Abstract: The abdominal exerciser of the present invention is an exercise device designed to work the abdominal and oblique muscle groups. The abdominal exerciser includes a carriage that can slide or roll along a track and an upper body support. The abdominal exerciser device is designed to simulate an abdominal exercise “crunch” motion when the knees are brought within proximity of the upper body support.

Abstract: An isolated antiviral peptide is characterized by the amino acid sequence GDEPLENYLDTEYF and a significant in vitro binding affinity for HIV-1 gp 120 and gp 41, and human CD4 cells. The peptide exhibits anti-retroviral activity in vivo, particularly anti-HIV-1 activity.

Abstract: A board game and methods of playing a board game are described herein. The board game involves the movement of a game piece based upon the generation of a random number. The game piece is moved until the movement causes a win or loss scenario, which may be conducive to gambling and making wagers. During the movement of the game piece, the bank may inchoately match the player's wager. The inchoate “cargo” excites, tempts, and entices the players to wager and increase player involvement.

Abstract: A concealed magazine slot arrangement includes a magazine holder, a gear carrier, and a fastening device for fastening the magazine holder on the user's body. The magazine holder includes an inner panel, an outer panel, having a front operation side, overlapped thereon, and a plurality of slot dividers affixed between the inner and outer panels to form a plurality of magazine slots concealed within the inner panel, the outer panel, and the slot dividers for receiving the magazine. A gear carrier is provided on the front operation side of the magazine holder for carrying a gear thereon. Accordingly, the magazine holder is warped for fitting a curvature of the user's body, such that the outer panel is reinforced to substantially bias against the inner panel to physically self-adjust a shape of the magazine slots for retaining the magazine within the respective magazine slot of the magazine holder.

Abstract: A diving helmet bubble diverter comprises a front skirt portion and a rear skirt portion attached to the front skirt portion at one end. The rear skirt portion is configured for mounting onto the diving helmet breathing regulator assembly. The attached front and rear skirt portions form side pockets that divert exhaust air bubbles away from the diver's mask when the rear skirt portion is mounted onto the regulator assembly. The mounted rear skirt portion forms a protective barrier between the exterior wall of the diving helmet and the exhaust whisker of the breathing regulator assembly that prevents air bubbles exiting the whisker from coming into contact with the diving helmet during diving activities.

Abstract: A grit removal system for a hollow, completely enclosed emergency water reservoir tank employs a mobile suction head located within the enclosed tank, a flexible suction line coupled between the mobile suction head and the tank outlet, and a particle filtration unit located externally of the tank. The tank has an inlet from a municipal water supply system and an outlet leading to a local water distribution line. The tank is pressurized and maintained at an elevated pressure of preferably sixty to one hundred twenty psi relative to atmospheric ambient pressure. When the local water distribution line is opened, the pressure differential created due to the elevated pressure within the tank drives the mobile suction head so as to move it about the interior surface of the lower portion of the tank. The pressure differential between the interior of the tank and the local water distribution line forces water up through the suction head carrying entrained grit and sand with it.

Abstract: A free coaster bicycle wheel driving apparatus having a clutch that employs radially acting components. A drive sleeve has an inner cylindrical wall surface mounted coaxially about a wheel mounting shaft and an outer cylindrical wall surface that is eccentric relative to the drive sleeve inner wall surface. The outer surface of the drive sleeve cooperates with a power transmission sleeve that has an inner cylindrical wall surface that is eccentric relative to its cylindrical outer wall surface. The power transmission sleeve is interposed between the drive sleeve and a wheel hub. When the eccentric lobe on the drive sleeve is in opposition to the eccentric lobe on the surrounding power transmission sleeve, the sprocket is disengaged from the wheel hub. Forward rotation of the sprocket jams the lobe of the drive sleeve against the power transmission sleeve, forcing its cam lobe outwardly into frictional engagement with the wheel hub.

Abstract: A blender system composed of a mixing base that is capable of agitating the contents of one or more containers. The mixing base includes a blade element, a recessed well positioned at a top of the mixing base, a pressure-actuated switch positioned about the periphery of the recessed well, and a locking groove. A container may have a single open end, a container body, a selectively removable container base, the container base sized to fit into the recessed well of the mixing base, the container base comprising a blade element and locking members to lock the container within the recessed well of the mixing base. The container body further comprises an attachment element for attaching the container base, and a substantially smooth extension between the attachment element and the open end of the container body to facilitate drinking or pouring the contents of the container body.

Abstract: A unified media collection system comprises a local user agent with a primary metadata repository, and at least one foreign user agent with a secondary metadata repository. The secondary metadata repository is operatively coupled to the primary metadata repository. The local user agent is configured to compare the primary and secondary metadata repositories to identify missing media content available for purchase. The local user agent is also configured to purchase the identified missing media content to complete at least one media collection. The local user agent is adapted to deselect items from a list of identified missing media content for purchase, as needed. The local user agent is further configured to compare and keep the primary and secondary metadata repositories synchronized and up-to-date.