Abstract: A remote lighting system for a safety helmet operable with a vehicle lighting system. The system includes a vehicle portion and a helmet portion comprising a helmet brake light; a microcontroller in communication with the brake light; and a helmet transceiver in communication with the microcontroller. The vehicle portion includes a vehicle transceiver in wireless communication with the helmet transceiver; a gate in communication with the vehicle transceiver, and under a condition when a signal is received from the vehicle transceiver, operable to electrically connect the battery to the brake light of the vehicle lighting system; and an accelerometer in communication with the vehicle transceiver, and operable to send a signal indicative of vehicle acceleration to the vehicle transceiver. When a threshold level of deceleration is exceeded, the microcontroller sends a signal to the transceivers and the gate, causing a brake light of the vehicle lighting system to be illuminated.

Abstract: A remote lighting system for a safety helmet operable with a vehicle lighting system. The system includes a vehicle portion and a helmet portion comprising a helmet brake light; a microcontroller in communication with the brake light; and a helmet transceiver in communication with the microcontroller. The vehicle portion includes a vehicle transceiver in wireless communication with the helmet transceiver; a gate in communication with the vehicle transceiver, and under a condition when a signal is received from the vehicle transceiver, operable to electrically connect the battery to the brake light of the vehicle lighting system; and an accelerometer in communication with the vehicle transceiver, and operable to send a signal indicative of vehicle acceleration to the vehicle transceiver. When a threshold level of deceleration is exceeded, the microcontroller sends a signal to the transceivers and the gate, causing a brake light of the vehicle lighting system to be illuminated.

Abstract: Games of chance are disclosed. In one of the games of chance, a Player communicates to a computer a future indeterminate event and outcome upon which he wishes to wager. The computer accesses archival input data on past events relevant to possible outcomes of the future indeterminate event and accesses live input data from at least one of a sensor or an imaging device acquiring the live input data at the future indeterminate event, executes an algorithm to calculate odds for the specified possible outcome of the specified future indeterminate event, and offers the Player the opportunity to make a wager at the calculated odds. If the Player makes the wager, the computer compares in real time the actual outcome of the specified future indeterminate event with the specified possible outcome defined by the Player, and if the Player's wager is correct, a payout is made to the Player.

Abstract: Games of chance are disclosed. In one of the games of chance, a Player communicates to a computer a future indeterminate event and outcome upon which he wishes to wager. The computer accesses archival input data on past events relevant to possible outcomes of the future indeterminate event and accesses live input data from at least one of a sensor or an imaging device acquiring the live input data at the future indeterminate event, executes an algorithm to calculate odds for the specified possible outcome of the specified future indeterminate event, and offers the Player the opportunity to make a wager at the calculated odds. If the Player makes the wager, the computer compares in real time the actual outcome of the specified future indeterminate event with the specified possible outcome defined by the Player, and if the Player's wager is correct, a payout is made to the Player.

Abstract: A tree stand comprising a supporting base including an upwardly facing hemispherical socket, a positioning sphere having a cavity for receiving a trunk of the tree, and a collar engageable by threads with the base and comprising a flange, wherein the positioning sphere may be disposed in the hemispherical cavity, and the compression collar maximally threadably engaged with the base, thereby contacting the flange with the sphere and immobilizing the sphere in the socket.

Abstract: A tree stand comprising a supporting base, a positioning sphere, and a compression collar. The supporting base is comprised of an annular cavity surrounding upwardly facing hemispherical socket. The annular cavity comprises an outer side wall including an upper threaded portion. The positioning sphere includes an outer spherical surface and a cavity for receiving a trunk of the tree. The compression collar comprised an outer threaded wall engageable with the upper threaded portion of the supporting base, and a first flange contactable with an upper portion of the outer spherical surface of the positioning sphere. When the positioning sphere is disposed in the hemispherical socket, and the compression collar is maximally threadably engaged with the supporting base, the flange of the compression collar is contacted with the outer spherical surface of the positioning sphere and immobilizes the sphere in the socket, thereby securing the tree in a desired upright position.

Abstract: A tree stand comprising a supporting base, a positioning sphere, and a compression collar. The supporting base is comprised of an annular cavity surrounding upwardly facing hemispherical socket. The annular cavity comprises an outer side wall including an upper threaded portion. The positioning sphere includes an outer spherical surface and a cavity for receiving a trunk of the tree. The compression collar comprised an outer threaded wall engageable with the upper threaded portion of the supporting base, and a first flange contactable with an upper portion of the outer spherical surface of the positioning sphere. When the positioning sphere is disposed in the hemispherical socket, and the compression collar is maximally threadably engaged with the supporting base, the flange of the compression collar is contacted with the outer spherical surface of the positioning sphere and immobilizes the sphere in the socket, thereby securing the tree in a desired upright position.

Abstract: A tree stand comprising a supporting base, a positioning sphere, and a compression collar. The supporting base is comprised of an annular cavity surrounding upwardly facing hemispherical socket. The annular cavity comprises an outer side wall including an upper threaded portion. The positioning sphere includes an outer spherical surface and a cavity for receiving a trunk of the tree. The compression collar comprised an outer threaded wall engageable with the upper threaded portion of the supporting base, and a first flange contactable with an upper portion of the outer spherical surface of the positioning sphere. When the positioning sphere is disposed in the hemispherical socket, and the compression collar is maximally threadably engaged with the supporting base, the flange of the compression collar is contacted with the outer spherical surface of the positioning sphere and immobilizes the sphere in the socket, thereby securing the tree in a desired upright position.

Abstract: Games of chance are disclosed. In a general embodiment, collections of objects used in the game are defined. The values of objects of the collection are ranked according to a predefined hierarchy. A first object collection is assigned to a Player party. The Dealer accepts a wager from the Player on certain outcomes of random selections of a subset of the collection of objects corresponding to high value objects. A random selection of a subset of objects is made. The subset is compared to predefined high value objects. If there is no matching relationship between the subset and the high value objects, the wager is retained by the Dealer. If there is a matching relationship but not reaching a threshold level of matching, the Dealer pays funds to the Player. If the matching exceeds a threshold level, the Player may accept the payout or wager further.

Abstract: Games of chance are disclosed. In a general embodiment, collections of objects used in the game are defined. The values of objects of the collection are ranked according to a predefined hierarchy. A first object collection is assigned to a Player party. The Dealer accepts a wager from the Player on certain outcomes of random selections of a subset of the collection of objects corresponding to high value objects. A random selection of a subset of objects is made. The subset is compared to predefined high value objects. If there is no matching relationship between the subset and the high value objects, the wager is retained by the Dealer. If there is a matching relationship but not reaching a threshold level of matching, the Dealer pays funds to the Player. If the matching exceeds a threshold level, the Player may accept the payout or wager further.

Abstract: Games of chance are disclosed. In a general embodiment, collections of objects used in the game are defined. The values of objects of the collection are ranked according to a predefined hierarchy. A first object collection is assigned to a Player party. The Dealer accepts a wager from the Player on certain outcomes of random selections of a subset of the collection of objects corresponding to high value objects. A random selection of a subset of objects is made. The subset is compared to predefined high value objects. If there is no matching relationship between the subset and the high value objects, the wager is retained by the Dealer. If there is a matching relationship but not reaching a threshold level of matching, the Dealer pays funds to the Player. If the matching exceeds a threshold level, the Player may accept the payout or wager further.

Abstract: Games of chance are disclosed. In a general embodiment, collections of objects used in the game are defined. The values of objects of the collection are ranked according to a predefined hierarchy. A first object collection is assigned to a Player party. The Dealer accepts a wager from the Player on certain outcomes of random selections of a subset of the collection of objects corresponding to high value objects. A random selection of a subset of objects is made. The subset is compared to predefined high value objects. If there is no matching relationship between the subset and the high value objects, the wager is retained by the Dealer. If there is a matching relationship but not reaching a threshold level of matching, the Dealer pays funds to the Player. If the matching exceeds a threshold level, the Player may accept the payout or wager further.

Abstract: A tree stand comprising a supporting base, a positioning sphere, and a compression collar. The supporting base is comprised of an annular cavity surrounding upwardly facing hemispherical socket. The annular cavity comprises an outer side wall including an upper threaded portion. The positioning sphere includes an outer spherical surface and a cavity for receiving a trunk of the tree. The compression collar comprised an outer threaded wall engageable with the upper threaded portion of the supporting base, and a first flange contactable with an upper portion of the outer spherical surface of the positioning sphere. When the positioning sphere is disposed in the hemispherical socket, and the compression collar is maximally threadably engaged with the supporting base, the flange of the compression collar is contacted with the outer spherical surface of the positioning sphere and immobilizes the sphere in the socket, thereby securing the tree in a desired upright position.

Abstract: Games of chance are disclosed. In a general embodiment, collections of objects used in the game are defined. The values of objects of the collection are ranked according to a predefined hierarchy. A first object collection is assigned to a Player party. The Dealer accepts a wager from the Player on certain outcomes of random selections of a subset of the collection of objects corresponding to high value objects. A random selection of a subset of objects is made. The subset is compared to predefined high value objects. If there is no matching relationship between the subset and the high value objects, the wager is retained by the Dealer. If there is a matching relationship but not reaching a threshold level of matching, the Dealer pays funds to the Player. If the matching exceeds a threshold level, the Player may accept the payout or wager further.

Abstract: Games of chance are disclosed. In a general embodiment, collections of objects used in the game are defined. The values of objects of the collection are ranked according to a predefined hierarchy. A first object collection is assigned to a Player party. The Dealer accepts a wager from the Player on certain outcomes of random selections of a subset of the collection of objects corresponding to high value objects. A random selection of a subset of objects is made. The subset is compared to predefined high value objects. If there is no matching relationship between the subset and the high value objects, the wager is retained by the Dealer. If there is a matching relationship but not reaching a threshold level of matching, the Dealer pays funds to the Player. If the matching exceeds a threshold level, the Player may accept the payout or wager further.

Abstract: A tree stand comprising a supporting base including an upwardly facing hemispherical socket, a positioning sphere having a cavity for receiving a trunk of the tree, and a collar engageable by threads with the base and comprising a flange, wherein the positioning sphere may be disposed in the hemispherical cavity, and the compression collar maximally threadably engaged with the base, thereby contacting the flange with the sphere and immobilizing the sphere in the socket.

Abstract: A tree stand comprising a supporting base including an upwardly facing hemispherical socket, a positioning sphere having a cavity for receiving a trunk of the tree, and a collar engageable by threads with the base and comprising a flange, wherein the positioning sphere may be disposed in the hemispherical cavity, and the compression collar maximally threadably engaged with the base, thereby contacting the flange with the sphere and immobilizing the sphere in the socket.

Abstract: A wind energy recovery apparatus and related methods are disclosed. The apparatus is comprised of a first wind receiving member displaceable by a wind having a variable velocity, a first elastic member coupled to the first wind receiving member, and an electrical generator operatively connected to the first wind receiving member and configured to convert mechanical energy of the first wind receiving member to electrical energy. An energy storage device may be provided in communication with the electrical generator. A self-powered signal communications system including the apparatus is also disclosed. A method of identifying a site for recovering variational wind energy is also disclosed.