Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a multi-panel cover component for a multi-panel body component nested within the cover component. The cover component is moveable with respect to the body component, so as to provide an image or functional change in the component being presented to a user of the apparatus, when the user moves the cover component, so as to cover or uncover the body component.

Abstract: A body adapter for a stringed musical instrument, comprising: a bottom portion and a varying thickness perimeter sidewall portion, where a space bounded by the bottom portion and an inside portion of the perimeter sidewall portion, forms a receiving compartment. The receiving compartment has a shape adapted to releasably receive the body of a stringed musical instrument and thereby change the shape of the instrument as it is held by a user for playing, from that of the outside shape of the musical instrument, to the outside shape of the body adapter.

Abstract: A monitoring system for developing information data, for use in association with an opening that provides access for removal by a customer of articles stored in an article storage area. In one embodiment, the monitoring system includes a beam forming device adapted to be arranged about the perimeter of the opening so as to form at least one radiation beam that spans the opening. The radiation beam has a position with respect to the opening that is sufficient to detect manual removal by the customer of one or more of the articles from inside the article storage area, by the article and hand of the customer causing a temporary blockage of at least a portion of the radiation beam as the article and hand of the customer pass through the opening. A processing circuit coupled to the beam forming device senses the blockage of the radiation beam, and in response to the sensing, develops the information data.

Abstract: A control device for controlling a display of a computer system for use with a video game includes a coordinate control unit for providing information related to a vertical and horizontal tilt of the control device, a mouse control unit for inputting conventional mouse input information, a game control unit for inputting game control information and a controller for processing the information provided by the coordinate control unit, mouse control unit and game control unit. The vertical and horizontal point of view of the user in the video game and/or the vertical and horizontal position of a cursor on the display is determined based on the information related to the vertical and horizontal tilt of the control device. The control device is preferably shaped like a firearm to enhance the realism of the video game, but may be shaped like a conventional game pad.

Abstract: A vending machine apparatus comprising a housing defining an internal cavity and an article storage compartment positioned inside the cavity. The article storage compartment may have a cooling unit associated therewith for cooling the article storage compartment. The article storage compartment is subdivided into a plurality of article storage sub-compartments, each sub-compartment having an opening at a dispensing end thereof for passage therethrough during a dispensing operation of articles stored therein. An air barrier arrangement is positioned so as to be in common with the dispensing end of a plurality of said sub-compartments, for separating the interior of the sub-compartments from the remainder of the interior of the internal cavity, the air barrier arrangement having flaps that operate individually with respective ones of said sub-compartments, so as to allow articles stored in the sub-compartments to pass therethrough during the dispensing operation.

Abstract: An article storage container for use in an article handler which uses a suction-type gripping device. The container comprises a bin having wall portions and a bottom portion, for storing in a columnar manner, articles to be retrieved by the gripping device. The gripping device enters a dispensing end of the bin which is opposite the bottom portion of the bin. An airflow path providing device at the bottom portion of the bin prevents the gripping device from developing enough suction force to grip to the bottom of the bin.

Abstract: A multi-exercise rotary device, comprising: at least one elongate body-supported member, the body-supported member having a first end adapted to be supported by the body of the user, and a second end opposite the first end, at least one rotating member having a longitudinal axis that is at least semi-rigid, and which axis has a weight-biased distribution toward a distal end thereof; and a rotary mechanism for coupling the rotating member to a point on the body-supported member which is near the second end thereof. The rotary mechanism allows rotational movement of the rotating member about the longitudinal axis of the body-supported member.

Abstract: A merchandiser includes a front door or wall portion which forms a barrier between an exterior side and an interior side of the merchandiser. The front door or wall portion holds a first display panel in a relatively fixed manner so that an exterior side of the first display panel forms at least a portion of the exterior side of the merchandiser. The first display panel including portions that are clear, so as to allow a user of the merchandiser to see through the clear portion of the first display panel. A replaceable graphics display panel, which itself has replaceable graphics cards thereon, is placeable in juxtaposition with an interior facing side of the first display panel, so that the replaceable graphics cards thereon are aligned with the clear portions, so that the replaceable graphics cards are viewable from the exterior side of the merchandiser.

Abstract: An optical corrector system optical system comprising two components, a first housing supporting therein a telenegative-type lens, and a second housing supporting therein a positive-type lens. The first housing is adapted to be coupled to a telescope in a manner so that the telenegative lens intercepts the image plane provided by the telescope. The second housing is adapted to be coupled to an image input portion of a remote viewing device. Opposite ends of the first and second housings are adapted to be coupled to each other in a manner so that the distance between the telenegative lens in the first housing and the positive lens in the second housing results in the intercepted image plane being repositioned from a viewing position at the telescope, to a viewing position at the remote viewing device. In a preferred embodiment, the remote viewing device comprises a binocular viewer.

Abstract: A vending machine apparatus (32) comprising a housing defining an internal cavity and an article storage area (76) positioned inside the cavity. The article storage area (76) has a cooling unit associated therewith for cooling the article storage area (76). A thermal barrier (12) is disposed within the housing and positioned between an outer perimeter of the article storage area (76) and the remainder of the internal cavity so as to substantially divide the internal cavity into first and second thermally separated sections (17a–b), with the cooling unit being located in the first section (17a). An opening in a portion of the housing is located in at least one of the first or second sections (17a–b), and a first air moving device is positioned in one of the first or second sections (17a–b) for causing an air flow path which removes heat developed by the cooling unit, from the first section inside the cavity.

Abstract: A promotional display comprising a chamber having front and rear panels with inside and outside surfaces, for containing between expanses of the inside surfaces of the panels a first liquid. At least a portion of the outside surface of the front panel comprises a view surface which allows viewing of liquid flow inside the chamber. A liquid reservoir is positioned adjacent the chamber for containing a second liquid therein, which second liquid contrasts with and is not miscible with the first liquid. A restricted liquid flow path is located between the chamber and the reservoir, which allows flow of the second liquid into the chamber and across at least a portion of the view surface of the chamber.

Abstract: A vending machine apparatus comprising a housing defining an internal cavity and an article storage compartment positioned inside the cavity. The article storage compartment may have a cooling unit associated therewith for cooling the article storage compartment. The article storage compartment is subdivided into a plurality of article storage sub-compartments, each sub-compartment having an opening at a dispensing end thereof for passage therethrough during a dispensing operation of articles stored therein. An air barrier arrangement is positioned so as to be in common with the dispensing end of a plurality of said sub-compartments, for separating the interior of the sub-compartments from the remainder of the interior of the internal cavity, the air barrier arrangement having flaps that operate individually with respective ones of said sub-compartments, so as to allow articles stored in the sub-compartments to pass therethrough during the dispensing operation.

Abstract: A merchandiser includes a front door or wall portion which forms a barrier between an exterior side and an interior side of the merchandiser. The front door or wall portion holds a first display panel in a relatively fixed manner so that an exterior side of the first display panel forms at least a portion of the exterior side of the merchandiser. An access port (such as a slot) is included in the front door or wall portion, and is dimensioned and oriented so as to allow a replaceable graphics display panel to be passed, for example, from the interior side to the exterior side of the merchandiser, so as to be placed in juxtaposition with an interior facing side of the first display panel.

Abstract: An article handling apparatus embodied, for example, as a vending machine, includes a controllably positioned hose-type dispenser for retrieving articles from an article storage area. A first end of the hose receives article securing energy (e.g., suction), and a second end is adapted to secure to and extract a selected article from the storage area. A hose positioning mechanism controllably positions the second end of the hose for retrieving articles from the article storage area.

Abstract: An article handling apparatus embodied, for example, as a vending machine, includes a controllably positioned hose dispenser for retrieving articles from an article storage area. A hose is continuous from a first end located within a hose storage area, where the hose receives article securing energy (e.g., suction), to a second end adapted to secure to and extract a selected article from the storage area. A hose positioning mechanism coupled to the hose controllably positions the second end of the hose so as to be aligned with a given article stored in the storage area, for controllably contacting and extracting the selected article from the storage area, and controllably positioning the second end of the hose so as to transport the article to a dispensing area. The hose positioning mechanism imparts both a storage requirement and a retraction requirement on the hose as a result of the controllable positioning.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus embodied, for example, as a vending machine, including a controllably positioned suction hose dispenser for retrieving articles from a storage area. In one embodiment, a sensor having an output responsive to changes in partial pressure inside the air hose, such as an airflow sensor coupled to the suction-hose, can initially act to sense the timing of contact of the suction hose with an article to be dispensed. As long as suction is provided to the gripping end of the suction hose prior to the hose contacting the article to be retrieved, the airflow (and partial pressure) inside the hose will change dramatically as the gripping end of the suction hose makes contact with the article. Furthermore, at the moment when the gripping end of the suction hose is no longer in substantial contact with the article, the airflow sensor again provides an indication signal, due to the sudden change in airflow (and partial pressure) that occurs at the time within the hose.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing a gap formed between the floor or other supporting surface and the base of a vending machine, which apparatus prevents the accumulation of debris, etc. under the base of the machine.

Abstract: The present inventions relates generally to improvements in article handling, such as in vending machines, and more particularly, to improvements in methods and apparatus for handling articles using a vacuum-type product lifting/dispensing mechanism, to improvements in article display panels which enhance sales of primary products, and to improvements in product containment systems which improve product storage capacity, as well as the ease and efficiency of product handling, access and loading into the article handling apparatus.