Abstract: Surfing and water toys, apparatus, devices and methods for interchanging upwardly protruding objects on the toy and attaching and detaching hydrofoil underneath comprising a skeg and wings/vanes. Apparatus, devices and methods, for converting the toys to non-surfing and non-water uses which include skateboards, sleds and snowboards. Apparatus, devices and methods for providing carve sticks to guide the toys.

Abstract: Surfing and water toys, apparatus, devices and methods for interchanging upwardly protruding objects on the toy and attaching and detaching hydrofoil underneath comprising a skeg and wings/vanes. Apparatus, devices and methods, for converting the toys to non-surfing and non-water uses which include skateboards, sleds and snowboards. Apparatus, devices and methods for providing carve sticks to guide the toys.

Abstract: Water toys and methods of attaching and detaching different types of upwardly protruding objects on the toy with a hydrofoil underneath comprising a skeg and a wing/vanes. The assembled toy can ride incoming waves back to shore. The hydrofoil can have weights being extra weight or thickened portions at any location on the wing vanes, skegs, any combination, or have no extra weight. The wings/vanes can be bendable to different positions to enhance the toy's performance. Different versions of pegs can be used to attach the main wing, skeg, flotation device and upwardly protruding objects together. The upwardly protruding objects can include figurines, vehicles, toys, sails and the like, and the toy can be used without an upwardly protruding object. The toy can also be pulled through the water with motorboats and/or fishing poles.

Abstract: Water toys and methods of attaching and detaching different types of upwardly protruding objects on the toy with a hydrofoil underneath comprising a skeg and a wing/vanes. The assembled toy can ride incoming waves back to shore. The hydrofoil can have weights being extra weight or thickened portions at any location on the wing vanes, skegs, any combination, or have no extra weight. The wings/vanes can be bendable to different positions to enhance the toy's performance. Different versions of pegs can be used to attach the main wing, skeg, flotation device and upwardly protruding objects together. The upwardly protruding objects can include figurines, vehicles, toys, sails and the like, and the toy can be used without an upwardly protruding object. The toy can also be pulled through the water with motorboats and/or fishing poles.

Abstract: Surfing toys and methods of attaching and detaching different types of upwardly protruding objects on the surfing toy with a hydrofoil underneath comprising a skeg and a wing/vanes. The assembled toy can ride incoming waves back to shore. The hydrofoil can have weights being extra weight or thickened portions at any location on the wing vanes, skegs, any combination, or have no extra weight. The wings/vanes can be bendable to different positions to enhance the toy's performance. Different versions of pegs can be used to attach the main wing, skeg, flotation device and upwardly protruding objects together. The upwardly protruding objects can include figurines, vehicles, toys, sails and the like, and the surfing toy can be used without an upwardly protruding object. The surfing toy can also be pulled through the water with motorboats and/or fishing poles.

Abstract: Surfing toys and methods of attaching and detaching different types of upwardly protruding objects on the surfing toy with a hydrofoil underneath comprising a skeg and a wing/vanes. The assembled toy can ride incoming waves back to shore. The hydrofoil can have weights being extra weight or thickened portions at any location on the wing vanes, skegs, any combination, or have no extra weight. The wings/vanes can be bendable to different positions to enhance the toy's performance. Different versions of pegs can be used to attach the main wing, skeg, flotation device and upwardly protruding objects together. The upwardly protruding objects can include figurines, vehicles, toys, sails and the like, and the surfing toy can be used without an upwardly protruding object. The surfing toy can also be pulled through the water with motorboats and/or fishing poles.

Abstract: Toy surfboards and methods of snapping together a figurine with a surfboard and a skeg and a wing to form a surfboard toy. The assembled toy can ride incoming waves back to a shore. The hydrofoil can have a V or boomerang shape with side wings having ends extending rearward and out from the surfboard. Wing ends can incorporate curved discs for stability. Optional stabilizing tail/fin/rudder can extend rearward from the hydrofoil. Games can include racing toys by tossing them simultaneously from the shore to see which one reaches the shore first.

Abstract: Toy surfboards and methods of snapping together a figurine with a surfboard and a skeg and a wing to form a surfboard toy. The assembled toy can ride incoming waves back to a shore. The hydrofoil can have a V or boomerang shape with side wings having ends extending rearward and out from the surfboard. Wing ends can incorporate curved discs for stability. Optional stabilizing tail/fin/rudder can extend rearward from the hydrofoil. Games can include racing toys by tossing them simultaneously from the shore to see which one reaches the shore first.

Abstract: A valve having a membrane for controlling flow through the valve, the membrane having open and closed positions. An element urges the membrane to the closed position, and a vacuum pressure at one end of the valve may overcome the urging of the element, thereby moving the membrane to the open position. An actuator is provided for easing or initiating the movement of the membrane. In some embodiments, the valve may take the form of a valve assembly for use in a variety of applications, for example, a valve assembly for relieving a vacuum pressure wherein the assembly includes intake and exhaust ends, a membrane for controlling flow through the assembly, a spring providing a closing bias to the membrane that the vacuum pressure may overcome to move the membrane, and an actuator for initiating the movement of the membrane.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device including a fluid reservoir, a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, an electric motor, a bladder in fluid communication with the pump, the bladder including at least in part, an elastic portion, a nozzle valve in fluid communication with the bladder, the nozzle being adjustable from an open mode to a closed mode, and from a closed mode to an open mode, a pressure release valve in fluid communication with the bladder and the fluid reservoir; and an electronic control unit for controlling delivery of the fluid. The invention also encompasses a method of delivering a treating fluid in a fine mist, including powering-up a fluid delivery device, comparing a signal being received from an ambient light sensor to predetermined trigger values consistent with dusk and dawn ambient light conditions, and dispensing treating fluid for a selected duration period on the basis of the signal being received from the ambient light sensor.

Abstract: An economical system and method for extracting amplitude and frequency information from a modulated AC signal are provided. In one embodiment, the invention includes a circuitry implementing op amps, a dual diode, a filter, and a comparator to receive and manipulate the modulated AC signal. The dual diode receives and splits the AC signal into two separate paths, including a baseline path and a filtering path. The AC signal passing through the baseline path remains substantially unchanged, and the AC signal passing through the filtering path passes through a low-pass filter. The signal is then sent through a comparator for comparing amplitudes of the AC signal from the two paths, and the comparator output is received by a microprocessor for controlling a display that generates a visual indicia responsive to the comparator output.

Abstract: A surface treatment device comprising a body, a motor disposed in the body, an applicator operably coupled to the motor, and a container coupled to the applicator via a fluid flow path, the container containing a surface treatment substance.

Abstract: A dispenser adapted to be coupled to a fluid container. The dispenser comprises a dispensing head, an energy source, and a fluid pathway. The dispensing head includes a fluid pump, a motor adapted to power the pump, a trigger adapted to control the motor, and a nozzle orifice in fluid communication with a discharge end of the pump. The fluid pathway has one portion in fluid communication with an intake end of the pump and another portion inside the container. In one embodiment, the fluid pump is a peristaltic pump. The present invention may further include a valve having a membrane for controlling flow through the valve, the membrane having open and closed positions; and an element urges the membrane to the closed position, and a vacuum pressure at one end of the valve may overcome the urging of the element, thereby moving the membrane to the open position.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device including a fluid reservoir, a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, an electric motor, a bladder in fluid communication with the pump, the bladder including at least in part, an elastic portion, a nozzle valve in fluid communication with the bladder, the nozzle being adjustable from an open mode to a closed mode, and from a closed mode to an open mode, a pressure release valve in fluid communication with the bladder and the fluid reservoir; and an electronic control unit for controlling delivery of the fluid. The invention also encompasses a method of delivering a treating fluid in a fine mist, including powering-up a fluid delivery device, comparing a signal being received from an ambient light sensor to predetermined trigger values consistent with dusk and dawn ambient light conditions, and dispensing treating fluid for a selected duration period on the basis of the signal being received from the ambient light sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for delivering or dispensing substances. The delivery apparatus comprises a housing, a cartridge for containing the fluid or liquid to be delivered, a conduit system, a nozzle, a pump and an actuating mechanism for actuating a stream of fluid or liquid. The delivery apparatus may include a motor and power source adapted to power the pump. The cartridge containing the fluid or liquid is typically an off-the-shelf container that may be purchased in stores, such as insecticides or household cleaners. The conduit system has an intake opening in fluid communication with the fluid inside the container and another portion in fluid communication with the intake of the nozzle. The conduit system further includes a structure for causing the stream of fluid or liquid to be generally laminar.

Abstract: The present invention is a dispenser adapted to be coupled to a fluid container. The dispenser comprises a dispensing head, an energy source, and a fluid pathway. The dispensing head includes a fluid pump, a motor adapted to power the pump, a trigger adapted to control the motor, and a nozzle orifice in fluid communication with a discharge end of the pump. The fluid pathway has one portion in fluid communication with an intake end of the pump and another portion inside the container.

Abstract: The present invention is a dispenser adapted to be coupled to a fluid container. The dispenser comprises a dispensing head, an energy source, and a fluid pathway. The dispensing head includes a fluid pump, a motor adapted to power the pump, a trigger adapted to control the motor, and a nozzle orifice in fluid communication with a discharge end of the pump. The fluid pathway has one portion in fluid communication with an intake end of the pump and another portion inside the container.

Abstract: The present invention is a dispenser adapted to be coupled to a fluid container. The dispenser comprises a dispensing head, an energy source, and a fluid pathway. The dispensing head includes a fluid pump, a motor adapted to power the pump, a trigger adapted to control the motor, and a nozzle orifice in fluid communication with a discharge end of the pump. The fluid pathway has one portion in fluid communication with an intake end of the pump and another portion inside the container.

Abstract: A valve having a membrane for controlling flow through the valve, the membrane having open and closed positions. An element urges the membrane to the closed position, and a vacuum pressure at one end of the valve may overcome the urging of the element, thereby moving the membrane to the open position. An actuator is provided for easing or initiating the movement of the membrane. In some embodiments, the valve may take the form of a valve assembly for use in a variety of applications, for example, a valve assembly for relieving a vacuum pressure wherein the assembly includes intake and exhaust ends, a membrane for controlling flow through the assembly, a spring providing a closing bias to the membrane that the vacuum pressure may overcome to move the membrane, and an actuator for initiating the movement of the membrane.

Abstract: A lighting system, apparatus and method that can be integrated into an office or household item. The lighting system has one or more light modules, each comprising three lights of a different color. The light modules further have a cover component having a hole positioned above the lights. The lighting system may further have a cushioned layer coupled to the light modules. The light modules are coupled to a power source and an integrated circuit, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to operate the light modules.