Abstract: A support strap whose lower end is sewn to a hook-and-loop band which encircles the sheath portion of a urine-collecting catheter and the user's penis. Its upper end has male part snaps sewn to it, which cooperate with female part snaps on the undergarment's waistband. The strap and band prevent the external urinary catheter from slipping off of the penis. The band has multiple indicating marks on the loop side and one mark on the hook side, for accurate repositioning of the band each time it is reapplied. A second embodiment has a front section of a garment onto which is sewn a grooved retainer ring, which encircles the penis. An applicator ring is used to spread the rim of the condom catheter to facilitate fitting the condom onto the penis and for fitting the rim into the groove of the grooved retaining ring.

Abstract: A one-piece male incontinence device comprises a condom (30) having a first sheath section (32) and a second urine collecting compartment (42) divided by a skin shield (36) which incorporates a soft thread-reinforced non-return, non-invertible valve (38). Collecting compartment has a twist-around drain valve (52) or alternatively a ball-obturator drain valve (93). First sheath section (32) has friction-increasing internal surface in the form of finely spaced-apart ribs (54). Alternatively skin shield 36 can incorporate two non-return, non-inverting reinforced valves (86 and 88) placed to eliminate urine pooling (90). Alternative design catheter (79) comprises one-piece first sheath section and second urine collecting compartment divided by an insert (36) incorporating non-return valve or valves and skin shield which is placed and imperviously sealed therein. A garment (94) is provided for spinal injured patients for attaching thereto a condom catheter.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling electrical components in a personal computer is provided. The cooling system provides filtered air under a positive air pressure to such components in the computer, as the electrical power supply and microprocessor, as well as other components in the computer. The filtered air cools the components and prevents dust from collecting on the components. In a second embodiment, the cooling system includes a tower style case for supporting the personal computer. The case houses an air filter and induction fans, for providing copious cooling air flow through ducts in the computer. Air vents are placed in optimal areas in the computer, such as near the microprocessor and power supply, to provide increased air circulation for the components in these areas. A switch panel is additionally provided that enables energizing peripheral devices when desired.

Abstract: Device for use by males with incontinence problems, has an elastomeric urine collecting compartment sized to hold a quantity of urine which can be emptied when desired by removing a screw-off cap or pull-out plug at a men's urinal. Collecting compartment (23) is isolated from the penis by a skin shield (25) which incorporates a non-return valve (50) which allows urine to pass unrestricted into the collecting compartment, but prevents voided urine returning back to the penis inside the skin shield. An elastomeric tubular portion (37) is sized to fit snugly onto the penis shaft to prevent leakage and to retain its position in place on the penis. If necessary, the pressure of the tubular portion against the penis shaft can be increased by using an additional elastic `hook and loop` VELCRO.sup.TM band (69).

Abstract: A food tray (40) is pivotally attached on one side (42) to a vertical breast portion (24), which in turn is pivotally attached at it's top end by a bolt and wingnut (22) to a neck hook (29), for hanging the unit on the user's neck. A drinking cup ring (50) is pivotally attached to the center of breast portion (24), for supporting a drinking cup. Two oppositly pivoting arms (30) open outwardly at the top end of breast portion (24) to support a napkin (36) between breast plate (24) and the user, to protect user's clothing. The unit folds up by swiveling arms (30) inwardly, swiveling neck hook (20) downward,, cup ring (50) upward, and breast portion downward into food tray (40). The unit will pack into box 12" .times.10".times.3" deep.

Abstract: A carrier (20) for surveyor's equipment has two spaced-apart walls (23 and 25) providing a passageway (21) above and below spacers (29' and 29) respectively, for stacking laths (27) therethrough. A plunger (31) operates in two vertical slots (47 and 47') in walls (23 and 25) and exerts downward pressure on laths (27) under pressure of springs (49 and 49'), thus preventing the laths (27) from slipping out during use. Springs (49 and 49') are housed in triangular frames and are covered by plates 44. The carrier has a bin formed by curved wall (90) for holding hubs and guinnes (18) and pockets (77) for holding nails, tacks, a hand-held radio, etc. Rubber pads (63) hold the prism rod securely for long distance carrying, and clips 65 for temporary short distance carrying. An easy to grasp handle (72) and shoulder strap (70) provide comfortable means for carrying the device by hand and on one's shoulder.

Abstract: A writing instrument comprises a combined marking pen and a fine line pen, especially useful for providing a highlighter and an underliner or a note writer. It comprises a single elongated body (23) with a felt marking pen tip (25A) and a ballpoint pen tip (27A), both projecting from the bottom end of the body. The ends of the tips are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the body and in a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. This enables a user to write with either tip by holding the pen at either of two angles to the vertical. The spacing in the second direction can be effected, even if the felt body and the ballpoint cartridge are adjoining, by providing a cutout (24) in the felt tip adjacent the ball point tip. The pen can include two ballpoint tips (57A, 57B), spaced from the marker's tip in the second direction, but aligned in the longitudinal direction. The body can include a dividing partition (64) to separate the ballpoint cartridge from the felt pen's reservoir.

Abstract: A nutcracker for macadamia or other hard nuts (46) comprises an elongated slide bar (21) having an anvil jaw (43) attached to a working end thereof, a parallel elongated arm (35) having a mating jaw (33) attached to a working end thereof, and a hand lever (27) which has a pair of pivots (31B, 41) at one end thereof. The pivots on the hand lever are attached to force-applying ends of the arm (21) and bar (35), respectively, which are opposite to their working ends. The jaw on the bar has a portion (51) which extends around the bar so that the arm is held and will be forced to move only in a direction which is generally parallel to the bar. The anvil jaw on the bar is adjustable in position and is urged to the jaw on the arm by a spring (49).

Abstract: A multi-purpose tool, most useful for barbeque work, comprises a pair of parallel arms with barbeque implements at distal ends thereof and which are hingedly joined by a pair of spaced cross members so as to form a movable parallelogram at the other end thereof. This allows the tool to be adjusted in either of two positions so that the arms are adjacent and parallel with the distal end of either arm projecting forward so that its implement can be used alone, or with the arms parallel and spaced apart so that the arms can be squeezed together so that the implements can used as a pair of tongs. One implement is a fork and the other is a spatula. A pair of handles are provided in the middle of the arms. A grasping and hanging ring is attached to the middle of the end cross member.

Abstract: A plastic open-ended generally U-shaped holder (25) has three sides (31, 33 and 35) of suitable area for advertising. The free ends of the legs of the U are bent together and flared out to form a slot (37). This can be parted with the fingers so as to fit over the top edge of a waste basket (38), the handles (40) of plastic grocery bags (26) can be anchored within the attachment in order to suspend said bags in open and upright position for receiving waste for disposal. Holder (25) can also be used when inverted to receive and embrace handles (40) of one or more plastic bags (26) so as to provide a handpiece (25) for comfortable carrying of bags (26) to and from a vehicle. In the vehicle, or elsewhere, the holder holds said handles clustered together so as the prevent rolling and spilling of the contents of said bags during travel. At a destination, the said bags can then be collectively removed and carried to the kitchen with speed and ease.

Abstract: A flexible wire coil (12) has spaced loops (14) and inwardly bent end prong portions (16A and 16B). The prong portions are inserted in holes (18A and 18B) in ends (23A and 23B) of baseplate (22), which is secured by screws or adhesives (28) to insides of cabinet doors (32) or elsewhere in kitchens, or other places. Plastic grocery bags (24) can be stored between adjacent turns of the coil for later re-use as waste disposal bags. The coil is easily mounted on the baseplate by first stretching it, then inserting the prongs into the respective holes in the ends of the baseplate, and then releasing tension so that the coil's ends will grasp the baseplate securely, yet allow the coil to be compressed and expanded and flexed from side to side to facilitate use and prevent injury.

Abstract: A folding workbench (20) comprises a top portion comprised of two parallel spaced boards (12 and 14) with an adjustable work holder (17) mountable along each board. One corner of the top has a vernier vise (16) attached thereto; the vise can grip work itself and can cooperate with the adjustable work holder for wide work or a fixed stop 80 at an adjacent corner for gripping very long work. The vise is mounted on a swivel plate (101) which has a quadrant shape and is surrounded by a groove (100) cut in the top of the bench to give unrestricted pathway to the vise's locking plate. The top is supported by two pair of legs (38 and 40), one pair at each end of the top. Each pair is hingedly attached (45) to the underside of the top, with one pair being hingedly attached at a lower position (spaced from the top) by the use of a spacer block (32) so that the legs can be folded against the top in a compact arrangement.

Abstract: An ergonomic cane comprises a shank (20) and, at one end of the shank, a handle part (22) which is shaped like a pistol grip. The shank has a triangular configuration (FIG. 3) with substantially flat sides (56), which may be slightly concave (FIG. 4). The handle grip extends at a generally right angle from the shank, has an oval cross section (FIG. 7), has a plurality of finger grips (44) extending up from the lower edge thereof, is wider adjacent the shank than at its free end (38), and its lower side makes an obtuse angle with the shank. A hanging strap (48) is attached to the handle grip. By virtue of the triangular configuration of the shank, the cane can be made of lightweight material, such as redwood, yet has ample strength. The pistol grip handle, its angle of joinder with the shank, and the flat sides of the shank provide a handle which can be held with three fingers and a shank which can be held by the extended thumb and forefinger (FIG.

Abstract: A rectangular plastic trash basket (10) with front and back faces (14,18) joined by two sides (12,16) has an open top surrounded by a rim (17). Inside the basket, at the top of the respective sides, are two flat vertical plates or vanes (15, 15'), whose bases are integral with the sides, and whose upper ends are free and are spaced from the sides to define spaces or slots (19). A plastic, handled grocery bag (23) can be placed in the basket and its handles placed in the slots and hung from the vanes, whereby the bag is held open and able to receive and be stuffed with trash. The vanes can be coplanar with their sides, in which case the portions of the sides adjacent the vanes including portions of the rim, are bent out to provide the slot space, or the sides can be straight and the vanes held away from the sides by inwardly extending portions at their bases.

Abstract: A board game using an elevated board (20) having fourteen rows (22), each of fourteen holes (24), so as to total ninety-six holes. The board is divided into four quarters (21), each of forty-nine holes, by lines (23) into which two to four players play in turn, by placing colored playing pieces (48) from swivel-mounted storage drawers (43) restrained from free movement by friction washer (33), each player attempting to construct patterns (61, 62, 63, 64 and 65) in order to score points. Playing pieces (48) have colors at one end (50) for forming patterns (67) and are reversible to a transparent end (52) for cancellation after scoring by placing score pegs (54) in appropriate holes (29), color identification of inverted playing pieces (48) made possible through transparent end (52) for visual score checking at any time. Each player also attempts to prevent his or her opponents from forming patterns by inserting a playing piece to block pattern formations.

Abstract: A tool for performing cuts of controlled depth in orange rinds and the like for aiding in peeling same comprises a knife (28) with a side-cutting sharpened edge and fence means (30, 66) for limiting the depth of cut which can be made by said knife. The fence can be an integral member joined to the knife by a bend (26) or it can be a pair of side members which are adjustable in position from the edge. The width of the knife with an integral fence may be tapered so that various thicknesses of rinds can be accommodated. The integral fence can have a tongue (36) for aiding in peeling the rind. The knife can have a peeling slot (38) for apples or the like. The integral fence can have a sharpened forward edge (34) for making forward cuts, parallel to a cutting board (54).

Abstract: A tool (15) with pivoted handles (18 and 19) for operating jaws (16 and 17) provides a means for removing unwanted "eyes" (7) from pineapples (6) when such handles are squeezed to close the jaws around and under an eye (7a). A spring (11) exerts opening pressure on handles so as to open the jaws after each use. An anvil blade (16) on one jaw cooperates with an open loop cutter blade (17) on the other jaw. In one preferred embodiment the jaws meet so as to sever the pineapple's fibers, while in another preferred embodiment, the anvil blade passes through the loop jaw so as to push the eyes out after cutting.

Abstract: An engineers' or carpenters' vise comprising a tubular outer member (12) having a plurality of apertures (13) aligned along one side of the member. A jaw is fixed to one end of the member. A second tubular inner member (18) is telescoped within the first member and has a plurality of apertures (19) which cooperate with the aperatures (13) in the outer member. A movable vise jaw (20) is attached to the end of the inner member. A tapered lever (24) is provided for insertion into apertures which are not in line, so as to forcibly pry or move the inner member (18) in either one of two alternative directions. A tapered locking pin (22) is provided to securely lock the inner member (18) to the outer member (12) so as to prevent any return movement. The pin is inserted into apertures which are not in line. The inner member (18) can be removed from the outer member (12) and re-inserted into the opposite end of the outer member, so as to arrange the vise to have an even greater jaw opening.

Abstract: A plastic grocery bag (34) with cut-out carrying handles (35) is held in an open condition from top of a common trash basket or container (32) by means of attachments (49) for the top of such container. In one embodiment, a pair of attachments (49) are provided, each bent in a configuration whereby it is arranged to snap over the top edge (44) of the container and provide a self-supporting function so that the attachment stands up from such edge. Each attachment has a pair of upstanding ears (42), or a single, wide, horizontal support (51), around which one handle of the plastic bag is placed. Alternatively, each wire attachment can be bent to provide hooks (65) at its ends which loop under and grasp the edge of the container. As another alternative, each attachment can be a single or metal bent strip (67)(or a pair of separate members (75)) with upstanding ears (66) and a snap-type slot (67) or a pair of thumbscrews (69).