Abstract: A sheet sponge (10) of polyvinyl alcohol is anhydrously compressively transformed from an original shape, size, and thickness (FIGS. 1 and 2) into a second shape, size, and thickness (42) by curling (FIG. 3) or coiling (FIG. 4) buckling (FIG. 7), crumpling (FIG. 12), and layering crumpled portions (FIG. 12), on upon another, anhydrously compressively fusing the transformed sponge in the transformed shape, size, and thickness (FIG. FIGS. 7 and 8), and subsequently hydrating the transformed sponge back into its original shape, size, and thickness (FIGS. 1 and 2.

Abstract: Magnetic-field-augmented beds (10, 246, 258, 366, 406, 408, 424, 426), mattresses (330, 352), seating furniture (488), desks (542, 574), carrells (278), railings (514) rooms (168, 202, 216A, 216B), and buildings (156, 164, 192, 230, 472) include magnetic-field augmenters (14, 36, 46, 56, 120, 154, 162, 172, 198, 210, 224A, 224B, 234, 250, 262, 282, 304, 334, 360, 380, 386, 412, 430, 466, 476, 492, 524, 550) that, when connected to a source (70) of electrical power, provide a healthful magnetic field for entire bodies of human beings or other living things in living spaces (31, 182, 300, 507, 531, 549, 591). In another embodiment, a magnetic-field augmenter (444) is hung on a wall (446), and in another embodiment, a magnetic-field augmenter (456) is arranged on a floor (458) around seating furniture (462).

Abstract: A method for making an article of manufacture (10 or 34) includes making a PVC structural element (12 or 36) with a surface (26), adhesively securing a sheet of stranded material (22) to the surface (26), and molding a sponge material (16 or 40) to the sheet of stranded material (22). The sheet of stranded material (22) is a woven material or nonwoven mat. Securing the sheet of stranded material (22) to the surface (26) includes chemically softening a layer (18) of the structural element (12 or 36) by applying a solvent, applying a plastic cement layer (20) to the softened layer (18), partially embedding the sheet of stranded material (22) into the layer (20) and/or into the layer (18), thereby at least partially encompassing a plurality of first portions (28) of strands (24), and molding the sponge material (16 or 40) onto the partially-embedded sheet of stranded material (22), thereby at least partially encompassing a plurality of second portions (30) of the strands (24).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for applying floor coatings (11) in selectively predetermined thicknesses (12) includes an elongated handle (16) that is attached to an elongated spreader blade (13), a pair of cams (28 or 56) that are attached to ends (14A and 14B) of the spreader blade (13) by means of studs (26), so that the spreader blade (13) is suspended above a surface (53) of a floor (54) by cam-determined distances (52), and each stud (26) includes an indexing-shaped portion (36) that cooperates with an indexing-shaped hole (44 or 60) in the cams (28 or 56) to provide selective rotational indexing of the cams (28 or 56).

Abstract: A rake (140) includes an elongated head (142) and an elongated handle (144). The elongated head (142) includes a white-metal extruded head blank (148) with a tooth-blanking flange (154) and a handle-attaching flange (158). A plurality of rake teeth (186) are blanked, or otherwise defined, in the tooth-blanking flange (154). A pair of identical handle-attaching brackets (202) each having both a semi-cylindrical portion (206) and a flange portion (208) are used to attach the elongated handle (144) to the elongated head (142). The elongated head (142) includes a lifting portion (162) that cooperates with the rake teeth (186) in a raking step, an ironing portion (166) that provides an ironing step, and a secondary smoothing portion (170) for use in a supplemental smoothing step.

Abstract: A rake (10), for smoothing sand surfaces (18A and 18B) in response to pulling the rake (10) along a longitudinal axis (22), includes an elongated head (26) that is disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis (22), and that includes first (52A) and second (52B) pluralities of blades (54A and 54B). Trailing edges (70) of each blade (54A or 54B) are disposed closer to the longitudinal axis (22) than leading edges (68), thereof; so that grains (122A and 122B) of sand are moved transversely inward toward the longitudinal axis (22). The elongated head (26) includes a front curvilinear surface (58) that raises the elongated head (26), a rear curvilinear surface (62) that irons the surface (16), and a flattened portion (66) that floats the elongated head (26) during the raking step.

Abstract: An extension plank has first and second elongated sections that telescope from a plank maximum length to a minimum length. Such sections have an outboard portion and an inboard portion joined by a plurality of parallel tubular elements of rectangular cross-section. The outboard portion includes an elongated U-shaped channel and the outboard ends of the tubular elements are fixed into the U-shaped channel spaced apart from each other. The inboard portion includes a pair of straps and a plurality of U-shaped guide saddles. The straps are fastened to each of the tubular members with a guide saddle sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: An electrical outlet guard that comprises a generally rectangular box-like structure having top ends and sides and an open bottom and open front that is secured over an electrical outlet. An attachment bracket is secured to the outlet and provides a spring loaded fastener movably securing the guard in place. Provisions are made in the guard to allow for passage of a plug cord from the enclosure.