Abstract: Collapsible structures are provided that have an enclosed interior space that can be used to hold and contain water or other matter. The interior space is defined by an enclosing wall and a base that are both waterproof to prevent leakage of the water or matter contained in the interior space. None, one or more foldable frame members can be provided as part of the enclosing wall and the base. The frame members allow the resulting structure to be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of the structure.

Abstract: A bubble generating assembly has a housing, a bubble solution supply, a bubble generating frame, and a tubing that couples the bubble solution supply with the bubble generating frame. The bubble generating frame has two separate portions, the portions being pivotably coupled to each other in a manner such that the portions can be pivoted between a closed position where the front surface of the portions contact each other, and an opened position where the portions are positioned in the same plane to form the bubble generating frame.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a disk reading device has a body, and an absorber provided on the body for absorbing impact energy. The absorber can be implemented in the form of an elastic material on the body of the locking mechanism, or by providing one or more hollowed regions on the body of the locking mechanism, or by providing resilient members that function to further absorb the impact energy.

Abstract: An assembly has a floating support having a periphery defined by at least one floatation device, with the periphery defining an interior space. The floating support further includes a first sheet material extending in the interior space and coupled to the floatation device(s). The assembly also has a panel having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a second sheet material covering portions of the frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. The panel has opposing end edges that are attached to the periphery of the floating support.

Abstract: A stent has a plurality of cells disposed about the circumference of the stent, with at least one cell having a plurality of struts that are connected together to form the cell. At least one strut has a portion that compensates for foreshortening of the struts during expansion of the stent.

Abstract: A connecting device for a weapon accessory has a seat having a sliding rack that removably connects the longitudinal groove of a weapon, and one or more gripping blocks disposed adjacent corresponding side walls of the seat. The gripping block assumes a first position where the gripping block extends inwardly towards the sliding rack to engage a selected transverse groove of the weapon, and a second position where the gripping block extends outwardly away from the respective side wall of the seat to release the longitudinal groove of the weapon. The connecting device also includes a control mechanism operatively coupled to the gripping block. The control mechanism assumes a normal position with the control mechanism controlling the gripping block to maintain the gripping block in the first position, and actuation of the control mechanism causes the gripping block to assume the second position.

Abstract: A container has a cup-like lower body that receives liquid therein, the lower body having a bottom wall and an open upper mouth. The container also has an inverted cup-like upper body having a top wall and an open lower mouth, and an opening provided in the top wall. The upper body is removably connected to the lower body with the open mouths thereof in communication with each other to form an interior chamber. The container also includes a lid pivotably coupled to the top wall and covering the opening, and a stopper inserted through the opening.

Abstract: Collapsible structures are provided with enhancements and other features that impart additional utility or amusement value to the basic underlying structure. The collapsible structure has at least one foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form a panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. An electrical component can attached to the fabric material, and an electrical coupling connected to the electrical component. Alternatively, a two-dimensional or three-dimensional object can be attached to the fabric material.

Abstract: An ultrasound system has a catheter including an elongate flexible catheter body having at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The catheter further includes an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the lumen of the catheter body, the ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end connectable to a separate ultrasound generating device and a distal end coupled to the distal end of the catheter body. The distal end of the catheter body is deflectable. The ultrasound system also includes a sonic connector that connects the ultrasound transmission member to an ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound system also provides a method for reverse irrigation and removal of particles.

Abstract: A collapsible structure has at least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation. The structure has a fabric material covering portions of each frame member to form a panel for each frame member, with each panel further including a left side, a bottom side and a right side, with the left side of each panel coupled to the right side of an adjacent panel, and the right side of each panel coupled to the left side of another adjacent pane. The bottom side of at least one panel is positioned at a higher vertical level than the bottom side of at least one other panel.

Abstract: A selectively apertured, non-transparent and electrically conductive electrode structure to reduce the electrical sheet resistivity and extraneous optical transmission for an information display device. A higher contrast ratio is achieved by improved isolation of adjacent display locations composed from the apertured non-transparent electrode structure. Alternative electrode structures may be obtained having a variety of aperture dimensions and enumerations at display locations. For example, selectively apertured metal electrodes including meshed or perforated electrodes obviate the need for generally expensive optically transparent semiconductor metal oxides and alike and lower the manufacturing costs. Further, the display architecture employing the present electrode structure possess favorable characteristics such as robustness and faster switching response due to reduction of display element area resulting in less capacitance.

Abstract: A lighting structure is removably attached to the pole of a patio umbrella. The lighting structure has a battery housing, a hollow support having a first end attached to the battery housing, a light bulb removably attached to the second end of the hollow support, wiring extending through the hollow support and having a first end positioned in the battery housing and a second end coupled to the light bulb, and a collar for removably attaching the battery housing to the pole.

Abstract: A pin-assignment method is provided for use on an IC package to arrange pin connections. The pin-assignment method can allow an improvement in the electro-static discharge (ESD) protection capability for the IC chip packed in the IC package. Specifically, the pin-assignment method organizes the no-connect pins of the IC package into groups and then assigns each of the two pins that bound each no-connect pin group to be connected to a power bus of the IC chip. This allows for an increased ESD protective capability for the no-connect pins. Moreover, the pin-assignment method can simplify the wiring complexity of the IC package.

Abstract: A collapsible structure having at least one foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form at least one panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, and a mat coupled adjacent the bottom side of at least one of the at least one panel.

Abstract: A key mechanism for an input device includes a key having an axle that is coupled to a guide in the housing of the input device in a manner such that the key pivots about the axle when the key is depressed, while allowing the axle to simultaneously move up or down within the guide.