Abstract: A blocking sled includes a first main blocking pad reciprocable on a frame between extended and retracted positions. When a lineman hits the main blocking pad, it is moved to the position of retraction and when the lineman releases the pad, it extends back to its original un-retracted position. In association with each main blocking pad, an auxiliary pad is provided that in one position closely overlies and extends forward of the main blocking pad in its extended position. The auxiliary blocking pad is pivotably mounted to the frame and is latched in the position closely overlying and extending forward of the main blocking pad. An actuator facilitates release of a latching mechanism for the auxiliary pad and moves along with a support rod for the main blocking pad. When the rod is reciprocated, eventually it engages the latch of the auxiliary pad and releases that latch causing a biasing means to pivot the auxiliary pad up and forward with respect to its position when latched.

Abstract: A standard orthodontic retainer is modified on its surface opposite the palate and facing the patient's tongue with a light, a small battery to provide power for the light means, and a frame beneath the light that allows a template to be removably slid into the frame. The template consists of a design such as a heart, a letter of the alphabet, a symbol, or other design that, when the light is activated, shines the pattern onto the top of the tongue of the user. The template can be made so that the design displayed on the user's tongue is of any desired color or color combination. Alternatively, the color of the displayed design may be created by the color of the light or by an additional template consisting of an optical filter providing the desired color.

Abstract: A fastening element for securing a facemask to an outer shell of a protective helmet is disclosed. The fastening element comprises an end portion defining an aperture and a first tab and a second tab each flexibly connected to the end portion. The first tab defines a first tab aperture and the second tab defines a second tab aperture. The first tab and second tab also define a slot therebetween. A combination comprising a facemask and a fastening element is also disclosed. The facemask can comprise at least one substantially horizontal member and at least one substantially vertical member intersecting the substantially horizontal member. The fastening element is connectable to the facemask. Also disclosed is a helmet comprising an outer shell, a facemask and a fastening element for securing the outer shell to the facemask.

Abstract: A universal evacuation pod is deployed either from a storage location on top of a mattress of a bed or from a canister mounted on a wall. The pod includes straps to hold it in place on top of a mattress, and a chamber accessible by opening opposed side zippers which, when open, facilitate access to portions of the pod that are laterally deployed in advance of inflation. The pod is inflated by a small gas cylinder. The portions of the pod pulled laterally outwardly from the chamber include straps that may be pulled over a person between them to hold the person in place. They may also include handles allowing the pod to be easily gripped for transport. Additional straps may be provided to facilitate carrying or dragging the inventive pod.

Abstract: This invention refers to the structure for a ball or ball cover that comprises a plurality of interconnected panels comprising first and second groups of panels which combined form a sphere. The first group of panels define at least two different surface areas of the ball or ball cover disposed at polar extremes on the surface of the sphere and the second group of panels define an area of the surface in the form of a ring, with at least three undulations and disposed in the equatorial zone of the surface of the ball or ball cover, creating a separation between the polar extremes defined by the first group of panels; whereby the width of the ring is modified to improve the sphericity of the ball or ball cover and obtaining a ball of a selected measurement (C).

Abstract: A baby bottle has elongated threads at an upper portion designed to render the bottle compatible with a sub-system with the ability to reduce the incidences of bubbling within the baby formula. The bottle also includes a chamber in its bottom portion, sized and configured to removably receive a pacifier. In a further aspect, the chamber may be enclosed by a dummy cap. Alternatively, the chamber may be closed by a device comprising a combined program player and vibration source. A sleeve made of an elastic material can be stretched over the baby bottle to serve as an insulating cover. The sleeve may also include a pocket to contain the music and vibratory playing device. A heat sensor may be incorporated into the baby bottle so that the user may see a visual display of the temperature before providing the bottle to a baby.

Abstract: A protective sport helmet having an interior liner capable of conforming to the head of the wearer in the fore and aft direction and/or the side-to-side direction is disclosed. The sport helmet can comprise a protective outer shell and an inner energy-absorbing liner. The liner can comprise a top portion and a base portion flexibly connected therebetween to adjust the fit of the helmet to the head of a wearer in the fore and aft direction. The liner can comprise a side liner portion and the outer shell can comprise a slider mechanism for engaging the side liner portion to adjust the fit of the helmet to the head of the wearer in the side-to-side direction. The liner can comprise a plurality of grooves to transfer energy across the liner material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an acrylic syrup containing a vinyl monomer (A) of methyl methacrylate and a polymerized solid component (B) which is a high polymer of said vinyl monomer and has a weight average molecular weight of from 30,000 to 2,000,000 as measured by the GPC and a viscosity at 25° C. of from 0.1 to 50 Pa·s, wherein at least part of said polymerized solid component (B) is a grafted rubber obtained by graft-polymerizing said vinyl monomer with a rubbery polymer, and said grafted rubber has a large branching coefficient. The acrylic resin molded articles obtained from the acrylic syrup exhibit excellent impact resistance.

Abstract: A process for using a computer to assess problem-solving skill includes a computer program that grades multi-step problems and is made aware of several different but equally valid formulas or methods that use answers to one or more prior steps to arrive at a correct answer to any problem step for which such choices exist. The user is allowed to submit answers, repeatedly if necessary, to any or all of a problem's steps, in any desired order, until all steps are either graded as correct or the correct answer was requested and given. A user's problem-solving skill level is assessed by compiling how many times answers to each step were submitted and on which Tries; if graded as correct, the Try on which credit was given and whether credit was given for a submitted answer, a submitted formula, or an unsubmitted answer for which prior-answer credit was given; if the correct answer was requested, the Try for which the request was made; and if hints are provided, a summary of their use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning tool sheet and a cleaning tool capable of use for wiping cleaning by contacting the surface of objects to be cleaned in various locations. In a cleaning tool sheet (1), fiber bundles (3) are laminated on one side face of a base sheet (2); the central parts in the direction of flow of the fibers constituting the fiber bundles (3) are joined by a central joining part (4) continuously formed in the central part of the base sheet (2) and joined at a spot-form joining part (7) formed intermittently on a parallel line between the central joining part (4) and two end edges (2a, 2b) parallel therewith. The two ends (31a, 31b) in the direction of flow of the fibers of the fiber bundles (3) are not joined to the base sheet (2). An attaching part (8) for attaching onto a holding member is provided at both ends of the base sheet (2).

Abstract: The present invention is a checkout module for use in a retail checkout lane and methods of using the checkout module. The module needs only a power source and a network source. In another embodiment, the checkout module is designed to be used in a self-checkout mode or an assisted checkout mode and is further designed to be easily rotated to convert the checkout lane into a fully attended lane. The present invention may be used to quickly convert a conventional, attended checkout into an automated checkout, which may use one or more employees to assist with bagging the purchased items.

Abstract: Miniaturized, five and six degrees-of-freedom magnetic sensors, responsive to pulsed DC magnetic fields waveforms generated by multiple transmitter options, provide an improved and cost-effective means of guiding medical instruments to targets inside the human body. The end result is achieved by integrating DC tracking, 3D reconstructions of pre-acquired patient scans and imaging software into a system enabling a physician to internally guide an instrument with real-time 3D vision for diagnostic and interventional purposes. The integration allows physicians to navigate within the human body by following 3D sensor tip locations superimposed on anatomical images reconstructed into 3D volumetric computer models. Sensor data can also be integrated with real-time imaging modalities, such as endoscopes, for intrabody navigation of instruments with instantaneous feedback through critical anatomy to locate and remove tissue.

Abstract: The eye guard, while complying with ASTM F803-03, has been ergonometrically designed to comfortably fit on the user's face, and to provide openings for the eyes allowing clear vision while at the same time protecting the eyes from impacts from a lacrosse ball. The eye openings are completely open and have dimensions intended to preclude a lacrosse ball from passing therethrough. The upper edges of the eye openings are displaced rearwardly with respect to the lower edges a sufficient distance to preclude a lacrosse ball from striking the two edges simultaneously in a direction that could possibly cause an eye impact. That displacement is specifically devised to cause a lacrosse ball striking one or the other of the edges to be deflected away from the eyes of the player. The upper edge of the eye openings also defines the lower edge of a visor surface. That visor surface transitions from the openings to the rearward edge of the eye guard where it engages the face of the user above the eyes.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates the addition of zirconium compounds to well known ceramic ballistic materials to increase resistance to penetration by projectiles. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the zirconium compound that is employed consists of ZrO2 and is provided in the range of about 0.1% to about 11%, by weight, of starting material before densification. Preferred ranges of proportion of ZrO2 in the finished ceramic material are in the ranges of about 0.30% to about 0.75%, by weight, or about 8-9%, by weight. The ballistic material using the combination of SiC with low volume of sintering aid and ZrO2 raises the theoretical density of the ceramic material to between 3.225 and 3.40 g/cc, which is slightly higher than the typical 3.22 g/cc theoretical density for hot pressed fully dense SiC.

Abstract: A serum cholesterol lowing agent or a preventive or therapeutile agent for atherosclerosis, which each comprises a combination of a compound represented by the following general formula (I) or pharmaceutical acceptable salts thereof with a cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitor and/or a fibrate type cholesterol lowing agent. (I) (b) (a) [In the formula, A1, A2, A3 and A4 each is hydrogen, a group represented by the formula (b), or a group represented by the formula (a), provided that at least one of these is a group represented by the formula (a); A2 is C1-5 alkyl etc; and n. p, q and r each is an integer of 0, 1 or 2.

Abstract: A method of producing riboflavin by culturing riboflavin-producing microbes in a culture medium using a plant oil or an animal oil as a carbon source, forming and accumulating riboflavin therein and collecting riboflavin therefrom, wherein a carrier of a clay mineral having oil-adsorbing property, a chemically treated product thereof or a calcium compound is made present in the culture medium. The riboflavin is produced maintaining a high yield and at an increased production rate at a low cost without requiring cumbersome operations for concentrating and recovering the riboflavin. It is further allowed to recover the riboflavin by effectively utilizing the waste plant oil or the waste animal oil that is to be disposed of.