Abstract: A combination carrier unit and head support apparatus has a carrier unit body with fastening members for releasably fastening the combination carrier unit and head support apparatus to a person. The carrier unit body has a head support in the form of a cushion releasably mountable thereon for supporting a person's head. The cushion may be inflatable or constructed of foam material and is provided with an attachment element to mount the cushion onto the carrier unit body.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for assisting archery bow hunters in making accurate shots while hunting in dynamic terrain. Generally, in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the present invention discloses various universal mounting brackets and integrated archery bow systems configured for coupling a support element to an archery bow. Most preferably, the universal mounting brackets and integrated archery bow systems are configured to give the bow hunter maximum stability and range of motion when aiming and/or firing the bow. In accordance with the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, various universal mounting brackets and integrated archery bow systems configured for coupling a collapsible monopod support element to an archery bow is disclosed. Additionally, various universal mounting brackets configured for coupling an extendable bipod support element to an archery bow is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus to store and facilitate the safe simultaneous use of dumbbells by multiple individuals. The apparatus includes first and second staging stations. The first staging station includes a first side, a second side, and first and second spaced apart towers. An individual can walk from the first side of the staging station to a position between the first and second towers with the individual's entire body in a space intermediate the towers. The second staging station includes a primary side, a secondary side, and spaced apart third tower and fourth towers. The second staging station is positioned normal to the first staging station such that a first individual in the first staging station can grasp dumbbells on an outwardly facing tier of the fourth tower of the second staging station at the same time a second individual is standing between the third and fourth towers of the second staging station.

Abstract: An animal toy includes a housing comprising a hollow air filled compartment and an outer wall substantially completely circumscribing the hollow compartment. A squeaker is mounted in the outer wall to permit air to flow into and out of the hollow. The squeaker has two operative configurations, a first operative configuration that allows air to flow through the squeaker, and a second operative configuration that prevents air from flowing through the squeaker.

Abstract: Cold pack apparatus for abstracting heat comprises a container charged with a first liquid and with small auxiliary containers free to circulate in the first liquid. Each of the small auxiliary containers is charged with a second liquid. The first and second liquids each have a selected temperature of transformation that facilitates use of the apparatus to heat or cool a substance contacted by the apparatus. The cold pack apparatus reduces pain at a joint or at a diseased area in the epithelium by producing spaced apart points of cold at the joint or diseased area for an extended period of time of one hours or more.

Abstract: A method is provided to duplicate a custom coating composition. A laminate strip is die cut to form a bi-layer transparent labels on a backing strip. Each label includes a backing of release adhesive. The transparent labels are applied to cover indicia on a container of a custom composition coating.

Abstract: A swiveling folding chair is provided. The chair includes a fabric seat; a plurality of legs; a primary control tree having a first control shaft and having first, second, third, and fourth collars mounted on the control shaft. The legs are each attached to the first control collar, and, support arms are each attached to the second control collar and to the fabric seat. Elongate support members are each attached at one end to one of the legs and at the other end to the fourth control collar. Elongate brace members are each attached at one end to one of the arms and at the other end to the third control collar. The second control collar rotates about the first control collar so the seat rotates independently of the legs. The seat and legs fold into a stowed orientation.

Abstract: A method to extract oil for a pool of oil in the ground utilizes an interconnected series of rotating helical blades extending from the surface of the ground through a canted bore to the pool of oil. The blades can be staggered and interconnected with a gear arrangement that moves oil from pool to pool and up to the surface of the ground.

Abstract: An animal toy includes a compressibly elastically deformable hollow thin-walled elastomer core sealingly circumscribing a center, includes an exterior including a first gravure elastomer relief surface and a second surface, includes a wall less than about eight millimeters thick, and includes points on the exterior at varying distances from the center. A fabric cover is affixed to the second surface and has a selected thickness, the ratio of the thickness of the fabric cover to the thickness of the wall being in the range of 1:6 to 1:0.15. A line of demarcation separates the exterior into at least two areas.

Abstract: A synchronous fan system is provided which intermittently calibrates the fans by rotating periodically the fans each to a common stop position.

Abstract: A hand cart includes an upright frame and a metal toe plate with a peripheral edge. The toe plate is slightly canted toward the ground when the cart is in a free-standing upright orientation. An extension unit slides onto the toe plate. The extension unit is canted slightly toward the ground when the cart is in a free-standing upright orientation. The extension unit include a plate and a strap. The plate is on top of the toe plate. The strap extends from the plate and down and beneath the toe plate. A fastener extends laterally from the toe plate and through the extension unit. The fastener secures the extension unit on the toe plates, generates a tensile force acting to displace the extension unit away from the peripheral edge of the toe plate, and generates compressive force which presses the extension unit against the toe plate.

Abstract: A portable satellite tracking antenna utilizes a tiltable reflector surface, and a parabolic reflector surface to direct a satellite signal to a feed horn. A fixed flat reflector surface is utilized in conjunction with the parabolic reflector surface to increase the strength of a signal that is transmitted from the parabolic reflector surface to the feed horn. In one preferred embodiment the parabolic reflector surface is fixed, and the feed horn and tiltable reflector surface are rotatable to selected azimuth settings. The cant of the tiltable reflector surface is adjusted by pivoting the tiltable reflector surface.

Abstract: A method is provided to perform an anterior cervical microdiskectomy to remove at least one bone spur on a pair of adjacent vertebrae in a spinal column that includes a posterior longitudinal ligament. Each vertebra contacts a disk positioned therebetween. The disk includes an annulus and a nucleus. The method comprises the steps of removing a portion of the annulus of the disk; removing the nucleus of the disk; removing the vertebral plates with a first burr; removing a portion of the bone spur with a second burr having a spherically shaped abrading head; and, providing a third burr. The third burr comprises an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximate end; and, a head attached to and extending outwardly from the distal end of the shaft. The head includes a smooth end surface; and, a smooth rounded peripheral edge circumscribing the end surface.

Abstract: A method for installing a fiberglass cast on and removing the cast from an individual includes an openended pliable thin-walled polymer guide track and cutting tool designed to track along said guide track to cut the cast and to prevent, while a cast is being removed, injury to the individual.

Abstract: A holster engages the ejection port of a gun to secure the gun in the holster. The holster includes a spine with a fixed upper section, a fixed lower section, and an intermediate section bridging the upper and lower sections. The intermediate section includes a rib which can extend into the ejection port of the gun. The intermediate section is pivotally attached to the fixed upper section of the spine and pivots between a first closed operative position in which the rib extends into the ejection port of the gun and a second open operative position in which the rib is removed from the ejection port so the gun can be removed from the holster.

Abstract: A method for installing a fiberglass cast on and removing the cast from an individual includes a guide track and cutting tool designed to control carefully the vertical displacement and lateral displacement of the tool when the tool is used to cut the cast, and, accordingly, to prevent, while a cast is being removed, injury to the individual.

Abstract: A diver propulsion system includes separate operatively associated battery, motor, transmission, and clutch modules and a separable bracket plate and bracket base that facilitates both storage of a propulsion unit and mounting the propulsion unit on the tank of a scuba diver.

Abstract: A game method and apparatus reduces the risk that a thrown toy will injure an animal. The apparatus consists of a buoyant toy with a sealed channel extending completely through the toy. A soft, flexible, water absorbent member extends through the sealed channel and is used to throw the toy and to facilitate retrieval of the toy.

Abstract: The feeder/delinker of a Gatling gun is provided with an access system which includes a unitary access door and a plunger mounted in the access door. When the access door is partially opened, the plunger is deployed and contacts and secures a cartridge in the feeder/delinker so that a user can remove his hand from the feeder/delinker prior to completely closing the access door. When the access door is closed, the plunger retracts into and is stored in the access door.