner surface may be temporarily increased to facilitate installation. Partitions are used to form compartments to contain service items.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting a cable to a surface is presented. The bracket restricts lateral and longitudinal movement of a cable while enabling rotational movement. The bracket may be mounted to a first surface so that the cable may be inserted into a second surface. The bracket generally includes a mounting portion, first and second flanges, and an arm. To reduce longitudinal movement of the cable, the cable is inserted through the first flange and fixedly coupled to a ferrule, which is coupled between the second flange and the notch of the arm. To restrict lateral movement of the cable, a first flange includes a tab that when in a raised position, enables the cable to be inserted through the first flange. After which, the tab is lowered to reduce the size of the aperture. The bracket may also include a cap that is fixedly removable from the cable.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting a cable to a surface is presented. The bracket restricts lateral and longitudinal movement of a cable while enabling rotational movement. The bracket may be mounted to a first surface so that the cable may be inserted into a second surface. The bracket generally includes a mounting portion, first and second flanges, and an arm. To reduce longitudinal movement of the cable, the cable is inserted through the first flange and fixedly coupled to a ferrule, which is coupled between the second flange and the notch of the arm. To restrict lateral movement of the cable, a first flange includes a tab that when in a raised position, enables the cable to be inserted through the first flange. After which, the tab is lowered to reduce the size of the aperture. The bracket may also include a cap that is fixedly removable from the cable.

Abstract: A tool for aiding marking or cutting is described. A V-shaped member having an edge formed at an exterior apex of the V for guiding a marker or cutting tool. The exterior surfaces of the V-shaped member may have a material applied having a higher coefficient of friction than that of the V-shaped member. The edge at the apex of the V may have two substantially planar surfaces, each of which forms a complimentary angle with the interior apex angle of the V, or a thin metal portion formed in the exterior apex of the V so that an edge thereof protrudes sloping towards a surface on which the tool is laid. A graduated scale may be applied to an exterior surface of the tool at a location near the apex.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of automatically shuffling a deck of playing cards is described. The apparatus includes three compartments disposed laterally with respect to each other and at least one compartment movable vertically with respect to another other compartment. Cards placed in one of the compartments are dispensed into the other two compartments so as to cut or strip the deck, and are returned to the original compartment by interleaving cards from the other compartments. The process may be repeated to substantially randomize the deck for use in playing a game of cards. One of the compartments may be operable, either manually or by motive means so as to project outside the envelope of the apparatus so as to accept or dispense a deck of cards.

Abstract: An antiseptic soap dispenser has a dispensing system (28) which includes a pressure actuated platen (32) and a moveable roller (94) for dispensing soap from a replaceable container (12). A dispensing tube (10) with an integral self-sealing valve (40) at a downstream end is connected to a neck (20) of the container. Hand pressure on the platen compresses a upstream end of the dispensing tube between the platen and the roller. With increasing pressure, the roller moves progressively down the tube to dispense soap through the valve. A volume regulator (111) controls the amount of soap dispensed. The platen returns quickly to its at-rest position once the pressure is removed, avoiding complete compression of the pathway by the roller. This minimizes air ingress, and resultant contamination of the soap. Optionally, a filtered vent (14) in a wall (22) of the container allows filtered air to enter the container in place of the soap dispensed.

Abstract: A cap (18,120) and a thrust washer (62,128) seal a flexible silicone dispensing tube (10,118) to a neck (20,114) of a container (12,116) which holds a fluid to be dispensed. The thrust washer is shaped to inhibit contact between a lip (50,110) of the dispensing tube and the interior of the cap so that the soft material of the dispensing tube is not damaged when the cap is screwed on to the neck of the container. The thrust washer slides on the cap as the cap is screwed on to limit sliding movement relative to the dispensing tube. A dust cover (24,138) protects the dispensing tube during shipment and storage. The dust cover is attached to the cap by a frangible portion (66) which is broken prior to dispensing the cleaning fluid. A lower projecting ring (86,134) on the thrust washer prevents the dust cover from compressing and damaging the lip of the dispensing tube.

Abstract: An antiseptic soap dispenser (A) is mounted to a wall by a secure mounting system (E). A latching and locking mechanism (D) inhibits tampering with the dispenser or theft of a replaceable soap reservoir (B), received within a dispenser housing (C). The housing includes a front cover (18) pivotally connected to a back plate (20). The mounting mechanism (E) removably mounts the back plate of the housing to a wall mounting plate (24), which is attached by screws or other fixing means to a wall or other suitable mounting surface. The back plate includes mounting tabs (172) which engage a corresponding releasable engagement portion (170) on the mounting plate to secure the housing to the mounting plate. A latch plate (60), is movably carried by the back plate. The latch plate provides the latching and locking mechanism (D) which releasably locks the housing in a manner which is not readily obvious to a casual observer, yet which avoids the need for a key.

Abstract: A multi-layer film (22) covers an aperture (21) in a rigid container (10) to provide a filtered venting system (C) for the container. The film includes a porous filter layer (36,36') of a material such as polytetrafluoroethylene foam which filters bioburden from air as it enters the container during the dispensing of a fluid from a nozzle (14) in the container. The film also includes a barrier layer (34,34') of an impermeable material that prevents air from entering the container during transit and storage and prevents blockage of the porous layer with dried fluid. Before dispensing, the film is stretched, thereby destroying the integrity of the barrier layer and allowing air to enter through the porous layer.

Abstract: A dispensing valve assembly for dispensing a fluid product and preventing air from being drawn into the fluid product through the valve includes a flexible diaphragm valve (10, 50, 100) and a valve seat insert (12, 58, 102). The flexible diaphragm valve flexes from a concave closed position to a convex open position in which fluid product is dispensed through a dispensing opening (26, 56, 116) in the diaphragm. The valve seat insert is positioned adjacent an inside surface of the diaphragm valve in its closed position to prevent the valve from buckling inward and prevent air from passing into the fluid product through the valve.

Abstract: A tub grab bar adapted to be removably mounted to a bath tub includes a main body portion having at least one grasping region oriented generally perpendicular to the tub wall. The bar has first and second clamping members adjustably positionable relative to one another in a direction generally parallel to the at least one grasping region. The clamping members are adapted to secure the grab bar to the bath tub wall. The bar farther includes first and second tub gripping elements. The gripping elements are mounted to a respective one of the clamping members. At least one of the gripping elements is multi-accurately, pivotally mounted to its respective clamping member to permit the gripping element to fully engage the bath tub wall when the clamping members are secured to the bath tub wall. The main body portion of the grab bar includes a pair of generally parallel, spaced apart stabilizing elements positioned with at least one of the clamping members therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pressure equalization system for use in a dive mask of the type used for scuba diving and skin diving. The dive mask generally includes a frame in which a substantially transparent window or lens is mounted. A flexible skirt is also attached to the frame and includes a nosepiece configured to fit over the nose of the diver. An equalizer system includes a pair of buttons disposed to cooperate with the sidewalls of the nosepiece. The diver can simply press the buttons towards one another to seal his or her nose when equalizing internal and external pressure.