Abstract: An instrument comprises first and second modules. The modules each comprise computer electronics hardware including a display screen typically carried by the first module. The modules are separable from each other. One of the modules has a projecting bus for connection with the interior of the other module. The bus defines a plurality of sockets for removably receiving circuit boards of desired variable types for direct connection with electronics within the other module and for connection with electronics of the one module through the bus. Thus, the instrument is easily modified in its functioning by addition, subtraction, or replacement of circuit boards from the bus.

Abstract: An operation device is attached externally, e.g., by magnetic tape to a coin-operated entertainment machine, the machine have an actuable player operable button such as a stop button or a gamble button. The device is operable to detect when the player operable button is actuable and, in response, to operate the button. The device may detect the actuability of the button by, for example, detecting the illumination of a lamp in the button or other part of the machine, or by detection of a change in voltage/current associated with the button's actuability. In a preferred embodiment, the button is a push button and the operation device is attached so as to bridge the button. The device incorporates a cam mechanism to operate, i.e., push, the button on detection of an appropriate signal indicating that the button is actuable. In another embodiment, the device incorporates a solenoid-operated member to operate the button.

Abstract: A gaming system provides a main game and a bonus feature with the bonus feature providing for user interaction. In one aspect, user interaction involves allowing a player to select at least some of a plurality of selectable items. When a selectable item is selected, a prize, multiplier or other item associated with the selectable item is revealed and a total bonus prize is based on the prizes, multipliers or other items associated with the selectable items selected by the player.

Abstract: A system for diverting rain water from the underside of a deck structure is comprised of a side-by-side array of flexible water-collecting elements , each of which collect and divert rain water from a regional area of the deck structure. Each water-collecting element is shaped to control the flow of water without restriction or impediment. This shape further increases the rigidity to the water-collecting element making it relatively easy to install and support. Coupling elements are interposed between adjacent water-collecting elements which function to fix them together such that the resulting array gains structural properties and impermeability comparable to a single corrugated sheet of the same material. Mounting elements secure this array to the underside of the deck. The result is an aesthetically attractive and environmentally rugged system which is realized with very economical components.

Abstract: A gaming device is provided in which a plurality of possible prizes includes both monetary prizes and/or an audio and/or motion picture output a performance of a celebrity. The output which is provided is one of a plurality of stored celebrity performances preferably selected at random.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mineral-insulated supply line for a sensor, including a sleeve and at least one internal conductor arranged in the sleeve, with one end of the at least internal conductor connected with a sensor element or its supply line and with the sleeve containing a mineral powder as insulation material. To obtain a high temperature-resistant and corrosion-resistant supply line for gas sensors, at least one internal conductor is made of a metal from the group consisting of tantalum, titanium, niobium, molybdenum, vanadium, zirconium, rhenium, and osmium, or of an alloy based on at least one of these metals.

Abstract: A gaming system is provided which permits the hold value to be determined independently of the distribution of winning outcomes, e.g., to avoid or prevent volatility in the hold value. Preferably each time a wager is placed, a hold value (such as a predetermined and/or fixed percentage) is retained and the remainder is allocated to one or more prizes. Preferably, the current prize amounts corresponding to various potential winning game outcomes are displayed when a game is won, the displayed amount corresponding to the type of win paid. Preferably, a portion of wages is retained as a background amount to at least partially replenish a paid-out prize.

Abstract: An apparatus and method technique for producing plane-parallel flakes is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is realized through a multi-chamber apparatus for producing plane-parallel flakes from layers vapor deposited in vacuum on an endlessly circulating substrate. The present invention includes the sequential steps of: vapor deposition of a separating agent layer in high vacuum on the endlessly circulating substrate; vapor deposition of one or more layers of metal, oxides, fluorides, and nitrides in high vacuum on the separating agent layer; and stripping the vapor deposited layers from the endlessly circulating substrate under low vacuum. The vapor deposited layers are subsequently present in a separate vacuum stage separated from the vapor deposition chamber by dynamic locks as a suspension of fine flakes in a mixture of solvent. and separating agent. The suspension may continuously or intermittently be transferred out of the separate vacuum stage for further processing.

Abstract: A gaming device and method for a hybrid game including a coordination/dexterity portion and/or traditional game portion is provided. Preferably, both a coordination/dexterity game and a traditional game are part of a single hybrid game, both of which portions are played using a single display device. In one embodiment, a player first plays a coordination/dexterity game and is given an opportunity to play a traditional game upon the occurrence of certain predetermined or predefined events during play of the coordination/dexterity game. Preferably, game outcome for both portions is controlled by an already-approved controller, such as a traditional game controller.

Abstract: An implantable rotary blood pump including a rotor mounted for rotation within a pump housing. The rotor has a shaft portion and an impeller carried by the shaft portion. A rotor motor is provided, with the motor including a plurality of permanent magnets carried by the impeller and motor stators on opposite sides of the impeller. The motor is operable to transmit torque and also to provide an axial magnetic force that acts as an axial bearing.

Abstract: A hanger is provided with two pairs of elongate arms supported by a base and two article gripping members attached to the arms. The hanger is suited for holding stick tools, such as gas or electric lawn trimmers and lawn edgers, in a vertical position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor for the measurement of gas concentrations in a gas mixture, comprising a ceramic sensor tube that is closed at one end, arranged in a casing, and exhibits an outer surface which consists at least partially of a solid electrolyte material, and with at least one sensor contact and at least one heating contact with an active heating surface arranged along its exterior. To provide a gas sensor with a short response time that continues to operate precisely and with long-term stability in hot exhaust gases, sensor contacts are screen-printed onto the sensor tube, where at least the active heating surface is arranged in rotational symmetry around the perimeter of the sensor tube and where the heating contact is arranged on an electrically insulating layer applied to the solid electrolyte material in such a way that it does not cover the sensor contact, of which there is at least one.

Abstract: An implantable rotary sealless blood pump is provided. The pump can include hydrodynamic, magnetic and hybrid, hydrodynamic/magnetic bearings and combinations thereof. The rotor can include a shaft or the pump can be made shaftless. Close clearances may be maintained between the housing and the rotor by offsetting magnets or offsetting magnets and motor stators.

Abstract: A implantable rotary sealless blood pump is provided. The pump includes a housing having an inlet tube on one end and an impeller casing on the other end. A rotor is mounted for rotation within the housing, with the rotor having an elongated shaft portion and an impeller attached to the shaft portion. The impeller is located within the impeller casing. Radial magnetic bearings are carried by the shaft portion and radial magnetic bearings are carried by the housing for maintaining the shaft portion of the rotor within the inlet tube of the housing. A rotor motor includes a plurality of permanent magnets carried by the impeller and a motor stator including an electrically conductive coil located within the housing. A ring of back iron is carried by the impeller to aid in completing a flux return path for the permanent magnets. A plurality of hydrodynamic thrust bearings are located outside of the axis of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: An ice skating rink structure comprising a plurality of boards and a plurality of brackets is provided. Each of the brackets has a U-shaped support for holding one or more of the boards and has at least one downward projection for insertion into the ground. The downward projection of the bracket is inserted into the ground and boards are placed within the U-shaped support such that the boards define the shape of an ice skating rink. A liner is placed inside of the ice skating rink and water is poured onto the liner and allowed to freeze and form an ice skating rink. By using boards with different heights, the present invention allows for the quick assembly of an ice skating rink on level or unlevel ground.

Abstract: A cover for a medical probe comprises a generally tubular membrane having a closed end and an open end. A mounting ring is provided, having a bond to the tubular membrane adjacent to the open membrane end. The mounting ring preferably has a first ring portion shaped to lock into engagement with the medical probe while the probe has a forward portion extending into the tubular membrane. The mounting ring also has a second ring portion which carries the bond to the tubular membrane, and which is attached to the first ring portion in a resilient manner, to permit the membrane and mounting ring to be longitudinally stretched by the medical probe when mounted therein, with the first ring portion being locked on the probe in said engagement. Typically, the tubular membrane comprises an inner tubular membrane portion and an outer tubular membrane portion. The outer tubular portion comprises the closed end, and is made of typically an infrared-transparent plastic material.

Abstract: A coin output hopper capable of handling coins of different diameters and thicknesses is provided. A backplate is supported by a spring suspension to maintain the backplate substantially parallel to a rotating holeywheel/pinwheel despite misalignments, warping or other misshaping of the pinwheel. A coin guide is provided with a geometry to engage with different diameter coins so as to position the coins in the desired position within a coin pocket. A deflector is provided with a geometry which engages different diameter coins to accelerate coins along a knife edge exit path. The coins are forced along a path toward and along the knife edge by pins positioned such that excessive forces are avoided for any of a range of coin diameters.

Abstract: A blood pump is provided which comprises a cross-flow pump head having an elongated generally cylindrical housing portion. The housing portion defines a blood inlet port on a surface thereof and a blood outlet port on an opposite surface thereof. An impeller within the housing portion provides cross-flow of the blood from the inlet port around and/or across the rotational axis of the impeller to the outlet, and a motor is provided for driving the cross-flow pump head. The blood pump may be small enough to permit percutaneous insertion of the pump into a patient's blood vessel, and thus may be utilizable as a left ventricular assist device. To this end, a collapsible polymeric outflow tube is coupled to the blood flow outlet and is adapted for directing the blood from the left ventricle to the aorta through the aortic valve.

Abstract: A system for electronically downloading and verifying programs directly to printed circuit board components for use in gaming devices is provided. The downloading is preferably based on stored customer orders and provides reduced potential for errors arising by automating some or all features of program selection and by preferably implementing one or more steps of verifying programs for approval or compliance with gaming jurisdiction regulations for a jurisdiction where the gaming device is intended to be used.

Abstract: An electrically heatable catalytic converter for the cleaning of exhaust gas from combustion processes, preferably from internal combustion engines, comprising a shell and a carrier located inside the shell, preferably with a multitude of parallel channels through which the exhaust gas being cleaned can flow, where the carrier exhibits at least one layer that is catalytically active in relation to the exhaust gas, and where, furthermore, at least a portion of the surface of the carrier exhibits at least one electrically conductive resistance heating layer with electrical connection areas, which is insulated against the carrier by means of an insulation layer, and with at least one connection element that contacts the resistance heating layer in the electrical connection areas, is easily manufactured and reliable during operation if at least one connection element runs through the resistance heating layer and the insulation layer, as well as the carrier.