Abstract: A lighting system that includes an elongated strip of flexible, shape-retaining material and a plurality of light sockets mounted on the strip. Each of the light sockets is electrically connected together and may be adjusted individually so that light may be directed in a variety of angles and directions. The flexible material is malleable. All of the wiring is located within and extends along the strip of material with a plug extending outwardly from an end of the strip. The strip may be mounted and secured about or to an indoor or outdoor structure.

Abstract: In response to a triggering event at a location such as a vehicle that has crashed a telematics system initiates a telecommunications call via telecommunications link 8 to PTN 10, through which it is routed to local 9-1-1 system 14 and thereby to local PSAP 18. Telematics system 2 waits, 26 (N), for local PSAP 18 to respond, 26 (Y), then exchanges ACN data with it per TTY protocols, 28. The PSAP then sends a command code back to the vehicle or other location to allow for voice communications with a person at the location. Other functions such as shutting the vehicle engine off can also be controlled by PSAP.

Abstract: The card game of the present invention utilizes a deck of 42 cards which may resemble a standard deck of playing cards. The deck includes three Pictures (preferably tigers and/or dragons) and three each of Aces through Kings. The game begins with a dealer dealing two cards face up to each player and dealing one card up and one card down to himself or herself. Each player is then given the option to drawn an additional card if he or she is dealt anything other than a natural nine. The dealer then draws an additional card with a point count of five or less but must stay with a point count of six to nine. When all of the dealing and card drawing is over, each player compares his or her hand to the dealer's hand. The winner is determined based on a combination of poker and Baccarat rules.

Abstract: An exercise device having a first base member with foot platforms mounted thereon for rotating a person's lower body and a second base member including at least one handle to be grasped by a person for rotating a person's upper body. The first and second base members are mounted so as to be capable of rotating about the same vertical axis. Resistance means and/or weights may be used to increase the force needed to rotate the base members. Either base member may also be fixed so as not to rotate. Similarly, the foot platforms may rotate on the first base member independently of the first base member or can be fixed thereto so as to remain stationary in relation to the first base member. The second base member may be mounted adjacent the first base member and concentric therewith the handle extending upwardly.

Abstract: An amusement device that includes an elastic ball, a rigid, generally rectangular platform surrounding the ball so as to give the ball a figure eight appearance, an elongated elastic handle extending upwardly from the center of the ball, and a plurality of straps releasably securing the handle to the platform. The handle includes an upper section, a lower section, and a bar extending generally horizontally outwardly from the upper section of the handle. The bar may be grasped by a person while bouncing on the ball. The handle and the ball are made from an elastic material such as rubber.

Abstract: A collection system for collecting a liquid test sample that includes a spoon-like member having a bowl portion for collecting and holding the test sample, a handle member housing a test device, and a channel member joining the bowl portion to the handle member is disclosed. The channel member provides an elongated passageway for transferring the test sample to the test device. A cap is releasably mounted on the channel member and covers the bowl portion and the channel member. The bowl portion and channel member are inclined slightly upwardly from the horizontal thereby allowing the test sample to flow from the bowl portion, through the channel member, and into the handle member. A cover is releasably mounted on the channel member and can be secured to the handle member.

Abstract: A machine for removing the tips of tablet punches includes a housing that contains a turret that is rotated about a substantially vertical axis and a cutting wheel. The turret supports a plurality of tablet punches in a substantially vertical position with the tips of the punches being exposed below the turret. A cutting wheel is positioned below the turret and is located in a position so as to be in the path of the tips as the turret rotates. A motor rotates the cutting wheel so that the tips are removed from the punches as they are rotated into the path of the wheel. A nozzle is directed to the position where the cutting wheel engages the tips of the punches and sprays a cooling fluid in order to cool the cutting wheel and tips to prevent overheating thereof.

Abstract: A spark plug has an elongated body of substantially circular cross-section with a center axis. A wedge shaped center electrode extends from one end of the body and a wedge shaped ground electrode is arranged in close proximity to the center electrode. Each of the electrodes includes an elongated knife edge. The knife edges extend radially with respect to the center axis but lie in different parallel planes that are perpendicular to the axis. The two knife edges of the electrodes are spaced apart from each other and extend perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: Sound detection techniques and sound discrimination techniques are used to analyze the real time sounds generated during the operation of cleaning heads operating within a vessel to determine if the cleaning heads are operating properly. During a typical cleaning operation pressurized cleaning solution is dispensed through a plurality of rotating nozzles inside the vessel. As the nozzles rotate the spray moves about the interior of the vessel creating a unique sound pattern. By placing one or more pickups on the exterior of the vessel the sound is captured and fed to an analyzing device for analysis. The peaks in the captured sound pattern are divided into the number of nozzles and stored in an equal number of buffers. After averaging, the buffers a compared to each other. One buffer that significantly differs froms the others indicates that the nozzle associated with that buffer is defective.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the recognition that some materials contain a magnetically susceptible or magnetic component. That is, they exhibit ferromagnetic, paramagnetic, diamagnetic or magnetic properties. According to the invention, it is possible to determine the presence of a magnetically susceptible or magnetic component in a sample of a material by obtaining a sample of the material, positioning the sample at a predetermined distance from a magnet and then measuring the magnetic force on the sample by the magnet. The force is measured using a force transducer. To obtain the magnetic force per unit gravitational force, the gravitational force on the sample is measured out of the presence of the magnet and the measured magnetic force is then divided by the gravitational force exerted on the sample. A sample thickness adjustment is necessary if comparing samples of different thicknesses.

Abstract: A renewable electric power system includes a high temperature superconducting wind turbine using high temperature superconducting yttrium-barium-copper oxide for the rotor and stator windings as well as a superconducting bearing. Power from the turbine is stored in a high temperature superconducting magnetic storage system that also uses HTS YBCO. Also included is a regenerative solid oxide fuel cell/electrolyzer with steam turbine cogeneration. The system operates on a managed day/night cycle. During daytime, the energy produced by the wind turbines and fuel cells is transmitted to the grid. During nocturnal hours, the wind turbine is used to provide low cost electricity to the reversible fuel cells operating in the electrolysis mode producing hydrogen and oxygen that is stored for later use. Alternatively, the fuel cells can remain in electrolysis mode producing hydrogen and oxygen for the market. A modified interactive system generates power on a continuous twenty-four hour cycle.

Abstract: A drinking cup that teaches a child how to drink from a cup while minimizing spills includes an elongated, generally cylindrical housing for holding a liquid, the housing has an inside surface, an outside surface, and a bottom; an elongated, generally cylindrical insert with an inner surface and an outer surface where the insert fits within the housing; and a cap removably mounted to the housing. The insert includes a plurality of tabs located on the outer surface of the insert and a plurality of feet extending downwardly from the bottom of the insert that create a space between the insert and the housing. The space receives any liquid flowing between the inner surface of the insert and the outer surface of the insert. The cap has a plurality of openings formed therein and the openings are in fluid communication with the space formed between the insert and the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed are improvements to a construction system based on genderless connectors. The improvements consist of chamfered entries to permit greater ease of connection and a suite of female connectors that extend the capabilities of the basic genderless connectors on which the construction system is based.

Abstract: The work pants include a right leg member and a left leg member. Each of the leg members has a lower edge, a knee section extending downwardly from the lower edge of each of the leg members, padded material housed within each of the knee sections, and a plurality of straps where each of the straps has a clip attached thereto so that the straps may be releasably attached to the worker's shoes. The work pants may be in the form of shorts.