Abstract: A runners' training apparatus and method are disclosed, the apparatus for measuring pressures exerted on starting blocks by a runner's feet responsive to a start signal and measuring time intervals between the start signal and selected pressure levels developed at the starting block.

Abstract: A device for manipulating threaded connectors is disclosed, the device being particularly well suited for manipulating line fittings. The device includes a socket and compact drive assembly which are configured to assure reliable transfer of power to the socket from a driver releasably attachable with the device. The socket has a split side wall with a gap defined thereby which is smaller than the fitting to be manipulated, and has facets at the inner periphery thereof sufficient in number to prevent substantial linear movement of the socket in any direction having at least a component normal to the axis of rotation of the fitting once the fitting is engaged. A fully integrated torque reaction unit, a rotation inhibitor for stabilizing the socket relative to the housing when not under power, and various sockets and attachments are described.

Abstract: A currency operated display device and method are disclosed, the device being in the nature of a public bulletin board and having a mounting structure, a plurality of modules attached to the mounting structure each with at least one normally closed and secured display area access, and a centralized user interface for user selection of display area, duration of material display and receipt of currency. A default display area is provided in each module behind the user display area for material display when the user display area is not in use. The device is configured so that all operations, including maintenance, are undertaken from the front of the device.

Abstract: An improved bicycle suspension system and method are disclosed which provides a fully, or rear wheel only, suspended bicycle having improved shock absorbing characteristics. The system utilizes a portion of the hollow, horizontally disposed linear main frame member which extends from just below the seat to the handle bar assembly as an integral part of a hydraulic or pneumatic shock absorber. The portion is sealed against fluid leakage and has a piston assembly slidably positioned therein, the piston assembly being linked by a single link unit to a rear wheel supporting framework which is also pivotably connected with the main frame above the chain line at a structural support joined to the two lower structural main frame members adjacent to the foot crank assembly. A load adjustable spring assembly is positioned in the portion and connected with the piston assembly, with spring preload being adjustable from the exterior of the shock absorber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for reducing electromagnetic or acoustic energy scattered in both the near and more generalized vicinity of a source thereof by various phenomena including atmospheric and weather-related effects and diffraction at the top edge of heretofore known barriers. The apparatus includes a member configured for engagement with the top edge of a barrier, with the member having a patterned edge defining a plurality of portions jutting away from the top edge of the barrier and in a direction having a component toward the source, preferably substantially in a more or less horizontal plane with the top edge.

Abstract: Shim assembly configured to be positioned in a wheel assembly to correct alignment and formed of a plurality of flat, tapered elements securable together and positionally adjustable one relative to the other with selectable orientation of the tapers, preferably rotatably secured for mutual angular movement of the elements around an axis, indicia to display the angular relationship of the elements and of the shim assembly orientation, such that the taper of the elements add or subtract to establish the overall composite taper of the shim assembly with the indicia displaying such composite taper and/or providing orientation points for positioning of the shim assembly in a wheel assembly to correct alignment.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing plural flowable materials, for example liquids, is disclosed having a disk-shaped rotor connected to a rotating drive shaft and housed in a cylindrical chamber. The rotor has engraved on one or both faces a spiral-shaped groove to provide sufficient mixing turbulence and prevent unmixed solute from exiting the chamber. The chamber is defined by walls of two stationary end plates separated by an outer cylindrical barrel. When configured in multiple stages having a plurality of rotors connected with a single rotating drive shaft and housed in a plurality of axially arranged such chambers, a centrally-drilled passage intervening between chambers connects adjacent chambers. Additional solvent liquid is introduced at each mixing stage through a radially drilled passage. The materials to be mixed are confined to a narrow interstice between the rotor, adjacent walls and barrel, and pass in sequence from one chamber to the next.

Abstract: A braking assembly and method are disclosed for use with in-line skates, the assembly including a brake pad or pads movably mounted to the skate and positioned adjacent to a selected wheel or wheels of the skate for selectively contacting a structure connected with the hub of the selected wheel or wheels. An actuator is operatively associated with the brake pad for selectively causing the pad to contact the structure.

Abstract: An improved horseshoe made of resilient material, and a horeshoeing system and method, with the system including resilient material and underlying metal shoe portions. The resilient material shoe portion has a plurality of openings therethrough between a ground engaging face and an opposite face for passage therethrough of connecting bolts utilized to connect the shoe portions. The openings are positioned so that there is no interference between connecting bolts and nails arranged in a common nailing pattern used to attach the metal shoe portion to the horse's hoof, while still providing durable securement of the portions of the system. The horseshoeing method provides for selective positioning of the portions relative to one another and for connection of the resilient material portion to a metal shoe portion having an overall configuration selected to accommodate the particular characteristics of the horse being shod.

Abstract: A device and methods of use and manufacture are disclosed for controlled diffusion of chemical substances of interest intraorally. The device includes ported structure formed of material that is substantially impermeable to the substance of interest, an inner wall of which defines a compartment communicating through the ports with the exterior of the device. A dispersed layer is formed in the compartment of material having limited permeability, the layer being formed so that contact is maintained with the inner wall across the ports after formation, the ports and the layer thus providing a region of permeability to diffusion of the chemical substance of interest. In use, either the chemical substance of interest or a composition capable of binding itself to the chemical substance of interest is placed in the compartment and the device is positioned in the mouth of a subject where it may remain for extended periods.

Abstract: A vehicle kingpin assembly having a kingbolt journalled in a knuckle with laterally offset projections on the ends of the kingbolt, endcaps journalled in a yoke with offset openings therein holding the projections in spherical bearings, and compliant thrust bearings between the knuckle and the yoke so that the angular relationship between the knuckle and the yoke may be varied to adjust camber and/or caster by rotating the kingbolt in the knuckle and/or the endcaps in the yoke.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for containing and dispensing flowable materials contained in a material handling unit which is located at least in part within an outer container. The material handling unit includes a first, relatively rigid portion having a nozzle affixed to one end thereof and a readily reshapable bladder affixed to the other end thereof, with the nozzle having a one-way check valve permitting ejection of the contents therefrom. The outer container admits air into the space between the containers to thereby cause selective expellation of the contents of the material handling unit without direct manual contact by a user with the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for down-stream plasma processing (both etching and plasma enhanced deposition) are disclosed wherein only a portion of the surface area of a substrate is exposed to the low pressure, reactive gaseous processing environment. The remainder of the substrate remains outside a small enclosed processing area, thus leaving these areas unexposed to the processing agents and providing physical access for monitoring equipment or the like, for example when in-situ monitoring during processing is desired. Etch rates of up to 6 .mu.m/h have been obtained.

Abstract: A socket engageable with a drive assembly is disclosed, the socket having two segments pivotably connected with each having an engageable periphery for rotation of the socket by the drive assembly and together defining a center bore for engaging a work piece, the segments being self locking when the work piece is engaged. The drive assembly has a selectively accessible slot for receiving and holding the socket in the operative position, a mating drive gear for the rotation of the socket and a guide for assuring lateral and rotational stability of the socket.

Abstract: A braking assembly and method are disclosed for use with wheeled skating apparatus having a plurality of wheels rotatably connected with a support structure, the assembly including a band of relatively resilient material positioned at the outer circumference of a selected one of the plurality of wheels, a mount securable adjacent to the support structure, and a brake pad movably connected with the mount and positioned adjacent to the selected wheel for selectively contacting a surface associated with, and preferably in, the selected wheel. An actuator is operatively associated with the brake pad for selectively causing the pad to contact the surface.

Abstract: A highly accurate in-situ determination of the refractivity of an ambient atmosphere is disclosed, which determination is utilizable to enhance the accuracy of a quantity measurement. The system includes use of a refractometer exposed to an ambient atmosphere and having light directed thereto to form an optical interference fringe pattern having a dependence upon the refractivity of the ambient atmosphere. The fringe pattern is measured as a function of angle either by sequentially scanning a collimated input beam in angle while collecting and detecting the transmitted light, or by imaging (onto a multi-element detector) the angular exit space of the interferometer illuminated with a diverging input beam. The electrical output of the detector is processed to provide an output indicative of the index of refraction of the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A variable configurable shelter is disclosed mountable to walls defining the cargo carrying area of a truck. The shelter includes structure defining the upper portion of the shelter which is pivotably mounted at one end thereof to one of the walls for movement between first and second relative positions. The structure includes a relatively rigid shell which provides a protective cover over the cargo carrying area when the structure is in the second relative position. Shelter walls are connected with the structure and are maintained adjacent to the shell in the second relative position, the shelter walls being securable to the truck when the structure is moved to the first relative position to thus provide, in combination with the shell, a covered lodging at the cargo carrying area.

Abstract: Presence detecting apparatus and housing and mounts therefore are disclosed, the apparatus including control circuitry, an emitter array, detector array, and background compensation sensor mounted and housed to provide a safe and effective detection area characterized by substantially constant detection sensitivity over the defined detection area while avoiding undesired detection of objects present outside the detection area. The emitter array and detector array are mounted and housed so that the detector array is substantially isolated from transmission in the housing of selected electromagnetic signals from the emitter array.