Abstract: A themed board game, is family oriented and recreates the fun and wonder of Halloween, preferably for 3 to 8 players (ages preferably 8 and older), and takes about one hour to play. A game board has printed thereon a thematic scene, a preferred example of which being a Haunted House. Twin sets of cards each include three category groups: a place category (depicted as locations of the Haunted House), an entity category (Halloween related persons or things, as for example a werewolf, a witch, a ghost, etc.), and an event category (Halloween related occurrences, as for example a scream, a laugh, a howl, an odor, etc.). A randomizing instrument is provided, preferably in the form of a single die which preferably may uniquely include a Halloween indicia in place of the six dots face (as for example a cat or a jack-o-lantern). Three cards, one from each category are secretly selected, the indicia of which form a Haunting Mystery.

Abstract: An industrial parts cleaning system including immersion and spraying which provides epicyclic parts movement (a plurality of revolutions per rotation, wherein the revolution is supersposed the rotation), rotating spray which synchronously follows the parts rotation, and a purge system for evacuating from the common plumbing the respective wash or rinse solution of a current cycle before commencement of the next cycle.

Abstract: A height adjustable bird feeder apparatus which allows for the selective lowering and raising of a bird feeder relative to a stationary, vertically oriented pole, wherein the apparatus includes a pole, a sleeve concentrically mounted to the pole so as to be slidable therealong, an article, preferably a bird feeder, mounted to the sleeve, and a sleeve retention mechanism. The sleeve extends entirely through the bird feeder at the center of gravity. The sleeve retention mechanism has a plurality of sets of diametrically opposed holes formed in the pole which receive therethrough a removable pin. An optional critter guard is located at the bottom of the sleeve. When the feed becomes depleted, the user removes the pin and lets the sleeve slid down the pole to the bottom. At this height, the bird feeder feed reservoir is now easily replenished. After filling, the user lifts the bird feeder and sleeve combination back up the pole and reinserts the pin.

Abstract: A rudder assembly for interfacing with a jet nozzle of a water jet propelled watercraft so as to thereby provide steering of the watercraft by pivoting of the jet nozzle even when a water jet is absent from the jet nozzle. A rudder is connected to a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is connected to the jet nozzle. In a first preferred form, the rudder extends in-line with, and immediately behind (aft of), the jet nozzle so as to be located in the water jet. In a second preferred form of the present invention, the rudder is notched adjacent the sleeve for accommodating movement of a thrust plate of a water jet propelled watercraft equipped with a thrust plate mechanism. Alternatively, the rudder may be located dependingly downward from the jet nozzle.

Abstract: A bimetallic materials processing cylinder formed of a titanium carbide alloy via a vacuum melt process, for example at a pressure of about 10−4 Torr, the purpose of which being to utilize titanium as a main ingredient binded by the best available wear and corrosion resistant alloy that will “wet”, but not dissolve too much as a cermet, to thereby create a metallurgically bonded inside layer of a material processing bimetallic cylinder. The titanium carbide alloy is for example up to about 58 volumetric percent titanium carbide and the remaining volumetric percent is a predetermined bonding alloy. Preferred titanium carbide alloys are (by weight percent): titanium carbide at 24.80 to 53.60%, nickel at 44.30 to 29.20%, chromium at 13.50 to 6.00%, silicon at 3.60 to 1.75%, boron at 2.85 to 1.75%, molybdenum at 3.70 to 1.38%, copper at 1.50 to 0.46%, iron at a 3.00% maximum, carbon at a 0.45% maximum, and other materials at a 2.00% maximum.

Abstract: The present invention is a power supply for a fluorescent light, particularly a sub-miniature fluorescent light (SFL) which provides compensation for temperature and age effects of the fluorescent light. One or more SFLs are powered by a variable output anode controller and a variable output cathode controller, wherein the illumination output of the SFLs is selectively adjustable based upon the voltage output of one or both of the anode and cathode controllers. In a first example of implementation of the invention, an illumination feedback circuit is provided to the anode/cathode controller, wherein the voltage output is adjusted to compensate for diminished illumination, caused for example by cold operating conditions or age of the sensed SFLs. In a second form of the present invention, a temperature feedback circuit is provided to the anode/cathode controller to provide the aforesaid voltage adjustment to compensate for diminished illumination.

Abstract: A golf club head having a face plate that is tensioned, locally hardened and weighted at the impact zone by the presence of at least one hardened, dense metal plug to thereby provide enhanced distance and directional stability to a struck golf ball. The face plate has one or more metal plugs tensionally interfitted therewith, wherein the face plate is caused to be tensioned and locally hardened by the presence of the one or more metal plugs. The one or more metal plugs are located at the impact zone of the face plate where the golf ball is struck.

Abstract: A rubrail mooring line receptacle apparatus integrating a rubrail with a mooring line receptacle. A pair of bow mooring lines are connected at their respective near ends to the bow of the watercraft, for example via respective starboard and port cleats, or via a centrally located bow eyelet. The distal end of the bow mooring lines are preferably connected adjustably to an abutment member, preferably in the form of a handle, which is snappably held in place at the gunwale. Port and starboard rubrail mooring line receptacles include a sidewall, a rubrail member integral with a lower portion of the sidewall, and, preferably, a flange member connected to an upper portion of the sidewall. The rubrail member is robust and preferably provides internal and external curvilinear surfaces, wherein the internal surface provides an interior hollow which is preferably concave and is sized to restably receive a bow mooring line therein.

Abstract: A pivot rod elbow cover for covering the elbow of a sun visor pivot rod which protects occupants from head impact injury in the event of a crash, yet allows the sun visor to both pivot and rotate in a fully normal and familiar manner. The pivot rod elbow cover is composed of a base member and a cover member rotatively connected thereto. The base member is affixed to the roof of the vehicle and preferably serves as a pivot rod elbow support which allows rotation of the pivot rod elbow with respect to the roof. The cover member has a preferably hemispherical dome shape that snappingly engages the base member so as to be rotatable therewith and receives therewithin the pivot rod elbow. Internal to the cover member are left and right guide walls which serve as crush features, as well as assistance to guiding the pivot rod therewithin.

Abstract: A capacitive liquid level indicator having a capacitive sensor array superposed on each side of a dielectric substrate, wherein the sensor signal detection electronics are located immediately adjacent each capacitive sensor. These provisions result in high sensitivity of detection of submergence in the liquid, as well as essentially eliminating parasitic electric fields. The preferred capacitive sensors are interdigitated capacitors, and the preferred sensor signal detection circuit is an RC bridge and a comparator, wherein the comparator senses a voltage difference in the RC bridge between a sensor resistor and sensor capacitor of a first leg thereof and a reference resistor and reference capacitor of a second leg thereof. It is preferred for the capacitive liquid level indicator to be coated with a low dielectric conformal coating to thereby insulate the electronic components (inclusive of the capacitive sensors) thereof with respect to the liquid into which it is submerged.

Abstract: A spin spray shield connected with a bucket to thereby assist the bucket to retain centrifugal paint spray when a roller is cleaned with a spinning tool, without detracting from the funtionality of the bucket for other purposes. The spin spray shield generally includes an annular shield member for being selectively located selectively substantially entirely above the mouth of a bucket to thereby serve as a shield for retaining spin generated paint spray within the confines of the interior of the bucket, and further includes a guide member located adjacent the side of the bucket for guiding selective movement of the shield member with respect to the mouth of the bucket.

Abstract: An industrial parts cleaning system including immersion and spraying which provides epicycloidic parts movement (a plurality of revolutions per rotation, wherein the revolution is supersposed the rotation), rotating spray which synchronously follows the parts rotation, and a purge system for evacuating from the common plumbing the respective wash or rinse solution of a current cycle before commencement of the next cycle.

Abstract: A gas line shut-off assembly which is automatically actuated in the event of a catastrophic break of a gas line, wherein gas is retained safely inside the remaining intact portion of the gas line. The gas line shut-off assembly is preferably composed of two mutually cooperating components, a breakaway and a shut-off. The breakaway has a weakened wall section. When connected to a gas line, the breakaway serves as a weakest location of the gas line so that should the gas pipe thereof be subjected to shear forces sufficient to break (ie., rupture) it, the gas line will break firstly at the breakaway. The shut-off is located upstream of the breakaway and is composed of a valve body and a perforated piston. The piston has a head and the valve body has seat, wherein the piston is movable in the valve body between a rest location and a seated location. At the seated location the piston head is sealably seated at the seat, thereby preventing gas flow through the valve body.

Abstract: A step ladder bracket which easily, safely and stably supports a step ladder with respect to a wall. The step ladder bracket includes a back plane for flatly abutting a vertical wall surface, a stiffening flange formed at an upper end of the back plane, and at least one support flange formed adjacent a lower end of the back plane. The step ladder bracket is formed of a single piece of planar material. The stiffening flange projects from a forward facing side of the back plane, and is preferably oriented perpendicular thereto and extends along the entire length of the back plane to provide stiffening and an abutment to an already level object. The one or more support flanges also project from the forward side of the back plane, and are oriented at an acute angle with respect thereto. The one or more support flanges have a length less than the length of the back plane and are defined by left and right flange edges which, preferably, are mutually convergent.

Abstract: A mooring line receptacle apparatus for a watercraft includes an elongated mooring line receptacle for each mooring line, wherein each mooring line receptacle is composed of a plurality of discrete segments and is connected with the hull of the watercraft preferably at the gunwale thereof; and further includes an abutment member connected with each mooring line at a distal end thereof. The mooring line receptacle has an interior hollow defined by a sidewall composed of a durable material having a slot therein along its entire length. The sidewall opposite the slot is attached to the hull of a selected watercraft via threaded fasteners. One mooring line receptacle is located at the port bow, another at the starboard bow, another at the port stern and another at the starboard stern. Preferably, each of the sets of port and starboard mooring line receptacles end near each other at a generally amidship location on the gunwale where the skipper and crew/passengers enter and leave the watercraft.

Abstract: A palmless golf glove which allows for a normal grip stance of the golf club, chaffing protection for at least the second and third fingers, prevention of slippage and full palm tactility. The palmless golf glove includes a body section for covering a selected portion of the back (anterior) of the hand but not any of the palm of the hand, at least second and third finger receptacles connected to a forward end of the body section, and a wrist band for anchoring the palmless golf glove to the hand without slippage. In the preferred embodiment, the palmless golf glove includes finger receptacles for selected fingers and a body section that completely exposes the palm. The wrist band is connectably operated by a VELCRO (trademark of Velcro, USA) and includes a notch which exposes the styloid process of the wrist. By exposing the palm completely, tactility is maximized. By exposing the ball of the wrist articulative movement is maximized.

Abstract: An ophthalmic instrument and ophthalmic method for preventing epithelium cells from being deposited at the stroma interface during LASIK. The ophthalmic instrument has a base having a flat abutment face, two mutually concentric annular blades upstanding from the abutment face, and a cross-hair for sighting the position of the annular blades. The annular blades have a height of about 50 microns with respect to the abutment face, an inner annular blade thereof is from about 9 mm. to about 9.5 mm. in diameter, and an outer annular blade thereof is about 10.5 mm. in diameter. The ophthalmic method is performed prior to LASIK. The ophthalmic instrument is aligned over the cornea via the cross-hairs and then pressed upon the eye of a LASIK patient so that the annular blades cut into the cornea until the abutment face abuts the cornea and prevents further penetration. The depth of cut of the annular blades is such as to completely cut through the epithelium.

Abstract: A glove which addresses the grip ability and injury protection of freight handlers in the course of they daily work needs of lifting and moving articles, composed of a glove body having the following features: a plurality of generally distributed ventilation holes; soft elastomeric grip strips at the palm; and a tough, flexible and semi-rigid contact beading at the palm. The ventilation holes ensure that a hard working person's hand does not overly perspire within the glove body. The grip strips, preferably a neoprene, provide excellent grippage with articles. And, the contact beading, preferably an epoxy, provides excellent cut and abrasion protection, wherein a "crisscross" pattern thereof is preferred. At the palm side of the receptacle tips, a grip pad, preferably a neoprene, is provided.

Abstract: A flotation device for causing an article to float if accidently dropped into water has protection from being triggered unless submerged. The flotation device includes a casing, a compressed gas cartridge, a pierce head biased by compression of a firing spring, at least one trigger, a dissolvable ring, and a balloon. The at least one trigger passes through, respectively, at least one trigger orifice formed in the casing. So long as a chamfered end of the at least one trigger is held by the dissolvable ring in abutment with a chamfered trigger groove in the pierce head, the pierce head is held against the biasing force of the biasing spring. A water control feature is characterized by a rim of an end cap being narrowly spaced from the casing, thereby forming a water passage therebetween. The width of the water passage between the end cap and the casing is such as to allow water to pass therethrough to the dissolvable ring only if under hydrostatic pressure of submergence.