Abstract: A device and methods for converting and decorating clothing are disclosed. The device includes a center connection part, and a plurality of extensions, each with one end connected to the center connection part and with another end connected to an attachment structure. The method includes attaching one or more first extensions of the device to one or more first locations of a clothing and attaching one or more second extensions to one or more second locations of the clothing to convert the clothing from one style to another style, or to decorate the clothing. Also disclosed is a multifunctional jewelry piece which can be used to convert a style of clothing, to provide ornamentation to clothing, and to provide ornamentation to a person's body.

Abstract: A versatile beach wrap, that closes securely allowing for garments to be removed and exchanged, the length of which can be adjusted, with a hood and fits into its own backpack for carrying.

Abstract: A swimsuit converter is provided for converting the bottom rear panel of a swimsuit to a shape with more body exposures. The swimsuit converter includes a center connection part, and a plurality of extensions, each with one end connected to the center connection part and with another end connected to an attachment structure. When in use, a swimsuit wearer attaches two extensions through the attachment structures to two sides of a bottom rear panel of a swimsuit and attaches one or more extensions to one or more locations around the waist portion of the swimsuit. The swimsuit converter holds the swimsuit rear panel together, and converts a conventional or bikini style swimsuit to a thong style, which is particularly suitable for sun bathing and sun tanning.

Abstract: A protective guard includes an at least substantially waterproof drape and a collar that extends upwardly from a central opening in the drape and leaves at least a substantial portion of a patient's back and chest exposed for bathing. The drape covers a catheter exit site in or near a patient's neck. In a preferred embodiment, the drape includes first and second arm portions, which cover first and second shoulder and surround at least a portion of an arm extending therefrom. The collar extends upwardly from a central opening in the drape and encircles a patient's neck. A slit in the collar permits the guard to slip past the patient's head. Fasteners disposed on either side of the slit secure the guard to itself at an overlapping seam formed by overlapped portions of the drape. The protective guard is easily fastened and released and can be donned with one hand. It is also reversible so that the slit may be positioned either at the front or the rear of the patient's body.

Abstract: Pants convertible into a hammock comprise a pair of pant legs separable by unfastening front and back fasteners extending from the waist to crotch of the pant legs, each pant leg openable to a flat formation by unfastening an inseam fastener, the opened pant legs convertible into a hammock configuration by abutting and fastening together bottom edges of the pant legs, wherein the hammock pants may be suspended from an adjacent structure by inserting a pair of rigid rods into sleeves provided at the waist portion of the pant legs in the hammock configuration, and by unfolding a plurality of straps attached to the inside surfaces of the pant legs and extending the straps from the ends of the rigid rods to anchor points on the adjacent structure.

Abstract: A wrap for a reader is disclosed which comprises a length of fabric for draping over the wearer's torso from the shoulders, the fabric also having a lateral extension at the middle for covering the neck of a wearer, and the fabric having an outer pocket on an inner pocket, the pockets being spaced away from the collar, and one of the pockets being sized to hold reading matter.

Abstract: A safety device for hunters, naturalists, and other outdoorsmen provides a camouflaged hunting garment which incorporates a safety harness into the body of a jacket, coat, or other apparel. The safety garment has a safety harness with a central attachment ring for receiving a rope or line for releasably anchoring a wearer to an anchor point such as a tree trunk. The safety harness is attached as by sewing inside of the vest, jacket, or garment, fully covering the harness making it invisible from the outside. During an accidental fall or when used to drag a deer carcass, the pulling forces on the harness are equalized in both directions, providing maximally efficient distribution of force on the wearer. Removable leg straps are attachable to the waist belt or other portion of the safety harness and may be attached to a lower garment inner surface.

Abstract: The safety garment for industrial and construction workers, and hunters incorporates a safety harness into the body of a jacket, coat, or other apparel. The garment has a safety harness with a central attachment ring receiving a safety line, anchoring a wearer a beam or tree trunk. The safety harness is preferably sewn on the outer surface of a removable inner liner or vest attached to an outer shell such as an outer vest, jacket, shirt, parka, or other garment covering the harness. During a fall, pulling forces on the harness are equalized in both directions, providing maximal distribution of force on the wearer. The waist belt or other portion of the safety harness has attachments for removable leg loops.

Abstract: A cabinet glove. The cabinet glove includes a sleeve portion having an open end portion and a hand covering portion. A clamp is constrained to the end of the sleeve portion. The clamp holds the end portion of the cabinet glove open to ease assembly of the cabinet glove to an annular mounting flange of a cabinet.

Abstract: A brim or visor for hats is described which includes a brim cover and a brim insert securely affixed within the brim cover. The brim cover comprises an upper sheet having an image printed to one side thereof; and a lower sheet attached to the upper sheet to form a pocket adapted to receive the brim insert. The brim insert is securely affixed within the pocket such that the image printed on the upper sheet lays substantially flat over the brim insert.

Abstract: The SonicDome is a ski hat containing internal headphone speakers. An internal connecting wire drops down from the hat. At the end of that wire is a stereo mini-plug that can connect to most portable listening and viewing devices (CD Walkmans, MP3 players, small TVs). By combining two widely used items—headphones and headgear, the SonicDome will allow the wearer to enjoy music, books on tape, television, etc., while partaking in outdoor activities in cold weather.

Abstract: A machine-washable item of apparel, in particular a suit jacket, includes a plurality of garment sections of a first, outer material (3), the first, outer material being a machine-washable fabric having a crease memory, the garment sections being joined to each other by sewn seams using machine-washable thread; a plurality of sections of a second, interfacing material (5), the second interfacing material being a machine-washable, fusible interfacing material, the sections of the second, interfacing material being secured to the inner side of selected ones of the garment sections by heat fusing thereto; and a plurality of sections (9, 10) of a third, lining material, the third, lining material being a machine-washable lining material, the lining sections being joined to each other by sewn seams using machine-washable thread, and the joined lining sections being secured on the inner side of the joined garment sections.

Abstract: A novel luminescent three horizontal stripes band consists of, including but not limited to, luminous plastic tapes, dyes and threads attached, painted, and embroidered around the neck of a polar shirt, around the side of a bucket hat, ski hat, along the right and left side of a sun visor cap with the three horizontal stripes ending at the beginning where a predetermined fastening attachment is placed at the back of the said caps; around the side of a sport cap, on a wrist band, head band, and arm band. The luminescent stripes band of this invention has an opening at the front middle face where the three stripes do not cross over for, including but not limited to, a logo, an emblem and a trademark to be positioned. The luminescent three stripes band gives a ‘warning’ signal to a bystander that the wearer is amongst the surroundings of the bystander when, but not limited to the sun setting, in bad weather, at night, forest and in a dark park.

Abstract: A body-smoothing lower-body undergarment is constructed by circularly knitting a pair of seamless two-ply fabric tubes, longitudinally slitting an upper portion of each tube for a distance generally corresponding to a desired rise of the undergarment so as to form two fabric edges, and joining the two fabric edges of one of the fabric tubes to the two fabric edges of the other fabric tube so as to form a single larger fabric tube that serves as a panty portion of the undergarment, while lower portions of the fabric tubes serve as legs of the undergarment. The two-ply construction allows the bottoms of the legs to be formed without leg bands. The undergarment preferably has a 1×1 vertical rib knit construction, a turned welt waistband, and an abdominal control panel.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a three dimensional disposable garment, subassemblies of the garment, and apparatus and methods for making the garment and subassemblies. The garment is designed to hold a primary absorbent sanitary pad. The garment may have elasticized leg and waist openings and be stretchable about the hip and stomach regions of a user. The garment provides backup protection to control egress of fluids that leak or seep around or through the primary sanitary pad. The garment includes a secondary absorbent positioned in the crotch area and extending into the body of the disposable garment, front and back, and preferably over the leg elastics to trap, inside the garment, leakage from the primary absorbent, and to prevent strike through onto e.g. outer clothing and bed linen.

Abstract: A protective vest includes a cooling system including an elongated housing generally disposed inside the protective vest. At least one fan powered by an electric motor is supported at the upper end of the elongated housing proximate the neck opening of the protective vest for drawing fresh air into the upper end of the elongated housing. The elongated housing includes a retractable extension for varying the length thereof. Ventilation holes are formed in the elongated housing to discharge fresh air between the protective vest and the user's body. Electrical wires extend from the motor to a battery worn by the user, or to a vehicle cigarette lighter, to supply power to the motor. The electrical wires incorporate a quick-disconnect coupling and a switch/dimmer control to control the speed of the fan.

Abstract: A shield fixing structure in which convenience in shield fixing or removing operation is further improved while superior effect in the fixing structure is being assured. This fixing structure is set such that when the stopper is oppositely faced against the passing notch at its full-opened upper limit position, the holding part holds the state to enable a turning of the shield over the full-opened upper limit position of the shield.

Abstract: A protective garment comprises a porous, breathable body portion and sleeves made of a nonwoven synthetic fabric. The sleeves and a front part of the body portion are covered at their outer surfaces by outer layers of plastic film. In one embodiment, a protective skirt of plastic film extends down below a lower edge of the body portion for covering parts of the wearer that extend below the body portion. The protective skirt can include perforations facilitating adjustment of a vertical extent of the skirt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a toilet seat assembly that can be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools by aligning various components of the assembly at a predetermined angle with respect to one another. Another aspect of the invention includes a system composed of a plurality of toilet seat assemblies that communicate information onto and receive information from a computer network that can include the Internet in one embodiment. Another aspect of the invention includes a kit for servicing the assembly of the invention that includes a plurality of rolls of plastic sleeves.

Abstract: The automatic toilet bowl overflow prevention apparatus comprises of a water level sensor attaches to the rim of the toilet bowl, a hollow flexible tube connecting the water level sensor to an air vented toilet tank flapper. When the water level sensor trips, it opens an air valve and allows air to vent out from the air vented toilet tank flapper. Venting the air out of the air vented toilet tank flapper will close the toilet tank flush valve. Thus shutting off water to the toilet bowl and prevents it from overflowing. This apparatus uses an air vented toilet tank flapper for demonstration. An air vented toilet tank ball will work too. This invention is totally automatic and does not require any electrical power to operate.

Abstract: In a sanitary device with at least one installed water outlet nozzle, in which the sanitary device has a front wall with a front side facing the user, having at least one opening forming with the front side a front edge and with at least one water outlet nozzle fixed by retaining means to a holder of the sanitary device, the retaining means engage behind the front side (19) of the front wall (12) and the front edge (20) of the opening (15) is free from retaining means.

Abstract: A whirlpool bathtub (1) comprises a plurality of units (2) for generating flows of water and/or air in the tub (1); each unit (2) comprising, attachable to a wall (1a) of the tub (1) with a through hole, at least: a flow generating chamber (3) with a water passage/feed opening (4), an impeller (5) for generating flows and a nozzle (6), delimiting the chamber (3), and designed to allow the directional outfeed of the flow towards the inside of the tub (1); impeller (5) drive means (7), connected to the impeller by a transmission shaft (8), and located on the outside of the wall (1a); means (9) for supplying air to the chamber (3) which are connected to the chamber (3) and designed to allow the air to be mixed with the water which can be carried into the chamber (3).

Abstract: An overflow protected portable bathtub water level control device comprising a main housing having two separate cavities, a flexible suction gasket, an internal float and valve mechanism with an optional temperature gauge for providing a bathtub bather with deeper bathing water.

Abstract: A waste trap 10 for use in plumbing installations is provided, the trap comprising a unitary metal body 12 defining an interior volume, and having a tubular plastics insert 20 located in an inlet 14 of the body 12 and extending into the volume to below the height of a waste outlet 16. The insert 20 partitions the upper portion of the volume into two regions, and serves to provide a water seal between the inlet 14 and the outlet 16 when the trap is in use.

Abstract: An inflatable and/or portable crib includes a base platform sized and configured to support a child, and inflatable side panels extending vertically from and surrounding the base platform. The base platform and side panels define an enclosure for the child, at least one of side panels having an outer inflatable frame surrounding a region configured to allow visibility within the enclosure.

Abstract: A co-sleeper is convertibly adapted for use as a changing table. The invention includes a frame designed to support a mattress pad or an enclosure at a predetermined height. The enclosure is sized and shaped to fit over the frame. The surrounding walls of the enclosure are of a first height while the front wall is of a lower height. The floor of the enclosure is slightly lower that the top surface of a parental bed. A mattress pad fits within the enclosure. A strapping means holds the co-sleeper to the parental bed. Support means for the mattress pad or enclosure include support bars that attach to the frame, a series of hangers that support horizontal bars while hanging from top rails of the frame, and panels and support rods fitted into pockets on the underside of the enclosure. The co-sleeper is height adjustable for variations in parental bed height.

Abstract: A hammock includes a bed made of a piece of flexible material gathered by folding at opposite ends. Ropes are attached to the gathered ends whereby the bed can be suspended from trees. The edges of the bed are drawn apart along a tension axis which is diagonal to the suspension axis, giving the bed the shape of a non-equilateral polygon so that one can lie diagonally across the suspension axis, whereby the back is well supported.

Abstract: A blanket or mat assembly includes a panel having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a sheet material substantially covering the frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with the sheet material assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member. The assembly further includes a covering having a top portion, a peripheral edge, an opening defined by the peripheral edge, and an interior, with the panel retained inside the interior and accessing the interior of the covering via the opening. The covering assumes the configuration of the panel when the panel is retained inside the interior of the covering. The covering and the panel can be twisted and folded to the folded orientation of the frame member to reduce the overall size of the covering and the panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a first conformable material having a three-dimensional shape and a first hypothermia and/or hyperthermia device. This invention is used as a pad for sleeping, lying down, or sitting, to maintain a desired temperature to the contacting surface of a body to the pad.

Abstract: A stretcher includes an elongated base having a head end and a foot end, a plurality of floor-engaging casters rotatably mounted to the base, a radiolucent upper deck, head and foot end hydraulic cylinders coupled to the base adjacent to the head and foot ends thereof, and head and foot end connectors for coupling the head and foot end hydraulic cylinders to the head and foot ends of the upper deck. The head and foot end connectors secure the upper deck to the base while allowing (a) movement of the upper deck between a low position and a high position, (aa) translation of the upper deck toward the foot end of the base, and (aaa) rotation of the upper deck to a Trendelenberg position or to a reverse Trendelenberg position. The head end and foot end hydraulic cylinders are spaced apart to define a central imaging region above the base between the hydraulic cylinders which is free of structure that would interfere with imaging.

Abstract: A nursing pillow has a flexible, positionable spine that allows the pillow to be deformed into a number of stable shapes. The spine is enclosed within a resilient body forming a medial region and first and second cantilever arms extending from opposite ends of the medial region to define a central opening between the arms in an unloaded, nominal shape. The spine is of sufficient stiffness to keep the pillow from returning from an adjusted shape to its nominal shape when unloaded. The spine may be formed of articulating links, or a malleable rod.

Abstract: An inflatable bed support which is composed of a bladder which when inflated defines three longitudinally extending side walls disposed in a triangular configuration. To support the bladder in the desired triangular configuration, there is provided an interior baffle mounted within the bladder which in one embodiment comprises a pair of longitudinally extending panels disposed in a V-shaped arrangement and joined to the side walls. In another embodiment, one or more transverse panels form the baffle, either alone or in conjunction with the V-shaped panels. The bed support may be used to form an assembly which may be assembled to the head end portion of a bed mattress and serves to adjustably lift the head end portion.

Abstract: A mattress having a head end and a foot end comprises a first support section configured to support an occupant's feet, legs, and seat, and a second support section located adjacent the head end of the mattress to support an occupant's back and head. A portion of the head support section is movable toward the head end of the mattress as the second support section is moved to an elevated position relative to the first support section.

Abstract: A coupled waveband (14, 21) suspension for bed underframes, seating, upholstery, and mattresses consists of several sinusoidal wavebands (14, 21) which run parallel and/or transversely to the longitudinal axis. Support elements (12, 35) are rigidly or moveably fixed to or ride on the crests or maxima of the wavebands (14, 21). The troughs or minima are supported by slide or roll bearing elements (17) affixed to the frame. A strong interactive coupling is achieved between the support elements (12, 35) causing a positive stroke of the less pressure-loaded segments and the appropriate support elements by the silmultaneous lowering of the pressure-loaded waveband segments. The wavebands (14, 21) are manufactured out of higher quality, elastically flexible sold plastic or foam material, or of spring steel band or wire, duralumin, or out of formed laminated wood.

Abstract: An adaptor to mate with a hand tool such as a folding multipurpose tool to make use of the multipurpose tool as a handle to turn tool bits of various sizes, such as screwdrivers or small socket wrenches. The adaptor includes a drive plate which mates with the hand tool, and a tool bit-engaging member attached to the drive plate and movable angularly between various positions, with a latch to keep the tool bit-engaging member in a selected position. A pair of arms of the drive plate engage the sides of the jaws of one type of multipurpose tool to locate the adaptor as required with respect to the multipurpose tool.

Abstract: Adapting crosslinking with triglycidyl amine (TGA) to incorporate the use of a particular type of anti-calcification agent provides a broad-reaching solution to the problem in vivo bioprosthesis calcification. The anti-calcification agent in question includes a polyphosphonate compound that contains a functional group, which serves as a reaction site between the polyphosphonate and a polyepoxide. The functional group is reactive enough to dominate the reaction between the polyphosphonate and the polyepoxide, thereby excluding the chelating oxygen atoms of polyphosphonate from the reaction, protecting their anti-calcification ability. Furthermore, the high reactivity of the functional group allows the polyphosphonate to attach to the polyepoxide more completely, which improves the calcification resistance of bioprosthetic material with which the polyepoxide is crosslinked.

Abstract: A treated textile article formed from a synthetic fiber substrate including a polyamide treatment agent for improved moisture transport is described. The polyamide treatment agent includes a hydrophobic component and a hydrophilic component. In the preferred embodiment, the hydrophobic component is between about 19% and 95% mole percent of the polyamide treatment agent. In addition, the polyamide treatment agent may include effective amounts of any one of an oxyalkylene derivative, an ether linkage, and an oxyalkylene derivative and an ether linkage.

Abstract: A process for antiquing fabric and fabrics produced are disclosed. The process achieves a worn, distressed, and faded look to the fabric. The process may be used for creating fabrics having an antiqued, worn or weathered look. In the process, the fabric is treated with a dispersant leveling agent, the treated fabric is dyed and the dyed fabric is rinsed with a softener. The fabric may be bagged during the process to assist in achieving the antiqued look.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article cleaning apparatus comprising an air management mechanism, a cleaning basket assembly, a fluid regeneration device, a working fluid device, a clean fluid device, and a controller. The working fluid device is coupled to the fluid regeneration device, the cleaning basket assembly, and the air management mechanism. The clean fluid device is coupled to the cleaning basket assembly and the fluid regeneration device. The controller is coupled to the air management mechanism, the cleaning basket assembly, the working fluid device, the regeneration device, and the clean fluid device. The controller is configured to control a cleaning process. The present invention also provides a method for performing the cleaning process.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring detergent and soil in wash water of a dishwashing or clothes washing appliance. A turbidity sensor is used to sense or measure the soil in the water in a static state, and to sense or measure the detergent in the water during a dynamic state. The turbidity sensor generates a corresponding output signal which is sent to a microprocessor to automatically adjust machine cycles to increase operational efficiencies.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for single-bath biopreparation and dyeing of cellulosic fibers, which are carried out by contacting the fibers simultaneously or sequentially with a bioscouring enzyme, preferably pectinase, protease, and/or lipase, and a dyeing system, under conditions that do not require emptying the bath or rinsing the fabric between biopreparation and dyeing steps.

Abstract: Hair-coloring compositions comprise at least one coupler of formula (1) 1

Abstract: The present invention concerns an agent for coloring fibers that is obtained by mixing two components—if necessary with the addition of an alkalinizing agent or an acid—said agent being characterized in that one component (component A2) contains at least one electrophilic compound and the other component (component A1) contains at least one 1-benzopyran of formula (Ia)/(Ib) or a 1-benzopyrylium derivative of formula (I), 1

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recovering and purifying a solvent used in an article cleaning appliance are provided. The method allows passing solvent-based cleaning fluid from a wash basket through a coarse filter configured to remove relatively large particulates from the cleaning fluid. The method further allows passing cleaning fluid from the coarse filter through a particulate filter configured to remove relatively fine particulates from the cleaning fluid. An aqueous phase that may be present in the cleaning fluid is separated by decanting and coalescing through a separator/filter assembly. The cleaning fluid may then be passed through a regeneration cartridge for removing any water that may remain in the cleaning fluid, and for adsorbing organic contaminants that may be present in the cleaning fluid. Recovered solvent may be stored in a tank for subsequent use in a cleaning process performed by the appliance.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush include a head containing a rotating or oscillating first bristle carrier and also containing a second bristle carrier movably connected to said head, which second bristle carrier may include elastomeric walls for enhanced cleaning and may include a weakened section to permit it to at least partially collapse during a brushing motion to couture to the teeth in use for enhanced cleaning.

Abstract: This apparatus for the preparation and/or regeneration of detergent reels of fabric for cleaning printing cylinders or cylinders of similar precision has the characteristic of impregnating the fabric (4) by its immersed transit through a suitable container (10), and by a subsequent sinuous passage involving its pressing and folding in alternate directions by a plurality of rollers implementing uniform distribution of the detergent, said passage terminating with winding the fabric into a new reel (8) of collected fabric which, thus treated, has acquired and/or conserved properties suitable for its use.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a washing drum, an openable cover mounted on a top end opening of the washing drum, a laundry mount rotatably disposed in a lower portion of the washing drum and on which an article to be washed is mounted, a motor for rotating the laundry mount, an upper brush disposed in an upper portion of the washing drum for brushing the laundry in accordance with the rotation of the laundry mount, a water supply unit for supplying water to the washing drum, and a water drain unit for draining water from the washing drum. In the washing machine, laundry such as sports shoes and bags made of thick fabrics can be cleanly washed.

Abstract: A paint roller apparatus with edging shield and brush facilitating the painting of a surface (70) that lies adjacent to another surface that is not to be painted contemporaneously. The apparatus comprises a roller cover (58), a shield (22), a brush (28), and a hand grip (20). The brush (28) is affixed to the shield (22), and the shield (22) is connected to a shield arm (34) that is rotatably mounted on the handle (20). The shield arm (34) can rotate between a paint loading position and a paint application position. In the paint loading position, shield arm (34) is rotated away from roller cover (58) about an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roller cover (58). Said roller cover can then be immersed in paint without getting any paint on the shield (22). When the shield (22) is in the paint application position, essentially perpendicular and adjacent to the longitudinal axis of the roller (58), said roller may be placed in contact with the surface to be painted (70) and painting may begin.

Abstract: A bath ball includes a corrugated annular body being formed by axially squeezing a long sleeve-shaped elastic net woven or knitted from artificial fibers and having an extent of elasticity. The corrugated annular body is tied at two diametrically opposite points with fastening means so that outer peripheral portions of the corrugated annular body naturally loosely expand about the tied points toward two outer sides to form a puffy body close to a ball. The corrugated annular body includes a plurality of valleys, into which one or more types of cleaning elements may be selectively embedded to extend in a direction parallel with the valleys. The cleaning elements enable the bath ball to hold more bubbles and provide enhanced cleaning effect.

Abstract: A floor mat system having a plurality of floor mats and a frame assembly which prevents the floor mats from lifting and causing a tripping hazard to persons walking thereover. The floor mats may include carpeted sections over a plurality of orthagonally disposed spaced ribs. The frame assembly includes inner and outer frame members which extend between and around the floor mats, respectively. The inner fame members are T-shaped having a pair of horizontally disposed wings and the outer frame members are ramped and include a horizontally disposed upper flange. The wings and upper flanges which extend over peripheral edge portions of the floor mats to vertically retain them, the inner and outer frame which may be secured to the floor.