Abstract: A method for playing a casino card having playing cards ranked in a conventional manner wherein deuces, or two's, are the lowest ranked playing cards, aces are the highest ranked playing cards, and eights are trump is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a standard playing deck of 52 cards, adding at least one additional playing card having a value of eight to the deck, beginning a hand of play for a game, shuffling the deck, each player makes a prediction as to whether a dealt playing card n will be a HI or LO card, a dealer deals the card n, and if the card n is an eight of any suit, all the players lose the game and the game is finished.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning and rinsing of disk-shaped objects, such as silicon wafers, high precision lenses and the like. The cleaning and rinsing may take place in a single chamber, that is sequentially filled with cleaning solution, rinsing solution, and the like. In an important aspect of the invention, chemical cleaning solutions are dumped to containers and recycled for the use. Moreover, a cleaning solution composition may be monitored, and the concentration of solution can be adjusted automatically, or make-up chemicals may be added, as necessary. The apparatus has a relatively small footprint and maybe surrounded with an enclosure that may be kept at lower than atmosphere pressure to prevent escape of potentially hazardous contaminants into the environment. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the handling of wafers to be cleaned is carried out robotically, most preferably using a robot with at least two end-effectors, each adapted for a specific function.

Abstract: An improved semiconductor device and method which includes a zener diode and RC network combination that share common semiconductor mask steps during the fabrication process. A common N+ layer serves to provide both the separate N+ cathode regions of the zener diode and the separate bottom electrode N+ region of the capacitor. A common metal layer serves to provide separate electrical contacts to the N+ cathode regions of the zener diode and also provides a separate top metal electrode for the capacitor. The capacitor dielectric is comprised of silicon nitride. A silicon dioxide/silicon nitride insulation layer is formed between the top metal electrode of the capacitor and a resistive layer typically made from tantalum nitride.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching multiple metal components to integrated circuit modules reduces manufacturing time for module assemblies having metal shields and/or heat sinks that must be applied to multiple modules within a manufacturing assembly. The metal components are manufactured in an array and the array assembly is attached to the integrated circuit substrate. The metal component array is then divided along with the modules after attachment. The modules are sawed apart before or after attachment. A reduction in manufacturing time is achieved through multiple placement of the metal components rather than individual placement.

Abstract: A traffic sign warning light is used for providing a visual signal of the traffic sign. The traffic sign warning light has a body section for supporting the traffic warning light on a traffic sign. Lighting units are coupled to the body section. The lighting units provide a visual warning of the traffic sign.

Abstract: A combination bolo tie and neck tie has an interchangeable neck cord for supporting the combination bolo tie and neck tie around a neck of a wearer. An interchangeable neck piece is coupled to the interchangeable neck cord. An interchangeable neck tie is coupled to the interchangeable neck piece. A holding bar is coupled to the interchangeable neck piece for securing the interchangeable neck cord to the interchangeable neck piece. A neck tie holder is coupled to the interchangeable neck piece for coupling the interchangeable neck tie to the interchangeable neck piece. An adjustment mechanism is coupled to the interchangeable neck tie for holding the interchangeable neck tie to the interchangeable neck piece and for adjusting a length of the interchangeable neck tie.

Abstract: A three-wheeled roller skate and method therefore, including a substantially shoe-shaped foot receptacle, two heel end wheels rotatably coupled to an axis, and a toe end wheel smaller in diameter than the two heel end wheels positioned in front of and spaced apart from the toe end of the skater's foot, allowing a user to maximize both stability as well as speed.

Abstract: An independent leadframe transport system for use with an integrated-circuit processing unit. The independent leadframe transport system for use with an integrated-circuit processing unit, comprises; a main drive unit having at least one tool-drive, a stack unit coupled to the main drive unit, and a leadframe transport carousel coupled to the stack unit and positioned proximate to the at least one tool-drive. The stack unit is translationally coupled to the main drive unit so that the leadframe transport carousel may be selectively positioned within the at least one tool-drive in an in-tool position and without the at least one tool-drive in an out-tool position. The leadframe transport carousel has coupled thereto a plurality of leadframe for holding a leadframe from an on-load buffer, through the process area, to the off-load buffer.

Abstract: An aquatic exercise device and method therefor dimensioned to be retained between a person's thighs while swimming. By swimming with the aquatic exercise device in between a swimmer's thighs, a swimmer is able to contract his or her leg muscles against both a horizontal as well as vertical form of resistance. Through this method, the aquatic exercise device enables a swimmer to more fully build leg strength.

Abstract: A cabinet for mounting to a wall or ceiling with downward extendable and retractable shelving assembly is provided. The cabinet includes a housing having an open bottom. Disposed within the housing is a shelving assembly having a plurality of shelves. A novel combination of a tension gas spring and telescoping drawer glides are used for mounting the shelving assembly to the housing. When items are needed from the cabinet, the shelving is pulled down until all the shelves are exposed. When access is no longer needed, a light tap to the bottom of the shelving assembly causes the tension gas spring to smoothly retract the shelving assembly back into the housing.

Abstract: A dual nested plunger transfer molding system. The dual nested plunger transfer molding system, comprises: a transfer plunger having a piston chamber internally, co-axially, positioned, integral within the transfer plunger; and a co-axial plunger slidably and co-axially coupled to the piston chamber. The co-axial plunger comprises: a co-axial plunger piston end, and a co-axial plunger drive end at the opposite end from the co-axial plunger piston end. The dual nested plunger transfer molding system further comprises a piston disc coupled to the co-axial plunger drive end, the piston disc cooperating with the piston chamber to form a slidable pressure boundary within the piston chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing a resistance integrated coupler adapted to be coupled between a data bus and a terminal device. The system and method includes the steps of calculating a desired resistance of a set of data-bus windings, wherein the desired resistance is substantially (1.5×Zo), wherein Zo is a selected data bus cable nominal characteristic impedance; winding the set of data-bus windings to form a first part of the resistance integrated coupler using a specified amount of high resistance wire, the specified amount of high resistance wire having a total resistance substantially equal to the calculated desired resistance; and winding a set of terminal device windings to form a second part of the resistance integrated coupler. The resistance integrated coupler is constructed substantially in accordance with the guidelines of MIL-STD-1553B.

Abstract: A tool drive apparatus and method are provided which are particularly well suited for the processing of semiconductor chips on leadframe strips. The tool drive apparatus includes at least one press having a tool-receiving space, a top and bottom tool received in the tool-receiving space, and a drive unit coupled to the at least one press for asynchronous substantially vertical movement of the top tools in adjacent presses. The drive unit includes a rotatable main shaft carrying up to six cam discs each of which may be associated with a press. This arrangement permits the processing of more than one process area on a leadframe strip in the same press cycle in one tool at a time enabling the tools to be placed closer together to shorten the processing line. The tool drive apparatus may also include a latch assembly which, when activated, creates a larger tool-receiving space for repair and maintenance of the tool in one press without affecting other presses in the processing line.

Abstract: A dc power converter having bipolar output and bi-directional reactive current transfer is disclosed. The dc power converter comprises: a direct current source; a modulator coupled to the direct current source, the modulator comprising at least two switch means for generating a waveform pulse; a transformer primary winding capacitively coupled to the modulator; at least two transformer secondary windings magnetically coupled to the transformer primary winding; and two synchronous rectifiers coupled to a first and second secondary winding respectively of the at least two transformer secondary windings. The first and second synchronous rectifiers each comprise: a switching means for interrupting a current path connected in series with a respective secondary winding first polarity pole, and a capacitor coupled in series with the switching means.

Abstract: An independent leadframe transport system for use with an integrated-circuit processing has a main drive unit having at least one tool-drive. A stack unit is moveably coupled to the main drive unit for storing unprocessed and processed leadframes. A leadframe transport carousel is coupled to the stack unit which loads an unprocessed leadframe from the stack unit and returns a processed leadframe back to the stack unit.

Abstract: A handle-bar camera support and method therefor, comprising a vertical support member, a camera receiving member, and a handle-bar coupling member allowing attachment of the vertical support member to the handle-bar of a vehicle. A camera can be secured to the handle-bar of a vehicle, thus allowing for stable recording during the use of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for subscriber loop powered calling identity delivery on call waiting apparatus provides battery only operation or extended battery life in a calling identity apparatus intended for off-hook and on-hook operation. The apparatus and method of using comprises a caller identification data receiver coupled to the subscriber loop for decoding caller identification tones and a CAS tone detector for detecting an alerting signal having at least one tone detector power supply input. Further comprised is a power supply circuit wherein the power supply's input is coupled to the subscriber loop for supplying power from the subscriber loop to the CAS tone detector.

Abstract: A combination tailgate cover and seat cushion has a slip cover which covers a front side and a rear side of a tailgate. Cushion material is placed inside the slip cover so that the slip cover has characteristics of a pillow or seat cushion. An attachment device is coupled to the slip cover for attaching the slip cover to the tailgate.