Abstract: A method for playing an interactive game (10) between a first player and a second player includes the steps of the first player obtaining a plurality of active first game pieces (14A) that each includes a word-forming indicia (24A), the first player positioning a first active first game piece (14A) onto one of a plurality of designated positions (22) of a game board (12) to at least partially form a first word, and the second player choosing one of two options. The options can include (i) attempting to identify the first word, and (ii) indicating that the second player does not believe the first player can form any word with the first active first game piece (14A) and the remaining active first game pieces (14A).

Abstract: A game apparatus comprising a player display (105) adapted to provide a display representative of a collection of tokens (106, 107, 108, 109, 110) delivered to a player by a dealer and a dealer token (111), the apparatus further comprising a player control means adapted to be operated by the player and a dealer control means adapted to be controlled by the dealer and which provides the display at the player display (105) representatives of the players collection of tokens (106, 107, 108, 109, 110) and of the dealers token (111), and the player control adapted to enable the player to discard the representation of some of the players tokens displayed to retain a lesser number of tokens and the dealer control adapted so the dealer can compare the representation of the dealers token (111) to the players retained tokens, the comparison determining the player as having won or lost.

Abstract: A card game among a plurality of players is played by dealing hands of cards to the players one card at a time, conducting an initial round of wagering among the players, and conducting subsequent rounds of wagering among the players. At least one of the subsequent rounds of wagering among the players being conducted in a second direction opposite from the first direction. By varying the wagering round direction over the course of a hand, a button player advantage can be reduced.

Abstract: A poker-type game capable of providing players with an exciting alternative to Texas Hold'em and Omaha in which four community cards are dealt, eliminating the effect of the river card. Preferably, in the poker-type card game each player is dealt three playing cards from which at least one must be used in combination with at least two of four community cards to form a best five-card poker hand.

Abstract: The construction of a set of playing cards comprising a group of single-valued cards and a group of double-valued cards is disclosed. In one embodiment, the power of a select group of conventionally high value cards is shifted to a select group of conventionally low value cards. Methods of using the disclosed sets of playing cards for increasing the probability of a winning hand in a game of cards are also described.

Abstract: A method of playing a two card poker game by at least one player and a bank r who is preferably also the dealer. The game features multiple rounds of dealing out of the same deck(s). The player has the option to wager against the dealer, wager against a predetermined payout schedule, or both. Additional optional bets may be offered.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises a primary wagering facility which is usable by a player to place an initial wager on a turn of a game of blackjack, and a secondary wagering facility which automatically places a side wager on the same turn of the game of blackjack. The system provides for two blackjack hands, a first one for the player and a second one for a dealer. The system includes an accumulation facility which accumulates a fixed portion of the wager in a pooled jackpot. The side wager relates to an outcome of a first three cards dealt in the player's hand. In particular, the side wager is deemed to be successful if one or more of the first three cards dealt in the player's hand is of a predetermined rank, or is of a particular suite, or both. In order to increase the appeal of the gaming system, the predetermined rank is selected to be a seven, and the particular suite is selected to be diamonds.

Abstract: A magnetic type electronic dartboard includes a dartboard body at which darts are thrown, the dartboard body having a plurality of blocks and a winding at each of the blocks, and a magnetic zone provided at the back side of the dartboard body and providing a constant magnetic field.

Abstract: Target apparatus (2) comprising a target profile (4), a container (6) for containing a plurality of targets (8), a first receiving station (10) in the target profile (4) and for receiving the targets (8) from the container (6), a second receiving station (12) in the target profile (4) and for receiving the targets (8) from the container (6), feed means (14) for feeding the targets (8) one at a time from the container (6) to the first and second receiving stations (10, 12), and drive means (16) for causing the automatic operation of the feed means (14) each time a target (8) is hit and destroyed.

Abstract: A dartboard has board member, and the board member has a plurality of target blocks to be stuck by darts. The back side of the board member has an induction layer and a magnetic member. The magnetic member provides a fixed magnetic field, and the induction layer has a substrate and a circuit on the substrate. A dart with a steel, iron or iron alloy point sticks into the board member, and disturbs the distribution of the magnetic field provided by the magnetic member, causing electromagnetic induction and inducing a current in the circuit of the induction layer to provide an automatic score.

Abstract: A toss game apparatus is disclosed. The toss game apparatus includes first and second target platforms, each first and second target platform including a top portion, two end portions and two lateral portions, and a means for joining the first and second target platforms at variable distances one from the other.

Abstract: The seal between high and low pressure regions in a turbine or turbo-machinery includes arcuate segments having a brush seal flanked on one or both sides by a plurality of beams lying adjacent to and in contact with one another. Shims separate the bristles of the brush seal from the rows of beams. The cross sectional dimension of the beams is 20-60 times the diameter of the bristles. The beams terminate short of the rotary component while the bristle tips engage the rotary component. The beams take up most of the pressure difference while the bristles take up the balance of the pressure difference across the seal.

Abstract: A stationary seal ring is adapted to cooperate with a housing and an impeller to define a seal. The impeller is rotatable about an axis and includes a first seal portion and a plurality of blades that define an outside diameter. The stationary seal ring includes an alignment surface engageable with the housing, and a plurality of teeth. Each tooth is spaced axially from an adjacent tooth to define a cavity therebetween. Each tooth includes a tooth tip that cooperates with the first seal portion to define a seal point. A first tooth disposed nearest to the blades has a first tip diameter. Each subsequent tooth has a tip diameter that is smaller than the first tip diameter.

Abstract: There is described a seal assembly for sealing the gap between a rotary member and a fixed member, so as to prevent passage of a fluid from a first to a second environment located on opposite sides of the gap; the seal assembly has a first ring integral with the rotary member, a second ring integral with the fixed member, and an elastically deformable sealing member integral with the second ring and in turn having at least one lip cooperating in fluidtight manner with a mating portion of the first ring; and, on the side cooperating with the mating portion, the sealing member has a spiral groove which, in use, produces a fluid-dynamic pumping effect to pump the fluid away from the sealing area and towards the first environment.

Abstract: A gasket (1) having a reversibly compressible lower portion (17), and an upper portion (14) having at least one upwardly extending extension, is described. The upper portion (14) of the gasket (1) includes a first (34) and optionally a second (37) upwardly extending extension, each having an exterior surface (43, 55). The first and second extensions of the upper portion each have a vertical center line (49, 58) that resides over (or extends through) an underlying exterior longitudinal groove (73, 76) of the lower portion, such that when the gasket is compressed along its vertical center axis (23) a force (79, 82) is exerted laterally outward along (or through) the exterior surfaces of the upwardly extending extensions. The force exerted laterally outward along the exterior surface of an upwardly extending extension serves to maintain a seal (214, 217) formed by abutment of the exterior surface of the extension with a separate surface (e.g.

Abstract: In a sealing arrangement sealing at least one axial end section of a hollow shaft that is arranged in a cavity of a component, with the hollow shaft being adapted to route a fluid, a gasket is adapted to be located between the component and the shaft. The gasket is made with a sealing lip to adjoin the outer peripheral surface of the end section. The gasket also includes an axially projecting portion that projects axially beyond the end of the shaft. The axially projecting portion of the gasket surrounds a device for filtering the fluid and/or a device for determining the flow cross-section of the fluid.

Abstract: The vacuum chuck according to the present invention is provided with a sucking plate for sucking and holding an object to be sucked, in which a sucking layer made of a porous ceramic and a dense material layer are integrated, the sucking layer being located on the side for sucking the object to be sucked, wherein the dense material layer is formed by impregnating the porous ceramic with a metal.

Abstract: A workpiece clamping system with a machine spindle and a clamping chuck has a bayonet lock with projections. The bayonet lock is closed by insertion and turning. The bayonet lock can be clamped or locked, whereby parts of the projections are movable and exert a locking force on the other projections. A bayonet lock can be placed internally or externally on the workpiece clamping system.

Abstract: A fastener may include a housing defining an axis. An anchor flange, which may be mounted on the housing, may support a driven gear. A nutating gear may also be mounted on the housing. The nutating gear may be nutatable about the axis to rotationally drive the driven gear relative to the anchor flange.

Abstract: The clamping apparatus provides for a positionally accurate clamping of a work piece having at least one shaft with a polygonal cross section. To this end, the clamping apparatus is provided with a clamping body member, having a clamping chamber with polygonal cross section adapted to receive the shaft of the work piece. The clamping body member is provided with clamping means to clampingly fix the shaft to the clamping body member, and with reference surfaces for determining the position of the work piece in X- and Y-directions. The reference surfaces are constituted by stop pin members inserted into bores provided in the clamping body member, whereby the stop pin members are made of a material that is harder than the material of the clamping body member. The stop pin members are of cylindrical shape, whereby the bores receiving the stop pin members open into the clamping chambers such that a small portion of each stop pin member protrudes into the interior of the clamping chamber.

Abstract: A method of customizing a blade holder for an ice skate, comprising: (a) providing to a customer a blade holder body being at least partly made of a clear material and comprising a front pedestal with a front inner surface, a rear pedestal with a rear inner surface and a bridge portion interconnecting said front and rear pedestals, the front and rear inner surfaces defining respective front and rear cavities; (b) providing to the customer a plurality of graphical elements; (c) receiving from the customer an indication of a certain graphical element selected from the plurality of graphical elements; and (d) providing one of the front and rear cavities with the selected graphical element such that the selected graphical element is visible through the clear material.

Abstract: A frame for an inline skate, having two spaced apart sidewalls connected by an upper horizontal interconnection structure, the sidewalls adapted to support a plurality of wheels in an inline configuration, characterized in that the upper horizontal interconnection structure includes three spaced apart web members, and each web member is provided with a respective mounting aperture for securing a boot thereto.

Abstract: An interface system (1) comprising one or more linkage member(s) (30, 48, 49, 51, 52, 61) that have the purpose of retaining an individual's foot/ankle (either bare or covered) on a sports article. The system (1) comprises a rigid base structure (4) a having lateral edge (7) and medial edge (10), and heel loop portion (73); one or more pliable linkage members (30, 48, 49, 51, 52, 61) that wrap around the user's foot/ankle or boot and are tensionably adjustable and disconnectable.

Abstract: In a shopping cart, which is nestable with similar carts, a transverse extending member bridges two longitudinally extending members, each mounting a cam-engaging member. Two cams are mounted to the transversely extending members. When engaged by the cam-engaging members of a following cart being nested into the shopping cart, the cams lift a back end of the shopping cart, so as to lift rear casters of the shopping cart.

Abstract: A cupholder for a shopping cart includes a gate pivotally mounted to a rear portion of a shopping cart and a seat member made from a plastic material. The seat member is mounted to the gate of the shopping cart via a pivot mechanism to extend in a generally horizontal position to support a child within the shopping cart. The seat member defines a child seat portion and a cupholder positioned laterally of the child seat portion.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a shopping cart includes a gate pivotally mounted to a rear portion of the shopping cart and a seat member made from a plastic material. The seat member is mounted to the gate of the shopping cart via a pivot mechanism to extend in a position to support a child within the shopping cart. The seat member includes a generally curved concave portion having an apex adjacent the gate and a generally straight portion on a side of the seat member opposite the apex of the generally curved concave portion.

Abstract: A handle for a shopping cart includes a frame defining a unitary member in a substantially continuous loop. At least one connection portion extends from the frame for securing the frame to a basket of a shopping cart and is configured to position the loop of the frame to be generally parallel to and spaced from an upper portion of a basket of the shopping cart.

Abstract: A shopping cart includes a base, a pair of masts, and a basket. The base extends generally horizontally between a front portion and a rear portion of the cart and including a plurality of wheels. The pair of masts extends generally vertically upward from the base in a generally singular plane extending laterally across the rear portion of the cart. Each mast includes a rear portion facing the rear portion of the cart and defining a generally straight surface, and a front portion facing in a direction generally opposite the rear portion of the respective mast and defining a generally concave curved portion. The basket includes a front portion and a rear portion with the rear portion of the basket connected to the base via the pair of masts to support the front portion of the basket in a vertically spaced relationship over the base adjacent the front portion of the cart.

Abstract: A basket for a shopping cart comprising a single unitary member molded from a plastic material. The basket includes a frame including a plurality of generally vertical upright frame members spaced apart from each other, with each frame member including a generally smooth outer surface without holes. A front panel extends generally vertically and laterally across the front portion of the single unitary member between two of the generally vertical upright frame members. A pair of side panels extends generally vertically, being generally parallel to each other and spaced from each other. Each side panel extends from a front portion to a rear portion of the basket between two of the generally vertical upright frame members. The front panel and each side panel comprise a generally flat portion defining a plurality of holes and have a substantially uniform thickness at least about two times less than a thickness of the generally vertical upright frame members.

Abstract: These objects and others are attained by the present invention which provides a collapsible multifunction apparatus, comprising upper and lower sections with a front frame and rear prop legs, where the front frame is pivotably attached by hinges to both sides of the front portions of the upper and lower sections, and the rear prop legs are pivotably attached by hinges to both sides of the rear portions of the upper and lower sections. The hinge positions on both the left and right sides of the collapsible apparatus define (preferably symmetric) foldable left and right side quadrilaterals in which, in each left and right side fully opened quadrilateral, no two lengths are equilateral and no two lengths are parallel, and which collapse to form a substantially flat configuration for storage with nested front frame and rear prop legs.

Abstract: A versatile and efficient Dolly is described that is useful for lifting and transporting trash or recycle containers to positions where they are intended to be emptied. The Dollies are adjustable to be connected to containers that may vary widely in their dimensions and connection means. The Dolly eliminates the need to have to lift, carry or lug heavy trash or recycle containers to the curb or other intended site locations.

Abstract: A versatile and efficient Dolly is described that is useful for lifting and transporting trash or recycle containers to positions where they are intended to be emptied. The Dollies are adjustable to be connected to containers that may vary widely in their dimensions and connection means. The Dolly eliminates the need to have to lift, carry or lug heavy trash or recycle containers to the curb or other intended site locations.

Abstract: An oxygen cart comprises a post connected to a handle and a bracket, a plurality of wheels connected to an underside of the bracket, at least one tank holder connected to an upper side of the bracket for holding portable gas tanks, and a tank support wall connected to and extending up from the tank holder said tank support wall keeping a gas tank in the holder when the cart is moving. There is a cart support surface connected to a lower end of the tank support wall for stabilizing the cart in an upright position when the cart is not moving. In order to accommodate several sizes of tanks, the tank holder has an upper section and a lower section, the upper section having diameter larger than the lower section, such that the upper section accommodates one size gas tank, and the lower section accommodates a different, smaller size gas tank. To accommodate an even smaller tank, a ring having an inner circumference that is smaller than a circumference of the lower section is used.

Abstract: A wheel-mounting assembly includes: a pivot shaft; a frame-connecting part; a wheel-mounting part pivoted to the frame-connecting part through the pivot shaft and formed with a retaining hole; a limiting member mounted movably on the frame-connecting part and extendable into the retaining hole; an urging member for urging the limiting member to move toward the retaining hole; a controlling member pivoted to and rotatable relative to the frame-connecting part between a retaining position to retain the limiting member, and a releasing position to free the limiting member therefrom; and a locking member pivoted to and rotatable relative to the controlling member between a locking position to retain the controlling member at the retaining position, and an unlocking position to release the controlling member therefrom.

Abstract: A device for handling glass or other sheet material is in the form of a wheeled trolley capable of manual manipulation and having a support shaft which extends upright in use of the trolley. Two or more vacuum grips are mounted on the shaft for movement into selected positions along the shaft.

Abstract: A knuckle arm includes a body having a bearing hole and a first connection plate extends from a rear end of one of two sides thereof so as to be connected with a brake pump. Two protrusions extend from a front end of the body and two second connection plates are connected to the two protrusions such that a pull rod is removably connected either of the two second connection plates. Two connection boards extend from two ends of the front end of the body and each connection board having a hole for receiving joints of the upper and lower control arms. The knuckle arm can be used to right and left wheels and the length of the pull rod can be optionally connected thereto.

Abstract: To provide a vehicle stabilizer for high stress in which fatigue life of a bending portion can be prolonged and which can exhibit excellent durability. A configuration of a bending portion 16, to which a maximum stress is applied and which is the most fragile part, of a vehicle stabilizer for high stress 10 is formed in a state which satisfies conditions: 0<??4 and (?×d/R)?2, wherein d represents a material diameter before bending process, R represents a radius of bending of the bending portion 16, d1 represents a short radius of a cross section of the bending portion 16, d2 represents a long radius of a cross section of the bending portion 16, and a flat rate ?0 of a cross section of the bending portion 16 is represented by the following equation: ?=(d2?d1)/d2×100. Accordingly, concentration of shearing stress on the bending portion 16 during a load input can be suppressed to prevent the vehicle stabilizer for high stress 10 from being broken due to the concentration of stress on the bending portion 16.

Abstract: A multi-purpose tow bar for a trailer and a trailer having a multi-purpose tow bar. In a towing position the tow bar couples the trailer to a moving vehicle such as a bicycle. In a stabilizing position the tow bar supports a stabilizing wheel extending forwardly of the trailer frame, converting the trailer into a self-supporting vehicle such as a stroller or jogger. The tow bar is reversible, comprising first and second end portions which in the preferred embodiment respectively extend from one another at an angle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wheelchair, comprising: an assembly of a chair unit for a user and a support base supporting the chair unit, wherein the support base is provided with a number of carrying wheels for carrying the assembly, drive means connected to the assembly for driving at least one carrying wheel, and operating means connected to the assembly for operating the drive means. The invention also relates to operating means for use in such a wheelchair.

Abstract: A front fork for a bicycle includes an upright tube and two arms all of which are made of fiber reinforced material. The two arms extend substantially parallel from a bottom of the upright tube. The two arms each have two inner tubes abutted together and an outer tube sleeved onto the two inner tubes. The abutted portions of the two inner tubes form a rib which is parallel to a plane where the two arms are disposed. Thus, the front fork has strong structure and light weight.

Abstract: A bicycle frame part having a disproportionally enlarged end section and a method for making the same. The tube may be used as a bicycle frame part, and it may include a first section having a thickness, a second section configured to be forged from a first shape having a thickness that is different from the thickness of the first section to a second shape having a thickness that is less than the thickness of the first shape. The second shape of the second section may be proportionally enlarged relative to the first shape of the second section.

Abstract: A folding collapsible bicycle, which includes a front connecting bar pivoted to the bicycle frame and locked by a lock to hold a front fork, a retractable fork tube hinged to the front fork and locked thereto with a lock screw to hold two collapsible handlebars, and a seat pillar holder pivoted to the bicycle frame at the top and locked thereto with a lock to support a seat pillar and a saddle on the seat pillar.

Abstract: A floorboard mounted foot peg apparatus and method for a motorcycle comprising a mounting block, arm and foot peg. Provides advantage of not being fixedly attached to the safety bar of the motorcycle and therefore provides quick access to foot controls. Apparatus is entirely adjustable allowing for riders of differing leg length to adjust the arm rotationally with respect to the mounting bracket in order to extend or retract the foot peg away from or towards the rider. Allows for turn signal indicators, running lights and fog lamps to be used in combination and allows for mounting each of these light types to any component of the invention including the mounting bracket, arm and foot peg. In addition, the invention provides a stiffener to prevent deformation of the floorboard.

Abstract: The invention concerns a standing wheelchair for handicapped and invalid people, that includes a chassis supporting an articulated structure which includes a seat support structure, a footrest support structure, a backrest support structure, and support and maneuvering resources of the articulated structure. The support and maneuvering resources are located between the articulated structure and the chassis and which are designed to move the articulated structure from a sitting position to a standing position set back in relation to the sitting position, and vice versa. According to the invention, the standing wheelchair includes resources for setting the angle (?) between the footrest and the seat in the standing position.

Abstract: A hitch device for removably mounting to the front of a towing vehicle using the existing tow hooks or tow points of the towing vehicle so as to allow for front-coupling the towing vehicle with a trailer or other towed vehicle to make maneuvering and positioning the towed vehicle easier. Also, an alignment system for facilitating alignment of first and second complimentary coupling mechanisms of the towing and towed vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention is a unitary or integral hitch and beam, which is a single unit that can be installed on vehicles of varying dimensions. The present invention may reduce manufacturing time, weight, and parts, thus reducing cost of vehicles with hitches. The beam is cut to length depending on the rail distance of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An improved kingpin locking system includes a kingpin lock body having upper and lower sections, the lower and upper section each having a truncated generally pyramidal shape, with the lower one being inverted, a central kingpin-receiving chamber formed in the kingpin lock body, a kingpin engagement bar movably mounted in the kingpin lock body adjacent the kingpin-receiving chamber which releasably engages the kingpin when positioned within the chamber, and a kingpin engagement bar locking device which releasably locks the kingpin engagement bar in the engagement position thereby releasably securing the kingpin lock body on a kingpin to prevent unauthorized engagement of the kingpin and thereby preventing unauthorized use of the trailer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement by means of which a ski binding having two ski-binding parts is positioned on a ski, which bears guide devices (1) for arranging the two ski-binding parts for sliding action, it being possible for each ski-binding part to be connected to an, in particular strip-like connecting element (5, 6), which connecting elements (5, 6) can be secured in relation to the ski, between the two ski-binding parts, by means of a locking device which is fixed relative to the ski and has at least one blocking lever (11; 16, 17) which can be engaged with, and disengaged from, toothing formations (8, 9) provided laterally on the connecting elements (5, 6).

Abstract: A ski boot sole for cooperating with a ski binding to releasably hold the sole in the binding, the sole having front and rear recesses with front and rear metal inserts. The front recess and the front metal insert are engaged by the front sole holder rotatable about a longitudinal axis for releasably holding the front sole holder against displacement in the forward, sideways and vertical directions. The rear recess and rear metal insert is engageable by the rear binding which is rotatable about a transverse axis. The rear sole holder butts against the portion of the fitting plate extending outside the border of the sole to secure the rear portion of the sole in the rearward, sideways and vertical directions. The front and rear metal inserts are held on the bottom of the ski boot sole by threaded inserts mounted above the sole, with screws extending through aligned holes in the metal inserts and the threaded inserts.

Abstract: A pick-up trolley includes an upper deck and a lower deck which includes casters connected to an underside thereof and two support links are pivotably connected to the two decks. A ladder is connected between the two support links and includes two side rails and steps connected between the side rails. Each side rail has a compressible section and two stop retaining members are connected beneath the two respective compressible sections. When a user steps on any of the steps, the load of the user compresses the compressible sections so that the lower ends of the side rails are lowered to contact the floor to automatically brake the trolley.