Abstract: Beverage holders adapted to attach to the upwardly extending arms of the handle assembly of a wheeled piece of luggage are described herein. The holders are adapted to twist and pivot when holding a cup with a beverage contained therein to maintain the axis of the beverage cup in a position generally orthogonal with a flat ground surface. The mechanism permitting the pivoting typically comprises a pair of opposing suspension arms that are fabricated of an elastomeric polymer that has sufficient tensile strength to support a beverage cup filled with a beverage but also has a sufficiently low flexural modulus to permit the cup to pivot when the angle of the handle assembly relative to the ground is changed.

Abstract: A retainer comprising first and second frames each including at least one arm. The frames are movably coupled and operative to be selectively oriented between an open state and a closed state. The arms are cooperative to form a closed loop when the frames are in the closed state. The frames may include pairs of arms that cooperate to form a pair of closed loops. The arms extend from respective first and second body portions which include cooperative alignment features, such as mating tongue and groove features. The arms may also include alignment features, such as pins sized and configured to mate with receptacles. The retainer also includes a fastener for selectively permitting movement between the open and closed states.

Abstract: Embodiments of door protectors are described. One typical embodiment comprises front and rear corrugated cardboard panels that are draped over a door by way of one or more pieces of saddle tape that join the panels along their respective top edges. A plurality of folds, perforations and cutouts are provided on the faces of the panels to permit access to the door's hardware. Accordingly, the door can be operated in a traditional manner while providing impact and damage protection to the door. The panels include a plurality of widthwise folds that permit the door protector to be folded for transport and storage. In variations, the edge straps are provided often comprised of hook and loop material to both secure the protector in a folded configuration and to an associated door.

Abstract: Containers which may be worn by a user and into which small refuse items and other materials can be inserted for temporary storage or for later disposal using one or more fingers of one hand, are described. In one embodiment, a hollow body having a closed end and an open screw cap cooperate to hold a deformable septum having a slit or perforation such that small items may easily be inserted into the body through the slit wherein they are securely enclosed until the body is detached from the cap. The contents can then be disposed of in an acceptable manner or otherwise used. In another embodiment of the invention, the screw cap and septum are replaced by a cover closed at one end and having a slit or opening having radially disposed arms in the closed end for introducing materials into the hollow body through the slit. Larger containers may be set into cup holders for use.

Abstract: A decorative tie member for securing a ribbon about a gift package is disclosed. The tie member has an underside for placement against a package and a generally oppositely facing decorative surface. The tie member is provided with at least one inner opening and first and second outer openings. To secure a ribbon about a package with the tie member, a free end of the ribbon is threaded through an inner opening from the underside surface of the tie member to and through the exposed decorative surface of the tie member. The free end is then threaded back through the tie member through the tie member's first outer opening and the threading is continued until a desired excess portion of the ribbon has been threaded through the openings. The process is then repeated with the other free end of the ribbon through an inner opening and the second outer opening located on the other side of the tie member.

Abstract: A retainer comprising first and second frames each including at least one arm. The frames are movably coupled and operative to be selectively oriented between an open state and a closed state. The arms are cooperative to form a closed loop when the frames are in the closed state. The frames may include pairs of arms that cooperate to form a pair of closed loops. The arms extend from respective first and second body portions which include cooperative alignment features, such as mating tongue and groove features. The arms may also include alignment features, such as pins sized and configured to mate with receptacles. The retainer also includes a fastener for selectively permitting movement between the open and closed states.

Abstract: Embodiments of door protectors are described. One typical embodiment comprises front and rear corrugated cardboard panels that are draped over a door by way of one or more pieces of saddle tape that join the panels along their respective top edges. Note: need to mention the Edge Tape and its function, as well. A plurality of folds, perforations and cutouts are provided on the faces of the panels to permit access to the door's hardware. Accordingly, the door can be operated in a traditional manner while providing impact and damage protection to the door. In variations, the rear faces of the panels that contact the door's surfaces are lined or coated with non-abrasive material, such as EPE foam, a towel liner, or a non-abrasive coating. The panels include a plurality of widthwise folds that permit the door protector to be folded for transport and storage.

Abstract: Embodiments of door protectors are described. One typical embodiment comprises front and rear corrugated cardboard panels that are draped over a door by way of one or more pieces of saddle tape that join the panels along their respective top edges. Note: need to mention the Edge Tape and its function, as well. A plurality of folds, perforations and cutouts are provided on the faces of the panels to permit access to the door's hardware. Accordingly, the door can be operated in a traditional manner while providing impact and damage protection to the door. In variations, the rear faces of the panels that contact the door's surfaces are lined or coated with non-abrasive material, such as EPE foam, a towel liner, or a non-abrasive coating, The panels include a plurality of widthwise folds that permit the door protector to be folded for transport and storage.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an oven having a flexible and retractable door is described. The oven door is adapted to move from a closed position wherein it effectively closes an open side of the oven chamber and an open position wherein the door is retracted into the body of the oven, typically below the oven chamber. In variations, an electric motor is provided to selectively move the oven door between the open and closed positions. In other variations, the oven includes an oven rack that is moveable between extended and retracted positions by way of a second electric motor.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an oven having a flexible and retractable door is described. The oven door is adapted to move from a closed position wherein it effectively closes an open side of the oven box and an open position wherein the door is retracted into the body of the oven, typically below the oven box. In variations, an electric motor is provided to selectively move the oven door between the open and closed positions. In other variations, the oven includes an oven rack that is moveable between extended and retracted positions by way of a second electric motor.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an oven having a flexible and retractable door is described. The oven door is adapted to move from a closed position wherein it effectively closes an open side of the oven box and an open position wherein the door is retracted into the body of the oven, typically below the oven box. In variations, an electric motor is provided to selectively move the oven door between the open and closed positions. In other variations, the oven includes an oven rack that is moveable between extended and retracted positions by way of a second electric motor.

Abstract: The present invention is a dual stage latch assembly with a cam follower pin mounted on a spring-tensioned arm, especially useful for vacuum test fixtures for printed circuit boards. The arm is spring-loaded on both sides, so that the arm is always biased to the upright and neutral position, regardless of which direction the arm is pivoted. A catch is provided to define the path of the cam pin and to hold the cam in certain positions. The cam pin follows a defined path around the catch, creating a first closed stage, a first release position, a second closed stage and a final release position.

Abstract: The present invention may provide a support assistive device for a user having a frame assembly (1), a vertical pelvis support element (2) connected to the frame assembly which may primarily support the ischial tuberosities (34), and a horizontal pelvis support element (3) which may primarily support the anterior superior iliac spines (35) of a pelvis (1a). It may provide such support with minimal or no hand or arm support. By supporting on the anterior superior iliac spine (35) on either side, a moment can be created to assist in turning even without the use of hands by simply turning the direction of the pelvis (1a). The created moment of the present invention is more natural to the user in turning the pelvis and as a result the device. The present invention may also provide a fluidic braking assembly (53) for any rotatable elements (48), which can be advantaged to assist a user in supplying an increase of force to actuate the braking action.

Abstract: A high strength, engineered collapsible support has separate shear bearing surfaces and pivot elements which permit efficient manufacture and higher strength. Unitary brace attachment is achieved with designs which can be molded and yet both efficiently manufactured and made acceptably strong such that heavy items such as performance or commercial speakers can be mounted stably. An extendible sleeve permits adjustment; a semiautomatic as well as manual clutch assembly permits quick securement of the top mast to the tripod; compression rings allow a secure fitting to be established between various pieces; leg upper end caps allow the legs of the tripod to be coupled to the main mast of the tripod; an end plug can serve to reduce the number of parts necessary to couple the various leg braces to the bottom of the main mast. Strength is achieved through multiple shear surfaces located at a distance from a pivot retention element and with parallel braces.

Abstract: A support assistive device for a user having a frame assembly, a vertical pelvis support element connected to the frame assembly which may primarily support the user in the ischial tuberosity region, and a horizontal pelvis support element which may primarily support the anterior superior iliac spine region of a pelvis. It may provide such support with minimal or no hand or arm support. By supporting on the anterior superior iliac spine on either side, a moment can be created to assist in turning even without the use of hands by simply turning the direction of the pelvis. The created moment of the present invention is more natural to the user in turning the pelvis and as a result the device. Additionally, a fluidic braking assembly for any rotatable elements is provided, which can be advantaged to assist a user in supplying an increase of force to actuate the braking action.

Abstract: A device and method of supporting a bicycle load in a workstand, wherein the workstand can be supported on only two members which establish three individual points of support. The workstand can utilize at least one rotatable leg to collapse the workstand into a portable and manageable configuration that facilitates transporting and storage. The load support member to which the bicycle is either directly or indirectly coupled can be coupled to the support base off-center from the geometric center of the support base to provide a more stable configuration for the stand as well as to establish the member out of the way of the bicycle which must be supported. In addition, a space saving footprint established by the support base allows the workstand to be positioned against walls and in corners.