Abstract: A granular material spreader is adapted for towing behind a yard tractor. A frame upports an inverted cone which is sized to contain a supply of granular material for distribution. The bin sweep rod is carried adjacent to the inside surface of the cone, and turns a drive spring. The drive spring drives a helix, which rotates about the bin sweep rod, driving the granular material toward the narrow base of the cone. Should the helix become jammed, the drive spring snaps past the helix, rather than risk damage by forcing its movement. A bin sweep drive wheel is also driven by the revolution of the bin sweep. Movement of the wheel against the an upper portion of the outside surface of the cone moves the bin sweep rod and helix in a circular path about the inside surface of the cone. A valve at the base of the cone allows granular material to drop into a housing which defines slots about portions of its perimeter.

Abstract: An apparatus for taking school attendance includes a central office computer 101 interfaced with a plurality of attendance telephones 102. Typically, the interface is based on telephone lines or similar hard-wired network. Each AT device may therefore communicate with the central office computer or another AT device by data transmitted through the central office computer. A telephone interface 104 allows the central office computer to outside computers 105, including particularly the school district's central computer and database. The structure and organization of the software associated with the apparatus includes functionality related to the taking, recording and transmitting of school attendance and other purposes.

Abstract: The high speed depositor allows the manufacturing plant, e.g., a modern large bakery, to double the production of the batter, filling and icing lines. The depositor is comprised of a food quality positive displacement pump, a high torque stepping motor, a microprocessor based controller and a depositing manifold with individual valves. Other supporting apparatus, which are inputs and outputs of the controller, include a rotary encoder to measure the degrees of revolution of the pump, an air solenoid valve to apply air (motive force) to the stepping motor and an on/off switch to start and stop the depositing operation. Each nozzle on the depositing manifold has a flow control device to equalize the flow and therefore each cup weight of product deposited into the baking pan. A feed tank or hopper supplies a constant flow of product to the suction of the depositor pump. The manifold is typically mounted a few inches above a conveyor which carries baking pans underneath the manifold nozzles.

Abstract: A guitar slide 10 includes a cylindrical body 20 defining an internal cavity 21. The cavity is defined by a very gradually tapered inner surface 25 which tends to result in a frictional connection with the musician's finger. A forward opening 30 is reduced in diameter by a neck 40 having an annular inner surface 41 with a diameter smaller than the tapered inner surface 25 of the cylindrical body. A curved transition surface 42, between the annular inner surface of the neck and the tapered inner surface 25 of the cylindrical body, tends to grip the tip of the musician's finger when the finger is gently forced toward the forward opening. A rear opening 50 is defined between a semi-circular rim 51 and a crescent-shaped rim 52, resulting in an opening which provides access to the internal cavity 21 from the direction perpendicular to the length of the cylindrical body 20. A finger rest 60 includes a flat surface 61 which is bordered by the outer surface of the cylindrical body.

Abstract: An underwater signaling device 10 provides an enclosure 20 having handle 25 and barrel 21 portions. A trigger 40 is pivotally carried by the handle portion, and provides a pivoting spur 50 which extends into the barrel portion. A hammer 30 is sized for travel within the barrel portion. A primary spring 60, carried within a rearward end portion of the barrel is sized to propel the tip of the hammer into a bell 70 carried by a forward portion of the barrel. A primary spring 60, carried within a rearward end portion of the barrel is sized to propel the tip of the hammer into a bell 70 carried by a forward portion of the barrel. A secondary spring 65, carried within a forward end portion of the barrel is sized to urge the hammer out of contact with the bell after the initial impact, thereby preventing the hammer from damping the vibration of the bell. In operation, the trigger is manually activated, urging the hammer rearwardly, thereby compressing the primary spring.

Abstract: A masonry block includes a top face 20 having a protrusion 23 which is sized to engage the indentation 31 defined in the bottom faced 30 of an adjacent masonry block. The protrusion 23 is flanked by a wide flat surface 21 and a narrow flat surface 22, while the indentation 31 is similarly flanked by a wide flat surface 32 and a narrow flat surface 33. Where the wide flat surface 21 of a lower masonry block is adjacent to the narrow flat surface 33 of an upper masonry block, a retaining wall 100 having an angle of repose results. Where the wide flat surface 21 of the lower masonry block is adjacent to the wide flat surface 32 of the upper masonry block, a freestanding wall 110 that is vertically oriented results.

Abstract: A mute holder for attachment to a music stand supports several mutes in a convenient manner. A mute is a device placed in the end of a trumpet or similar musical instrument to alter the sound. A number of mutes may be needed in the course of play. The mute holder provides an attachment bracket sized to attach to the support shelf on the music book support portion of a music stand. A preferred attachment bracket includes a retaining strip which is carried adjacent to a top portion of the mute holder. A resilient first bend between the top and retaining strip biases the strip against the top, allowing the bracket to clamp against the support shelf of the music book support. A back wall is attached to a rear edge of the top portion at an angle of approximately 90 degrees. A support plate is attached to the lower edge of the back wall, and is generally parallel to the top portion. The support plate defines one or more holes or openings, each such opening sized to support a similarly sized mute.

Abstract: A blackjack strategy calculator 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention provides an enclosure 20 sized to fit in the palm of the user. A preferred circuit having a power supply 70, output vibrator 80 and microcontroller 90 implements the functionality of two modes. A plus button 30, a minus button 40, an output button 50 and a mode button 60 allows the user to control the operation of the circuit. The microcontroller executes software defining two modes of operation, each mode having a card-counting algorithm providing information to the player to enable the player to make better decisions related to selecting an appropriate wage amount for a hand of blackjack or for playing progressive blackjack jackpot, respectively.

Abstract: A golf score keeping device is formed from a body 50 having interlocking front and back portions 100, 200. A preferred version of the front portion includes five slides, each slide defining a slide trough within which at least one slide indicator may travel. A similar back portion includes six slides having a total of four slide troughs. A slide channel between the slides of each body portion provides spaced teeth which are engaged by an arm extending from the slide indicator, thereby providing a distinct click as the slide indicator is moved a discrete distance. Slide indicators traveling in the slide trough of one portion 100, 200, extend through the slide channel of the other portion 200, 100. Left and right end covers 300, 400 secure the front and back portions, and protect the slide indicators from contact with a flat supporting surface.

Abstract: A pump or motor 10 provides a housing 20 which carries one or more elliptical drivers 40 which rotate freely with an axle which is rotatably carried by the housing. One V-shaped rocker 60 is associated with each elliptical driver, and moves in an oscillatory motion in response to being driven by the associated elliptical driver. When used as a motor, fluid entering the housing tends to apply pressure to one side of the elliptical driver, while the other side is shielded from pressure by the V-shaped rocker. Uneven pressure causes the elliptical driver to rotate. As the elliptical driver rotates, the V-shaped rocker oscillates in a period manner at twice the frequency of the elliptical driver. The vertical height of the V-shaped is determined by an adjustable support 80, which allows regulation over the friction level and fluid seal between the rocker and the elliptical drive, and which allows adjustment to compensate for wear of the surfaces of contact between the rocker and the elliptical driver.

Abstract: A fluid control apparatus is adapted for use with a spray plate 100 having at least one atomizer 120 which cools an associated printed circuit board 200 carrying one or more heat-generating components such as integrated circuits 220. At least one spray plate and printed circuit board are carried within a coolant-tight enclosure such as a spray module 300. A preferred shroud 20 is supported by the spray plate. The shroud encloses a spray cavity 24 and provides control over the flow and direction of the spray coolant leaving the atomizers enclosed by the shroud. Control over the flow and direction of the coolant spray better cools the components carried on the printed circuit board and partially enclosed by the shroud.

Abstract: A golf ball set-up apparatus 100 provides a tee assembly 600 which slides within a set-up tube 350 between a lower position wherein a ball advancing from a ball supply trough 410 is mounted on the tee 610 and an upper position wherein the ball is elevated to a position suitable for driving by the golfer. The tee assembly is moved between upper and lower positions by a lift arm assembly 300, which is in turn driven by a driving lever extension 250 extending from the driving lever assembly 200. Pressure of a golf club moves the driving lever assembly between an at-rest position, to a position wherein the tee assembly is fully lowered. When the tee assembly is lowered, a ball stop assembly 500 engages the column of in-coming golf balls, preventing their advancement. When the golf club is removed, a return weight assembly 450 returns the set-up apparatus to the at-rest configuration, with a movement that is damped by the air break assembly 550.

Abstract: An EMI shielding fluid control shroud is adapted for use in spray cooling EMI producing or EMI sensitive components. The EMI shielding shroud, carried between a printed circuit board and a spray plate, defines an interior spray cavity which prevents interference with coolant spray directed at one or more heat-generating, EMI producing or sensitive components, such as integrated circuits. The size and shape of the shroud provide control over the flow and direction of the coolant spray and result in better cooling of the components carried on the printed circuit board and partially enclosed by the shroud. The shroud provides an EMI shield which prevents passage by EMI in either direction, while allowing coolant fluid to exit through the EMI shielding material.

Abstract: A method of playing a modified chess game provides a game board having alternating dark and light squares arrayed in a ten-row by ten-column configuration. The sixteen pieces of orthodox chess are all provided in each color, with the addition of ninth and tenth pawns and two new "dragon" pieces. Four dragon's lair squares are provided, two on each of the first and tenth rows. The dragon's lair squares provide a starting location for each dragon, and are located adjacent to starting position of the king and queen. A king may not move into the dragon's lair square of the opposing team; therefore a king caught between these squares may be checkmated by the opposing king with the assistance of only two knights.

Abstract: A horse leg and hoof cleaning tool 10 provides identical first and second scrapers 20 each attached to opposed ends of a cord 60. Individually, either scraper may be used to clean portions of a horse's leg or hoof. When one scraper is held in each hand and the cord stretched between them, the cord will adjustably conform to the contour of a horse's leg or hoof and may be used to wipe away mud and debris.

Abstract: An illuminated retractor provides a handle and a blade, the blade having a forward portion composed of a light transmissive material. The forward portion blade of the extends from handle and is formed suitably for retraction of body tissue adjacent to a body cavity to be illuminated. The handle is manually grippable and houses an electrical power source which powers a lamp mounted in blade. The forward portion of the blade is formed of a light transmissive material in optical communication with the lamp and is formed for the emission of an unfocused and diffused light for general illumination of the cavity. A surface region of the blade body may be frosted or ground so as to widely diffuse light emitted from lamp, thereby illuminating a wide area of a body cavity. A plurality of interchangeable blades of diverse shapes includes a perio-ostial elevator tip and a dental cheek retractor. A blank blade is provided which can easily be customized into a variety of shapes.

Abstract: A rope pulling device includes a come-along (20) having a frame (30) on which are mounted an anchor end grip assembly (200) and a load end grip assembly (300). During operation, the anchor end grip assembly is locked on the rope. A hook (100) is carried on the spindle (62) of the ratchet assembly (60). A lever assembly (50) drives a pawl assembly (80) which rotates the ratchet assembly in the forward direction. The hook causes rope to move through the unlocked load end grip assembly and to wind about the spindle. When the spindle is full, the load end grip assembly is locked. A lock assembly (70), which prevents counter-rotation of the spindle is released, allowing the spindle to be reversed and emptied. Slack rope is then passed around the hook, and wound about the spindle for approximately two turns. The load end grip assembly may then be released and the spindle may again be filled with rope, thereby pulling the load (400) closer to the anchor (500).