Abstract: A kaleidoscope assembly that includes a tubular structure having an open top end, an open bottom end, an interior surface and an exterior surface. The tubular structure is made from a plurality of flat side panels joined along common edges, wherein each of said side panels has a reflective surface that face inwardly to form the interior surface of the tubular structure. A light source is provided for internally illuminating said tubular structure. The light source is activated by a manually operated control that is disposed on the exterior surface of the tubular structure. By providing a light source, the kaleidoscope illuminates whatever object it is placed against.

Abstract: A device that holds bubble blowing supplies, retains blown bubbles and illuminates the blown bubbles that are retained. The device includes a housing. Bubble blowing supplies are selectively stored within the housing. On the exterior of the housing is a bubble support platform. The bubble support platform is concave to reduce the stresses a bubble experiences when it rests against this surface. Below the bubble support platform is at least one light source. As each light source is activated, the light source shines light into the area immediately above the bubble support platform. Consequently, when a bubble is formed and is placed on the bubble support platform, the light sources shine light into the bubble, thereby internally illuminating the bubble.

Abstract: A device and method of mechanically synchronizing the displacement requirements of a bicycle derailleur with the displacement created by an indexing gear shifter lever. The device includes a linkage element that is mounted to a bicycle between a gear shifter lever and a derailleur. The linkage element is mounted to the bicycle with a pivot hinge, wherein the linkage element is free to rotate about the pivot hinge. A cable from the gear shifter lever is attached to the linkage element at a first distance from the pivot hinge. A cable from the derailleur is attached to the linkage element at a second different distance from the pivot hinge. As the cable from the gear shifter is moved, the linkage element is rotated and that movement is transferred to the cable for the derailleur in a compensated manner.

Abstract: A position indicator display system for an elevator. The elevator position indicator has a segmented display capable of producing alpha-numeric characters. The segmented display operates in a predetermined power range that may or may not match the operational voltage used by the rest of the elevator's systems. Within the elevator position indicator, a display driver is coupled to the segmented display. The display driver receives a location signal from the systems controller of the elevator. The display driver arranges the location signal to drive the segmented display and produce an alpha-numeric character indicative of the location signal. Since the elevator's operational voltage may differ from that of the elevator position indicator, a power conditioning circuit is provided. The power conditioning circuit selectively alters the power of the location signal so that the location signal falls within the operational power range of the segmented display.

Abstract: A venting system for a container and the overall container assembly that uses the venting system is claimed. A container and a lid are provided. The lid of the container defines a venting port for equalizing gas pressure within the container. A support platform is placed over the venting port. The support platform defines a plurality of holes. Placed in each of the holes is a filter element. The filter element is made of a porous sintered powder metal having a pore size of no greater than five microns. In this manner the filter elements enable gas to vent to and from the container, yet the contents of the container are prevented from passing through the filter elements should the contents of the container touch the filter elements.

Abstract: A projectile assembly that enables a compressed gas powered projectile to be fired from a traditional ammunition firearm. The projectile assembly includes a casing that is shaped like the casing of traditional ammunition. A projectile is set into the tip of the casing. Within the casing is located a compressed gas cartridge. The projectile assembly is loaded into the breech of a traditional firearm. Once the firearm is fired, the firing pin of the firearm strikes a piercing pin within the casing. The piercing pin, in turn, strikes and pierces the compressed gas cartridge. The gas pressure displaces the projectile from the tip of the casing and propels the projectile down and out the barrel of the firearm. The casing is designed so that a new compressed cartridge can be placed in the casing and the projectile replaced.

Abstract: A system and method of dispensing medications for low vision elderly and blind individuals. The system includes a storage assembly that contains a plurality of different compartments that are identified in Braille and with large raised letters. Each prescription of a person is placed in a separate compartment. A microprocessor is contained within the storage assembly. The microprocessor is programmed with the times that each of the medications in each of the compartments is to be taken. At the appropriate times, the microprocessor opens the compartment containing the medication that should be taken. A person, upon notification by a vibrating paging unit, then goes to the storage assembly and takes the medication contained within that compartment. A portable unit is carried by the person using the system. The portable unit interconnects with the main storage assembly when not in use. When connected to the storage assembly, data regarding the times of the prescription dosages is read to the portable unit.

Abstract: A hydrogen diffusion cell that is used to purify contaminated hydrogen gas. The hydrogen diffusion cell has a supply tube that supplies contaminated hydrogen gas into a confined area and a drain tube that removes contaminated hydrogen gas from the confined area. Hydrogen permeable coils are disposed between the supply tube and the drain tube. The hydrogen permeable coils surround a perforated output tube that draws in any hydrogen gas that diffuses through the hydrogen permeable coils. The presence and position of the output tube prevent any significant lateral movement of hydrogen gas within the diffusion cell.

Abstract: A mixer box for mixing two separate sources of air. Air from a first source is fed into a plurality of vented conduits. Each of the vented conduits has at least one vent opening, that allows the air from within the conduits to escape and enter a mixing chamber. Air from a second air source flows into the mixing chamber around the vented conduits. As the second air source flows around the vented conduits, turbulence is produced that mixes the second air source with the first air source escaping from the vented conduits. Flaps are used to control the flow of the first source of air out of the vented conduits and the flow of the second source of air around the vented conduits.

Abstract: A toy digging implement that is worn over the hand of a child. The digging implement simulates the appearance of a backhoe bucket. The digging implement has a set of parallel side walls. A first curved structure is disposed between the side walls defining an open bucket scoop. A second curved structure is disposed between the side walls behind the first curved structure. The second curved structure diverges from the first curved structure near the front of the digging implement. Consequently, the first curved structure, the second curved structure and the side walls define a pocket having an open end at the rear of the digging implement. A child places his/her hand into the pocket to engage the digging implement. The digging implement protects the child's hand and enables the child's hand to simulate the appearance and function of a backhoe bucket.

Abstract: A game and its associated method of play. The game contains a plurality of object areas in which game objects may be placed. Game objects are randomly added to, or removed from, the object areas one by one. Before the addition or removal of each new object, the player is made to visualize a neutral field of play that is either completely filled with game objects or devoid of game objects. As such, each time a player views the object areas, an additional game object has been added or removed, but the player does not know which object has just been added. Using memories of the object areas when last viewed, a player tries to identify which of the game objects present is the game object that was just added or removed. If the player selects correctly, the cycle is repeated and another game object is randomly added or removed. If the player selects the wrong game object, the game ends.

Abstract: A GPS receiver that determines its own attitude under jamming conditions is created by augmenting it with an array antenna and a novel signal processing system. The augmented signal processing system comprises a cascaded parallel architecture inserted between the array antenna and the GPS receiver. A blind adaptive nulling processor is cascaded ahead of the GPS receiver so that the GPS receiver can operate on the jamming-suppressed signals in a normal manner. A monopulse angular measurement unit in series with an attitude determination unit interacts in parallel with the blind adaptive nulling processor and the GPS receiver. Constrained beamforming adaptive monopulse is used to simultaneously place nulls in both the sum and difference beams toward jammers while maintaining the monopulse ratio for accurate angular measurement. In this way, the GPS receiver is capable of providing rotational information in addition to regular time and translation information.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus that contains a frame and a carriage that moves back and forth along the length of the frame. The movement of the carriage along the frame is resisted by springs that join the carriage to the frame. Two foot support platforms are provided. The first foot support platform extends upwardly from the top of the carriage. The first foot support platform has an adjustable incline and contains a bar that uniformly extends across the width of the carriage a predetermined distance above the top surface of the carriage. The second foot support platform extends above the frame in front of the carriage. Side railings are also provided on either side of the frame. By providing both the unique structure of the first and second foot support platforms and the side railings, a person can not only lie on the moving carriage, but also can stand and kneel between the frame and the moving carriage. As such, a larger variety and diversity of exercises can be performed.

Abstract: An illuminated assembly that can be configured as a pinwheel, pinwheel bow or decorative bow. The illuminated assembly includes segments of material that are folded over to form looped structures. At least some of the segments of material have a laminated structure, wherein two pieces of material are attached together. In the laminated segments of material are placed miniature light emitting diodes (LEDs). The wires that provide power to the LEDs travel through the segments of material in between the laminated layers. In the center of the assembly is a hub. In the hub are a power source and a control circuit. Each of the LEDs present in the assembly, interconnects with the control circuit in the hub. The control circuit contains a motion sensor and lights the LEDs only when motion is detected.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively controlling an electrical component is claimed. The system contains an audio detector, such as a microphone, that receives sound energy and converts the sound energy into a corresponding electrical signal. The content of the sound energy is irrelevant. Rather, it is the volume of the sound energy that is to be represented by the electrical signal. To produce an electrical signal that corresponds to noise volume, the amplitude of the electrical signal is amplified. The amplified signal is then rectified and filtered, thereby producing a D/C electrical signal that is representative of the volume of the sound energy detected. The D/C electrical signal is used to selectively regulate a current flow controller. The current flow controller controls the flow of current to the electronic component.

Abstract: A tool for diagnosing and repairing defective wires. The tool is configured as a pair of pliers, wherein the pliers have the ability to cut, strip and twist wire. The pliers also contain two different piercing probes. The first piercing probe extends away from the body of the pliers, thereby enabling the pliers to be used as a circuit testing probe. The second piercing probe is located at a specific point on the jaws of the pliers. When a wire is placed in the jaws of the pliers at that point, the wire becomes pierced by the second piercing probe as the plier jaws close. The force at which the second piercing probe is biased against the wire is determined by the degree of manual force applied to the handles of the pliers. As either piercing probe pierces the insulation surrounding a wire, the body of the pliers is brought to the same electrical potential as the wire. A wire lead extends from the pliers and connects to a ground potential at a remote location.

Abstract: A shoe device that is useful in obtaining the proper stance when playing the game of golf. The shoe device has a sole section, wherein the sole section has a left side and a right side. The shoe also includes an upper section that is coupled to the sole section. The upper section is sized to receive a foot. The upper section has a right side area that is disposed above the right side of the sole and a left side area that is disposed above the left side of the sole. A slanting mechanism is disposed within the shoe for selectively slanting the sole section of the shoe so that either the right side area or the left side area is elevated to a height above the opposite area. By slanting the shoe to one side, a golfer is reminded to keep his/her weight the inside of their right foot when swinging a golf club, thereby making for a better swing.

Abstract: A practice golf ball and its associated method of manufacture is claimed. The practice golf ball includes a hollow inner shell made of inexpensive molded plastic. The inner shell is molded so that the outer surface of the inner shell contains a dimple pattern. A first coating covers the inner shell. The first coating is applied as a liquid, wherein the first coating conforms to the dimple pattern on the inner shell. The first coating has a degree of elasticity greater than that of the plastic inner shell. A second coating covers the first coating. The second coating is also applied as a liquid, wherein the second coating conforms to the dimple pattern of the inner shell and the intervening first coating. The second coating has a degree of tear resistance greater than that of the plastic inner shell.

Abstract: An amusement system that includes a miniature toy skateboard and the mechanism for engaging and lifting the miniature toy skateboard. The miniature toy skateboard is less than six inches long and is referred to as a finger board in the toy industry. The finger board is manufactured to have a top surface that is either magnetic or attracted to a magnet. The mechanism for engaging and lifting the finger board is a magnet that is held within an external object, such as a ring or a toy figure. A manually adjustable spacer is positioned in front of the magnet. To engage the finger board with the external object, the length of the spacer is minimized and the finger board is brought into close proximity with the magnet. The magnetic field created by the magnet attracts the finger board and holds the finger board against the external object. To detach the finger board, the length of the spacer is increased. This moves the external object out beyond the effective range of the magnetic field of the magnet.