Abstract: The present invention is a multi-contact pick for either stunning or articulated picking of a stringed musical instrument. The pick is formed with one or more cuts in close proximity to the apex of the pick contact. The cuts are formed in the pick such that the contacts resulting are slightly fanned across the thickness. Optionally, a stress relief hole may also be formed at the end of each cut to increase the life of the pick. The pick may come in many shapes and configurations. For example, a multi-lobed pick may have a standard single contact for one lobe and a cut multi-contact array for a second lobe.

Abstract: A condom is provided with magnetic material disposed in a flexible polymeric material condom at the open end of the condom. The magnetic material may be a magnetized ferrometallic split ring in the open end rib or magnetized ferrometallic particulates embedded in the polymeric material adjacent the condom open end. A permanent or rare earth magnet is fixedly disposed in the condom package to provide magnetizing force to the ferrometallic material in of the rolled condom. Alternatively, a permanent or rare earth magnet in a split ring construction may be embedded in the rib formed at the condom open end.

Abstract: A trigger extension device attached to a trigger of a paint ball marker gun used in the sport of paint ball marking. A trigger extension bar attached to the trigger at a transverse orientation at a distance from the trigger provides a grip for a user to fan the trigger at a high rate of speed at a position external to the trigger. The trigger extension bar is connected to the trigger in transverse orientation to the left and right side walls of the trigger. The trigger extension bar is linear and is perpendicular to the left and right trigger walls. The distal end of the trigger extension bar can optionally include an angled portion. The trigger extension bar can extend from either the left or right side of the marker gun trigger or can extend from both sides of the marker gun trigger. The trigger extension bar can be connected to the trigger by an extension screw that is threaded through a threaded hole in the trigger and also mounted to an axial threaded bore in the trigger extension bar.

Abstract: A computer-based hand-held translator device for use in relation to preparing a numeric message for sending from a telephone having a telephone keypad to a numeric pager and also in relation to displaying an alpha message originally received as a numeric message on a numeric pager. Keystroke entry of alpha and numeric keys create alpha mode and numeric mode messages on a display. Entry of a translator actuator on the keyboard accesses a chip that translates an alpha mode message on the display to a numeric mode message on the display and that translates a numeric mode message on the display to an alpha mode message in accordance with an algorithm loaded into the chip. At the sender side the alpha message on the display is translated into a numeric mode that is entered onto a telephone keypad targeted to a pager. At the receiver side, the numeric message is entered onto the translator device and then translated to an alpha message. A personal notebook system is optionally included in the translator device.