Abstract: A device for weaning a young animal from nursing from its mother is disclosed. The device includes a halter having a plurality of blunt projections. When the young animal attempts to nurse from the mother, the blunt projections cause discomfort to the mother, and she quickly breaks the offspring from nursing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a valve system that provides a means of controlling the charging and exhausting of the combustion chamber(s) of internal combustion engines. In this system, asymmetrical valve bodies are first lifted a nominal distance from their sealing surfaces, then are rotated by their non-centered stems, which operate in conventional valve guides. Rapid port opening, relatively long duration at the full open position, and rapid port closing are achieved. This dual-action valve motion is provided by a drum type camshaft featuring radial protrusions to lift the valves from their sealing surfaces and circumferential cam grooves, which rotate the valves in palindromic fashion. A multi-level valve layout allows for relatively larger port sizes, as it lets the valves move without interference with one another. A mechanism for actuating the valves by electromechanical means is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is an adjustable wire brush tool for cleaning either the inside or the outside end of a copper pipe or fitting in preparation for soldering the parts together. The tool includes a hollow cylindrical section with a first wire brush on the interior surface of the section. Attached at one end of the cylindrical section is a slightly smaller cylindrical section sized to hold a second cylindrical twisted steel brush having a hexagonal shaft that extends from the smaller section, opposite the larger cylindrical section. The twisted steel brush and attached shaft can be moved to extend the twisted brush beyond the open end of the larger cylindrical section, for insertion into a fitting to clean the fitting interior surface by attaching a power drill to the shaft and rotating the twisted steel brush attached thereto. To clean the outside of a pipe, the twist brush is retracted into the smaller section and secured to that section with an engaging means.

Abstract: A panel removal tool for disconnecting a panel from a mounting surface is disclosed. The tool comprises a linear blade member having a portion with top and bottom surfaces and opposed, parallel edges, with each opposed edge including a V-shaped notch. The blade member includes an angled portion disposed at between 90 and 150 degrees to the linear, planar portion. A handle portion is collinearly secured to the blade member angled portion. The blade member planar portion is adapted for insertion between a panel and a mounting surface, with one of the blade V-shaped notches engaging a panel fastener. The user pivots the blade member on an opposed edge opposite the V-shaped notch engaging the panel fastener, and thereby frees the fastener from the support surface.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed that provides motion and force while maintaining parallelism between a base structure and a movable structure. This is accomplished by opposed pairs of pivoting arm assemblies, which are synchronized by a timing device that links opposed pairs of pivoting arm assemblies to ensure that the arm assemblies move the same distance. The mechanism operates in any spatial orientation. Applications of the mechanism include lift tables, adjustable work stations, vertically adjustable conveyors, and others.

Abstract: An electronic fishing information recording and storage device is disclosed. The device attaches to a traditional fishing rod and reel assembly and automatically records the number of casts executed with the subject rod and reel. For each fish caught, the device is capable of recording relevant information about the type of fish and weather conditions at the time of catch. Means are provided for transfer of fishing information to a traditional personal computer. The device provides a method for tournament fishing wherein the allotted time for each contestant to fish can be replaced by the number of casts allotted.

Abstract: A display device for sheet material comprises a transparent front panel, a flexible backing sheet, and fastener for mounting the device on a surface without damaging the surface. The front panel has an outer dimension larger than the sheet material to be displayed, a central display section having a back surface for receiving the sheet material to be displayed, and a mounting section surrounding and extending outwardly beyond the perimeter of the display section. The backing sheet is adapted for holding the sheet material to be displayed against the back surface of the display section. At least one edge of the backing sheet is secured to the mounting section of the front panel. The fastener for mounting the device is connected to the mounting section and preferably includes at least one magnetic piece.

Abstract: A step platform assembly for attachment to a vehicle hitch assembly is disclosed. The platform assembly includes a planar step platform member rigidly fastened to a coplanar linear step support member having an aperture adjacent a step support member end opposite the step platform member. The aperture contains a bushing member with the planar step platform member and step support member assembly adapted for rotatable connection to the hitch assembly by a fastener there between. A locking system is present for selectively securing the step platform member and linear step support member either beneath a vehicle body or exterior a vehicle body.

Abstract: A side dump trailer that empties to either side includes a generally rectangular chassis with front and rear axles, each having a pair of wheels, with the front axle secured to the chassis via a swivel connection to allow steering of the trailer with a tongue. The chassis has an elevated rectangular open top box trapezoidal in cross section with a closed bottom supported on the chassis and a larger open top. The box is fastened to the chassis by four pairs of cylindrical bushings, one of each pair fastened at each corner of the box and the other of each pair fastened to the chassis. The bushing pairs each receive a removable connector pin. Removing the connector pins from bushings on one side of the box allow the box to pivot and dump to the opposite side of the trailer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a spacial logical toy having a total of twenty-six toy elements mounted on a spherical internal connecting element. The toy elements are assembled to a spacial body having an octagon cross section on any of the three mutually perpendicular axes. The surfaces of the twenty-six toy elements that make up the geometric solid are provided with one of three colors and are sequentially numbered (1-26) or lettered (A-Z) to provide each surface with a unique designation. The twenty-six toy elements are mixed by rotation of any adjacent nine elements relative to the remainder of the geometric solid. The objective or solution is to return the toy elements to an original sequential orientation.

Abstract: The invention is a squirrel deterrent assembly including a pole member supporting a bird feeding device. A biasing spring member having first and second ends encircles a portion of the pole member and is secured thereto at the first end thereof. An axially elongated sleeve member surrounds the spring member and the portion of the pole member, with the sleeve member secured to the spring member at the second end thereof. A squirrel grasping the sleeve member causes up and down movement thereof, relative to the pole member, thereby frightening the animal off the assembly.

Abstract: A gaming control system applicable to all forms of gambling, electronic or otherwise, is disclosed. The system includes an Internet Web site, with associated control software, which is a portal that serves as a “safe gaming” interface between online gambling individuals and Internet-based gambling sites. The system also allows players at physical gaming locations to register with the system or “safe gaming” at video terminals or at gaming tables. The portal software and distributed components of the system, track an individual's gaming transactions and provide alerts to the individual of reaching or exceeding loss limits, time limits, changes in gambling behavior, and other related services.

Abstract: A releasable locking assembly for a door control cylinder is disclosed. The assembly fits over the rod of the door control cylinder and includes a locking flange member maintained in a confined space within a pair of concentric closed end cup members. The locking flange member engages the rod to hold the door control cylinder in an extended position by gently pushing on the outer cup member and disengages the locking flange member by further opening the door, allowing the cylinder rod to retract in a controlled manner.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a control system device that forces a machine operator to comply with the regulation by not allowing the machine to operate until the maintenance log has been completed. By disabling the equipment, the control unit prevents an operator from starting or operating the equipment prior to performing the required checks and documenting his/her identification number for verification purposes. Once the log has been entered, the system provides numerous methods for downloading of the data for long-term storage and retrieval. The system also has provisions to alert the managerial staff if the equipment is operated beyond the minimum check period while providing for a means to notify the operator that the required check interval has been reached.

Abstract: A bottle having an offset neck includes a symmetrical body having a longitudinal axis and a closed, flat, bottom end and a bottle neck section opposite the bottle bottom end, the neck section having a proximal neck portion connected to the body and aligned along the body's longitudinal axis. A distal neck portion smaller than the body includes an opening into the bottle, with the distal neck portion and bottle opening offset with respect to the body's longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A game call amplifying call holder device includes a concave member and upward sloping sides. A pair of parallel rail members within the concave member are elevated a selected distance by pairs of spaced apart support members. Each rail member has a retaining flange member extending along its length on a top side, and a biasing member extending along its length adjacent to and beneath the retaining flange member. A stop member and a bridge member are connected between adjacent ends of the parallel rail members opposite each other. The rail members reversibly secure at least one planar call device there between, with the planar circular call device secured on opposite edges between the flange member and the biasing member of each rail member. The flange members and biasing members allowing the planar call device to vibrate when activated by a striker, with the concave member amplifying vibrations thus produced.