Abstract: A capital to be placed upon a hollow column having a non-uniform cross section with a maximum inner dimension and a minimum inner dimension. The capital has an ornamental upper portion attached to a neck. The neck possesses a maximum outer cross-sectional dimension which is intermediate in size between the maximum inner cross-sectional dimension of the portion of the column intended to be occupied by the neck and the minimum inner cross-sectional dimension of the portion of the column intended to be occupied by said neck. The neck also has a minimum outer cross-sectional dimension smaller than the minimum inner cross-sectional dimension of the portion of the column intended to be occupied by said neck.

Abstract: A slopeboard mounting device having a rigid shaft that is attachable near a first end to a slopeboard frame and having near a second end a mechanism for indicating the desired location of a mounting lug. The rigid shaft has such a shape and size that the indicating mechanism is maintained at a desired position with respect to the first end of the rigid shaft which is the same position as is desired for a lug pivot point to have with respect to the slopeboard frame. And, preferably, the shape and dimensions of the rigid shaft are selected such that any obstructions are avoided by such rigid shaft.

Abstract: A locking mechanism having a serrated rod that fits into an aperture of a rotatably mounted block when biasing which pushes the block toward the direction of insertion is reduced. Pulling the serrated rod, after insertion, in the direction from which insertion occurred tends to increase biasing and, consequently, decrease diameter of the aperture projected perpendicular to the length of the serrated rod thereby retaining the serrated rod within the aperture. An end of the serrated rod that does not have the serrations can be formed into a loop for attaching a belt or have screw thread for connection to a bar. The belt or bar would restrain a person or physical object.

Abstract: An improved method for the manufacturing of wavy pre-preg material that moves a first group of rollers in a transverse and a longitudinal direction with respect to a second group of rollers, to place a sinuous waveform in a fiber reinforced matrix for the manufacture of a wavy pre-preg material. The fabrication of wavy fiber pre-preg (fibers pre-impregnated with epoxy resin as an example) can be accomplished with an automated control system that permits the creation of non-periodic or mixed waveforms. The improved apparatus for this process allows for a more accurate placement of fibers, production of a wider variety of usable waveforms, and increased quality of pre-preg produced.

Abstract: A pillow (or several pillows depending upon need/size configuration) having unique shapes for placing between an individual's back, head, backside, legs, arms (or any combination thereof) and the floor, ground, bed, table or other surface to provide anatomical support as opposed to simply providing cushioning between the body on the underlying surface. When the individual is lying on his or her back, the pillow provides for proper alignment of the body to relieve pressure on joints, nerves, muscles and skin. Its unique posturing permits the body to relax and rest more comfortably and also potentially increase blood flow and nerve transmission throughout the body or through specific areas of the body.

Abstract: An amusement ride with cable-launched carrier having one or more towers with the upper portion of at least one such tower being flexible. Each tower supports a cable. Attached to the first end of such cable is a means for propelling a carrier that is attached to the second end of each cable. The means for propelling is a high-speed winch, a fluid-powered cylinder having a continuous cable, or a fluid-powered cylinder having a non-continuous cable. Optionally, a controllably rotatable seat can be attached to the carrier; a harness connected to a serrated rod that slides into a biased block holds each participant to the seat; and a spring, weight, or pressurizable cylinder prevents each cable from becoming slack.

Abstract: A sheet of shingles for application to the ridge or hips of a roof. Two or more shingles are arranged in a generally straight line with the tops of adjacent shingles generally aligned with one another, with the bottoms of adjacent shingles generally aligned with one another. The second edge of a prior shingle overlaps and is above the first edge of any immediately subsequent shingle. Two or more mechanical fasteners are placed in the overlapping area of adjacent shingles to connect such shingles, leaving the corners unattached so that the upper, overlapping corners can be lifted to nail the lower, overlapped corners to the roof. Tar is placed between the overlapping and the overlapped corners in order to utilize solar energy to seal the corners of the adjacent shingles to one another after the nails have been inserted.

Abstract: An airfoil launching system having a rod with a structure attached to a first end of the rod. A pusher holds a ring airfoil and has a sufficient coefficient of friction that the ring airfoil will generally rotate with the pusher and is rotatably and slidably mounted on the rod. Propulsive force is provided by resilient bands connected to the structure outward from the rod and to the pusher outward from the central aperture of the pusher. A grip attached to the pusher is utilized to draw the pusher toward the second end of the rod, thereby stretching and energizing the resilient bands, and also to rotate the pusher and, consequently, the airfoil.

Abstract: A wheel chair-accessible billiard table having a table top with a bottom being substantially parallel to the upper surface of the table top, smooth, and free of any obstruction. A central support column is below the table top, and the central support column is on a base. The central support column has dimensions such that the large wheels and pilot wheels of a wheel chair as well as the arm rests of a wheel chair can be moved under the bottom of said table top, and the base is low enough to avoid the foot rests of a wheel chair while also having lateral dimensions such that a foot rest of a wheel chair will contact the central support column before a pilot wheel of the wheel chair contacts the base.

Abstract: A holder for construction plans having a cylindrical rod rotatably mounted between a first perpendicular segment attached to the first end of a base and a second perpendicular segment attached to the second end of the base. A first end of the cylindrical rod passes through the first perpendicular segment and can be used to rotate the cylindrical rod. One end of the construction plans can be folded and inserted into a longitudinal groove that exists in the cylindrical rod. Optionally, a peg removably fits into an opening transversely located in the rod to prevent the rod from slipping from its intended position; and magnets may be attached to the bottom of the base to hold it releasably on a motor vehicle.

Abstract: An electric motor with rotor being a drive wheel. The drive wheel has one or more permanent magnets attached to said drive wheel with opposite magnetic poles adjacent to one another. One or more electromagnets are attached to the structure to which the drive wheel is rotatably connected. A sensor determines the location of the permanent magnets. This information is utilized to assure that the electromagnets are energized only when the resultant magnetic fields will interact with the magnetic fields of the permanent magnet to produce a force on the drive wheel that will cause rotation in the desired direction. Three principal embodiments are employed. In a first embodiment, a computer periodically activates a switch to send pulsed voltage to the electromagnets; the percentage of the period of each pulse during which the voltage is non-zero determines the speed of the drive wheel. In a second embodiment, the computer is replaced with a timing circuit that controls the switch.

Abstract: A template for creating designs upon a surface. The template has apertures that are so positioned and shaped as to create the desired design upon the surface after such apertures have been filled with mud and the template has been removed. The template is a substantially planar structure which has a thickness equal to the desired depth for the desired three-dimensional design and adequate length and width to accommodate the length and width of the desired design and which is substantially impervious to the mud. Optionally, the template the template is permanently shaped so that when the template has been placed in position for the creation of the design, no gap will exist between the template and the surface upon which the design is to be placed. One or more edges of the template may be shaped to accommodate the shape of a structure which is on or rises from the surface on which the design is to be applied and which is adjacent to the location where the design is to be placed.