Abstract: A collection, storage and dispensing system for shopping carts including an elongated tubular conduit sized to allow a shopping cart to rollably pass therethrough. The conduit includes a sloped first end section defining an entrance opening through which shopping carts enter the system, a generally horizontal mid section, and a sloping second end section which defines an exit opening through which shopping carts exit the system. The mid section is preferably buried below grade, but may also be elevated above a parking lot surface of a store for vehicles to drive beneath, A floor is provided within the conduit atop which shopping carts roll. An elongated slender guide engaging probe is connected to each shopping cart which both laterally guides the carts by slidably engagement into a guide channel longitudinally in the floor and is pullably engaged onto a chain-type conveyor in one end section which is upwardly sloped.

Abstract: A fluid-augmented free-vortex power generating apparatus (10) that is driven by either prevailing winds or water and which has a turbine (24) that includes a number of axially extending cup like sails (20) mounted on a freely rotating hub (22). A fluid mover (28) in the form of a fan or blower as would be used when the fluid medium is air or a water pump when the fluid medium is water, tangentially directs a flow of fluid under high velocity onto the turbine sails inducing rotation and creating an unconfined vortex around the apparatus (10). A power generator produces electrical energy from the rotation of the rotor which revolves due to the combined impingement of the fluid mover (28) and intensified regenerated circular fluid movement created by the artificially created unconfined vortex.

Abstract: A fabric dryer employs microwave energy and an auxiliary air convection heater to heat the moisture in the fabric to be dried and provides for control of the microwave energy so that no arcing of metal or other electrically conductive parts occurs as the fabric becomes dryer. The fabric dryer has a controller that receives input from sensors and uses that input to progressively decrease the energy output from the magnetrons in such a manner to prevent arcing of all metal and other electrically conductive materials associated with the fabric, while also controlling the auxiliary air convection heater and an exhaust air recirculator to compensate for the decreased magnetron energy output.

Abstract: An improved gravity feed display system and display card for the display of jewelry articles and the like. The gravity feed display system comprises pairs of inclined slots spaced apart to slidably receive the display cards in such manner that when a lower card is pulled out, a card situated adjacently above slides down to occupy the position of the card being removed. Each display card comprises a generally flat panel and a top flange, and means to prevent the overlapping of an adjacent card while in the display system.

Abstract: Apparatus for a projectile-target game includes at least one projectile and at least one cap. The projectile is soft, lightweight and resilient and has an outer surface consisting essentially of a felt-like material suitable for releasably bonding with a hook-like material. The cap is configured and dimensioned to be releasably worn on and about the head of a player of the game, the cap when worn having an exposed outer surface defining at least one target area including at least one region of a hook-like material suitable for releasably bonding with the felt-like material of the projectile.

Abstract: Satellite tracking system for use between a ground mount and a satellite dish antenna and including the main components of a gear drive, a worm gear driven by a gear motor, and a coupling shaft connected between the gear and brackets supporting the antenna. The worm gear drive includes a potentiometer connected thereto providing a controller signal input. Limit switches can be provided for limiting the rotation of the antenna between prescribed limits. The worm gear drive provides direct shaft drive for accurate rotation through wide angles.