Abstract: An audio equipment holder and bracket device that conveniently mounts to a vehicle. The device comprises a substantially planer platform for retaining the audio equipment, and at least one leg with the first end secured to the platform, and a second end terminating at a connection point that allows for releasable securement to the vehicle.

Abstract: A computer system that utilizes a method that manages the flow of information between a memory storage area, a display screen, and a cache. The information flow within the computer system is managed by monitoring the initiation of the display screen blanking interval and then selecting a data entry in the cache which corresponds to display memory during the display screen blanking interval, and flushes the contents of that data entry to the memory area. The process repeats for each such data entry in the cache.

Abstract: A method of enhancing a growth characteristic of seed by immersing the seed in an aqueous solution including dissolved inert gas and sonicating the seed at a frequency preferably of between about 15 kHz and about 30 kHz and an energy density of between about 1 watt/cm2 and about 10 watts/cm2 for a period of between 1 minute and about 15 minutes. The sonicated seed exhibits an enhanced growth characteristic including resistance to pests and growth properties consistent with the introduction of essential nutrients. Plants grown from the treated seeds exhibit improved characteristics.

Abstract: A method of clearing fungal spores from seed by immersing the seed in an aqueous solution including dissolved inert gas and sonicating the seed at a frequency preferably of between about 15 kHz and about 30 kHz and an energy density of between about 1 watt/cm2 and about 10 watts/cm2 for a period of between 0.1 minute and about 15 minutes.

Abstract: A wheel rim including a first wheel rim section having a base and a pair of circumferential support flanges at opposite sides of the base, each of which extends radially outwardly from said base. A second wheel rim section has a base and a pair of circumferential support flanges at opposite sides of the base, each of which curves axially and radially outwardly. The second wheel rim section is sized to fit inside the first wheel rim section with the bases of the respective wheel rim sections in contact engagement. The outer peripheral edges of the flanges of both rim sections meet along the circumference of the wheel rim and are joint together by weldments that extend around the entire circumference of the wheel. The result is a composite wheel rim having an inner contour of a conventional roll-formed wheel rim and an outer, distinct contour.

Abstract: A poultry feed composition including protein, vitamins and minerals, and a source of carbohydrates from the group consisting of soybean meals and corn supplemented with an &agr;-galactosidase that catalyzes the degradation of the galactoside. The addition of the &agr;-galactosidase increases the ratio of gain to feed, increases the amount of white meat, or decreases the amount of fat deposited during growth of a chicken fed the feed composition, relative to the chicken fed on an identical feed composition absent the &agr;-galactosidase.

Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of multiple pollen samples for cryogenic preservation comprising a plurality of chambers for the storage of pollen samples. A vacuum pump reduces the pressure within the interior of the chambers through a vacuum manifold that operatively connects with the pollen samples in the interior of the chambers. An air source vents the interior of the chambers to atmospheric pressure through an air manifold operatively connected with the pollen samples in the interior of the chambers. A vacuum controller controls the pressure within the interior of the chambers through operative connections to the vacuum manifold, the air manifold, the air source, and the vacuum pump. The vacuum controller pulses the pressure with the interior of the chambers between a first and a second reduced pressure level. A sensor operatively connected to the chambers senses the moisture content of the pollen samples within the interior of the chambers at the reduced pressure levels.

Abstract: A virtual machine system for accessing program functions. The system couples ROM memory to RAM memory in a manner which allows the memory to be independently removed and updated. A virtual machine and class module are stored in the ROM memory. A first static storage allocation in the RAM memory is associated with the virtual machine and a second static storage allocation in the RAM memory is associated with the class module. During startup, the virtual machine searches for a module of a given name. If the module is found, a given function is called in the class module so that the address of static storage associated with the class module can be saved in the static storage associated with the virtual machine. The address is used later when another function is called. The static storage associated with the class module has a table of pointers to external functions. There is one pointer for every external function.

Abstract: A fill bag holder and method for holding a fill bag within the body (interior) of a slot machine. In the preferred embodiment, the fill bag rests on a bag support and the bag support is supported by a support bracket. The support bracket can be further braced by an angle support. The fill bag holder is attached to the interior of the slot machine. The fill bag holder holds a fill bag above the coin hopper of the slot machine to facilitate quicker refilling of the coin hopper during play.

Abstract: A gambling game includes the steps of preparing a plurality of gaming cards with an indicia of identification, and a plurality of gaming symbols on a face of the card. The indicia of identification is recorded within a data base of a central computer system. The gaming cards are then distributed to a plurality of remote gaming sites, where they are distributed to a plurality of remote gaming card dispensing machines networked to the central computer system. Participants can purchase for a predetermined amount of money, the gaming cards from the remote gaming card dispensing machines. The purchase requests are communicated over the network by the central computer system, if approved the remote gaming card dispensing machines will issue a gaming card to the participant. A first set of symbols is generated and communicated over the network to a plurality of displays.

Abstract: A liquid bearing member is inserted into an ant mound thereby allowing the inundation of the ant mound with a liquid through a liquid bearing member. An evacuation chamber secures over the ant mound, thereby allowing the capture of the liquid within the evacuation chamber. Upon inundating the ant mound with the liquid, the liquid level rises in the evacuation chamber to a level elevated above the surface of the ant mound. The ants and ant larvae, in accordance with their survival instincts, rise to the top level of the liquid within the evacuation chamber thereby entering a collection device in operable communication with the evacuation chamber.

Abstract: A trailer break away safety mechanism which brings a trailer to a controlled stop after disengagement with a pulling vehicle. The mechanism consists of a cable which remains attached to the trailer after the trailer has disengaged from the pulling vehicle. As the trailer slows in relationship to the pulling vehicle, the cable actuates a braking mechanism on the trailer. Once the breaking mechanism has been fully actuated, the S-hook which attaches the cable to the pulling vehicle straightens, thereby completely releasing the trailer from the pulling vehicle. The cable is connected to a lever which pivots to actuate the braking system on the trailer. A catch spring and catch pin are provided to prevent the lever from inadvertently moving to its nonactuation position after the trailer has separated from the pulling vehicle. The use of the lever allows accurate and positive engagement of the trailer braking system which may be easily released by simply lifting a catch pin up and away from the actuated lever.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a shielding member located proximate to an overhead projector for reducing unwanted reflection from a writing surface of the overhead projector directed toward a user of the overhead projector. Angled support braces support the shielding member, and attach to the shielding member such that the shielding member tilts at an angle to better intercept the unwanted reflection.

Abstract: A metal form has a flexible panel member with a perimetral flange projected laterally from one side thereof. Each of a pair of transversely opposite side sections of the flange is segmented by a plurality of longitudinally spaced V-shaped notches having their apices adjacent the one side of the panel member to provide for a lateral flexing movement of the panel member to a preselected shape. With the panel member in the predetermined shape, the segments in each of the flange side sections are connected together against relative movement to retain the predetermined shape of the panel member. In a first preferred embodiment, each flange segment is connected to an adjacent flange segment by a flexible metal strap. In a second preferred embodiment, extended flexible metal straps are used to interconnect a central flange segment to each of the pair of adjacent flange segments.

Abstract: A hammer comprising a hammer body. The hammer body comprises a rotor forming portion with a trailing and a leading edge and is capable of securement to a rotor, a tip support section capable of extending into a debris path, and a production pocket extending from the leading edge of the rotor portion also capable of extending into the debris path. The hammer also comprises a hammer tip secured to the tip section of the hammer body and at least partially shielded from the debris path by the production pocket of the hammer body.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the germination of seed by immersing the seed in an aqueous solution including dissolved inert gas and sonicating the seed at a frequency preferably of between about 15 kHz and about 30 kHz and an energy density of between about 1 watt/cm.sup.2 and about 10 watts/cm.sup.2 for a period of between 1 minute and about 15 minutes. The sonicated seed exhibits enhanced germination by a reduction in the time required for germination, an increase in the percentage of total seeds that germinate, and an increase in the percentage of seeds that germinate at reduced temperatures. Plants grown from the treated seeds exhibit improved characteristics.