Abstract: A shaped inflatable water sports board is presented. The inflatable water sports board includes an airtight elongated housing having a predetermined shape. An internal structure is contained within the housing for substantially maintaining the predetermined shape when the board is inflated. An inflation valve is provided for inflating the board where when the board is inflated the board is sufficiently rigid to maintain the predetermined shape under the weight of an adult.

Abstract: A collaboration method and apparatus, is provided for the management of transactions and data, in a networked computing environment, between carriers and shippers in the transport of goods. In one aspect, an improved technique is provided, which reduces, or eliminates, the data redundancy in the management of transactions and data between carriers and shippers. In some embodiments, trading is done only between selected trading partners.

Abstract: A tubular radial pin tumbler lock is described. The radial pin tumbler lock has an outer shell, an inner shell housed in the outer shell, and a spindle housed in the inner shell. The spindle has a spindle head with an uneven number of irregular sides. A plurality of radial locking pins are arranged radially from the spindle. A crown on the spindle encases the locking pins. An anti-drill feature is included on the spindle head. An annular space between the inner shell and the spindle head allows access to the radial locking pins for operating the radial pin tumbler lock.

Abstract: A noisemaking devices are described, which may be a blade member having a handle joining portion at its base, a flexible plate member operable for making sound (e.g., low-pitched, clicking sounds and alternative, louder, high-pitched clicking sounds), the flexible plate member having an indention that is operable for producing a sound when the flexible plate member is flexed about the indention. A handle, an upper portion of which is joined to the flexible plate member and be pivotably joined to the blade such that the blade pivots when the handle is translated perpendicular to the plane of the blade, and the blade and the flexible plate member being oriented such that when the blade pivots, the blade causes the flexible plate member to flex and thereby make the sound.

Abstract: A connector apparatus for connecting a plurality of electrical wires of a standard size has a connector body having a cylindrical shape including an open end for accepting the wires, a closed end, an interior and an exterior surface. The connector body connects the wires and retains the wires in the interior when a twisting motion is applied to the connector body relative to an axis of the wires. The connector body is constructed of a transparent material that allows for visual inspection of the interior. A color marking for indicating the standard size of the wires is applied to a portion of the connector apparatus such that the interior remains visible for the visual inspection. A conductive coil can be positioned in a portion of the interior. The conductive coil has dimensions suitable for securely contacting the wires and aiding in the connecting of the wires.

Abstract: A method and portable device is provided to assist a person to relocate their parked car and track the time the car should be attended to. A device embodiment includes a car location recording module and a car location playback module. The car location recording module is operable to record a car location in response to the engagement of a (possibly automatically generated) car related signal, which car related signal is engaged proximal to when the car is vacated. The car location playback module plays back the car location recorded by the recording module. Some embodiments further include means for keeping time, such that the location recording module is configured to also record the date and time of when the car location was recorded. Means for managing parking time are also provided for alerting the person that a certain time is eminent or has past, and/or alerting the person that a certain elapsed time is eminent or has past.

Abstract: A device is provided for supporting at least part of the weight of a snowboard on a boot of a snowboarder while sitting in a chairlift having no footrest, the snowboard having a boot binding for receiving and securing the boot onto the snowboard, where the device includes an elongated support member having a central portion, and fasteners at both ends, one for joining to the boot, and the other for joining to the boot binding so that the elongated support member is operable to transfer at least a portion of the weight on the boot binding to the boot. Other techniques are described that incorporate the foregoing back foot support device directly into the boot binding, by, for example, the boot binding manufacturer.

Abstract: A wire frame means for structurally supporting a light shading material is provided, wherein the light shading material is joined onto a least one side of the structural supporting means that is not a top or bottom side thereof. Means, such as mounting tabs, are further provided for removably joining the structural supporting means to the wall mounted light fixture.

Abstract: Provided is a vertically adjustable support device for scuba equipment, which attaches to the rear of a vehicle via a hitch receiver to allow the device to be raised or lowered to a convenient usage height for the diver. One implementation includes a vertical support tube that provides a rigid structural support for other components of the scuba tank holder apparatus to be joined to, a slideably joined holder carriage, and a hitch receiving member; in which a first end portion of the hitch receiving member is joined to a lower portion of the vertical support tube, and a second end portion is configured to be operable for being securely joined to a vehicle hitch, thereby structurally supporting the vertical support tube and associated components when joined thereto.

Abstract: A device and method for cleaning an inside barrel of a paint ball gun is provided. The cleaning device comprises a compressible cleaning tip configurable to have a smaller diameter than the inside barrel in response to a compression member, the tip being mounted to an end of an elongated tube. The inside of the paintball gun barrel is cleaned by inserting the cleaning device while compressed, and retracting it in its decompressed state.

Abstract: A hand held electronic device having at least two displays is disclosed. At least one display is a direct-view display, like those on most cell phones or PDAs in use in 2001, for viewing at normal reading distance of approximately 12 to 24 inches (“arms'-length” viewing). At least one of the other displays is a microdisplay, a tiny display with magnifying optical elements, for viewing larger, higher-resolution images when the microdisplay is positioned close to the eye. The invention allows coordinating microdisplays and direct-view displays in ways that allow people to comfortably access and interact with full-page Web content on pocket-size devices.