Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plant named ‘Bamba’, characterized by its compact and uniform plant habit; ray florets that are initially lavender in color and darken to red purple with development; dark purple-tipped disc florets; and numerous inflorescences per plant.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of peach tree, (Prunus persica). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consists of the following combination of features that are desirable in a new variety: 1. Heavy and regular production of fruit. 2. Vigorous and upright growth. 3. Early maturity of large, yellow flesh, clingstone fruit. 4. Fruit with a high degree of attractive red skin color. 5. Fruit with a mild, sweet, sub-acidic flavor with very good eating quality.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Lantana plant named ‘Robmornpin’, characterized by its outwardly spreading plant habit; rapid growth rate; dark green foliage; freely flowering habit; and yellow, dark pink and red-colored flowers.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Bidens plant named ‘Peters Goldteppich’, characterized by its low-growing and cascading plant habit; freely branching, dense and bushy appearance; high vigor; small dark green foliage; early and continuous flowering; and large golden yellow inflorescences held above and beyond the foliage on wiry peduncles.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Curcuma plant named ‘Thai Beauty’, characterized by its compact growth habit with flowers positioned above the foliage; outwardly arching leaves; freely branching growth habit; early and freely flowering; and purple-colored flower bracts.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Ficus plant named ‘GRU FI9801’ characterized by its upright plant habit; freely branching growth habit; and dark green leaves.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Lantana plant named ‘Sonset’, characterized by its upright, mounded and outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; intense golden yellow, red and purple-colored flowers; and excellent garden performance.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘Melody Bolero’, characterized by its upright, somewhat outwardly spreading and uniform plant habit; freely branching habit; dark green foliage; freely flowering habit; decorative inflorescence form with inflorescences positioned above the foliage; red-colored ray florets; and excellent garden performance.

Abstract: A new compact floribunda rose plant which has abundant, yellow flowers and attractive foliage. The variety successfully propagates from softwood cuttings and is suitable for year round production in commercial glasshouses. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named ‘Genie’, characterized by its compact and freely branching plant habit; double light salmon red and yellow bi-colored flowers that are held above the foliage; fringed inner tepals, and excellent postproduction longevity.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘Cool Wind’, characterized by its compact, upright, outwardly spreading, uniform, dense and symmetrical plant habit that is appropriate for container production; glossy dark green leaves; uniform and freely flowering habit; large white-colored flowers with pink-colored throat and short peduncles; good resistance to flower bud abscission; and relative resistance to pathogens common to Hibiscus grown under Florida production conditions.

Abstract: A new and distinct Verbena plant named ‘Balwilapi’, characterized by its lavender pink flowers, mounded trailing habit, and dark green leaves.

Abstract: A new Spathiphyllum plant named ‘Florida Beauty’ characterized by its large size and its large, elliptic, white spathes which are held well-above the foliage. The foliage of ‘Florida Beauty’ is dark-green, glossy and supple. Plants of ‘Florida Beauty’ are easy to grow and are tolerant of temperature extremes without damage to the foliage. The new cultivar is particularly well-adapted to, and durable in, indoor/interior scape conditions.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Ficus benjamina designated ‘Eclipse’ particularly characterized by dark green foliage that is elliptic with an exaggerated acuminate leaf tip with crenate undulating leaf margins. The leaves are glossy on both sides and the plant has a somewhat weeping growth habit with irregular branching.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Lucky Suerte’, characterized by its daisy-type inflorescences that are about 7.3 cm in diameter; attractive vibrant orange ray and bright yellow disc florets; very freely flowering habit with numerous inflorescences per stem; early flowering, response time about 54 days; dark green foliage; strong stems; and good postproduction longevity with inflorescences maintaining good substance and color for at least four weeks in an interior environment.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Primula plant named ‘Prinic’, characterized by its fully double flowers that do not produce seed; dark yellow petal coloration; strongly fragrant flowers; and long-lasting flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Thunbergia plant named ‘Daniella’ characterized by its lavender-colored flowers; long peduncles; and dark green leaves.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Orange Yodanville’, characterized by its uniform and upright plant habit; strong, moderately vigorous, and very freely branching growth habit; dark green foliage; uniform flowering response; early flowering, eight-week response time; large decorative-type inflorescences that are about 9.8 cm in diameter; orange ray florets that twist slightly as inflorescences develop; and excellent postproduction longevity with plants maintaining good substance and color for at least four weeks in an interior environment.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Yodanville’, characterized by its uniform and upright plant habit; strong, moderately vigorous, and very freely branching growth habit ; dark green foliage; uniform flowering response; early flowering, eight-week response time; large decorative-type inflorescences that are about 9.3 cm in diameter; dark lavender pink ray florets that twist slightly as inflorescences develop; and excellent postproduction longevity with plants maintaining good substance and color for at least four weeks in an interior environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peach tree, Prunus persica, and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a large size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described approximately the third week in August, with first picking on Aug. 20, 2000. The fruit is uniformly large in size, very good in flavor, globose in shape, clingstone in type, firm in texture, white in flesh color, and mostly red in skin color. The variety was developed as a first generation cross using August Red (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,363) yellow flesh nectarine as the selected seed parent and White Princess (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,515) peach as the selected pollen parent.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Anthurium plant named ‘VR 110’, characterized by its upright and somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; dark green leaves; dark pink-colored spathes with light yellow-colored spadices that are positioned upright and beyond the foliage on strong and erect scapes; and good inflorescence longevity.

Abstract: An automated vehicle parking system for a plurality of remote parking facilities that communicates with a vehicle approaching or leaving the remote facility with RF signals, or the like, that identifies the vehicle and sends the vehicle identification number, time of day, and lane number to a first computer at the remote facility for calculating the parking cost of a given vehicle based on rates for said given individual vehicle stored in the first computer of each of the plurality of remote parking facilities and having a central computer coupled to each remote facility for providing a single bill to a user of several remote facilities and advising each remote facility first computer of the total fees due for all users of that remote facility during specified periods.

Abstract: A weight displacing knee protector pad having a main body comprised of a piece of foam or the like covered with a protective coating such as fabric. The foam has a top and a bottom and a front and a back and two sides. The top has a contoured channel running longitudinally through the center that conforms to the shape of the lower leg. The foam is enclosed in a cover of heavy duty fabric material. A substantially rigid material with a nonslip surface is fastened to the padding and the cover on the bottom. The rigid material extends past the front edge of the foam just past the knee. The foam provides support to the lower leg but stops before the knee. The rigid bottom means displaces the weight which would usually be applied to the knee, back to the lower leg while providing support and balance when leaning forward. Affixed to each side of weight displacing knee protector pad for attaching it to the lower leg are two strapping means comprised of elastic or the like.

Abstract: An aerodynamic suit for improved athletic performance, and a method of manufacturing the suit. Each body segment is assigned a Reynolds number based upon the velocity and size of the body segment. Each body segment has an appropriate textile assigned to it. The texture of the textile is appropriate to the Reynolds number. As a result, each body segment should go through transition simultaneously during the athletic event. The limbs of the suit are preferably cut so that the seams between the limbs and the rest of the suit are at angles parallel to the direction of movement when at estimated maximum velocity to thereby reduce creases and aerodynamic drag resulting therefrom.

Abstract: A harness strap assembly is adapted to be incorporated into the inner liner of the pants of a firefighter's turnout suit without requiring structural modification thereof. The harness strap assembly, when installed, comprises a pair of webbed strap members. A waist belt and the harness strap assembly are wound forward around the user's waist through waist belt-loops suspended from a suspender assembly; then down through loops suspended at the crotch of the pant liner; thence back around under the user's buttocks; and finally back forward to the fly area of the liner. Adjacent to the fly of the liner, the crotch portions of the strap pass through a pair of metal or fabric carabiner-holding rings that are attached to looped ends of the harness strap members. The carabiner-holding rings, in turn, are interlinked (by means of a strap) with a metal carabiner of conventional design.

Abstract: A waterproof relief outlet in a breathable chest wader consisting of a zipper having a zipper portion capable of movement from a closed position to an open position, wherein the zipper prevents water from entering the interior of the chest wader when the zipper portion is in said closed position. The wearer of the breathable chest wader thereby has means for relieving himself without having to substantially remove the waders and/or any undergarments. Further, this is accomplished in a highly simplified manner, wherein the wearer need only to grab a tab coupled to a slide fastener of the zipper portion in order to move the zipper portion from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A feeding tube accessible wearing apparel for giving a user a sense dignity and privacy during a medical procedure. The feeding tube accessible wearing apparel includes an upper body garment having a neck-receiving opening and arm-receiving openings and also having a front side with a hole being disposed through the front side; and also includes a flap member being attached to the front side of said upper body garment and being coverable over the hole.

Abstract: The invention concerns a metal mesh glove provided with a likewise metal mesh extension (3), designed to cover the user's wrist, forearm and optionally arm. The invention is characterised in that said extension (3) is equipped with a rigid projecting beaded edge (6) arranged over at least part of its periphery and adapted to prevent a tool blade sliding on the metal mesh from thrusting further forward. Said rigid beaded edge (6) consists of a directly mounted structure in the form of a directly mounted circular loop (8), made of a rigid material and made integral with the metal mesh fabric by any suitable means.

Abstract: A novelty hat apparatus having a spit for simulating the roasting of objects, a headpiece for supporting the apparatus on the head of a wearer, and a first and second spit frame member attached to the headpiece and extending upward therefrom, the first and second spit frame members each having apertures defined therein for receiving the ends of the spit. The headpiece has at least one simulated fire member attached to the headpiece and extending upward therefrom toward the spit. The apparatus may include a motor with a drive shaft extending therefrom and engaging a toothed wheel on the spit for turning the spit by operation of the motor. Additionally, a strap may be attached to the headpiece for retaining the apparatus on the head of the wearer. The spit may also have a spit crank fixed to an end.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention relates to an improved headguard to be worn by soccer players that protects the forehead during the act of heading the soccer ball without compromising the integrity of the game. In its preferred embodiment, the protection device cushions the forehead through a combination of soft padding and a custom molded plastic insert. Preferably, the custom molded rigid polymeric insert is sandwiched between two layers of padded, elastic fabric in the form of a headband surrounding the forehead. Since the custom molded insert is housed between two fabric layers, it poses no hazard to the wearer or other players.

Abstract: A protective cover made of absorbent, stretchable, high lubricity fabric for overlying cushioning frontal pads of helmets. The cover can absorb sweat and the high lubricity of the fabric will enable the helmet to be taken on and off numerous times without producing an abrasion on the wearer's skin.

Abstract: Protective helmet includes an outer shell adapted to protect a user's head. A connecting element is connected to the outer shell. At least a first shield is pivotally mounted to one of a journal and the outer shell. At least a second shield is pivotally mounted to the connecting element. Each of the first and second shields pivot with respect to the outer shell.

Abstract: A closure apparatus and a method of installing the same are provided. The closure apparatus is adapted to mount to a toilet having a cover, a bowl ledge and a flush mechanism. The closure apparatus includes a mounting bolt having an opening extending therethrough and a rod disposed within the opening of the bolt. The apparatus also includes a spring that is adapted to be deformed by the rod to thereby bias the rod and a lever movable with respect to the mounting bolt. A latch release mechanism coupled to the lever is also included. Upon flushing the toilet when the cover is open, and when the closure apparatus is mounted on the bowl ledge, the latch release mechanism causes the latch point of the lever to move with respect to the mounting bolt and allows the spring to move the rod, which pushes the cover, to thereby close the cover.

Abstract: A toilet sealing ring adapter assembly for use in association with a toilet and a sewer pipe, the toilet sealing ring adapter assembly comprising: a flexible seal formed in a generally cylindrical configuration with a central aperture including coupling devices, the flexible seal adapted to be mounted within a sewer pipe; and a toilet ring formed in a generally cylindrical configuration with a central aperture, the ring including an upper region and a lower region, the upper region including a planar ledge extending therefrom, the ledge including a plurality of apertures to permit coupling to a toilet and mounting surface with bolts, the lower region including coupling devices to permit secure coupling within the flexible seal.

Abstract: A swimming pool bottom flushing device comprising a tubular supporting arrangement attached to a pipe arranged at the bottom of a swimming pool, and a water ejector nozzle axially fitted into said supporting arrangement in a rotatable, vertically shiftable arrangement. This device is characterized in that the nozzle is formed by an open-ended tubular body provided at least with one opening in its periphery and fitted with a tubular, rotationally positionable plug peripherally provided with openings of different diameters provided to selectively face the openings of the tubular body in order to control the outflow of the water jet being ejected for the flushing of the swimming pool bottom. The top plug is selectively secured by means of a bayonet attachment into a number of positions when fitted to the tubular body of the nozzle.

Abstract: An adjustable height showerhead is slidably removable vertically along an axis to accommodate users of differing heights. The showerhead includes a fixed inner pipe, a water inlet connection, a wall mount and an adjustable pipe sleeve. The water inlet connection provides a flow of water into the fixed inner pipe, which has ports connected with the adjustable pipe sleeve to provide water therethrough into an annular space defined by the outer wall of the inner pipe and an inner wall of the adjustable pipe sleeve, which is connected to the outlet nozzle at a distal end. A locking subassembly maintains the showerhead in a fixed position until the locking assembly is unlocked, thereby permitting slidable movement of the adjustable pipe sleeve about an axis parallel to the fixed inner pipe.

Abstract: A foot spa apparatus is constructed to include a base holding a container, a water pump adapted to pump water from the container to horizontal spray tubes and a vertical nozzle tube to stimulate the sole of the foot and lower pat of the user's legs, a collapsible fence wall provided at the top of the container around the water chamber in the container and adjusted to the desired height, and an electric heating coil adapted to heat water in the container.

Abstract: The mobile seat lifting apparatus pivots a seat member between a sitting position and a standing position and includes a frame assembly and a seat assembly pivotally connected thereto, an actuator connected to the seat assembly, and a driving mechanism connected to the actuator to pivot the seat assembly between the standing position and the sitting position. The frame assembly includes a floor brace that is able to securely support the remainder of the frame assembly and the attached seat assembly with a user sitting thereon. The frame assembly further includes a seat brace and a support arm, wherein the support arm connects the seat brace with the floor brace. The actuator is preferably connected between the floor brace and the seat brace such that the actuator additionally supports the seat brace in either the standing position or the sitting position.

Abstract: An apparatus for automating control of the water in a shower system includes at least one sensor disposable within a water flow path intermediate the valve and the showerhead. A processing unit operatively connectable to the sensor processes the sensor signal and generates control signals in response thereto. A valve control mechanism operatively connectable to the valve and the processing unit positions the valve in response to the control signals from the processing unit. A user interface operatively connectable to the processing unit receives user commands and displays values for the water temperature and flow rate. In the illustrative embodiment the processing unit is microprocessor based and enables previously defined vales for water temperature and flow rate to be stored and recalled in association with a particular user identifier.

Abstract: A faucet handle mechanism for attaching a faucet handle to a faucet valve body, which valve body has a rotatable valve stem, includes an adapter coaxial with and attached to the valve stem for concurrent rotation with the stem. There is an insert coaxial with and attached to the adapter for concurrent rotation with the insert and stem. A handle is coaxial with and attached to the insert for concurrent rotation with the insert, adapter and valve stem. A fastener secures the adapter, insert and handle together. There is a generally cylindrical chassis coaxial with and extending about the adapter, with the chassis being non-rotatably attached to the valve body. A shell is non-rotatably mounted on the chassis, with the chassis having an upper bearing surface which rotatably supports a lower bearing surface on the insert. The chassis and adapter have cooperating elements which prevent relative axial movement therebetween.