Abstract: A posterior cervical vertebral stabilizing system is disclosed. The system includes a device comprising an upper portion for positioning adjacent to a relatively superior vertebra of a patient's spine and a lower portion for positioning adjacent to a relatively inferior vertebra of the patient's spine. The upper portion forms a support for abutting the posterior surface of the superior vertebra and the lower portion forms a saddle for engaging a spinous process of the inferior vertebra. The device has an anterior face that, at each of the upper and lower portions, has a radius of curvature about an axis. The system includes a method of affixing the device to a spine of a patient by positioning the device posteriorly of the relatively superior and relatively inferior vertebrae, and looping cable about the device and the lamina of the vertebrae. The method may also include promoting fusion of the vertebrae together.

Abstract: A computer monitor receiver for monitoring children's internet usage. The computer monitor receiver includes a video tap assembly operationally coupled between a video output and a video display device of an information handling system for routing a monitoring video signal, a signal transmission assembly for conditioning the monitoring video signal for transmission through a propagation channel, a receiver assembly for conditioning a signal received through the propagation channel and a video presentation device for displaying a real time substantially identical image of the video provided to a user being monitored.

Abstract: A support frame system for a deck is disclosed, and comprises a deck support structure that may include a plurality of elongate joist components, at least one cross member component for supporting the joist components, a plurality of post components for supporting the at least one cross member component, and an edge component for extending along ends of the plurality of joist components. The support frame system may comprise a stair support structure that may include an elongated carriage component for orienting in an inclined orientation, a tread support component for mounting on the carriage component and extending outwardly from an upward side of the carriage component for positioning in a substantially horizontal orientation, and a riser support component for mounting between the carriage component and the tread support component for positioning in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: A blade is disclosed for use in a wind turbine, with the blade having a longitudinal axis for extending radially outwardly from a center of rotation of the blade on the wind turbine. The blade has a front side with a front surface for orienting in a windward direction and a rear side with a rear surface for orienting in a leeward direction. The blade has a profile taken in a plane oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blade. The profile of the blade has a leading edge and a trailing edge. The profile is characterized by a camber ratio, and the camber ratio of the profile is greater than or equal to approximately 4%.

Abstract: A valve tester suspension assembly for allowing one person to perform the tasks necessary to test underground valves includes an articulated arm attached to a mobile base such as a vehicle. The articulated arm may be biased such that the biasing assists in supporting the weight of a rotating assembly positioned at a distal end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm is pivoted to permit positioning of the rotating device in a substantially horizontal orientation at a desired position within a three dimensional space adjacent to the base to which the articulated arm is attached. A method of use is also described.

Abstract: A flagpole top support bracket assembly for a top end of a flagpole is disclosed, and includes a cap for mounting on the upper end of the flagpole. The cap defines a cavity for receiving an upper portion of the flagpole, and the cavity extends inwardly from an opening in a lower end of the cap. The cap has an outer surface and an annular groove formed in the outer surface. The bracket assembly further includes a support mounted on the cap, and the support is rotatable with respect to the cap. The support includes a mounting lip for resisting sliding of the support off of the cap, and the mounting lip extends inwardly toward the cap and is configured to be at least partially positioned in the annular groove of the cap.

Abstract: A motor-generator system with a current control feedback loop for generating electrical energy in stationary, portable, and automotive applications. The generator includes a housing defining an interior space and including a first portion and a second portion; an electric motor assembly positioned within the first portion of the housing, and operationally coupled to a shaft member for selectively rotating the shaft member; an electric generator assembly positioned within the second portion of the housing and operationally coupled to the shaft member for converting mechanical rotation into electrical energy, the electric generator assembly including a current output for supplying electrical current; and a control assembly operationally coupled between the electric generator assembly and the electric motor assembly the control assembly providing a control current to the electric motor assembly for controlling a speed of rotation induced into the shaft member by the electric motor assembly.

Abstract: A chalk line anchoring device is disclosed for anchoring an end of a chalk line on a building element. The anchoring device may comprise an elongated base wall for positioning adjacent to an edge of the building element. The base wall has opposite ends and opposite sides. A notch is formed in the base wall for receiving a chalk line. A first side wall is mounted on and extends from the base wall, and a second side wall is mounted on and extends from the base wall. The anchoring device also includes structure for resisting movement with respect to the building element.

Abstract: A system for converting a snowmobile into a wheeled vehicle is disclosed, and comprises a pair of wheel mounting assemblies for each being mounted on one of the front skid support assemblies of the snowmobile, and a swing arm for mounting on the snowmobile in a manner such that the swing arm is pivotable with respect to the frame. The swing arm has a forward end and a rearward end, and is mountable on the drive shaft such that the swing arm is pivotable with respect to the drive shaft. An axle is mounted on the swing arm toward the rearward end thereof, and a suspension mounting assembly is provided for mounting on the frame of the snowmobile and controlling pivot movement of the swing arm.

Abstract: A system for securing a metallic item in a purse is disclosed and comprises a first magnet for positioning exterior on the exterior face of the purse wall, and a second magnet for positioning in the purse interior on the interior face of the wall, the second magnet being magnetically attracted to the first magnet. An ornament may be mounted on the first magnet to obscure at least a portion of the first magnet. A method includes positioning the first magnet adjacent to the exterior face of the wall, positioning the second magnet adjacent to the interior face at a location that is substantially opposite of the first magnet such that magnetic attraction pulls the first and second magnets toward each other on the opposite wall faces, and moving the metallic item into the interior and bringing the item into contact with the second magnet such that the item is magnetically attracted thereto.

Abstract: A lifting and steering assembly for permitting a vehicle to be turned in a small area. The lifting and steering assembly includes at least one turning assembly for being coupled to the vehicle. The turning assembly comprises a shaft member is selectively extended from the vehicle whereby the turning assembly selectively engages the support surface to lift a portion of the vehicle off of the support surface. The turning assembly comprises an engaging means for engaging the support surface when shaft member of the turning assembly is extended from the vehicle. The engaging means is coupled to the shaft member. The engaging means is for advancing along the support surface to rotate the portion of the vehicle lifted off the support surface around a portion of the vehicle still in contact with the support surface.

Abstract: A painting stand for supporting articles to be painted. The painting stand includes a pair of bow members being for selectively supporting the articles to be painted. One of the bow members is operationally coupled to the other one of the bow members whereby the bow members are actuatable between a deployed position and a storage position. The deployed position is defined by one of the bow members is positioned at angle to the other one of the bow members to selectively support the articles. The storage position is defined by one of the bow members is positioned substantially adjacent to the other one of the bow members to facilitate storage of the bow members. A pair of extension members are operationally coupled to the bow members whereby each of the extension members extends from one of the bow members to the other one of the bow members. The extension members maintain the bow members at the desired angle when the bow members are in the deployed position.

Abstract: A mechanical roping steer apparatus for practicing roping of a steer is disclosed that comprises a support assembly for engaging the ground surface and a steer assembly mounted on the support assembly. The support assembly may comprise a main frame and a pair of lateral skids mounted on the main frame, and the pair of lateral skids may each be pivotable with respect to the main frame. In some embodiments, the steer assembly includes a frame and a body covering assembly mounted on the frame and configured to move with respect to the frame in response to movement of the steer assembly across the ground surface. In some embodiments, the steer assembly comprises includes a frame and a head assembly mounted on the frame and configured to move with respect to the frame in response to movement of the steer assembly across the ground surface.

Abstract: A stabilizing support system for a body-gripping trap is disclosed. The stabilizing support system comprises a trap-engaging apparatus for removably engaging a body-gripping trap, and the trap-engaging apparatus comprises a pair of jaw engaging members for engaging opposite jaws of a trap. Each of the jaw engaging members comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, with the upper portion comprising a pair of laterally-spaced arms and a bridge joining the pair of arms, and the lower portion comprising a pair of laterally spaced legs. The apparatus also includes connectors for connecting the pair of jaw engaging members together in an opposed orientation.

Abstract: A valve tester system is disclosed that comprises a valve tester assembly for rotating a valve stem of a valve. The valve tester assembly may include a support, a rotation element mounted on the support for rotating a valve during a rotation event, a control element for controlling aspects of the rotation event of the valve by the rotation element, and an element for detecting a location of the valve tester assembly during the rotation event of the valve. In some embodiments of the invention, the element for detecting the location of the valve tester assembly includes a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver. In some embodiments, the GPS receiver is integral with the control element.

Abstract: A method of playing a card game which includes providing at least one of the players with a challenge device to increase the amount waged in a game, and playing a hand comprises dealing cards to each player, and the placing of bets by the players. A second player, before he or she has viewed the identities of his or her cards, may present the first player with the challenge device to thereby increase the initial wager. The first player may accept or refuse the challenge device, and if the challenge device is refused by the first player, the first player forfeits the initial wager, and any subsequent wagers, and the game is ended. If the challenge device is accepted by the first player, the wager of both the first and second players is increased by the appropriate amount, and play of the game continues.

Abstract: A hand-mountable apparatus for collecting spent bullet casings ejected from a firearm. The apparatus comprises a hand-engaging member for engaging a hand of a user, and a spent casing collection apparatus for catching ejected casings and attached to the hand-engaging member.

Abstract: A tool caddy for providing a tool carrier that is rugged and holds a large number of tools. The tool caddy includes a main tool storage unit having an upper opening into an interior and comprising a core section having a pair of side walls and a bottom wall extending between the side walls. A filler wall is mounted over the side wall opening of the core section with each of the filler walls being substantially coplanar with one of the side walls. A strap is mounted on the storage unit for suspending the storage unit from a user's body.

Abstract: A valve tester system is disclosed that comprises a valve tester assembly for rotating a valve stem of a valve. The valve tester assembly may include a support, a rotation element mounted on the support for rotating a valve during a rotation event, a control element for controlling aspects of the rotation event of the valve by the rotation element, and an element for detecting a location of the valve tester assembly during the rotation event of the valve. In some embodiments of the invention, the element for detecting the location of the valve tester assembly includes a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver. In some embodiments, the GPS receiver is integral with the control element.

Abstract: A system for facilitating transport of a computer and monitor as a unit is disclosed, and comprises a computer case having an exterior, a support located on the computer case for supporting the monitor on the computer case, and a binder for removably binding the monitor to the computer case when the monitor is positioned on the support. The system may also include a handle located on the exterior of the computer case for being gripped by a hand of a user.