Abstract: A performance enhancing and force absorbing mouthguard adapted to fit the upper teeth of the mouth of an athlete wherein the mouthguard is quadruple or quintuple composite material of distinct materials. The first internal layer is a non-softenable flexible framework which will permit the mouthguard to hold its shape during fitting as well as to absorb and dissipate significant impact conveyed to the upper teeth. A hard, durable reverse bite plate wedge is thicker rearwardly and lowers the condyle from the temporomandibular joint in a fulcrum action to place the lower jaw in an optimum condition preventing impingement upon the nerves and arteries as well as spacing the upper and lower teeth apart. Elastomeric traction pads are on the bottom of the mouthguard and are grippingly engaged by the posterior teeth of the lower jaw.

Abstract: An outfeed table for a table saw for cutting a workpiece. The outfeed table attaches to the tabletop of the saw table and provides support for the workpiece as the workpiece is cut and moves off the saw table. The outfeed table consists of a support surface or tabletop for supporting the workpiece. Optionally, a miter slot is cut into the tabletop to receive a miter bar from the table saw tabletop. An adjustable bracket is attached to the support surface or tabletop at one end and to the tabletop of the saw table at the other end, for adjusting both the horizontal spacing of the outfeed table from the table saw and the height of the outfeed table relative to the table saw.

Abstract: An oil filter assembly has an outer canister in which full flow and bypass flow filtration sections are operatively housed in a nested relationship. Oil forced into the canister has imparted thereto a vortex flow pattern which forces contaminant particles in the oil away from the full flow filter section before the oil passes therethrough. The bypass filtration section is disposed within the full flow filtration section and creates a second vortex flow pattern in the oil which induces a small portion thereof to flow through a bypass filter element while at the same time causing the entire balance of the oil to bypass this filter element and be discharged from the canister after having traversed the filtering portion of only the full flow filtration portion of the filter assembly.

Abstract: A weight-actuated vacuum pump and shock absorber for an artificial limb. Ambulation causes the vacuum pump, under the influence of the wearer's body weight, to draw air out of the artificial limb socket cavity, producing a vacuum within the socket. The vacuum pulls the residual limb into firm and total contact with the socket and prevents the loss of fluids in the residual limb. A shock absorber acts in conjunction with the vacuum pump to reduce the shock of impact on the wearer caused by ambulation.

Abstract: A dual powered fiber optic sight for a gun, which can be illuminated either by ambient light or by a light source. The light source is preferably a light-emitting diode (LED). Ambient light and light from the LED are carried by a fiber optic rod and the rod appears as a bright dot on the front sight of the gun. The electronics are enclosed and protected from the environment by a water-proof adhesive. The end of the fiber optic rod may be cut at a 45 degree angle to increase the rod's light-gathering ability.

Abstract: A performance enhancing and force absorbing dental appliance adapted to lie within the mouth of an athlete consists of an occlusal posterior pad made of quadruple composite material comprising four layers of distinct materials, further comprising a first layer of a durable, resilient material; a second layer of non-softenable, flexible material; a third layer of a hard, very durable material; and a fourth layer of a softenable material, engageable with the occlusal surfaces to space apart the upper and lower teeth, to absorb shock and clenching stress. An adjustable arch adapted to expand and contract to be molded to the palate is provided connecting the posterior pads together within the mouth and out of the way of the tongue to maintain the position of the occlusal posterior pads within the mouth during use and to prevent loss of the pads such as by swallowing. An expandable serpentine bridge may be embedded in the arch.

Abstract: A tree climbing apparatus consisting of two movable platforms, each of which is secured to the tree trunk by a flexible strap that has a non-scratching cover that will not harm the bark of the tree. Each of the flexible straps has a construction that includes an elastic stiffener that causes the flexible strap to be self-straightening when one end of the flexible strap is removed from the platform.

Abstract: A three-piece bicycle tool assembly consists of a first tool carrier, a second tool carrier, and an engagement member separate from and slidingly engaging the first tool carrier and the second tool carrier. The first tool carrier and the second tool carrier each have a number of tools pivotably engaged thereon. A chain repair tool on the engagement member is held between the first tool carrier and the second tool carrier so that it is not substantially exposed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for carving a uniformly carved portion and a variably carved portion in a workpiece in a single pass. The apparatus consists of a uniform carving head fixed relative to the workpiece and a variable carving head that is movable simultaneously in two directions substantially perpendicular to the motion of the workpiece. A control system, which may include a programmable computer, controls the motion of the variable carving head.

Abstract: A full-body, self-deploying cover for a vehicle is shown. The cover consists of a fabric sheet with a sleeve formed in its periphery. Within the sleeve is an elastic rod with two free ends. The rod is foldable between an expanded state and a stored state. In the expanded state the rod outwardly tensions the periphery of the fabric sheet and forms a semi-rigid frame, with the spring tension of the rod causing the cover to self-deploy. A connector joins the ends of the elastic rod together after the cover is placed over the vehicle, with the rod beneath the vehicle's undercarriage, and the fabric sheet may be tightened securely within the perimeter of the undercarriage.

Abstract: The invention relates to an evaporative cooling device including a stand-alone housing that is not connected to any structure. The housing has at least one vertical side with an opening and an evaporative pad is placed inside the opening. An electric centrifugal blower is placed inside the housing to draw air through the evaporative pad and to discharge the same in a vertical direction through an opening in a top cover. The top cover has a directional spout placed over the opening to direct the air in multi-adjusted directions. The cooling device is intended to be used on wide open playing or sport fields or in open sided warehouses or work stations. A smaller size is intended to be used in semi-confined areas such as verandas, patios, lanais, porches etc. A flexible air duct can be attached to the spout so as to temporarily deliver cooled air to confined spaces such attics in a house. The spout may be adapted to oscillate back and forth to deliver air evenly across a room.

Abstract: A performance enhancing and force absorbing dental appliance adapted to lie within the mouth of an athlete consists of an occlusal posterior pad made of quadruple composite material comprising four layers of distinct materials, further comprising a first layer of a durable, resilient material; a second layer of non-softenable, flexible material; a third layer of a hard, very durable material; and a fourth layer of a softenable material, engageable with the occlusal surfaces to space apart the upper and lower teeth, to absorb shock and clenching stress. An adjustable arch adapted to expand and contract to be molded to the palate is provided connecting the posterior pads together within the mouth and out of the way of the tongue to maintain the position of the occlusal posterior pads within the mouth during use and to prevent loss of the pads such as by swallowing. An expandable serpentine bridge may be embedded in the arch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an archery arrow with a fluted or crimped shaft, which can be made lighter and hence provide greater velocity than a standard, non-fluted arrow. In a second aspect, the present invention includes a fluted arrow wherein the fluting includes grooves that spiral along the length of the shaft, allowing spin to be imparted to the arrow. Spinning the arrow about its shaft will give it increased stability. In another aspect, the present invention includes an arrow rest for the fluted arrow, which is suitably arranged to impart spin to the arrow and/or to keep the arrow from falling off the arrow rest.

Abstract: A system and method for defining rewriteable data storage media defined by ECMA Standard ECMA-272 2nd edition (1999) for 120 mm DVD rewriteable disk (DVD-RAM) as a write once data storage media and for storing data thereon. The apparatus consists of a data storage device for reading and writing data on the media, the media, a media type indicator in the media, two write protect flags in the user data area of the media, and programming to examine the two write protect flags prior to a write, erase, or format operation. If both flags match and the media type indicator is write once, the drive is prevented from writing to the user data area if both flags are in the data written state. If both flags do not match after two re-reads, an error message is generated. If both flags are in the data unwritten state, data is written to the user data area and both flags are set to the data written state.

Abstract: A ventilation duct and methods of ventilation are disclosed. The ventilation duct provides a plurality of inner and outer sound absorbing members. The inner and outer sound absorbing members lying in separate planes with portions of the inner and outer sound absorbing members overlapping one another to inhibit the transmission of sound through the duct. The inner and outer sound absorbing members each including a longitudinal cavity filled with a sound absorbing material and having a plurality of sound transmission passages extending through the members to expose the sound absorbing material to incoming sound waves. In addition, the members may be shaped to have a reverse megaphone effect to further reduce the sound transmitted across the duct.

Abstract: A performance enhancing and force absorbing mouthguard adapted to fit the upper teeth of the mouth of an athlete wherein the mouthguard is quadruple or quintuple composite material of distinct materials. The first internal layer is a non-softenable flexible framework which will permit the mouthguard to hold its shape during fitting as well as to absorb and dissipate significant impact conveyed to the upper teeth. A hard, durable reverse bite plate wedge is thicker rearwardly and lowers the condyle from the temporomandibular joint in a fulcrum action to place the lower jaw in an optimum condition preventing impingement upon the nerves and arteries as well as spacing the upper and lower teeth apart. Elastomeric traction pads are on the bottom of the mouthguard and are grippingly engaged by the posterior teeth of the lower jaw.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and applying a novel pavement and patch material for roadways, driveways, walkways, patch for potholes and like surfaces, including the steps of reducing recycled asphalt roof waste to granules, adding aggregate and other solid recyclable materials to the granules, adding rejuvenating oil, adding emulsifier, adding asphalt concrete oil, adding anti-strip additives, adding liquid silicone, mixing the composition, heating the composition, applying the composition to the roadway or the like and compacting a new paving material.