Abstract: A method and apparatus for illumination and entertainment by light emitted from a guide via scattering provides a new form of visible lighting. An illumination source is coupled to an optical guide to produce a beam within the guide. The beam is disrupted by a emitting surface which may have design features embedded thereon. The disruption causes scattering of the beam, producing an illuminated body. The disruption may be a matte coating on a side wall of the guide, a lens with a matte image thereon at the end of the guide, or other discontinuity that results in an entertaining or pleasing illumination pattern.

Abstract: A retention device and method for retaining an object, including preferably a gas mask, in position proximate a user's mouth. The retention device includes straps coupled to both sides of the object and having at ends thereof ear pieces. The ear pieces fit over the ears, and are configured to receive the strap at a point proximate the anterior, center portion of the ear, causing pulling forces to be on the posterior center portion of the ear rather than on the top of the ear.

Abstract: A tool designed to efficiently apply sealant to tile grout—it is a plastic, round bottle (4), with ounce indicator lines marked on the exterior (8); and a plastic nozzle (10) that tightly screws onto the bottle, via embedded threads inside the top of the bottle (16) and inside the base of the nozzle (18). Cellulose sponge (6 and 12) is fitted tightly inside the bottle (4) is fitted tightly inside the bottle (4) and nozzle (10); which controls the amount of sealant flow so that there is minimal dripping or waste of sealant. The applicator holds approximately 5 to 6 ounces of liquid grout sealant. The tip of the nozzle is marked (14) and gradated (14) so it can be cut with a razor to match the flow of sealant to the width of the grout. The application of sealant is controlled by gently applying pressure to the flexible bottle (4) and moving the tip at a 45 degree angle along the line of grout to be sealed.

Abstract: A produce washing method, which permits the washing of produce from both above and below in the field. Produce is transported along a conveyor belt, from a loading section, to a washing section on which is located a washing unit, upward along an ascending section, and from there the produce travels along a dumping section and into a receptacle. The washing unit features spray nozzles located above and below the washing section, so as to direct spray from above and below the produce so as to more effectively wash it.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a liquid from an aircraft to extinguish a fire has a container located in a body of the aircraft for storing the liquid to extinguish the fire. A boom is coupled to an exterior section of the body of the aircraft and to the container. The boom has a hollow interior section and a plurality of openings formed on a bottom section of the boom. The openings are used for dispensing the liquid from the container. A pump is coupled to the container and the boom for dispensing the liquid from the container and out through the boom. A rotating mechanism is coupled to the boom for rotating the boom.

Abstract: A lightweight insulated cover which may be easily installed and removed from an above ground spa has a top section and four side walls coupled to the top section. The top section and the four side walls comprised of an insulated layer, and a second layer coupled to a front and back surface of the insulated layer for protecting the insulated layer from moisture generated from the above ground spa and external weather conditions.

Abstract: A chemiluminescent device having a casing with distinct regions having different colored appearances, so that a single color of light produced by the reaction of chemiluminescent reaction may produce a multicolored appearance. Preferably, the regions are formed into discrete designs as defined by the shapes of the regions.

Abstract: A holder for supporting a vase in an upright position has a base member. An adhesive is coupled to a bottom surface of the base member. The adhesive is used to coupling the holder onto a surface on which the vase is to be displayed. A holding member is coupled to the base. The holding member is used for holding the vase in an upright position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining a uniform temperature to allow for the environmental testing of an integrated circuit. A contactor assembly is used for connecting the integrated circuit to a piece of testing equipment. The contactor assembly is able to altering a temperature of the integrated circuit. A porting assembly is coupled to the testing equipment and to the contactor assembly. The porting assembly transfers a gas to the contactor assembly in order to allow the contactor assembly to alter the temperature of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A method for creating a composite work of fine art, that is the combination of two works of fine art. Generally, the first work of fine art will provide the setting and will include a figure (e.g., a person,, an animal, or an inanimate object) to correspond to all or a portion of a figure in the second work. After the first and second works are created as works of fine art, typically hand-created paintings, they are digitized and imported into image editing software. There, the works are conformed and the second image is pasted into the first. The final product is then printed as a work of fine art; as a lithograph, print, or as having the appearance of a hand-created painting.

Abstract: An assembly for use in a laser wire stripping apparatus that has a single piece channel assembly which has a pathway for allowing a light source to travel through the channel assembly to a cylindrical cavity in the channel assembly. A collet is provided and has a passageway for insertion of a wire. The collet has an opening, which when the collet is properly inserted into the cylindrical cavity, is in alignment with the pathway thereby allowing the light source to travel to the wire in order to remove insulation from the wire. A housing assembly is used for holding the channel assembly and for allowing the channel assembly to rotate within the housing assembly. The housing assembly has an air insertion opening and an exhaust opening for clearing smoke and debris from the channel assembly.

Abstract: An alternative powered evaporative cooler has a squirrel cage fan. A low voltage DC motor is provided to power the squirrel cage fan. A pulley system is coupled to the squirrel cage fan and the low voltage DC motor for transferring energy from the low voltage DC motor to rotate the squirrel cage fan. A low voltage DC power source is provided to power the low voltage DC motor.

Abstract: A table and method of playing a combined poker and baccarat-type card game that provides players with the opportunity to play together a simpler version of both poker and baccarat that is both easier to understand and capable of being played by more players. The method of playing a combined poker and baccarat-type card game comprises dealing 3 cards to both a banker hand and a player hand, with the winning baccarat hand having a hand value closest to nine based on the traditional baccarat scoring system, but without all of the complex baccarat rules for determining if and when a third card is to be dealt.

Abstract: A multi-use motorcycle apparatus and method therefor capable of being easily transported and configured into any of three different apparatuses usable for motorcycles: (a) a towing trailer for a motorcycle where the trailer is dimensioned to be coupled to a vehicle receiver hitch; (b) a frame lift for lifting and supporting the frame of a motorcycle; and (c) a motorcycle lock.

Abstract: A method and circuit module package for automated switch actuator insertion provides automated assembly of circuit modules having an integrated switch actuator, such as Secure Digital cards. A switch actuator is inserted automatically into a circuit module package housing by a robotic assembler. The housing and switch actuator have mating surfaces to retain the switch actuator within the housing so that shipping and subsequent assembly do not dislodge the switch actuator. The switch actuator/housing assembly can be contoured such that the switch actuator/housing assemblies may be stacked and then fed to a stack-loading feeder for joining of the actuator/housing assemblies to the remainder of the circuit module package housing. The switch actuator may be made from a material having a higher melting point than the housing so that ultrasonic welding may be performed on the circuit module package without joining the switch actuator permanently to the circuit module package assembly.

Abstract: An drum pedal which allows one to adjust the position and/or angel of the pedal in order to have better control and comfort when using the drum pedal. The adjustable drum pedal has a base plate. A foot pedal is movably coupled to the base plate wherein the foot pedal is able to move vertically along a width of the base plate and is able to rotate about a pivot point. A frame is also coupled to the base plate. A drum beater mechanism is removably coupled to the frame. This will allow one to adjust a position of the drum beater mechanism on the frame. A drive assembly is coupled to the drum beater mechanism and the foot pedal. The drive assembly is used for moving the drum beater mechanism when pressure is applied to the foot pedal and for returning the drum beater mechanism to a starting position when the pressure is removed from the foot pedal.

Abstract: A multi-purpose carry bag and method therefore capable of being easily configured into a hooded jacket, a backpack and a carry bag, with the hooded jacket coupled to the backpack and capable of being folded into and out of the backpack, and the backpack coupled to the carry bag and capable of being folded into and out of the carry bag.

Abstract: A bingo game in which bingo numbers are assigned to at least five different groups. The groups are preferably identified by color, and the size of the groups preferably vary, with the result that a bingo consisting of a combination of numbers from the smallest group will be harder to achieve than a bingo consisting of a combination of numbers from a larger group. The jackpot sizes will vary in relation to the difficulty of achieving a particular bingo. The group sizes are within certain preferred ranges, designed to minimize the risk of premature bingos and thus to increase jackpot size and player excitement. Preferably, image type indicia are also added to certain of the numbers, creating additional bingo combinations and jackpot opportunities.

Abstract: A device for locking a trailer door in a plurality of different opened positions has a plurality of hinges for coupling the door to a frame of the trailer. A torsion bar is coupled to each of the plurality of hinges and to the frame. A rachet mechanism is coupled to the torsion bar which allows the torsion bar to rotate in one direction and in incremental movements thereby allowing one to open and lock the door in a plurality of different positions.