Abstract: The invention provides a barrel for a gun having a portion comprising a substantially transparent material. The barrel can be made of any substantially transparent material including a polycarbonate or glass, such as tempered glass. The barrel is coated with a substantially transparent material to add hardness, which provides scratch resistance, and prevent deterioration of the substantially transparent material. A barrel assembly is constructed by attaching the barrel to a gun housing, also called a barrel cage, comprised of a stiff material, for example metal such as aluminum. In another aspect of the invention, an expansion chamber is provided having a housing with a portion comprising a substantially transparent material, such as a polycarbonate or glass, such as, tempered glass. The housing is coated with a substantially transparent material to reduce scratching and absorption of pressurized gas into the transparent material.

Abstract: A universal boat accessory rack that provides a first support, a second support, a cross-bar connecting the first support to the second support, and a plurality of fasteners, which connect the first support and second support to a boat hull. More specifically, the first support, the second support and the cross-bar are all adjustable in length. Therefore, the boat accessory rack has an adjustable height, width and depth. In addition, the fasteners are capable of being attached in a vertical, horizontal or angular position with respect to the boat hull. In this manner, a boat owner may quickly and easily install the boat accessory rack on boats embodying a number of different sizes and designs.

Abstract: A universal boat accessory rack that provides a lighted hitch, a first support, a second support, a cross-bar connecting the first support to the second support, and a plurality of fasteners, which connect the first support and second support to a boat hull. More specifically, the lighted hitch may be attached to one of the supports, and the first support, the second support and the cross-bar are all adjustable in length. Therefore, the boat accessory rack has a light located at the highest point on the boat accessory rack and an adjustable height, width and depth. In addition, the fasteners are capable of being attached in a vertical, horizontal or angular position with respect to the boat hull. In this manner, a boat owner may quickly and easily install the boat accessory rack on boats embodying a number of different sizes and designs.

Abstract: A computer system and method for processing bills for a plurality of customers of a plurality of node systems within a larger system, each customer bill having a particular billing cycle, comprises a memory for storing a plurality of customer bill records containing raw data to be processed to generate a customer bill. The system also comprises a bill production initiator for waking up periodically and initiating a billing cycle for a plurality of the customer bill records stored in the memory. At least one bill production manager generates a plurality of processing group files containing at least one of the customer bill records stored in the memory such each processing group file has an efficient size and contains customer bill records having at least one common variable. At least one bill production worker processes the customer bill records from at least one of the processing groups.

Abstract: A picture frame capable of storing more than one picture, which includes a front frame member hingeably and removably attached to a rear support member, where the front frame member includes a frame surrounding a transparent display window and where the rear support member includes a picture compartment for storing pictures. The front frame member also includes a removable mat board mounted on the inside of the transparent window. The mat board forms a border on the inside of the display window and is releasably secured to the front frame member by flexible support arms. The front frame member and the rear support member are connected by a pair of releasable and interrelating fasteners mounted on the front frame member and the rear support member, respectively, for releasably securing the front frame member to the rear support member. The picture compartment includes an automatically adjusting, removable rear picture support removably mounted within the picture compartment.

Abstract: A display unit comprising a plurality of product trays connected to a plurality of shelves is disclosed. Each product tray includes a product slide moveable relative to the shelf and a facing slide moveably relative to both the product slide and the shelves. A restoring spring connects the product slide to the shelf and is positioned to facilitate restoration of the product slide from a stocking position to a displaying position. Locking mechanisms for both the product slide and the facing slide are also disclosed.

Abstract: A low-profile display rack for at least one golf club, where the golf club includes a shaft having a first end and a second end. The first end of the shaft is attached to a golf club head and the second end of the shaft merges with a grip portion for allowing a user to hold the golf club. The display rack is comprised of a display housing having a top wall with at least one opening and a support member mounted within the opening. The support member is comprised of a support cap with an aperture for receiving the second end of the golf club, a top end and a bottom end. The bottom end of the support member is further comprised of support side wall that includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the support side wall is connected to the top end of the support member and the lower portion of the support side wall merges with a bottom wall. The grip portion of the golf club is inserted into the aperture in the support cap and rests on the bottom wall of the support member.

Abstract: A set of pliers for easily and quickly removing concentric or standard knockouts from steel outlet boxes and the like. The subject tool is a set of pliers, comprising a first arm having a first end and second end and a second arm having a first end and second end, where the first arm and the second arm are pivotally connected with respect to one another by an interconnecting mechanism located between the first and second ends thereof. The first arm forms a first jaw located above the interconnecting mechanism of the first arm and the second arm forms an opposing, second jaw located above the interconnecting mechanism. The first jaw includes a first projection that extends from an area between the first end of the first arm and the interconnecting mechanism. The second jaw includes a second projection that extends from the end of the second arm. The first projection abuts the second jaw and the second projection abuts the first jaw. Thus, the first and second projections do not touch.

Abstract: A new and useful package and method capable of and for applying the package to an electronic device having a base and a display member pivotally connected to the base. The package includes a first panel overlying the working surface of the electronic device which encases at least a portion of the base of the electronic device, and an opposed second panel underlying the said electronic device which also encases at least a portion of the base of the electronic device. Moreover, a first aperture is disposed on the first panel near the display and dimensioned to allow the display to pivot relative to the base. A second aperture is also formed or cut on the first panel near the on and off buttons and dimensioned to allow the electronic device to be turned on and off without opening the package. The display may be manipulated without opening the package and while the electronic device remains secured within the packaging.

Abstract: An optical switch of the push button type for producing a variable control signal which is proportional to the position of the push button includes a housing, having a first interior wall and a second interior wall, and a push button which extends into the interior of the housing from the exterior thereof. The push button includes a body portion disposed within the housing for movement though each of a plurality of positions, whereby changes in the position of the push button cause proportional changes in an output voltage produced by the switch. A stationary light shield is fixedly disposed within the housing between the body portion of the push button and the first interior wall of the housing, where the shield also includes a plurality of apertures. Light emitting means are disposed within the housing and between the stationary light shield and the first interior wall. Light responsive means are fixedly disposed between the stationary light shield and the body portion of the push button.

Abstract: An optical switch of the multiple push button type for producing a plurality of control signals includes a housing and at least two sliders disposed within the housing. The sliders move between an initial position and at least two other positions. A pair of stationary light shields are disposed between said sliders in spaced apart relation, each of the shields having a plurality of apertures. Light emitting means are disposed between the stationary light shields. Separate light responsive means are disposed adjacent to each of the sliders. A pair of moveable light shields, each disposed between one of the stationary light shields and one of the light responsive means, each has a plurality of apertures and each is movable in response to movement of a separate one of the sliders. Circuitry responds to output of the light responsive means to produce the foregoing control signals, such output being dependent upon the position of the sliders.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting care providers from baby urination accidents. The apparatus includes a generally domed shaped, contiguous shell terminating in a base wherein the shell and base are sized such that the genitalia of a baby is accomodated and covered in the immediately surrounding region. The base is weighted to provide the apparatus with a center of gravity proximate to the baby when disposed over the genitalia thereof to provide the apparatus with stability when positioned as desired. An optional adhesive layer may be provided to the base to further the stability of the apparatus.