Abstract: A fiream magazine loader and unloader accessory (10) comprises a main body (12) adapted to fit over an open end of a magazine (70) and a tiltable alternate round thruster (50) mounted in the main body above the magazine's open end. The alternate round thruster includes two plungers (62) and (64), each positioned above a column of rounds (80, 82) of the magazine. Loading is achieved by thrusting inside the magazine the topmost round of the magazine using the plunger above to provide a vacant space for a new round to be rearwardly inserted. Unloading is achieved by thrusting inside the magazine the second-to-topmost round of the magazine with the plunger above to release spring (78) pressure from the topmost round so that it can gravitationlly and forwardly unload.

Abstract: A system for providing electronic jewelry and telling the time of day includes binary display beads (105, 110) or segmented display beads (600, 700) arranged on a necklace or bracelet. In one embodiment, binary display beads successively indicate passage of hours of the day. In another embodiment, segmented display beads indicate the exact time in either moving band format or bar-graph format. A power source and timekeeping circuitry (not shown) are concealed within non-display beads (120, 122) or within the display beads.

Abstract: A flexible, sectioned plastic arm for a showerhead comprises a series of interconnected ball-and-socket (B&S) sections (10) with a proximal (shower pipe) end piece (12) and a distal (showerhead) end piece (14). Each B&S section has a proximal (cup or socket) end (10S) and a distal (ball) end (10B). The proximal end piece has a proximal end with female threads which can be screwed onto a shower pipe and a ball-shaped distal end for snapping into the socket of the most proximal section of the shower arm. The distal end piece has a proximal end with a socket for snapping onto the most distal end section of the shower arm and a distal end with male threads (12T) which can be screwed onto the showerhead. The arm has a through hole containing a series or chain of cylindrical brass or other metal sections, tubes, or sleeves (16). These prevent the arm from being bent too far, thereby to keep the B&S from separating.

Abstract: A scan systems include at least one radiation source for directing at least one beam toward a spinning scan device. The scan device reflects these beams as rotating scan beams to track rotating scan lenses without translation between the scan beams and the scan lenses. The rotating scan lenses focus the scan beams into radiation spots and project them onto a scanned surface as moving scan spots. Relative movement between the scanned surface and the scan lenses produces an inner drum area scan. According to another version the system includes at least one radiation source for directing at least one beam toward a spinning scan device. The scan device reflects these beams as rotating scan beam to track rotating reflectors, The reflectors direct the beams to rotating tracking lenses without translation between the beams and the lenses. The lenses focus the scan beams into spots and project these onto a scanned surface as moving spots.

Abstract: A deck plank (12) readily attaches to an engagement clip (46) when force is applied over the plank. When a plurality of clips are attached to underlying joists in parallel with the joists, and a plurality of deck planks are oriented to the clip perpendicular to the joist and pushed down over clips, a secure deck structure is provided. Each clip has a pair of horizontal flanges (52 and 54), which snap over a plurality of ledges (42 and 44) in a channel under each plank. The deck planks (12) are embossed (14) so as to form a slip resistant surface to be walked upon. The plastic extruded deck plank (12) resists rot, deterioration and insect infection found in current wood products. The deck plank assembly is simple enough so that a homeowner or do-it-yourselfer can install or alter it with minimal effort and direction.

Abstract: A method and system for indicating the camera position, direction, and field of view in a map or panoramic image comprises a map image window which displays a map or panoramic image of the site to be studied (house, apartment, city, etc.). A detailed view window displays a portion of the map image, taken from a point in the site. A highlighted sector in the map image represents the viewing position, direction, and field of view that the detailed view window displays. When the user changes the field of view in the detailed view window, the highlighted sector in the map image changes in synchronism. The resulting interactive windows allow a person to easily and quickly view and understand the field of view, position, and direction of the image being displayed in the detail view window.

Abstract: An attention-focusing device (10) supplies sets of prompting signals for a plurality of related self-improvement regimens, and has a housing (12) of a structural form that fits within a closed hand, allows convenient portability, and camouflages use and purpose of device (10). The device has a visual sender (20) embedded within the housing (12) to shield the signal from direct observation by non-users, and an incurvate surface (22) formed in the housing (12) to further shield the visual sender (20) and provide a structural surface for kinesthetic contact.

Abstract: A system of monitoring impact stress, or acceleration forces on a user while exercising is disclosed. An exercise machine is equipped with sensing apparatus that measures the downward force exerted on the supporting surface by the lower extremities of the user. In this way, the corresponding impact forces are determined as a function of the user's body weight and communicated via a display monitor as “G-forces” or “Earth Gravity Units.” This allows the user to keep exercise impact within limits desired by the user, a physical therapist, or other qualified professional.

Abstract: A scan systems include at least one radiation source for directing at least one beam toward a spinning scan device. The scan device reflects these beams as rotating scan beams to track rotating scan lenses without translation between the scan beams and the scan lenses. The rotating scan lenses focus the scan beams into radiation spots and project them onto a scanned surface as moving scan spots. Relative movement between the scanned surface and the scan lenses produces an inner drum area scan. According to another version the system includes at least one radiation source for directing at least one beam toward a spinning scan device. The scan device reflects these beams as rotating scan beams to track rotating reflectors. The reflectors direct the beams to rotating tracking lenses without translation between the beams and the lenses. The lenses focus the scan beams into spots and project these onto a scanned surface as moving spots.

Abstract: A Hanukkiah (10) for carrying combustible candles (12) includes a sense circuit (16) coupled to an output circuit (18). The output circuit comprising at least one of an electronic playback device (112), an electromechanical device (52), or a light source device (46), or a combination thereof. Sense circuit (16) includes a flame-responsive circuit (16A) adapted and arranged to respond to a portion of energy emitted by a lit shamash (12A) candle of the Hanukkiah, and an RF receiver circuit (16B) adapted and arranged to respond to a portion of predetermined RF signal. A dreidel (200) is further provided comprising a rotation-sensitive RF transmitting circuit (230) for generating predetermined RF signals upon spinning of the dreidel. The flame of shamash (12A) and/or the spinning of dreidel (200) are adapted to activate output circuit (18) of Hanukkiah (10) to provide entertaining audible and/or visual output.

Abstract: Scan systems include at least one radiation source for directing at least one beam toward a scan-device system. The scan device system includes at least one scan device that reflects these beams as rotating scan beams which point to the optical aperture of a rotating optical system. The rotating optical system has at least one optical component selected from a group of reflectors and lenses, focuses the scan beams into radiation spots, and projects them onto a scanned surface as moving scan spots. Linear relative movement between the scanned surface and the rotating optical system produces an area scan of inner drum or planar surface.

Abstract: A method of treating a psychological, psychiatric, or medical condition by choosing a psychological strategy for treating the condition, encoding electronic instructions for a virtual reality environment in such a way that the interactive virtual reality environment implements the psychological strategy, loading electronic instructions into a virtual reality technology unit (10, 22) equipped with a display (14, 40) for displaying the virtual reality environment and with a patient input device (14, 22, 32) for receiving responses to the environment from the patient, and instructing the human patient how and when to use the virtual reality technology unit to interact with the environment. The interactive environment contains instructions for a scoring procedure for quantitatively analyzing the medical condition of the patient, and/or counseling instructions or self-help instructions.

Abstract: An insulating cup or container (50) and a method of manufacturing it comprises (first embodiment) a sidewall blank (12B) having two sections separated by a fold score (15), and a separate insulating sheet (18)(corrugated, ribbed, embossed, foamed, perforated, etc.) which is adhesively fastened to one of the sections. The blank is folded in half along the fold score, to form a three-layered assembly with the insulating sheet in the middle. To reduce the thickness of the seam, the blank is thinned in the area adjacent a fold score prior to folding. The assembly is wrapped around a mandrel to bring the outer edges together at a side seam (22S) to form a sidewall 12. The side seam is sealed, the bottom is added, and the rim is formed. In a second embodiment, the insulating layer can be a coating on one or both of the sections of the two-section starting blank. In a third embodiment, the insulating section (40) can be integral with, and extend from, one edge of the starting blank.