Abstract: A vehicle drive system which consists of a piston engine prime power source combined with a high inertia acyclic generator used in conjunction with a D.C. motor to provide a bi-directional variable speed transmission of power between the load and the energy source. Sufficient energy accumulates in the inertia of the generator rotor to provide intermittent quantities of energy for acceleration of the vehicle. In this manner, highly efficient engines not presently suitable for use in vehicle propulsion can be utilized as well as the recouping of kinetic energy (regenerative braking) usually lost in heat dissipation by the friction brakes.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for the control cords of a window blind extends partially into the headrail of a window blind, and a cord separation member on the portion of the mechanism within the headrail has discrete openings through which the cords pass and are separated as they enter the mechanism. A guide pin is positioned transversely across the upper end of the mechanism with one end of the guide pin being disposed nearer the separation member and lower than the other end, so that the cords passing over the pin may be rotated to a selected side of this portion of the mechanism. A cord gripping means is mounted below the guide pin, and includes a fixed gripping member disposed centrally within the second portion of the mechanism, and a movable gripping member is mounted within this second portion of the mechanism for gripping the cords therebetween. The separation member, guide pin and movable gripping member are all positionable alternatively for either left hand or right hand operation of the locking mechanism.