Abstract: A game includes ladder-like targets assembled from tubular rods coupled to each other by various tees and angles. The rods are most preferably a rigid, lightweight, weather-resistant material such as PVC or the like. The couplings can be permanent or removable, depending upon the need for storage or shipping after assembly. Each target includes a plurality of rungs, each spaced from each other by a predetermined distance. Projectiles include two relatively massive ends fabricated from balls similar to golf balls, separated by a flaccid cord or rope. In the most preferred embodiment, the spacing between target rungs is one-half the spacing of the projectile massive ends. The rules of play and various alternative embodiments are also presented.

Abstract: The present invention is a marketing system and method that matches customer requests and preferences with marketing offers and related information. The system scans electronic marketing offers made available by companies and presents these offers to customers, if a match is detected between the offer and the customer's preferences. Customer profiles are based on information entered by the customer as to what type of marketing offers they are interested in receiving. Each customer's information remains isolated from the product and service providers, which allows customers to protect their information from mass marketing.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable protection device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (18) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (14). A housing (16) directs inflation fluid from the inflation fluid source (18) toward the protection device (14). The apparatus (10) includes a vent opening (30) in the housing (16) for selectively venting inflation fluid from the housing. The apparatus (10) also includes a member (50) movable between a closed position blocking venting of inflation fluid from the housing (16) and an open position enabling venting of inflation fluid from the housing. The apparatus (10) further includes an actuatable fastener (12) for holding the member (70) in the closed position. The actuatable fastener (12) comprises an air bag inflator initiator (100).

Abstract: A gaming apparatus and method includes a table with a cushion on its perimeter and centrally located target area. The target area includes an elongated barrier to prevent passage of a ball and a primary target formed as a bay having opposed side walls and an open mouth to receive a ball. The target array in one embodiment includes a base rail and transverse end rails. A plurality of primary targets are located in spaced relation along the base rail with regions between the primary targets defining secondary targets. The primary targets accept different integral numbers of balls that may be launched from a tee area against the cushion to score points. Guides having converging walls direct incident balls toward the mouths of the primary targets. A mallet is used to strike each ball of a player's ball set during play.

Abstract: A game includes ladder-like targets assembled from tubular rods coupled to each other by various tees and angles. The rods are most preferably a rigid, lightweight, weather-resistant material such as PVC or the like. The couplings can be permanent or removable, depending upon the need for storage or shipping after assembly. Each target includes a plurality of rungs, each spaced from each other by a predetermined distance. Projectiles include two relatively massive ends fabricated from balls similar to golf balls, separated by a flaccid cord or rope. In the most preferred embodiment, the spacing between target rungs is one-half the spacing of the projectile massive ends. The rules of play and various alternative embodiments are also presented.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable protection device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (18) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (14). A housing (16) directs inflation fluid from the inflation fluid source (18) toward the protection device (14). The apparatus (10) includes a vent opening (30) in the housing (16) for selectively venting inflation fluid from the housing. The apparatus (10) also includes a member (50) movable between a closed position blocking venting of inflation fluid from the housing (16) and an open position enabling venting of inflation fluid from the housing. The apparatus (10) further includes an actuatable fastener (12) for holding the member (70) in the closed position. The actuatable fastener (12) comprises an air bag inflator initiator (100).

Abstract: An anchor device is provided to engage a segment of a cord. The anchor device has a main body portion and a pair of opposed jaw portions that extend from the body in spaced-apart relationship to one another thereby to form a cavity with a rear wall. A retainer is disposed on the inner surface of each jaw portion with the retainers being separated by a longitudinal passageway. Each retainer has a surface spaced from the other jaw portion and rear portion located forwardly of the rear wall of the cavity. The rear portions form a transverse locking channel for releasably capturing a transverse extension of the cord. The retainers can be static structures or rotatable pulley elements.

Abstract: An expandable framework is used with a flexible covering to provide a portable shelter. The framework includes a plurality of upright support members, adjacent ones of which are interconnected by an edge scissor assembly. Each edge scissor assembly includes a plurality of scissor arms, and at least two of the scissor arms of each edge scissor assembly is formed by at least two articulating sections that move between a folded state when the framework is collapsed and an aligned state when the framework is expanded. The ends of the scissor assemblies are pivotally mounted to an upper and a lower fixed mount on the respective support member. As a result of the articulation, the mounts do not need to slide on the support members but rather can remain fixed.

Abstract: A distributed diagnostic system in which a plurality of local monitoring devices collect local information concerning various machines and process that information, according to redefined diagnostic parameters, for diagnostic purposes. The local information collected by the plurality of local monitoring devices is provided to a global processor that globally processes the collected information to provide updated diagnostic parameters to the local monitoring devices.

Abstract: A canopy structure, kit and method permits a user to custom configure a canopy shelter is almost unlimited curvilinear shapes. To accomplish this, a flexible sheet that is elastic in at least one, but preferably two dimensions may be secured over an area to be sheltered. Anchors connect the sheet either directly to the surface, such as the ground, or to an object, such as a tree or building, secured to the surface. A support pole is interposed between the surface and the sheet; and this support pole is sufficiently long to deform the sheet in the direction(s) of elasticity and thus exert a compression force on the pole. A plurality of support poles of varying lengths may be formed from identical pole sections, and base plates and dome elements may be used on the poles. The anchors are formed to engage the edge margin of the sheet at random locations, and these anchors, or alternative clasps, may engage the central portion of the sheet so that even greater design flexibility is possible.

Abstract: An expandable framework structure can be folded for storage and expanded for use, especially as a canopy when a covering is placed on top of the framework. The framework includes a plurality of upright supports and a plurality of edge scissor assemblies that interconnect adjacent ones of the upright supports. Mounts are disposed on the upright supports to fasten outer, rectangular end portions of the edge scissor assemblies. The mounts have sockets which have facing, parallel sidewall portions to receive the rectangular end portions in close-fitted engagement along planar contact surfaces to resist lateral and torsional deflections of the edge scissor assemblies. A non-compressive fastening pin pivotally secures the outer end of each edge scissor assemblies in its respective socket. The mounts on each upright support are relatively movable to allow expansion and contraction of the framework; one mount is preferably a stationary mount and the other a slide mount.

Abstract: An expandable framework structure can be folded for storage and expanded for use, especially as a canopy when a covering is placed on top of the framework. The framework includes a plurality of upright supports and a plurality of edge scissor assemblies that interconnect adjacent ones of the upright supports. Mounts are disposed on the upright supports to fasten outer, rectangular end portions of the edge scissor assemblies. The mounts have sockets which have facing, parallel sidewall portions to receive the rectangular end portions in close-fitted engagement along planar contact surfaces to resist lateral and torsional deflections of the edge scissor assemblies. A fastening pin pivotally secures the outer end of each edge scissor assemblies in its respective socket. The mounts on each upright support are relatively movable to allow expansion and contraction of the framework; one mount is preferably a stationary mount and the other a slide mount.

Abstract: An erectable tent structure is formed by a flexible roof covering that includes a central portion and a plurality of ridge portions that have inclined slopes and that extend along ridgelines radially outwardly and upwardly from the central portion to terminate in peaks located at the periphery of the roof covering. the slopes thus form valley portions between the ridgelines, and the valley portions have valley floors that slope radially outwardly and downwardly from the central portion. A support pole supports the roof covering at reach peak, and anchor structures secure the flexible covering to the support surface in a manner that a ridge tension force is applied upwardly and outwardly along the ridgelines and a valley tension force is applied downwardly and outwardly along the valley floors. The ridge and valley portions may be formed by joined panels so that there is a primary seam along each ridgeline and a secondary seam along each valley floor.

Abstract: A fastener assembly operative to interconnect flexible panels and other objects has a female piece and male piece which may be releasably fastened together. The female piece includes a web and a pair of opposed flanges which terminate in spaced-apart hook portions to provide a locking channel. The hook portions have interior first locking faces. The male piece includes a web with an enlarged male rib on an edge thereof so that the male rib provides outwardly projecting shoulders which have second locking faces. The male rib may be inserted through an entryway into said channel so as to be received in close-fitted engagement therein as it is engulfed by the flanges. The locking faces of the female and male piece engage one another to prevent withdrawal of the male rib under tension. However, the female and male pieces are constructed of stiff, resilient material so that the male rib may be cammed out of the channel by a torsional force.

Abstract: A method for erecting tent structures is provided and is especially useful for large are tensioned tent structures that include a flexible covering having a vertex portion and spaced corner portions and which has a selected geometrical shape in the erect position. The broad method of the present invention thus contemplates the broad steps of providing such a flexible covering having a vertex and corner portions, securing the corner portions to the support surface, positioning a pole assembly in an upright position between the support surface and the vertex portion and forcibly expanding the pole assembly to tension the flexible covering in a taut condition. Preferably, the tent structure has a base perimeter in the shape of a regular polygon with the structure shaped generally as a pyramid. The covering is formed of fabric panels cut to enhance the effect of tensioning forces. The invention also contemplates tent erection methodology for tent structures having a plurality of center pole assemblies.

Abstract: A canopy shelter has a plurality of corner support forming legs that may be positioned on a support surface. Scissor assemblies interconnect adjacent ones of the corner supports and are each pivotally connected at one portion to the top ends of the respective corner supports and are each pivotally connected at another portion to slide brackets slideably mounted on each of the respective corner supports. Roof support members are pivotally connected to a respective slide bracket on a corner support. Thus, the framework may be collapsed in a stored state yet expanded to an expanded state by spreading the corner members apart from one another. This automatically raises the apex which may also include a center post structure. Latches are provided to retain the slide brackets in position to hold the framework in the expanded state.

Abstract: A tensioned tent structure includes a flexible covering having a vertex portion and spaced corner portions and which has a selected geometrical shape in the erect position. The tent structure further includes an anchor for securing each corner portion to the support surface and a pole assembly that supports the covering in an erect state with the vertex above the support surface. The pole assembly has an extension and contraction mechanism to vary its effective length to apply upward force to the vertex portion thus tensioning the covering to draw it taut. The broad method of the present invention thus contemplates the broad steps of providing such a flexible covering having a vertex and corner portions, securing the corner portions to the support surface, positioning a pole assembly in an upright position between the support surface and the vertex portion and forcibly expanding the pole assembly to tension the flexible covering in a taut condition.

Abstract: A reinforcement member is provided for an extendible scissors truss such as may be utilized in a collapsible canopy structure wherein the extendible scissors truss has members pivotally connected to form truss cells. The reinforcement member has first and second end portions joined by a linking portion to form a Z-like configuration. The first and second end portions of the reinforcement member are each attached, at an end point, to one of a pair of parallel members of a cell, and lie laterally adjacent the truss members when the extendible scissors truss is in an extended position. The cell is thereby reinforced against moments resulting from side forces applied to the truss by torsion and bending stress developed in the linking portion of the reinforcement member.