Abstract: A gemstone rating system is provided particularly for rating the cut of diamonds in which particular cuts and features are measured and the results compared with and provided with a predetermined score depending upon deviations from a theoretical perfect cut; and wherein the deviation scores are summed and then subtracted from an initially perfect score to provide a universally comparable indication of quality of cut.

Abstract: A stand for holding a musical accessory at a convenient level having a horizontally adjustable base comprised of a plurality of adjustable telescoping members forming a U-shape base support, such that the members of the base can be adjusted to extend around other equipment in a crowded stage area, thereby conserving space and enabling the stand to be conveniently situated closely together with such other equipment.

Abstract: A luggage device includes: (a) a main housing, the main housing having a top, a bottom, and walls, and having an opening area for insertion of one or more items into the main housing, with closure means; (b) load determination component connected to the main housing at the bottom, having at least one base member with a first position where it is not in contact with and resting on a separate surface under weight of the luggage device, and having a second position where it is in contact with and resting on a separate surface under weight of the luggage device, and is capable of weight determination; (c) load determination display mechanism connected to the load determination component for display of weight determined. In yet other embodiments, the present invention luggage device is arranged so that the handle rather than the bottom is utilized to function as part of the weighing capability.

Abstract: A drive for a bicycle includes an auxiliary sprocket wheel assembly having two sets of at least three sprocket wheels associated in each assembly attached to a common axle, one of said sets having a larger diameter than the other set. Each set is provided with a derailleur for changing associated sprocket chains from one sprocket of the set to another. Use of the auxiliary sprocket wheel assembly together with derailleurs on the regular pedal and drive wheel sprockets enables very high speeds to be attained by the average rider.

Abstract: A cane holding device for temporarily holding a cane in close proximity to the body of the user comprising a cane engaging member having at least two interconnected apertures for holding canes of different shapes and sizes, and a lanyard securable around the neck of the user for holding the cane engaging member. The material from which the cane holder is formed is resilient to allow a cane to be pressed from one aperture or orifice in the cane holder to another.

Abstract: A snow removal apparatus in the form of a shovel in which a leveraged arrangement is used to lift snow gathered on the shovel blade by lateral movement of such blade while supported by a handle adjustably secured upon the blade and the shovel handle is rested upon an underlying surface while snow is being lifted and moved to a dumping area by leveraged foot movement upon a pivot arm pivoted upon the handle and attached to the blade thus avoiding strain on a shovelers arms and spine while shoveling.

Abstract: Provided is an automated paperless order selection system of the type wherein an electronic order picking unit moves horizontally along a rail directly to a product storage location, thereby decreasing the distance traveled by the order picker and improving the accuracy of the order picking process, such order picking unit having an incremental encoder means for determining its exact location on the rail, and having a wireless radio frequency data communication (RF/DC) capability, and preferably including a printer, bar code scanner as well as audit and inventory report features.

Abstract: A highly automated hog management system and method for housing, feeding and sorting hogs comprising a finishing barn partitioned into two separate pens each capable of holding at least 400 hogs in a large open area, with each room having a living or pen area and central shared but divided feeding area, such that through the adjustment of a gating and fencing system enclosing the feeding area, two pens of hogs can be sorted using a single electronic sorting scale, and wherein hogs are made to sort themselves by weight upon passing through the electronic sorting scale, which designates the animals as either light or heavy, and whereafter a diversion gate ushers them either into the regular feeding area with access back to the living area if they are designated as “light,” or into a separate holding pen if they are designated as “heavy. In addition, light and heavy hogs can be sorted between pens rather than in each pen separately.

Abstract: A napkin holder formed of two pairs of magnetic securing devices attached in a laterally movable arrangement with respect to each other on the outer ends of a partially neck encircling lanyard. The magnetic securing devices are formed of plastic tabs movable laterally with respect to each other, one tab having an embedded magnet and the other having a magnetizable slug embedded in it. The napkin holder may be supplied with at least one napkin to be used with it in a package designed to provide an immediately usable combination product.

Abstract: A continuous strip is electrochemically processed in an electrolytic processing bath using either a thin flexible or resilient dielectric wiping blade or an open web, plastic mesh to wipe bubbles of gas from the surface, sever dendritic material, if such is present, and to remove a surface layer of partially depleted electrolytic solution, replacing with fresh solution and to stabilize strip portions extending between support rolls. The resilient dielectric wiper blade is preferably used with perforated anodes which allow fresh electrolytic solution to flow into the space between the anodes and the strip surface after being expelled by passage of the strip past the wiping blade. The wiping blades may also be angularly oriented with respect to the strip to increase the wiping effectiveness.

Abstract: A heating head for soldering and de-soldering surface mount devices (SMD's) using hot inert gas or air is comprised of a handle in which there is placed a heater sub-assembly on which there is secured a quick connect mechanism for mounting a heating nozzle. The heater sub-assembly is enclosed in a shroud and is secured to the end of the handle by a thermal insulating ring, such shroud housing a ceramic rod having elongated bosses on which a heating element is secured, while a laminar flow equilizer is used to provide more uniform gas flow across the heating element. Quick connect mechanism is secured to the heater sub-assembly shroud and uses a spring loaded winged locking mechanism to the secure heating nozzles to the heater head. In one embodiment, the heating nozzles have a truncated pyramid shaped chamber to which individual end nozzles are attached for directing gas flow.

Abstract: A road vehicle spray control system, including a combination of a louvered side panel and mudguard, for controlling the splash and spray generated by trucks, trailers and other road vehicles when travelling during inclement weather, wherein the louvered side panels are attached to the underside of the vehicle, maintaining the legal 8 foot width requirements, so that an airflow is created which forces air through the louvers and which airflow directs water or spray downward into the wheel well and towards mudguards mounted behind the rear wheels. Such mudguards have a downwardly facing opening in the center portion and are preferably curved to an angle of 27 degrees, so that rain, spray, water, small pebbles and the like are directed through such opening, to be dissipated on the roadway surface, resulting in safer driving conditions.

Abstract: An informational card is disclosed incorporating a plurality of separable, functional articles that are removable from such card and capable of being applied to a separate article or articles, either independently of, or in conjunction with each other. The removable articles, such as a patch, embroidered emblem, heat transfer or the like, may be removed from the card and adhesively or heat applied to a separate article, with indicia that bears some relation to the information conveyed on the card. One of the removable articles has a cutout to accommodate the placement of a first removable article during the conjunctive application of a series of removable articles to an article separate and distinct from the informational card.

Abstract: A composition for lubricating, preventing mineral deposit buildup, and expelling any standing water from the internal parts of a pressure washer, as well as a pressurized container for applying such composition across the internal parts of the pressure washer through the water inlet valve is provided.

Abstract: A portable hockey or soccer goal that can be readily converted between a fully open configuration and a fully closed storage or transport configuration without requiring any assembly or disassembly and having a rear and side stabilizing assembly such that the goal has improved strength while still being collapsible into a compact carrying bag.

Abstract: A combination guitar and bass guitar and method of playing is provided in which the bass strings are distributed between or adjacent to matched guitar strings so that adjacent bass and guitar strings can be plucked substantially simultaneously by a player, resulting in the simultaneous playing of bass and guitar by a single player. Various combinations of bass strings interspersed in or between or adjacent to guitar strings are disclosed. The guitar and bass can also be played independently of each other in the normal manner.