Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a stepper motor comprises a driver circuit and a brake circuit each having a motor controller device. The driver circuit, brake circuit and motor are connected in parallel. The driver circuit receives an enabling signal and outputs driver current to the motor accordingly. The brake circuit includes a logic circuit which receives the enabling signal, a brake input signal, and a power supply status signal, and outputs a brake logic signal. The brake circuit motor controller device is coupled to the logic circuit. This motor controller device receives an output of the brake logic circuit and outputs braking current to the motor in accordance therewith. The braking circuit is effective to prevent movement of the motor shaft in accordance with output of the braking current. The motor controller devices are substantially identical. The apparatus is effective to control the motor while avoiding generation of RF noise.

Abstract: A deformable computer mouse for easy storage and portability. The mouse housing includes a flat top layer having at least two splitable pieces and an intermediate layer sliding mounted underneath. By pulling the two splitable pieces upward, the intermediate layer slides out and forms an arced surface together with the two splitable pieces, thus forming a full sized computer mouse.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light display comprised of a light display unit containing 24 LEDs of various colors, a USB connector connecting the light display unit to a computer, and light display custom software that is loaded onto the computer. When the computer plays music audio such as a WAV file, MP3 file, or a CD disk, the light display custom software, installed on the computer, transforms the audio output into a four 8-bit byte record 40 times a second. The first byte is a header record, and the remaining 3 bytes contain 24 instruction bits. The instruction bits are calculated using a programmed spectrum analyzer that filter the sampled audio signal over a range of 20 Hz to 20K Hz. When the frequencies within a given band exceeds a threshold, the bit associated with that band is set to 1, otherwise the bit is set to 0. The light display unit contains a circuit board that turns the LED associated with the bit on if the bit is one, otherwise it is turned off.

Abstract: A horizontally foldable step assembly for vehicles. The foldable step assembly includes an arm for coupling with a hitch receiver and an arm for mounting a pivotally mounted step supporting assembly. The step supporting assembly is capable of rotating horizontally from a “closed” position to an “open” position, and being secured at the position by a locking mechanism.

Abstract: A pet food server for dispensing pet food from a recently opened can at preselected intervals of time where the pet food feeder includes a cylindrical member, a sliding panel for holding an unopened can of pet food located within the cylindrical member, and an electric can opener located on a pedestal for lowering the can opener to the top of the can of unopened pet food to cut the lid from the can and then raising the can opener to its initial position. An electro-magnet is attached to the can opener for lifting the lid off the can of pet food as the can opener is raised to its initial position, and the sliding panel is moved with the can of open pet food through an opening in the cylindrical member for a pet to feed.

Abstract: A vehicle having an electric drive motor and a battery pack which provides power to the motor. The vehicle has panels that provide a wind tunnel when the vehicle is in motion, and a wind generator which is positioned inside or outside the wind tunnel to supply electricity to the power pack while the vehicle is in motion. When the vehicle is parked, the wind generator is repositioned to be above the vehicle where it is driven by a breeze around the vehicle to again supply power to the power pack. The power pack is charged while the vehicle is being driven or parked by wind power only. It does not have to be plugged in.

Abstract: A snare drum having four cylindrical members which nest within and are permanently attached to each other from the top shell of the drum. The top ends of the four cylindrical members are located adjacent to each other and the bottom ends of the third and fourth cylindrical members are located below the bottom ends of the first and second cylindrical members. A fifth cylindrical member slides axially along the lower end of the third cylindrical member. The top ends of the four cylindrical members are covered by a first drum head and the bottom ends of the third and fourth cylindrical members are covered by a second drum head. The four cylindrical members are the top shell for the drum and the fifth cylindrical member is the bottom shell for the drum. The distance between the first and second drum heads change as the fifth cylindrical member is manually moved axially along the third cylindrical member.

Abstract: A bib portion with left and right top ends formed by a split circular opening and a cowl neck split along the back having a left side end with an inside surface and an outside surface and a right side end having an inside surface and an outside surface where a bottom end of the split cowl neck is attached around the split circular opening with the split in the split cowl neck aligned with the split in the split circular opening. Mating strips of a loop and hook connector are attached to left and right sides of the split in the cowl neck to closely position the split cowl neck around a child's neck and a loop of material is attached to a connector strip or a side end of the cowl neck split to function as a finger pull when separating the connector strips.

Abstract: A frame for attachment to a truck panel or a wall for holding a banner having a top base plate, a left side base plate, a right side base plate, and a bottom base plate. After the top of the banner is aligned and duct taped to the top base plate, the banner can be accurately cut to size by simply inserting a blade through the banner and into cutting groove on the base plates which becomes guides for the blade. No math is required. At least one yieldable member having a high coefficient of friction is coupled to each base plate and a cap plate is located on top of each base plate to lock the edges of a banner to each base plate by pressing on the yieldable members on each base plate when the banner is located on top of the yieldable members.

Abstract: A boost DC/DC power converter is disclosed that has a low voltage source, an inductor and a switching device that forms a series loop, a diode in series with a capacitor coupled across the switching device, a voltage divider coupled across the capacitor and a pulse width modulator that is coupled to the voltage divider. The boost converter includes a first push controller coupled across the switching device to provide a first push voltage of sufficient magnitude to turn the switching device on where the low voltage source by itself is not capable of generating a voltage of sufficient magnitude to operate the switching device.

Abstract: A novel display apparatus and method that enables the operator to shift gears smoothly on motor vehicles is described. The display shows engine revolutions per minute (RPM) at various traveling speeds for any gears all in one dial. The display may also show shifting paths for different driving styles. The static version of the display may be overlaid on top of existing tachometer. The dynamic version of display runs on portable devices with Global Positioning System (GPS) will show optimal RPM and shift indicator continuously. Further, the dynamic display is wireless networked to provide real-time driving instructions.

Abstract: A putter guide for guiding a putter shaft during a putting stroke has a pair of guide rails for guiding the shaft of a putter, a base member; and a post coupling the base member to the pair of guide rails for elevating the pair of guide rails above the ground to be closer to a grip on the putter. The guide rails are adapted to fold down beside the main post and both are adapted to fold down between two parallel tubes of the base to allow a golfer to carry the putter guide.

Abstract: At present there's no universally adopted Handheld Portable Oyster Opener available to consumers. The Oyster Opener described herein is simple, quick and ultra-safe to operate. It's lightweight, robust, inexpensive, portable and handheld. It can be leveled in use to prevent unwanted loss of Oyster Liquor. This caulk gun style Oyster Opener can be easily carried and used by anyone regardless of their strength or dexterity. It can be used at home and passed around at outings for the safe, simple opening of oysters, large or small. Its intuitive ergonomic design and the synergistic integration of its lightweight functional elements allow a user to rapidly load, ideally position, firmly secure and effectively leverage an oyster open in a safe, regulated and controllably nuanced manner while keeping the oyster level. It allows the cutting of adductor muscles and removal of the top shell while an oyster is in the device.

Abstract: Antibodies binding to sites on the ?-subunit (Na++K+)-ATPase increase cardiac contraction of both ventricular myocytes and mouse heart. In particular, antibodies binding to the RSATEEEPPNDD (SEQ ID NO: 1) or DVEDSYGQQWTYEQR (SEQ ID NO: 2) peptides (or isoforms/derivatives thereof) of the ?-subunit of the (Na++K+)-ATPase, have been found to be highly inotropic. Both the antibodies and the peptides are important for the treatment of human heart failure and other contractile disorders.