Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly and rotating a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a motor operation connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, thereby rotating the wheel/tire assembly, a load roller for applying a generally radial force to the wheel/tire assembly during rotation so that loaded wheel/tire assembly measurements may be determined while the force is applied thereto and a control circuit. The control circuit is responsive the loaded wheel/tire assembly measurements and to a tire stiffness value to make a determination of a predetermined uniformity parameter.

Abstract: An improved image sensor for computer systems that use images to calculate vehicle wheel alignments which includes an integrated circuit having a detector array for receiving an image containing vehicle wheel alignment information, an image sensor controller for operating the detector array and directing input/output for external communications outside the circuit, and an internal bus for communications within the integrated circuit. The sensor communicates wheel alignment information contained in the image with the computer system across an interface bus.

Abstract: An improved multi-segment, electronically-actuated display array that displays (a) a multiplication symbol configured approximately like “×”, and, centered in the same location, (b) one or more of an addition symbol, a subtraction symbol, and a division symbol configured approximately like “+”, “−”, and “÷”, respectively. A novel central segment or central segment group of the array displays a central portion of the multiplication symbol and of the other displayable arithmetic operation symbols—essentially the entire intersection of (a) the multiplication symbol and (b) a horizontal bar constituting the entire subtraction symbol, the horizontal portion of the addition symbol, and/or the vertically-centered portion of the division symbol.

Abstract: A stretching machine is provided which can be used both for stretching and for measuring a level of flexibility. The machine rests on the floor and a beam is adjusted to a convenient height. The beam is provided with a plurality of handgrips. A foot plate is positioned to abut a user's feet. By leaning forward and grasping the handgrips a person can stretch their legs and lower back as well as determine a level of flexibility by noting which handgrip is grasped. The machine has a cutout on the foot plate to allow compact storage.

Abstract: A wheel balancer and method of mounting a wheel/tire assembly on a wheel balancer are provided. The wheel balancer includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor for measuring rotation of the shaft about its axis, a vibration sensor operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibrations from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly and a motor operatively connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, thereby rotating the wheel/tire assembly. A control circuit and manual input are also included. The control circuit controls the application of power to the motor.

Abstract: A system for target identification in a vehicle wheel alignment system includes first and second units. A target with at least four collinear reference points is attached to the first unit, and an image sensor is attached to the second unit. The collinear reference points have at least one known cross-ratio, and the image sensor has an imaging element that produces an image data-set to capture an image of the target. The system also includes a processor for identifying image points within the image data-set and for calculating vehicle wheel alignment information using the image data that corresponds to the target. To identify the image data corresponding to the target, the processor computes a series of cross-ratios for sets of four points within the image data-set and rejects noise points by comparing the cross-ratios to the known cross-ratio.

Abstract: A device and method for reducing on-car runout and imbalance in a tire/wheel assembly. An on-car runout device has a powered roller that rotates the tire/wheel assembly while it is mounted on the vehicle hub and a runout measuring device that measures the runout of the vehicle hub and a surface of the tire/wheel assembly. The on-car runout device can operate in combination with an off-car balancer in an integrated balancing system, and a computer determines the optimal position and amount of weights to reduce the imbalance. The on-car runout device also minimizes the runout in a tire/wheel assembly by automatically optimizing the position of the tire/wheel assembly relative to the runout of the vehicle's hub.

Abstract: An airbed mattress includes a valve for controlling inflation of the mattress. The valve is normally biased to a closed position to prevent changes in the mattress' level of inflation. The valve may be opened by introduction of an air pump. The valve and air pump are designed to operate cooperatively by employment of an adaptor to facilitate the introduction of the air pump. The valve has an air passageway which contains an internal airflow control assembly. The control assembly operates to open the valve to passage of air upon introduction of the air pump and adaptor as well as effecting the closing of the valve when the air pump and adaptor are withdrawn. The valve also may have an extension adapted for a releasable connection with an air pump and adaptor for holding the valve open.

Abstract: Matching multiple wheel rims and tires based upon runout and force variation measurements using balancing equipment. Centering errors and mounting errors are also reduced or eliminated. The method includes adjusting the rotational positions of the tires with respect to the wheel rims to compensate for wheel rim run-out and wheel/tire assembly force variations.

Abstract: An improved image sensor for computer systems that use images to calculate vehicle wheel alignments which includes an integrated circuit having a detector array for receiving an image containing vehicle wheel alignment information, an image sensor controller for operating the detector array and directing input/output for external communications outside the circuit, and an internal bus for communications within the integrated circuit. The sensor communicates wheel alignment information contained in the image with the computer system across an interface bus.

Abstract: A wheel balancer includes a method that provides a centering check for a wheel that is based on measuring wheel runout. The wheel is mounted on a spindle of the wheel balancer and runout measurements are taken. The wheel is remounted on the spindle and runout measurements are taken again. The wheel balancer has a processor that checks the differences in the runout measurements according to a predetermined threshold for proper centering. The wheel balancer can compensate for the difference in the runout measurements and can signal the user of the wheel balancer to remount the wheel.

Abstract: A personal owned palm-held device consisting of software executed on a palm-held personal computer (PC) saddled into and connected directly to a dGPS receiver such that an individual golf player may map a golf course by traversing its attributes, displaying said map and collecting golf play data for any golf course. In addition, the ability to upload and download golf course maps to an Internet web site shall reduce the need for subsequent users to repeat the effort of mapping the same course more than once. Also, downloadable courses will facilitate the use of the palm-held PC by users that do not have a dGPS attachment. When used without a dGPS attachment, ball locations will be determined manually by estimating the ball location with reference to visual salient course attributes.

Abstract: A wheel balancer and method of mounting a wheel/tire assembly on a wheel balancer are provided. The wheel balancer includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor for measuring rotation of the shaft about its axis, a vibration sensor operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibrations from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly and a motor operatively connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, thereby rotating the wheel/tire assembly. A control circuit and manual input are also included. The control circuit controls the application of power to the motor.

Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a sensor assembly for measuring rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a vibration sensor assembly for measuring vibration of the wheel/tire assembly as the wheel/tire assembly is rotated, a motor operably connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a load roller for applying a generally radial force to the wheel/tire assembly during rotation of the wheel/tire assembly and a sensor for measuring the lateral force between the load roller and the wheel/tire assembly. A control circuit is also included that is responsive to the measured vibration of the wheel/tire assembly to determine wheel imbalance, and responsive to the measurement of lateral force to provide information relating to the measured lateral force to the user.

Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a sensor assembly for measuring the rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a vibration sensor assembly for measuring vibration of the wheel/tire assembly as the wheel/tire assembly is rotated, a motor operatively connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a load roller for applying a force greater than 150, pounds in a generally radial direction to the wheel/tire assembly during rotation of the wheel/tire assembly and a control circuit responsive to measurements from the vibration sensor assembly to determine imbalance.

Abstract: A laryngeal mask of the type used to facilitate lung ventilation and the insertion of endo-tracheal tubes or related medical instruments through a patient's laryngeal opening as used during general anesthesia, intensive care, or critical patient care. The mask includes an inflatable positioning shield formed to fit within a patient's oropharynx and seal around the circumference of the laryngeal opening, the shield having an inflatable annular toroid peripheral portion, a contoured rear portion, and a recessed front. The mask also includes a flexible respiratory tube having an proximal end lumen, a gently curved tubular body of sufficient size to permit passage of endo-tracheal tubes, and related medical instruments, and a distal end passing through and secured to the proximal edge of the annular toroid peripheral portion.

Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor assembly for measuring rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a vibration sensor assembly operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibration resulting from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly, a motor operably connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a load roller for applying force to the wheel/tire assembly during rotation thereof. A control circuit is also included for controlling the force applied by the load roller to the wheel/tire assembly during rotation. The control circuit causes the load roller to vary the force applied by the load roller to the wheel/tire assembly.

Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor assembly for measuring rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a vibration sensor assembly for measuring vibration of the wheel/tire assembly as the wheel/tire assembly is rotated, a motor operably connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a load roller for applying a generally radial force to the wheel/tire assembly during rotation of the wheel/tire assembly and a sensor for measuring the runout of the wheel rim of the wheel/tire assembly at the bead seat.

Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor for measuring rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a vibration sensor operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibrations resulting from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly and a motor operatively connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, thereby to rotate the wheel/tire assembly. A control circuit is also provided for controlling the application of power to the motor. The wheel balancer also includes an assembly for measuring runout of the rim of the wheel/tire assembly, the control circuit being responsive to a rim runout measurement signal to apply power to the motor such that the wheel/tire assembly rotates at a slow, controlled speed during measurement of the rim runout.