Abstract: A wetsuit structure (10) having a zipper (15) extending from a neck opening (14) of the wetsuit and down that portion of the wetsuit which, in use, will at least surround the upper part of the torso (11) of a wearer of the wetsuit. A barrier panel (16) of stretchable, substantially water proof, material is attached within the interior of the wetsuit adjacent to, and underlying, at least a major portion of the length of the zipper. The wetsuit structure also has a detachable neck or collar (17) of stretchable, substantially water proof, material adapted, in use, to be pulled over the head of the wearer while stretching in the process, but then relaxing to fit relatively tightly into sealing engagement around the neck of the wearer, and a series of press studs or snaps (18, 19) to detachably connect the neck or collar to the body of the wetsuit.

Abstract: A conventional baseball (softball) first baseman's mitt includes two layers of protective padding in the areas above and below the center axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joint of the index finger. One layer of padding is a slow release foam material and the other layer of padding is a foam rubber, neoprene, or other foamed elastomeric material. Additional protective padding may extend to the areas above and below the center axis of rotation of other joints of the index and long fingers.

Abstract: A child's bib used for educational activities having an elongate body portion such that the wearer can interact with objects and or words inscribed on the elongate body portion. The inscriptions include various indicia providing learning activities to engage the wearer's attention. The inscriptions are upside-down relative to a front face viewer but are right-side up as viewed by the child wearing the bib. The bib is an adaptable garment which may include one or more re-attachable patches. These patches may be letters, color strips, animals, or other concept images, and the sort, which can be removed. The indicia or patches are used to educationally stimulate the child wearer.

Abstract: This invention pertains to disposable garments which can be easily fitted to bodies of various sizes. The garments comprise a top section and a bottom section. The top section comprises a neck opening, sleeves and a body portion. The bottom section comprises a waist opening, pant legs and a waist fastener. The waist fastener is preferably comprised of two fasteners of materials such as adhesive or Velcro which are situated on either side of the bottom section and which may be pulled toward the front of the wearer and affixed so as to allow for customization of waist width. The sleeve and pant legs may further comprise an elastic portion at or near an end of the sleeve or pant legs to allow for customization of sleeve or leg length.

Abstract: An improved hat and scarf combination garment and method of wearing the same, is provided. The garment is essentially a piece of fabric that is doubled-over onto itself, with the two long ends of the fabric being connected together. With this construction a tubular opening is created, running through the entire length of the doubled-over fabric. The length of the garment is long enough to accommodate receipt over a person's head by one end of the tubular garment, yet leaving enough length of the garment to then be able to be wrapped around, at least once, the person's lower head and/or neck area, in a standard scarf manner. Another embodiment of the hat and scarf combination garment and method of wearing the same has a pair of hat members located at the opposite ends of the garment, and a “solid” type fabric member running therebetween.

Abstract: Headgear are disclosed, having a body and a strap which is removable from the body so as to be replaceable and interchangeable. Each of the straps may have a logo or other indicia displayed thereon. By interchanging straps with varying indicia, the user can change the decorative appearance of the headgear. In addition to its decorative function, the strap may be elastic and when attached to the body proximate opposed ends of a headband of the headgear such that the elastic nature of the strap will allow the headgear to expand or contract to conform to the head size of a wearer. The strap has opposed ends and is removably connected to the body by attachment means which may comprise hook assemblies permanently connected to the opposed ends of the strap, the hook assemblies each engaging respective grommets set into the body.

Abstract: An open-sole pantyhose garment for wearing with exercise and dancing covers the lower body of a wearer. The garment has a top section with two leg portions wherein each leg portion includes a vertical seam along the leg portion. Each leg portion includes a foot portion that encircles the wearer's foot and defines an opening on the sole through which the wearer's foot can protrude.

Abstract: A hook and loop fastener is disclosed for the pockets of articles and clothing such as coats, shirts and blouses comprising a hook fastener part, a loop fastener part and a deactivation flap which is attached to an article of clothing for being inserted between the hook fastener part and the loop fastener part.

Abstract: A helmet having an outer shell defining an inwardly facing surface extending to an edge of the shell, and a lining defining an outer surface acing the inwardly facing surface of the shell, an inner sue which in use faces the head of a person we the helmet, and an edge surface extending between the inner and outer surfaces of the lining adjacent the edge of the shell. A strap is secured to the outer shell and extends from between the inwardly facing surface of the outer shell and the outer surface of the lining. Means such as a hook and loop fastening are provided for releasably attaching a portion of the strap immediately adjacent the lining to the edge surface of the lining, such that the strap adjacent the shell edge is pulled tows the head of the wearer.

Abstract: A siphon flush apparatus is described which by means of a sliding conduct coupled to a discharge conduct allows the formation of a siphon during the flush operation of a cistern without the need of a jet stream of water, valve means or a piston to initiate said siphon. In addition, the apparatus of the present invention can remain without any leakage into the flushing tube when it is at rest position and need not an additional overflowing discharging pipe to drain an excess of water when the supply valve of the cistern fails.

Abstract: A lightweight insulated cover which may be easily installed and removed from an above ground spa has a top section and four side walls coupled to the top section. The top section and the four side walls comprised of an insulated layer, and a second layer coupled to a front and back surface of the insulated layer for protecting the insulated layer from moisture generated from the above ground spa and external weather conditions.

Abstract: A chair made of a single-piece molded plastic laminate element specially designed for the safety and comfort of the person having a shower and the facilitation of personal cleanliness. It is provided with a spoon-shaped concave seat, with a lateral-back guarding flap and a front opening having three defined sectors for the optimum hygiene of men and women's private parts; similarly it has a feetrest which in combination with the frontal opening allows safe and easy cleanliness of feet and side handles which facilitate standing up from the seat, the seat projecting itself in a bending manner into the lower sector and turning into four reinforced equally-spaced legs with their respective cross-members.

Abstract: A sink form for use in installing a sink having laterally extending flanges in a countertop is preferably formed of a plastic material, such as nylon or polypropylene resin. It is preferably made to the exact shape of the cut-out opening for the sink, although for round or oval sinks, the form may consist of a flexible strip of the proper cross-section cut to length as required to match the opening. The sink form has a cross section consisting of a downwardly extending portion which is secured to the edges of the opening, a laterally extending flange portion, and, at the outer edge of the flange portion, an upstanding vertical portion terminating in an outwardly curved part. The downwardly extending portion is secured to the edge of the cut-out opening with the laterally extending flange portion spaced away from the countertop to allow for a layer of concrete float material between the flange portion and the countertop.

Abstract: An insulating cover for a portable toilet as used on construction sites and for outdoor events is described. In one arrangement insulating panels are fastened around the portable toilet to reduce the escape of heat therefrom.

Abstract: A new simple and inexpensive futon frame which can be converted from a bed to a sofa. The frame is fabricated in a three-section, tri-fold configuration with three sections hingedly joined together. When opened, the segments of the frame form a horizontal bed support frame. The hinge points of the frame are offset to allow for folding of the frame into the sofa and/or into a small, compact unit for ease in shipping. Each of the frame sections has support legs, some of which are foldably mounted to the frame. The back legs of the frame (when it is a bed) become a support for the back of the frame (when it is a sofa). The use of a steel mesh as the futon mattress supporting surface adds great benefit to the product in that it allows use of a much thinner (less costly) futon mattress.

Abstract: A collapsible apparatus includes a frame member being formed from a flexible twistable material, a first membrane and a second membrane, and a cushion. The second membrane is removably attachable to the first membrane.

Abstract: A baby support system directed to providing improved support for a baby, particularly for its head and back, while being held and carried. The baby support system includes two support structures. The first support structure is adjacent to the second support structure which is made of a flexible, resilient, material which at least partially conforms to the baby's body, providing support for the baby. The second support structure is positioned on the first support structure such that when the first support structure is wrapped about the baby it maintains the second support structure in a desired position with respect to the baby, thereby providing the desired support for the baby.

Abstract: A pedestal apparatus for use with a patient support, such as an x-ray table, provides a plurality of services, such as gas, vacuum and electric power, near a patient supported on the patient support. The apparatus includes a housing having opposite ends, opposite sides, a top and bottom. The opposite sides of the housing are configured to include a plurality of service outlets. The top of the housing is arched to provide an upwardly-facing convex exterior surface, and the top of the housing is formed with axial sides overhanging the opposite sides of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention is a removable and portable device adapted for hygienic work in care of the feet to residence. The device is removable, portable and provided of a plate with support fixed by the pines, and connected to the base by a support. The base is provided with several degrees of elevation allowing the adjustment in height of a support fixed at the legrest. A removable cushion moves it along of the legrest for adapt it with all the lenghts of leg.

Abstract: A cushion for being positioned on a seating product for supporting a user thereon. The cushion includes first and second cushion elements joined in registration and collectively defining a void therein for receiving a flexible, fluid-impervious bladder. The bladder is adapted for receiving a preselected volume of fluid therein for providing adjustable support to the user.

Abstract: A sequentially or serial inflating seat cushion comprising at least three transversely aligned inflatable air bladders connected to a pump and timer. The air bladders are inflated sequentially, from front to back, over a period of approximately eleven seconds and simultaneously deflated to slowly pump blood upward in the legs thereby reducing blood pooling. Connected to the pump is a valve that keeps the air bladders inflated a selective amount of time. The cycle is then repeated continuously. Located adjacent to the back air bladder is a transversely aligned, non-inflating seat section which continuously supports the user's ischial tuberocities to prevent slippage over the seat. An alternate embodiment offers a split seat option with six inflatable bladders.

Abstract: A support pillow comprises an inflatable pillow body having an interior that is adapted to be filled with a fluid to inflate the pillow body, a top side, a bottom side, and at least one wall disposed in the interior and that connects the top side to the bottom side to facilitate flattening of the top and the bottom sides when the pillow body is inflated. The pillow body further comprises a medial region and first and second opposing arms extending from the medial region, with the arms having respective first and second end portions remote from the medial region. Further, the cantilever arms are curved about a vertical axis, and the cantilever arms and medial region cooperate to define an open well.

Abstract: A folding multipurpose tool incorporating a latch release mechanism including a lever, a cam, and a rocker-shaped grip body to easily effect release of a catch for holding knife or screwdriver blades extended. A spring and cams are arranged to hold each of a pair of handles either extended or folded with respect to the tangs of a pair of pliers jaws or the like. The handles include inwardly directed comfortable rounded rims. Portions of folding blades interlock with other folding blades on an opposite handle when the tool is folded, to stabilize the handles while using a knife or screwdriver. Blades of folding scissors include edges that are serrated only near their tips. A container opener includes a hook defining a recessed throat.

Abstract: A process for treating a textile substrate, the process including the steps of providing a textile substrate; providing a treatment bath; entraining a transport material in the treatment bath wherein the transport material further comprises a treatment material dissolved or suspended therein and wherein the transport material is substantially immiscible with the treatment bath; and contacting the textile substrate with the transport material in the treatment bath to thereby treat the textile substrate with the treatment material in the transport material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fabric treatment composition comprising surfactant, fabric substantive dye and dye auxiliary agent. The fabric treatment composition of the invention can be used to change, refresh or maintain the color of fabric.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for operating a front-loading washing machine with a washing aggregate comprising a tub holding a rotatably-mounted drum suspended in the machine housing so as to be able to oscillate with a midaxis descending from front to back and equipped an imbalance sensor that changes the rotation of the drum by means of a control program when an imbalance occurs in the spin cycle. In many cases of operation an improved spin result can be achieved for a small loads of cotton laundry and the related laundry absorbency by disabling the imbalance sensor and running the spin cycle at the programmed maximum speed.

Abstract: A device having a flexible member with a plurality of pouches. A pair of matched articles are placed in each of the separate pouches. The flexible member is mounted on an agitator in a washing machine and the pairs of articles are washed together with the flexible member. The flexible member containing the pairs of articles are dried. A method of use is disclosed.

Abstract: Couplers for hair coloring compositions for oxidative dyeing of hair are compounds of formula (1): 1

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for treating hair keratin fibers to provide them with new appropriate properties, comprising the following steps: reducing the sulphur bonds of hair keratin to generate only at the surface of the fibers at a depth less than 10 &mgr;m. reactive sites and in fixing covalently on said reactive sites at least one active compound for providing the hair keratin fibers with new appropriate properties, said active compound containing at least a reactive function capable of reacting with said reactive sites formed at the keratin fiber surface. This method is applicable to the treatment of fibrous or non-fibrous keratin substances of human or animal origin.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and distributing a garment that commemorates a tangible object that has served as an instrument in the performance of a spectator event is disclosed.

Abstract: A portable ramp with transport facilitators including a ramp portion consisting of an upper section and a lower section foldably and collapsibly coupled together. The upper section has a handle member and a pair of side wheels coupled with respect thereto for transporting when in a collapsed orientation.

Abstract: The dock leveler is adapted to be mounted to a loading dock and includes a ramp, a guard, and a biasing member. The ramp is rotatably coupled to the loading dock and the guard is rotatably coupled to the ramp. The guard is rotated between a raised position that forms a barrier and a lowered position that permits loading equipment to freely pass. The biasing member is coupled to the guard and biases the guard toward the raised position when the guard is in the raised position and biases the guard toward the lowered position when the guard is in the lowered position.

Abstract: A portable golf ball cleaning device including a housing having a hollow interior. The housing has an opening therein exposing the hollow interior. The opening is dimensioned for receiving a golf ball therethrough. The housing has a plurality of bristles disposed thereon on an interior surface thereof. The hollow interior holds a quantity of a soap and water solution therein. A ball receiving portion is rotatably disposed within the hollow interior of the housing. The ball receiving portion is dimensioned for receiving the golf ball therein. The ball receiving portion is positioned within the hollow interior of the housing whereby a golf ball positioned therein will be in contact with the plurality of bristles of the housing.

Abstract: An oral care system (1) comprising a sonic power toothbrush (2) which comprises a body (3), a brush member (4) mounted on the body (3), a brush head (5) which is supported by the brush member (4) at its end remote from the body (3) so as to be able to vibrate relative to the body (3) and which is provided with bristles (6) and an additive outlet (7), an additive container (8) connected to said additive outlet (7), driving means (9) for generating sonic frequency vibrations, and transmission means (29) for transmitting said sonic frequency vibrations to the brush head (5), wherein the toothbrush (2) comprises at least one further additive container (18). Instead of the user having to apply a first and a second additive manually to the brush head (5), these additives are already incorporated into the sonic-power toothbrush (2), which benefits the user-friendliness of the device.

Abstract: A bristle disk for an electric toothbrush is provided. The bristle disk has a bristle carrier and bristles arranged in tufts disposed in an outer row, a middle row and an inner row. The outer row tufts are adapted for cleaning the gingival space between the teeth and gums. The middle row tufts are adapted for cleaning the surface of the teeth. The inner row tuft is adapted for cleaning the interproximal space between the teeth.

Abstract: A brush for a voice prosthesis containing a reduced diameter hard cartridge disposed in the distal section of a soft outer body. The brush includes a reduced diameter distal brush section mounted in a rod having a distal end face larger than the diameter of the cartridge such that the extension of the end of the brush into the opposed esophageal wall is prevented.

Abstract: A cleaning device and method for making which is constructed from a flexible base member of thermoplastic material to which a plurality of fibers are fused and protrude therefrom, and formed into a curvilinear configuration such as a helix-like, or U-shaped-like configuration. The method includes the steps of heating the base until it is softened and bent to a U-shape like configuration and then cooling the base member, or helically winding the base onto a rotating mandrel; stopping the mandrel and severing an end of the base member; and cooling the base member so that it retains its U-shape or helical configuration. A core member may also be inserted through the opening in the helix-like configuration and attached at one or more points of the base member permitting the cleaning device to be pushed through tubular members.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning implement in the form of a sleeve-type self-wringing mop. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cleaning implement includes a shaft, a mop of a liquid absorbent material disposed at one end, and a wringer. The wringer includes a wringing sleeve that comprises a handle that is rotatably relative to the sleeve over at least a portion of the axial range of travel of the sleeve, and at least one volute. The volute has a generally helicoid surface that cooperates with a drive that is fixed with respect to the shaft, the volute and drive cooperating in the manner of a cam and cam follower. A user may advance the wringer upon grasping the handle and axially translating the handle relative to the shaft. The camming interaction between the volute and drive causes rotation of the wringing sleeve relative to the shaft to cause liquid to be expelled from the mop.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mop having an elongate shaft, a mop element, and an operating member that is axially movable along a portion of the shaft between a range of mopping positions and a latch position. One end portion of the mop element is retained in a fixed position at one end of the shaft, the other end portion of the mop element is retained at one end of the operating member with an intermediate mopping portion formed into a bight. In accordance with the invention, the mop includes a latch mechanism for axially retaining the operating member in the latch position. The latch mechanism includes a detent portion and a shoulder portion. One portion is fixedly mounted to the shaft and the other is mounted on the operating member. Preferably, the mop is a twist mop wherein the operating member is relatively rotatable with respect to the shaft. More preferably, the mop includes a ratchet mechanism for releasably restricting relative rotation of the operating member and shaft to one direction of rotation.

Abstract: A toothbrush for cleansing the teeth, including a unitary body having a handle with a grip portion having concave indentations formed on a surface thereof, and a neck portion formed with the grip portion and positioned at an obtuse angle thereto. A cross-shaped head is formed with one end of the neck portion and includes a first head member positioned in axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the handle. A second head member is formed with the first, and has a longitudinal axis positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof. Each of the head members includes a preselected transaxial width, and rounded corners defined by respective curves having combined radii of at least seventy-five percent of the transaxial width of the head member. A multiplicity of bristles are attached to both head members and define an enlarged cleaning surface area sufficient to simultaneously engage the upper and lower teeth during brushing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wiper assembly capable of adjusting a wiping angle, which changes the rotating angle of drive arms in accordance with the change of the operating mode (high-speed operating mode or low-speed operating mode) of a wiper assembly by means of an auxiliary motor so that the wiping angle can be properly changed, said wiper assembly capable of adjusting a wiping angle comprising:

Abstract: A wringer basket (1) for wet mops has a basket cone (6) that has a perforated basket cone bottom (3) and a basket cone wall (5) that rises from the latter on all sides, with slits. A subsequent basket edge (9) carries attachment elements (10) for setting the wringer basket (1) onto the edge of a bucket. The basket cone wall (5) has a convex curvature towards the inside of the basket cone (6), seen in cross-section. The outline of the basket cone (6) is oval, at least in parts.

Abstract: The device sprays a mist of cleaning fluid onto the record medium—e.g., motion picture film—and wipes it off, preferably with a soft material such as velvet. Then, the film is dried with air, including thin air jets to spread the liquid evenly, and heated, ionized air. The device has a closed housing and air in the housing is evacuated and sent to a still to recover much of the cleaning liquid and prevent its escape into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A positioning frame supports a rotating buff roll within a vacuum plenum at a desired location adjacent a moving web of material. The apparatus has a drive arm with a jackshaft and a support arm each pivoted off bases which may be clamped to a single cross machine direction shaft. The motor drive may also be positioned at a variety of orientations. Three parallel axes of adjustment are defined by the positioning frame granting the installer of the apparatus great latitude in positioning the buff assembly near the web to be cleaned. Two web cleaning apparatuses may be installed on opposite sides of an open span of web, or a first apparatus may be engaged against the web where it turns around a roll, and a second apparatus may be engaged against the web where it turns around a downstream roll.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has an electric motor driving an air impeller for creating suction and a pump impeller which is located in the tank and draws liquid material from the bottom of the tank and expels it from the tank. The vacuum cleaner may have an electrical or mechanical shut-off apparatus which turns off the electric motor if the water level in the tank is too high. The shut-off switch may be bypassed by a user to allow the motor to continue driving the pump impeller to remove liquid from the tank.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a housing passage with a passage inlet, air entering through the passage inlet flowing in a first direction and the housing passage directing air flowing therethrough in a second direction which is more than 90 degrees different from the first direction. The vacuum cleaner also includes a blower adapted to be used separately from the vacuum cleaner, the blower having a blower housing with a blower inlet, a blower outlet, and defining a blower passage between the blower inlet and the blower outlet, an impeller disposed in the blower passage to move air between the blower inlet and the blower outlet and a motor mounted to the blower housing and coupled to the impeller to move the impeller. The blower is detachably secured to the housing with the blower outlet disposed in communication with the passage inlet.

Abstract: A blower/vacuum having an air inlet cover and a blower tube, both of which attach to a blower housing for operation in a blower mode. The air inlet cover is preferably able to removably attach to the blower housing and the blower tube. Blower/vacuums of the present invention may generally prohibit operation unless both the blower tube and the air inlet cover are first installed. The blower/vacuum is further adapted to operate in a vacuum mode by removing the air inlet cover and blower tube and replacing the same with a vacuum tube assembly and a vacuum collection container, respectively.

Abstract: An air blower/vacuum includes a nozzle, a fan, and a main body. The main body is formed with a vacuum pathway and a blower pathway, located upstream and downstream, respectively, from the fan with respect to the flow of air. The main body is also formed with an attachment hole in fluid communication with both the vacuum pathway and the blower pathway. The attachment hole supports the nozzle rotatable between a vacuum mode orientation and a blower mode orientation. In the vacuum mode orientation, the pathway of the nozzle is in fluid communication with the vacuum pathway. In the blower mode orientation, the pathway of the nozzle is in fluid communication with the blower pathway.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a secure handle on an upper part of a dust collecting portion. The handle may be used for transporting both the dust collection portion and the upright vacuum cleaner. The handle allows simplified construction, reduced costs, and increased user safety. An attachment mechanism provides secure double locking protection against accidental separation without simultaneous two-part operation and has a latching hook and a locking part which positively engage the dust collection portion and the vacuum cleaner body.

Abstract: An improved wet vacuum is described which removes floor stripping chemicals and residual water left behind from a floor stripping machine. The vacuum system is portable, battery operated and houses a storage reservoir constrained via elastic straps on a rollable base. A vacuum box is operatively mounted to a motor and include moisture reduction features which reduce moisture accumulation in and around the motor via an adapted flow path and drain channel. A single lever and rear activated squeegee mechanism which is in fluid communication with the vacuum system is selectively lowered an raised for removing floor cleaning chemicals and/or other liquids from the surface of a floor. An interior mechanical brace assembly is also featured to prevent reservoir buckling from operative vacuum pressure. A simple control module is provided for operating and monitoring power for the system.