Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to an electrical switchgear unit, in particular a high voltage switchgear unit. A housing is present, which is provided with a housing wall which contains a bore. A corrugated tube is present, which is coupled to the bore. For this purpose, the corrugated tube is plugged into the bore. Between the corrugated tube and the bore, an annular gap is located, in which an O ring is arranged, which is plugged onto the corrugated tube.

Abstract: A vehicle having an auxiliary power system for supplying power to an implement is disclosed. The power system includes a power enablement device having an enablement component that allows or prevents supplying power to the implement, and an auxiliary actuator operably coupled to the power enablement device. The auxiliary actuator can be manipulated between a first, de-actuated position and a second, actuated position. An operator actuable continuous actuation device is moveable between engaged and disengaged positions, providing an actuation signal indicative of its position. A continuous enablement actuator is capable of engaging the enablement component when the enablement component is in the actuated position to discourage the enablement component from moving to the de-actuated position.

Abstract: An intramedullar distraction device for bone elongation that is completely mechanical in operation, wherein a novel rotating button system allows inverting the device ratchet movement, thereby enabling the reduction of the length of the device, if needed, in order to offer the surgeon operating flexibility before finally anchoring the device on the bone. Furthermore, a locking system allows for locking the ratchet once the desired elongation has been reached, thus avoiding potential mistaken elongations. In addition, a unique alignment hole provides a simple, precise tool to easily and correctly align the device within the bone. The present device operates without the assistance of external mechanisms, motors, or tools, and once inserted, the user can actuate the device without assistance. This device is available in a wide variety of diameters and lengths, and is useful in all long bones.

Abstract: Waterfowl attracting shotgun shells that include case, primer, powder charge, wadding, and weighted material. When the weighted material is fired into the air, the material falls back to earth. A speed of at which the weighted material falls and an appearance of the weighted material as it falls are chosen to attract waterfowl. In preferred embodiments, the speed is about a speed that a shot waterfowl falls after being shot or a live waterfowl lands, and the appearance is a fluttering appearance. Each waterfowl attracting shotgun shell can include one piece of weighted material or plural pieces. In use, one or more waterfowl attracting shotgun shells can be loaded into a shotgun along with regular shotgun shells.

Abstract: A vehicle having an auxiliary power system for supplying power to an implement is disclosed. The power system includes a power enablement device having an enablement component that allows or prevents supplying power to the implement, and an auxiliary actuator operably coupled to the power enablement device. The auxiliary actuator can be manipulated between a first, de-actuated position and a second, actuated position. An operator actuable continuous actuation device is moveable between engaged and disengaged positions, providing an actuation signal indicative of its position. A continuous enablement actuator is capable of engaging the enablement component when the enablement component is in the actuated position to discourage the enablement component from moving to the de-actuated position.

Abstract: Presented herein is an intramedullar distraction device for bone elongation that is completely mechanical in operation, wherein a novel rotating button system allows inverting the device ratchet movement, thereby enabling the reduction of the length of the device, if needed, in order to offer the surgeon operating flexibility before finally anchoring the device on the bone. Furthermore, a locking system allows for locking the ratchet once the desired elongation has been reached, thus avoiding potential mistaken elongations. In addition, a unique alignment hole provides a simple, precise tool to easily and correctly align the device within the bone. The present device operates without the assistance of external mechanisms, motors, or tools, and once inserted, the user can actuate the device without assistance. This device is available in a wide variety of diameters and lengths, and is useful in all long bones.

Abstract: A gaming machine and method in which awards less than the wager amount are made for some outcomes. In a video card game, hands that normally earn no award may achieve a return that is a fraction of the amount wagered, such as one fifth. In keno-type games, pay categories are added for outcomes that are ordinarily outright losses, such as awarding a selected fraction of the wager amount for hitting three out of ten spots. Alternatively, hitting one or more secondary active spots that are randomly chosen can result in an award that is a fractional multiple of the wager amount. In a spinning reel game, special symbols that may appear may be assigned a selected fractional value of the wager amount, alone or in combination with other special symbols.

Abstract: Systems and methods of gaming that provide the user with increased wagering within a specific game of chance. Multiple wager selectors each having a specific value ed therewith provide the user with a wide range of wager amounts that may be placed on gaming device. As the user's current wager increases or decreases, a theoretical percentage is displayed to the user.

Abstract: A tire pressure indicator is disclosed including a housing having an inlet for air under pressure, a sealed chamber, the chamber containing a gas under pressure, a signaling device having an electrical power source arranged to generate an electrical signal indicative of a pressure difference between the inlet and the chamber, a flexible diaphragm separating the inlet and the chamber, the diaphragm positioned to extend into the chamber as pressure at the inlet increases, a connector operatively engaging the diaphragm and the signaling device to actuate the signaling device to generate the electrical signal, and a light source coupled to the signaling device to receive the electrical signal and generate a visual signal indicative of a pressure difference between the inlet and the chamber.

Abstract: A gaming system and associated methods utilize continued component distribution, such as in poker or keno, until certain criteria are met in order to provide the potential to receive more than a standard number of game components for increased gaming suspense. In playing a game on the system, a predetermined quantity of game components are selected for distribution to a player. If certain criteria are not met, additional game components are distributed to the player until the criteria are met or until a maximum total number of game components are distributed. The distributed game components enable the player to achieve a payment or other award in accordance with the rules of play of the game being played.

Abstract: A method of playing a card game, including dealing at least one hand of cards from at least one card deck to a player upon a wager by the player and providing the player a first draw from the at least one card deck. The method further includes, if one of the at least one hand of cards includes a triggering hand after the first draw, enabling the player to replace one or more cards in the one of the at least one hand of cards which includes the triggering hand through a free second draw, and providing the player an award for any winning hand occurring after the free second draw. A gaming device for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A tire pressure indicator is disclosed including a housing having an inlet for air under pressure, a sealed chamber, the chamber containing a gas under pressure, a signaling device having an electrical power source arranged to generate an electrical signal indicative of a pressure difference between the inlet and the chamber, a flexible diaphragm separating the inlet and the chamber, the diaphragm positioned to extend into the chamber as pressure at the inlet increases, a connector operatively engaging the diaphragm and the signaling device to actuate the signaling device to generate the electrical signal, and a light source coupled to the signaling device to receive the electrical signal and generate a visual signal indicative. of a pressure difference between the inlet and the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing particles onto a substrate, methods for using the apparatus to deposit particles on a substrate and substrates prepared using the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a rotary screen, a blade disposed for directing and urging the particles through the screen, and a sheet mounted in a position to receive the particles from a feeder and deliver the particles to the rotary screen substantially across the blade. The apparatus can include a frame on which a rotary screen is rotatably mounted and a feed system disposed within and extending substantially along the length of the screen for distributing the particles. The apparatus can optionally include a vacuum means, an anti-static means and/or collection pans for handling stray particles. The screen can include a series of openings in the form of a pattern, and can be used to place particles in a pattern in register with a design or pattern on a substrate as the substrate passes under the openings in the screen.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing particles onto a substrate, methods for using the apparatus to deposit particles on a substrate and substrates prepared using the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a rotary screen, a blade disposed for directing and urging the particles through the screen, and a sheet mounted in a position to receive the particles from a feeder and deliver the particles to the rotary screen substantially across the blade. The apparatus can include a frame on which a rotary screen is rotatably mounted and a feed system disposed within and extending substantially along the length of the screen for distributing the particles. The apparatus can optionally include a vacuum means, an anti-static means and/or collection pans for handling stray particles. The screen can include a series of openings in the form of a pattern, and can be used to place particles in a pattern in register with a design or pattern on a substrate as the substrate passes under the openings in the screen.

Abstract: Methods for creating relatively wide surface coverings and surface covering components by seaming together relatively narrow surface coverings and surface covering components are disclosed. The surface coverings are seamed together with a barely visible or invisible seam by lining up two sheets together and taping them together on one surface at the seam. In one embodiment, the taped surface is the top surface of a surface covering, i.e., the surface that includes the design. The sheets can include thermoplastic polymers. The taped surface is placed downward, and a gluing surface is exposed. The gluing surface is the surface on the two surface coverings to be joined that are in contact with each other. The gluing surface can either be exposed by raising the taped region or by lowering one or both sides adjacent the taped region. A suitable adhesive is applied to the gluing surface, and the raised region is lowered or the lowered sides are raised to the original height.

Abstract: Methods for creating relatively wide surface coverings and surface covering components by seaming together relatively narrow surface coverings and surface covering components are disclosed. The surface coverings are seamed together with a barely visible or invisible seam by lining up two sheets together and taping them together on one surface at the seam. In one embodiment, the taped surface is the top surface of a surface covering, i.e., the surface that includes the design. The sheets can include thermoplastic polymers. The taped surface is placed downward, and a gluing surface is exposed. The gluing surface is the surface on the two surface coverings to be joined that are in contact with each other. The gluing surface can either be exposed by raising the taped region or by lowering one or both sides adjacent the taped region. A suitable adhesive is applied to the gluing surface, and the raised region is lowered or the lowered sides are raised to the original height.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing particles onto a substrate, methods for using the apparatus to deposit particles on a substrate and substrates prepared using the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a rotary screen, a blade disposed for directing and urging the particles through the screen, and a sheet mounted in a position to receive the particles from a feeder and deliver the particles to the rotary screen substantially across the blade. The apparatus can include a frame on which a rotary screen is rotatably mounted and a feed system disposed within and extending substantially along the length of the screen for distributing the particles. The apparatus can optionally include a vacuum means, an anti-static means and/or collection pans for handling stray particles. The screen can include a series of openings in the form of a pattern, and can be used to place particles in a pattern in register with a design or pattern on a substrate as the substrate passes under the openings in the screen.

Abstract: A cartridge library comprises plural cells for accommodating therein a cartridge of information storage media and a tape drive which transduces information relative when a cartridge is loaded into the drive. A cartridge loader (also known as the cartridge transport assembly) is mounted to the drive assembly for picking a selected cartridge from one of the cells and for inserting the selected cartridge into a cartridge slot in the drive. The drive assembly is stationary but the cartridge loader is pivotal about the drive assembly, and particularly about a pivot axis which is parallel to a center line of the data cartridge when the data cartridge is inserted into the drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a toothed transport track engageable by the cartridge transport assembly for incremental pivotal motion of the cartridge transport assembly about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A modular hat is disclosed. The hat includes a hat crown having an inside perimeter, a front side, a back side, a left side, and a right side. A visor is attached to the front side of the hat crown. A headband connecting member is attached along the inside perimeter of the hat crown for releasably connecting a plurality of components to the hat, wherein the components are chosen from the group consisting of a chin strap, a sunglass mount, a one-piece ear muff attachment, a storm visor, an ear and neck winter guard, a hydration curtain, a pocket, a bug net, an internal headband, a reflective illuminator, a flashlight holder, a winter facemask with pockets, and an ornamental towel.