Abstract: A golf-swing training device for improving ball-driving distance and accuracy. The training device mounts to a golf club and signals to the golfer when the club head begins decelerating in the direction of the forward motion of a golf swing. Additional energy is available for transfer from the club head to the ball as the club head is transitioning from acceleration to deceleration. This additional energy comes from the change in the direction of the flexing of the club. By using the training device, a golfer may practice timing his swing to contact the ball with the club head just prior to the beginning of deceleration of the club head during the course of a typical swing. Utilization of the additional available energy may result in increased ball-driving distance. Additionally, contacting the ball while the club is in a straight position, during the transition of the direction of flex, promotes a more accurate drive.

Abstract: A wear surface system and method for preparing same. The wear surface system 10 has a substrate 12 with a surface 13 in which is defined three-dimensional, micro-metered prismatic anchoring sites 14. The sites include hairs that are separated by at least some spaces 16. To the textured surface 18 is applied a coating 24. The coating has substantially conforming three-dimensional features that mate with at least some of the anchoring sites. Upon solidification, the coating becomes hardened and is relatively immune from delamination due to internal and externally applied stresses during exposure to normal wear conditions. One method for improving the wearability of a surface comprises the steps of (1) providing a substrate; (2) texturizing its surface so that it is at least partially imbued with a three-dimensional, micro-metered, prismatic set of anchoring sites; and (3) coating at least a part of the textured surface with a mating coating that becomes hardened upon solidification.

Abstract: The utensil comprises a generally disc-shaped body having a plurality of laterally spaced apart cutting blades that project downwardly from the underside of the body. Lowermost, generally horizontally extending cutting edges on the blades are pushed into and through the food in a severing action when the body is placed in the palm of the user's hand and pressed downwardly into the food. Preferably, the top wall of the body is gently dome-shaped to be complementally received by the palm of the hand. Repeated pressing of the blades down into the food product at different rotative positions yields a crisscross cutting pattern that severs the food product into numerous small pieces, the final size of which depends upon the number of crisscross cutting strokes employed by the user. A preferred embodiment includes a central button in the top of the utensil that may be depressed to advance a stripping plate along the knife blades for dislodging any food pieces that may have been trapped between the blades.

Abstract: The vessel has an open top receptacle that is provided with a drink-through cap unit removably secured to the upper end of the receptacle. The cap unit includes a cap and a battery-powered mixer incorporated into the cap. An elongated mixing element of the mixer projects downwardly from the cap into the receptacle for agitating and mixing the contents when a switch on the cap is actuated by the user. Without removing the cap unit from the receptacle after mixing, the user may drink the contents directly from a lip on the drink-through cap. A stopper for the drinking orifice in the cap may be mounted on a rockable operating lever that is easily manipulated by the user between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A golf-swing training device for improving ball-driving distance and accuracy. The training device mounts to a golf club and signals to the golfer when the club head begins decelerating in the direction of the forward motion of a golf swing. Additional energy is available for transfer from the club head to the ball as the club head is transitioning from acceleration to deceleration. This additional energy comes from the change in the direction of the flexing of the club. By using the training device, a golfer may practice timing his swing to contact the ball with the club head just prior to the beginning of deceleration of the club head during the course of a typical swing. Utilization of the additional available energy may result in increased ball-driving distance. Additionally, contacting the ball while the club is in a straight position, during the transition of the direction of flex, promotes a more accurate drive.