Abstract: A method of calibrating throttle controls in an electronic shift and throttle system includes opening the throttle and then moving the throttle back towards a hard stop in increments. The voltage level of an electrical signal sent by a throttle position sensor is measured and recorded at each increment. An idle position is established as being where the lowest voltage level was measured when the throttle is at least 0.75° away from the hard stop.

Abstract: There is provided a floor drainage assembly for inhibiting water from passing from an upper floor of a building to lower floors of the building. The floor drainage assembly includes a stairwell drain and a stairwell trough connected to the drain. The stairwell trough extends along the stairwell threshold. Water from the upper floor entering the stairwell threshold is at least partially captured by the stairwell trough and directed to the stairwell drain. The assembly inhibits the water from damaging lower floors thereby. An angled threshold plate that is isosceles trapezoid shaped in cross-section may extend across the stairwell drain. The floor drainage assembly may also include a hoistway drain and a hoistway trough extending along the hoistway threshold. Water from the upper floor entering the hoistway threshold is at least partially captured by the hoistway trough and directed to the hoistway drain.

Abstract: A device for rotatably mounting a camera on a person comprises first and second connecting means. The first connecting means has a U-shaped slot which is defined by a pocket and a pair of opposed channels which extend from the pocket. The second connecting means has a plate and a truncated cylindrical body mounted on the plate. The plate is slidably received by the U-shaped slot and is rotatable within the U-shaped slot. The truncated cylindrical body is provided with a flat edge. A threaded member extends from one of said first connecting means or said second connecting means. The threaded member is for engaging a threaded female tripod receiver of the camera. The plate of the second connecting means can only be received or released from the U-shaped slot of first connecting means when the flat edge to the truncated cylindrical body of the second connecting means is aligned with one of said opposed channels of the first connecting means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a propulsion assembly for a bicycle. The propulsion assembly includes a support member that at least extends from the bicycle frame to a distal end spaced-apart from the rear wheel. The assembly includes a first drive mechanism rotatably mounted on the frame and axially connected to the rear wheel for transmitting motion thereto. A second drive mechanism is rotatably mounted at the distal end of the support member and coupled with the first drive mechanism. Ratchet mechanisms axially extend from the second drive mechanism and connect to a pair of elongate members. The bicycle has pedal arms with pedals extending therefrom. The elongate members are pivotally, operatively connected to the pedals. The pedals with pedal arms are movable in a circular manner for transmitting rotational power to the elongate members for propelling the bicycle.

Abstract: A method of producing methane, an organic based fertilizer and usable water from animal waste includes the step of separating the animal waste into liquid waste and solid waste. The solid waste is subjected to anaerobic digestion to produce methane and a wet by-product. The wet by-product is pressed to into a filter cake which is pelletized into the organic based fertilizer. The liquid waste is clarified to produce a supernatant and a sludge which is pressed into a filter cake together with the wet by-product. Ammonia is extracted from the supernatant to produce ammonium sulfate and an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution is filtered to produce a concentrate and water filtrate. The water filtrate may be used as drinking or washing water. The ammonium sulfate and concentrate may be used to supplement to the solid waste which is pelletized into the organic based fertilizer. In alternative embodiments a portion of the supernatant and aqueous solution may be used as a liquid fertilizer.

Abstract: A hollow paving block comprises a substantially planar member having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface of the planar member is a textured surface which functions as a top of the paving block. A side wall extends along and away from a periphery of the second surface of the planar member to define a cavity in the paving block. The side wall has a bevelled edge which extends about a mouth of the cavity. At least one protrusion extends along the second surface of the planar member. The paving block is formed in part from crumb rubber and polyolefin.

Abstract: There is provided a walker apparatus having a frame, a wheel pivotally connected to the frame, and a brake pad assembly. The assembly has a brake housing configured to partially cover the wheel. The assembly has a brake pad mechanism including a brake pad lever pivotally mounted to the housing. The brake pad lever is actuated via a first end and has a second end spaced-apart therefrom. The brake pad mechanism has a brake pad connected to the brake pad lever adjacent to the second end of the brake pad lever. The brake pad lever is spring-biased to position the brake pad spaced-apart from and adjacent to the wheel. The brake pad lever is configured to cause the brake pad to abut the wheel when the lever is actuated. The brake housing extends about the brake pad mechanism for fully protecting the brake pad mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided a walker apparatus having a brake, a braking handle, a brake wire, a brake rod, and a brake rod assembly. A gripping member connects to the brake wire. The gripping member includes a plate having a first end, a second end and an aperture near the second end. The plate connects to the brake wire near the first end and the plate slidably receives the brake rod through the aperture near the second end. The gripping member includes a clamp that engages the brake wire via a set screw. The gripping member is spring-biased to remain free of the brake rod in a non-actuated mode. When the braking handle actuates the brake wire, the plate tilts with the first end elevating relative to the second end, thereby causing the plate to engage with and abut the brake rod for thereby actuating the brake rod to brake.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a removable tile spacer for enabling even spacing between a first tile and a second tile that are perpendicular to each other. The second tile has an end opposite the first tile. The removable tile spacer includes a first elongate member interposable between the first tile and the end of the second tile to provide spacing between the first tile and the second tile. The tile spacer includes a body. The first elongate member is connected to and extends away from the body at an angle relative to the body such that the body has at least a portion which is spaced-apart from both the first tile and the second tile when the first elongate member is interposed between the first tile and the end of the second tile. This thereby facilitates removal of the tile spacer when tile spacing is completed.

Abstract: A method for delaying shift and throttle commands based on engine speed comprises establishing a predetermined threshold engine speed. Shift and throttle commands are calculated based on the position of a control lever which allows an operator to manually control shift and throttle functions. Execution of the shift and throttle commands is delayed if the engine speed is above the predetermined maximum threshold engine speed.

Abstract: A steering system for a marine vessel which has a primary propulsion unit and an auxiliary propulsion unit is disclosed. In one embodiment, a cable extending through a support rod of a tilt tube of the primary propulsion unit couples the primary propulsion unit to the auxiliary propulsion unit. Also disclosed is a method of coupling a primary propulsion unit to an auxiliary propulsion unit with a cable.

Abstract: A thermostatic control device for controlling the temperature of a food preparation or sanitation appliance comprises a temperature sensor, a controller in communication with the temperature sensor, and means for operatively connecting the controller to the appliance. When the temperature sensor senses that the actual temperature of the appliance is equal to or greater than a maximum threshold temperature, the controller shuts-off the compressor and overrides the flame sensor such that the appliance acts as if a flame is present. When the temperature sensor senses that the actual temperature of the appliance is equal to or less than a minimum threshold temperature, the controller starts-up the compressor and overrides the flame sensor such that the appliance acts as if a flame is absent.

Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature of a food preparation or sanitation appliance includes sensing the actual temperature of the appliance. When the temperature of the appliance is greater than a maximum threshold temperature, a compressor which supplies pressurized air to a burner is shut-off and a flame sensor, which senses the presence or absence of a flame, is overridden so the appliance acts as if a flame is present. When the actual temperature is less than a minimum threshold temperature, the compressor is started.

Abstract: A foldable walker apparatus includes a pair of spaced-apart inner frame members of two parts each hinged together, with a pair of link members diagonally extending therebetween. Each link has a bend extending upwardly and outwardly. The walker has support members that are arc-shaped with a seat extending between their apexes. A collapsible basket is provided with two end members each having a rigid peripheral portion connecting the frame members and a basket member of flexible fabric extending therebetween. A self-adjusting brake rod is provided with a gripping member spring-biased to remain free of the brake rod until the gripping member is operatively actuated to engage and thereby actuate the brake rod. A brake housing fully extends around a brake pad mechanism, including a means for connecting and adjusting the corresponding brake pad, to at least the outer periphery of one of the wheels for fully protecting the brake pad mechanism.

Abstract: A device for rotatably mounting a camera on a person comprises a female connector and a male connector. The female connector has a U-shaped slot defined by a pocket and a pair of opposed channels which extend from the pocket. The male connector has a wedge shaped base, a plate spaced-apart form the base, and an opening extending through the wedge shaped base and the plate. The plate is slidably received by the U-shaped slot of the female connector and rotatable through 360 degrees within the pocket of the female connector. A threaded member extends through the opening in the male connector. The threaded member is for engaging a threaded tripod receiver of the camera. A strap assembly is connected to the female connector. The strap assembly is for mounting the device to the person.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel oil atomizer comprised of an elongated outer member, an elongated inner member and an atomizing head. The inner member is a fuel supply conduit which is coaxially received within the central opening of the outer member defining therebetween a generally annular atomizing fluid supply conduit. The atomizing head includes a fuel chamber, an atomizing fluid chamber and a mixing chamber. The fuel supply conduit communicates with the fuel chamber. The atomizing fluid supply conduit communicates with the atomizing fluid chamber. The fuel chamber has a first end and a second end. The atomizing fluid chamber is circumambient to the first end of the fuel chamber and the fuel chamber has a portion that extends axially from the atomizing fluid chamber. The mixing chamber is circumambient to the second end of the fuel chamber.

Abstract: A thermal control system for a light-emitting diode comprises a thermistor array thermally coupled to a heat sink. The thermistor array may be disposed within a thermal conductive member. A power supply is electrically connected to the thermistor array. A cooling device is electrically connected in series with the power supply and the thermistor array. The thermistor array is between the power supply and the cooling device. A rheostat may further be electrically connected, in series, between the thermistor array and the cooling device.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump has a rotor and a hollow housing with a main interior chamber. The rotor is rotatably mounted in the main interior chamber. A smaller interior chamber is separated from the main interior chamber such that the smaller interior chamber retains gas therein when the main interior chamber is filled with a liquid. There is also a method for accommodating changes in volume of hydraulic fluid within the main chamber of the hydraulic pump housing. The method comprises providing the smaller interior chamber separated from the main chamber and retaining gas within the smaller chamber when the main interior chamber is filled with liquid, whereby expansion or contraction of the gas accommodates changes of volume of the liquid within the housing.

Abstract: A link for a chain, which is used in a linear actuator, comprises a base member and a plate pivotably mounted on the base member. An arm extends from the plate. A first connecting means is disposed on a distal end of the arm to connect the link with a first adjacent link. The plate has a protrusion for releasably engaging a second adjacent link. A second connecting means is disposed on the base member to connect the link with the second adjacent link.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder unit comprises a cylinder, a piston disposed within the cylinder, and piston rod connected to the piston. The piston rod is reciprocatingly received within the cylinder, and the piston rod being movable between a first position in which the piston rod is substantially disposed within the cylinder and a second position in which the piston rod is fully extended outside the cylinder. A first hydraulic port and a second hydraulic port hydraulically connecting the cylinder unit to a reservoir. Hydraulic fluid is received by the first hydraulic port and hydraulic fluid is discharged by the second port when the piston rod is actuated to move towards the first position. Hydraulic fluid is received by the second hydraulic port and hydraulic fluid is discharged by the first hydraulic port when the piston rod is actuated to move towards the second position.