Abstract: A device for amusing a cat or other pet is provided that has a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion, a motor disposed in the housing, a belt attached to the housing via an upper shaft and a lower shaft, a string having a first end attached to the belt and a second end extending freely from the belt, and means for activating the motor. In operation the motor rotates the belt causing the string to repeatedly fling outwardly from being hidden within the frame and amuse the cat. Methods for amusing a pet are also disclosed that comprise the steps of automating a string, whereby a free end of the string appears and disappears from view. These methods are preferably accomplished by attaching one end of the string to a rotating belt within a housing.

Abstract: The electronic game table of the invention may comprise a standard game table, e.g., for poker, incorporating multiple player seats for tournament or side game play. Each player has a display device in front of him/her containing information about the card in pocket. The community cards are displayed in the center of the table on a display device. Each player has a console with control elements, such as buttons, computer mouse, touch screen, etc. for activating means of betting, such as coins, tokens, credit or smart card readers, etc. A function of a dealer is accomplished by a central server, e.g., a random combination generator. For participation in multi table tournaments, e.g., of poker, the aforementioned electronic game table is provided with means of interfacing with other tables participating in the tournament via Internet, Intranet, local area network, etc., without participation of a live dealer.

Abstract: A novelty dog toy includes an elongated substantially flat surface portion having a first end and a second end and a substantially spherical portion disposed at the first end of the elongated substantially flat surface portion. The substantially spherical portion is modeled after a dog fetch ball and rests comfortably in a dog's mouth. The elongated portion is shaped, textured, and colored to resemble an oversized human or animal tongue, such that it provides a novel and comical appearance to a pet when the pet holds the spherical portion in his mouth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for modulating light by a driven particle beam is disclosed. An optical beam is being sent to metal-dielectric structure so that the optical field partially transforms into a delayed electromagnetic wave, in a preferred embodiment into the surface evanescent mode, and the beam of charged particles, such as electrons, is also sent to said structure the way that the particle's kinetic energy partially transforms into energy of the delayed electromagnetic wave having the same phase-frequency characteristics as transformed field of optical beam at that, transformation of the optical beam and excitation of wave by particle beam commonly take place at the same small space region, which is localized by said metal-dielectric structure. Delayed electromagnetic wave, which is generated by particle beam, is summarized with the optical field, which is transformed on said structure.

Abstract: A backstop of the "venetian blind" type and contains a set of angled louvers to deflect projectiles safely. The present invention provides a system of modules whereby a backstop may be constructed across a wall of any width. The backstop modules themselves are made in a number of standardized widths, most preferably about 36 inches (0.91 m), 48 inches (1.22 m), and 60 inches (1.52 m) wide. Using various sets of these modules, any width can be filled in to the nearest foot, i.e., a maximum gap of about six inches remains between the end modules and an adjacent wall surface. These remaining gaps are preferably filled in using a sliding, angled wall plate that accommodates gaps between about zero and six inches. The visible flat edges of plates that form the sides of adjacent modules and the plate against the floor are ricochet hazards, and thus are also preferably provided with angled deflectors.

Abstract: A backstop and bullet trap are disclosed that provide access from the front so that spent projectiles can be removed without requiring a crawl space along the side or rear of the backstop, thereby permitting maximum use of the interior space into which the backstop and bullet trap have been installed. The present invention discloses a backstop that has a removable panel on the lower edge of a lower deflector. Preferably the lower panel overlies the lower deflector and is hingably connected to the floor or near the floor. In a preferred embodiment, this hinge connection is provided by resting the lower edge of the removable panel in a recess in the floor. In this embodiment, the removable panel presents an angled deflector surface to the shooter and no additional floor deflectors are required. Methods of removing projectiles from a backstop and bullet trap are also disclosed.