Abstract: A cerebral interface system has a housing mechanism configured to be at least partially spaced in a cavity formed in the subject's skull; an attaching mechanism for attaching the housing mechanism to the subject's skull; a sealing mechanism for providing a fluid-tight seal between the housing mechanism and the subject's skull; a control mechanism spaced within the housing mechanism; a communication mechanism with one or more sensors embedded in the subject's brain connecting the control mechanism to the subject's brain; and a power source spaced within the housing mechanism. Preferably, an inner wall thereof is substantially aligned with the surrounding inner surface of the subject's skull and an outer wall thereof is substantially aligned with the surrounding outer surface of the subject's skull, or may include an auxiliary portion extending tangentially outwardly from the cavity formed in the subject's skull and having substantially the same profile as the subject's skull thereunder.

Abstract: A non-separable two-piece fishing rod includes a first rod section; a second rod section structured to matingly join the first rod section in an end-to-end engaged configuration; and a retention member having a first member end secured to the first rod section and a second member end secured to the second rod section, the retention member being constructed of flexible resilient material and being structured and dimensioned to create a longitudinal force between the first and second rod sections; the retention member being structured wherein the force created by the retention member between the first and second rod sections prevents the first rod section from separating from the second rod section in a casting operation. The fishing rod includes a latching mechanism, a latched indicating mechanism, a slowed connecting mechanism, and gripping means.

Abstract: The present invention uses electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to treat epilepsy with minimized or no effect on the heart. Treatment is carried out by an implantable signal generator, one or more implantable electrodes for electrically stimulating a predetermined stimulation site of the vagus nerve, and a sensor for sensing characteristics of the heart such as heart rate. The heart rate information from the sensor can be used to determine whether the vagus nerve stimulation is adversely affecting the heart. Once threshold parameters are met, the vagus nerve stimulation may be stopped or adjusted. In an alternative embodiment, the invention may include a modified pacemaker to maintain the heart in desired conditions during the vagus nerve stimulation. In yet another embodiment, the invention may be simply a modified pacemaker having circuitry that determines whether a vagus nerve is being stimulated.

Abstract: A tow bar for connecting a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle, the tow bar comprising a towing vehicle connection mechanism connected to the towing vehicle; a towed vehicle connection mechanism connected to the towed vehicle; and an interconnecting mechanism connecting the towing vehicle connection mechanism to the towed vehicle connection mechanism. The interconnecting mechanism defines an interconnection central point and an interconnection vertical axis spaced rearwardly from the interconnection central point. The interconnecting mechanism is structured to accommodate substantially all pitch and roll movements between the towing and towed vehicles at and about the interconnection central point, and to accommodate substantially all yaw movements between the towing and towed vehicles at and about the interconnection vertical axis.

Abstract: A vacuum-cleaning apparatus for a stable, the apparatus adapted for being towed behind a powered vehicle having a power take off unit and including a two-wheel trailer; a tank with an air-tight cavity mounted on the trailer; a hydraulic pump powered by the power take off unit of the powered vehicle; a vacuuming unit powered by a hydraulic motor and having a vacuum input and a conduit connecting the vacuum input to the tank cavity, a debris-removing unit having an intake unit with a scoop element and a hand-operated handle with rotating tines powered by the hydraulic motor and having a first vacuum hose connecting the intake unit to the tank cavity; and a debris-scattering unit powered by the hydraulic motor, including a conveyor for scattering debris rearwardly and an auxiliary scattering portion for scattering debris transversely behind the trailer. The apparatus may also include a hand-held rake with hollow tines connected to the tank cavity.

Abstract: A method and system for intrinsic timescale decomposition, filtering, and automated analysis of signals of arbitrary origin or timescale including receiving an input signal, determining a baseline segment and a monotonic residual segment with strictly negative minimum and strictly positive maximum between two successive extrema of the input signal, and producing a baseline output signal and a residual output signal. The method and system also includes determining at least one instantaneous frequency estimate from a proper rotation signal, determining a zero-crossing and a local extremum of the proper rotation signal, and applying interpolation thereto to determine an instantaneous frequency estimate thereof.

Abstract: A strap includes an adjusting buckle near each end and a handle on each end. The length of the strap is adjusted using the buckles so a heavy load can be handled by a worker in a manner that permits the worker to safely carry the load in a variety of situations.

Abstract: A failure detection and warning system for monitoring a medical device wherein the system includes means structured to passively or actively detect faults occurring in the medical device being monitored, and wherein the fault includes an unprogrammed and/or undesired shut off of the medical device being monitored or an unprogrammed and/or undesired shut-off of the output of the medical device being monitored by the system.

Abstract: An accessory for a transporting vehicle having a bed and a tailgate mounting mechanism, a ramp with a main portion and at least one extension, a mounting mechanism for pivotally mounting the ramp, a sled mechanism slidably mounted to the ramp; a drive mechanism with a motor mechanism for displacing the sled mechanism along the ramp, a clamping mechanism for releasably securing a wheel of a motorcycle to the sled mechanism, and a power source. The accessory has a loading configuration wherein the ramp forms an inclined plane and a transporting configuration wherein the ramp is oriented substantially parallel to the bed of the transporting vehicle.

Abstract: An accessory for a cleaning apparatus for an aquarium having a granular substance covering a bottom surface of the aquarium including a rigid handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end wherein the handle is hollow such that fluid can freely flow therethrough from the handle distal end to the handle proximal end, and a connecting portion structured and configured to connect the handle proximal end in fluid flow communication with the cleaning apparatus; an input device having a longitudinal channel therethrough, a device proximal end, and a device distal end, wherein the device proximal end is releasably securable to the handle distal end of the handle; and at least one stirring element extending longitudinally outwardly from the device distal end of the input device.

Abstract: A container unit includes a container body having a ledge unit on the bottom thereof. A lid is slidably stored on the ledge unit and is thus stored with the container body and is readily available for use when needed. The container body also has air vent slits defined therein near the top rim thereof and the lid covers these vents when in place.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing water leak damage from a bath fixture, the apparatus comprising a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall, a second end wall, a top wall, a bottom wall sloping downwardly to an outlet wherein the first and second side walls, the first and second end walls, the top wall, and the bottom wall define a compartment therebetween and wherein the water source pipes of the bath fixture extend upwardly through the bottom wall. The apparatus further includes a waterproof covering that covers the entire inside surfaces of the compartment, and a drain element that connect the outlet of the bottom wall to a drain pipe of the bath fixture. The apparatus may also include at least one removable panel to provide access to water source pipes disposed within the compartment.

Abstract: A cerebral and/or interface system has a housing mechanism configured to be at least partially spaced in a cavity formed in the subject's skull; an attaching mechanism for attaching the housing mechanism to the subject's skull; a sealing mechanism for providing a fluid-tight seal between the housing mechanism and the subject's skull; a control mechanism spaced within the housing mechanism; a communication mechanism with one or more sensors embedded in the subject's brain connecting the control mechanism to the subject's brain; and a power source spaced within the housing mechanism.

Abstract: A vest that is worn while playing a video game is in the shape of a bandoleer and has a multiplicity of tactile signal-producing elements thereon. The tactile-signal producing elements are located all around the player so the player will receive tactile signals from all directions and the signals can be received simultaneously so action in the video game will be accurately and realistically reproduced in the form of tactile signals.