Abstract: A motorized, floating device is associated with another aquatic device that carries a passenger or passengers (“associated aquatic device”). The invention comprises components such as one or more magnetic field emitters that deter aquatic animals from approaching the associated aquatic device without interfering with the operation of the associated aquatic device. The associated aquatic device may be a surfboard, a raft, a personal watercraft, or other similar small craft that floats in water. The invention may be used with larger boats and other watercraft. The motorized aquatic animal deterrent is tethered to the associated aquatic device to follow movement of the associated aquatic device but is spaced apart from the associated aquatic device.

Abstract: A toilet inhibits an occupant from exiting the toilet. Load sensors positioned in communication with the toilet seat detect a change of a load or pressure on the toilet by an occupant that is consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet, and/or movements of an occupant that are consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet. Other sensors may monitor movements that are consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet. The sensors cause an actuator to change the angle of the toilet seat, which inhibits exiting the toilet. The toilet may also be constructed to signal an attendant when actions by an occupant are consistent with actions indicating an attempt by the occupant to exit the toilet.

Abstract: A guard for a vehicle includes a support tube. A pivoting step includes a pivot tube portion movable about the support tube between a stowed position and a deployed position and a step portion. A spring member is disposed between the support tube and pivot tube biasing the pivot tube toward one of the stowed position and deployed position.

Abstract: A motorized, floating device is associated with another aquatic device that carries a passenger or passengers (“associated aquatic device”). The invention comprises components such as one or more magnetic field emitters that deter aquatic animals from approaching the associated aquatic device without interfering with the operation of the associated aquatic device. The associated aquatic device may be a surfboard, a raft, a personal watercraft, or other similar small craft that floats in water. The invention may be used with larger boats and other watercraft. The motorized aquatic animal deterrent is tethered to the associated aquatic device to follow movement of the associated aquatic device but is spaced apart from the associated aquatic device.

Abstract: A guard for a vehicle includes a support tube. A pivoting step includes a pivot tube portion movable about the support tube between a stowed position and a deployed position and a step portion. A spring member is disposed between the support tube and pivot tube biasing the pivot tube toward one of the stowed position and deployed position.

Abstract: A toilet inhibits an occupant from exiting the toilet. Load sensors positioned in communication with the toilet seat detect a change of a load or pressure on the toilet by an occupant that is consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet, and/or movements of an occupant that are consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet. Other sensors may monitor movements that are consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet. The sensors cause an actuator to change the angle of the toilet seat, which inhibits exiting the toilet. The toilet may also be constructed to signal an attendant when actions by an occupant are consistent with actions indicating an attempt by the occupant to exit the toilet.

Abstract: A toilet inhibits an occupant from exiting the toilet. Sensors positioned on the toilet detect the application of pressure on the toilet by an occupant that is consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet, and/or movements of an occupant that are consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet. The sensors cause an actuator to change the angle of the toilet seat, which inhibits exiting the toilet. The toilet may also be constructed to signal an attendant when actions by an occupant are consistent with actions indicating an attempt by the occupant to exit the toilet.

Abstract: A hood lifter assembly includes an actuator having a piston displaceable between a home position and a hood lifting position. The hood lifter assembly also includes a cover overlying the piston in the home position and protecting the actuator from water exposure. A cowl vent grille and a method of lifting a vehicle hood in response to a pedestrian impact event are also disclosed.

Abstract: A toilet inhibits an occupant from exiting the toilet. Sensors positioned on the toilet detect the application of pressure on the toilet by an occupant that is consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet, and/or movements of an occupant that are consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet. The sensors cause an actuator to change the angle of the toilet seat, which inhibits exiting the toilet. The toilet may also be constructed to signal an attendant when actions by an occupant are consistent with actions indicating an attempt by the occupant to exit the toilet.

Abstract: A toilet inhibits an occupant from exiting the toilet. Sensors positioned on the toilet detect the application of pressure on the toilet by an occupant that is consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet, and/or movements of an occupant that are consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet. The sensors cause an actuator to change the angle of the toilet seat, which inhibits exiting the toilet. The toilet may also be constructed to signal an attendant when actions by an occupant are consistent with actions indicating an attempt by the occupant to exit the toilet.

Abstract: A cooking assistant for holding items used while cooking has a generally vertical member that is held on a cooktop by a magnet. A member extending downwardly from the generally vertical member has a cradle formed at a lower portion of the downwardly extending member. A tray engages the generally vertical member between the magnet and the cradle. A C-clamp may be mounted over the magnet to secure the device to a countertop.

Abstract: A toilet inhibits an occupant from exiting the toilet. Sensors positioned on the toilet detect the application of pressure on the toilet by an occupant that is consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet, and/or movements of an occupant that are consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet. The sensors cause an actuator to change the angle of the toilet seat, which inhibits exiting the toilet. The toilet may also be constructed to signal an attendant when actions by an occupant are consistent with actions indicating an attempt by the occupant to exit the toilet.

Abstract: A valve provides multiple channels that allow alternating, or in some cases, simultaneous, fluid flow functions to a port of an instrument, without the requirement of manual manipulation of the valve by the user. A floating member such as a ball having magnetic affinity for a portion of the valve is positioned in a home, or normal, position by a magnetic field, where it remains until acted on by fluid pressure. The ball in the home position opens other channels of the device. Under fluid pressure in the channel in which the ball's home position is located, the ball is displaced, obstructing at least one of the other channels, while opening the channel to permit a fluid flow through the channel. When the fluid pressure in the channel is terminated, the ball returns to the home position, and other ports are opened.

Abstract: A water dispenser includes a decontamination device. The dispenser has a plurality of channels that communicate with a water supply. The channels are intermittently exposed to pathogen killing radiation during operation of the water dispenser.

Abstract: A cleaning shuttle is conveyed through a channel by magnetic attraction to a conveyance device that is slidably positioned outside the channel. The conveyance device pulls the cleaning shuttle through the channel by magnetic attraction between the conveyance device and the cleaning shuttle. The cleaning shuttle inside the channel, and the conveyance device positioned outside the channel, have significant magnetic attraction for each other, so that the cleaning shuttle is pulled through the channel by conveyance device without becoming lodged or stuck in the channel.

Abstract: A water dispenser includes a decontamination device. The dispenser has a plurality of channels that communicate with a water supply. The channels are intermittently exposed to pathogen killing radiation during operation of the water dispenser.

Abstract: A valve provides multiple channels that allow alternating, or in some cases, simultaneous, fluid flow functions to a port of an instrument, without the requirement of manual manipulation of the valve by the user. A floating member such as a ball having magnetic affinity for a portion of the valve is positioned in a home, or normal, position by a magnetic field, where it remains until acted on by fluid pressure. The ball in the home position opens other channels of the device. Under fluid pressure in the channel in which the ball's home position is located, the ball is displaced, obstructing at least one of the other channels, while opening the channel to permit a fluid flow through the channel. When the fluid pressure in the channel is terminated, the ball returns to the home position, and other ports are opened.

Abstract: A device and method for cleaning and sterilizing a bronchoscope. A caddy is provided for containing the bronchoscope prior to, during, and subsequent to cleaning and disinfection of the bronchoscope. The caddy may be used to transport the sterilized bronchoscope from the cleaning area to an operating suite, while maintaining the bronchoscope in a cleaned and disinfected state.

Abstract: A laryngoscope disinfector characterized by a drawer that provides positioning for laryngoscopes in the drawer so that all surfaces of the laryngoscopes are exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The drawer provides for the laryngoscope blades to be positioned generally horizontally and generally vertically for disinfection of the blades. The drawer also provides, in some embodiments, positioning for the laryngoscope handles.

Abstract: A laryngoscope disinfector characterized by a drawer that provides positioning for laryngoscopes in the drawer so that all surfaces of the laryngoscopes are exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The drawer provides for the laryngoscope blades to be positioned generally horizontally and generally vertically for disinfection of the blades. The drawer also provides, in some embodiments, positioning for the laryngoscope handles.