Abstract: A solar powered smartphone case includes an enclosure for housing a smartphone, an internal battery, an overlying solar panel, an underlying solar panel, and a flip-out solar panel. The overlying solar panel and the flip out solar panel are carried back-to-back by a flip-out door, which articulates between a folded position and an extended position. A hinge pivotably attaches the flip-out door to the enclosure. An inductive battery charger is operative for charging the internal battery with electric power generated by the overlying solar panel, the underlying solar panel, and the flip-out solar panel. The case may also include an input port for receiving a first auxiliary power cord connecting one or more auxiliary solar panels to the inductive charger, and an output port for connecting a second auxiliary power cord connecting one or more piggy-back smartphones to be charged by the internal battery of the solar powered smartphone case.

Abstract: A vented drinking vessel in the style of a racecar fueling tank of the types used at pit stops during NASCAR® races. The vented drinking vessel includes a vent tube or solid handle that looks similar to the vent tube of a racecar fueling tank. The vented container also includes a curved straw similar to the exit pipe on a racecar fueling tank, which the user may drink from in the usual manner. To prevent spilling, the vented drinking vessel may include one or more valves, such as a one-way valve removable located within the vent tube and/or a check valve removable located within the curved straw, typically at the end of the straw. The vessel may include an internal straw that extends from the bottom of the curved straw into the container.

Abstract: A winch 10 has a drum 26 that winds and unwinds a cable 28 in response to winding and unwinding of tethers 30 about an axle 24. The tethers 30 are connected to telescopic spring devices 46 with staged concentric springs 48 that store energy, and a brake 45 is releasable to permit the drum 26 to rotate under the force of the stored energy. The drum 26 has a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the axle 24, thereby producing a mechanical advantage. The cable 28 is also connected to a passenger carriage 201 of an amusement ride 200 that travels under the force of the stored energy.

Abstract: Drums 56 wind and unwind cables 18 connected to a passenger carriage 14 of an amusement ride 12 in response to winding and unwinding of tethers 48 about an axle 46. The tethers 48 are connected to elastic members 44 that store energy, and a lock 32 is releasable to permit the carriage 14 to travel under the force of the stored energy. The drums 56 have a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the axle, thereby providing a mechanical advantage to launch and accelerate the carriage 14 to a high velocity and/or to provide a dampening effect on the motion of the carriage. Alternative embodiments include ramps with loops, corkscrew sections, and/or inclined sections for carrying the carriage, safety cables strung through attachment members connected to the tethers, and telescopic spring devices with concentric coil springs.

Abstract: Drums 56 wind and unwind cables 18 connected to a passenger carriage 14 of an amusement ride 12 in response to winding and unwinding of tethers 48 about an axle 46. The tethers 48 are connected to elastic members 44 that store energy, and a lock 32 is releasable to permit the carriage 14 to travel under the force of the stored energy. The drums 56 have a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the axle, thereby providing a mechanical advantage to launch and accelerate the carriage 14 to a high velocity and/or to provide a dampening effect on the motion of the carriage. Alternative embodiments include ramps with loops, corkscrew sections, and/or inclined sections for carrying the carriage, safety cables strung through attachment members connected to the tethers, and telescopic spring devices with concentric coil springs.

Abstract: Drums 56 wind and unwind cables 18 connected to a passenger carriage 14 of an amusement ride 12 in response to winding and unwinding of tethers 48 about an axle 46. The tethers 48 are connected to elastic members 44 that store energy, and a lock 32 is releasable to permit the carriage 14 to travel under the force of the stored energy. The drums 56 have a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the axle, thereby providing a mechanical advantage to launch and accelerate the carriage 14 to a high velocity and/or to provide a dampening effect on the motion of the carriage. Alternative embodiments include ramps with loops, corkscrew sections, and/or inclined sections for carrying the carriage, safety cables strung through attachment members connected to the tethers, and telescopic spring devices with concentric coil springs.

Abstract: A winch 10 has a drum 26 that winds and unwinds a cable 28 in response to winding and unwinding of tethers 30 about an axle 24. The tethers 30 are connected to telescopic spring devices 46 with staged concentric springs 48 that store energy, and a brake 45 is releasable to permit the drum 26 to rotate under the force of the stored energy. The drum 26 has a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the axle 24, thereby producing a mechanical advantage. The cable 28 is also connected to a passenger carriage 201 of an amusement ride 200 that travels under the force of the stored energy.

Abstract: Drums 56 wind and unwind cables 18 connected to a passenger carriage 14 of an amusement ride 12 in response to winding and unwinding of tethers 48 about an axle 46. The tethers 48 are connected to elastic members 44 that store energy, and a lock 32 is releasable to permit the carriage 14 to travel under the force of the stored energy. The drums 56 have a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the axle, thereby providing a mechanical advantage to launch and accelerate the carriage 14 to a high velocity and/or to provide a dampening effect on the motion of the carriage. Alternative embodiments include ramps with loops, corkscrew sections, and/or inclined sections for carrying the carriage, safety cables strung through attachment members connected to the tethers, and telescopic spring devices with concentric coil springs.