Abstract: An exercise apparatus comprising two adjustable cuffs configured to encircle a user's extremity on either side of an articulated joint, such as the elbow. Each cuff is provided with a connector ring for conveniently connecting a pull line to a weight machine, suspended free weight, or other resistance generating exercise machine. One or both connector rings may be engaged by the pull line. The two connector rings are interconnected by an adjustable-length isolator strap which limits the range of motion of the user's elbow. By isolating arm movement, the apparatus enables isolated exercise of chest, shoulder, or back muscle groups. As hands are not necessary, the apparatus also enables users having a hand or other lower arm infirmity to continue other upper-body muscle exercises.

Abstract: An electronically controlled, brushless DC, electromagnetic induction drive apparatus for use in a paintball marker active loader capable of directly driving the feeder element in the active loader while providing user selectable torque transfer capability and rotational speed whether used to continuously or intermittently rotate the loader feeder element. A plurality of selectively polarity reversible electromagnets are disposed in the loader housing and act to move a plurality of magnetic drive elements disposed on the rotating feed cone to rotate the feed cone and cause paintballs to be fed into the paintball marker via a feed tube. A controller linked to the marker firing sequence manages the sequential polarity changes of the electro-magnets to cause the feed cone to rotate in response to movement of paintballs in the feed tube.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for applying a plurality of raised features at select locations on a metallic substrate using a high-powered radiant energy source, such as a laser, in combination with powder metallurgy such that the resultant substrate surface exhibits increased slip-resistance resulting from the presence of the raised features on the substrate.

Abstract: A user-configurable replacement control knob for use on a household appliance, such as a stove. The control knob can be used to replace originally-supplied control knobs and allows individuals to tailor the aesthetics of the appliance to suit their preferences. The knob is user-configurable for control rotational direction by installing one of a plurality of uniquely configured indicator inserts into a receptacle on the forward side of the knob. The knob may also be adapted to interface with differing appliance control shaft configurations by inserting one of a plurality of torque inserts into a receptacle on the rearward side of the knob. Decorative faces on the knobs are visually fashioned in various color schemes and tactilely shaped to resemble various decorative forms that may be used to enhance or accent an overall kitchen décor. The replacement control knob provides the same function as a standard appliance control knob and allows appliance control knobs to be used as room decorating accessories.

Abstract: An improved machine for pointing a wooden stake having a cutting tool that includes a movable plunger having motion coordinated with the feed and ejection motion of the stakes in the machine that assures that any debris entrapped in the cutting tool is dislodged and discharged from the cutting tool during the interval between the discharge of an already-pointed stake and the feeding of an un-pointed stake.

Abstract: An improved rock climbing simulator that uses an adjustable fluid resistance apparatus coupled to an axle of a rotating climbing surface to control the rate of rotation of the climbing surface and thus the perceived climbing speed experienced by the climber. The fluid resistance apparatus is structured to control the rate of rotation of the climbing surface, and hence the perceived climbing speed, regardless of the weight or position of a climber on the climbing surface.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement to an active paintball loader used to feed a supply of paintballs to the breech of a paintball marker wherein the loader is located remote from the marker breech to reduce the target profile of the paintball game player. The loader includes a conventional reservoir for storing a quantity of paintballs, a drive mechanism for moving individual paintballs out of the loader reservoir and into a feed tube where they are forced to the breech inlet of the marker. Locating the loader on the compressed gas storage cylinder reduces the frontal area of the marker/loader combination thereby reducing the target area of a competitor using the LRL during a paintball competition. The location also improves the balance of the combination marker, loader, gas cylinder apparatus making it easier for the player to handle during evasive maneuvers during paintball game play.

Abstract: The invention is a user-wearable caddy for carrying and dispensing a number of paintball supply tubes, known as pods, designed to be worn on the back of a paintball game participant. The invention carries multiple pods in a horizontal orientation on the wearer's back using elastic bands to grip the pods yet allow them to be removed from the pack. Vertically oriented guides enable elastic loops securing the pods to the pack to move vertically. As the player removes the lower-most pod from the pack, the pods above will descend along the guides, by the influence of gravity and by tension from an elastic band stretched from the top-most elastic loop to the bottom of the caddy structure, so that the next full pod will be positioned in approximately the same location as the previous pod. The invention enables the player to reach around to the same location each time to obtain a full pod, reducing the time needed to reload the paintball marker.

Abstract: An improved anchor for degradation-resistant treated posts or posts protected with a conforming, protective cover that resists uplift or pull-out forces of a predetermined value without compromising the integrity of the treatment or protective cover. At least one indentation is applied to a portion of the post embedded in the ground prior to applying a conforming, protective cover or the other material degradation-resistant treatment. The indentation is configured such that the protective cover will conform to the contour of the indentation when the protective cover is applied to the post. In posts relying on degradation-resistant treatments, the indentation is applied prior to treatment so that the integrity of the treatment is not compromised by the indentation.

Abstract: A less invasive disposable urinary collection device for receiving a penis of a male patient comprises a freestanding bulb-shaped sack formed from a single sheet of laminate material. The sheet includes a first absorbent inner layer disposed between a moisture impervious outer layer and a second absorbent layer. The sack has a top hand insertion opening with elastic and an elastic passageway disposed orthogonal to the hand opening for securing the sack to the penis.

Abstract: A comminution apparatus for refining various materials into smaller pieces of a desired size, the apparatus having a pair of generally circular disks disposed on a common axis and arranged generally parallel to one another forming a comminution region there between. Each disk incorporates a plurality of removable cutting bars radially disposed on the disk face, one disk having an even number, the other having an odd number of cutting bars. Process material is fed into the comminution space between the opposing disks and comminuted by counter-rotation of the disks which shears material between opposing cutting bars as they pass. Spacing between the disks is adjustable to suit the input process material. Tapered disk faces control the flow of material during the comminution process, permitting only material that has been sufficiently reduced in size to migrate toward the disk perimeter where a skirt ring structure controls the size of the granulated material output.

Abstract: The apparatus is a user-adjustable stringed musical instrument. A rotary joint mechanism connects an acoustic body to a movable string support assembly. The movable string support assembly is comprised of common elements of a stringed musical instrument. The rotary joint mechanism enables the orientation of the instrument strumming and fingering surfaces to be rotated relative to the transverse plane of the acoustic body. Orientation of the playing surfaces may be varied during play to achieve a more comfortable position for either the fingering hand or the strumming hand thereby improving ergonomics of the instrument.

Abstract: A layout tool and a means for using the tool to fabricate multi-segment elbows and offset joints from rectangular cross-section fibrous air ductboard material. The tool has a triangular main body having at least one structural feature that defines a plane. At least one flange is connected to the main body, is oriented substantially perpendicular to the main body plane, and forms the first side of the triangle. The main body includes a first outer straight edge extending at an angle of 67.50 degrees from the flange forming the second side of the triangle. A second outer straight edge extending at an angle of 78.75 degrees from the flange forms the third side of the triangle. An inner structure of the main body forms a straight edge perpendicular to the plane of the flange. The outer angled and interior straight edges enable 22.5- and 45-degree miter joints to be easily marked and cut in pre-formed fibrous air duct.