Abstract: A performance enhancing and force absorbing dental appliance adapted to lie within the mouth of an athlete consists of an occlusal posterior pad made of quadruple composite material comprising four layers of distinct materials, further comprising a first layer of a durable, resilient material; a second layer of non-softenable, flexible material; a third layer of a hard, very durable material; and a fourth layer of a softenable material, engageable with the occlusal surfaces to space apart the upper and lower teeth, to absorb shock and clenching stress. An adjustable arch adapted to expand and contract to be molded to the palate is provided connecting the posterior pads together within the mouth and out of the way of the tongue to maintain the position of the occlusal posterior pads within the mouth during use and to prevent loss of the pads such as by swallowing. An expandable serpentine bridge may be embedded in the arch.

Abstract: Apparatus for collating products into arrays, comprising: (a) an upper conveyor receiving the products at random intervals, the upper conveyor moving in a first direction, the upper conveyor establishing a first gap thereon between each product and a second gap thereon to create groups of products, the upper conveyor having a nose; (b) a lower conveyor positioned below the upper conveyor and receiving the products from the upper conveyor, the lower conveyor moving in a second direction substantially opposed to the first direction; and (c) a reverse shingling plate associated with the upper conveyor at the nose thereof and blocking product movement beyond the nose, whereby product encountering the reverse shingling plate drops onto the lower conveyor.

Abstract: A tree climbing apparatus consisting of two movable platforms, each of which is secured to the tree trunk by a flexible strap that has a non-scratching cover that will not harm the bark of the tree. Each of the flexible straps has a construction that includes an elastic stiffener that causes the flexible strap to be self-straightening when one end of the flexible strap is removed from the platform.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for carving a uniformly carved portion and a variably carved portion in a workpiece in a single pass. The apparatus consists of a uniform carving head fixed relative to the workpiece and a variable carving head that is movable simultaneously in two directions substantially perpendicular to the motion of the workpiece. A control system, which may include a programmable computer, controls the motion of the variable carving head.

Abstract: A full-body, self-deploying cover for a vehicle is shown. The cover consists of a fabric sheet with a sleeve formed in its periphery. Within the sleeve is an elastic rod with two free ends. The rod is foldable between an expanded state and a stored state. In the expanded state the rod outwardly tensions the periphery of the fabric sheet and forms a semi-rigid frame, with the spring tension of the rod causing the cover to self-deploy. A connector joins the ends of the elastic rod together after the cover is placed over the vehicle, with the rod beneath the vehicle's undercarriage, and the fabric sheet may be tightened securely within the perimeter of the undercarriage.

Abstract: A performance enhancing and force absorbing dental appliance adapted to lie within the mouth of an athlete consists of an occlusal posterior pad made of quadruple composite material comprising four layers of distinct materials, further comprising a first layer of a durable, resilient material; a second layer of non-softenable, flexible material; a third layer of a hard, very durable material; and a fourth layer of a softenable material, engageable with the occlusal surfaces to space apart the upper and lower teeth, to absorb shock and clenching stress. An adjustable arch adapted to expand and contract to be molded to the palate is provided connecting the posterior pads together within the mouth and out of the way of the tongue to maintain the position of the occlusal posterior pads within the mouth during use and to prevent loss of the pads such as by swallowing. An expandable serpentine bridge may be embedded in the arch.

Abstract: The invention relates to an evaporative cooling device including a stand-alone housing that is not connected to any structure. The housing has at least one vertical side with an opening and an evaporative pad is placed inside the opening. An electric centrifugal blower is placed inside the housing to draw air through the evaporative pad and to discharge the same in a vertical direction through an opening in a top cover. The top cover has a directional spout placed over the opening to direct the air in multi-adjusted directions. The cooling device is intended to be used on wide open playing or sport fields or in open sided warehouses or work stations. A smaller size is intended to be used in semi-confined areas such as verandas, patios, lanais, porches etc. A flexible air duct can be attached to the spout so as to temporarily deliver cooled air to confined spaces such attics in a house. The spout may be adapted to oscillate back and forth to deliver air evenly across a room.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an archery arrow with a fluted or crimped shaft, which can be made lighter and hence provide greater velocity than a standard, non-fluted arrow. In a second aspect, the present invention includes a fluted arrow wherein the fluting includes grooves that spiral along the length of the shaft, allowing spin to be imparted to the arrow. Spinning the arrow about its shaft will give it increased stability. In another aspect, the present invention includes an arrow rest for the fluted arrow, which is suitably arranged to impart spin to the arrow and/or to keep the arrow from falling off the arrow rest.

Abstract: A system and method for defining rewriteable data storage media defined by ECMA Standard ECMA-272 2nd edition (1999) for 120 mm DVD rewriteable disk (DVD-RAM) as a write once data storage media and for storing data thereon. The apparatus consists of a data storage device for reading and writing data on the media, the media, a media type indicator in the media, two write protect flags in the user data area of the media, and programming to examine the two write protect flags prior to a write, erase, or format operation. If both flags match and the media type indicator is write once, the drive is prevented from writing to the user data area if both flags are in the data written state. If both flags do not match after two re-reads, an error message is generated. If both flags are in the data unwritten state, data is written to the user data area and both flags are set to the data written state.

Abstract: A knife for cutting fibrous insulation batts in a single motion with one hand consists of a blade having a smooth, curved edge adapted to both compress and cut the insulation batt along the entire length of the curved edge without tearing the insulation batt and a handle permanently and non-movably attached to one end of the blade.

Abstract: A ventilation duct and methods of ventilation are disclosed. The ventilation duct provides a plurality of inner and outer sound absorbing members. The inner and outer sound absorbing members lying in separate planes with portions of the inner and outer sound absorbing members overlapping one another to inhibit the transmission of sound through the duct. The inner and outer sound absorbing members each including a longitudinal cavity filled with a sound absorbing material and having a plurality of sound transmission passages extending through the members to expose the sound absorbing material to incoming sound waves. In addition, the members may be shaped to have a reverse megaphone effect to further reduce the sound transmitted across the duct.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and applying a novel pavement and patch material for roadways, driveways, walkways, patch for potholes and like surfaces, including the steps of reducing recycled asphalt roof waste to granules, adding aggregate and other solid recyclable materials to the granules, adding rejuvenating oil, adding emulsifier, adding asphalt concrete oil, adding anti-strip additives, adding liquid silicone, mixing the composition, heating the composition, applying the composition to the roadway or the like and compacting a new paving material.

Abstract: A performance enhancing and force absorbing mouthguard adapted to fit the upper teeth of the mouth of an athlete wherein the mouthguard is quadruple or quintuple composite material of distinct materials. The first internal layer is a non-softenable flexible framework which will permit the mouthguard to hold its shape during fitting as well as to absorb and dissipate significant impact conveyed to the upper teeth. A hard, durable reverse bite plate wedge is thicker rearwardly and lowers the condyle from the temporomandibular joint in a fulcrum action to place the lower jaw in an optimum condition preventing impingement upon the nerves and arteries as well as spacing the upper and lower teeth apart. Elastomeric traction pads are on the bottom of the mouthguard and are grippingly engaged by the posterior teeth of the lower jaw.

Abstract: A steel frame assembly that attaches to a 5-chamber, side-by-side inflatable water sled. The frame assembly supports a surface area that consists of a cargo mat and a polypropylene trampoline mat with protective pads. The water sled is slightly modified and structurally reinforced to allow a frame to be attached. The frame assembly converts the water sled into a portable, multi-use product that can be towed behind a boat.

Abstract: A customizable dental appliance adapted to lie within the mouth of a person consisting of occlusal posterior pads optionally with a connective arch or a u-shaped style base with upstanding labial and/or buccal walls. The appliance is made of low-density polyethylene.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical topical spray composition of corticosteroid, an alcohol, a propelant, and isopropyl myristate. A method for treating an inflammatory skin condition using the administration to the skin of a mammal of the pharmaceutical composition. The pharmaceutical composition is effective in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions without the need for zinc pyrithione, undecylenic acid, or a detergent.