Abstract: A composition providing a copper-carboxylic acid complex, the copper-carboxylic acid complex having a molar ratio of copper (Cu) to carboxylic acid that is between 1:0.1 and 1:1.5; and an asphalt composition. A method for scavenging hydrogen sulfide from asphalt, the method providing a composition comprising a copper-carboxylic acid complex having a molar ratio of copper (Cu) to carboxylic acid of the copper-carboxylic acid complex is between 1:0.1 and 1:1.5; and adding the composition to an asphalt composition.

Abstract: A synergistic fuel additive composition, the composition having a sulfur additive; and a non-sulfur containing additive, wherein the ratio of the sulfur additive to the non-sulfur additive is about 1:1 to about 1:100. A method of reducing sulfur content in a fuel composition, the method provides adding a fuel additive to a fuel composition, the fuel composition having a silver corrosion inhibitor, the fuel additive having: a sulfur additive and a non-sulfur containing additive, wherein the ratio of the sulfur additive to the non-sulfur containing additive is from about 1:1 to about 1:100; wherein the fuel additive provides less than 5 ppm of sulfur addition to the fuel composition; and wherein the fuel composition does not cause silver corrosion.

Abstract: A synergistic fuel additive composition, the composition having a sulfur additive; and a non-sulfur containing additive, wherein the ratio of the sulfur additive to the non-sulfur additive is about 1:1 to about 1:100. A method of reducing sulfur content in a fuel composition, the method provides adding a fuel additive to a fuel composition, the fuel composition having a silver corrosion inhibitor, the fuel additive having: a sulfur additive and a non-sulfur containing additive, wherein the ratio of the sulfur additive to the non-sulfur containing additive is from about 1:1 to about 1:100; wherein the fuel additive provides less than 5 ppm of sulfur addition to the fuel composition; and wherein the fuel composition does not cause silver corrosion.

Abstract: A synergistic fuel additive composition, the composition having a sulfur additive; and a non-sulfur containing additive, wherein the ratio of the sulfur additive to the non-sulfur additive is about 1:1 to about 1:100. A method of reducing sulfur content in a fuel composition, the method provides adding a fuel additive to a fuel composition, the fuel composition having a silver corrosion inhibitor, the fuel additive having: a sulfur additive and a non-sulfur containing additive, wherein the ratio of the sulfur additive to the non-sulfur containing additive is from about 1:1 to about 1:100; wherein the fuel additive provides less than 5 ppm of sulfur addition to the fuel composition; and wherein the fuel composition does not cause silver corrosion.

Abstract: A toddler flatware using the natural finger grip for consuming food is disclosed. The flatware has an eating utensil, such as a spoon bowl, fork, or knife and a handle attached perpendicular to the eating utensil. The handle is flat with rounded edges and corners for a comfortable grip. The handle is secured between the thumb and the tips of the fingers, mimicking the natural act of eating with one's hands. The natural motion afforded by the flatware design facilitates the act of self-feeding, either by toddlers or by adults with impaired motor-function. It also facilitates the transition to traditional adult flatware.

Abstract: A polarized film apparatus comprising printed bands of successively alternating polarization orientations is disclosed. The printed bands of alternating polarization orientations repeat throughout the length of the film. The polarized film can be installed in an object, for example a window where the amount of energy through the object has to be controlled. Two identical films are superimposed to create polarization patterns that can be varied when one film is displaced with respect to the other. The resulting variable polarization patterns can be utilized to control the amount of energy allowed through this arrangement. The polarized films with bands of alternating polarization orientations can be utilized to control the amount of energy for example sunlight, radiated heat transmission, illumination level, electromagnetic radiation, etc.

Abstract: A apparatus with an adjustable height mattress can include a crib frame with a stationary support frame secured to it. The mattress rests generally on an elevator frame which slides up and down with respect to the stationary frame. The crib further includes a height adjusting mechanism for adjusting height of the elevator frame, an operating mechanism for operating and locking the height adjusting mechanism and a leveling mechanism for maintaining the level of elevator frame horizontally stable. The mattress height can be adjusted not only on a semi-permanent basis, but can also be varied as needed. The mattress can be set high when a parent is placing a child in the crib and can be lowered with the child on it for the child's safety. The elevator frame may also be manually raised with the child on it via an external handle.

Abstract: An awning and a method of operating the awning are provided. The awning includes a canopy, a roller and an adjustment tube. The canopy includes a proximal edge. The canopy can be wound about the roller with the proximal edge secured along the roller. The roller includes a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end. The adjustment tube includes a small base and a large base. The adjustment tube is mounted around the roller near the second longitudinal end so that the small base is nearer to the first longitudinal end than the large base. The adjustment tube is slidably movable along the roller so that the adjustment tube can move toward or away from the first longitudinal end between an innermost position and an outermost position. The adjustment tube is located nearer to the second longitudinal end at the outermost position than at the innermost position.

Abstract: An apparatus for clearing dogged drains using a vacuum. The drain unclogging apparatus includes a vacuum and a vacuum hose attached by a coupling sleeve attached to a long, flexible hose which is inserted into a dogged drain to the site of the dog. The apparatus may be used with the vacuum's negative pressure, or with the vacuum's positive pressure to achieve unclogging of a drain.

Abstract: A apparatus with an adjustable height mattress can include a crib frame with a stationary support frame secured to it. The mattress rests generally on an elevator frame which slides up and down with respect to the stationary frame. The crib further includes a height adjusting mechanism for adjusting height of the elevator frame, an operating mechanism for operating and locking the height adjusting mechanism and a leveling mechanism for maintaining the level of elevator frame horizontally stable. The mattress height can be adjusted not only on a semi-permanent basis, but can also be varied as needed. The mattress can be set high when a parent is placing a child in the crib and can be lowered with the child on it for the child's safety. The elevator frame may also be manually raised with the child on it via an external handle.

Abstract: A polarized film apparatus comprising printed bands of successively alternating polarization orientations is disclosed. The printed bands of alternating polarization orientations repeat throughout the length of the film. The polarized film can be installed in an object, for example a window where the amount of energy through the object has to be controlled. Two identical films are superimposed to create polarization patterns that can be varied when one film is displaced with respect to the other. The resulting variable polarization patterns can be utilized to control the amount of energy allowed through this arrangement. The polarized films with bands of alternating polarization orientations can be utilized to control the amount of energy for example sunlight, radiated heat transmission, illumination level, electromagnetic radiation, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus for aerating wine includes a tap assembly connected to a wine container that maintains wine. Such an apparatus can further include a spout with at least one venturi, wherein said venturi aerates wine by puffing air into said wine. The wine container can be configured as a wine box with a wine bag. The spout with the venturi can be integrated with the tap assembly. Wine from the wine container flows generally through the spout. The tap assembly can include a knob that controls a flow of wine from the wine container.

Abstract: A dimmer for a light source includes two sheets of polarized films stacked together. The first film is fixed to the lamp shade so as to create a barrier for the light being emitted from the lamp. The second film is mounted to a movable outer ring over the first such as to allow for free rotation with respect to the first film. The amount of light that is allowed to escape from the lamp is modulated by rotating the outer ring, which causes the polarization angle of the movable film to change with respect to the fixed film.

Abstract: An awning assembly includes a canopy, a first and second arm assembly, and a canopy rod. The arm assemblies can each include an adjustable pitch arm assembly configured to adjust the pitch of the canopy. The canopy rod has a first end and a second end each supported by one of the arm assemblies. Manual adjustment of the adjustable pitch arm assemblies is configured to move the ends of the canopy rod. The canopy is movable from a first deployed position to a second deployed position when the adjustable pitch arm assemblies are both manually adjusted from an extended position to a collapsed position. The canopy can be movable from either deployed position to a retracted position without manually adjusting the adjustable pitch arm assemblies. The adjustable pitch arm assemblies can change positions in response to water being collected on the awning assembly to drain the collected water.

Abstract: A retractable awning is provided, comprising a support arm forming a longitudinally extending channel, a roller, and a canopy configured to be rolled and unrolled about the roller. A rafter arm is operatively attached to the support arm and is sized to be longitudinally nestable in the channel of the support arm. A self-engaging and self-releasing locking device includes an engagement device configured to selectively engage the support arm to selectively lock a position of a slide member within the longitudinally extending channel. In addition or alternatively, the retractable awning can include a pair of support mechanisms, each support mechanism comprising a support arm, a rafter arm, and a locking device. In addition or alternatively, the retractable awning can include a control link configured to selectively disengage the engagement device from the support arm to release the position of the slide member within the longitudinally extending channel.

Abstract: The primary roller of an awning assembly has an internal cavity, an opening between the internal cavity and the exterior of the primary roller and a first arresting element. A first awning material is adapted to be unwound from the primary roller when the primary roller rotates in a first direction and wound onto the primary roller when the primary roller rotates in a second direction. A secondary roller is mounted for rotation within the internal cavity of the primary roller. One end of a second awning material attached to the secondary roller extends through the opening in the primary roller. A second arresting element is attached to the one end of the second awning material and is adapted to engage the first arresting element of the primary roller, whereby rotation of the secondary roller in the second direction causes the primary roller to rotate in the second direction together with the secondary roller.

Abstract: An awning assembly includes a canopy, a first and second arm assembly, and a canopy rod. The arm assemblies can each include an adjustable pitch arm assembly configured to adjust the pitch of the canopy. The canopy rod has a first end and a second end each supported by one of the arm assemblies. Manual adjustment of the adjustable pitch arm assemblies is configured to move the ends of the canopy rod. The canopy is movable from a first deployed position to a second deployed position when the adjustable pitch arm assemblies are both manually adjusted from an extended position to a collapsed position. The canopy can be movable from either deployed position to a retracted position without manually adjusting the adjustable pitch arm assemblies. The adjustable pitch arm assemblies can change positions in response to water being collected on the awning assembly to drain the collected water.

Abstract: The primary roller of an awning assembly has an internal cavity, an opening between the internal cavity and the exterior of the primary roller and a first arresting element. A first awning material is adapted to be unwound from the primary roller when the primary roller rotates in a first direction and wound onto the primary roller when the primary roller rotates in a second direction. A secondary roller is mounted for rotation within the internal cavity of the primary roller. One end of a second awning material attached to the secondary roller extends through the opening in the primary roller. A second arresting element is attached to the one end of the second awning material and is adapted to engage the first arresting element of the primary roller, whereby rotation of the secondary roller in the second direction causes the primary roller to rotate in the second direction together with the secondary roller.

Abstract: A retractable awning is provided, comprising a support arm forming a longitudinally extending channel, a roller, and a canopy configured to be rolled and unrolled about the roller. A rafter arm is operatively attached to the support arm and is sized to be longitudinally nestable in the channel of the support arm. A self-engaging and self-releasing locking device includes an engagement device configured to selectively engage the support arm to selectively lock a position of a slide member within the longitudinally extending channel. In addition or alternatively, the retractable awning can include a pair of support mechanisms, each support mechanism comprising a support arm, a rafter arm, and a locking device. In addition or alternatively, the retractable awning can include a control link configured to selectively disengage the engagement device from the support arm to release the position of the slide member within the longitudinally extending channel.

Abstract: An awning assembly is provided with a lock mechanism for maintaining the awning assembly in a desired position relative to a wall, or other suitable structure. The awning assembly includes support arms, a fabric roller tube that holds the awning fabric and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism can include a pivot bracket located between the roller tube and the support arm, a disk gear provided on the end of the roller tube axle, a weather shield provided around at least a portion of the roller tube, a pivot rod selectably engageable with both the pivot bracket and the weather shield, a disk gear catch mounted on the weather shield and adapted to be selectably engaged with the disk gear, and a torsion spring mounted on the weather shield and adapted to bias the disk gear catch into engagement with the disk gear.