Abstract: An improved golf club fitting system for fitting a set of golf clubs to a player includes the steps of measuring a player's hand grip strength and selecting a representative golf club having a dead weight directly proportional to the player's grip strength. The club length and the swing weight of the representative golf club are then determined by standard testing procedures commonly used in the golf club industry. A balance index (BI) for the representative golf club is then computed by dividing the dead weight (DW) by the swing weight (SW) (DW/SW=BI) and the balance index (BI) is compared to the dead weight to determine generally corresponding values for the remaining other golf clubs in the set such that the system user can match different irons and woods to the representative golf club thereby creating an ideal matched set of golf clubs for the player.

Abstract: A hydration device/golf bag carrying harness combination including a golf bag carrying harness including a pair of shoulder-engaging loop straps and a rear connection section from which the pair of shoulder-engaging loop straps extend in a general V-shape from the upper portion of the rear connection section. A hydration device includes a liquid container, a liquid delivery tube and at least two mounting straps extending from and connected to the hydration device. At least two strap engagement clips are mounted on the rear connection section of the golf bag carrying harness generally adjacent the upper portion of the rear connection section to each releasably engage one of the mounting straps. Finally, the liquid delivery tube extends forwards of the golf bag carrying harness such that a wearer of the hydration device may access liquids stored in the liquid container without having to disconnect the container from the harness.

Abstract: A free weight assistance and training device includes a base and a generally upright weight support structure mounted on and extending upwards from and over the base. A free weight support bar is connected to a computer-controlled weight tensioning device which is mounted on the base generally adjacent the upright weight support structure, the connection between the free weight support bar and the computer-controlled weight tensioning device consisting of at least two cables movably mounted on the upright weight support structure. The computer-controlled weight tensioning device, the at least two cables and the free weight support bar operatively cooperate with each other such that tensioning force applied by the computer-controlled weight tensioning device via the at least two cables to the free weight support bar controllably decreases the amount of downwards force exerted by the free weight support bar and weights thereon.

Abstract: A foot orthosis includes a generally “L”-shaped splint having a generally upright leg-engaging section and a forwardly-extending foot support section with at least a portion of the splint being substantially transparent. A generally flexible foot receiving and retaining boot is removably mounted on the splint for releasably securing a foot on the splint, and a tongue-receiving pocket is mounted on one of the splint and the boot, the tongue-receiving pocket having at least one opening and a tongue retaining section therein. A generally planar skid pad includes an attached tongue section projecting from the skid pad, and the tongue section of the skid pad is insertable into the tongue-receiving pocket such that the tongue is releasably secured in the tongue-receiving pocket and the skid pad is thus releasably secured on one of the splint and the boot.

Abstract: In combination, a vehicle including a body having a floor and generally upright walls and a material ejection system for the vehicle including a generally flexible floor mounted adjacent to and generally covering the floor of the vehicle when in extended position. A flexible floor drive roller is rotatably mounted generally adjacent the rearward end of the vehicle and is connected to the flexible floor drive roller and a drive device such as an hydraulic cylinder is operatively connected to the flexible floor drive roller for rotating the flexible floor drive roller to wrap the flexible floor on the flexible floor drive roller. Finally, the operative connection between the drive means and the flexible floor drive roller includes at least one flexible member in tension which transfers torque to the flexible floor drive roller for rotating the flexible floor drive roller to wrap the flexible floor thereon.

Abstract: A method of binding a book including the steps of providing a front cover page, a rear cover page and at least two center pages each constructed of a foam material and providing at least two binding sheets. A first center page is mounted on a first binding sheet with a connection portion of the first binding sheet not being covered by the first center page. Another center page is mounted on another binding sheet in the same manner. The first center page is then mounted on one of the front and rear cover pages and the connection portion of the first binding sheet is connected to an adjacent center page. The connection portion of the another binding sheet is then connected to the other of the front and rear cover pages and the front, rear and center pages are thus bound in book format.

Abstract: An improved plastic basket shopping cart includes a cart base having an upwardly extending rear frame section with a handle and at least three wheels rotatably mounted on the cart base. A generally rectangular box shaped plastic basket is mounted on the cart base, and includes a base wall, left and right side walls and a front wall, the side walls and the front wall having a plurality of generally rectangular wall openings having a height greater than their width, excepting those wall openings adjacent the base wall being generally square in shape for improved structural strength. Rear flange sections extend outwards and rearwards from the side walls to substantially cover the gaps between the side walls and the rear frame section. Finally, a basket rim support wire extends circumferentially around and through upper portions of the side walls and front wall and connects to the rear frame section.

Abstract: An automatic top slice removal device includes a frame, a lower conveyor belt and an adjustably mounted upper conveyor belt extending generally parallel with and spaced from the lower conveyor belt. A meat product slicing device includes a blade interposed between the upper conveyor belt and the lower conveyor belt to separate a top slice from the remainder of the meat product. A top slice separator plate is adjustably mounted between the upper conveyor belt and the lower conveyor belt and positioned rearwardly adjacent and vertically aligned with the blade and extends rearwards therefrom to maintain separation of the top slice and the remainder of the meat product between the belts. Finally, a top slice removal conveyor belt is positioned rearwards of the top slice separator plate and below the upper conveyor belt to remove the top slice from the remainder of the meat product.

Abstract: A metal sheet punch device for metal sheets which includes a longitudinally extended frame having forward and rearward ends and alignment devices for aligning the frame on a metal sheet. At least two metal punch devices are mounted on the frame, each including a metal punch support structure movably mounted on the frame and a metal punch having a pointed lower end, the metal punch mounted on the underside of the metal punch support arm structure. A support structure drive device such as a coiled spring is operatively connected to the metal punch support structure to rapidly move the metal punch support structure between a retracted position and an extended position and a trigger device is operatively connected to the metal punch devices to trigger each of them to drive the metal punch into the metal sheet to form at least two securement screw indentations therein.

Abstract: A support and enclosure structure for fluorescent light bulbs includes an elongated, hollow tube having opposite ends, an outer wall and an inner volume, and at least one ventilation opening extending through the outer wall for permitting air flow between the inner volume of the tube and the surrounding environment for cooling of the fluorescent light bulb held there within. End caps are mounted on opposite ends of the tube, the end caps adapted to engage opposite ends of the fluorescent light bulb and support the fluorescent light bulb within the inner volume of the tube free of contact with the outer wall of the tube. Finally, the tube is constructed of a generally rigid, at least partially translucent materials, such that light emitted by the fluorescent light bulb held within the tube generally radiates through the outer wall of the tube into the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A cord lock device for releasably securing a hinged object in a closed position includes a first cord loop projecting from a first side of a hinged object and a second cord loop projecting from a second side of a hinged object, the first and second cord loops projecting generally towards one another. The second cord loop includes an engagement loop section temporarily formed therein, the engagement loop section being extended through the first side of a hinged object adjacent one end of the first cord loop. The engagement loop section engages one end of the first cord loop, the one end of the first cord loop passing through the engagement loop section such that the first cord loop is intertwined with the second cord loop and thus the first and second cord loops cooperate to generally prevent access to the interior of a hinged object on which the first and second cord loops are mounted.

Abstract: A method of modifying a grinder-mixer unit into a seed tender unit includes the steps of providing a grinder having a frame, a generally upright bin, a mixing auger within the bin, a grinding device and an outlet device. The outlet device and the grinding device are removed from the frame. A seed output opening is formed in the bin and a false floor plate is mounted within the bin to direct seed towards the opening, and a seed transfer device having a lower end and an upper end is connected at the lower end to the seed output opening, a seed feed control device is interposed therebetween and the seed transfer device is connected to a power device for engaging the seed transfer device to transfer seed from the lower end to the upper end of the seed transfer device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved golf putter for increasing alignment and feel in the putting stroke which includes a club head having a body and a forward ball striking surface and a club shaft having a handle, the shaft connected to and extending upwards from the body of the club head. A weight-receiving pocket is formed in an upper surface of the body of the club head and a weight mounting device such as a screw is mounted within the weight-receiving pocket in the body of the club head. At least one club head weight is removably mounted within the weight-receiving pocket of the body of the club head by engagement with the weight mounting device, the club head weight including club head alignment indicia on the top face of club head weight operative to provide visual alignment cues for ball striking by the forward ball striking surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a box having a plurality of corner gussets includes the steps of providing a generally planar box blank and a box forming device including a gusset formation section having a kicker plate, a forming blade and an adhesive securement device. The box blank is fed into the box forming device, the kicker plate deflects each of the gusset corner formation wall sections upwards, the upper portion thereof is bent towards a side wall via the forming blade and the glue flap section is secured to the side wall via the adhesive securement device to form a gusset, and the box is formed by folding the side walls upwards generally perpendicular to the base wall and securing adjacent ones of the side walls to one another whereby the box is formed. A box formed via the above-described method is also claimed.

Abstract: A pole vault training device includes a pole replicating section having generally cylindrical forward and rearward pipe sections extending generally parallel and generally horizontally offset from each other and a training device mounting and support section including a pivot mount and a pivot shaft having an inner section rotatably mounted on the pivot mount and an outer end, the pivot shaft extending generally horizontally outwards from the pivot mount. An offset mount bar extends downwards and outwards from the outer end of the pivot shaft, and forward and rearward pipe section mount bars each extend upwards and forwards and upwards and rearwards respectively from adjacent the outer end of the offset mount bar to connect to and support the forward and rearward pipe sections.

Abstract: A foot orthosis includes a generally “L”-shaped splint having a generally upright leg-engaging section and a forwardly-extending foot support section with at least a portion of the splint being substantially transparent. A generally flexible foot receiving and retaining boot is removably mounted on the splint for releasably securing a foot on the splint, and a tongue-receiving pocket is mounted on one of the splint and the boot, the tongue-receiving pocket having at least one opening and a tongue retaining section therein. A generally planar skid pad includes an attached tongue section projecting from the skid pad, and the tongue section of the skid pad is insertable into the tongue-receiving pocket such that the tongue is releasably secured in the tongue-receiving pocket and the skid pad is thus releasably secured on one of the splint and the boot.

Abstract: A linear measuring device includes a tape housing and a semi-flexible measuring tape housed within the tape housing in a generally spiral configuration with an outer end extendable through a tape outlet opening. An extendable generally flat rear tail is movably mounted on the tape housing generally opposite the tape outlet opening and a generally flat forward tongue is mounted on and extends forwards from the outer end of the measuring tape. Finally, two sets of measurements are displayed on the measuring tape, the outer measurement set displaying the total extended distance of the measuring tape from the outer end to the tape outlet opening and the inner measurement set displaying the total distance from the outer end of the rear tail to the outer end of the forward tongue such that outer and inner measurements are simultaneously displayed on the measuring tape.