Patently Ridiculous

by Ross, Richard

• ISBN13: 9780452285873
• ISBN10: 0452285879
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-03-29
• Publisher: Plume

Summary

A hilarious compendium of the wackiest gadgets ever invented After months of research at the U.S. Patent Office - the repository of delightfully improbable dreams - Richard Ross amassed a collection of some of the most unique, odd, and awe-inspiring patent applications seen over the last century. The result is Patently Ridiculous, a treasure trove of wacky and wonderful real-life inventions, including: bull; Nasal filters bull; Self-foaming shavers bull; Umbrellas with ears bull; Shoelace tip holders Illustrated with the inventors own diagrams, this lighthearted compilation is perfect for anyone seeking a completely different take on American know-how.

Author Biography

Richard Ross is an award-winning photographer and professor at the University of California-Santa Barbara. His photographs have appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Los Angeles Times magazine, Discover, Vogue, the J. Paul Getty Museum, and galleries throughout the world. He lives by the ocean and walks his dog with a conventional leash.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. 9
Aggression-Relieving Stuffed Doll	p. 10
Anatomical Educational Amusement Ride	p. 12
Angel Action Figure Doll	p. 14
Animal Head	p. 16
Animal Simulating Bicycle	p. 17
Animated Chicken Candy Pop Combination	p. 18
Animated Golf Bag Novelty	p. 19
Animated Outdoor Ornament	p. 20
Aquarium Bath	p. 21
Aquarium Watch	p. 22
Automatic Bladder Relief System	p. 24
Beerbrella	p. 26
Biblical Game	p. 28
Birdhouse	p. 30
Body Dryer with Mirror	p. 31
Body Warmer	p. 32
Bubbling Brain Novelty	p. 33
Canine Scuba Diving Apparatus	p. 34
Child Shoe-lacing and Dressing Learning Kit	p. 35
Child Walking Harness	p. 36
Children's User-Friendly Podium	p. 38
Child's Rattle with Bells and Simulated Animal	p. 39
Collar Apparatus Enabling Secure Handling of Snake by Tether	p. 40
Combined Aquarium and Furniture System	p. 41
Combination Child Float/Adult Aquatic Exercise Device	p. 42
Combination Fish Tank and Picture Frame	p. 44
Combination Writing Utensil and Floss Dispenser	p. 45
Combined Dog Collar and Tie	p. 46
Combined Drinking Cup and Horn	p. 47
Condom in a Nut Novelty	p. 48
Creatress Image	p. 50
Decorative and Attractive Exhaust Mechanism with Adjustable "Angels"	p. 52
Decorative Illuminated Pumpkin Stems	p. 54
Detachable Activity Flap	p. 55
Device for Self-Defense Training	p. 56
Diet Reminder Manikin	p. 58
Disposable Device for Safe Cleaning of the Ear	p. 59
Dog's Toy	p. 60
Dolls Formed in the Likeness of the Lord Jesus with a Movable Head and Extremities	p. 61
Doll Simulating Adaptive Infant Behavior	p. 62
Doll with Changeable Facial Features	p. 63
Doll with Sound Generator and Plural Switch Means	p. 64
Double Coat	p. 65
Duck Decoy with Quick Release, Foldable Wings	p. 66
Dust Cover for Dog	p. 68
Easter Tomb Pendant	p. 69
Educational Toy	p. 70
Expression Doll	p. 72
Facade for Child's Play Vehicle	p. 74
Family Prayer Altar	p. 76
Female Urinal Fixture	p. 77
Figure Doll	p. 78
Finger Puppet Eating Utensil	p. 79
Fish and Marine Mammal Observatory Featuring a Carousel that Moves Within a Sealed Aquatic Environment	p. 80
Flying Ski	p. 81
Foot Pump Powered Neck Massaging Device	p. 82
Footwear with Bubble Generator	p. 84
Game Device for Two or More Persons Which is Used with the Feet	p. 85
Golf Putter	p. 86
Group Tether Apparatus	p. 87
Group Walking Toy	p. 88
Hanging Bubble Lamp	p. 89
Hood Ornament	p. 90
Human Free-flight Catapult	p. 91
Hunting Accessory	p. 92
Improved Combined Piano, Couch and Bureau	p. 93
Inflatable Decoy System	p. 94
Inflatable Hunting Decoy	p. 95
Luminous Bowling Ball	p. 96
Massaging Shoe Device	p. 97
Memorial Novelty Doll Device Having Integral Sound Producing Means and Kit and Method for Customizing the Same	p. 98
Method for Manufacturing a Pet Mannequin for Training Pet Trimming Technicians	p. 100
Mobile Morgue	p. 102
Modular Airplane-Shaped Bedroom Furniture	p. 103
Multiple Person Outfit	p. 104
Musical Toothbrush	p. 106
Musical Toothpaste Tube Closure	p. 107
Nasal Filter	p. 108
Nose Pick	p. 109
Novelty Sandal	p. 110
Novelty Tank Top	p. 111
One Way Free Spinning Hubcap	p. 112
Ornamental Display Arrangement	p. 114
Parent-Child Bonding Bib	p. 116
Pedicure System	p. 118
Phosphorescent Book	p. 119
Pom-Pom Puppet and Method of Cheering with Pom-Pom Puppet	p. 120
Portable Prayer Altar	p. 122
Prayer Doll	p. 124
Radio Controlled Skateboard with Robot	p. 126
Religious Doll	p. 127
Religious Holiday Basket	p. 128
Religious Symbol	p. 129
Rescue and Safety Vest	p. 130
Robot System, Robot Device, and Its Cover	p. 132
Sanitary Appliance for Birds	p. 133
Seamless Bodysuit and a Method for Fabricating Same	p. 134
Set of Dolls for Simulating a Universal Beauty Pageant	p. 136
Shirt	p. 137
Shoelace Tip Holder	p. 138
Sick-Call Set	p. 140
Snow Globe Spray Bottle	p. 142
Sock with Pocket	p. 143
Soft Baby Doll	p. 144
Sound Effects Belt	p. 145
Submarine Amusement Ride	p. 146
Toilet Tank Aquarium	p. 148
Tombstone Flower Saddle	p. 149
Trailer Hitch Cover	p. 150
Transformable Doll	p. 151
Transformable Shoe	p. 152
Umbrella Having Ears	p. 153
Underwater and Land Travel Vehicle	p. 154
Vibrating Pacifier	p. 156
Wobbling Headpiece	p. 158
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