Abstract: A container device having a paint receptacle allows a user to easily access paint with a brush while working on a ladder. The container device includes a pair of fixed brackets for attachment to a desired ladder rung and a pivotable bracket to stabilize the container device on a lower ladder rung. The paint receptacle maintains the paint in a convenient manner during use and includes an interior wipe board for removing excess paint from a paint brush and a brush clamp for storing a paint brush when not in use. A lid and handle are also included for tightly sealing any remaining paint therein during transportation and storage. A fabric cover having a series of pockets can be placed on the lower portion of the container device for carrying various painting tools and accessories.

Abstract: An artificial reef comprises at least one bag which is generally configured to define at least a portion of a reef and which is at least partially fillable with air. An anchor is attached to the bag for maintaining the bag at a desired location substantially underwater. A plurality of such bags may be attached to one another and configured so as to define a reef which enhances the suitability of waves for surfing or which mitigates beach erosion.

Abstract: A device for the reduction of aerodynamic drag and for improved performance and stability of ground vehicles by reducing the mass and velocity of the flow passing under a vehicle is described. The device is particularly suited for a tractor-trailer truck system that includes a motorized lead vehicle pulling one or more non-motorized vehicles. The device is designed to control the flow from entering the undercarriage region from the side of a trailer of a tractor-trailer truck system.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for an inflatable sound generating interactive training device for a trainee in martial arts. The apparatus includes an inflatable body, wherein an impact sensor switch is configured to generate audible sound via a speaker in response to a predetermined level of impacts to the body. A connecting member has a helical spring coil that is resiliently coupled to a connecting rod. The apparatus also includes a base for ground support with the body, wherein the sound generating module is coupled in the base, wherein the base is connected with the body by utilizing the connecting member, wherein the connecting rod projects vertically for securely supporting the base, wherein a speaker, the impact sensor switch and the sound generating module are electrically connected through the connecting rod.

Abstract: A method and system for mounting wicker fibers onto furniture frame members; the system involves a flexible securing rod and at least one frame member with a channel configured to retain the securing rod. The frame member provides at least one channel access point along the channel that enables the securing rod to be inserted fully into the channel and further to enable a portion of the securing rod to be manipulated to expose a portion of the securing rod so that a wicker fiber can be looped around the securing rod. The exposed portion of the flexible securing rod may then be re-inserted into the channel. Thus, in application a frame member may be incorporated into a furniture frame in a complementary configuration permitting the wicker fibers to be woven. The wicker may be looped about securing rods located in complementary frame members so as to create a sling mounted wicker panel.

Abstract: A water ride for swimmers is provided, the ride having a pool with a body of water, an elongated tubular chamber, a compressed air system, and a water make up system. The chamber is substantially closed at one end, which is positioned generally underneath the bottom of the pool. The chamber is substantially open at the other end, which extends to provide a substantially vertical portion having an exposed length within the pool. Application of compressed air to the chamber produces an upsurge within the pool that cascades down to produce radiating swells. The upsurge and radiating swells provide a ride having a sliding effect for swimmers.

Abstract: A wave actuated gaming wheel is described as a device for entertainment. In a basic form, the invention includes a wave generator, a wave tank or pool, a wave energy captured device, and a specially adapted gaming wheel. The wave energy capture device is mounted in the path of the wave, positioned so as to interact with an oncoming wave. Paddles, cups, or pontoons, and other supporting structure are coupled or fixed to the gaming wheel to capture energy from the wave and to transfer it to the gaming wheel in the form of rotary motion. When the wave has passed, the transfer of energy terminates. Friction, energy losses, or a brake cause the gaming wheel eventually to come to a stop. As with conventional gaming wheels or “wheels of fortune,” the circumference of the wheel may be divided into a plurality of distinct gaming partitions with symbols that represent a certain possibility for a winning outcome.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of the following formula and pharmaceutical compositions that are selective antagonists of A2B adenosine receptors (ARs). These compounds and compositions are useful as pharmaceutical agents.

Abstract: The device for maintaining window coverings or vertically hanging flexible panels includes a frame, apparatus for retaining the flexible panel in the frame and an attachment to attach the flexible panel to the frame. Preferably, the device is lightweight and nonporous. The device is formed into a desired shape in order to maintain a desired orientation of the hanging flexible panel.

Abstract: A sling chair includes a back frame member having side rails held in substantially parallel relation by a pair of cross bar members. In one embodiment, the cross bar members are generally curved so as to extend away from the back faces of the side rails, forming a concave back structure which can receive a sling member and, eventually, a seated occupant. The cross bar members are adapted to retain the sling member in secure fashion through upper and lower backrest assemblies, resulting in better support and more efficient assembly. This also facilitates separate provisioning of decorative features to improve the chair's aesthetic qualities.

Abstract: A system and method for dewatering an area in which a catch basin is situated within the area to collect water and conduit conveys the collected water to an elongated discharge chamber having a muzzle at a distal end in communication with a desired outfall body and a substantially closed proximal end. Compressed air released into the proximal end of the discharge chamber forcibly discharges water out of the discharge chamber via the muzzle and into the outfall body to dewater the area. A vent permits escape of air as the discharge chamber fills. Backflow prevention valves maintain discharge out of the muzzle and prevent any water from the outfall body from flowing back into the discharge chamber.

Abstract: An improved method and device for the reduction of aerodynamic drag and for improved performance of bluff base vehicles by increasing the pressure on the bluff base of the vehicle by controlling the wake flow and the interaction of the wake flow with the vehicle bluff base region. An improved method and device for generating a reduction in drag force on the bluff base of a body moving through a fluid. The apparatus consists of two opposing panels attached to the bluff base and aligned approximately parallel to the side edge of the bluff base and lying in a plane that is parallel to the vehicle centerline. The drag force reduction results from controlling the flow entering the bluff base trailing wake from the left side surface, right side surface, bottom surface, and top surfaces of the vehicle. The objects and advantages also extend to other applications in which an object, body, or vehicle is moving through either a gas or a fluid.

Abstract: A new image enhancement process based on an integrated neighborhood dependent nonlinear approach for color images captured in various environments such extremely low lighting, fog or underwater. The new process is a combination of two independent processes: luminance enhancement and contrast enhancement. The luminance enhancement, also regarded as a process of dynamic range compression, is essentially an intensity transformation based on a specifically designed nonlinear transfer function, which can largely increase the luminance for dark regions of the image but only slightly change the luminance for the bright regions of the image. The contrast enhancement transforms each pixel's intensity based on the relationship between the pixel and its surrounding pixels. The output of the contrast enhancement is a power function of the luminance of the input image.