Abstract: A process is provided. The process provides a lottery game. Further, the process indicates a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase a lottery ticket. In addition, the process indicates a first partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a partial match of a predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and a randomly selected set of numbers. The process also indicates a second partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers.

Abstract: An apparatus displays a plurality of distinct wager categories corresponding to play in a first game and a second game. Each of the distinct wager categories being associated with a known distinct portion of a jackpot prize associated with the second game. Further, the apparatus receives a selection of one of the distinct wager categories. In addition, the apparatus initiates play of the first game. The apparatus also initiates, after the play of the first game, play of the second game. Further, the apparatus determines a winning combination for the second game. In addition, the apparatus determines a player combination for the second game. The apparatus also provides the known distinct portion of the jackpot prize associated with the distinct wager category and also with the second game if the player combination matches the winning combination.

Abstract: A process provides a first price category and a second price category in which an instant online lottery ticket can be purchased for an instant online lottery game. The first price category is distinct from the second price category. In addition, the process randomly generates an assortment of the set of instant online game numbers in an instant online matrix of numbers. The process also determines a linear subset of the set of instant online game numbers such that each number in the linear subset is matched with corresponding numbers in the instant online matrix of numbers.

Abstract: A process provides a first price category and a second price category in which a lottery ticket can be purchased for a lottery game. The first price category is distinct from the second price category. The first price category corresponds to a first known portion of a linear prize and a first known portion of a non-linear prize associated with the lottery game. Further, the second price category corresponds to a second known portion of a linear prize and a second known portion of a non-linear prize associated with the lottery game. The second known portion of the linear prize is more than the first known portion of the linear prize, the second known portion of the non-linear prize being more than the first known portion of the non-linear prize.

Abstract: A process provides a first price category and a second price category in which an instant online lottery ticket can be purchased for an instant online lottery game. The first price category is distinct from the second price category. Further, the first price category corresponds to a first known portion of a linear prize and a first known portion of a position specific prize associated with the instant online lottery game. In addition, the second price category corresponds to a second known portion of a linear prize and a second known portion of the position specific prize, the second known portion of the linear prize being more than the first known portion of the linear prize. The second known portion of the position specific prize is more than the first known portion of the position specific prize.

Abstract: A process provides a first price category in which a plurality of first price category lottery tickets can be purchased. The first price category indicates a first known distribution that can be won with lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets having a winning lottery number. Further, the process provides a second price category in which a plurality of second price category lottery tickets can be purchased. The second price category ticket indicates a second known distribution, distinct from the first known distribution, that can be won with lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets having the winning number. The second known distribution includes at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets and at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets.

Abstract: An integrated N-way Wilkinson power divider is described. In one embodiment, the N-way Wilkinson power divider uses a conductor layer with a cross-over (or cross-under) resistor insulated from the conducting layer by an insulating bridge. In one embodiment, the width of the transmission line underneath a cross-over resistor is adjusted to improve performance In one embodiment, a three-way Wilkinson power divider is formed using microstrip transmission lines on a single-layer substrate that supports the microstrip transmission lines, dielectric insulators, and resistors.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved towing apparatus for a rescue toboggan of a type which may be used to transport injured or incapacitated persons over snow and ice.

Abstract: A tension applying device including a housing in which are mounted a primary shaft, a main shaft, a pinion shaft, and a load-member sheave shaft. A ratchet handle is associated with the primary shaft for imparting rotation thereto when pumped by a user. Rotation of the primary shaft causes rotation of the main shaft which, in turn, is imparted to the pinion shaft and to a load-member sheave mounted on the load-chain sheave shaft. Rotation of the load-member sheave then applies tension to the load member which, in turn, is connected to a desired application. The tension applying device further includes a plurality of drive mechanisms for achieving different mechanical advantages between the ratchet handle and the load-member sheave, thereby allowing a desired input force to attain a desired output force. Further, the load on the tension member may be used for automatically switching between the plurality of drive mechanisms and for a load limit lock-up.

Abstract: A method of multiple pricing for a predetermined single jackpot in a single lottery game is disclosed. For instance, a lottery ticket that is purchased for one dollar can result in a ten million dollar win, a lottery ticket that is purchased for two dollars can result in a twenty million dollar win, a lottery ticket that is purchased for three dollars can result in a thirty million dollar win, etc. Further, different winnings increments can be used. For instance, the three dollar ticket can result in a forty million dollar win. In addition, the lottery prize can be a variable prize that progressively increases with a percentage of each ticket sold. The prizes are won from a single pool. For instance, even if the revenues for the one dollar ticket do not cover the ten million dollar prize, the combined revenues of the one dollar and the two dollar tickets are likely to cover the ten million dollar prize and vice versa.

Abstract: A tension applying device including a housing in which are mounted a primary shaft, a main shaft, a pinion shaft, and a load-member sheave shaft. A ratchet handle is associated with the primary shaft for imparting rotation thereto when pumped by a user. Rotation of the primary shaft causes rotation of the main shaft which, in turn, is imparted to the pinion shaft and to a load-member sheave mounted on the load-chain sheave shaft. Rotation of the load-member sheave then applies tension to the load member which, in turn, is connected to a desired application. The tension applying device further includes a plurality of drive mechanisms for achieving different mechanical advantages between the ratchet handle and the load-member sheave, thereby allowing a desired input force to attain a desired output force. Further, the load on the tension member may be used for automatically switching between the plurality of drive mechanisms and for a load limit lock-up.

Abstract: A variable character display and a method for making and using the display is provided. The display is composed of three layers of material including a substrate layer having an adhesive side and a non-adhesive side of a first color. A backing layer is secured to the adhesive side of the substrate and a front layer having an adhesive backing is secured to the non-adhesive side of the substrate layer. The front layer is provided with a plurality of individual removable sections arranged in at least one figure eight configuration. The individual sections are selectively removable to form a specific number on the substrate layer. The individual sections are a second color that is different than the first color.

Abstract: A swiveling electrical connector is described. A male assembly has three conductors electrically isolated from each other. A first one of the three conductors in the male assembly includes a cylindrical surface. A female assembly has three conductors electrically isolated from each other and a receptacle for receiving the male assembly. A first one of the three conductors in the female assembly has a clip assembly extending therefrom for contacting the cylindrical surface of the first conductor in the male assembly. A locking mechanism is coupled to the female assembly for locking the male and female assemblies together when the male assembly is inserted into the female assembly thereby providing electrical contact between the male assembly conductors and the female assembly conductors.

Abstract: A method of making a rocket thrust chamber is described in which molten metal is sprayed onto the outer shell of a cooling tube bundle, and the ends of tubes are covered with predetermined thicknesses of the metal. Circumferentially extending manifold channels that intersect each of the tube ends are then machined into the predetermined thicknesses of metal, and mating assemblies are attached to enclose the manifold channels.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an apparatus for applying material by cathodic arc vapor deposition to a substrate is provided which includes a vessel, apparatus for maintaining a vacuum in the vessel, an annular cathode having a bore and an evaporative surface extending between first and second end surfaces, apparatus for selectively sustaining an arc of electrical energy between the cathode and an anode, and apparatus for steering the arc around the evaporative surface. The apparatus for steering the arc is positioned within the cathode bore, and produces a magnetic field that runs substantially parallel to the evaporative surface. The annular cathode is disposed radially inside of, and aligned with, the substrates inside the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying material by cathodic arc deposition to a substrate is provided which includes a vessel, means for maintaining a vacuum in the vessel, a cathode, a contactor, means for selectively sustaining an arc of electrical energy between the cathode and an anode, and an actuator. The cathode and contactor are positioned inside the vessel, and the contactor is electrically connected to the means for selectively sustaining an arc of electrical energy. The actuator selectively actuates the contactor into electrical contact with the cathode, and thereby electrically connects the cathode to the means for sustaining an arc of electrical energy.

Abstract: A thermal spray method and apparatus for applying a coating on to a substrate is provided comprising the steps of: (1) providing powder particles to be deposited on to the substrate; (2) providing a plasma spray apparatus for depositing the powder particles; (3) providing structure for preheating the powder particles prior to the particles entering the plume; (4) preheating the powder particles prior to entraining the particles within the plasma; and (5) depositing the molten powder particles on to the substrate.

Abstract: A swiveling electrical connector is described which includes a male assembly and a female assembly having a receptacle for receiving the male assembly. A locking mechanism coupled to the female assembly locks the male and female assemblies together when the male assembly is inserted into the female assembly thereby providing electrical contact between conductors in the male assembly and corresponding conductors in the female assembly. The locking mechanism is operable to facilitate a quick release of the male assembly from the female assembly. The male and female assemblies rotate relative to each other when locked together.

Abstract: A thermal spray apparatus for depositing a coating on to a substrate is provided which includes a plasma generator for selectively changing gas from a gaseous state to a plasma, and apparatus for filtering plasma. Powder particles entrained in the plasma change from a solid state to a molten state. The apparatus for filtering the plasma permits only a high intensity region of the plasma to pass through to the substrate.

Abstract: A method is taught for the preparation of mixed metal oxide sols particularly suited for the deposition of protective mixed metal oxide coatings upon a substrate.