Patents Issued in February 5, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040019948
    Abstract: An eye shield assembly useful in training students in non-deadly force, firearms and martial arts has an opaque first eye shield which is coupled to an apertured second eye shield by connecting together adjustable straps on both eye shields. One eye shield covers the eyes while the other eye shield forms a portion of the head strap. The opaque first eye shield simulates substantial or complete blindness while the apertured second eye shield simulates tunnel vision, both conditions being possible during an encounter with an adversary. By utilizing the eye shield assembly, the trainee becomes acclimated to sight impairment and learns to employ the skills obtained by his or her training in situations where there is sight impairment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Haral Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Patire
  • Publication number: 20040019949
    Abstract: A plurality of fasteners is attached spaced around the periphery of a pad, such as a knee or elbow pad, with the fasteners being capable of gripping the ordinary clothing of a worker to secure the pad at the joint to be protected. The fasteners do not damage to material of the clothing, secure the pad in place at all times, and are readily attached to and detached from any ordinary street and/or work clothing. No modification of the clothing is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph Crockett
  • Publication number: 20040019950
    Abstract: An abrasion resistant garment and method of producing same. A garment that is highly ventilated while providing abrasion protection for a wearer during a slide, as for instance that may occur during a fall from a motorcycle. A material is produced wherein abrasion-resistant, low sliding friction, beads are held within a matrix of high-tensile strength, abrasion-resistant, cords. The beaded matrix within the garment can be augmented with layers to form a lining and exterior layers to enhance visibility. The force of a sliding rider is retained over the beaded matrix, away from the road surface. Under abrasive sliding friction, the beads additionally rotate to an extent which tightens the cord matrix and thereby helps constrain the skin surface of the wearer from making contact with the roadway surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Rodger H. Rast
  • Publication number: 20040019951
    Abstract: The invention provides an instructional system and method for young children, or adults with limited cognitive ability, to dress themselves. The invention takes advantage of the ability of young children, or adults with limited cognitive abilities, to respond to visual clues and instructions. Thus, the invention provides directional indicia that are integrated into the surface of a garment for guiding the user to wear the garment without assistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Gay Cioffi
  • Publication number: 20040019952
    Abstract: A method is devised for continuous fabrication of thin membrane gloved enclosures in which a folded membrane ribbon is closed along the opposed longitudinal edges by a reversible closure comprising an interlocking set of beads. The ribbon is then repetitively stamped by a heated filament in the shape of a joined string of gloved enclosure and the interlocked beads are then separated, folded over to overlie the gaps formed and a second severing operation then parts the individual enclosures. In this manner a cuff is formed that can then be extended on top of an article grasped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Brockman
  • Publication number: 20040019953
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a foldable solar protection device comprising several articulated elements, characterized by the fact that the articulated elements are stacked panels (1) connected by a single pivot (4) adjacent one (6) of their ends for deployment by a circular movement and by the fact that it has means for holding the panels (1) in deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: David Galimant
  • Publication number: 20040019954
    Abstract: A baseball-style cap having a crown portion made of multiple panels, a visor part which is attached to the front part of the crown portion and a headband attached to and extending around the lower inside edge of the crown portion. The headband is a band of two-ply elastic yarn material woven in a tubular or tunnel shape that contains no polyurethane. With this construction good perspiration absorbency is obtained without imposing undue elastic pressure on the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Boo Yl Park
  • Publication number: 20040019955
    Abstract: A method of making a fabric composite capable to assuming a desired shape including the steps of forming an interlining fabric (10) containing elastic yarn (15) running longitudinally of the fabric, varying the density of yarn across the width of the interlining to control the longitudinal extensibility across the width, and attaching the interlining to a fabric backing material (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Paul Morris, Michael Horsfield
  • Publication number: 20040019956
    Abstract: To increase the amount of open air's introduction, have satisfactory good design and operability of a helmet. There are provided a plurality of turning center points of at least two or more during an opening or closing operation of the turning opening or closing member, any one of or more of these turning center points are set outside the operating mechanism and the turning center points are switched over during the turning operation from the closed state to the opened state of the turning opening or closing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Michio Arai
  • Publication number: 20040019957
    Abstract: A protective hood, such as a firefighter's hood, has an upper head-covering section, an anterior head-covering section having a window, through which portions of a wearer's face are exposed, a posterior-head covering section, and a lower shoulder-covering section. The anterior head-covering section is made from comparatively heavier, thermally insulative, heat-reflective material, whereas the upper head-covering section and the other sections, or a selected one of the other sections, are made from similar, comparatively lighter material, such as mesh or netting, whereby to allow heat to pass readily through those sections made from comparatively lighter material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Morning Pride Manufacturing, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Patricia Lewis, Mary I. Grilliot, William L. Grilliot
  • Publication number: 20040019958
    Abstract: To increase the amount of open air's introduction, have satisfactory good design and operability, and further increase the degree of freedom of designing a helmet. Two center points for turning are provided for opening and closing a chin-ventilation shutter and the aforementioned center points are capable of being switched on the way to which the closing condition of the chin-ventilation shutter is turned to the opening condition thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Michio Arai
  • Publication number: 20040019959
    Abstract: A dive mask with front-view and side-view lenses and with integral side mounted rear view mirrors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Walter L. Bloom
  • Publication number: 20040019960
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for ventilating bathroom odors of a commode is provided. The apparatus provides a seat containing an entire ventilation system including an intake, an air plenum positioned within the interior of the seat. At least one air filter is positioned within the air passage. A fan or blower motor is used to move air through the air passage and the filtered air exits through an edge of the seat, the blower fan controlled by a battery pack contained within the commode seat. An external switch activates a timer that controls operation of the ventilation system. The replaceable filter is accessible from an outer edge of the commode seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Randy L. Kuzniar
  • Publication number: 20040019961
    Abstract: A lavatory freshening and/or cleaning system comprises a dispenser for dispensing liquid composition from under the rim of a lavatory bowl. The dispenser is in the form of a reservoir arranged for suspension from the rim of a lavatory bowl, and the reservoir contains the liquid composition. The liquid composition comprises a combination of anionic and non-ionic surfactants having a total concentration equal to substantially 7.6 wt. %, a thickening agent having a concentration of 0.40 wt. % and a perfume having a concentration of 6.00 wt. %.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy I Moodycliffe, Jerome J Veltman
  • Publication number: 20040019962
    Abstract: A novel water jetting device achieves a water jet of a wide range and an economization of water without using an electric drive device. A water jetting body 10 is so assembled in a vortex chamber 4 with its water jetting spout 11 confronting the outside of the force receiving member 12 that a force receiving member 12 can oscillate in a position inclined in the vortex chamber 4. A vortex flow thus established in the vortex chamber 4 is caused to make a flow velocity difference around the force receiving member 12, and a force generated on the basis of the flow velocity difference is exerted upon the force receiving member 12 to oscillate the water jetting body 10 in the inclined position in the vortex chamber 4 thereby to jet the cleaning water in the vortex chamber 4 from the water jetting spout 11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Minoru Sato, Makoto Hatakeyama, Kinya Arita, Yasuo Hamada
  • Publication number: 20040019963
    Abstract: A pool insulation system including storage means 2 for storing a plurality of buoyant articles 50, first transfer means 30 for transferring the buoyant articles from the storage means 2 to a pool 1 and second transfer means 3,4 for transferring the buoyant articles from the pool to the storage means 2. The second storage means comprises a flexible boom 3 and a motorised craft 4 manoeuvrable around the pool with the boom attached thereto so that the buoyant articles 50 on the surface of the pool are contained in an enclosure defined by the flexible boom. Means are provided to change the length of the flexible boom on the surface of the pool 1. The invention also relates to a method of removing buoyant articles from the surface of a pool 1, an automatic boom deployment system for a pool, pool apparatus and a pool docking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Timothy Kevin Worthington
  • Publication number: 20040019964
    Abstract: A bathtub safety device for removable attachment to a bathtub includes an elongate, generally resilient padding arrangement for mounting to a bathtub along an edge thereof, a generally pliant drape member for attachment to the padding arrangement for disposal in a manner extending away from the bathtub edge, and an attachment assembly for removably attaching the body and the drape member to the bathtub edge wherein the drape member extends from the body across a side of the bathtub. The attachment assembly may include at least one suction cup. Preferably, the padding arrangement extends across the edge of the bathtub and downwardly into a well of the bathtub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Derwin K. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20040019965
    Abstract: A protrusion of the plug lid out of the bath tab bottom part is restricted to reduce a possibility in which the plug lid becomes a hindrance and a water-tightness at the plug is improved. The plug lid is dropped into the notch formed in such a way that the circumferential edge of the plug lid becomes lower than the bottom surface of the bath tab. The packing is closely contacted with the packing close-contact surface narrowed from the bottom surface of the notch in a downward direction. The bottom part of the notch is formed into the horizontal plane and the plug lid is supported while it is not inclined under application of weight (a hydraulic pressure or an artificial pressure applied by a user) and a non-required crushing force is prevented from being acted on the packing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Ikumi Ohta, Masaki Ishigaki, Shinichi Ohta
  • Publication number: 20040019966
    Abstract: A sanitary fitting block constructed for concealed fitting contains water pipes for hot and cold water and also for mixed water. Between a mixer cartridge to be connected to the sanitary fitting block and a switching means for a shower outflow is provided a return flow preventer and between the switching means and the bath outflow is provided a vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Bernd Kronenbitter
  • Publication number: 20040019967
    Abstract: Assistance apparatus is provided for assisting a person into and out of bed. Such apparatus includes a chassis for positioning beside a bed and a torso support structure pivotally mounted on the chassis for supporting the torso of the person needing assistance. The torso support structure enables the person to move from a vertical position to a horizontal position as the torso support structure pivots from a vertical to a horizontal position, and vice versa. The assistance apparatus also includes a person support seat located on the chassis and an actuator mechanism for causing the seat to tilt to an inclined position for assisting the person to move to a standing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Dwane C. Gant
  • Publication number: 20040019968
    Abstract: A sleeping sheet, for detachably coupling to a sleeping apparatus, including a top portion (8) a bottom portion (7) including an attachment means (10), wherein the top portion (8) is coupled to said bottom portion (7), wherein the attachment means (10) may be coupled to said sleeping apparatus in a detachable arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Connie Vlassis, Anthony Vlassis
  • Publication number: 20040019969
    Abstract: A swaddling blanket to alleviate colic has a back panel long enough to support a child from neck to feet, a leg pouch to loosely contain the child's legs, arm restraints to hold the child's arms against and parallel to the child's torso, a tapered short blanket arm to wrap over the child, and a tapered long blanket arm to wrap around the child more than once from the opposite direction to provide comforting pressure around the child's arms and torso.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Dean Gatten
  • Publication number: 20040019970
    Abstract: A crib safety sheet/blanket with a sheet portion having a front surface and a back surface two opposing ends defining pockets for snugly fitting the sheet to a mattress. A blanket is sewn along its midline to the center of the fitted sheet, defining two blanket halves. Mating strips of hook and loop fastening material are attached to the two halves of the blanket, so that an infant may be placed on the blanket with the two halves of the blanket wrapped around the infant and fastened to retain the infant in a supine position. A plurality of elastic straps may extend across the bottom of the fitted sheet and be removably secured to the side of the sheet with mating strips of hook and loop fastening material to retain the sheet on the mattress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Jo-Ann Landry
  • Publication number: 20040019971
    Abstract: A pad for supporting the head and neck of a supine patient during medical imaging, wherein the pad produces either flexion or extension of the cervical vertebrae. A cavity is provided in the pad to define an area of non-contact on the back of the neck and to receive a secondary coil if present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Steven L. Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20040019972
    Abstract: A cushioning apparatus such as a pillow which includes an upper pocket with reception cavity for receiving preferably loose or grouped non-integral filler material such as down, fiberfill or fiber-balls and another pocket for receiving additional filler material such as a foam core filler material. The foam core filler material is preferably an integrated or monolithic foam body of, for example, visco-elastic or alternate polyurethane foam. The core preferably has a non-planar upper surface contour allowing for a relatively thin, consistent height upper pocket thickness. The pillow also preferably includes a lower pocket joined about its periphery to the upper pocket such as by way of an intermediate gusset panel with beading and with the lower pocket also receiving loose or non-integrated filler material and with the bottom surface of the core preferably having a convex surface such as one symmetrical with the top surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel B. Schecter, Jeffrey D. Martin
  • Publication number: 20040019973
    Abstract: A folding multipurpose hand tool including folding pliers or scissors and other tool blades and bits. A pair of handles each has a pivot axle at each end. A base of each pliers jaw or scissors blade is mounted on the pivot axle at one end of a handle, allowing the handles to fold around the jaws to blades to a compact folded configuration of the tool. Each handle has frame side members with attached flanges. Elongate springs lie between the handle frame side members and fit around the flanges, rather than being riveted to the handle frame side members. The springs press against the base of each pliers jaw or other tool blade, to keep each in a folded position or support it in a deployed position. One end of a spring may be hooked around a spring retainer at one end of the handle. The pivot axles interconnect the handle frame side members and the jaws, blades, or tool bits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Benjamin C. Rivera
  • Publication number: 20040019974
    Abstract: A multi-function tool includes a head and a pair of handles. The head has a first jaw and a second jaw, each having a working portion and a tang. The handles have a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. A spring in the head biases the working portions apart from one another such that the handles are biased in an open position when the handles are in the unfolded configuration and the handles are biased in a closed position when the handles are in the folded configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Alterra Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip A. Montague, Edgar A. Dallas, Bradford Parrish, Peter Whitlock, Paul W. Poehlmann, Charlie Alfaro, John Nason
  • Publication number: 20040019975
    Abstract: A process for the treatment of non-keratinaceous textiles, preferably cellulosic fibres, which comprises the step of treating the textiles with a composition comprising: a polymer comprising at least one protected thiol group, wherein the protecting group is labile under domestic washing conditions, and a textile compatible carrier. Under domestic washing conditions the polymer forms reactive thiol groups which are capable of causing covalent cross-linking of the polymer. Preferably, the thiol group is protected as an isothiouronium group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: John Oakes, Matthew Sudgon
  • Publication number: 20040019976
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for continuously treating synthetic fibers in a heat exchange chamber, in which the fiber to be treated comes into direct contact with the heat exchange medium. A sealing device, which is subjected to the action of a sealing medium, which is provided at the fiber exit opening and at the fiber entry opening with a supply line for the sealing medium, which is arranged in the proximity of the fiber exit opening or the fiber entry opening. The sealing medium is kept away from the fiber passing through the heat exchange chamber. This is achieved by removing the sealing medium before the heat exchange chamber or also by removing the heat exchange medium together with the sealing medium. A removal line for the sealing medium is arranged in the proximity of the heat exchange chamber. In addition, the heat exchanger is provided in a separable manner so that the fiber can inserted by removing one part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Steffen Muller-Probandt, Rolf Machatschke
  • Publication number: 20040019977
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of operating a laundry appliance (10) comprising an outer casing (12) and a drum (50) rotatably mounted within the outer casing (12), the drum (50) having at least two rotatable portions (60, 70) which are capable of being rotated in either a synchronized mode or a non-synchronized mode, the method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing water to the interior of the drum (50); (b) heating the water to a desired temperature; (c) rotating the drum (50) to effect a washing action; and (d) spinning the drum (50) at a relatively high speed so as to remove water therefrom. In one aspect, the drum (50) is rotated in the non-synchronized mode either during or immediately after the step of introducing water to the interior of the drum (50). This helps to distribute the washing liquid throughout the wash load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Guy Austin Goddard, Malcolm John Hird, David Ions
  • Publication number: 20040019978
    Abstract: An magnetic/electromagnetic apparatus and process for for laundering garments in an industrial, commercial or residential application with the steps of: Application of permanent magnetics or electromagnetism to the interior or exterior of a washing machine to elevate the normal cleaning ability of water via increasing solvency by magnetic influence to clean laundry without the use of chemical laundry detergents; magnetic apparatus is submerged in washing water inside drum of machine, affixed to the exterior of the drum where water is contained, or to the incoming water line to the machine; a plurality of shapes and sizes whereby the magnetic apparatus may be placed within or permanently installed on/in either a commercial or residential sized washing machine; apparatus is within a close proximity to the wash water whereby the magnetic emittance may effectively induce eddy currents to affect the water; a plurality of magnetic apparatuses may be necessary for any washing machine exceeding 5 pound laundry capaci
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Marc Steven Smulowitz
  • Publication number: 20040019979
    Abstract: Object of the present invention lies on improving a system stability by reducing an allowable eccentricity of laundry below a preset value when a spinning speed reaches to a maximum even if a voltage higher than a rated voltage is applied, by varying a maximum limit of a lead angle with a voltage applied to a drum type washing machine. For achieving the object of the present invention, in a method for controlling a spinning speed of the present invention, a maximum value of a lead angle is set to vary with an applied voltage after detection of the applied voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Jea-Kyum Kim, Ho-Cheol Kwon, Jong-A Park, Kang-Mo Choi, Kweon Son
  • Publication number: 20040019980
    Abstract: A hair coloring composition comprising the following two compositions which are mixed just prior to application to the hair:
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Van Au, Stephen Alan Madison, John Brian Bartolone, Gabriela Wis-Surel
  • Publication number: 20040019981
    Abstract: The invention concerns a direct dyeing composition for keratinous fibres, in particular for human keratinous fibres and more particularly hair, comprising, in a medium suitable for dyeing, at least a direct colouring agent, and furthermore at least a cationic associative polyurethane. The invention also concerns dyeing methods and devices using said composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Francois Cottard, Roland De La Mettrie
  • Publication number: 20040019982
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hair dyeing composition comprising at least one azo dye of the following general formula (1):
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicants: KAO CORPORATION, FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dominic Pratt, Toshio Kawagishi
  • Publication number: 20040019983
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a dye mixture comprising an azo dye of the formula (I) 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: DyStar Textilfarben GmbH & Co. Deutschland KG
    Inventors: David Brierley, Alan T. Leaver, Nigel Hall, Alan Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20040019984
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for aligning a door of an aircraft to a passenger loading bridge. A final parking position of the aircraft is defined as being immediately adjacent to a position of the passenger loading bridge, such that when the aircraft is stopped at the final parking position, the passenger loading bridge requires only a telescopic extension of less than about 1 meter to complete the alignment operation. To this end, an indicating device that works cooperatively with an aircraft-engaging end of the passenger loading bridge is provided for displaying human intelligible instructions for use by a pilot of the aircraft to guide the aircraft to the final parking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Neil Hutton
  • Publication number: 20040019985
    Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner is operable through a vibratory movement of its housing through a flow of water past a vibratory element carried within the housing. A friction support is carried by the housing and engages a surface to be cleaned. The friction support has a first end pivotally attached to the housing and a second free end in frictional contact with the surface to be cleaned. The friction support is further biased toward a first orientation and limited in its movement therefrom as the friction support is displaced during vibration of the housing and movement of the pool cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Brian Phillipson, Kevin J. Phillipson, Pavel Sebor
  • Publication number: 20040019986
    Abstract: A contact cleaning roller which may be axially flexed to conform to a non-planar substrate surface for removing particles therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, a flexible shaft is covered with a high-tack sleeve comprising polyurethane, silicone, adhesive tape, or any other similar high-tack material. The shaft is rotatably suspended at either end in bearings in a frame, allowing the roller to conform to a non-planar substrate surface requiring cleaning, for example, a cathode ray tube screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Frank C. Corrado, James W. Fischer, Gary R. Larsen, Ronald W. Sweet
  • Publication number: 20040019987
    Abstract: A brushing head can be attached to or formed integrally with an electric toothbrush handle. The brushing head includes a casing, a rotary drive shaft extending within the casing and having a radially offset crank portion. A linear guide track extends in a direction across the drive shaft. A tuft block is mounted to the casing and interacts with the offset crank portion and the guide track to reciprocate linearly upon rotation of the drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: J Y. Chu
  • Publication number: 20040019988
    Abstract: A shoe and boot cleaning device is disclosed, comprised of a main housing of a generally rectangular, hollow box configuration. A scraping blade is used to scrape mud off of shoes and boots. At least one rotating brush is used to clean off debris from the bottom of the shoes and boots. A drawer is located on the bottom of the main housing and collects the mud and dirt from the shoes and boots. The drawer can be removed for easy cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Judy Graves
  • Publication number: 20040019989
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided including a motor, a belt that rotates in response to the motor, an extension arm, and a scrub head attached to the extension arm. The scrub head oscillates back in forth in response to rotation of the belt. The scrub head is adapted to allow the attachment of one or more cleaning pads. The cleaning pads may be doodlebug pads. A method is provided comprising causing a belt to rotate in response to a motor; and causing a scrub head attached to an extension arm to oscillate back and forth in response to rotation of the belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Greg Zahner
  • Publication number: 20040019990
    Abstract: A device and a method for delivering UVA light to the mouth in which a photocatalytic agent is distributed in the mouth and a UVA light source is located contiguously to the head of the device so that the photocatalytic agent distributed in the mouth is efficiently activated by UVA light produced by the device. The UVA light delivery device of the invention may be, inter alia, a toothbrush, a tongue scraper, an interdental toothbrush, a denture brush, a flossing device, a dental hand tool, or a wand adapted exclusively to applying UVA light to photocatalyst coated surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Farrell, Kevin G. Yost, Chris Stvartak
  • Publication number: 20040019991
    Abstract: A combination grill care tool for cleaning a barbecue grill cooking surface includes a tool head having an upper surface and a lower surface. A handle having a proximal end and a distal end extends from the tool head such that the distal end opposes the tool head. A push-pull scraper disposed on the upper surface of the tool head extends from the tool head. The push-pull scraper has a first blade and a second blade. The first blade and the second blade are adapted to engage and break loose residue on the barbecue grill cooking surface. A method of use is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: W. C. BRADLEY COMPANY
    Inventors: Ryan Neal, Kenneth Jordan
  • Publication number: 20040019992
    Abstract: An agitator includes a high strength, continuous metal axle, a pulley held on one end of the metal axle and a sleeve of lightweight plastic material received over the axle. The agitator is manufactured by molding a pulley body onto an underlying metal support or D-nut, fitting an axle into the pulley, molding a sleeve around the axle and securing a cleaning structure on the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Roney, Eric E. Muhlenkamp
  • Publication number: 20040019993
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to forming an area in a floor mat configured to receive a dirt-trapping material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Ronald D. Blum, William Kokonaski, Andrew Gentiluomo, Arthur Wildstein
  • Publication number: 20040019994
    Abstract: A thin flexible floor mat system is configured to resist penetration by high heeled shoes and be capable of being easily rolled up in long segments. The floor mat is constituted by a series of small square sections and are connected together with connectors that permit easy deployment and removal of the mat system by detaching segments of the mat from each other. The mat is flexible but resists penetration from high heels and other forms of traffic by virtue maintaining of a predetermined amount of flexibility through the use of auxiliary supports. Further stability is provided by one-piece ramp corners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Ronald Kessler, Myron Ullman, Kim D. Kendall
  • Publication number: 20040019995
    Abstract: A manual scuff mark removal tool for removing random scuff marks from floor surfaces has an angulated head with a pad support block which has a bottom surface and a front edge surface and defines toe and heel corners and edges. A handle projection is defined by the head and is oriented in obtuse angular relation with the pad support block and defines a handle receptacle receiving a handle with a hand grip. A weight is preferably encapsulated within the head for continuously applying a weight induced downward force to a floor during scuff mark removal. A replaceable pad is secured to and covers the bottom surface, front edge surface and the toe and heel corners of the pad support block and by selectively positioning the head of the tool, selected portions of the pad engages the floor surface being cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Bluebonnet Industrial Brush Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Dana Kowalski, Frank Anthony Zoche, Jerry S. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20040019996
    Abstract: A fully disposable toilet brush can have a cardboard tube handle on the end of which a open cell plastic or foam sponge can be mounted. After use the entire brush including the handle and the sponge is discarded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Cheryl Singer
  • Publication number: 20040019997
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device to connect a wiper arm (12) to a wiper blade (14) featuring a supporting element (16) holding a wiper strip (20) on which a base element (30, 60) is fastened as the first part of a coupling device, whereby the wiper arm (12) is embodied to be U-shaped and overlaps the base element (30, 60) with its U-shape and whereby holding means (42, 72) are embodied on the wiper arm (12) within its U-shape, which holding means form a second part of a coupling device and cooperate with the first part of the coupling device. It is proposed that the holding means (42, 72) be embodied as articulated means for holding the wiper blade (14) in an articulated manner, which can also transmit a bearing force (44) on the wiper blade (14) to be exerted by the wiper arm (12) on the wiper blade (14) in an operating position and which are at least approximately completely covered by the wiper arm (144).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Michel Baseotto, Christian Wilms, Hubert Verelst, Frans Breesch, Tom Vangeel