Abstract: An apparatus and method for holding and displaying a plurality of hats or other objects, by suspending those objects from flexible cords. The apparatus includes a mounting plate that can be mounted to the ceiling or an elevated point on a wall. A plurality of flexible cords extend from the mounting plate. Each of the flexible cords has a first end that is joined to the mounting plate and a second end that hangs free. An attachment mechanism is coupled to the second end of each of the flexible cords. The attachment mechanism is a clip or hook that is capable of selectively engaging a hat or other object. By attaching hats to each of the flexible cords, the hats hang suspended from the mounting plate in a configuration that is easily viewed, space efficient and not harmful to the hats.

Abstract: A paperboard box and the blank used to make the paperboard box. The paperboard box is made from a single cut blank of paperboard. When the blank is folded into a box, the box has a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of side surfaces that extend between the top surface and the bottom surface. At least one slot is disposed within one of the side surfaces. A translucent piece of plastic covers each slot from within the paperboard box, therein defining a window. A tear-away section of paperboard material covers the window. The tear-away section of paperboard material exposes the window when removed. The tear-away section can be on the same section of paperboard as the window or can be on a separate section of paperboard that lays over the window.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for accurately producing an accurate impression of a patient's teeth. The apparatus includes an improved impression tray assembly that more accurately models the teeth. The impression tray includes a segment of curable material having a top edge, a bottom edge, a face surface and a rear surface, wherein the face surface and the rear surface extend between the top edge and the bottom edge. The impression tray also includes a base plate having a peripheral edge and a groove disposed in the base plate proximate a section of the peripheral edge. The groove is adapted to receive the bottom edge of segment of curable material, thereby supporting the segment of curable material as a vertical wall. The combination of the base plate and the vertical wall of curable material produces an impression tray. The impression tray is filled with impression material and placed in the mouth.

Abstract: An apparatus used to teach and practice soccer related skills. The soccer training apparatus includes an inclined target board that has at least one aperture that is large enough to receive a soccer ball. An inclined plane is positioned in front of the inclined target board. The inclined plane can either be in the same plane as the target board or can terminate above the bottom of the target board to form a ramp. The target board is supported in place by a frame structure. Different netted targets are formed within the frame structure. The various netted targets enable players to practice different types of kicking skills. The frame structure also supports a tethered ball and practice goals that are also used in various soccer practice drills.

Abstract: A projectile device for use in a tossing game. The projectile has a body with a concave bottom surface and a convex top surface. The body can have any shape, but is preferably triangular, wherein three side edges define the convex top surface and the concave bottom surface. Regardless of the shape of the projectile's body, the body of the projectile has a geometrical center. However, the projectile is fabricated so that the body of the projectile has a center of gravity that does not correspond to the geometrical center of the body. As a result, if the projectile is tossed with a spinning motion, the projectile will not evenly rotate about its geometrical center. The combination of the shape of the projectile, the contours of the projectile and the off-center center of gravity for the projectile make the flight characteristics of the projectile difficult to anticipate. The unpredictability in flight characteristics is a desired novel feature in the tossing game for which the projectile is used.

Abstract: A looped circuit for generating a variable bias voltage. The looped circuit includes a variable current source having a current output that is dependent upon the variable bias voltage. The looped circuit also includes a capacitor that is periodically coupled to the current source for a predetermined period of time, wherein the current source charges the capacitor during each predetermined period of time. At least one subcircuit is provided for varying the variable bias voltage, wherein the variable bias voltage automatically causes the current source to charge the capacitor to a predetermined reference voltage during each predetermined period of time. Accordingly, the generated bias voltage will vary with temperature and other external variables. However, the ratio of the current produced by the current source divided by the capacitance of the capacitor is equal to the ratio of the predetermined reference voltage divided by the referenced predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An illumination device for vessels that have access ports terminated with pipe flanges. The illumination device includes a retention collar that is adapted to receive a flashlight at its first end. The opposite second end of the retention collar terminates with a flange. A conduit extends through the retention collar from the first end to the second end. A mounting element is provided for attaching the retention collar and the flashlight to the access port of the vessel. The mounting element includes an annular base plate. A coupling mechanism is attached to the annular base plate. The coupling mechanism selectively receives the flange of the retention collar in an orientation wherein the center of the retention collar aligns with center of the mounting bracket. The annular base plate of the mounting bracket clamps to the pipe flange of the vessel over an inspection window. This provides an unobstructed passage through which light from the flashlight can enter the access port of the vessel.

Abstract: A tool apparatus and method of use for repairing dents in sheet metal. The tool contains two elongated arms that extend out of a common housing. The two arms terminate generally in the same plane a predetermined distance from the housing. One of the elongated arms terminates with an interchangeable anvil head. The other elongated arm terminates with an impact head. The impact head is placed below a dent in a sheet metal structure. The anvil head is supported in the exterior of the sheet metal structure over the dent. A motor is disposed within the common housing. The motor moves at least one of the elongated arms and causes the impact head and the anvil head to strike one another. When a dent in sheet metal is placed in between the impact head and the anvil head, the dent is deformed and is forced into the shape of the anvil head, thereby repairing the dent.

Abstract: An eyeglass assembly that supports lenses over the eyes without the use of a nose bridge or any other structure that rests upon the nose. The assembly includes a temple element having a first end and a second end that extends around the back of the head. A first lens frame element or lens is coupled to the first end of the temple element. Similarly, a second lens frame element or lens is coupled to the second end of the temple element. As a result, the temple element supports the first lens frame element or lens and the second lens frame element or lens a predetermined distance apart over the eyes. No structure extends across the gap over the nose. The temple element is biased against the sides of the head to help retain the assembly in place.

Abstract: An amusement device for propelling water either from a self contained reservoir or from a standing body of water. The amusement device is a type of toy whip that uses a whipping action to propel water toward a target. The amusement device contains a tubular handle and at least one flexible tubular element that extends from one end of the tubular handle, thereby forming an overall tubular structure having a rigid section and a flexible section. By partially submerging the tubular handle in a body of water and manipulating the overall tubular structure with a whipping action, water is drawn up into the tubular structure. The flexible tubular element extending from the handle tapers toward a small exit aperture. As the whipping motion of the overall tubular structure forces water toward the exit aperture, the water becomes compressed by the taper of the flexible tubular element. As a result, the water is propelled from the exit aperture at a high rate of speed.

Abstract: An improved device for inflating and illuminating a balloon. The device includes a hollow tube having an air baffle structure integrally molded in its interior. The air baffle structure directs air flowing through the tube out through side openings and into a surrounding balloon. A small aperture also extends through the air baffle structure itself. The aperture is sized so that a double lead wire can pass though the aperture from one side of the air baffle structure to the other. The double lead wire extends past the air baffle structure and is directly coupled to an illumination source at the top end of the tube. A sealant is used to seal the aperture through which the double lead wire passes. As such, an air impervious air baffle structure is provided that allows for the direct electrical connection in between a light source on one side of the air baffle structure and a power supply on the opposite side of the air baffle structure.

Abstract: A racket is provided such as that used in the game of tennis, racquetball, squash, badminton and the like. The racket has a frame head that defines the periphery of a generally oblong shaped area. A plurality of apertures are periodically disposed along the frame head. In one embodiment, a plurality of set screws are disposed in the frame head. Each of the set screws intersects a separate one of the apertures and selectively obstructs that aperture depending upon the tightened condition of the set screws. In an alternate embodiment, a separate structure is provided that surrounds the head frame. The separate structure contains apertures and set screws that intersect the apertures. The opposing ends of individual strings are fed through apertures on opposite sides of the head frame. The string is tensioned to a predetermined value. Once at the desired tension, the set screws are used to engage the string and retain it in place at the set tension.

Abstract: A replacement shift knob assembly for use on a truck transmission. Many truck transmissions have shift knob assemblies that contain a removable knob element with a specific bottom configuration and at least one manual switch that relies upon the specific bottom configuration of the knob element to function. The present invention replacement shift knob assembly includes a knob element made from an aesthetically pleasing material such as wood, stone, ceramic of the like. A base plate is attached to the bottom of the knob element. The base plate has a first side and an opposite second side, wherein the second side of the base plate is configured to generally physically mimic the specific bottom configuration of the original shift knob being replaced. The base plate is made from a material that differs from the replacement knob element in order to provide the base plate with greater material strength and wear resistance.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus and associate method that provides a variable resistance to muscle movement during the course of a single exercise. The apparatus includes an articulated arm assembly that supports a selected amount of weight plates at one end. The arm assembly is connected to a support frame at a pivot point. The opposite end of the arm assembly is connected to a cable that extends to an exercise attachment that is moved by the user's muscles. As a user exercises, a tensile force is applied to the cable. The tensile force applies a torque to the arm assembly that causes the arm assembly to turn about the pivot point. As the arm assembly moves, the weights are advanced up along an inclined surface. If a strong enough force is applied, the weights can be advanced over the top of the inclined surface. Without the support of the inclined surface, the arm assembly is free to remain extended.

Abstract: A hand crank device and associated method for winding winches such as those used on flat bed tractor trailers. The hand crank device includes an elongated pin element that is sized to engage the drive shaft of a winch. The pin element is long enough to enter through one hole on the drive shaft, extend across the drive shaft and exit the drive shaft through a second hole on the opposite side. The pin element is affixed to the short arm section of an L-shaped bracket. A handle is affixed to the long arm section of the L-shaped bracket, thereby enabling a torque to be applied to the L-shaped bracket and the pin element affixed to the L-shaped bracket. The torque acting on the pin element is transferred to the drive shaft of the winch, thereby causing the drive shaft to turn and the winch to rewind.