Abstract: A poker game with physical cards or on an electronic gaming device may be played in which the aces are promoted up a payout schedule so as to provide greater payout than aces normally are accorded based upon pure statistical likelihood of the ace hand occurring. Multiple rounds of poker play against a pay table may be carried out, with the rounds progressing from one card to a defined number of cards such as 5 or 7, with wagers on each or some rounds. A single card poker hand pay schedule may be used, with the Ace of Spaces accorded a larger payout than other aces, and three community cards may be used to speed play at a table with multiple players playing against the modified pay table.

Abstract: An energy generator comprising a generally flat and partially flexible traffic surface on which pedestrians and traffic may pass. Underneath the traffic surface, a plurality of dynamo cells each have a dynamo therein, each dynamo having two electricity generating elements (magnets, coils, etc) and an operative electrical connection to an electrical load such as a battery, capacitor, light, an electrical network or the like. A first electrical generating element in each dynamo may be disposed so that it moves downward when weight from traffic is applied to the traffic surface, while a second electricity generating element remains stationary, supported by the bottom surface of the energy generator. A spring and bottom support may urge the first (moving) element back upwards when the imposed force is released.

Abstract: An evaporative cooler cover having a three layer body internally dimensioned and configured to equal the external dimensions of at least one common model of evaporative cooler. A drawstring may provide a superior fit to the evaporative cooler device. The evaporative cooler cover may advantageously have a triple layer construction of a middle layer of nylon scrim or another loose fabric having two layers attached thereto: interior and exterior layers of solid vinyl or another polymer. The evaporative cooler cover of the invention may further be configured in either a generally cubical shape having an open bottom side or a generally cylindrical shape having an open bottom end.

Abstract: A wave motion generator having a bore hole at a coastline of an ocean. The bore hole lower end communicates with the ocean underwater while the upper end is above water level, allowing wave motion within the bore hole. A float disposed within the bore hole may travel along the borehole between at least two positions. A linkage attached to the float converts the motion of the float to rotary motion of a generator shaft so as to induce electric current in the generator. The linkage may be pneumatic, in which the float motion induces pressurized air to drive a turbine, or it may be a chain drive, a shaft drive, etc.

Abstract: A computer input device has two modules, each module located at the natural resting position of one of the computer user's corresponding hands on a work surface. The first module has a pointing device, while the second module has a plurality of touch sensitive devices such as buttons or skin capacitance detectors. The second module is substantially flat and sends to the computer commands which translate to those of left and right clicks and/or scrolls. The first module has a pointing stick allowing easy hand access and further allowing the stick to be held in a pencil grip or with the thumb and opposing finger or fingers for pointing. The command translation and other variables may be programmed to suit the user's accessibility needs.

Abstract: The present invention teaches that a tightly woven, and strong panel of fiberglass may be impregnated with sodium silicate in order to produce a strong and fire resistant panel. The impregnation may occur by spraying, by rolling or by other means, and the drying process of the sodium silicate occurs after it has been impregnated into the fiberglass panel. The present invention further teaches that a fire door core may be mass produced from fire resistant panels and the core rated for fire safety by a rating agency, thus allowing door manufacturers to produce doors using that core without individually certifying each model of door. The present invention further teaches a method of manufacture of the a sodium silicate building panel, comprising the steps of producing a tightly woven fiberglass panel, impregnating it with sodium silicate, and allowing it to dry.

Abstract: A big game dressing device has a handle portion having two ends: a first end with a grip attachment to aid gripping it with a hand, and a second end having a windpipe loop dimensioned and configured to engage around the windpipe of a big game animal to be gutted. The device may be extendible, may have a handle or the like at the first end, and may be made of a strong material. In use, the body cavity of the big game animal is cut open from top to bottom and the windpipe of the animal is cut across. The windpipe loop is then placed over the end of the windpipe and the device is pulled, assisting in the removal of the visceral of the animal.

Abstract: At least one video camera mounted upon the tractor part of a truck. An anchor is affixed to the truck so as to prevent any relative motion of anchor and truck, and a rail is affixed to the anchor. A slider is moveably mounted upon the rail so that motion along the rail is allowed but the slider cannot depart from the rail. A camera rack is affixed to the slider but the camera rack and slider are angularly coupled to the trailer/semi-trailer of the truck, so that the rack and any cameras mounted thereon swivel with the trailer, not with the tractor. The angular coupling may be achieved with at least one roller affixed to the camera rack but urged against the trailer. There may be at least two cameras: one showing each side of the trailer.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a shovel having a scoop with a bottom perforated by apertures and a movable sifting plate held in one of a plurality of possible positions by means of a retainer plate. The sifting plate may have apertures which do not overlap the apertures of the scoop in a first position, thus keeping the bottom of the shovel scoop closed for use as a shovel. In a second position, the sifting plate apertures may overlap the apertures of the scoop bottom so as to provide a degree of sifting ability. Either set of apertures may have a screen thereacross. The retaining plate may be biased by a spring so as to hold the sifting plate in position.

Abstract: The device is a molded, chemically-resistant-plastic cylinder consisting of a top rail, a bottom rail, four equally spaced quadrant side bars and four tapered helicoidally twisted directional vanes. Vanes are tapered from top to bottom so as not to collect debris.

Abstract: An endless loop belt conveyor system that is free of rollers is produced from a roller conveyor or a powered endless belt roller conveyor using a conversion kit. The conversion kit includes at least one endless loop belt conveyor guide; and at least two conveyor guide mounts. In addition, the conversion kit may include a motor driven roller section and an idler roller section both designed to be dropped in at the head portion or at the tail portion of a frame. The resulting converted conveyor system, and also the method of removing and replacing roller conveyors to convert the conveyor system to an endless belt conveyor that is free of rollers is taught.

Abstract: A solar powered memorial light is used for grave-side, road-side or other memorials. The invention teaches that a small light may be solar powered so as to run at night: during the night-time, it may illuminate from within or without a small memorial or ornament. An eternal memorial of the invention may be the inscription on a headstone, or a plaque, etc. A typical ornament may be an angel, a religious figure, praying hands, or so on. The ornament of the invention may be translucent. It furthermore may comprise a staff having a first end adapted to be driven into the ground and a second end comprising a hook.

Abstract: A vehicle liquid dispensing system having a dispenser which may be retracted or concealed within the dashboard, a thermoelectric liquid heat exchanger for heating or cooling the liquids, an esthetically pleasing liquid reservoir and a pump: all components are disposed within the structure of the vehicle and do not take up passenger compartment space. In embodiments, an on/off switch may be provided to prevent dispensing, a switch may be provided at the dispenser to activate the pump, the pump may be electrical, and the fluid connections between the components of the system may be provided with connectors allowing easy cleaning.

Abstract: A method for loading and unloading of dry bulk freight containers vertically, and a device in the form of an improved intermodal dry bulk freight container for vertical loading and unloading. Standardized corner locks may be used and dimensions may be selected so as to provide a standardized cargo container. The present invention teaches that an intermodal dry bulk freight container may be loaded in either the customary horizontal orientation of such devices, or in a vertical orientation in which one end is opened and elevated. In particular, however, such a container may advantageously be emptied by elevating it into the vertical orientation. The method of the invention is thus to provide only a single hopper and yet allow one hopper to empty the entire container, as well as providing a more efficient gravity feed of bulk cargo as it is off loaded. The present invention furthermore teaches an intermodal dry bulk freight container suitable for this method of operation.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a boat trailer ladder which may be easily secured to and moved along the trailer rails. A hook is dimensioned and configured to engage standard boat trailer rails. An A-frame ladder provides steps from an approximately the level of the trailer rails, or in alternative embodiments from approximately ground level, up for a distance above the trailer rails. The extra elevation gained by a user of ordinary size standing on an upper step is sufficient to allow them to reach the top surfaces of the boat.

Abstract: A multidimensional and easily adjusted container may be created from a single sheet container template having a plurality of horizontal and vertical fold lines and perforation lines extending along portions of the fold lines. A large number of containers having a variety of dimensions may be created by using indicia such as numbering of the fold lines and perforation lines, instructions and so on to indicate to users how to fold the box into various sizes and shapes. A unit dimension of the separation of the parallel lines may provide a regular grid of lines, or the separation distance between parallel lines may be a multiple of the unit distance. Different multiples of the unit distance may be used on a single container template, and the unit distance may be different for the horizontal and vertical fold lines.

Abstract: A crop chaffer for combines features air jets which deliver an air blast to the grain and chaff. The air jets and sifting screens are arranged in a cross sectionally “stair step” pattern in which the tread of each stair is the screen and the riser of the each stair has the air jet located thereon. The air jets do not allow grain passage, while the apertures in the screens do not produce a strong current of air. The chaffer is divided into individually separable and replaceable elements, thus greatly easing the burden of changing chaffers in the combine.