Abstract: A hand-thrown projectile having an enlarged head made from a soft material. A shaft has a semi-flexible section and a flexible section. The flexible section is interposed between the semi-flexible section and its rear end. The flexible section is created by flattening the plastic of the shaft into a wide, easily grasped tab. A plurality of stabilization fins are provided that radially extend from the semi-flexible section of the shaft. To toss the projectile, a person grasps the flexible tab. As the projectile is thrown, inertia and the acceleration forces created by the throw cause the semi-flexible section of the shaft to bend and store spring energy. Upon release of the flexible tab, the energy stored in the bent shaft is released and is transferred into the initial velocity of the projectile.

Abstract: A steam reformer is use in a fuel processor system to create a water gas shift reaction between a hydrocarbon fuel and water. A hydrocarbon fuel and water are provided. The water is heated to superheated steam. The hydrocarbon fuel is mixed with the superheated steam to produce a vaporized fuel/steam mixture. The vaporized fuel/steam mixture is directed into a gap space between concentric tubes. The gap space between the separate surfaces is very small. Within this confined gap space, the outer concentric tube is heated to maintain a reaction temperature range that induces the water gas shift reaction. The water gas shift reaction produces reactant gases that include hydrogen gas and contaminant gases. At least some of the contaminant gases are burned to heat the gap space.

Abstract: In an embodiment, at least one pair cleats is provided. The two cleats of each pair are symmetrically arranged about a passageway for trimmer line. The two cleats of each pair allow trimmer line to be inserted through an entrance port with relatively little (if any) hindrance. However, the cleats grip the trimmer line preventing the trimmer line from being removed via the entrance port when the trimmer line is pulled from the entrance port (e.g., during use). In an embodiment, a trimmer head is provided with an exit port on the top of the trimmer head, which is for removing trimmer line by pulling the trimmer line through the exit port. The trimmer head uses a fixed length of trimmer line, which may be loaded with new trimmer line by inserting the trimmer line into an entrance port until one end of the trimmer line reaches the exit port.

Abstract: A system and method of lifting a cargo container into flight using a plurality of aircraft. A swivel bearing is provided that has a first end and a second end. The two ends of the swivel bearing are free to rotate independently. A cargo container is provided that is streamlined for flight. The second end of the swivel bearing is attached to the cargo container. Aircraft in flight are used to lift the container. The aircraft have tow tether lines. The tow tether lines are attached to the first end of the swivel bearing. The aircraft fly in an ascending circular pattern, therein applying lift to the cargo container that is sufficient to raise the cargo container into flight. The cargo container is streamlined and contains flight controls to enable the cargo container to maintain level and controlled flight while it is being towed.

Abstract: A system and method for converting the natural gas into liquid hydrocarbons. A plurality of reaction cells are provided. Each reaction cell contains two concentric tubes. The concentric tubes are close in diameter and therefore create a very narrow uniform gap space in between the concentric tubes. The outer most of the tubes is heated. Natural gas and steam are passed into the gap space of at least some of the reaction cells. Due to the confinement of the gases and the heat, the mixture undergoes a water gas shift reaction to produce syngas. The syngas can then be reintroduced into other reaction cells to induce the Fischer-Tropsch process. Accordingly, the syngas is converted into complex hydrocarbons and water. The hydrocarbons and water are separated and cooled into liquid. The water is recycled and the liquid hydrocarbons are stored and transported.

Abstract: A system and method of manufacturing synthetic construction elements that replaces lumber. A synthetic composition is provided containing cementitious material, synthetic fibers, and low-density particulate material. At least one polymer may be added to improve performance. The density of the synthetic composition is controlled by varying the volume of the low-density particulate material in the mix. Reinforcement elements are provided. The reinforcement elements are preferably pre-stressed or post-stressed in tension. The synthetic compound is molded around the reinforcement elements to form a construction element of a particular shape. The molding of the synthetic material around the reinforcement elements can be a two-step process. In the first step, a first synthetic compound of a high density is molded into a rough form around the reinforcement elements. A second synthetic compound of a lower density and strength is then molded around the rough form to complete the construction element.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for automatically generating domain specific applications based on model driven changes of the source code base for existing applications. Abstracted declarative design change-models, separate from detailed implementation source coding, are used to define the possible set of changes for specific application domains. Generalized implementations of the design changes, mapped to the defined Change-Model abstracted representations but separate from the representations themselves, are implemented via Application-Templates consisting of existing source code plus mark-up. The application domain is thus defined by the change-model linked to allied application-templates. Meta generation facilities are implicitly provided as the code generator for a specific application domain is defined by the Change-Model plus related set of Application-Templates.

Abstract: A basketball training device that mimics an opposing player during practice. The training device has a weighted base set on caster wheels. A vertical support extends upwardly from the base. A slide structure moves up and down on the vertical support between a high position and a low position. A blocking form is coupled to the slide structure. The blocking form moves with the slide structure. Consequently, the blocking form can move up and down. An elongated control rod attaches to the wheeled base. The control rod is used by a coach to push and pull the training device along the basketball court during play. In this manner, a coach can adjust the position of the blocking form to better mimic the movements of a real opposing player.

Abstract: A trimmer head assembly has a housing that defines an interior. A spool is provided. The spool can be inserted into the interior of the housing either in an upright configuration or in a flipped inverted orientation. A spring is provided in the housing that biases the spool into a first position within the housing. A ratcheting mechanism exists between the spool and the housing that enables the spool to rotate only in a first direction when in said first position. The direction of rotation permitted by the ratcheting mechanism depends upon the orientation of the spool within the housing. In this manner, a single trimmer head assembly can be made to operate on a clockwise trimmer or a counterclockwise trimmer merely by inverting the spool.

Abstract: An earring assembly that displays the post of the earring through the body of the earring. The earring has an ornamental body with a face surface and an opposite rear surface. An opening is formed through the ornamental body. A contoured post is provided. The first end of the contoured post is coupled to the ornamental body at a hinged connection. The contoured post has a first section that extends away from the hinged connection and behind the rear surface. The contoured post also has a second section that extends from the first section to its second end. The second section extends through the inner opening of the ornamental body and positions the second end of the contoured post in front of the face surface of the ornamental body.

Abstract: A system and method for reproducing complex camera movements that are made during a recorded scene so that camera movements can be precisely reproduced. A camera is mounted onto a camera support system. The camera support system has multiple articulated joints that enable the camera support system to move the camera through a wide range. Sensors are provided at each of the articulated joints to sense any changes in orientation experienced during a scene. The sensors create corresponding data signals indicative of the movement. A scene is shot with the camera. During the scene, the camera has a shooting position that is altered using the camera support system. The sensors detect the movements and the data signals produced are saved in an electronic memory. The saved data signals are used at a later time to reproduce movements of the camera support system.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing an image of one or both irises. To image an iris, a person stands or moves in a target zone. A flash element provides an incoherent flash of light through an aperture. The flash is filtered to produce filtered light. The filtered light has primary wavelengths in the far red and near infrared portions of the spectrum. The filtered light is not perceived well by the human eye due to short duration, NIR color and small size. The intensity of the filtered light at the target area surpasses the intensity of all ambient light. In this manner, a person's face in the target area will always be properly illuminated, even if that person were backlit by full sunlight. An image of the person's face is taken with a camera. The image of the face is analyzed to obtain any iris pattern information.

Abstract: A correction circuit and method that is used in a system that produces an initial signal and has downstream components that adds a distortion error to that initial signal. The distortion error is added to the initial signal by the downstream components in the system. This creates a distorted output signal. The distorted output signal is then subtracted from the initial signal to obtain an initial negative distortion error. The initial negative distortion error is subtracted from the initial signal to create an initial conditioned signal. The initial conditioned signal is supplied to the electronic component of the system in place of the initial signal. The result is a reduction in distortion and noise that loops and adapts to changing signal patterns.

Abstract: A tube matrix and the corresponding method of joining a plurality of tubes to a base plate to create the tube matrix. The tube matrix has a base plate from which a plurality of parallel tubes extend. The base plate has holes formed though it to receive the tubes. The tubes are placed into the holes on the base plate. The tubes may have end flares that abut against the base plate and prevent the tubes from completely passing through the base plate. Once the tubes are in place in the holes of the base plate, the tubes and base plate are welded together with individual laser welds. The laser welds enable a very dense matrix of tubes to be welded to the base plate without damaging or obstructing the tubes.

Abstract: A surgical drain tube assembly and its associated method of manufacture. The drain tube assembly has an extruded intake tube that defines multiple internal conduits. The intake tube has a first end and an opposite second end. The internal conduits run between the first end and the second end. The extruded intake tube contains multiple slices that run from the first end to a termination point. Each of the slices communicates with a different one of the internal conduits inside the intake tube. The internal conduits are therefore transformed into open grooves that are capable of draining fluids at any point along their lengths. The extruded intake tube can also be cut into separate arms that converge at the termination point. The intake tube is coupled to a single conduit collection tube that draws fluid from all the conduits of the intake tube.

Abstract: A dispenser system for dispensing a highly viscous liquid from a container having a threaded neck. The system utilizes a base that is positioned under the container. The base defines a receptacle that receives the threaded neck of the container. In this manner, gravity biases the contents of the container into the base. A pump is provided that draws some of the highly viscous liquid from the base. The pump is held atop a support. The support holds the pump at a predetermined height above the base. The height of the pump is greater than the length of the container. In this manner, the pump is unobstructed in a full range around the pump. The pump can therefore be accessed from any angle without interference by the inverted container.