Abstract: A system for wagering on a jackpot race event, comprises a memory and a processor. The memory stores a qualifying bet associated with a customer and comprising a first bet component and a second bet component. The first bet component is associated with a first qualifying race event and comprises a first bet amount. The second bet component is associated with a second qualifying race event and comprises a second bet amount. The processor identifies the outcome of the first and second bet components. If both the first bet component and the second bet components are winning bets, the processor allocates to the customer a particular number of jackpot bets for a jackpot race event. The particular number of jackpot bets is based at least in part upon the first bet amount and the second bet amount. The first bet amount is allocated to a common pari-mutuel pool for the first qualifying race event.

Abstract: An interaction and/or combined efforts of a pool and a book may provide an increased flexibility over a traditional book of wagers and a traditional pool of wagers. Various examples of accepting and forming one or more wagers by a book and a pool are described that enhance the ability to make wager related offers to wagerers.

Abstract: A method for managing horseracing bets. The method includes receiving one or more bets. Each bet comprises a selection of five horse races selected from a plurality of horse races scheduled to be run at a track in a day, a selection of a respective horse for each of the five horse races selected and a bet amount. The method also includes combining each bet amount to form a betting pool and determining an amount of a total payout for the day based at least in part on the betting pool.

Abstract: A system for wagering on a jackpot race event, comprises a memory and a processor. The memory stores a qualifying bet associated with a customer and comprising a first bet component and a second bet component. The first bet component is associated with a first qualifying race event and comprises a first bet amount. The second bet component is associated with a second qualifying race event and comprises a second bet amount. The processor identifies the outcome of the first and second bet components. If both the first bet component and the second bet components are winning bets, the processor allocates to the customer a particular number of jackpot bets for a jackpot race event. The particular number of jackpot bets is based at least in part upon the first bet amount and the second bet amount. The first bet amount is allocated to a common pari-mutuel pool for the first qualifying race event.

Abstract: A method for managing horseracing bets is provided. The method includes receiving one or more bets. Each bet comprises a selection of five horse races selected from a plurality of horse races scheduled to be run at a track in a day, a selection of a respective horse for each of the five horse races selected and a bet amount. The method also includes combining each bet amount to form a betting pool and determining an amount of a total payout for the day based at least in part on the betting pool.

Abstract: Various embodiments that may generally relate to one or more games at one or more venues. Gaming at a venue may qualify a player for a bonus game. A pool from which awards are paid for winning the bonus game may be funded through gaming activity that is not at the one or more venues.

Abstract: Various embodiments that may generally relate to one or more competitions. Such competitions may include a plurality of rounds. A round may include a player attempting to choose a winner of an event on which a round is based. A surviving player after a number of rounds may be a winner of a competition. Various apparatus and methods are described.

Abstract: A system for betting on fractional times comprises a memory coupled to a processor. The memory stores a first betting option comprising a bet that a particular participant in a race will finish a predetermined length of the race in a first range of fractional times. The memory further stores a second betting option comprising a bet that the particular participant in the race will finish the predetermined length of the race in a second range of fractional times. The processor receives a plurality of bets on at least one of the first betting option and the second betting option and determines an actual time for the particular participant to finish the predetermined length of the race. The processor then determines which of the plurality of bets are winning bets based at least in part upon the determination of the actual time and the corresponding betting options.

Abstract: A combination magnetic-stripe card reader with integrated contact-less chip card read/write functions, a direct replacement for a standard player tracking magnetic-stripe card reader installed in slot machines. It is a form, fit and function for existing player tracking readers, having the same front panel appearance, the same physical envelope, using the same mounting method, using the same cable connections and operating in the identical manner. The combined functions requires two command sets and a method to distinguish between them, the legacy command set of the existing reader to be replaced which is typically strings of American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) eight bit characters with a line terminator character and the contact-less chip card requiring the ability to send and receive all possible eight bit values with varying length commands and not having a dedicated character value to indicate the end of a command.

Abstract: A system for wagering on a jackpot race event, comprises a memory and a processor. The memory stores a qualifying bet associated with a customer and comprising a first bet component and a second bet component. The first bet component is associated with a first qualifying race event and comprises a first bet amount. The second bet component is associated with a second qualifying race event and comprises a second bet amount. The processor identifies the outcome of the first and second bet components. If both the first bet component and the second bet components are winning bets, the processor allocates to the customer a particular number of jackpot bets for a jackpot race event. The particular number of jackpot bets is based at least in part upon the first bet amount and the second bet amount. The first bet amount is allocated to a common pari-mutuel pool for the first qualifying race event.

Abstract: A system for wagering on a jackpot race event, comprises a memory and a processor. The memory stores a qualifying bet associated with a customer and comprising a first bet component and a second bet component. The first bet component is associated with a first qualifying race event and comprises a first bet amount. The second bet component is associated with a second qualifying race event and comprises a second bet amount. The processor identifies the outcome of the first and second bet components. If both the first bet component and the second bet components are winning bets, the processor allocates to the customer a particular number of jackpot bets for a jackpot race event. The particular number of jackpot bets is based at least in part upon the first bet amount and the second bet amount. The first bet amount is allocated to a common pari-mutuel pool for the first qualifying race event.

Abstract: A fuel control valve (100) includes a rotary throttling valve assembly (4,7) providing one or more of the benefits of being lightweight, having a relatively low power consumption, having a fail-closed structure and/or zero leakage. The fuel control valve (100) is a rotary, throttling valve that is actuated via a rotary torque motor (70). The valve (7) can be spring loaded for providing positive shutoff. Position indication of the valve (7) is obtained via a position sensor (31) and cam (13) mounted to the throttling valve shaft at a driven end (98). In a de-energized state, a torsion spring (45) is provided that is loaded to rotate the valve (7) to the closed position. The fuel control valve (100) may be advantageously utilized in extreme operating environments, e.g., such as extreme temperature and vibration environments found in missile control fuel systems.

Abstract: The high pressure cartridge feed system of the invention includes a cradle that supports the material cartridge so that the cartridge will not fail at the high dispensing pressures. A powered ram assembly drives a ram head into the cartridge to create the high dispensing pressure. The cartridge is supported on all sides to prevent failure. A smooth connection fitting is provided to allow cartridges to be quick changed. The cradle is pivotably mounted to allow the cartridge to be loaded in a substantially horizontal position. In one embodiment, the cradle is removable.

Abstract: A high response valve (10) has a leaf spring (25) preloaded and positioned over an orifice plate (23). The orifice plate (23) has a plurality of interleaved ridges (62, 64) and grooves (61, 63, 65) with the grooves being in continuous communication with a valve inlet (13, 19). A plurality of slits or openings (49, 51) in the aperture plate (23) are in continuous communication with a valve outlet (21), each opening (49, 51) passing through a corresponding ridge (62, 64). A pair of electromechanical transducers (27, 29), each comprising a generally cylindrical stack of piezo-electric disks having a central axis (71), actuate the valve (10). One end of each stack (27, 29) is adjustably fixed relative to the housing by adjustment screws (41, 43), and a cap (35, 37) at the other end of the stack couples the stack to a corresponding spring (25) end. Each cap (35, 37) includes a notch (39) for engaging and maintaining a corresponding spring end near the corresponding central axis (71).

Abstract: A toy gun is disclosed. In one embodiment, the toy gun includes a housing, a barrel coupled to the housing for movement between retracted and extended positions, and a stock for movement between retracted and extended positions. In another embodiment, the toy gun includes a chamber; a device for forcing air from the chamber; a barrel coupled to the housing for movement between retracted and extended positions; and a seal for directing air forced from the chamber through the barrel.

Abstract: An automated calibration apparatus and method for calibrating a fluid piping system leak detector uses a calibrated leak device with an orifice that releases fluid at a constant calibrated leak rate. The calibrated leak device is connected to the fluid piping system and a pump is activated to pressurize the fluid piping system. The pump is deactivated, and pressure decay in the fluid piping system resulting from fluid release from the calibrated leak device is measured. The leak sensitivity of the leak detector is then adjusted based on the measured pressure decay versus time with the calibrated leak.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing flowable materials and in particular anaerobic materials. This dispenser has a material inlet which allows the flowable material to flow into a pump cylinder, and a material passage through which the flowable material exits the pump cylinder. The material is positively displaced from the pump cylinder by a material displacement assembly of the ball-nut follower-type. A flexible plastic diaphragm which has sufficient porosity to permit oxygen to flow therethrough is biased toward a closed position by a pressurized air supply which applies pressurized air against an outside surface of the diaphragm, enabling the diaphragm to function as a one-way shut-off valve. The diaphragm extends across the material passage formed in the pump cylinder and a material outlet through which the material exits the dispenser.

Abstract: A pressure decay leak detection system is calibrated for a particular piping system using a leak mechanism with a known leak rate attached to the piping system. Pressure decay in the piping system is monitored while the system is leaking, pressure versus time data defining an acceptable pressure decay profile is stored. In one embodiment, this data is scaled to obtain a profile applicable to different leak rates. The detection system performs a test by sensing decaying pressure in the piping system, determining a slope of measured pressure decay versus time for an increment of pressure decay, comparing a slope of the observed pressure decay with a slope of the acceptable pressure decay profile, and providing a failure indication if the slope of the observed pressure decay exceeds the slope of the acceptable pressure decay profile.

Abstract: A device which positively dispenses small, accurately measured, amounts of a flowable material, such as a resin, epoxy, etc. A pair of reciprocal pistons are movably mounted, each in a respective fluid pressure chamber, formed in a main body of a housing. One of the pistons moves a material dispense rod within a first section of a bore formed in a tubular portion of the housing. The second piston moves a sleeve which is telescopically mounted on the tubular housing between a material load position wherein flowable material is admitted into the first bore section, and a material discharge position wherein the first bore section is in communication with the second bore section.

Abstract: A hand-held dispensing device for dispensing small shots of a semi-solid material from a remote supply of such material which is connected to the device. A housing is formed with upper and lower pressure chambers. An upper piston is reciprocally movable within the housing for moving a connected dispensing tube between open and closed positions with a material outlet opening in a lower end of the device. A lower piston is reciprocally movable within the housing for moving a hollow stem of the piston within an annular dispense chamber located about a closed end of the dispensing tube. Downward movement of the lower piston stem in coordination with upward movement of the upper piston opens and closes a material outlet port formed in the dispensing tube to block further flow of material into the dispense chamber generally simultaneously with the forced discharge of the material from the dispense chamber by a lower end of the lower piston stem.