Abstract: An apparatus and method for changing barbell weights. The apparatus includes at least one stand having a ramp sloping upwards to a first cradle and a second cradle. The first cradle is sized to hold a circular barbell weight. The height of the first cradle exceeds the height of the second cradle by at least the difference between a weight bore diameter and a bar diameter. When a barbell is supported in the stand, only an innermost weight at each barbell end rests against the cradle floor; the other weights all depend from the bar and are easily slid off of, and onto, the bar. Method steps include rolling the barbell onto one or more stands, changing weights as desired, and rolling the barbell off of the stand(s).

Abstract: A self-contained hydraulic thruster for vessel. The hydraulic thruster incorporates an elevated helm platform mounted to a base having reinforced base feet, and a hydraulic fluid reservoir mounted on the helm platform. The elevation of the hydraulic fluid reservoir facilitates flow of hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic power pack mounted on the base. A lower unit mounting tube is attached to the base, and at least one lower unit is mounted at an end of the lower unit mounting tube, laterally offset from the helm platform, so that when the lower unit is retracted and tilted up, it lies on one side of the platform, and the platform doesn't interfere with retraction and tilting of the lower unit. Lower units are pivotably mounted in lower unit housings with lower unit bushings, and steering is provided by a steering motor through an overhung load adaptor to a drive gear.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to manufacture a leaf display device. The method includes the steps of positioning a top leaf on a broadleaf stem substantially co-linear with the broadleaf stem; positioning a leaf adjacent the top leaf substantially parallel to, and on top of the top leaf; positioning a leaf adjacent the leaves already stacked substantially parallel to, and on top of the previously stacked leaves; and repeating the previous step until all leaves desired to be stacked have been stacked. The method may include the additional steps of employing a notched broadleaf stem holder to hold stacked broadleaf stems in the correct configuration until they are ready to be used for assembly. The notched broadleaf stem holder may be supported on a table or a transportation device by means of a broadleaf stem holder support. An alternate embodiment broadleaf stem holder comprises a recess sized to admit and hold at least one stacked broadleaf stem.

Abstract: A float retractable landing gear. The float retractable landing gear incorporates a wheel support, a side gear door, a bottom gear door, and one or more hinges and strut ears attached to a spine. At least one hinge is rotatably attached to a float. The float incorporates a float side cutout communicating with a float bottom cutout. A spring-loaded strut incorporating on over center toggle down lock feature is attached between the float retractable landing gear and the float. A float side wall skin is attached to an upper portion of the float side wall cutout. The side gear door is sized to cover the lower portion of the float side wall cutout, and the bottom gear door is sized to cover the float bottom cutout. The float retractable landing gear may be specified to default into the extended or retracted position depending on the strut spring constant selected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to remove dental implant. The apparatus comprises a guide ring rotatably attached to a base, means to rotatably attach the guide ring to the base, means to attach the apparatus to an implant, and apparatus to remove dental implant indexing means sized to mate with implant indexing means when the apparatus is attached to the implant. Where an abutment is mounted to the implant, means of attaching the base to the abutment is taught. The method includes the steps of attaching the apparatus to an implant or abutment, sliding a trephine burr bore over the guide ring, and using the guide ring to guide the trephine while drilling into bone in which the implant is implanted, without drilling into the implant or abutment.

Abstract: Ergonomic rings for drum stick, method of installation, and method of use. A pair of resilient rings is installed on a drum stick spaced apart substantially by a distance equal to the width of a drummer's middle finger. The ergonomic rings have the effect of increasing drum stick radius, thereby substantially reducing the amount of force the drummer must expend to play the drum stick, reducing drummer fatigue, and increasing drummer speed. In addition, the rings aid in ensuring that the drummer's hand is disposed in the correct location along the length of the drum stick, and in preventing the drum stick from slipping out of the drummer's hand during play. Methods of installation and use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dumping insert for use with a truck. The dumping insert features a dumping body rotatably attached to a base. The base includes a pair of tracks mutually attached at one end by a forward brace and at the other by a rear brace. Springs urge the dumping body into retraction, and track outer wall slots in which traveler pins reciprocate prevent dumping body over-extension. A pulley arrangement is disclosed which increases dumping capacity, and a skirt is hingeadly attached to a rear of the dumping body which helps prevent access to the winch and cable area. Quick-install/removal features include forward brace arms attached at opposite ends of the forward brace, a dumping body downlock strap, low-friction glides attached to the tracks, and an upper hitch assembly attached to the base, a lower hitch assembly adjustably attached to the upper hitch assembly, and a receptacle for attachment to a truck.

Abstract: A method of age verification for electronic media. The method includes the step of displaying a gateway page containing one or more of the following: a warning, user age limitation, terms and conditions, completion instructions, sworn statement, E-Sign Act statement, date of birth block, signature block, and activation button. User age and name are entered in the date of birth block and signature block. Upon clicking the activation button, software associated with the gateway page calculates each user's age by determining the difference between the current date and the user's date of birth. If the user's age thus calculated equals or exceeds a threshold age, access to the site is provided. If the user's name does not meet or exceed the threshold age, access to the site is denied. Names, dates of birth, times and dates of attempted access, and IP addresses may be stored in an access attempts record.

Abstract: A continuous play slot machine having a continuous play switch connected to a timing and logic controller. Actuation of the continuous play switch initiates continuous play, wherein the timing and logic controller directs the continuous play slot machine to continue play until insufficient credit to play remains on the continuous play slot machine. A pre-set time lapse occurs between plays to afford a gamer playing the continuous play slot machine the option to return to manual play by re-actuating the continuous play switch. The continuous play slot machine also reverts to manual play when insufficient credit to play remains. In an alternate embodiment, continuous play slot machine reverts to manual play when its reels achieve a winning combination. A gamer using the continuous play slot machine may take a drink, converse with bystanders, light a cigarette, etc., without having to interrupt his slot machine play.

Abstract: A rotating shelf assembly having at least one rotating shelf array rotatabiy mounted to a base closet. Each rotating shelf array has a rotating shelf array top, rotating shelf array floor, rotating shelf array side wall, rotating shelf array flat back, rotating shelf array curved back, and adjustable shelves. Edges of the rotating shelf array top, rotating shelf array floor, rotating shelf array floor and rotating shelf array curved back define a rotating shelf array mouth, through which the adjustable shelves may be accessed. Each rotating shelf array is rotatably attached to a base closet. The storage closet may have storage closet doors to permit access to items stored behind the base closet. Alternate embodiments include a rotating shelf array sized to be mounted to a storage room wall step, and a clam-shell rotating shelf array designed to be mounted to a flat wall.

Abstract: An automatically adjustable rear suspension. A supply of pressurized gas is pneumatically connected to a valve, and at least one air shock is also pneumatically connected to the valve. A pushrod is mechanically connected between a trike frame and a trike swing arm, and actuates the valve in order to maintain the distance between the trike frame and the trike swing arm at a factory pre-set value. Each air spring is disposed between an L arm rigidly attached to the trike swing arm, and the trike frame. In the preferred embodiment, a gas shock absorber was also disposed between the trike frame and the trike swing arm.

Abstract: A sound absorbing panel comprising a standoff layer disposed between a back plate and a screen. The standoff layer supports the screen at a standoff distance from the back plate. The standoff distance is substantially equal to ¼ the wavelength of a sound to be absorbed. An alternate embodiment sound absorbing panel includes a felt layer between the standoff layer and the screen. Another alternate embodiment comprises an apertured membrane supported by standoffs at a standoff distance from the back plate. The standoffs could be any appropriate standoff shape including I standoffs, Z standoffs, and angled standoffs. In one alternate embodiment the apertured membrane is a screen. In another alternate embodiment the apertured membrane is a perforated plate.

Abstract: A lighted ornament. The lighted ornament comprises a first tower and a second tower attached to a base. Lights within light bores are disposed within the first tower, the second tower and the base. The first tower, second tower and base are made of light-transmissive material, which may be transparent or translucent, colored or not. A light-transmissive spire may be disposed atop one or both towers. The base may comprise a base upper surface and a base indicia flat disposed at a side of the base upper surface opposite the first tower and the second tower. Base indicia may be inscribed on the base indicia flat, and the lights within the first tower, second tower and/or base imbue the base indicia with a warm, aesthetic aura. An alternate embodiment is disclosed into which existing bulbs may be inserted.

Abstract: A roof brush and method of use. The roof brush comprises a horizontal arm pivotally attached to a vertical arm at a pivot assembly. A cleaning head is disposed on the vertical arm, and has bristles at a predetermined bristle angle to the horizontal arm to maximize the effectiveness of the instant roof brush in cleaning debris off a roof. The cleaning head also comprises a cleaning head horn to catch the cleaning head from falling off a roof in the event it is pulled to far during a cleaning stroke. Both the horizontal arm and the vertical arm may be made of a plurality of telescoping members, so the roof brush may be sized for the particular roof to be cleaned, then collapsed for storage or transportation. One alternate embodiment roof brush provides a hose attachment which permits cleaning solution to be discharged from the cleaning head at the bristles. Another alternate embodiment cleaning brush provides a bolt and butterfly nut to pivotally attach the horizontal and the vertical arms.

Abstract: cosmetics sampling method and cosmetics sampler film. The cosmetics sampler film is a transparent film bearing cosmetics depiction(s) such as lips, eye shadow, eye liner, lip liner, rouge, face powder and fingernail polish. Each cosmetics depiction has associated indicia. When the cosmetics depictions are lips, eye shadow, eye liner, lip liner, rouge or face powder the indicia is reversed indicia whose mirror image is legible, conventional type. In the case of these cosmetics depictions, the cosmetics sampling method includes the steps of superimposing one of the cosmetics depictions over a corresponding consumer body part (e.g. superimposing a lip depiction over the consumer's lips), observing the superimposition in a mirror, and noting the reflected image of the reversed indicia corresponding to the cosmetics depiction thus superimposed for later reference in purchasing the cosmetic depicted.

Abstract: A gladiator game and method of play. The gladiator game comprises a game environment, player tokens, gladiator tokens, trainer tokens, a stack of monster cards, a stack of treasure cards, play money, and a chance device. The chance device determines player token moves over spaces disposed in a perimeter path around an arena. Under certain conditions, gladiator tokens may be purchased (representing the retention of a Gladiator), and may enter the arena. In the arena different gladiators may engage in combat, the outcome being determined by a number of factors including their gladiator attack points, gladiator defense points, and the chance device. A gladiator token occupying a center spot in the arena earns play money for its owner every turn, and additional play money is earned each circuit of the perimeter path. Video game, computer game, and internet versions of the instant game are considered to be within the scope if the instant invention.

Abstract: ‘Mary’, a Dieffenbachia cultivar. ‘Mary’ is a compact Dieffenbachia of medium size, with oval, yellow-green variegated leaves emarginated in dark green. The leaves are held tightly to the stem with distinctive short white petioles. ‘Mary’ exhibits strong suckering ability. Its plant growth habit is small and compact, leaf shape is oval, leaf size is approximately 23 cm×14 cm with a length to width ratio of 1.6, leaves are yellow green and variegated, petioles are predominately white, and the distance from apex of wing to leaf base is small and bout 0.5 cm.

Abstract: ‘Ely’, a Dieffenbachia cultivar. ‘Ely’ is a compact Dieffenbachia of medium size, with orbicular to oval, yellow-green variegated leaves emarginated in dark green. The leaves are held tightly to the stem with distinctive short white petioles. ‘Ely’ exhibits strong suckering ability. Its plant growth habit is small and compact, leaf shape is orbicular to oval, leaf size is approximately 25 cm×17 cm with a length to width ratio of 1.5, leaves are yellow green and variegated, petioles are predominately white, and the distance from apex of wing to leaf base is small and about 2 to 4 cm.

Abstract: ‘Nicolette’, a Dieffenbachia cultivar. ‘Nicolette’ is characterized by small size elliptic leaves, moderate to good suckering ability, and short petiole and petiole wing clasping the stem to about the leaf base. Leaves are yellow green with a green border having a distinctive fish-bone like pattern of yellow-green extending into the border.