Abstract: There is provided a universal serial interconnection strategy which allows individual internal gaming machine components, sub-assemblies and sub-systems to be connected to a controller. Each component bears a globally unique identification number (GUIN) which allows the controller to recognize, enumerate and authenticate the device and to reconfigure itself or another programmable component of the gaming machine for proper communication with the device having the particular GUIN. In addition to internal gaming machine components, external components such as secondary or tertiary games may also be connected to a controller within a gaming machine to which the games are attached. The universal serial interconnection strategy of the invention thereby provides a “Plug-and-Play” (PNP) style interface which can eliminate the point-to-point interconnection of gaming machine components used in gaming machine of the prior art.

Abstract: A non-mechanical needle guard for permanently securing and incapacitating a single used syringe and needle assembly consists of a sleeve for receiving the needle and luer lock and the hub end of a syringe. The sleeve contains a two part adhesive, the two elements being separated by a penetrable membrane, with the opened end of the sleeve being sealed by a second membrane. A stand holds a number of the needle guards in a stable, upright position so the needle may be inserted with a single hand, as required by OSHA. As the needle penetrates the two membranes, the two elements of the adhesive combine, permanently securing the needle and syringe end in the cured adhesive. The needle guard of the present invention secures and incapacitates the used needle and syringe in a manner meeting OSHA's disposal safety standards.

Abstract: A roofing hatchet having a magnetic striking face is hereby disclosed. A unique shouldered cap housing the magnet dampens the forces transferred from the striking by transferring the force directly to the hatchet head, bypassing the magnet, thereby preventing demagnetization typically caused by such repeated linear forces. Additional features include a cutting blade housing adapted to adjustably receive a variety of different commercially available utility knife blades, an adjustable gauge for gauging a distance from the bitted end of the hatchet, and a pulling notch for pulling fasteners from a surface. Unlike prior art hatchets, the handle of the inventive hatchet is angled, relative to the striking face, such that the force transfer from the hand of a user to a fastener being driven into a sloping surface is optimized.

Abstract: A method for using large chambers, located deep within the earth, for the disposal of processed waste is disclosed. In this context, waste includes solid waste from sewage, and other organic-waste materials from urban, agricultural or industrial sources. These wastes will be processed by mechanical pulverization and hydration to produce a slurry, which will be injected into the well's chamber. The anaerobic condition in the chamber will be conducive to the production of gases, especially methane which will be harvested as a source of industrial fuel. Hydrogen, ammonia and other gases will also be harvested. This system will alleviate the acute problem of disposal of wastes from urban agricultural and industrial sources. It will decrease pollution of the air with greenhouse gases and pollution of the land area water with organic wastes and also release of disease-causing pathogens. The system may be adapted to facilitate the disposal of nuclear wastes.

Abstract: An athletic finger, palm and wrist protective pad comprising a leather pad configured to substantially conform to the shape of a human palm and wrist is disclosed. The leather pad and an added pad proximate the wrist end of the pad provide protection against abrasion of the palm and wrist of a baseball or softball player while sliding into a base or home plate, as well as protection against hyper-extension of the wrist. A foam dowel encased in the leading, finger end of the pad provides a padded gripping surface for the fingers, thereby preventing jamming, as well as protection from debris sliding under the pad. An elastic loop attached to the leading edge of the sleeve slips easily over the fingers of a user and a wrist strap tightens around the wrist, allowing quick and easy donning of the protective pad while on the base path.

Abstract: The present invention features a removable liner for headgear. The inventive liner is specifically configured for placement within a cap member, hat, or any sort of headwear for enhanced thermal comfort. The liner is comprised of two shell layers that are made from choice performance materials. The two constituent shells are formed together to provide localized climate control for the head of the wearer. A first inner shell, adapted for contact with the wearer, is an ultrathin, thermally reflective, synthetic, microfibrous fabric. This inner shell removes moisture and allows airflow (for heat and perspiration removal. The second, outer shell is a multi-membrane fabric, forms an insulative, breathable, windproof, waterproof layer that lies between the headgear and the first inner shell.

Abstract: A high walled litter box having a high entry platform which forces an animal to climb up onto the platform to enter/exit the box, the high walls blocking soiled litter and misdirected waste from being thrown from the box. The entry platform includes a grate with apertures therethrough which allows any litter clinging to the animal to drop through to a sloping floor which returns the litter to the interior of the litter box. A scoop rack has a similar design which returns any litter clinging to the scoop to the interior of the box. A bag clip at the top of one of the walls hold one side of a bag so that a user may hold the bag open with only one hand to facilitate the removal of animal waste or soiled litter to the bag.

Abstract: A novel post and core assembly for the implantation of a dental prosthesis is set forth in the present invention. Comprised of separate post and core elements of a laser weldable material, the assembly allows for an infinite number of precise lengths and angular deviation between the post and core to precisely align a prosthesis with existing teeth/prostheses without delays in fabrication outside of the dentist's office, as is typically required in prior art assemblies. The post and/or core may be cut to the desired length and angle and welded, on site, with a minimal requirement for fabrication equipment.

Abstract: Improved, modified flat wall insulating concrete forms similar to a “waffle grid” type for generating posts, beams, and interconnecting webs of concrete. The novel forms incorporate interlocking structure for a plural vertically stacked forms. The forms are provided as angled corner or straight forms having an overall length of four feet. Tie brackets connecting interior and exterior synthetic expanded foam walls of the form have flanges which are embedded within and concealed by the walls. Tie brackets are spaced apart from one another at one foot intervals, and from ends of the interior and exterior walls of the form by distance intervals of six inches. Interior and exterior walls are configured to enclose a void space therebetween. When filled with concrete, the space forms posts, beams, and webs filling openings which would otherwise occur among the posts and beams. The posts and beams, and webs are square or rectangular in cross section, presenting a uniform exterior panel thickness.

Abstract: An adjustable drilling guide, removably mountable to a patient's teeth, having a guide block with at least one stent for guiding a dental drill is disclosed. In a first embodiment, the guide block has a plurality of guide holes disposed at differing angles which may receive a stent for precise drilling at the selected angle. If minor variations need be made, the stent may be moved to a second or third of the guide holes to adjust the angle. In a second embodiment, three distinct stents are formed directly in the guide block allowing for drilling at up to three different angles. A third embodiment has a stent which is pivotable about a pivot point within the guide block, allowing drilling at any angle within the arc of the pivot. The guide block may be fitted to a model of the patient's teeth prior to installation into the mouth to ensure proper fit.

Abstract: A siding hook and a gauge for positioning a length of siding at a predetermined degree of overlap over an installed length of siding is disclosed. The gauge comprises an elongate slide bar and a stop block slidably mounted on the slide bar. The stop block is clamped to the slide bar by screws which thread into holes formed in the stop block. The heads of the screws are entrapped within the stepped slot of the slide bar. Both the slide bar and the stop block have flat surfaces devoid of projections which could mar siding, and rounded or beveled edges and corners. The siding hook is S-shaped, formed from thin sheet metal or plastic, and configured to overhang the installed siding while supporting a length of siding being installed over installed siding. A measuring device and level are incorporated into the design of the gauge.

Abstract: A tie bracket for supporting opposing synthetic foam insulating panels of a concrete receiving form, and a form utilizing such brackets. The tie bracket has intersecting horizontal and vertical members forming circumferentially closed openings therein. Most openings are arranged in horizontal series. An upwardly open trough is formed in each tie bracket. The horizontal members span and connect spaced apart parallel plates. The plates of each tie bracket are embedded in one foam insulating panel and are of height equal to that of the insulating panel. Each insulating panel has projections formed in its upper surface and cooperatively formed notches formed in its lower surface to enable interlocking and alignment of vertically stacked forms.

Abstract: A device for assisting in the release of a tandem wheel locking pin from a locking rail of a semi-trailer is disclosed. In a basic embodiment, the device consists of a gripping plate which engages the locking pin release rod of the tandem unit, a helical spring, and a hook plate which engages a frame member of the tandem unit such that tension is maintained on the spring. By locking the brakes of the tandem unit and rocking the trailer, friction between the locking rail and the locking pin is released, and the tension of the spring can pull the pin, at least partially, from the locking rail. An alternate embodiment of the device includes a positioning assist pin which may be placed into the locking rail at the point at which the tandem unit is to be moved to aid in aligning the locking pins at a new location.

Abstract: A hand truck having load shifting member which tilts the hand truck under conditions of greater leverage than that available by grasping the frame of the hand truck is disclosed. The load shifting member comprises a spring retracting lever rotatably attached to an axle journaled from the frame of the hand truck such that when in a retracted position, the lever is substantially parallel to the frame. Pulling on the upper end of the lever rotates the lever such that the lower end of the lever engages the lower portion of the hand truck frame, shifting the center of gravity of the loaded hand truck such that it may be more easily tilted to a position for moving the hand truck. A spring returns the lever to a retracted position when not in use.

Abstract: The radial/rotary propulsion system of the present invention features a flywheel having concentric rings of permanent magnets attached to one or both sides. These permanent magnets interact with DC powered electromagnets which, when selectively energized, impart rotary motion to the flywheel. By arranging the permanent magnets in concentric rings, better control of both speed and torques may be obtained. In addition, in a regenerative mode, inertia of the flywheel is reconverted to electrical energy by either additional permanent magnet/coil combinations or through the switching of the electromagnet coils normally used for rotating the flywheel. In alternated embodiments, regeneration is accomplished with alternators interacting with other magnets of the flywheel. The regenerative mode is also helpful in braking the flywheel as its inertial energy is converted to electrical energy.

Abstract: An apparatus for quickly installing a flag on and removing a flag from a golf hole flag staff is disclosed. A flag staff attachment having laterally displaceable retaining clips is threaded onto the top of a golf hole flag staff, and a retainer cap is installed through the aperture at the top of the sleeve of a golf hole flag. Laterally displaceable retaining clips on the retaining cap engage the flag sleeve's aperture, thereby securing the retaining cap to the flag. An engagement member on the retaining cap displaces the retaining clips of the flag staff attachment, thereby allowing the engagement member to pass therebetween, thereby securing the flag to the staff.

Abstract: A novel dental prosthesis abutment and waxing core assembly, in which the abutment has an exterior axis which differs from its longitudinal axis, and the waxing sleeve has both interior and exterior axes which differ from one another and from the exterior axis of the abutment, is disclosed. In the present invention the abutment and waxing sleeve assembly cooperates with a conventional anchor having a socket for receiving the abutment, and also adjusts to correct for angular misalignment of the prosthesis. The divergent axes allow for alignment of the prosthesis within the mouth while requiring less modification of the waxing sleeve by removal of material and/or addition of material to the waxing sleeve and abutment, thereby reducing the labor required in producing the prosthesis using prior art waxing sleeves and abutments.

Abstract: A rotational drive device that provides both variable levels of adjustable rotational resistance and also selective direction in which the resistance acts. The device has two mutually rotatable members each having a grasping handle. One member has a shaft serving as an axle for rotatably supporting the second member. A nut threads to the end of the shaft. When tightened, the nut imparts axially compressive forces urging the two rotatable members towards one another. The base rotatable member has a ramped member facing a corresponding opposed ramped member rotatably supported on the shaft. When the ramped members are rotated relative to one another, overall axial length of the base member is adjusted. This adjustment selectively modifies resistance to rotation of the rotatable members. A clutch device selectively transmits resistance forces when one rotatable member is rotated relative to the other in a first direction, in a second direction, and in both directions.

Abstract: A portable particulate spreader comprising a container having a closed end, an open end and a storage chamber for holding particulate matter therein is disclosed. A first handle is attached to a side of the container proximate the closed end. A second handle is attached, preferably pivotally, to the same side, approximately midway between the closed end and the open end, allowing a person to conveniently grasp the spreader in either a vertical position for carrying or a horizontal position for use. An impeller at the open end disperses the particulate outwardly and downwardly from the spreader.