Abstract: A lock has improved protection against lock picking. The lock comprises plural tumblers, each generally cylindrical in form with outer and inner circumferential edges, all the tumbles arranged on a common axis. The outer circumferential edge of each tumbler having a single true gate, including a void extending a predetermined distance toward the axis and plural false gates, each having a void of lesser extent. Ridges separates the true gate from adjacent false gates, and separate adjacent false gated from each other. The lock also includes a sheath contacting the inner circumferential edges of the tumblers. The sheath includes ridges located to maintain the tumblers in contact with each other.

Abstract: A gun lock has a user manipulatable proximate end and a distal end for insertion into a barrel of a firearm. The distal end is spaced from the proximate end by a distance sufficient to allow the distal end to enter the chamber of the firearm when the proximate end is adjacent to but spaced from the barrel of the firearm. The distal end has elements which respond to user manipulation to transit from a first state allowing the distal end to enter and withdraw from the chamber of the firearm and a second state which prevents the distal end from withdrawing from the chamber. With the distal end of the gun lock inserted into the chamber and then transiting to the second state the inability to withdraw the gun lock from the firearm prevents the firearm from normal use.

Abstract: A portable backrest gives upper body support to a person sitting sideways on a sofa or like furniture, the portable backrest placed and retained on the sofa through a cushion of the sofa on which the person eventually sits. A lower, support or base portion of the portable backrest forming a bracket that is received under and around a part of the cushion that is adjacent an armrest of the sofa while an upper portion of the portable backrest extends upwardly and outwardly from the lower portion and armrest to support the upper body, neck and head of a sitting person. In one form, a back portion of the backrest is pivotally connected to a lower portion of the backrest while in another form, the back portion is integral with the lower portion. The upper portion may have back, neck and head cushioning.

Abstract: A portable backrest gives upper body support to a person sitting sideways on a sofa or like furniture, the portable backrest placed and retained on the sofa through a cushion of the sofa on which the person eventually sits. A lower, support or base portion of the portable backrest forming a bracket that is received under and around a part of the cushion that is adjacent an armrest of the sofa while an upper portion of the portable backrest extends upwardly and outwardly from the lower portion and armrest to support the upper body, neck and head of a sitting person. In one form, a back portion of the backrest is pivotally connected to a lower portion of the backrest while in another form, the back portion is integral with the lower portion. The upper portion may have back, neck and head cushioning.

Abstract: A method and system for the secure distribution of content over a communications network such as the Internet where a content owner distributes content broken down into blocks to one or more content sources, the content sources serving as distribution points to subscribers, with the content owner retaining control over the distribution transaction. A subscriber requesting a content item from a content owner receives a list of content sources with available blocks of the content item in addition to the subscriber determining blocks available from peers on available peer-to-peer networks, and uses this information to determine a more optimal distribution of blocks of the content.