Abstract: The present invention is typically configured as toy racecars and tracks, or model train sets but other toy and non-toy configurations are possible. It has a power supply, controller, track, and moveable object(s) such as a racecar or train. The moveable object(s) is a permanent magnet, or contains one or more permanent magnets, or one or more electrical conductors acting as electromagnets, positioned so as to travel general parallel to the surface of the track. The controller has operator interfaces such as switches and/or a potentiometer(s) for speed/motion input. The track is preferably one or more printed circuit boards with conductive traces configured such that the controller can power them. Current passes through the traces in a repetitive sequential order that causes the magnet/moveable object to be propelled along the track due to the Lorentz force generated by the electromagnetic field(s) acting on the conducting traces and the magnet(s).

Abstract: The present invention is typically configured as toy racecars and tracks, or model train sets but other toy and non-toy configurations are possible. It has a power supply, controller, track, and moveable object(s) such as a racecar or train. The moveable object(s) is a permanent magnet, or contains one or more permanent magnets, or one or more electrical conductors acting as electromagnets, positioned so as to travel general parallel to the surface of the track. The controller has operator interfaces such as switches and/or a potentiometer(s) for speed/motion input. The track is preferably one or more printed circuit boards with conductive traces configured such that the controller can power them. Current passes through the traces in a repetitive sequential order that causes the magnet/moveable object to be propelled along the track due to the Lorentz force generated by the electromagnetic field(s) acting on the conducting traces and the magnet(s).

Abstract: A sleeve for surrounding a power cord, in whole or in part, for appliances such as hedge trimmers. The sleeve, preferably composed of a lightweight polymeric material in corrugated, convoluted, or similar form, has relatively large radial dimensions compared to the cord and therefore resists the insertion of the sleeve and the cord into appliances (such as a hedge trimmers cutting blades) thereby preventing damage to the sleeve and the cord and preventing other undesired results. The relatively large size of the sleeve tends to increase the user's awareness of the sleeve and cord. Also the sleeve's increased rigidity compared to the cord aids in preventing the cord from being entangled in the appliance and assists in managing and manipulating the cord. The sleeve includes at least one aperture to facilitate the dissipation of heat generated by the power cord.

Abstract: A sleeve for surrounding a power cord, in whole or in part, for appliances such as hedge trimmers. The sleeve, preferably composed of a lightweight polymeric material in corrugated, convoluted, or similar form, has relatively large radial dimensions compared to the cord and therefore resists the insertion of the sleeve and the cord into appliances (such as a hedge trimmer's cutting blades) thereby preventing damage to the sleeve and the cord and preventing other undesired results. The sleeve is tough enough to resist damage to the cord from cutting tools such as electric chain saws during incidental contact. In addition, the relatively large size of the sleeve tends to increase the user's awareness of the sleeve and cord. Also the sleeve's increased rigidity compared to the cord aids in preventing the cord from being entangled in the appliance and assists in managing and manipulating the cord.

Abstract: A sleeve for surrounding a power cord, in whole or in part, for apparatuses such as hedge trimmers. The sleeve, preferably composed of a lightweight polymeric material in expanded, corrugated or similar form, has relatively large radial dimensions compared to the cord and therefore resists the insertion of the sleeve and the cord into apparatuses (such as a hedge trimmer's cutting blades) thereby preventing damage to the sleeve and the cord and preventing other undesired results. In addition, the relatively large size of the sleeve tends to increase the user's awareness of the sleeve and cord. Also the sleeve's increased rigidity compared to the cord aids in preventing the cord from being entangled in the apparatus and assists in managing and manipulating the cord. The sleeve is also lightweight and flexible enough so as not to constrain the intended function of the cord.

Abstract: A coin sorting apparatus for receiving and sorting mixed coins by denomination, the apparatus having a rotatable disc having a resilient surface for receiving the coins and imparting rotational movement to the coins, and a stationary sorting head having a contoured surface spaced slightly away from and generally parallel to the resilient surface of the rotatable disc. The stationary sorting head includes a recess for guiding the coins on the rotatable disc into a single file of coins, a referencing wall for guiding one edge of the coins in the single file along a prescribed path, and a first exit channel for receiving the largest-diameter coins from the end of the referencing wall and guiding those coins to a first exit station on the periphery of the sorting head. A bypass guide wall intercepts all the other coins from the end of the referencing wall and guides the intercepted coins inwardly around the first exit channel.

Abstract: A coin-sorting system having a rotatable disc with a resilient surface for receiving coins of mixed denominations and imparting rotational movement to the coins; a drive for rotating the disc; and a stationary sorting head having a contoured surface spaced slightly away from and generally parallel to the resilient surface of the rotatable disc.