Abstract: A hand stamp that has a frame member that holds an ink cartridge. The cartridge has an ink storage layer and an image forming layer. There is a ledge surrounding the inside of the frame member that has an adhesive applied to it. The ink storage layer is attached to the frame member by the adhesive. There is an ink entrance hole in the frame into which is poured the printing ink. A plurality of baffles within the frame member control the speed at which the ink disburses throughout the ink storage layer thereby keeping the ink from saturating the adhesive that is used to hold the ink cartridge in place.

Abstract: A magnetic climbing device that consists of a hand unit and a leg unit. The hand unit is designed for attachment to the hands of a climber and provides finger sections, thumb section, and a palm section. Each section utilizes prepositioned magnets for attachment of the hand unit to a magnetic or ferromagnetic structure. Hand straps and fasteners are used to securely tighten the hand unit to each hand of the climber. The leg unit is designed for attachment to the legs of a climber and provides a planar member, a platform and base extension, straps and buckles. The planar member utilizes prepositioned magnets sequentially aligned along the length of the planar member for attachment of the leg unit to a magnetic or ferromagnetic structure. A sleeve is used to cover the planar member and base extension to protect the leg of the climber and provide additional friction, if necessary.

Abstract: A vacuum and disposal system for the collection and disposal of animal feces. The vacuum and disposal system consists of a vacuum source, a vacuum tube, a flexible hose, and an intake tube. The vacuum is provided by an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery and is used to create a vacuum or suction through the vacuum tube, the flexible hose, and the intake tube to collect the animal feces. A cartridge having a filter is inserted into the intake tube to receive the animal feces collected. After collection, the vacuum and disposal system is converted to an unload position for the removal of the cartridge from the intake tube and the ultimate disposal of the animal feces. Alternatively, a compact vacuum and disposal system may be used in smaller areas.

Abstract: An ink cartridge or inkpad for use in a hand stamp in which the cartridge is made up of two parts. There is a frame portion and a central removed portion or well. Ink is deposited into the well and absorbed by the foam stamping member and the frame portion. In a first embodiment the central removed portion is reinserted back into the cartridge to provide additional ink storage medium and to impart structural strength to the stamping member. A trim ring supports the stamping member and locks the stamping member and ink cartridge into the stamp mount. This minimizes the mess associates with inking inkpads and also minimizes ink loss due to evaporation and drying. It also reduces the inventory of ink cartridges required by a stamp manufacturer as the cartridges are stored dry and the desired color ink is only placed in the ink cartridge when the stamp is manufactured for the user.

Abstract: A virtual electronic back-up alignment apparatus that consists of a housing that provides a means for fixedly securing a light emitting source parallel to a vehicle and a means for activating the light emitting source and generating a light beam. A free rotating mirror assembly receives the light beam from the light emitting source and reflects the light beam into a directional guideline towards the trailer forming a virtual tow point for enabling the user to obtain the perfect alignment of the vehicle hitch to the trailer tow hitch. The free rotating mirror assembly comprises an orientation balancer, a mirror, and a pair of wheels encapsulated within a hollow, transparent tube secured to the housing for maintaining a parallel orientation between the light emitting source and the alignment point on the trailer.

Abstract: A stamp pad holder for use in a self-inking hand stamp. The stamp pad holder has a stamp die box that holds a stamp forming material, ink cartridge and plastic within the die box. The stamp forming material is placed at the bottom of the die box. A pre-inked ink cartridge is placed above the stamp forming material but separated by an impermeable film. The film prohibits ink from flowing from the ink cartridge to the stamp forming material until the film is pulled from the die box prior to use. This permits the ink from the ink cartridge to impregnate the stamp forming material. The die box is then inserted into the hand stamp. A method of manufacturing the die box is also disclosed.

Abstract: A basketball apparatus is provided that teaches basketball players to make the perfect basketball shot when shooting backboard shots from any location on the basketball court. The basketball apparatus consists of a backboard, a basketball hoop, a supporting bracket located in front of the backboard providing a reflective surface, and a member attached to the supporting bracket and having a target affixed thereon. The member and the supporting bracket coacting to reflect the target and produce a reflective target bulls eye. Upon shooting, if the user aims towards the centerpoint of the reflective target bulls eye and shoots the basketball in the proper trajectory to engage that centerpoint, the basketball, on this trajectory toward the centerpoint, would engage the backboard at a perfect reflection point and, thereby, bounce off the backboard towards the basketball hoop to obtain the perfect basketball shot.

Abstract: A new engine manifold and adaptor that replaces two preexisting manifolds and accommodates the mounting of auxiliary devices such as an alternator or generator to the manifold and engine cylinder head. The manifold consists of an arm and an end having manifold mounting holes. The adaptor consists of a base and a tiered portion having receiving holes and securing holes. The auxiliary device provides securing holes. The engine cylinder head provides engine cylinder head receiving holes. A fastener is inserted through the securing holes in the accessory and into the receiving holes in the adaptor for attaching the accessory to the adaptor. Likewise, a fastener is inserted through the securing holes in the adaptor, through the mounting holes in the manifold, and directly into the engine cylinder head receiving holes for securing the adaptor to the manifold and the engine cylinder head.

Abstract: A basketball apparatus is provided that teaches basketball players to make the perfect basketball shot when shooting backboard shots from any location on the basketball court. The basketball apparatus consists of a backboard, a basketball hoop, a supporting bracket, and a target bulls eye. The target bulls eye is mounted behind the backboard and provides a target for the shooter which, if the basketball were in the proper trajectory to engage the target bulls eye, the basketball would engage the backboard at a perfect reflection point, thereby, bouncing off the backboard towards the basketball hoop to obtain the perfect basketball shot.

Abstract: A shrinking device (1) for the thermal clamping and release of tools in shrink chucks has a preferably inductively operating heating device (17) for heating tool reception sections of shrink chucks and a cooling device for the active cooling of the heated shrink chucks. The device has several, particularly three work stations (5, 6, 7) and in each work station it is possible both to heat a shrink chuck and also actively cool the shrink chuck received. By pivoting a column (16) carrying the heating device it is possible to interchange between the workstations. The shrinking apparatus makes it possible on a continuous basis to shrink large numbers of tools.

Abstract: A method of analyzing the electrocardiogram (“ECG”) using a set of vectors mathematically derived from the heart vector. The entire ECG waveform of one representative heartbeat is analyzed as a time series of vectors taken at selected time intervals. The vector set consists of the heart vector, the vector of deviation, vector of abnormality, delta vector, the delta vector deviation, and the delta vector abnormality. The analysis system can be applied to two or any greater number of ECG leads represented on planar axes, orthogonal spatial axes, or four or more axes in multidimensional space. The normal range of the ECG in this method is delineated by an adaptive multi-dimensional polyhedron in space to which the unknown ECG is compared. This is accomplished by utilizing a computer platform and the software program to support the required mathematical calculations.

Abstract: A manual ink applicator for use in screen printing which uses a squeegee that is mounted on a pair of pivoting links. The links in turn are mounted on a pair of shuttle blocks. The pivoting links raise the squeegee from the screen surface when the shuttle blocks make contact with the top and bottom ends of the screen frame or adjustable stops mounted to the sides of the screen frame, and the operator continues in the same direction as the squeegee was moving just prior to the blocks making said contact. The operator then changes the direction of movement of the squeegee. There is a handle and a brace attached to the shaft. The user places his or her arm through the brace and grasps the handle. By applying the force to the squeegee through the handle, brace and shaft, the force to the squeegee is substantially greater than if just applied to the squeegee by the user's hands.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for bicycles or similar exercise equipment in which the left and right pedals move generally up and down in a vertical plane. The pedals slide on vertical slide bars from their top to bottom positions. The pedals are connected by a pedal chain that engages and rotates a sprocket. The sprocket is in turn connected through a drive shaft to a pair of drive gears. The drive gears are mounted to the drive shaft by means of one way clutches. A reversing bevel gear is mounted between both drive gears to produce a driving output force that is transmitted to the rear drive wheel regardless of whether the left or right pedal is pushed from its top to bottom position. In an alternate embodiment the drive mechanism is adapted for use on a recumbent bicycle and the pedals move in a horizontal plane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modifying viruses and bacteria in a closed loop system that irradiates the fluid multiple times through the same channel. The apparatus consists of a cuvette, an irradiation station, a peristaltic pump, and a bottle. A plurality of power control switches controls the operation of the apparatus. This includes an on/off power switch, an on/off pump control, and a ultraviolet light control switch. A timer is provided to regulate the time period the cuvette is exposed to the ultraviolet radiation within the irradiation station. A cover is provided to enable the cuvette to be used and exposed to ultraviolet radiation within an enclosed environment.

Abstract: A flexible shaft coupling device having two hubs with jaws extending from each hub toward the other hub. A flexible elastomeric belt or cushions fill the gaps between adjacent pairs of jaws. A retaining ring is mounted around the belt or cushions to keep the belt or cushions securely in place. There are a plurality of locking pins adjacent to the edges of the retaining ring and preferably on the interior surface of the ring. These are received in grooves cut in the exterior surface of the belt. When the retaining ring is placed over the belt, the belt is retained between the locking pins. Raised portions or nubs are placed at the entrance and exits of the grooves so that when the ring is rotated with respect to the belt, the locking pins pass over the nubs to securely lock the retaining ring around the edges of the belt. Alternatively the edges of the belt or cushions are tapered to engage the pins in locking engagement.

Abstract: A pitching apparatus is provided that teaches the fundamental techniques of a desired pitch through the regulation and control of a control arm. The pitching apparatus consists of a mechanical box housing, a control arm, and a control box housing. The mechanical box housing utilizes a vertical axis member, a collar with a cutout, and a latch to position the control arm into a locked position. A light emitting diode sensor and a solenoid coact to release the control arm from the locked position and a spring mechanism moves the control arm into a rest position. The control box housing supports a control panel and is used to regulate and control the mechanics of the mechanical box housing in accordance with the selected pitch that the pitcher would like to learn.

Abstract: A self-leveling sign hanging device having a housing hung from the structural support members of suspended ceilings. A cable is stored in the housing on a wind up reel. A spring applies a force to the reel to wind the cable on the reel. The cable exits and returns to the housing forming a loop. At the bottom of the loop is a tubular bracket from which the sign is hung. The cable freely passes through the tubular bracket which allows the tubular bracket to remain horizontally level. Stops are mounted on the cable to restrict the length of cable wound onto the reel thus defining the height that the sign hangs above the floor.

Abstract: An electric drive system is provided to generate varying amounts of output torque supplied to a driven member over a wide range of constant revolutions per minute speeds to reduce power consumption. The electric motor includes a rotor and a stator assembly. The stator assembly is disposed around the rotor and is inductively coupled to the rotor. The stator assembly further includes a plurality of poles, each pole consisting of a plurality of split windings wound so that the magnetic fluxes generated therefrom are added. Power switching circuits are provided for energizing the partition drives of split windings on each of the stator poles. A controller is used to selectively control the frequency, pulse width modulation, and partition configuration to vary the rotational speed and torque generation supplied to the driven member.

Abstract: A control system, method and apparatus are provided in which a wobble plate assembly is adjustably mounted on a piston and cylinder stroke control assembly. The wobble plate assembly is adjustable through various positions relative to the base, thus providing an adjustable tilt angle to the wobble plate assembly and different strokes for the pumping pistons. In another embodiment the wobble plate assembly is affixed to a clearance volume control assembly, thus providing for simultaneous, independent adjustment of piston stroke and clearance volume of the axial device.