Abstract: A self fixturing adhesive attachment is provided for securely mounting an attachment component such as a threaded stud on the surface of a substrate. The self fixturing attachment includes a base fixture carrying the attachment component and defining a base surface for receiving a selected curable bonding agent thereon. A resilient pressure sensitive adhesive member has a first portion carried by the attachment component at a blind side thereof, a second portion secured to the base fixture, and a third portion extending therebetween. Following pressed mounting of the base fixture with bonding agent thereon onto the substrate, the attachment component is movable to press the first portion of the pressure sensitive adhesive member into adherence with the substrate, resulting in stretched elongation of the third portion thereof to pull the base fixture with a positive force toward the substrate for the duration of the bonding agent cure time.

Abstract: A portable easel assembly includes a paint/sketch box having a base and lid connected by a hinge assembly. The base defines a cavity for storing art supplies, and the lid is configured to support a painting surface. The base and lid are inter-connected with a slide bar assembly. Use of the slide bar assembly and hinge assembly enable the lid to be secured in a number of positions. Preferably, first, second and third legs of adjustable length are pivotally attached to the base and moveable between folded positions and extended, supportive positions.

Abstract: A system is provided for maintaining an edit decision list for an audio/video reproducer so as to maintain synchronization across discontinuous position references, such as timecode. Discontinuities are detected, measured and the edit decision list maintained with one pass in real time. The system may be implemented into separate nodes of an asynchronous network. The system generally operates by first receiving a timecode. A discontinuity is detected within the timecode and the edit decision list is searched for a corresponding timecode discontinuity. If a corresponding timecode discontinuity is not found in the edit decision list, the edit decision list is maintained by creating and adding a timecode corresponding to the detected timecode discontinuity. Dropouts and errors in the timecode are detected and corrected and a sequential timecode is generated.

Abstract: A trigger system including a photosensor having a polarizing light filter n positioned in a light receiving end of a housing. A lens is disposed in the housing for focusing light onto a transducer. A switch is electronically coupled to the transducer for selecting either a passive or active mode. In the active mode, a light source is directed at the photosensor, whereby a trigger signal is generated when an object disrupts the received light. In the passive mode, an opaque screen is spaced from the photosensor and a source of light is directed at the opaque screen, whereby a trigger signal is generated from the light reflected from an object positioned between the screen and photosensor. The trigger system may be electronically linked to a photographic system for high speed or action photography.

Abstract: A rotary cutter is provided for cutting elongated extruded strips of a food dough product or the like on a conveyor into individual strip pieces of selected length and having angular cut ends simulating the overall appearance of French fry strips cut from whole potatoes. The rotary cutter comprises a pair of rotary support wheels mounted on opposite sides of the conveyor for rotation on longitudinally spaced axes extending normal to the direction of conveyor travel. A plurality of cutter elements extend transversely and angularly across the conveyor with their opposite ends carried by the rotary support wheels generally at the peripheries thereof for engaging and cutting conveyed extruded strips into individual and angularly end-cut strip pieces of selected length. A drive motor rotatably drives one of the support wheels for displacing the cutter elements into engagement with the extruded strips at a velocity closely matching the conveyor velocity.

Abstract: A three-dimensional puzzle game includes a plurality of puzzle elements each having a connector, such as a slot or tab, for removable connection to one another. Each connector has a problem or answer indicia associated therewith, whereby the three-dimensional object is constructed by mating the relevant problem tab or slot of one puzzle element with the corresponding answer tab or slot of another puzzle element.

Abstract: A slotted hosel and related attachment system and method are provided for securely affixing a golf club head to the end of a golf club shaft. The hosel is formed to extend generally upwardly from a heel end of the club head and has a generally cylindrical shape defining an upwardly open hosel bore. At least one and preferably multiple laterally open slots are formed in the hosel to reduce the weight thereof. A relatively thin-walled liner sleeve is slide-fitted into the hosel bore and thereafter expanded to form dimples therein protruding outwardly into secure mechanical interlocking relation with the hosel. The end of the club shaft is thereafter slide-fitted into the liner sleeve and securely affixed therein by epoxy or the like.

Abstract: Gaming card arrays each formed of a plurality of symbols positioned in predetermined symbol display locations, are generated in a plurality of remote devices connected to a main station. The process includes the steps of developing seeds or a seed list to be utilized as input for generating gaming card arrays, and generating, at each remote device, gaming card arrays in accordance with input from the main station utilizing a pseudo-random number generator seeded by at least a portion of the seeds or seed list. In one form, a pre-processor screens potential seeds and saves only those capable of creating unique gaming card arrays in a seed list. Seeds from the seed list are accessed when needed and transferred to the remote devices whereat the gaming card arrays are created.

Abstract: A first method is provided for in vitro selection of Lemhi and Russet Burbank potatoes for blackspot resistance using plant tissue culturing techniques. A second method is provided using at least one melanin precursor added to the tissue culturing media. The blackspot resistant potatoes produced from such methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method of stringing a racquet includes independently tensioning a plurality of strings in the racquet and maintaining the independent tensioning. Individual strings are held and their tensioning maintained using cleats and grommets. In this fashion, the elastic properties of the shorter strings may be matched to that of the longer strings, giving a larger sweet spot. The strings may be manufactured as a pre-woven mesh.

Abstract: A stackable packaging and display system is provided for containing items for display and/or sale, such as printer ink cartridges and the like. The packaging and display system includes a plurality of stackable modules formed from paperboard or the like, wherein each module comprises an upwardly open inner tray fitted slidably within an outer sleeve having an upper face relieved or cut back at a front end thereof to expose display items within the inner tray. One of the modules comprises a base module having a support stand on the underside thereof for supporting the base module in an orientation tilted angularly upwardly from the front end thereof. At least one additional module comprises an upper module having a mounting flap on the underside thereof for interlocking reception into a slot formed in the underlying module.

Abstract: A foot strap assembly for wader boots is provided whereby a foot and leg may be more securely held within the wader boot preventing the boot from becoming stuck between rocks or mud which may cause injury to a boot wearer. The foot strap assembly includes an adjustable leg strap which encircles an upwardly extending portion of the wader boot, an adjustable foot strap which extends downwardly from the leg strap to underlie the bottom of the wader boot, an adjustable front strap which is tethered to the leg strap and which encircles the front portion of the boot. The foot strap assembly is positioned around the outside of the boot and adjusted to hold the foot securely within the boot. Adjustable rear straps extending from the leg strap to the foot strap, and beyond to front strap, may be used for further support.

Abstract: A depilatory device includes a pair of base members pivotally connected to one another and which support, at opposite ends of each base member, a pair of anchors that extend generally perpendicularly from the base members. A pair of string-like elongated elements arranged in mutually twisted engagement are attached to the anchors in such a manner such that the coils formed by the elongate elements travel linearly along the length of the depilatory device as the base members pivot with respect to one another. The result in an effective hair engagement and removal assembly.

Abstract: A rebound-type exercise device is provided which allows an individual to perform a sit and bounce exercises that, among other things, stimulate the lymphatic circulation. The exercise device includes a support frame which supports a seat assembly by means of four springs. The support frame includes a pair of laterally spaced apart side support frames which are interconnected by a head tube. Each side support frame includes a generally horizontal ground-engaging base tube, a rearwardly disposed, generally vertical rear support tube extending upwardly from the base tube, and a generally L-shaped arm which interconnects a front portion of the base tube with the upper end of the rear support tube.