Abstract: A game assembly and its method of play. The game assembly has a game board. A three-dimensional underlay is positioned under the game board. Openings are formed through the game board that enable a person to see into the underlay. The underlay is comprised of a basin that is partially occupied with fill material. Search objects are mixed with the fill material. Sometimes the search objects are covered by the fill material, at other times they are not. Cover structures are provided. The cover structures selectively cover the openings in the game board. To play the game, a player selects a search object. A player also selects a cover structure. The cover structure selected by the player is removed and the player looks through the exposed opening for the selected search object. The game is won when a predetermined number of search objects are found by a single player.

Abstract: A pill crushing device and its associated method of operation. The pill container is comprised of a container and a lid assembly that covers the container. A pill to be crushed is placed inside the container and is automatically crushed using the power of a battery operated motor. A pill is introduced into the container through its open top end. A lid assembly is provided that is selectively attached over the open top end of the container. The lid assembly includes a ram that extends into the open top end of the container when the lid assembly is attached to the container. A battery operated motor is also provided in the lid assembly for raising and lowering the ram within said container. By attaching the lid assembly to the container and lowering the ram into the container, a pill can be crushed within the confines of the container.

Abstract: A system and method for applying therapeutic forces to the vertebrae contained within a section of a patient's spine. The system utilizes a flexible pressure blanket having two ends and both a top surface and a bottom surface that extend between those two ends. A patient is asked to lie in a supine position on an elevated platform. The flexible pressure blanket is draped over the patient, wherein a central section of the flexible pressure blanket contacts the patient and end sections dangle freely on opposite sides of said patient. Weight elements are attached to the flexible pressure blanket to effect therapeutic forces upon the spine of the patient. The weight elements can be attached in-line with individual vertebrae in the spine. In this manner, forces acting in different directions can be experienced by the spine, thereby manipulating the spine from the benefit of the patient.

Abstract: A novelty popper toy and its associated method of operation. The popper toy has a head section that is supported on a braided sleeve body. When the popper toy is compressed, the braided sleeve body elastically deforms from an uncompressed state to a compressed state. While in the compressed state, the braided sleeve body stores energy. If the compression force is suddenly released, the braided sleeve body releases its stored energy and pops back into its uncompressed state. As the braided sleeve body returns to its uncompressed state, it rapidly expands, therein providing enough force to propel the entire popper toy into the air. The popper toy can be delayed in its expansion and/or prevented from flying into the air by the addition of a suction cup to the popper toy.

Abstract: A pop action toy assembly having an elastomeric body that is defined primarily by a first surface and a second surface. The elastomeric body is selectively positionable between a normal orientation, where the first surface faces outwardly, and an inverted orientation, where the second surface faces outwardly. An activator assembly having an impact disc and a knob extends through the elastomeric body at its apex. The impact disc strikes the ground when the toy assembly pops from an inverted orientation back into its normal orientation. The knob is used to grasp, spin and throw the toy assembly when inverted. A plurality of tabs symmetrically protrude from the base rim of the elastomeric body. If the toy assembly is inverted and strikes the ground, the protruding tabs act to concentrate the force of the impact and cause the toy assembly to pop back into its normal orientation.

Abstract: A novelty device and the associated method of fabricating component parts of the novelty device. The novelty device has at least one protrusion that is made from an elastomeric material. The protrusion has a distal end. A hole is disposed through the protrusion proximate its distal end. A secondary object is provided. The secondary object is made from a rigid material. The secondary object defines an interior space. Sounding elements are disposed within the interior space of at least some of the secondary objects. The sounding elements are free moving and produce noise within said secondary objects when said novelty device is manually shaken.

Abstract: A novelty device and the associated method of fabricating component parts of the novelty device. The novelty device has at least one protrusion that is made from an elastomeric gel. The protrusion has a distal end. A hole is disposed through the protrusion proximate its distal end. A secondary object is provided. The secondary object is made from a rigid material. The secondary object defines an interior space. The distal end of the elastomeric gel protrusion extends through the secondary object and into the interior space of the secondary object. The secondary object is comprised of an assembly of interconnecting parts. The parts of the secondary object are assembled around the elastomeric gel protrusion in the area of the hole. Once assembled, the secondary object engages the hole in the elastomeric gel protrusion. As a result, the secondary object becomes mechanically interconnected to the end of the elastomeric gel protrusion.

Abstract: A power generation system and a fuel processor for use therein. The system produces steam from a water supply. A highly heated reaction chamber is provided. A common hydrocarbon fuel is mixed with water and introduced into the heated reaction chamber. The hydrocarbon fuel and water react at pressure and temperature, producing less complex gases. The resultant gases are passed into a hydrogen separator that is directly swept with steam. The hydrogen separator separates hydrogen from the resultant gases. The separated hydrogen is carried away from the hydrogen separator by the steam, thereby making the hydrogen separator more efficient. The hydrogen is separated from the steam is used to power a fuel cell. The fuel cell produces electricity and water is recycled back into the system.

Abstract: A launch and recovery system for a tethered airborne element is provided that launches and retrieves the tethered airborne element in a completely unattended manner. The system is comprised of a protective shroud for storing a tethered airborne element, a winch module for releasing the airborne element to fly into the air or retrieving the element from the air, and a bearing for enabling the control of launch and recovery. Optionally, the system is also comprised of a slip ring assembly for providing external power and/or control signals to the winch module. The system can also be equipped with instrumentation modules on the tether line to provide a radio link and high altitude weather information. These modules may also contain other sensors and actuators which will help stabilize the airborne element.

Abstract: A hydrogen separation membrane and its associated method of fabrication. The hydrogen separation membrane has a first material layer that is permeable to atomic hydrogen. The first material has a first catalytic ability to disassociate molecular hydrogen into atomic hydrogen. Complex particles are applied to the first material layer, either to produce a second layer or to act as a barrier between the first layer and a subsequent layer. The complex particles are hollow bucky structure, filled bucky structures or core particles coated with a hydrogen permeable metal. The complex particles prevent material from opposite sides of the hydrogen separation membrane from interdiffusing over time. Consequently, palladium based materials and Group V based materials can be used on opposite sides of the hydrogen separation membrane. This produces a hydrogen separation membrane that is more permeable to hydrogen in one direction than it is in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A plurality of folding tables that pack and store together as a single unit. The plurality includes a primary table. The primary table preferably includes a collapsible washbasin and a rack of shelves for storing provisions near the washbasin. Smaller secondary tables are also provided that set up separately from the primary table. The primary table, the secondary table and the rack of shelves are all collapsible. When these components are in their collapsed configurations, they can be interconnected. This produces a single compact unit for transportation that holds the primary table, the secondary table, the rack of shelves and other complementary objects.

Abstract: A hydrogen purification system and method that utilizes a hydrogen separator with a novel composite structure. The hydrogen separator has a first porous layer of a hydrogen permeable material. The first porous layer is comprised of premanufactured nano-particles of hydrogen permeable material that have been bonded together. A solid layer of the same hydrogen permeable material is then disposed onto the first porous layer. A pressure differential is created across the structure of the composite hydrogen separator. The porous layer of hydrogen permeable material supports the solid layer and enables the solid layer to withstand large pressure differentials. Furthermore, the porous layer of the hydrogen permeable material bonds to the solid layer, thereby greatly increasing the effective surface area of the solid layer that is exposed to hydrogen gas. Accordingly, a large flow rate of hydrogen gas can be obtained in a small amount of space.

Abstract: A game system that uses a swinging launcher to strike and propel a magnetic projectile. The magnetic projectile is propelled toward a primary target. If struck, the magnetic projectile clings to the primary target with magnetic attraction. Optional obstacles may be provided to make the striking of the primary target more difficult and the game more challenging. A tee is provided for placement of the magnetic projectile. The swinging launcher is spring loaded. The swinging launcher has a striking head that contacts the magnetic projectile on the tee when the spring loaded striking head is cocked and released. The striking head hits and separates the magnetic projectile from the tee thereby propelling the magnetic projectile toward the target.

Abstract: A toy airplane with a specialized launching configuration. The toy airplane has a body that extends between a nose and a tail. A roller assembly is disposed at the nose of the toy airplane. The roller assembly includes a free rotating finger roll that protrudes to the left and to the right of the nose. When a person launches the toy airplane, that person places his/her fingers behind the finger rolls on either side of the nose. As a person makes a throwing motion, the fingers roll off of the finger rolls just as the toy airplane is reaching its maximum velocity. The presence of the finger rolls, therefore, prevents a person from holding onto the toy airplane too long as it is being thrown.

Abstract: A putting guide assembly and its associated method of use. The putting guide assembly attaches to the head of a putter. The putter head has a striking surface for striking a golf ball. The putting guide assembly is attached to the putter and presents a flexible guide surface that extends forward of the putter's striking surface. The flexible guide surface can be configured into different curvatures. As the flexible guide surface is adjusted, the perceived curvature observed by a golfer holding the putter changes. A golfer can therefore selectively change the perceived curvature to match the natural curvature inherent in that golfer's putting swing.

Abstract: A plush toy that has a spinning nose construction. The plush toy includes a plush character form made of a sewn body shell that is filled with soft stuffing. The sewn body shell terminates along open seam edges in a head section. The open seam edges define an opening. A motor is positioned in the head section of the plush character form. The motor is positioned so that the shaft protrudes out of the head section through the opening. To prevent the motor from moving, the open seam edges of the sewn body shell are fastened directly to the motor. A nose structure is provided that is coupled to the motor. The nose structure includes a proboscis and a plurality of elongated elements that radially extend from the proboscis. An array of lights can be attached to at least one of the elongated elements.

Abstract: An assembly and method for adapting a baby stroller to better travel over unstable ground, such as sand. A sledge is provided that has a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface is flat with a beveled front end that enables the sledge to be easily pulled over sand or mud. Retention features, such as semi-cylindrical depressions, are formed in the top surface of the sledge. The retention features enable a baby stroller to be placed atop the sledge without rolling off. Once the wheels of the stroller are attached to the sledge, the sledge can be pulled through sand and mud more easily. The sledge may be supported by wide wheels to help the sledge roll over unstable ground. Furthermore, the sledge may be collapsible so that it can be easily stored when not in use.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a pole support base for the installation of a road-side pole. A mounting head assembly is provided. Support legs extend from the bottom surface of the mounting head assembly and support the mounting head assembly at a predetermined height that can be selectively adjusted. Pole mounts are provided on the top surface of the mounting head assembly that enable the base of a pole to be bolted to the mounting head assembly. A hole is excavated in the place where the pole is to be erected. The mounting head assembly is placed into the hole. The legs support the mounting head assembly within the hole and enable the mounting head assembly to be adjusted for height and levelness. The hole is then filled with poured concrete until at least the legs are submersed.