Abstract: Apparel drying assemblies including a housing having an internal passage, at least one outlet, and external mounting members, projections mounted to the external mounting members and having an inlet, at least one outlet, and positionable to receive an apparel; a valve element positioned between the internal passage of the housing and the inlets of the plurality of projections; and a source of pressurized air in the housing. The projections are adapted to contact and deflect the valve element when the projections are pivotally rotated so that the pressurized air passes through the projections to dry the apparel mounted on the projections. The projections may be elongated, extendable projections. Methods of drying apparel, apparel dryer supports, dryer nozzles, dryer nozzle assemblies, and apparel drying activation mechanisms are also disclosed.

Abstract: Portable assemblies and methods for drying apparel, for example, footwear or gloves, are provided. The assemblies include a housing; projections or pegs pivotally mounted to or inserted into the housing, the projections each having an inlet, an outlet, an internal passage communicating the inlet to the outlet, and the projections can be oriented in a position adapted to receive the apparel; and a source of air having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlets of the projections. The assemblies may include a handle or strap for transporting the assemblies. The air may be provided by a fan or blower, and may be heated. The projections can be pivotally mounted in different directions and extend and retract into the housing. The retracted projection may be flush with the surface of the housing when not in use.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods for drying apparel, for example, footwear or gloves, are provided. The assemblies include a panel; projections or pegs pivotally mounted to the panel, the projections each having an inlet, an outlet, an internal passage communicating the inlet to the outlet, and the projections can be oriented in a position adapted to receive the apparel; and a source of air having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlets of the projections. The air, for example, from a fan, passes into the inlets of the projections, through the internal passages, and out of the outlets to contact and dry the apparel mounted on the projections. The methods may include heating the air to enhance the drying. Projection modules that can be pivotally mounted to extend and retract into the panel are also disclosed. The retracted projection may be flush with the panel when not in use.

Abstract: Portable assemblies and methods for drying apparel, for example, footwear or gloves, are provided. The assemblies include a housing; projections or pegs pivotally mounted to or inserted into the housing, the projections each having an inlet, an outlet, an internal passage communicating the inlet to the outlet, and the projections can be oriented in a position adapted to receive the apparel; and a source of air having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlets of the projections. The assemblies may include a handle or strap for transporting the assemblies. The air may be provided by a fan or blower, and may be heated. The projections can be pivotally mounted in different directions and extend and retract into the housing. The retracted projection may be flush with the surface of the housing when not in use.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods for drying apparel, for example, footwear or gloves, are provided. The assemblies include a panel; projections or pegs pivotally mounted to the panel, the projections each having an inlet, an outlet, an internal passage communicating the inlet to the outlet, and the projections can be oriented in a position adapted to receive the apparel; and a source of air having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlets of the projections. The air, for example, from a fan, passes into the inlets of the projections, through the internal passages, and out of the outlets to contact and dry the apparel mounted on the projections. The methods may include heating the air to enhance the drying. Projection modules that can be pivotally mounted to extend and retract into the panel are also disclosed. The retracted projection may be flush with the panel when not in use.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods for drying apparel, for example, footwear or gloves, are provided. The assemblies include a panel; projections or pegs pivotally mounted to the panel, the projections each having an inlet, an outlet, an internal passage communicating the inlet to the outlet, and the projections can be oriented in a position adapted to receive the apparel; and a source of air having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlets of the projections. The air, for example, from a fan, passes into the inlets of the projections, through the internal passages, and out of the outlets to contact and dry the apparel mounted on the projections. The methods may include heating the air to enhance the drying. Projection modules that can be pivotally mounted to extend and retract into the panel are also disclosed. The retracted projection may be flush with the panel when not in use.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods for drying apparel, for example, footwear or gloves, are provided. The assemblies include a panel; projections or pegs pivotally mounted to the panel, the projections each having an inlet, an outlet, an internal passage communicating the inlet to the outlet, and the projections can be oriented in a position adapted to receive the apparel; and a source of air having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlets of the projections. The air, for example, from a fan, passes into the inlets of the projections, through the internal passages, and out of the outlets to contact and dry the apparel mounted on the projections. The methods may include heating the air to enhance the drying. Projection modules that can be pivotally mounted to extend and retract into the panel are also disclosed. The retracted projection may be flush with the panel when not in use.

Abstract: An article of manufacture that can function as a handle, an antenna, or a combination of handle and antenna is provided. Aspects of the invention facilitate the handling of electronic devices, for example, cell phones, or non-electronic objects, such as tools. In one aspect, the article includes a mounting device adapted to mount to an object and a wire, wherein the wire is self-extending from a constrained, deformed position to an extended, undeformed position. The self-extending feature may be provided by the angle of attachment of the wire to the mounting device, for example, a mounting pin. Though applicable for use with many kinds of electronic devices and non-electronic objects, aspects of the invention may be used to provide a handle and antenna for a cell phone that is mountable to the antenna port of a cell phone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing the ends of one or more cables is disclosed. These methods and apparatuses may be used, for example, to secure pleasure craft, for example, surfboards, wind surfboards, canoes or kayaks, for storage or transportation. The methods and apparatuses are characterized by a device having two channels which are hinged at a common end and to which include means for attaching the one or more cables. When the channels are rotated into engagement the one or more cables are not only tensioned but the means for attaching the cables are concealed from tampering or damage. The channels are preferably secured to each other and disengagement is prevented by means of a locking mechanism and a release mechanism. The release mechanism is preferably a push-button release mechanism which facilitates use of the device.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for securing pleasure craft, for example, surf boards, snow boards, or canoes, which provide for ease of securing the craft and ease of releasing the craft are disclosed. These methods and devices typically employ some form of cables or other tensile members and cable locking or securing devices. Cable securing and locking devices are also disclosed. In particular, various cable securing devices consisting of a first u-shaped channels and a second u-shaped channel pivotably connected to the first u-shaped channel are disclosed. These u-shaped channels include cable attaching and tensioning devices which facilitate the restraint and removal of the cable. One attaching device includes a threaded nut-type fastener for retaining the cable in the channel and rotating disk element over which the cable passes which facilitates the tensioning of the cable during restraint of a craft or other device.

Abstract: A bath aid for use with a bathtub. The bath aid comprises an elongate body having a top portion and a short leg which together with the body define a cavity for accommodating at least a water spout and preferably the water control knob or knobs of a bathtub. The bath aid is provided with at least one and preferably a pair of opposed attachment devices for securely attaching the bath aid within a bathtub such that the faucet and the control knobs of the bathtub are accommodated within the cavity defined by the bath aid to minimize the possibility of injury to either an adult or a child user. A front surface of the bath aid is contoured to provide comfort to a user while using the bath aid in a bathtub. The bath aid can be provided with a plurality of reinforcement ribs and/or spaces to facilitate use of the bath aid.