Abstract: A sock for a floating platform including a plurality of tubulars coupled together and defining a bore and a catcher assembly. The catcher assembly including a plurality of orifices formed in at least one of the plurality of tubulars, a catcher releasably coupled to the plurality of tubulars by a plurality of shearable members, wherein the catcher is disposed in the bore, and wherein the catcher is movable from a first position to a second position, and a stop flange having at least one aperture.

Abstract: An Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) with a large annular display region for enhanced gameplay in a single or multiple cabinet system is disclosed. In the center of the annular display region is an independent, central display region. One or more pointers with display capabilities are configured to indicate a portion of the annular display region during gameplay. The EGM may be used for cabinet play and/or dealer-controlled play. The EGM may also include one or more input devices, for example a touch sensor, for dealer and/or player interaction.

Abstract: Apparatuses for, methods of manufacturing, and methods of using a flame extinguisher are disclosed. In some implementations, a flame extinguisher comprises a planar surface with a first end comprising a handle configured to held by a hand, a second end affixed to a hollowed, geometric solid extending out of the planar surface, and a perimeter around the planar surface configured to prevent an underside of the planar surface opposite the hollowed, geometric solid from contacting a surface when laid down with the underside down. The hollowed, geometric solid may be a hollowed, conical solid. The hollowed geometric solid may be sized to extinguish a candle flame when a lit wick is inserted into the interior space of the hollowed, geometric solid.

Abstract: A sock for a floating platform including a plurality of tubulars coupled together and defining a bore and a catcher assembly. The catcher assembly including a plurality of orifices formed in at least one of the plurality of tubulars, a catcher releasably coupled to the plurality of tubulars by a plurality of shearable members, wherein the catcher is disposed in the bore, and wherein the catcher is movable from a first position to a second position, and a stop flange having at least one aperture.

Abstract: A drive axle shaft and method for making the same are provided. The drive axle shaft includes an elongate tubular body and a wheel flange. The elongate tubular body has a longitudinal axis and comprises a first end portion and a second end. The second end is configured to be coupled to a side gear in a differential. The wheel flange is disposed at the first end portion and is configured to support a vehicle wheel. The elongate tubular body and the wheel flange are formed as a unitary body without any weld therebetween.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a surgical implant. A metal layer is deposited onto a polyaryletherketone (PAEK) substrate by generating a series of pulses using a high power impulse magnetron sputtering process. Each pulse is applied in a series of micro pulse steps comprising (i) micro pulse on steps ranging from 10 ?s to 100 ?s and (ii) micro pulse off steps ranging from 5 ?s as to 400 ?s; at a repetition frequency ranging from 50-2000 Hz with 2 micropulses to 20 micropulses per repetition, a total pulse on time ranging from 25 ?s to 800 ?s for 5 minutes to 300 minutes at averaged power ranging from 200 W to 3000 W. The series of pulses are performed in a unipolar mode or a bipolar mode.

Abstract: A modular gaming system can be constructed from a standard base cabinet including a plurality of support members and an interchangeable upper modular cabinet holding one or more display monitors, wherein the upper modular cabinet is attached to the standard base cabinet. The standard base cabinet can have an attached door for accessing gaming system components. The upper modular cabinet can have a member for holding the one or more display monitors either vertically or horizontally, and may include a pivotally attached door. The standard base cabinet and the upper modular cabinet can have lighted wrapped front and side panels including lighting units. The lighting units can include light emitting diodes (LEDs).

Abstract: An axle beam comprises a hollow middle portion and a pair of hollow end portions. The hollow middle portion has a first corner-curved tapered arch cross-sectional shape. The pair of hollow end portions each have a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, and each extend from an opposite end of the middle portion. The hollow middle portion has a first wall thickness. The hollow end portions each have a second wall thickness that is larger than the first wall thickness.

Abstract: A drive axle shaft and method for making the same are provided. The drive axle shaft includes an elongate tubular body and a wheel flange. The elongate tubular body has a longitudinal axis and comprises a first end portion and a second end. The second end is configured to be coupled to a side gear in a differential. The wheel flange is disposed at the first end portion and is configured to support a vehicle wheel. The elongate tubular body and the wheel flange are formed as a unitary body without any weld therebetween.

Abstract: A drive axle shaft and method for making the same are provided. A tubular blank is inserted in a first die including an orifice. The tubular blank is extruded through the orifice to form an elongate tubular body with a longitudinal axis. A first longitudinal end of the tubular body is heated. The tubular body is inserted into a bore in a support apparatus. The support apparatus defines a second die at one end surrounding the bore, and the first longitudinal end of the tubular body projects outwardly from the bore. A third die comprises a mandrel configured to be received within the tubular body. A wheel flange is formed by moving at least one of the support apparatus and the third die toward the other of the support apparatus and the third die to deform the first longitudinal end of the tubular body between the second and third dies.

Abstract: The present application concerns a coated film comprising a substantially biodegradable substrate having a biodegradable coating thereon at a coat weight of not more than 12 gsm, as well as useful articles sealed inside a package at least partly comprising such a film, and also a process for producing a coated film comprising providing a substantially biodegradable film substrate and applying a biodegradable coating to the substrate at a coat weight of less than 12 gsm by means of a hot melt coating step.

Abstract: A drive axle shaft and method for making the same are provided. A tubular blank is inserted in a first die including an orifice. The tubular blank is extruded through the orifice to form an elongate tubular body with a longitudinal axis. A first longitudinal end of the tubular body is heated. The tubular body is inserted into a bore in a support apparatus. The support apparatus defines a second die at one end surrounding the bore, and the first longitudinal end of the tubular body projects outwardly from the bore. A third die comprises a mandrel configured to be received within the tubular body. A wheel flange is formed by moving at least one of the support apparatus and the third die toward the other of the support apparatus and the third die to deform the first longitudinal end of the tubular body between the second and third dies.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a surgical implant. A metal layer is deposited onto a polyaryletherketone (PAEK) substrate by generating a series of pulses using a high power impulse magnetron sputtering process. Each pulse is applied in a series of micro pulse steps comprising (i) micro pulse on steps ranging from 10 ?s to 100 ?s and (ii) micro pulse off steps ranging from 5 ?s as to 400 ?s; at a repetition frequency ranging from 50-2000 Hz with 2 micropulses to 20 micropulses per repetition, a total pulse on time ranging from 25 ?s to 800 ?s for 5 minutes to 300 minutes at averaged power ranging from 200 W to 3000 W. The series of pulses are performed in a unipolar mode or a bipolar mode.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a cabinet having an electro-optical assembly including a substrate and a layer having a variable opacity. Also included in the gaming system is a first input device for receiving a wager from a first player and a second input device for receiving a wager from a second player, as well as at least one video display for displaying video images relating to a wagering game. A controller is electrically coupled to the layer having a variable opacity and is programmed to alter the opacity of the layer to allow the first player to view the video images reflected from the at least one display.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a cabinet having an electro-optical assembly including a substrate and a layer having a variable opacity. Also included in the gaming system is a first input device for receiving a wager from a first player and a second input device for receiving a wager from a second player, as well as at least one video display for displaying video images relating to a wagering game. A controller is electrically coupled to the layer having a variable opacity and is programmed to alter the opacity of the layer to allow the first player to view the video images reflected from the at least one display.

Abstract: A computer readable medium includes executable instructions to receive a query, receive information about the identity of the query requester, send the query to at least one data source, receive data from the at least one data source, and apply confidentiality criteria to the data based on a set of rules to produce masked confidential data. The masked confidential data is returned in a report in response to the query.

Abstract: An illumination device worn at chest height to illuminate an area proximate to the wearer.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser to provide a plurality of different flavours with accurate mixing control comprises a housing (40, 42, 44) containing a diluent valve (46A, 46B) and at least two concentrate valves (48A, B, C, D), each valve having its own inlet (12) and outlet (14), characterised in that all the outlets (14) lead to a single dispense nozzle (50A, B, C), a flow rate sensor (16) is provided for each valve, the flow rate sensors (16) being connected to a controller (54), and a setting mechanism (52A, B, C, D, E, F) is provided to open and close each valve, the controller (54) operating the setting mechanisms whereby one concentrate valve and the diluent valve may be opened to dispense a particular beverage and, in response to the sensed flow rates through those opened valves, controlling the degree of opening of those valves to achieve a predetermined diluent to concentrate ratio for the beverage mixture in the dispense nozzle (50A, B, C).

Abstract: A method for making hydrophilic homopolymers and copolymers of poly 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Also disclosed are coatings, films, hydrogels, cosmetic compositions, dermatological compositions, pressure sensitive adhesives containing the hydrophilic homopolymers or copolymers of poly 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate. Further disclosed are methods of coating substrates with the hydrophilic homopolymers and copolymers of poly 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and hydrophilic pressure sensitive adhesives.