Abstract: An efficient, narrow profile treadmill motor drive has a thin motor, a two-stage speed reduction using an intermediate countershaft between the motor and drive roller, a dual belt drive for the drive roller which reduces bearing stress, a support base of modular character facilitating removal and repair of the motor drive as a unit, and a motor-shaft mounted flywheel whose rotational inertia is effectively multiplied by the speed reduction ratio.
Abstract: A ski-pad simulating skiing leg motion is captively supported on tracks, and has individually adjustable sliding friction with respect to the tracks. A handwheel, threaded shaft, saddle and scrissors linkage transmit manually applied adjustment force to friction pads coacting with track friction surfaces. The ski pad and friction adjustment mechanism are removable as a unit from the tracks. The user stands upon the ski pad, and in one embodiment, is coupled thereto by breakaway ski-bindings and ski-boots.
Abstract: A dead bolt lock houses both a dead bolt and a security chain assembly. Externally accessible drive linkages cause the simultaneous ejection of the dead bolt and a portion of the security chain assembly whereby the dead bolt is engaged with a strike plate in the door jamb and the security chain assembly is latched to a chain latch assembly which forms a part of the strike plate. Operation of the externally accessible drive linkage to withdraw the dead bolt back into the lock is achieved without disengagement of the security chain assembly from the jamb mounted latch. A separate latch release is provided for disengaging the security chain. The lock body is provided with door penetrating detents which are actuated by the insertion of the dead bolt within the lock body whereby the detents are raised from within the lock body so as to lockingly engage with the door.
Abstract: An improved electrical terminal connector incorporates a sleeve encompassed by a single turn frustoconical circumferential thread, an anti-bind tab for resisting anti-disengagement binding forces, and a hand-graspable nut capable of being constructed of insulating and/or corrosion-resistive or lubrication impregnated material.
Abstract: An improved door seal incorporates a peripheral maze and peripheral channel forming an elongated flow path between spray-impinging and non-spray-impinging faces of the door, and lateral diversion and drain paths.
Abstract: A leg-supported umbrella holder is grasped between the thighs of a wheelchair-bound person while supported by the seat of a wheelchair. An umbrella shaft and handle are clamped within the holder in upright position, permitting use of both hands for locomotion, and convenient, rapid umbrella disposition in avoiding obstacles and negotiating doorways. A variety of umbrella handle configurations are accommodated, rotation of the umbrella is inhibited, and provision is made for freestanding upright support of the umbrella upon a horizontal surface such as a floor conveniently accessible when the holder is not deployed upon the wheelchair.
Abstract: A load is supported by three subjacent parallel tracks. A u-shaped leg structure coupled to pivots fixed to the outer tracks defines a locus of intersection between swinging arc of the u-shaped leg structure and the ground. A third leg pivots from a slider selectably disposed along the central third track, and also pivots at its bottom end to the u-shaped leg structure, defining a range of loci at the ground which position the tracks upwardly sloping, downwardly sloping or horizontal with respect to a fulcrum. The support is mounted to the tracks by captive sliders, some fixed, others slideable between captive stops.
Abstract: Housing-retractable footrests are disposed on both sides of a conventional toilet, in a spatial relationship to the plane defined by the toilet seat which inclines the femurs of the toilet user into a healthful squatting position when the user's feet are emplaced upon the extended footrests. When not in use, the footrests are retractable into respective housings by a mechanical linkage manually operated by the user, or in another embodiment, power actuated. Footrest height adjustment is disclosed for adjusting the squatting-position geometry to persons of various leg lengths.
Abstract: A teaching methodology provides the student with hand conformed symbols representative of the numbers 6 through 9. Observation of these symbols permits the students to use their mastery of multiplication of the numbers 1 through 5 and 10 to solve problems in multiplication and division involving the numbers 6 through 9.
Abstract: An improved security chain lock has the security chain assembly coupled integrally to the lock body and concealingly mounted with that lock body within a door to be secured. The security chain assembly housed within the same lock housing which houses the lock body is affectively concealed from view so as not to mar the interior decor of a room in which such a lock is employed to secure the door entry to that room. Latch means are provided which are mounted in the door frame in juxtaposition to the lock body so as to provide ready mating engagement of the security chain latch hook with the latch mounted in the door frame. An improved method of assembly of the latch means to the door frame, employing orthogonal reinforcing means which mate within the door frame itself, in combination with the innovative security chain lock, provide for an overall highly secure improvement in the state of the art of security chain locks.
Abstract: In a dimensionally precise electronic component mount, electrical terminals are affixed with dimensional precision to a rigid insulative base. An electronic component is affixed in precisely indexed abutment to the rigid insulative base. A protruding wire of the electronic component is conductively affixed within a v-shaped notch adjacent a notch apex in a second electrical terminal. Embodiments of the rigid insulated base include a flat rectangular plate and a hollow tube having a rectangular cross-section. Contact surfaces and contact pins coact respectively with hybrid substrates and printed circuit boards. Web means coupling adjacent iterated embodiments supports and provides dimensional precision during assembly. An embodiment having a plurality of electrical terminals permits accommodation of an electronic component having a plurality of protruding wires. Mechanical affixation is accomplished alternatively by soldering, welding or adhesives.
Abstract: An improved lock strike plate and security chain means are rotatably coupled within a recess within the strike plate means as well as within a recess of the door frame to which the strike plate is mounted. Means are provided within the security chain latching means to inhibit the decoupling of a security chain latched thereto when the door is placed ajar. Further means are provided for exterior key actuation of the chain latch to permit decoupling of the latch from a security chain by a person outside the secured area in an emergency situation. Orthogonal coupling means matingly engaged within the interior of the door frame itself strengthen the strike plate/chain latch assembly, reinforcing the door frame and making that frame a more integral part of the door locking assembly than has been heretofore achieved in the prior art.
Abstract: A door stile lock has a rotary latch bar. The rotary latch bar contains a compression loaded anvil within its interior. The latch bar rotates about the lock cylinder housing. The housing is provided with retention ports for engaging the compression loaded anvil at selected positions to inhibit rotation of the latch bar when the anvil is so engaged. Interior of the cylinder housing is an actuator rotatable by the lock key. The actuator raises the anvil from the retention ports and drives the latch bar about the axis of the cylinder housing between nominal locked and unlocked positions of the latch bar. The compression loaded anvil engages the retention ports in the cylinder housing at both the nominal locked and unlocked positions. A lock body engages the cylinder housing in a non-rotating manner. The lock body is then compressively engaged within the door stile.
Abstract: A deadbolt lock is adaptable for installation in doors of various thicknesses. The lock body and interior rosette are established at a fixed position with respect to the interior surface of the door in which the lock is mounted. A cylindrical threaded coupler is threaded to an extension of the exterior keyway-carrying rosette of the lock and the coupling between the threaded cylinder and the threaded extension of the rosette are adjusted in accordance with the thickness of the door to which the lock is installed. The interior threaded coupling cylinder is then inserted within the bore of the lock, the mounting being achieved without interference with the deadbolt throw/retract mechanism interior of the lock body.
Abstract: A lock body having compressive engagement with the interior of a hollow structural member of a door, such as a hollow stile. A compressive element is coupled to the lock body by means of a screw fastener. The compressive element has limited rotation about the axis of the screw fastener; the friction of the threaded coupling between the screw fastener and the compression element causing the compression element to rotate about the axis of the screw fastener. Such rotation is limited to approximately 90.degree. by an abutment stop provided on the body of the lock. When the compression element is drawn into abutting contact with the stopping abutment, continued actuation of the screw fastener causes the compression element to traverse the axis of the screw fastener.
Abstract: In aid of a person transporting a narrow oblong object traversing obstacles of various heights, the object is supported at one end by a single wheel disposed adjacent the dihedral intersection of a narrow end and a narrow longitudinal side, the rotational plane of the wheel coinciding with a plane of weight symmetry of the narrow oblong object to reduce tipping tendency when support and propulsion is provided by the person manually at an end opposite the wheeled end. Various means are disclosed for coupling the single wheel to the narrow oblong object, including concave socket and clamp means. Adjustment is provided for coinciding wheel rotational plane with the plane of weight symmetry.
Abstract: A protruding lever is releasably attached to a conventional flush-tank pivoted flush handle, extending toward a locus of the user's convenient arm flexure. The user is thereby enabled to actuate the flush lever without contortion from conventional seated position. The invention swings away from the user when inadvertently contacted, while retaining rigidity in the direction of flush actuation. An elbow-conformal recess facilitates confortable actuation by the user's elbow. The invention is releasably clamped to and wholly supported by the conventional flush handle.
Abstract: A hydraulically actuated device is employed as part of a pool cleaning system. An improved structure assembly of a hydraulically actuated core within a housing provides ease of manufacture and assembly. Graded control of the application of pressure and the flow of fluid through the system is provided so that the hydraulic device is actuated in a relatively gradual and graded manner to overcome the deleterious effects of abrupt actuation of such devices and the resultant water hammer, pressure surges which are generated in such abruptly operated systems. Improved jet orifices enclosed within the hydraulically actuated cylinder of the device provide for more efficient disturbance of sediments on the interior surfaces of the pool in the immediate vicinities of the hydraulically actuated devices.
Abstract: An improved skylight blind for mounting in the light well of a skylight. The blind has a frame which defines a substantially rectangular opening through which visible light transmitted through the skylight can pass in order to enter the interior of a structure in which the skylight is incorporated. Slats are mounted on the frame so that when closed light is substantially not transmitted through the blind and when open the slats of the blind present a minimum of obstructions to such light. A motor plus controls opens and closes the blinds in response to manual controls or temperature and light sensitive controls. The slats and motor are enclosed between two planar sheets of an impact resistant and transparent material which planar sheets are secured to the frame to form an enclosure.