Abstract: An automobile sound processor containing prerecorded or synthesized sound signatures of vintage automobiles and motorcycles or other sounds, along with other audio processing components, is integrated with an automobile's on-board stereo sound system. A mode selector allows the user to select the desired classic car sound signature to be replicated. Sensors or transducers located in the engine compartment measure engine RPM and manifold vacuum. The sensors communicate instantaneous measurements of engine RPM and manifold vacuum to the sound processor and other audio processing components. The output of the sound processor is a composite audio replication of a selected sound signature. The sound signature is reproduced through the vehicle's on-board stereo sound system and modulated by the driving dynamics of the driver's car, as if the car were producing these sounds by responding to acceleration and deceleration dynamics.

Abstract: A hole plug and method of installing the hole plug to seal and repair a hole in a wall of a pipeline, tank or other physical structure is provided. The hole plug has a bolt with a bolt head and a threaded shank, where two or more adjacent notched washers, one or more sealing washers and an exterior washer are secured about the threaded shank and between the bolt head and a threaded nut. The present invention includes an internal sealing washer and/or an external sealing washer. The sealing washers and the exterior washer are selected to provide a surface area larger than the hole. The hole is prepared by establishing a solid, clean edge. The bolt head, a length of the threaded shank, the notched washers and an optional internal sealing washer, are passed from the exterior side of the wall and through the hole. Insertion of the notched washers is accomplished by tipping the washers at an angle to the wall and rotating the washer through the hole.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for metabolic cooling and insulation of a user in a cold environment. In its preferred embodiment the apparatus is a highly flexible composite material having a flexible matrix containing a phase change thermal storage material. The apparatus can be made to heat or cool the body or to act as a thermal buffer to protect the wearer from changing environmental conditions. The apparatus may also include an external thermal insulation layer and/or an internal thermal control layer to regulate the rate of heat exchange between the composite and the skin of the wearer.

Abstract: A golf ball teeing device having a hopper containing a plurality of golf balls. A ball placing arm extends from one side of the hopper and rotates between a generally upright, rest position and a generally horizontal, ball-dispensing position. The ball dispensing arm rotates about a rod, which forms a pivot point. The rod extends through the hopper. Attached to the rod and within the hopper is a plate. As the ball dispensing arm rotates, the rod and plate are rotated, thereby agitating the balls within the hopper. A spring is used to bias the ball dispensing arm towards the upright position. A ball stopping arm is biased towards a position which blocks the outlet opening of the hopper, thereby inhibiting the loss of balls escaping the hopper. A locking arm may be used to hold the ball stopping arm in front of the outlet opening of the hopper, thereby stopping operation of the golf ball teeing device to allow transport, etc. without the loss of the balls contained within the hopper.

Abstract: A tubular member useful as an inner liner for the working channel of a flexible endoscope has a distal portion which is specially treated to make it highly flexible and resistant to kinking or collapsing when it bends with the flexible section of the endoscope. The tubular member is also useful as a catheter device or as a component of a catheter device or catheter system. A multiplicity of external ridges on the distal portion of the tubular member reinforce the tubing wall and prevent kinking or buckling of the wall or collapsing of the inner lumen. The external ridges may be formed by convolutions of the tubing wall or by external threads which are formed on the exterior of the tubing wall within the flexible distal portion. An outer helical reinforcing coil may be added between the external ridges to further reinforce the flexible distal portion of the tubular member from kinking or collapsing.

Abstract: A sailboat and crew performance optimization system includes a modular system of sensors, data acquisition, computational analysis, graphical display and optional feedback control for optimizing sailboat and crew performance. The system acquires data relating to external factors (e.g. wind speed, wind direction, variations in wind speed, variations in wind direction, sea state, and wave conditions), performance parameters (e.g. boat speed, time to reach a specified destination and velocity made good, safety parameters and sailboat comfort parameters), dependent variable setpoints (e.g. sail shape, sail pressure distribution, etc.), and control variables (e.g. line tensions, rudder angle, sail plan, etc.) and correlates or analyzes the data to determine or predict the optimum setpoint targets and control variables. The system displays information and relationships to the sailboat crew in order to optimize sailboat performance and crew performance.

Abstract: A string winding device for winding and unwinding the string on a peg of a stringed instrument has a generally cylindrical body with a slot extending inward from one end thereof. The slot has a plurality of sections, which are configured to engage different size and shape pegs on stringed instruments. The slot has a shallow and wide section, a deep and narrow section and a middle section of medium depth and width. A fourth section is located perpendicular to the other three sections and is configured for specialty tuning pegs. Extending from the top of the string winder body is a hexagonal shaft for engagement with a cordless screwdriver, drill or one of the hubs or cranks disclosed herein. A manual hub or crank with a handle may be used to turn the string winder body. The hub of the crank for the manual hub may utilize a flexible tab within the hub to interlock with a recess in the hexagonal shaft to hold the parts together during use.

Abstract: A container for storing a tie down strap having a tray with a well and winding spindle is disclosed. The strap is fed through a slit in the side of the well to engage the winding spindle. A handle is attached to the spindle to allow the user to wind the strap into the container. A lid is pivotally attached to the tray by a hinge pin. The lid is secured in place by an indentation in the lid engaging a post on the tray. To further secure the container in a closed position, a hook may be placed through a pair of apertures: one in the tray and one in the lid. The hook may be attached to the wall of a truck bed for easy storage.

Abstract: A nozzle with an abrasion chamber for removal of the outermost layer of skin and the skin treatment system for use therewith. The abrasive material flows across a slot formed in the abrasion chamber. The path of the abrasive material may be generally helical. In the preferred helical embodiments, the paths are either vertically or horizontally oriented within the abrasion nozzle. To promote the spiral path of the material, some embodiments feed the abrasive material into the abrasion chamber at an angle causing the material to flow down the curved sidewall of a generally cylindrical abrasion chamber, thereby encouraging the spiral path.

Abstract: A camera tracking system that continuously tracks sound emitting objects is provided. A sound activation feature of the system enables a video camera to track speakers in a manner similar to the natural transition that occurs when people turn their eyes toward different sounds. The invented system is well suited for video-phone applications. The invented tracking system comprises a video camera for transmitting an image from its remote location, a screen for receiving images, and microphones for directing the camera. The camera may be coupled to the microphones via an interface for processing information transmitted from the microphones for directing the camera. The system may utilize the translucent properties of LCD screens by disposing a video camera behind such a screen and enabling persons at each remote location to look directly into the screen and at the camera. The interface enables intelligent framing of a speaker without mechanically repositioning the camera.

Abstract: A freestanding holder for eyeglasses or sunglasses having one or more slots cut in the exterior surface of any geometric shape. The slots are sized to receive the earpieces of a pair of eyeglasses. In one embodiment, the holder is formed of a base and a central post. The slot is formed between the base and post. The angled or curved slots mimic the angle of the partially folded glasses. When the user places the earpieces within the slots, the eyeglasses are held upright or in a cantilevered manner.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument having one or two moving jaws. One or two control wires attach to the lower portion of the moving jaws. Each control wire is located within a groove or enclosed channel which passes along the side and preferably to the back of the jaw. The end of the control wire is connected with the jaw so that when the control wire is moved, the force from the wire moved the jaw about its pivot point. If two moving jaws are present, the pivot point is preferably centrally located in the housing. If only a single moving jaw is used, the pivot point may be central, or it may be offset.

Abstract: A support assembly for a crutch user comprising a seat element, an element to suspend the seat from the crutches, and a seat urging means to urge the seat towards the user. The seat urging means may releasably attach the seat to the crutch or to the user. The seat urging means optionally helps stabilize the seat during entry and exit. The seat urging means may disengage at a predetermined position. Alternatively, the seat urging means may release at a predetermined force. The seat urging means may be adjustable for location of pull, or direction of pull, or amount of pull. A support assembly for a crutch user comprising a seat element, an element to suspend the seat from the crutches, and an element to stabilize the seat for easier entry and exit.

Abstract: A fish hook remover for humanely removing a hook from a fish is particularly useful for catch-and-release fishing. The fish hook remover has a handle for a user to manipulate, a hook engagement member, and two rods which connect the handle and the hook engagement member. These connections are located such that the hook remover acts similar to a four-bar linkage. When the handle, forming one side of the four-bar linkage, is rotated one direction, the hook engagement member, forming the opposing side of the four-bar linkage, is rotated the same direction, thereby allowing the user to remotely control the motion of the hook engagement member. The hook engagement member has a channel running through it. An opening in the hook engagement member allows the user to insert the fishing line which is then used as a guide to properly place the fish hook remover. The hook engagement member is slid downward until the fish hook slides into a notch located in the bottom of the hook engagement member.

Abstract: An interchangeable sound effect device (1) that incorporates and plays sound effects that have been digitally recorded on interchangeable sound cartridges (4). This device (1) is designed to be used with entertainment and educational type products such as toys, dolls, figurines, books and instructional guides. The sound effect device (1) employs an infrared receiver (28) housed within a durable encasement that straps around the user's waist or is embedded within the doll, figurine, toy, or book. The receiver unit (28) contains an infrared detector (44), an electronic diving means (60), an audio speaker (52), and a sound cartridge (4) that rests within a sound cartridge chamber (32). The sound cartridge (4) contains a sound enabler chip (12) that stores, in digital form, a number of prerecorded sound effects. In addition, the user can easily remove the sound cartridge (4) and insert one of many other sound cartridges each containing a different set of sound effects.

Abstract: An improved set of calipers or dividers having a pair of measurement jaws for measuring the distance between points, a display, and a calculation module which performs calculations or retrieves values for any one or more of the following functions: scaling, nominal values, basic geometry, and complex geometry. The scaling function is performed in one of two ways: numerical input or a calculated scaling factor. The nominal values function displays the nominal value which corresponds to the measured value of any preprogrammed table of values. Common tables would include tables of drill sizes, wire gauge, sheet metal gauge, screw size, font size, paper weight, hole size, etc. The basic geometry function calculates geometric values based on one or more measured inputs. For example, the user can measure the opposite and adjacent legs of a triangle and the caliper will calculate and display the angle.

Abstract: A reliable male condom that is roughly tubular and that has one open end and one closed end and that applies to the purposes of disease prevention and birth control. A fitted scrotal sac extends downward from the bottom portion of the open end and extends partly up the shaft. A restraining strap, optionally attached and with fixable ends, is wrapped around the periphery of the open end, guided by a finishing lip or band, in order to secure the scrotum within the scrotal sac and also to anchor the condom during use. For increased stability, an optional restrictive band is also provided. In a modified form, the scrotal sac is semi-fitted to the scrotum, and in another form, the scrotal sac is unfitted, and the restrictive band is not provided. All forms provide an optional reservoir tip.