Abstract: A bass drum pedal assembly having a frame and a drive actuator where the drive actuator comprises an internal cam adapted to fit against a cam follower when the cam is operatively configured to return a striker to a neutral position where the drive actuator is modular in nature to be fitted to a frame.

Abstract: A parts washing apparatus comprising a basin having a drain, a reservoir located below the drain, and a solvent filtering and recirculating system. This system comprises a centrifuge filter assembly and a solvent recirculating system. The centrifuge filter assembly in turn comprises a centrifugal filter comprising a receptacle and a replaceable filter element, and also a turbine to drive the centrifugal filter. The centrifuge filter and the turbine are positioned in an enclosing structure to enclose the turbulent flow of the solvent from the centrifuge filter and also enclose the fumes associated with the turbulent flow. Thus, there is a discharge of solvent as less turbulent flow while substantially enclosing the associated fumes.

Abstract: A foot support device where the first metatarsal is raised with respect to the second through fifth metatarsals with a substantially horizontal support surface, the foot support device further having an arch support portion, the first metatarsal support allowing for a proper foot and ankle alignment for bipedal motion as well as standing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for teaching involving teaching manipulatives. The teaching manipulative comprises a longitudinal rod having a plurality of multi-faced objects disposed upon its surface which are capable of substantially sliding along the length of the rod and have a unique object identifier disposed on each face. On either end of the rod is a stop member having a row identifier substantially in alignment with the unique identifiers on the faces of the multi-faced object.

Abstract: A percussion instrument beater method and apparatus having a mallet which is rotatably coupled to a foot pedal through a ball joint, wherein the ball joint allows substantial positioning about the center or origin of the ball joint. Further disclosed, the ball joint has a through hole which allows slidable adjustment of the mallet shaft relative to the ball joint to allow for lengthening of the mallet from the head to the ball joint.

Abstract: A hand tool having first and second plier units attached to one another where a jaw region is operatively configured to have a work piece to be placed therein and a handle region is configured to be used by the user of the tool to grasp the work piece. A tension member is provided to be positioned past a dead point axis so as to apply a clamping force upon the jaw member and the hand tool maintains a grip upon the work piece without continuous interaction with the user of the tool.

Abstract: A solar tracking system comprising a solar panel, a support base, and a panel mounting section mounted to the support base for rotation about a generally vertical axis of rotation. The panel is mounted to the mounting section to be able to rotate about a generally horizontal secondary panel axis of rotation. There is a panel positioning section comprising a base positioning section and an intermediate positioning section having a rear connecting portion to contact the base connecting region and a forward connecting positioning location to connect to the panel at a forward panel connecting positioning location. The intermediate positioning section has a linking axis extending between the rear connecting positioning location and the panel connecting location. The panel is rotated about the main axis of rotation and the intermediate positioning section changes its angular position relative to the base positioning section to cause the tilt angle of the panel to change to track the sun.

Abstract: A thruster mounted to the transom of a boat and aligned to provide a lateral thrust for maneuvering the boat at low speeds. The thruster comprises a central housing having a propeller therein, and two extension members extending oppositely outwardly from end openings of the housing. The extension members each have a lower perimeter portion located below the water line of the boat and arranged to prevent ambient air from being entrained into the water that goes through the central thruster section.

Abstract: A pipe connecting mechanism having first and second pivot attachment systems that are rotatably attached to a central connecting portion. The central connecting portion has a telescopically extending connection where a flexing assembly allows for a prescribed amount of motion between the first and second pivot attachment assemblies.

Abstract: A power-assist system and method for a bicycle, comprising three main sections, namely: a motor section, a speed-reducing section, and a power-assist section. It is capable of operating in four modes, namely: a) the power-assist pedaling mode (where the bicycle rider is pedaling to supply power and the power-assist section is also providing power); b) the pedal only mode (where power is supplied solely by pedaling the bicycle; c) the power-assist only mode (where the bicycle rider is not providing any power by pedaling, and all the power is supplied by the power-output section); and d) a coasting no-power mode where the bicycle is traveling with the pedal section stationary, and no power is being delivered either by the pedal section or the power-assist drive system.

Abstract: A rod holder mount adapted to hold a fishing rod support mechanism, the rod holder mount having a locking mechanism with an engagement feature positioned on the lateral portion where a stem portion of a fishing rod support mechanism can reposition the locking mechanism to an unlocked state and have it snap back to a locked state at a proper vertical orientation and the fishing rod support mechanism can be removed by repositioning the locking mechanism to an unlocked orientation with respect to the base portion.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to soil erosion and the establishment of an appropriate seed bed. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a composition applied to exposed soil wherein the composition comprises organic material produced when the methane is burned from green manure and dried. This organic material combines seed and a liquid carrier, such that the substance can be hydraulically applied to the desired area. Fertilizer or other nutrients are often added to the mixture to further enhance the product and to encourage growth.

Abstract: A lifting device adapted to be fitted to a tracked vehicle which is configured to operate in snow-covered terrain. The lifting device has an interface member which in one form allows for an interface portion of the mast region to fit to a plurality of commercially available tracked snow vehicles. Further, in one form, the lifting device interfaces with the existing hydraulics of conventional tracked snow vehicles.

Abstract: In the specification and drawing, a coupling is described and shown connecting a snare to a snare drum, the snare drum having a drum wall with a top edge and a bottom edge. The coupling connects a male section to a female section. The male section and female section interoperate in a vertical location between top edge and bottom edge of the snare drum wall. One of either the female section or male section is fixed to the drum wall in a radial direction and tangential direction. The other is fixed to said snare.

Abstract: A golf green repair tool with a depth limiting feature that has an earth engagement surface that has a forward slant to reposition the raised portion around a crater to the center region of the crater. A prong portion is adapted to be thrusted toward the center region of the crater and the repair tool is adapted to do minimal damage to the turf mat and provides a desirable method to repair craters left by impacting golf balls by properly repositioning of the displaced portions.

Abstract: The subject of this disclosure relates to a diving apparatus and a method for marking a diver's' location. The disclosure provides a receptacle for diving equipment which is configured to float upon the surface of the water and optionally support a flag and pole to mark the diver's relative position underwater. An anchoring system is also disclosed coupling the apparatus to the sea floor or river bottom to maintain position of the apparatus in the general location of the diver. The apparatus further includes a perimeter ring handle, a receptacle for storing equipment, and a method for supporting a diver.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for managing the secure acquisition, storage and disclosure of confidential information using biometric keys to lock data storage devices, a secure data input/output device and authorization procedures to facilitate identity rights management; and/or metadata querying techniques to preserve the anonymity of disclosed personal data.

Abstract: Generally speaking, this is a card positioning device which maintains a card such as a greeting card or a postcard in a standing position. The card experiences a destabilizing moment. The card positioning device has a moment resisting section to resist the destabilizing moment and maintain the card in a standing position. The moment resisting section connects to the origin end of the longitudinal fold of the card and extends along the card edges from the origin to reinforce the card edges. The moment resisting section has a foot which has a heel and toe to resist the destabilizing moment. An ornament such as a flag, character or emblem can be attached to the base of the moment resisting section. The ornament, moment resisting section and card, may be inserted into an envelope and mailed to a recipient.

Abstract: An exercise and therapeutic apparatus having a kick plate that is adapted to be stored in an operable position where it is in a substantially vertically orientated manner where the kick plate is in a more vertically orientated or positioned orientation with respect to a frame and a carriage is movably attached in a substantially horizontal direction where a resistance system provides resistant movement of the carriage with respect to the frame. The kick plate is further adapted or operatively configured to be re-orientated in a stowed position where an upper surface of the kick plate operates in conjunction with an upper surface of the carriage to function as a table like support.