Abstract: An arrow rest assembly for bowfishing or the like includes a first arrow rest portion for supporting an arrow and a second arrow rest portion releasably connected to the first arrow rest portion, the second arrow rest portion has a bore for slidably receiving the shaft of an arrow. The second arrow rest portion slides along the arrow shaft and separates from the first arrow rest portion in a forward direction during forward movement of the arrow. A line extends between the archery bow and the second arrow rest portion for enabling retrieval of the arrow after it has been shot.

Abstract: A system for determining at least one property of a fluid and ensuring measuring surfaces of the system in contact with the fluid remain free of contaminants, includes a housing within which at least one measuring surface is located. The fluid to be measured flows through the housing and contacts the measuring surface. A signal generating device operably associated with the surface provides signals indicative of the at least one fluid property. A transducer is operably associated with the housing and causes agitation of the fluid flowing through the housing so that the measuring surface can be cleaned even during fluid measurement.

Abstract: An articulated support stick for supporting a weapon or other device, includes a handle for grasping by a user, a cradle connected to the handle for receiving and supporting the weapon or other device, a leg for supporting the handle while directing a portion of the weight of the weapon or other device along the leg, and an articulated joint assembly connected between the handle and the leg so that the handle can be manipulated by the user about mutually orthogonal axes with respect to the leg to thereby adjust the cradle portion and thus a position of the weapon or other device while preserving the user's strength.

Abstract: A system for determining at least one property of a fluid and ensuring measuring surfaces of the system in contact with the fluid remain free of contaminants, includes a housing within which at least one measuring surface is located. The fluid to be measured flows through the housing and contacts the measuring surface. A signal generating device operably associated with the surface provides signals indicative of the at least one fluid property. A transducer is operably associated with the housing and causes agitation of the fluid flowing through the housing so that the measuring surface can be cleaned even during fluid measurement.

Abstract: A hybrid bracket assembly for mounting an archery sight or other accessory to an archery bow includes a core and a frame. The core has a plate constructed of a material having a first stiffness. The plate has a first side, an opposing second side, and a peripheral edge located between the first and second sides, and at least one set of mounting holes extending through a thickness of the plate for mounting the hybrid bracket assembly to the archery bow. The frame includes a moldable material with a second stiffness less than the first stiffness. The moldable material extends around at least a segment of the peripheral edge and overlaps an area of the first and second sides of the plate.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring at least one property of a fluid includes a housing for receiving the fluid, a first and second spaced electrodes positioned in the housing, and an impedance modifier positioned between the first and second electrodes that changes an electrical impedance of the fluid between the electrodes. Electronic circuitry generates different waveform voltages across the electrodes and the fluid, monitors an output thereof to thereby obtain data related to impedance of the fluid for each waveform voltage; and combines data related to the outputs to create a unique identification signature for the fluid. Once signatures for known fluids have been created, they can be compared to a generated signature of an unknown fluid to identify the unknown fluid.

Abstract: A system for determining the tongue weight of a towed vehicle and other parameters includes a drawbar transducer in one embodiment and a receiver hitch transducer in another embodiment. Strain gauges are strategically located on the transducer and information regarding the towed vehicle are sent to a display. In one embodiment, a portable display unit has a radio frequency transceiver for receiving transmitted data from the transducer reflective of the towed vehicle tongue weight so that a user can view the tongue weight in practically real time. In this manner, the user can adjust the contents of the towed vehicle to achieve proper tongue weight without the necessity of going back and forth between the trailer and the transducer. A method is also disclosed for determining a safe towing condition based on the trailer tongue weight, trailer pulling force, acceleration during towing, and calculated trailer weight.

Abstract: An optical liquid level transducer is provided that eliminates the need for moving parts, linearization, temperature compensation, material incompatibility with fuel, light output and sensing fluctuations due to temperature changes, and so on. As described, the liquid level is digitally sensed by analyzing axial images of the probe section and outputting changes in liquid level accordingly. The optical liquid level transducer employs an absolute measurement technique with no moving parts such that when power is turned off and restored to the fuel sender, liquid level is automatically determined even if the fuel level in the tank were to change during the “power-off” condition. The optical liquid level transducer is independent of liquid type, temperature and other environmental factors, and does not require special materials that may be incompatible with fuel.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the quality of a fluid includes an optical body forming a measurement surface configured for contacting the fluid to be measured; a light source for projecting radiant energy into the optical body and toward the measurement surface at a predetermined angle; an optical sensor module arranged for detecting an image of at least reflected radiant energy from the measurement surface, the optical sensor module includes a two-dimensional array of light sensors or pixels, each pixel having a plurality of brightness levels; and a processor for setting a brightness threshold value, comparing the threshold value to the brightness level of each pixel, and counting the number of pixels above and/or below the brightness threshold value.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the quality of a fluid includes an optical body forming a measurement surface configured for contacting the fluid to be measured; a light source for projecting radiant energy into the optical body and toward the measurement surface at a predetermined angle; an optical sensor module arranged for detecting an image of at least reflected radiant energy from the measurement surface, the optical sensor module includes a two-dimensional array of light sensors or pixels, each pixel having a plurality of brightness levels; and a processor for setting a brightness threshold value, comparing the threshold value to the brightness level of each pixel, and counting the number of pixels above and/or below the brightness threshold value.

Abstract: A board game and method for learning mathematical tables includes providing a landscape having a first player area and a second player area with predefined spaces associated with each player area; positioning a plurality of game pieces on the predefined spaces of the first and second player area; advancing a first game piece of one player area towards a second game piece on the second player area; challenging the second game piece by randomly generating two independent numbers then performing addition, subtraction, multiplication, or other mathematical operation between the two numbers for each player; and removing one of the first and second game pieces from the landscape when the mathematical operations yield first and second calculated numbers, with one of the calculated numbers being inferior to the other of the calculated numbers.

Abstract: A system for determining the tongue weight and total weight of a towed vehicle and other parameters includes a drawbar transducer in one embodiment, a receiver hitch transducer in another embodiment, and a trailer tongue transducer in a further embodiment. Strain gauges are strategically located on the transducer and information regarding the towed vehicle are sent to a display. In one embodiment, a portable display unit, smartphone or the like has a receiver for receiving transmitted data from the transducer reflective of the towed vehicle measured and calculated parameter so that a user can view the tongue weight in practically real time as well as other parameters relating to loading and towing. In this manner, the user can adjust the contents of the towed vehicle to achieve proper tongue weight without the necessity of going back and forth between the trailer and the transducer.

Abstract: A system for determining the tongue weight of a towed vehicle and other parameters includes a drawbar transducer in one embodiment and a receiver hitch transducer in another embodiment. Strain gauges are strategically located on the transducer and information regarding the towed vehicle are sent to a display. In one embodiment, a portable display unit has a radio frequency transceiver for receiving transmitted data from the transducer reflective of the towed vehicle tongue weight so that a user can view the tongue weight in practically real time. In this manner, the user can adjust the contents of the towed vehicle to achieve proper tongue weight without the necessity of going back and forth between the trailer and the transducer. A method is also disclosed for determining a safe towing condition based on the trailer tongue weight, trailer pulling force, acceleration during towing, and calculated trailer weight.

Abstract: A golf alignment device includes an emitter assembly having an emitter portion for emitting radiant energy and at least one lens portion for projecting the radiant energy onto a surface with a predetermined pattern. The predetermined pattern includes an illuminated golf ball alignment mark, an illuminated first foot alignment mark and an illuminated second foot alignment mark for indicating placement of the golfer's feet with respect to the golf ball. A fourth alignment mark intersects the golf ball and is in alignment with a distant target. Different lens portions may be provided with different projection patterns for use with different golf clubs and/or golfer's of different heights.

Abstract: An optical transducer for determining the presence or absence of liquid or the like in a reservoir includes a housing with a hollow interior and an optical probe that extends through the housing. The optical probe has a central axis, a proximal end positioned in the hollow interior and a distal end positioned outside of the housing. The distal end has first and second measurement surfaces that intersect at a transverse edge. The transverse edge extends at an acute angle with respect to the central axis. A light source is arranged for projecting radiant energy into the optical probe toward the distal end. A photosensor is arranged for detecting radiant energy reflected from the distal end to thereby detect the presence and absence of liquid on the optical probe.

Abstract: An optical transducer for determining liquid level within a container includes a sensing probe having a first elongate measurement face and a second elongate measurement face that converges toward the first measurement face. A light source is positioned for directing radiant energy into the sensing probe and a photosensor is positioned for detecting an amount of radiant energy exiting the sensing probe. With this arrangement, a change in the amount of radiant energy as detected by the photosensor is indicative of a change in liquid level within the container.

Abstract: An optical transducer for determining the presence or absence of liquid or the like in a reservoir includes an electrical circuit with a pulse generator and processing electronics to filter out ambient light and compensate for temperature changes. A comparator circuit portion includes a pair of comparators that simultaneously output high and low signals when in the presence of liquid. One of the outputs can be selected to drive an indicator, pump, relay or the like.

Abstract: An optical transducer comprises a light source for emitting radiant energy, a base member, and an elongate light collector positioned for receiving radiant energy from the light source. The elongate light collector comprises a tunnel formed in the base member and a collector window that extends along a length of the tunnel. Radiant energy projected by the light source is received in the tunnel through the window and is transmitted along a length of the tunnel. A portion of the transmitted radiant energy exits the tunnel to thereby vary the intensity of light along the tunnel length. At least one photosensor is positioned for detecting the amount of radiant energy at a location in the tunnel. In this manner, the intensity of radiant energy at the tunnel location is indicative of at least relative position between the incident radiant energy and the at least one photosensor.

Abstract: An optical viewing assembly and system for transferring image information from one image modifying device to another image modifying device. The optical viewing assembly includes a first image modifying device connected to a second image modifying device through a quick-release clamping arrangement. The clamping arrangement includes first and second clamping portions integrally formed at opposite ends of a hollow sleeve. Each clamping portion has a split collar that is adapted to receive one of the image modifying devices. Each collar includes a pair of clamping legs that are separated from the sleeve by a slot that extends at least part way around a perimeter of the sleeve to thereby permit movement of the clamping legs toward and away from each other. Movement of the clamping legs toward each other reduces a cross dimension of the split collar to thereby clamp one of the image modifying devices therein.

Abstract: An optical gauge for measuring the level of a liquid in a container comprises an elongate, tubular member with a central bore. A light source is positioned for projecting radiant energy into the bore along a length of the tubular member. An elongate light collector is spaced from the light source and extends along the length of the tubular member for receiving radiant energy from the light source. The light collector has opposite ends and is formed such that radiant energy incident on a length of the light collector is transmitted to the light collector ends. A light blocking member is located within the bore and extends between the light source and at least a portion of the elongate light collector for blocking at least a portion of the radiant energy from the light collector.