Abstract: A handlebar vibration damping assembly (HVDA) (10) that is used in combination with a conventional two-wheeled vehicle's handlebar (80) assembly having a right grip (82), a left grip (84) and a center section (86). The HVDA (10) is comprised of a weight (12) having a first end (14), a second end (16), an outer surface (18) and a cavity (20) that extends into the second end (16). A spring (22) has a first end (24) and a second end (26), with the first end (24) inserted into the cavity (20) on the weight's second end (16). In order to maintain the HVDA (10) within the handlebar, a bolt (32) having a head (34) and a tip (36) along with an insert (38) having a bore (40), an insert nut (44) and a second nut (48) are utilized. The second end (26) of the spring (22) extends into the insert bore (40). Once the HVDA (10) is securely placed within the handlebar (80) the weight (12) can vibrate in any excitable direction 90-degrees of the centerline of the handlebar and can oscillate at different frequencies.

Abstract: A removable armrest (RAR) (10) that is placed between a pair of sofa cushions (84). The RAR (10) is comprised of a resilient section (12) and a downward-extending tab (32). The tab (32) is divided by a tab welt (48) into an upper section (50) and a lower section (52). The upper section (50) is inserted into and maintained within a slot (54) that extends into the resilient section (12). The lower section (52) of the tab (32) is pushed downward into the space between two cushions (84) on a sofa (82), thereby positioning and frictionally holding the RAR (10) to provide a comfortable support for a person's arm.

Abstract: A process for producing a cast, coated vehicle wheel utilizing a multi-axis computer numerical control (CNC) machine. The CNC machine allows unique draft angles and unique design elements to be cast from a single metal ingot. The process utilizes a plurality of steps to achieve the desired aesthetic qualities in the wheel including design elements such as colored portions, rivets, logos and the like.

Abstract: A neutral electrode spark plug (10) consisting of a cylindrical metallic shell (20) having a tubular ceramic insulator (22), including an insulator tip (28) enclosed therein, and a central electrode (30) surrounded by the ceramic insulator (22). The central electrode (30) has a firing tip (36) extending from the insulator tip (28). A neutral electrode (38) extends from the insulator tip (28) providing a first spark gap that is separated from the central electrode (30). A side ground electrode (40) is attached to the metallic shell (20) and is laterally aligned with the central electrode (30) and the neutral electrode (38). The ground electrode (40) provides a second spark gap that is separated from the neutral insulator (38) and a third spark gap formed with the ground electrode (40) a distance away from the insulator tip.

Abstract: A parallel kinematic positioning system 10 (PKPS 10) that is comprised of a stationary base plate (12) and an upper movable platform (28) to which is attached a workpiece or an instrument. Between the stationary base plate (12) and the upper movable platform (28) are positionally attached six strut assemblies (50). The six strut assemblies operate a hexapod that include in combination, a counterbalance subassembly (111), a servo motor subassembly (134), a bearing and encoder subassembly (156) and an electronics circuit (190). The combination accurately and repeatably positions the upper movable platform (28) within six degrees of freedom relative to the base plate (12).

Abstract: A chemical dispenser 10 that is attached directly to a sprinkler system which includes a reservoir 20 with an open top spout 22, a cap 26, a water inlet opening 34, a solution outlet opening 36 and a basket 38 positioned between the spout and the cap. A saddle clamp member 44 is integrally formed with the reservoir attached to a mains utility water line 46. A reservoir water inlet line 74 interfaces with the mains utility water line 46 on one end the water inlet opening of the reservoir on the other end. A solution discharge line 76, having an outlet nozzle 78, extends into the mains water inlet line and is connected through the clamp and to the reservoir. Water enters the reservoir through water inlet line and leaches a solid chemical placed within the basket to form an aqueous solution. The solution is then drawn through the discharge line by the pressure differential in the mains utility water line flow created by the restriction of the nozzle in the mains utility water line.

Abstract: A training device that will train a player to throw the ball to the correct height and angle for a serve is provided. The device includes a pole that adjusts from about four feet to twelve feet in height to suit a player's need. The pole is supported by a base and includes an toss hoop at the top of the pole. A photo-sensor is provided at the toss hoop to record a valid toss when a ball is tossed upwardly through the hoop within a predetermined height range and descends through the hoop prior to the serve. A basket may be positioned at the base for retrieving the tossed practice balls. The base legs and toss hoop fold away for easy storage and transport.

Abstract: An integrated turbine generator/motor (10) which consists of a housing (20) having a cylindrical body (22) and an eyebolt retaining plate (24) attached to the top surface of the cylindrical body (22). A ring gear (26) is rotatably disposed adjacent to the eyebolt retaining plate (24) and a plurality of turbine blades (28) are joined to turbine blade brackets (30) that are attached onto a peripheral edge of the ring gear (26). A plurality of pinion gears (32) rotatably interface with the ring gear (26) and a plurality of planetary gears (50) are connected beneath and are rotated by the pinion gears (32). When the generator/motor (10) functions as a generator (58) it includes a driven shaft (60) with a sun gear (62) attached, with the generator disposed within the housing. The sun gear (62) is rotated by the planetary gears (50) which create electrical energy from the generator by rotation of the ring gear (62).

Abstract: An LED power supply (LPS) (10) that is designed to replace conventional fluorescent lamps, which also include Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs). The LPS (10) is comprised of three major elements: a power input circuit (PIC) (12), an LED Power Control Circuit (LPCC) (14) and an LED load 16. The PIC (12) can consist of either a d-c voltage source (12A) or an a-c voltage source (12B). The a-c voltage source (12B) is rectified and filtered to produce a filtered d-c voltage output (11?) prior to being applied to an OR gate (12D) from where a filtered d-c voltage (21) is produced and applied to the LPCC (14) for further processing. The CPCC (14) functions to automatically monitor and adjust both the voltage and the current that is applied to a plurality of LEDS 71 that comprise the LED load 16. The LED load is typically configured in a series-parallel configuration.

Abstract: A pressure-applying device (PAD) (10) that is attached to a selected location on a person's skin for therapeutic purposes. The PAD (10) comprises a first handle (12) having an articulated arm (38) with a tip (40) and a second handle (66) having an integral arm (92) with a tip (94). The first handle (12) is swively attached to the second handle (66) at a spring-loaded pivot point that allows the device (10) to be pressure-attached to the skin. A magnetic or non-magnetic sphere (132) is attached to each respective tip (40,94). When the PAD (10) is attached to a person's skin the sphere is pressure-interfaced on the skin. A tension screw (46) interfaces with the two handles (12,66) and allows the PAD (10) to apply adjustable pressure. The locations on person's skin where the PAD (10) is attached are designated according to traditional acupressure techniques.

Abstract: A therapeutic heating sleeve (10) consisting of a laminate pad (20) with an exterior cover (22), a batting (24), a polyester lining (26), a heating wire (28) and an interior lining (30) having a hook and loop fastener (32) that is attached on the exterior cover (22) and the interior lining (30). The laminate pad (20) has a lower portion that is in the shape of a human arm and an upper portion that is in the shape of a human shoulder. The heating sleeve (10) is completed by overlapping the pad's right side onto the pad's left side and attaching the two sides with the hook and loop fastener (32), thereby forming an open-ended sleeve. An electrical control is removably attached to the laminate pad (20) for applying electrical energy to the heating wire (28), thereby creating heat for baseball pitchers to warm up their arm and shoulder prior to pitching.

Abstract: A portable leaf grinding device (PLGD 10) that is used to grind a substance such as a plurality of compacted leaves into a multiplicity of leaf particles. The PLGD (10) consists of a circular cap (12), a cone-shaped hollow structure (84) that is releaseably attached to the cap (12), and a container (102) that is also attached to the cap (12). The circular cap (12) has attached an upper grinding disk (42) having a plurality of downward-extending leaf grinding blades (58). The upper grinding disk (42) interacts with a lower grinding disk (62) which is attached to the structure (84) and which also includes a plurality of upward-extending grinding blades (72) and a plurality of bores (74). When the circular cap (12) is rotated, the blades on the two grinding disks (46,62) interact with each other to produce the multiplicity leaf particles. The leaf particles can be either stored in the container (102) for later use or used immediately as they exit from the structure (84).

Abstract: A motorized skateboard (10) having an electric motor (102) that rotates a rear fifth drive wheel (86) that extends behind the rear truck (36) of the motorized skateboard (10). The drive wheel (86), which is biased downward by the force of gravity, interfaces with the surface of the ground. A hand-held cable assembly (140) having a power switch (142) controls the operation of the electric motor (102) which applies power to and causes the rear drive wheel (86) to rotate. The rotating drive wheel (86) further causes the motorized skateboard (10) to be propelled forward. The forward motion will continue as long as the rider depresses the power switch (142).