Abstract: A game of chance playable by two or more players and a method of playing the game, the game of chance comprising a gaming ticket (2) including removable first portions (8) removable by a first player to reveal first indicia and removable second portions (10) removable by a second player to reveal second indicia, wherein the first and second players compete against each other by removing the respective removable first indicia until a winner of the game is determined.

Abstract: The invention provides a ball-lock insert assembly adapted to be mounted axially in a mount opening formed in a holder plate having a desired thickness. The ball-lock insert assembly comprises an insert body having an axis and an elongated interior recess extending at an angle relative to this axis. The elongated interior recess is configured to house a resiliently-biased engagement member. The invention also provides retainer assemblies that include ball-lock assemblies, as well as methods of producing retainer assemblies, which methods include providing ball-lock assemblies.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to the suspension and steering of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) are disclosed. An ATV having a frame and a wheel carrier for rotatably supporting a wheel is provided. A tie rod is coupled to the wheel carrier at an outer joint. An inner joint of the tie rod is preferably located in a desirable location. A method for identifying the desirable location may include the steps of defining a first reference plane associated with a full compression position of the suspension, defining a second reference plane associated with a full extension position of the suspension, identifying a reference line formed by an intersection of the first reference plane and the second reference plane, and selecting a location proximate the reference line as the desirable location for the inner joint.

Abstract: A mounting plate and assembly for a universal clip or other protrusion, for use with a mobile communication device, comprising recesses at the top of the plate, for centering the belt clip or other element of the portable personal communication device and for providing lateral and rotational hold of various devices. A mounting structure for securing the plate to a handlebar, railing, window, or other non-porous surface, as well as to metal surfaces, is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of recycling carbon dioxide for enhancing plant growth. The method advantageously uses a dual use irrigation system which is capable of separately distributing water and carbon dioxide gas to a tract of plants.

Abstract: A catheter-deliverable filter assembly deployable in a vessel of the body in alternatively a temporary configuration enabling the filter to be removed from the vessel or a permanent configuration, and a method for its use. The filter assembly comprises an elongated support carrying spaced along its length a filter element and a anchoring element with the filter element being spaced distally from the anchoring element. Each element comprises a core mounted to the elongated support and a plurality of flexible, resilient wires extending distally from the core, the wires having proximal portions attached at one end to the core and distal portions. The wires of the anchoring element include gripping elements for gripping the walls of a vessel. The wires are so configured as to support the apices of the filter and anchoring elements substantially in the center of the vessel.

Abstract: A resonant tag is provided that comprises a circuit-like metallic foil pattern that is adhered to a dielectric film prepared from a liquid resin by a coating process. The circuit-like metal foil pattern on one side of the dielectric film may be so aligned with the circuit-like metal foil pattern on the other side of the dielectric film as to form a capacitor with the dielectric film. The dielectric film may have openings therein configured similarly to and aligned with openings in the circuit-like metal foil, and the configuration of the circuit-like metal foil pattern and dielectric film may be generally spiral in configuration. An adhesion adhesive may be coated on predetermined portions of a face of a resonant tag base so as to leave uncoated portions between the coated portions, and a release paper is applied to the adhesion adhesive, the width of the uncoated portions being such as to avoid the generation of static electricity when the release paper is peeled from the adhesion adhesive.

Abstract: A hearing assistance system senses sound vibrations of an auditory element in the middle ear and provides a stimulus to an auditory sensory element. The vibrations are received through the tympanic membrane, and sensed at the tympanic membrane, malleus, incus, or other auditory element. An electromagnetic sensor includes receiving and reference elements, e.g. a permanent magnet and a coil, having a time-varying magnetic flux linkage due to the vibrations. The magnet and coil are pivotably coupled to an auditory element and a carrier, or vice-versa, for self-alignment. A resulting electrical signal on the coil is processed, then provided to an output stimulator for mechanical or electrical stimulation of the cochlea.

Abstract: An electrical method and apparatus for stimulating cardiac cells causing contraction to force hemodynamic output during fibrillation, hemodynamically compromising tachycardia, or asystole. Forcing fields are applied to the heart to give cardiac output on an emergency basis until the arrhythmia ceases or other intervention takes place. The device is used as a stand alone external or internal device, or as a backup to an ICD, atrial defibrillator, or an anti-tachycardia pacemaker. The method and apparatus maintain some cardiac output and not necessarily defibrillation.

Abstract: An insulating glass unit is shown comprising a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart glass panes and a spacer peripherally joining the glass panes to each other. The spacer is a tubular structure, and may include a particulate desiccant filling at least a section of the interior and conforming to the interior configuration thereof to contribute compressive strength to the spacer. The spacer desirably is made from stainless steel sheeting having a thickness not greater than about 0.005 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the spacer includes side walls sealed to the glass panes and an outer wall extending between the side walls and having a sealant free portion between the side walls that extends substantially completely about the periphery of the glass unit.

Abstract: A clamp is provided for fastening to an article that has a fastenable portion of a predetermined shape and size. The clamp body is formed at least in part of superelastic alloy, and has an opening within it slightly smaller than the fastenable portion. The clamp body includes attachment member, which may be in the form of small holes, to which may be applied an external stretching force in a direction and magnitude sufficient to cause the opening to expand elastically to receive the fastenable portion of the article. As the stretching force is released, the opening elastically contracts toward its initial size to clamp upon the fastenable portion. Disclosed also is an instrument attachable to the clamp body for imparting the stretching force to the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coil having at least distal and proximal coil segments, one of the segments being more radiopaque than at least one of the other segments. The guidewire includes an elongate wire which desirably extends along substantially the entire length of the coil and continues proximally of the coil. In a 2-segment coil, the distal end of the distal coil segment is attached to the wire, the proximal end of the distal segment is attached to the distal end of the proximal coil, and the proximal end of the proximal coil segment is attached to the wire. Otherwise, the coil floats freely with respect to the wire between the coil's distal and proximal ends. A method of making such a guidewire is also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-locking workpiece-deforming tool for use in mechanical punch presses in which the ram cannot maintain continuous pressure against the tool in a depressed position. The tool includes an elongated punch guide having an interior surface defining a chamber extending therethrough. A punch body having upper and lower segments is partially received within the chamber for reciprocable axial movement with respect to the guide between raised and depressed positions. A lower segment of the punch body carries a rotatable workpiece-deforming roller. The punch assembly includes a positioning device for sustaining the body and the roller in a depressed position without requiring the ram of the press to exert continuous downward pressure on the tool. The positioning means locks the body in the roller in the depressed position upon a momentary strike by the ram, and releases the body and roller upon subsequent momentary strike by the ram.

Abstract: A punch press is provided with a tool bearing a workpiece-deforming roller, the tool being received in an aperture in the press for movement between a lower position in which the roller comes into deforming contact with a workpiece supported on a surface and a raised position out of deforming contact with the workpiece. Elongated deformations may be formed in a workpiece by translating the workpiece horizontally along the surface while the roller is in its lower position. A coacting roller may be provided beneath the workpiece so that the rollers come into deforming contact with opposite sides of the workpiece to deform it as the workpiece is translated between the rollers.