Abstract: In an embodiment, a spool for a trimmer head has a structure for guiding the trimmer line around a region for a driveshaft. In an embodiment, a component (e.g., a turn knob or a stop) is attached to the spool so that after determining the orientation in which to install the spool, the user is unlikely to install the spool in another orientation, even though the spool is invertible. In an embodiment, the turn knob also includes a structure that allows the turn knob to be used as a tool (e.g., as a wrench or screw driver) that facilitates disassembling the trimmer head.

Abstract: A toy assembly that has an impact surface made from an array of taut strings. The hardness of the impact surface is a function of the tension present in the strings. The toy assembly has two plates that are spaced apart. The two plates are held apart by a post. One or more of the plates may be selectively adjustable in position along the post. A plurality of strings extends between the first plate and the second plate. Each of the strings is maintained in tension to create a resilient impact surface. The strings are maintained in tension by the use of spring clips and/or by adjusting the distance between the two plates.

Abstract: A projectile device having a suction cup head made of a novel foam. The foam used in the suction cup head has an open cell density within the foam of between five percent and twenty percent. The suction cup head has a face surface of a first diameter. A shallow concavity is formed in the face surface. The concavity has nearly the same diameter as the face surface, however, the depth of the concavity is no more than one-tenth of that diameter. Furthermore, the face surface of the suction cup head is proportionally large, being at least twenty-five percent as wide as the entire projectile device is long. The combination of a large suction cup head, a shallow concavity and a soft, semiporous foam enables the suction cup head to adhere to both smooth surfaces and rough surfaces.

Abstract: A system and method for mounting gaming machines to a support, in a manner that enables gaming machines to be quickly and easily installed and removed. A mounting base is provided for each gaming machine. Ports are formed in the support that are shaped to receive the mounting bases. Once a gaming machine is placed on the support, the mounting base passes into a port and the gaming machine sits flush on the support. Mechanical fasteners are then used to lock the mounting bases into the ports so that the gaming machines cannot be removed from the support. The gaming machines are also connected to power cables and signal cables under the top surface of the support.

Abstract: A hydrogen purification method that is used to separate hydrogen gas from a source gas. A hydrogen separator into which flows the source. Within the hydrogen separator is at least one hydrogen permeable tube that is made of a hydrogen permeable material. A support tube is provided for each hydrogen permeable tube. A support tube is coaxially aligned with the hydrogen permeable tube, wherein a micro-channel exists between the hydrogen permeable tube and the support tube in an area of overlap. The source gas is introduced into the micro-channel. The source gas spreads thinly over the hydrogen permeable tube in the micro-channel. The restrictions of the micro-channel cause the source gas to embody turbulent flow characteristics as it flows through the micro-channel. The turbulent flow causes the hydrogen separator to separate hydrogen from the source gas in a highly efficient manner.

Abstract: A counterbalance assembly for counterbalancing a tilt-in window sash within a guide track of a window frame. A brake shoe housing is provided having a face section and a rear section defined between a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges. At least one of the two side edges is a curved surface having a convex curvature. A curl spring is provided having a free end. The free end of the curl spring engages the brake shoe housing, therein applying a turning torque to the brake shoe housing that cocks the brake shoe housing and moves the curved surface into tangential contact with the guide track. A cam actuator is interposed between the face section and the rear section that spreads these sections into contact with the guide track when the tilt-in window sash is tilted forward.

Abstract: A case assembly for holding a selection of paintbrushes of the type having bristles bound to a handle with a metal band. The case assembly has ventilation openings that provide ventilation to the interior of the case. A support board is provided that is sized to fit within the interior of the case. At least one magnet is coupled to each support board. Each magnet attracts the metal bands of the paintbrushes, therein attaching the paintbrushes to each support board. By attaching the paintbrushes to the support boards with magnetism, the bristles of the paintbrushes remain unconfined. Furthermore, the paintbrushes can be attached in any orientation, such as a bristle-down orientation. This prevents water from gathering near the metal bands of the paintbrushes and causing rust.

Abstract: A board holding device for practicing a martial art and its associated method of use. The board holding device includes a framework that has a plurality of vertical rails. The vertical rails define sides of at least two striking planes. Connectors are disposed along each of the vertical rails. The connectors are used to selectively join striking boards to the vertical rails at any point along the vertical rails. In this manner, multiple striking boards can be placed across any or all of the striking planes. The striking boards can also be placed on the outside of the framework or on the inside of the framework. Thus, the striking boards can be arranged to be broken with a pushing blow or a pulling blow. The device enables a martial artist to arrange multiple striking targets at any position within multiple striking fields.

Abstract: A child safety seat system and the corresponding method of using a modular child safety seat assembly to compensate for the stature changes of a growing child. The child safety seat system utilizes a base shell that is strapped into an automobile using the automobile seat belt restraints. A plurality of interchangeable seating inserts are provided. Each of the seating inserts has a cushioned seat. The thickness of the cushioning used depends upon the targeted age of a child and is engineered to maintain the child's shoulders within a specific range of heights relative to the base shell. An attachment mechanism is used to attach a selected seating insert to the base shell. As a child outgrows a seating insert, that seating insert is removed from the base shell and is replaced with a seating insert sized for a larger child.

Abstract: An electrical lineman's pole having a top end and a bottom end. A post extends laterally from the pole proximate its top end. A slot receptacle is provided proximate the post. The slot receptacle has an open top that faces the post and extends in a line perpendicular to the post. To utilize the lineman's pole, the top end is brought into contact with a swinging conductive arm of a protective cutout device. The post extending from the pole is passed through the loop on the swinging conductive arm. A portion of the loop is positioned into the slot receptacle. A lineman pushes on the pole assembly to rotate the swinging conductive arm. The portion of the loop in the slot receptacle prevents the swinging conductive arm from rotating out of a selected plane. Consequently, the cutout protective device does not turn from side to side.

Abstract: A game assembly and method of adding additional randomness to a game that uses a deck of cards during play. The deck of cards contains event cards that cause players to perform certain actions if drawn during the play of the game. A random selection device is provided. The random selection device utilizes indicia that correspond to the event cards and/or some new event activity. The random selection device embodies a means to randomly select a single indicia from the plurality of indicia being used. At least one card is added to the deck of cards that indicates that the selection device is to be used. Accordingly, when the card is drawn, the random selection device is utilized. The game is played as if the card indicated by the random selection device had been drawn from the deck of cards.

Abstract: An assembly that combines a flashlight with at least one secondary tool element. The flashlight has an elongated casing. At least one tool element is provided. The tool element is coupled to the elongated casing of the flashlight, wherein the tool element is capable of moving reciprocally with respect to the elongated casing between a retracted position and an extended position while remaining coupled to the casing. The tool element lays parallel to the central axis of the flashlight and protrudes beyond the front of the flashlight when in its extended position. A locking mechanism is provided for selectively locking the tool element into its extended position. As such, the tool element can be locked into an extended position in front of the flashlight or retracted back into a stored position along the casing of the flashlight.

Abstract: A tubular bracing assembly for a string instrument and the resulting string instrument. Resin reinforced fibers are shaped into the form of a tubular structure. The tubular structure decreases the weight and increases the stiffness of the structure. The result is a bracing system that has very light weight and varied stiffness properties to achieve desirable acoustic performance from the hollow body of an acoustic instrument.

Abstract: A game in which game pieces in the form of acrobats are launched toward a target. The game pieces include magnets at the distal end of the extremities of the stylized acrobat game pieces.

Abstract: A neck assembly for a string instrument and the resulting string instrument. Resin reinforced fibers are shaped into the form of an instrument neck around a tubular structure. The tubular structure creates conduits within the neck. The conduits interconnect, thereby forming a single resonance chamber. The presence of the conduits decreases the weight of the neck. The result is a synthetic instrument neck that has a weight and acoustical properties comparable to a traditional wooden neck. The synthetic neck may also contains at least one mounting plate that enables the synthetic neck to be connected to many preexisting instrument bodies and tuning key heads. The synthetic instrument neck can therefore be retroactively added to existing instruments without the need for alterations.

Abstract: A toy figure assembly and its method of manufacture. The toy figure has a plush body made from segments of fabric that are sewn together along seams. The plush body defines an interior region that can be accessed through at least one opening. At least one stretchable extremity is provided. The stretchable extremities serve as the limbs of the toy figure, or another body feature. Each of the stretchable extremities has a first end and a second end. Each stretchable extremity extends through at least one opening in the plush body. Accordingly, each of the stretchable extremities has a second end that is inside the plush body and a first end that extends outside the plush body. A fabric flap is bonded to each stretchable extremity proximate its second end. The fabric flap is sewn to at least one of the seams within the interior of the plush body.

Abstract: A novelty device having a vibrating mechanism that is disposed at least partially within a housing. The vibrating mechanism causes the housing to vibrate when activated. A plurality of elongated elastomeric protrusions are provided that extend outwardly from the housing. The elastomeric protrusions undulate when the housing is vibrated by the vibrating mechanism. The housing can be shaped as a character having a head section. The elastomeric protrusions can be placed on the head section of the character so that the protrusions have the appearance of hair. When the vibrating mechanism is activated, the protrusions undulate wildly, thereby causing the character's hair to appear to be alive.