Abstract: The African history card game includes a deck of educational cards. Each card has a front face with a fact, picture, question, and series of multiple choice answers each relating to a common theme, and a rear face having an alphabetic matrix of columns and rows concealing the correct answer. Point values based on the difficulty of the question on the particular card are provided on each card. Each card has a particular theme related to African history, e.g., geography, prominent individuals, history, inventions, science, engineering, sports, religion, culture, civil rights, agriculture, language, and music. The game may be adapted to other themes and subject areas, as desired. The object of the game is to determine the correct response of the choices on the front of the card, then find and point out this response in the rows, columns, and/or diagonals of the matrix on the back of the card.

Abstract: The cyclic combinatorial method and system includes an optimizing programming method embodied in a computing machine in order to provide the capability to solve cyclic optimization problems. The method can be used to solve optimization problems having cyclic 0-1 matrices, such as network problems and cyclic workforce scheduling. The method identifies cyclically distinct solutions by enumerating cyclically distinct combinations of basic dual variables. The method can determine how many cyclically distinct combinations of m (m?n) objects can be selected, given n cyclic objects. The method integrates partition and cyclic permutation operations in order to generate cyclically distinct selections (solutions). After cyclically enumerating all dual solutions, rules are described for recognizing the set of dominant solutions. A class of problems, which includes cyclic labor scheduling, can be efficiently solved using the cyclic combinatorial method and system.

Abstract: The apparatus for measuring concentrations of fuel mixtures using depth-resolved laser-induced fluorescence is a fluorometer equipped with a sample container holder that is movable in the path of the beam from the light source. Fluorescent emissions from the sample mixture pass at 90° to the excitation light path through a slit that is narrow enough that the emission intensity is effectively produced by a thin layer of the sample and focused on a monochromator, with successive thin layers receiving nonuniform excitation radiation due to reduction of intensity along the excitation light source path with increasing depth penetration and due to reabsorption of emitted fluorescence from adjacent layers. The method has a first mode in which the emission spectrum is scanned at a fixed depth, and a second mode in which the sample is moved relative to the emission monochromator slit to vary the depth while keeping the emission wavelength fixed.

Abstract: The portable and autonomous desalination system is an autonomous reverse osmosis (RO) desalination system utilizing power from a combination of electricity generation and storage sources that include a photovoltaic (PV) unit, a vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) unit, and an electricity storage unit. Electric power from PV, VAWT or storage units or a combination of these units is provided, depending upon the availability of sunlight or wind, or for night operation for water desalination using the reverse-osmosis process. The unit is portable, environmentally friendly, self-sufficient and self-sustaining in terms of supplying the electricity and fresh drinking water needs of the typical household. Multiple PV-VAWT-RO desalination units are combined together to provide fresh, clean water and electricity for communities of various sizes. A small-size, straight-bladed vertical axis wind turbine runs at very low wind speeds for urban operation.

Abstract: The tree stand has a lower rectangular platform with an extended opening from the center to an outer edge of the platform for installation around a tree trunk. An upper platform provides a secure seating area. A plurality of support members are pivotally attached to the lower surface of the lower rectangular platform and have teeth on their lower end adapted for securing into the bark of a tree. The tree stand is further secured to the tree by a plurality of angle irons that are mounted at the center of the upper and lower platforms. Adjustable tension straps attach to the angle iron and tighten the platforms to the tree preventing vertical movement of the tree stand. The support members on the lower platform have a hook on the lower end opposite the teeth, and an adjustable tension strap that engages the hooks further tightens the support members against the tree.

Abstract: The air-powered rotary rake is an attachment for a leaf blower or the like, providing the user with air-powered rotary blades to dislodge or agitate debris which, ordinarily, could not be moved easily with air blowing alone. The air-powered rotary rake includes a housing defining an open interior region and having opposed open front and rear ends. The rear end is adapted for releasable attachment to the leaf blower. An internal wall is mounted within a front portion of the housing and divides the housing into an upper passage and a lower passage. A spindle is rotatably mounted within the upper passage and a plurality of vanes are mounted on the spindle. When the pressurized air is diverted into the upper passage, the pressurized air impinges upon the vanes mounted on the spindle, causing the spindle to rotate and driving rotation of a plurality of blades also annularly mounted thereto.

Abstract: The fluid-based electrical generator utilizes driven flow of a fluid to power an electrical generator for driving an external electrical device. The generator includes a reservoir having at least one sidewall and a floor. A motor coupled to a rotating shaft is mounted external to the reservoir, and a propeller is secured to the rotating shaft. The propeller is driven by the motor and is positioned within the reservoir for generating fluid flow. A rotating support having at least one vane secured thereto is rotatably secured to the floor of the reservoir, and the rotating support is driven to rotate by the fluid flow. An axle is further provided, with a lower end thereof being secured to the rotating support. The electrical generator is coupled to an upper end of the axle, with rotation of the axle driving the electrical generator to produce electricity for the external device.

Abstract: The broadhead for bow hunting arrow is an arrowhead having: a ferrule; a plurality of planar, generally triangular blades extending radially from the ferrule; a fitting for attaching the arrowhead to an arrow shaft; a pointed tip; and a ring or annular blade mounted to the outermost edges of the triangular blades. In one embodiment, the triangular blades have notches defined therein, and the ring has slits corresponding to the triangular blades extending into the body of the ring that the upper legs of the notches engage to prevent rotation of the ring. In another embodiment, the triangular blades have slots and the ring has slits extending into the ring with the slots engaging the slits to prevent rotation of the ring. Alternatively, the ring may be fixed to the triangular blades by welding or by any other means. The broadhead is particularly well suited for hunting large game animals.

Abstract: The pill dispenser is a rotary container and dispenser for medications and the like. The pill dispenser includes a base having a lower wall and a plurality of radially extending inner walls mounted on an upper surface of the lower wall. The plurality of radially extending inner walls define a plurality of pill-receiving compartments therebetween. Additionally, a plurality of peripheral walls are mounted on the upper surface of the lower wall, with each peripheral wall partially extending between an adjacent pair of the plurality of radially extending inner walls to define an access opening therebetween. A cover, mounted on the base, includes an upper wall and a circumferential sidewall secured to a lower surface of the upper wall. An opening is formed in the circumferential sidewall. A locking device is further provided for selectively locking rotation of the cover with respect to the base, controlling access to the compartments.

Abstract: The fishing rod holder comprises a support post having a threaded end that can be mounted to a base, such as the side of a boat or the rail of a pier. Alternatively, the end of the support post can be fashioned to terminate in a sharp point for insertion into the ground. The support post is attached to the bottom surface of horizontally adjustable, semicylindrical plates. A socket member is pivotally attached to the plates. The socket member is adapted to receive the grip of a fishing rod therein. The semicylindrical plates can be pivoted on the support post to adjust the angle of the rod while fishing, and the socket can be pivoted up from the plates for quickly removing the rod from the holder when a fish is hooked. The plates can be adjusted to different lengths to support different rod and reel combinations.

Abstract: The adjustable clothes hanger has adjustable sleeve upper stays, sleeve lower stays, and torso side stays. These components adjust to spread the sleeves and torso of a shirt on the hanger to hold the fabric in a smooth, lightly stretched condition to optimize drying and preclude wrinkling. The hanger has opposed sleeve upper stays, which adjust along the underlying frame of the hanger. The outer portions of the sleeve upper stays extend to support the shirtsleeve upper edges. Torso side stays extend downwardly from the horizontal crossmember of the hanger, and adjust to hold the sides of the shirt apart and to hold the torso fabric in a smooth and unwrinkled condition during drying. Pivotal or fixed sleeve lower stays may extend from the upper portions of the torso side stays, or may extend adjustably from the outer ends of the adjustable sleeve upper stays.

Abstract: The insulated beverage container is a container, such as a coffee cup, providing thermal insulation for the user's hand. The container includes a vertically extending annular wall and a base, forming a beverage-receiving cup. A plurality of tubes are secured to an outer surface of the annular wall. Each tube is hollow and defines an air passage therein, and is further elongated along the vertical direction, having upper and lower air flow apertures formed therethrough. In use, heat generated by the beverage heats the air contained within the tubes. As the air rises within the tubes, ambient air at a lower temperature is drawn through the lower air flow apertures and the heated air is expelled through the upper air flow apertures, maintaining a flow of cooled air from the environment through the tubes.

Abstract: The automatically setting fishing hook assembly includes two hooks pivotally secured to a common shaft with their bends oriented opposite one another. The shanks of the hooks are offset from the shaft by short arms that pivot on the shaft. A coil spring is installed on the shaft between the hooks, with the opposite ends of the spring engaging the shanks of the hooks to urge the bends of the hooks outwardly from one another. A latch is affixed to the shank of one hook, and engages the shank of the other hook to hold the two hooks together. The latch is disengaged from the second hook when a fish strikes the assembly, with the bends of the two hooks springing apart to automatically set the two hooks in the mouth of the fish to reduce the chance of the fish slipping the hooks and escaping.

Abstract: The combination chin protector and mouth guard provides a device for protecting both the user's teeth and chin. The device is particularly adapted for use in combination with a motorcycle or motocross helmet, for example. The combination chin protector and mouth guard includes a chin protector having opposed front and rear faces, and a mouth guard, adapted for insertion into the mouth of the user, having a front face adapted for positioning against the lips of the user and at least one substantially U-shaped recess being formed in the mouth guard to receive and protect the user's teeth. A support having opposed upper and lower ends is further provided, the upper end thereof being attached to the mouth guard, and the lower end thereof being secured to the chin protector in order to tether the mouth guard to the chin protector.

Abstract: The patchwork baby blanket is especially adapted for use by infants and toddlers. The blanket incorporates patches or sections that are detachably connected to create the blanket. The sections are fabricated from soft, pliable, washable material. The sections are decorated with colors and designs that are pleasing to infants and toddlers. Fasteners are provided around the perimeter of each section so that the sections can be easily interlocked.

Abstract: The attachment for a stitching tool is an attachment that enables a manually operated stitching tool to convert to a power-operated stitching tool. The attachment includes an ergonomically designed handle mounted on a base, which base is provided with an opening at one end thereof. The opening is designed to receive the grasping portions of a manually operated, conventional stitching tool. Mechanisms in the base engage the grasping portions of the stitching tool to mechanically manipulate the grasping portions. The mechanisms are powered by an electric motor. Controls are provided on the handle for operating the electric motor.