Abstract: A female terminal, includes: a tubular portion which is formed by bending a metal sheet into a tubular shape; a peripheral wall which has a trapezoidal cross section having a pair of opposed shorter and longer sides to form a space extending in an axial direction of the female terminal inside the tubular portion; and a spring portion for pressing a male terminal inserted in the space, in a direction toward the shorter side of the peripheral wall. A maximum width of the male terminal is longer than the shorter side and is shorter than the longer side.

Abstract: A terminal fitting (T) is formed by bending a metal plate material (Ta) punched out into a specified shape, and a facing surface (15S) of a resilient contact piece (15) facing a male tab (M) and a facing surface (20S) of a receiving plate (20) facing the male tab (M) are partially recessed within the range of the thickness of the metal plate material (Ta). Thus, thick portions (28A, 29A, 28B) and (29B) and thin portions (27A, 27B) are arranged alternately in a width direction orthogonal to an inserting direction of the male tab (M). Parts of the male tab (M) are held in contact with the thick portions (28A, 29A, 28B) and (29B) in the width direction.

Abstract: A vehicle for movement relative to a medium, the vehicle comprising a base, and a carriage mounted on the base for supporting a human operator, the carriage mounted for forward and rearward movement relative to the base upon being driven by bipedal movement of the operator, a thrust mechanism operable to develop vehicle thrust by transmitting a force to the medium upon bipedally driven rearward movement of the carriage and a force mechanism operable to apply a force to the base upon bipedally driven forward movement of the carriage.

Abstract: A system and related methods for manned and/or unmanned marine transportation involving equipping a vessel capable with a linear pump for propelling the vessel through or substantially over a body of water.

Abstract: A wave energy buoy includes a spar that may be anchored to the sea bed and a float fitted to the spar for movement axially of the spar. The spar includes a spar tube and the float includes a generally annular shell defining an opening through which the spar tube extends. The spar tube and the float shell are made of composite material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a triode type cathode structure including depositing and etching: a cathode layer as cathode conductors; a grid layer as grid conductors; an electrical insulation layer and the grid conductors until reaching a resistive layer to provide cavities; and the cathode conductors to have a perforated structure at the intersection of the cathode conductors and grid conductors.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a field emission electron source includes the following steps: (a) providing a pair of conductive bases (32, 42) each having a top (322, 422), the tops being spaced apart from and opposite to each other, the tops being immersed in a solution (50) having carbon nanotubes dispersed therein; (b) applying an alternating voltage (60) between the two conductive bases thereby causing at least one carbon nanotube to become assembled between the tops of the conductive bases; (c) shutting off the alternating voltage between the conductive bases and removing the solution between the tops of the two conductive bases; (d) detaching one of the two conductive bases in a matter such that the carbon nanotube remains connected with one of the tops of the conductive bases; and (e) modifying the carbon nanotube to create a low work function coating on a least a tip/free end thereof.

Abstract: A game call for controlling sound quality (volume and pitch) of an internal bellows call. A hand-manipulable external bellows or other device provides air through an aperture to the internal bellows.

Abstract: A toy animal for use with forward-facing toddler seat 7, for placement on an adult seat of transportation such as a motor vehicle. The toy animal has a body 2. The body 2 has a rear 16 with a vertical slot 4 near the rear of the body. The slot 4 extends from a top 4a of the rear of the body to a bottom 4B of the rear of the body. The slot 4 is of sufficient size to allow a bottom portion of a restraint, such as a buckle assembly 6 of a shoulder harness 11, to pass vertically through the slot 4, and locate the toy 2 on the child safety seat 7. Latching the buckle assembly 6 secures the toy 2 and a child to the forward-facing toddler seat 7.

Abstract: A toy with an exterior structure. Constructed to transform from a rollable first shape to a second shape. An interior structure inside the exterior structure is endowed with a magnetic body that moves by way of a magnetic force that acts from the exterior of the toy, an interior locking portion that moves simultaneously with the movement of this magnetic body, and a biasing member that effects a force which moves or turns this interior locking portion in a particular direction. If the magnetic force does not act from the exterior of the toy, the first shape of the exterior structure maintained. In the event that a magnetic force has acted from the exterior of the said toy, the exterior structure transforms from the first shape to the second shape.

Abstract: An apparatus, kit and method are provided for a turkey call having an outer ring attached to a pot of a turkey call device such that an internal sounding board in the pot is free to vibrate and undampened by a user's grasp when a user scrapes the surface of the striking plate of the turkey call. The outer ring is attached to the pot by a connecting means. The striking plate is surrounded by the pot, which encloses the internal sounding board. The internal sounding board is mounted to the pot. The connecting means attaches the pot to the outer ring at a minimum number of points to leave the internal sounding board free to vibrate when the striker is used to scrape the surface of the striking plate of the turkey call.

Abstract: A novelty device and the associated method of fabricating component parts of the novelty device. The novelty device has at least one protrusion that is made from an elastomeric gel. The protrusion has a distal end. A hole is disposed through the protrusion proximate its distal end. A secondary object is provided. The secondary object is made from a rigid material. The secondary object defines an interior space. The distal end of the elastomeric gel protrusion extends through the secondary object and into the interior space of the secondary object. The secondary object is comprised of an assembly of interconnecting parts. The parts of the secondary object are assembled around the elastomeric gel protrusion in the area of the hole. Once assembled, the secondary object engages the hole in the elastomeric gel protrusion. As a result, the secondary object becomes mechanically interconnected to the end of the elastomeric gel protrusion.

Abstract: A clothing strap tensioning device has an elastic member having a geometry generally defined by middle, left end, and right end portions, and bounded by upper, lower, left and right edges, and includes mechanical snaps or other releasable attachment mechanisms integrated into the left end and right end portions for enabling releasable attachment of the end portions to each other to form the elastic member into a loop. The tensioning device is looped around a pair of spaced vertical straps of a brassiere, such that the straps are drawn toward each other medially to prevent the straps from slipping down the shoulders of a wearer and to impart an upward lift to the wearer's breasts. The geometry of the elastic member also prevents twisting of the straps.

Abstract: Combinatorial processing including rotation and movement within a region is described, including defining multiple regions of at least one substrate, processing the multiple regions of the at least one substrate in a combinatorial manner, rotating a head in one of the multiple regions to perform the processing, and repositioning the head relative to the one of the multiple regions while rotating the head during the processing.

Abstract: A superfinishing system and method, wherein an abrasive is employed to process a workpiece, and wherein the system simultaneously mounts a plurality of workpieces in a diagonal turret, or mounts a plurality of different types of workpieces in a plurality of chucks for different operations thereon, or performs a plurality of different operations on the same workpiece without remounting. The system improves throughput by allowing flexibility in the operation and multitasking.

Abstract: A blank for use in producing an endodontic instrument using a grinding technique includes a cylindrical portion, and a generally conical portion which is to be machined by the grinding technique to form the active part of the endodontic instrument. The generally conical portion of the blank approximates, and is slightly larger than the envelope of the final shape given to the active part of the endodontic instrument after machining. A method is also provided for producing an endodontic instrument having at least one helical cutting edge using the blank.

Abstract: A polishing device is hermetically accommodated in a chamber containing an atmosphere having a composition different from the ambient air, so that the atmosphere around the polishing device is altered into the composition different from the ambient air, and voltage is applied between a wafer and a polishing pad to polish the wafer with an electrolytic effect. The polishing device has the atmosphere containing extremely less oxygen, preventing a surface of the wafer from oxidation and thereby providing a constant polishing rate.

Abstract: An apparatus which manually forces open shells during the downward stroke of a reciprocating plunger. Opening can occur through shearing of the two shell halves along their seam. The tip of the plunger can be a long inclined blade and wedge shaped. The apparatus may open all sizes of shells by applying a downward force on at least one of the shell halves. Alternatively, both shearing and sliding forces are applied. In one embodiment the shell is placed parallel to the angle of taper of the tip for opening. When the plunger comes down it exerts by frictional shearing force on the shell which causes the halves to slide off each other and open providing access to the inside.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a device and a method for the automated monitoring of packaging machines for the production of sausages, the packaging machines having a filling machine (F), a filling pipe (1), a skin brake (2) and a sealing machine (V). The device according to the invention is characterized in that it has a camera (6, 6?, 6?) which supplies an electric image signal, an evaluation unit (7) for the image signal and a switching-off unit (8), which is activated by the evaluation unit, for the filling machine (F). The invention permits automated monitoring of malfunctions of packaging machines for the production of sausages.

Abstract: A target speed profile for a specified racer is computed at various points along a track. The calculation is based on the real world physics of the racing environment and incorporates physical characteristics of the track, including curvature, undulation, and/or camber. A lateral acceleration component is developed to limit the realistic maximum speed a racer may obtain at any given point along the track. Furthermore, differences in realistic maximum speeds at different points along the track can overwhelm a racer's braking capability. As such, braking capacity adjustments can be applied to decrease the maximum speed in the target speed profile, so that the overall target speed profile is more realistic and attainable.

Abstract: A mechanical and electronic combinatory game and puzzle includes a plurality of cubic game items (2) bearing patterns on the faces, arranged in crossing rows in an overall parallelepiped game structure (1). Pre-designed or new face pattern combinations are to be obtained through sequences of group spinning. Variants of the game may include spinning partial or entire rows (4), as well as translations of game items if the game structure (1) contains empty places. The mechanical embodiment provides an overall parallelepiped game structure (1), an expandable enclosure (7) and handling devices (15). The electronic embodiment provides computer representation (40), control and management of the play.

Abstract: A method, comprising displaying an image to a first player, displaying a portion of the image to a second player wherein the portion of the image displayed to the second player is less than all of the image and wherein the portion of the image displayed to the second player is determined by an action of the first player, allowing the second player to submit a word, and determining whether the word submitted by the second player is related to the image. The present invention also includes apparatuses and systems.

Abstract: When an operation block collides a stacked block in an X-direction, a part of the stacked block facing an operation block is shifted to the X-direction to allow the operation block to be absorbed in the stacked block and an end being opposite to the end facing the operation block of the shifted stacked block to be ejected from the stacked block. The ejected block can collide with the stacked block again as an operation block. Such a collision operation is repeatedly performed after the completion of a predetermined arrangement in the stacked block.

Abstract: A method of playing a card-based wagering game. The method comprises conducting the card-based wagering game at a gaming terminal and displaying a plurality of cards arranged in an array. The plurality of cards includes a first set of selectable cards and a first set of non-selectable cards. The non-selectable cards are at least partially protected by others of the plurality of cards. One or more of the selectable cards are selected. A player's hand is created by removing the selected cards from the array, which then creates a second set of selectable cards and a second set of non-selectable cards in the array such that the second set of non-selectable cards are at least partially protected by others of the plurality of cards. It is then determined whether the player's hand is a winning hand.

Abstract: A video poker game facilitating a jackpot bonus is disclosed. The jackpot bonus may be based on a single video poker machine, a bank of machines or a wide area network of machines. The jackpot is implemented by establishing one or more jackpot hands (e.g., royal flush). Then, prior to, or in between, the play of each conventional video poker game, five or more cards are randomly designated as unique cards. The jackpot is awarded to a player obtaining the pre-established jackpot hand containing five unique cards. Therefore, the game comprises a first level of randomness associated with the shuffling of the cards and second associated with the random designation of cards within the deck. Optionally, an award may be paid for final hands containing less than five unique cards. For example, a royal flush comprising four unique cards may generate an enhanced award.

Abstract: A monitor-based Texas Hold'em Poker game, where a plurality of game entries are displayed to a player and each game entry is associated with a winning odds and potential payout. After the player places a wager on one of the game entries, the system generates a set of community cards and determines a winning hand according to a set of predefined rules.

Abstract: A wagering game including a wheel and multiple section indicators. The wheel includes a plurality of sections having awards associated with each of the sections. The section indicators associated with the wheel simultaneously indicate sections on the wheel. The awards associated with the sections indicated by the activated section indicators are summed and provided to a player. The number of activated section indicators is predetermined, randomly determined, determined by the player's wager in the primary or base game, determined in a primary game or determined by a sub-game or a set.

Abstract: A gaming method includes receiving a wager from a player, displaying an image representative of a primary game, determining if a bonus event trigger has occurred, displaying an image representative of a bonus game, the bonus game including a representation associated with the player and a representation associated with an opponent, the representations each having at least one attribute associated with the bonus game, if the bonus event trigger occurs, and determining a payout associated with an outcome of the bonus game. The method also includes offering the player at least one advantage option, the at least one advantage option affecting at least one of the at least one attribute of the representation associated with the player and the at least one attribute of the representation associated with the opponent. A gaming machines and system may be provided to carry out such a method.

Abstract: An interactive game having a pre-determined outcome (e.g., a game of finite poker) that displays an initial hand of cards, receives a player-specified designation as to which cards are to held and which are to be discarded, and then displays an intermediate hand generated in accordance with the player-specified designation. Then a final hand is shown, and in those cases where the player-specified designation (Hold/Discard) is inconsistent with a transition from the intermediate hand to the final hand, an entertaining display is shown, such as a sequence of alternative playing cards. In some cases, the initial hand is a winning hand according to a predetermined payout schedule, and the final hand is a winning hand with a higher payout than the initial hand according to the same payout schedule. The disclosed methods can be used with other games, including reel-type games.

Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of positions displayed to the player. The gaming device includes a modifier and a symbol display which displays at least one symbol at one or more of the positions. Each symbol includes at least one game element. In a play of the game, the gaming device determines at least one of the game elements to be a designated element and enables the player to pick one of the positions. The gaming device displays at least one of the symbols at one or more of the positions and determines an outcome based on any winning combination of the symbols displayed at the positions. The processor modifies any determined outcome by the modifier when the designated element is displayed at the selected position. The modified outcome is provided to the player in that play of the game.

Abstract: A central determination gaming system which provides a player a choice in outcomes. In one embodiment of the present invention, upon a player initiating a game play at one of a plurality of gaming terminals in communication with a central controller, the central controller selects a plurality of game outcomes from a pool of game outcomes. The selected game outcomes are communicated to the gaming terminal and the gaming terminal provides one of the selected game outcomes to the player based on at least one choice made by the player regarding the game play. The provided game outcome is prevented from further selections from the pool of game outcomes.

Abstract: In a slot machine, the display unit includes a region on which a plurality of symbol columns and rows are displayed. Normal directions of surfaces of the region, on which the symbol columns placed at both ends of the symbol rows are displayed, intersect in front of the display unit. The display unit preferably includes mechanical reels placed at ribs of a fan. Normal directions of circumferential surfaces of the mechanical reels at the forward ends thereof intersect at substantially the same point, and thereby the front ends oppose a player. The display unit may be alternatively an electronic display device that includes a curved or bent screen. Normal directions of surfaces on which video reels are displayed intersect at substantially the same point, and thereby the surfaces oppose a player.

Abstract: A method of playing a slot machine game in which a player wagers upon one or more symbols and then collect awards for combinations of two or more symbols wagered upon appearing in adjacent to each other in the symbol matrix. The slot machine game may also provide a symbol repositioning feature in which one or more symbols are moved from their original positions to other positions in the symbol matrix.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a value input device for receiving a wager and a processor for executing gameplay on the gaming machine. The processor has a plurality of power consumption levels. A power regulator is operative to alter the power consumption level of the processor amongst the plurality of power consumption levels. In an embodiment, the power regulator comprises application software stored on a memory device in communication with the processor.

Abstract: A cashless technology involves issuance of bonus awards to players. The bonus awards themselves are cash, service, merchandise, etc. But the game issues these awards in the form of a cashless instrument representing the award. The cashless instrument may be issued under various circumstances and in various forms such as pre-printed tickets, peelable tickets, updated information on a player card, updated information in a database, etc.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to networked gaming devices that can keep particularized records for identified players. A server can store records of player's present and past actions on the gaming network and can communicate with the gaming device using messaging. In some embodiments, status of games or awards can be stored from one gaming session to another, which allows a player to resume a previously started game or award at a later time. Some games include rewards that are collected over time that can be redeemed for personalized rewards.

Abstract: A gaming device having an improved award offer bonus scheme wherein the player may improve their award during the bonus round. The bonus game enables the player to select an award offer from a plurality of award offers. The gaming device enables the player to modify the selected award offer, creating a subsequent or modified award, with the idea of increasing the award offer to receive a greater or higher award during a bonus game.

Abstract: A gaming device having a bonus scheme, wherein the player may choose when to play a bonus scheme, so long as the player is qualified to do so. The method of qualifying the player to enter the bonus round connects or links the base game operation of the gaming device with the bonus scheme. The reels of the base game contain symbols which alone or in combination with other symbols yield one or more bonus awards to a player. The bonus awards are escrowed and displayed a bonus award escrow display. Once the player obtains a single bonus award, the player becomes eligible or qualified to play the bonus round and the player may choose to do so at any time. The player can accumulate bonus awards and use multiple bonus awards at one time.

Abstract: A multi-player networked video game playing system including for example video game consoles analyzes speech to vary the font size and/or color of associated text displayed to other users. If the amplitude of the voice is high, the text displayed to other users is displayed in a larger than normal font. If the voice sounds stressed or is aggressive words are used, the text displayed to other users is displayed using a special font such as red color. Other analysis may be performed on the speech in context to vary the font size, color, font type and/or other display attributes.

Abstract: A plurality of slots are set in a game space with reference to the current location of a leader character, and one slot is correlated with one sub character. Each sub character is controlled so as to move it from the current location toward the corresponding slot. As the leader character moves, so too does each slot. Thus, it is possible to provide a video game in which the leader character's movement is controlled by a player and a plurality of sub characters' movements are controlled by a predetermined algorithm so as to follow the leader character to move in formation in a natural manner.

Abstract: A first game image to be controlled by using an operation switch section 14 is displayed on a first LCD 11. In addition, a second game image to be controlled by using a touch panel 13 is displayed on a second LCD 12. The first game image and the second game image are expressions, taken from different perspectives, of the same game space generated by executing a game program.

Abstract: An object is provided with a plurality of vectors each having a direction and an end position assigned to the object in a fixed manner. The game device moves the object in a three-dimensional game space, and determines whether a part of the object has contacted a predetermined surface or not. When it is determined that a part of the object has contacted the predetermined surface, a vector among the plurality of vectors, the vector having an end located at a position closest to a predetermined direction is specified. Also, when it is determined that a part of the object has contacted the predetermined surface, the game device lands the object on the predetermined surface in a position such that the specified vector faces toward the predetermined surface, and is perpendicular to the predetermined surface.

Abstract: A background image acquisition technique is disclosed for acquiring a background image that is required for calculating a background difference in a video game that uses an input image supplied by a camera while enabling command input through image recognition of a player image. The background image acquisition technique involves compositing a button item for responding to an operation of a player with a portion of an image captured by the camera which captured image includes a player image representing the posture of the player, displaying the composite image on a monitor screen, guiding the player into position such that the player image is accommodated within said portion of the captured image, and acquiring an image of a region of the captured image other than said portion as the background image.

Abstract: A damage resistant manual controller for manipulating images or symbols on a display is made of impact resistant material such as dense foam rubber to resist damage resulting from accidental or intentional impact caused by throwing, dropping, or other insult. Damage resistance entails maintaining the operational integrity of the electronics and the structural integrity of the manual controller.

Abstract: A communication game system controlling a development of a game by establishing communication between plural terminal apparatuses and displaying shared information at the terminal apparatuses is provided, the system enabling easy recognition of a communication state of a communication established between the terminal apparatuses. The system includes plural game apparatuses that are adapted to establish communication. The game apparatus includes a display unit, an operation unit, and a processing unit for conducting self-controlled character display control and other character display control. The self-controlled character display control includes displaying on the display unit a self-controlled character that is controlled by an operation of the operation unit of the game apparatus. The other character display control includes receiving information pertaining to another character that is controlled by another game apparatus, and displaying the other character on the display unit.

Abstract: Memories coupled to a gaming terminal, are reprogrammed by a method and apparatus which includes identification, negotiation, downloading and verification information from an external information source to a gaming terminal. Hardware devices are used to identify gaming terminals or components.

Abstract: A cross groove constant velocity universal joint for a drive shaft or a propeller shaft of an automotive vehicle includes an inner ring and an outer ring each having ball grooves which are alternately slanted in respective directions opposite to each other while alternating with each other in a direction circumferentially thereof. Torque transmission balls are positioned at a crossing area where each of the ball grooves in the inner ring and the associated ball groove in the outer ring are crossed with each other. A cage is provided to retain the torque transmission balls. The number of torque transmission balls is ten, and a crossing angle between the axis of the inner or outer ring and each of the ball grooves in the inner or outer ring is within the range of 10 to 15° or 6 to 9° for the drive shaft or the propeller shaft, respectively.

Abstract: A fixed constant velocity universal joint using eight torque transmitting balls has a ratio which a non-hardened layer assumes in a bar 48 of a cage 40 is set to be 0.30?C/S?0.75, where S represents a cross-sectional area of the bar 48 and C represents an area of the non-hardened layer.

Abstract: A water amusement system may include a composite tree and an elevated structure. A composite tree may include a base having an artificial trunk portion. The base may be coupled to the surface. Living plants may be coupled to the base. Portions of the living plants may form branches of the composite tree. In some embodiments, the living plants are living trees. The system may include at least one structure coupled to the base. At least one of the structures may function to contain one or more persons above the surface. The water amusement system may include a water amusement ride coupled to the base. The water amusement ride may include an access point configured to allow participants to access the water amusement ride from the structure.

Abstract: A rotary game table includes a combination game table, two side support members, and at least one cross member. The combination game table includes one type of game on one side and another type of game on the other side. The at least one cross member is terminated on each end by a single side support member. The combination game table is pivotall retained by one side support member on each end thereof. A locking device is used to pivotally constrain rotation of the combination game table. At least one table cross member is used to internally brace the combination game table with at least one air passage formed therethrough. In another embodiment, a substantially U-shaped side member is attached to one cross member and one end of the two side support members. In another embodiment, a collapsible support is used to increase rigidity of the side support members.