Abstract: An exercise device for achieving desired abdominal contractions during exercise movement includes a back support and a pair of leg blades removably attached to the back support. The device includes an adjustable back blade attached to the back support and extending upward from the lower end along a centerline of the back support, and a neck support assembly attached to the back blade.

Abstract: A system and device for golf putting practice, in which the device includes a first leg, a slider element attached to the first leg for grasping a shaft, and a shorter second leg pivotable to the first leg. The second leg is released and squeezed against the first to expose an opening in the slider element to receive the shaft therein, the second leg then released to pivot outward, causing the slider element to move down relative to the upper end of the first leg, closing down on the opening and seating the shaft. A second support device is installed in spaced relation on the shaft to achieve the level horizontal position of the shaft as a guide for a golfer practicing putting strokes with a golf putter.

Abstract: A spin head includes chucking pins configures to chuck and unchuck a substrate. Contact portions of the chucking pins and the substrate are varied during a process to prevent a treating solution from remaining at the contact portions.

Abstract: In a method of encapsulating information in a database, a message is partitioned into a plurality of object class entries within the database. An object class pointer is generated for each of a first subset of the plurality of object class entries, the generating further including executing a pointer key algorithm, the algorithm additionally generating a random number for each object class entry and concatenating the randomly generated numbers to form a single parameter string adapted to obfuscate a path between a pointer and its corresponding object class entry. The plurality of object class entries are stored in non-adjacent storage locations within the database, with each of a second subset of the plurality of object class entries stored in association with one of the generated pointers.

Abstract: An exercise alignment mat system for performing various exercises includes a mat of a generally flat structure having a top surface, bottom surface and a thickness, a major longitudinal axis and a minor longitudinal axis orthogonal to the major longitudinal axis, and a plurality of spaced grooves formed in the top surface along both the major and minor axes so as to define a plurality of equal sized panels on the mat. Each panel includes a set of concentric squares indicia thereon, in which an upper half of each square in the concentric squares has a dotted line configuration for fingertip placement, and a lower half of each square has a solid line configuration for palm placement.

Abstract: A device for cleaning golf equipment such as golf clubs and golf shoe includes a handle, a brush head surface formed in an underside of the handle at a proximal end thereof, and a plurality of metal and plastic bristles extending downward from the brush head surface. The bristles are configured so that the plastic bristles are arranged around an outer circumference of the brush head surface to encircle the metal bristles extending from a central portion of the brush head surface.

Abstract: In a method of encapsulating information in a database, a message may be partitioned into a plurality of object class entries within the database. Each of the object class entries may constitute a portion of an object class from a plurality of object classes having a given hierarchy within the database. One or more pointers may be generated; the pointers point to at least one of the plurality of object class entries. The object class entries may be stored in non-adjacent storage locations within the database, with at least one of the plurality of object class entries stored in association with the generated at least one pointer such that the at least one pointer points to a higher-level object class entry, as determined by the object class hierarchy, than the at least one object class entry stored in association with the pointer.

Abstract: An electronic acupuncture system may include a hand-held, electronic acupuncture device in communication with a remote computing device. The electronic device may include a grip probe held by the patient for applying a first diagnosis voltage through the patient's body, and a search probe applying pressure against the skin of the patient and receiving measurable diagnosis data from the patient. The received diagnosis data is converted into a digital signal for display on the electronic acupuncture device and/or for processing and display at the remote computing device. Based on the diagnosis data, the patient may be treated with a second treatment voltage.

Abstract: In a method of enhancing a viewer's experience of a video program, a plurality of selectable alternative video program scenes are provided for a video program being viewed on a display. The selectable alternative program versions are pre-rendered video scenes. A user is prompted to select at least one of the selectable alternative video program scenes for viewing.

Abstract: A handle assembly adapted to grasp a bar for exercise includes a J-shaped hook for placement on the bar, a rotation assembly, and a handle attached to the rotation assembly. The handle has an inverted U-shaped bracket with a cross piece defining a grip that is connected between ends of the U-bracket. The rotation assembly is connected between a lower end of the hook and the U-shaped bracket and includes a bearing, the handle being rotatable via the bearing by a user during exercise with the J-hook on the bar.