Abstract: An internal combustion engine with an interior annular surface. A rotary piston mount rotates within an engine block interior space. Several spherical pistons are urged radially outwardly from the rotary piston mount by an urging means, and move in a radial reciprocating motion within the rotary piston mount. A gas-producing means produces an expanding gas. The gas drives the spherical pistons and the rotary piston mount rotationally along the interior annular surface of the engine block.

Abstract: A muffler-filter apparatus comprises a filter housing providing a flexible cylindrical wall enclosed at one end by a screen integrally joined peripherally with a distal end rim of the cylindrical wall, and a strap device for tightening a proximal end rim of the cylindrical wall for enabling the proximal end rim of the cylindrical wall to be fixed onto a propeller hub of an outboard motor so as to position the filter housing for receiving exhausts of the outboard motor's engine. A filter media is tight fitting within the cylindrical wall so as to prevent exhaust gas blowby, and is enabled for capturing oil, dust and water from exhaust gases passing therethrough while reducing exhaust noise.

Abstract: A customizable potted plant watering apparatus is made up of a variety of interconnecting parts to form one or more separate elongate trays which are arrange in any fashion but generally one above the next. Each linear or radial tray section is adapted for supporting one or more potted plants. Trays are interconnected by flexible tubes so that when water is introduced into an upper tray it flows downwardly into subsequent lower trays. Trays are inexpensively fabricated by an extrusion process and when attached at both ends to end sections, form a finished shelf into which water may be introduced so as to hydrate and feed the plants by root absorption. The end sections are held in place by a snap on cover which also engages a screen to provide an effective watering tray and a clog free system.

Abstract: A boxing exercise apparatus is mounted onto a stand. A pivoted support arm provides a strike absorbing means. In a first embodiment, the support arm is connected to the stand with a spring joined to a rigid rod. The rigid rod is preferably positioned in a neutral position with an integral positioning means. Displacement of the support arm away from the neutral position toward at a rocked-back position is counteracted by the spring. In a second embodiment, the apparatus further includes a second spring joining the stand and the rigid rod; and a second positioning means for contacting the rigid rod. When the support arm is deflected, alternately the first spring and then the second spring retards the motion of the support arm. In a third embodiment, a pair of strike absorbing means are mounted in such a manner that they move away from a blow and recover a neutral position as described, and also move laterally, and again recover a neutral position.

Abstract: A support provides a window for the display of advertising material. The support has a gripping feature on opposing sides for engaging an airline fold-down tray by its side edges. A bottom flange functions as a position limiting device so that the support is correctly positioned onto the tray. The advertising medium is held within a groove between the window and the under surface of the fold-down tray.

Abstract: A skating training apparatus includes rotating gears positioned in a generally horizontal plane. Linear supporting struts are pivotally attached to the gears for movement therewith and a motion restricting device is engaging with the liner supporting struts and adapted for restricting the linear supporting struts to a combination of pivotal and linear translational motion. Pivots engage the linear supporting struts and restrict it to pivotal motion at one end. Foot rests are mounted on the linear supporting struts at an end opposite to the pivots. The rotating gears, linear supporting struts, motion restricting device and pivots are mutually interconnected for moving the foot rests in a skating motion as driven by a person's feet while training on the apparatus.

Abstract: An exercise machine provides a pair of arms positionable for completing chest presses and also for doing a fly type exercise. On each arm a knuckle is hinged between two orthogonal sockets so as to enable positioning of the arms in appropriate positions for the two exercises. The exerciser may move the arms apart for fly exercise motion or to a position in front of the chest for a press exercise motion.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing coffee comprises a chassis engaging an electronic power and control circuit, a water heater, a coffee brewing tray adapted for receiving a coffee packet, a coffee pot supporting shelf, a control panel adapted for receiving manual selections for operating the apparatus, an electrical interlock adapted for sensing the presence of a coffee pot on the coffee pot supporting shelf. An electrical interlocking scheme is adapted for sensing when the coffee pot is present and when it is full, the temperature and level of water in the water heater, and when a restraining handle is in place.

Abstract: Motion of an apparatus having reciprocal linear motion of an input member is converted into alternating rotary motion of a drive member such as a drive shaft or a drive gear. Additionally, a system is taught which uses linear motion, oscillating motion and rotational motion or any two or three with conversions and is adapted for using kinetic and electrical energy sources together and interchangeably. The system may be adapted for vehicular use. In one embodiment a two-cycle internal combustion engine is used in combination with the apparatus.

Abstract: A shade for a personal watercraft includes a canopy and a canopy support frame. The shade is formed to provide a clearance such that a person thrown from the craft to either of its sides is not in danger of striking the canopy or its frame. The frame is easily broken down into small, easily transported components and is quickly assembled and mounted onto the craft. A breakaway strap holds the shade in position at the helm of the craft.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a musical instrument during play comprises a hub pivotally engaging a plurality of horizontally disposed arms which extend radially outwardly from the hub. At least one of the arms is adjustable in length. A plurality of vertically disposed legs where, at least one of the legs is adjustable in length, are joined at the free ends of the arms. The hub provides a base portion and a cover portion and the arms are sandwiched between them. The cover may be tightened down on the base portion so as to lock the arms of the apparatus in a position of choice for best supporting the musical instrument. The base portion further provides a horizontal step extending downwardly in a position for engaging a pedal and striker assembly. The pedal and striker assembly are positioned for striking a musical instrument supported by the legs.

Abstract: A hand tool is used for resizing bent, broken, warped or swollen tongue-in-groove panels, planks or boards. The tool has a cutter or file (rasp) mounted on one side so as to be inserted into a groove for cutting the groove to size. The other side of the tool has a pair of spaced apart cutting surfaces for smoothing a tongue. The tool is fastened by a simple clamp and has a handle for manipulation.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a pair of elongated reciprocating members. The reciprocating members are supported for rotational motion about a pivot axis and the forward ends of the reciprocating members reciprocate back and forth linearly along a motion restrictor forcing near linear motion. The combination of these two motions by the reciprocating members permit a user's feet to travel along conical orelliption motion path of travel. Resistance to rotation of a cranking means is provided and may be selectively altered by the user. At lower inclinations/elevations of the restrictor, the stepping motion may resemble cross-country skiing. At progressively higher angles of inclination or elevations of the restrictor, the stepping motions may simulate walking, jogging, running, climbing.

Abstract: A dead time regulating apparatus is used in a switch mode power system. The apparatus, comprises a power MOSFET circuit with PMOS and NMOS devices. Driving means is connected for driving and for turning-on a delay in the MOSFETs. A time delay detecting means is connected for detecting dead time during MOSFET turn on and a pulse width comparing means is connected for receiving dead time signals and synchronous pulses for generating control signals. The control signals are directed to the driver means respectively for adjusting turn-on delays. The method of the invention provides precise dead time control in the MOSFET devices. The circuit drives the two MOSFET devices such that there is precise control of the dead time during on-off switching.

Abstract: An electrical circuit provides a fixed frequency switching regulator, having improved dynamic response, and a low count of external discrete elements. The circuit can be used at 100% duty cycle and does not require a minimum load or the components usually found in such circuits for compensation. A current source is used to charge a timing capacitor. A comparator is used in conjunction with a hysteresis circuit so that as the timing capacitor is charged the voltage on one input of the comparator rises until reaching a set input voltage level whereupon the timing capacitor is discharged to ground. A PWM latch logic element is used to control output to a control switch, a FET, so that positive going output pulses are received at an output terminal. A divider network between the output terminal and the timing capacitor along with a switch controlled by the PWM latch element are used for slope compensation for maintaining operational synchronization to the oscillator.

Abstract: An accessory receiver is adapted for mechanical engagement with a level sensing device such as a carpenter's level or with other similar tools. The accessory receiver provides a receiver body for engagement within a box frame structure by spring action so that surfaces of the receiver and the level are forced into intimate contact. A pair of springs forces a receiver body into a flush position on the face of a box frame. A keyhole slot in the receiver is adapted for receiving a shaft for an accessory and for capturing it with snap-action onto an alignment upset for true alignment of the accessory with the tool.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a base plate having features enabling mounting on a person's belt or pocket. A cradling device is adapted for receiving a hand tool and for clamping the hand tool A biasing device is adapted for moving the tool clamping device between a tool receiving position and a tool clamping position so as to make the tool available for use and to place the tool within reach when it is needed respectively. When the tool is removed from the clamping device the it is automatically unclamped. When the tool is placed into the clamping device it is automatically clamped in place.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying panel materials adjacent to a truck side panel has a stationary workpiece resting surface mounted on the truck side panel and a movable workpiece clamping and supporting device positioned adjacent to the stationary workpiece resting surface and mounted to the truck. A motive device such as a motor engages the truck and is connected for moving the workpiece clamping and supporting device toward and away from the workpiece resting surface for sandwiching a workpiece between the workpiece resting surface and the workpiece clamping and supporting device for enabling the truck to transport the workpiece.

Abstract: A transparent vessel containing a fluid and a life-like full scale human brain inserted into the fluid is used for novelty purposes. The vessel is open on its top and sealed on its bottom, and is mounted on a base portion of the device. Air bubbles are produced from an air pump attached to the side of the base portion. A tube connected to the air pump and an outlet port is positioned inside of the vessel, immersed in the liquid to supply air. The transparent, water-tight brain vessel is lit from underneath by a lamp. To enhance an effect of a scientific fiction experiment, the novelty is placed on a stand and has one or more decorative perforated tubes attached for visual effect. The tank is preferably covered with a dome-shaped lid.