Abstract: A shade comprising a fabric having divider strips dividing the fabric into panels of predetermined outline, each strip being sewn or otherwise secured directly to the fabric in fixed relation thereto and draw cords extending in operative relation to the divider strip so that the divider strips form focal lines for folding of the sheet of fabric as the cords are drawn.

Abstract: A backpack constructed of two lightweight pieces of pliable material allowing said backpack to be easily stocked and sealed. The single piece of pliable material comprising a top flap, a bottom flap, two side flaps and a support section. The backpack is formed by attaching the two side flaps over the bottom flap which is closed first, the top flap is then folded over the two attached side flaps which along with the support section create a backpack type device. One or more shoulder straps are used to carry the backpack. The support section becomes the portion of the backpack that rests against the user's back while being used. The backpack is filled with essential survival items and the versatility of the backpack allows it to be used as an emergency stretcher when fully opened, emptied of survival items and fitted with stretcher poles.

Abstract: A play structure having a header connecting the tops of two side supports such that the side supports are spaced to define a pathway. Streamers hang from the header into the pathway and textured protrusions attached to the side supports extend into the pathway. The streamers may be bead chain, plastic strips, or the like. The textured protrusions may be spheres, feathers, fibrous bristles, or the like.

Abstract: A method for measuring both the anti-migratory and cytotoxic effects of anticancer drugs on cancer tissues measuring the chemosensitivity of human biopsies to therapeutic drugs. Single cell suspension preparations of biopsy tissue is exposed to anticancer drugs and introduced into the first chamber of a migration plate separated from a second chamber by a porous membrane opaque to radiation. A migration stimulus is added to the second chamber. Migrated cells on the side of the membrane facing the second chamber are labeled with a live-cell fluorescent indicator. Non-migrated cells on the side of the membrane facing the first chamber are labeled with a fluorescent indicator of cell death. The emitted fluorescence of both the migrated cells and the non-viable cells is quantified in a fluorescence plate reader. The comparative intensity of fluorescence is an indicator of the susceptibility of the cells to the cytotoxic properties of the drug.

Abstract: A dual rotatable book holder designed to hold two books for quick and easy reference. Two plates form a two face book platform with lips extending outwardly hold two books back-to-back. The two face book platform is removably engaged with a rotatable base allowing the user to quickly and efficiently rotate the two face book platform. The rotatable base comprises an upper section and a lower section which snap-fit together. The fitted upper section and lower section form a circular enclosure which encases one or more sets of ball bearings allowing the upper section to rotate freely upon the stationary lower section. The ball bearings are held in place by slots incorporated within a channel of the upper section and a groove in the lower section. A pin and tubular section arrangement connect the two plates and hinges connect the lips to the two plates allowing the two surface book platform to be folded into a flat piece when removed from the base for easy storage along with the flat base.

Abstract: An overhead storage assembly, vendable as a kit, includes a plurality of panels each of a rectangular planform having dimensions that are integer multiples of conventional structural spacing. The panels may be joined to each other to form a common support surface resting on a plurality of transverse support pieces connected at the ends to hanger assemblies that are attached to the overhead structure of a building. Each panel, moreover, may include off-set elements to increase the sectional stiffness of the panel and the hanger assemblies may comprise matching upper and lower straps that are secured to each other at selected suspension lengths.

Abstract: A portable hammock designed to be used between any two rigid structures includes leg standards removably attached to opposite ends of a flexible hammock material with said leg standards removably attached to the two rigid structures. Loops of material connected to opposite ends of the flexible hammock material encase a portion of a strap rod. A system of flexible straps and hooks connect the leg standards to the flexible hammock material and the rigid structures. Two legs removably coupled to a rigid member form the leg standards. The legs and strap rods are in sections and the legs are easily removed from attachment with the rigid member permitting the portable hammock's size to be minimized during non-use. When disassembled, the portable hammock fits into a carrying bag no larger than a gym bag. In one embodiment, the portable hammock is erected between a tree and a motorcycle.

Abstract: A system and method are set for providing a progressive bonus to eligible devices in a set of linked gaming machines. A server is linked to the machines and from wagers accumulates a bonus pool. Each machine has a designated bonus outcome which, if obtained, causes the system to select from a set of displays, a bonus display for the machine. The bonus display remains until another bonus outcome is obtained and another bonus display is selected or the machine falls from the set of eligible machines based upon lack of play or the like. The system periodically selects a bonus prize and compares it to the bonus pool to make sure the pool is sufficient to award the prize. If the pool is greater than or equal to the selected prize, the system selects a winning bonus corresponding to a bonus display of the set and awards the prize to any eligible machine displaying the selected bonus display.

Abstract: The cartridge ejector has a spring loaded ejector slide supported by the barrel pivot block for siding motion from a seated position to an eject position. The slide has a finger configured to engage the cartridge casing rim when the casing is seated at the breech end and the slide is at the seated position. Opposite the finger is a catch captured by a sear. In response to opening the breech the slide snaps to the eject position to eject and throw the cartridge casing from the breech.

Abstract: A computer assisted process useful in managing the task assignments of a pool of casino employees in accordance with the service requests issued by automated gaming machines either indicating the state of machine operation or the patron's request for attention issued at the machine is enabled with intra-casino communication devices. In accordance with the process the employee pool is fractioned by the type of service skill required, i.e., machine service or patron's requirement for attention, and each employee is assigned a uniquely addressed communication device to which the task assignment is communicated and by which the employee indicates task completion. The employee pool is decremented on each task assignment and incremented on each task completion in a first-in, first-out arrangement in each skill group. In the instances of a large casino facility further division into zones can be made with each zone having its own pool assigned.

Abstract: An instrument for temporarily preventing fluid flow along a pipe utilizing a manually actuatable handle, a seal assembly and a flexible cable releasably connected between the handle and the seal assembly. The handle includes a handgrip and a depressible lever pivotally connected to the handgrip to articulate a handle and wire within a sleeve respectively connected to a first and second compression element to expand by compression an elastomeric seal captured therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-way Keno gaming device and method where a player can play a straight ticket with a desired number of spots or a straight ticket with a plurality of ways. The processor for the device controls a display to identify by color or otherwise the selected ways and further identifies king numbers which are included in two or more ways.

Abstract: A hollow fiberglass utility pole includes a pair of segments that are a fiberglass sheet that has a semicircular cross-section. The segments have first and second longitudinal edges with male and female couplers respective shapes that have a complimentary relationship to each other for mechanical engagement thereof. The fiberglass pole is assembled by engaging the first longitudinal edge of one segment with the second longitudinal edge of the other segment at an installation site. The fiberglass pole may be used as a sheath to encase an existing wooden pole.

Abstract: An electronic video draw poker machine is provided with a multi-hand screen display that can show a plurality of five card draw poker hands. A separate five card poker hand is displayed in each quadrant of the screen display with each five card hand being dealt from its associated, separate deck of playing cards. The initial deal of each five card hand is two cards face up and three cards face down. The player selects one of the sets of two face up cards to continue play. After the player has selected which set of two face up cards he wishes to play, the selected two face up cards are duplicated into the other three hand positions to replace the two face up cards in that hand position. The remaining face down cards in each hand are then revealed. The game then continues in the conventional manner with the player discarding and drawing replacement cards with respect to each of the four separate five card hands in an attempt to improve each hand.

Abstract: A fish feeding mechanism that disburses fish food within a fish tank in metered quantities, allowing fish the time to consume the food before it settles. The feeding mechanism is affixed to the inside of the fish tank by a suction cup or a suspension hook and comprises a food container whose top end is positioned above the water surface. The submerged surface end of the food container includes at least one food outlet that opens into the fish tank. Adjacent to the food container and also submerged inside the fish tank is a lift tube provided with an inlet port to allow water from the fish tank to enter, while a channel in the lift tube allows the water to enter the food container. An air line is inserted into the lift tube's inlet port and the compressed air therefrom flows from the mouth of the air line and enters the lift tube, causing air bubbles to rise to create an upward current of water.

Abstract: An assembly useful in directing a narrow water stream against an obstruction inside drain plumbing includes an exteriortubular housing within which a spray wand may be telescopically received. A resilient seal is engaged to the free end of the wand, for capture between the tubular housing and the surface around the drain plumbing openings. The other end of the wand is connected across a valve to a source of water at pressure to be ejected through an axial drilling in the free end towards the obstruction. The lateral edge of the tubular housing may include cut-outs to allow manipulation of the valve handle once the valve is secured to the housing.

Abstract: A video game complete with player wagering includes a processor and a display controlled by the processor. Said display is a game board in the form of a pyramid having an apex, a base and a plurality of pins displayed on the game board. Also displayed at the base is a plurality of locations each defining an outcome for the game. During play, a character is displayed falling from the apex to the base being directed by contact with the pins. The game payout is dependent upon the base location ultimately occupied by the character. In a preferred embodiment the pins can be programmed as stop pins, lateral shift pins or bonus pins. Upon contact with the character the stop pin will end the game with no payout, the lateral shift pin will move the character to the left or right and the bonus pin will cause a bonus payout.

Abstract: A device for dispensing pull tab tickets, lottery tickets and other articles and the articles to be dispensed thereby are set forth. The device includes one or more carousels removably retaining magazines containing tickets to be dispensed. The carousels are indexed to position a magazine for dispensing the article. After the patron has paid for the ticket, a dispensing mechanism pulls the article from the magazine and dispenses it. Each article has at its margin a slot which cooperates with a rod in the magazine to hold the articles in the magazine. When dispensed, the article is pulled from the rod.

Abstract: A case for glasses in the shape of a writing instrument having a hollow barrel portion for receiving a pair of small glasses. The case can take a plurality of different cross-sectional configurations. The writing instrument can be a pen or pencil at one end of the hollow barrel with an opening with a removable cover at the opposite end. The glasses for use therewith can be small conventional glasses or specially designed glasses that can have both telescopic frames and telescopic temples.