Abstract: A system, kit and method for aligning a vehicle mounted connector with a trailer-mounted connector. The system and kit include a first rod, which is mounted to a trailer, and a second rod, which is mounted to the rear portion of a vehicle in a location corresponding to the location of the first rod on the trailer. The first rod includes a first connector at one end, for attachment to the trailer, and a first target mounted at the other end. The second rod includes a second connector at one end for attachment to the vehicle, and a second target mounted at its other end. The second rod is attached to the rear portion of the vehicle and extends rearward toward the trailer and upward such that is may be viewed through the rear window of the vehicle and is at substantially the same height as the first target.

Abstract: The present invention is a masonry unit, masonry system and method of constructing a structure using the system. In its most basic form, the masonry unit of the present invention includes substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces, substantially parallel a front and back surfaces, and substantially parallel right and left surfaces. A locking ridge is disposed upon the top surface and extends along the top surface in substantially parallel relation to the front and back surfaces. A locking channel is disposed with in the bottom surface and is dimensioned to mate with locking ridge on the top surface of an adjoining masonry unit. The locking channel is disposed inward from the bottom surface a distance that is a slightly larger than the distance from the top surface to the top of the ridge. The system includes a primary masonry unit and at least one corner masonry unit.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for drying and de-wrinkling an article of clothing, which includes a housing having an upper compartment, a lower compartment, and a dividing wall separating the compartments. An exhaust hole is disposed through one side of the upper compartment of the housing, and an intake hole and an outflow hole are disposed through the dividing wall. A mechanical assembly is disposed within the upper compartment and includes a fan, heater, thermostat and humidity sensor. An exhaust fan is in fluid communication with the exhaust hole and is adapted to control a flow of air through the exhaust hole in the side of the housing. A control system is disposed within the upper compartment and accepts an input from a user, a temperature input, and a humidity input, and controls the heater, the fan and the exhaust fan based upon the temperature input and the humidity input.

Abstract: An information card and card system that eliminates forgery and illegal use of a card. The information card includes a memory that stores information data, which includes one of image data and acoustic data and contains inherent data that is embedded in the information data according to steganographic information hiding. The inherent data is data that authenticates a legitimacy of a card owner of the information card. The information card system include the information card and a data processing terminal for authenticating the owner of the card and/or the authenticity of the card itself.

Abstract: A hot water heating system, coupler and integrated flow system. The hot water heating system includes a first isolator valve, a flow control valve, a circulator and a second isolator valve. Each of these components is equipped with one portion of a connector on one side of the component and a mating portion of a connector on the other side. The integrated flow system includes a body into which is attached at least a circulator and a flow control valve.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for embedding information within an indexed color image such that the existence of the data is not recognizable by the human eye. The method includes the steps of altering color image data, such that it will not cause a large color change in the representing image, and hiding information using an information hiding method. The altering step is accomplished via a color set changing method. The color set changing method involves first decomposing the image in to a set of color component images, embedding data in the color component or components, which the human visual system is most sensitive to, then merging representative colors until the number of representative colors is less than or equal to the target number of colors and reformatting the resulting image into indexed color image format.

Abstract: A polarized material inspection device that includes a light source, a first polarizing filter disposed within the optical path of the light source, a frame into which a second polarizing filter is disposed, and a support for positioning the frame such that an object may be viewed through the second polarizing filter. In the preferred embodiment, the first polarizing filter is rotatable through a ninety degree arc such that planes of polarization may be adjusted to be parallel or orthogonal to one another. The preferred embodiment also includes a light illumination assembly having a rotatably mounted linear polarizer at the polarizing output end. This light assembly is attached to a portion of the frame and may be adjusted such that the beam of light is directed to the desired portion of the surface. Within the frame is mounted a fixed linear polarizing filter of sufficient size to allow the entire illuminated surface to be viewed.

Abstract: An insulator band, electrical wiring system, and kit for preventing shorting of electrical connectors. The system and kit of the present invention each utilize an insulator band that is manufactured of an insulating material, dimensioned of sufficient width to cover the terminals of the switch or outlet, and sized to provide a sufficient elastic force upon the switch or outlet to maintain it in position, while preventing breakage or springing from the switch or outlet. In operation, the wires are extended through the band and are connected in the normal manner to the switch or outlet. The band is then slid back over the wires, stretched over the switch or outlet, and positioned to cover the terminals of the switch or outlet. The switch or outlet is than installed into the outlet box in the in the normal manner. When the switch or outlet needs to be removed or replaced, the band is slipped back off the wires and may be reused once a new outlet or switch is installed.

Abstract: A contour sanding apparatus for driving a sanding belt, the apparatus includes a body and a drive pulley rotatably attached to the body, the drive pulley comprising a drive-axle dimensioned for attachment to a source of rotation. A primary arm is fixedly attached to the body and includes an end portion to which a primary idler pulley is rotatably attached. A secondary arm is also provided. The secondary arm includes a first end portion to which a secondary idler pulley is rotatably attached and may include tensioning means for maintaining the sanding belt in tension. The secondary idler pulley is disposed in relation to the primary idler pulley such that the sanding belt forms a sanding portion between the primary idler pulley and the secondary idler pulley.

Abstract: A matrix transformer and/or inductor module has its terminations bonded rigidly to the ferrite core of which it is made. Because the ferrite core is strong and dimensionally stable, the terminations are rugged and precisely located, important criteria for assembly to printed circuit boards and the like, especially if automated assembly methods are used. In another embodiment, the module has top and bottom metal plates which are the high current output terminals. This module can be mounted sandwiched between live heat sinks. In another embodiment, deep grooves are made into the core material, and fins are bonded into the grooves. The grooves reduce core losses by reducing eddy currents and dimensional resonance effects, and the fins remove heat from within the core allowing operation at much higher flux density and frequency.

Abstract: A regenerative fuel cell system. The system includes an electrolyzing device that is placed in communication with an aqueous solution for converting the aqueous solution into a hydrogen gas. An aqueous buoyancy electrical drive is placed in fluid communication with the hydrogen gas produced by the electrolyzing device. This electrical drive includes a means for extracting mechanical energy from the hydrogen gas, and a generator for converting the energy into electrical power. A fuel cell is placed in fluid communication with the hydrogen gas and is adapted to convert the chemical energy in the hydrogen gas and the oxygen into electrical power.

Abstract: A gear train apparatus including a gear and a cone disposed in contact with the gear. The cone includes a plurality of conic teeth, between which are a first plurality of spaces, and a plurality of scaling teeth, between which are a second plurality of spaces. The conic teeth are arranged about the cone to form a plurality of conic rings, which disposed about a plurality of nascention circles. The rings are dimensioned to mate with the teeth of the gear such that the conic teeth neutralize a change in surface speed of the cone along the conic teeth. The scaling teeth form at least one acceleration channel and at least one deceleration channel extending from each of the conic rings and intercepting an adjacent conic ring, with each acceleration channel and the deceleration channel being disposed along a nascention offset line between nascention circles of adjacent conic rings.

Abstract: A snow grooming apparatus and system for grooming snow barriers and elements. The apparatus has an inlet to accept the snow, and at least one smoothing member attached to the rear of the inlet. The smoothing members are dimensioned to pass over the snow formed by the inlet and to smooth at least one side of the snow such that the resulting barrier has at least one substantially smooth side. The system includes the snow grooming apparatus attached to a blade of a snow grooming vehicle.

Abstract: An inflatable cast system for immobilizing a lower extremity of a human. The system includes a pair of outer shell members shaped to conform to the lateral and medial sides of the lower extremity, respectively. A base member is fastened to the shell members to form a substantially U-shaped stirrup member. The upstanding sidewalls of the shell members are maintained in position relative to the lower extremity by a plurality of elongated, circumferentially extending, longitudinally spaced, flexible fastening straps. A pair of inflatable air bags are attached to inside surfaces of the shell members. The air bags include at least one chamber and a valve that is sealed along one edge of the air bag and is adapted to allow the chamber to be automatically sealed once the brace is attached to the extremity of the user. A unidirectional air pump is provided to allow the chamber of the air bag to be selectively inflated and deflated.

Abstract: A garment storage apparatus that includes a housing having a first portion, a second portion, and a central portion. The first portion and the second portion are dimensioned to fold about the central portion and fasten together to form an interior compartment of the apparatus. The combination of a clamp plate, a clamping means, a central rod assembly and a second rod assembly holds a garment in tension when the first portion of the housing and the second portion of the housing are folded about the central portion of the housing.

Abstract: A grinding attachment for use in conjunction with hand-held grinding or drilling power tools such as are commonly found around the house, and method for using this attachment. The purpose of the invention is to allow the homeowner and the like to have greater facility in performing surface sanding, grinding, or finish work on pieces of wood and the like. In particular, the goal is to provide proficiency in working with surfaces that are not planar or otherwise simple. By providing an appropriate compound support against which an abrasive belt or the like is to run as it works the surface, it is possible to have a variety of backing shapes ranging from a strictly planar backing to one that allows the abrasive material to take the shape of whatever piece is being pressed against it. The invention derives its motive power from a coupling to a power tool, typically by the insertion of a drive axle of the attachment into the chuck of a hand drill.

Abstract: A stack of gears including and a first and a second gear disposed in parallel relation to, and sharing a common axis with, the first gear. Each gear is of a different diameter and each includes a plurality of teeth. At least one transition train is teeth disposed between the first gear and the second gear. Like the first and second gear, the transition train also includes a plurality of teeth that are disposed in substantially perpendicular relation to the common axis. The transition train is dimensioned to form at least one deceleration channel and at least one acceleration channel extending from each of the first gear and the second gear. The stack of gears may be dimensioned for use with a pinion gear, or with a continuous loop drive, such as a chain or belt.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a light source, counting means for counting an actual amount of time that the light source has been used, and recording means in communication with the counting means for recording the actual amount of time that the light source has been used. The method includes the steps of supplying power to the light source, counting an actual amount of time that the power has been supplied to the light source, and recording the actual amount of time that power has been supplied to the light source.

Abstract: A technique for hiding information in an image that is based a property of the human vision system. Because of its relation to human vision properties, the technique of the present invention provides an information hiding capacity is as large as 50% of the original image data. The method includes the steps of segmenting each region of a vessel image into informative and noise-like regions by using a threshold value, arranging the data into a series of data blocks, and embedding each data block into the noise-like regions of the image.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for randomly dispensing objects, such as chocolate candies, a kit of parts, and a method for playing games, or educational exercises. that utilizes the random dispenser apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing having a substantially hollow interior portion for holding a plurality of the objects and a dispensing opening dimensioned to allow a single object to be dispensed. An object sorter is provided for aligning the objects for individual dispensing through the dispensing opening of the housing. Finally, an actuator is provided for individually dispensing the single object from the object sorter through the dispensing opening of the housing. In operation, the objects are held within the housing and are randomly aligned within the object sorter such that a user will not know which of the objects will be dispensed when the actuator is actuated. The objects are then dispensed through the dispensing opening in the housing when the actuator is actuated.