Abstract: A handlebar accelerator for an electric bicycle has a bar, a tubular grip, and a joint. The grip has a ring formed at a first end thereof, a sector notch defined in the ring, and two magnetic elements respectively formed at two ends of the sector notch. The joint has a first hole defined at a first side for receiving one end of the grip, a second hole defamed at a second side for receiving one end of the bar, a channel defined therein for receiving the ring, a slot defined in the channel, a groove defined beside the channel, a passage in communication with the channel and the groove and extending outwards, and wires extending through the passage and electrically connected with a speed adjuster device. An examining element is secured in the slot and electrically connected with the wires.

Abstract: The invented system includes a fuel-cell system comprising a fuel cell that produces electrical power from air (oxygen) and hydrogen, and a fuel processor that produces hydrogen from a variety of feedstocks. One such fuel processor is a steam reformer which produces purified hydrogen from a carbon-containing feedstock and water. In the invented system, various mechanisms for implementing the cold start-up of the fuel processor are disclosed, as well as mechanisms for optimizing and/or harvesting the heat and water requirements of the system, and maintaining desired the feed ratios of feedstock to water in the fuel processor and purity of the process water used in the system.

Abstract: A fuel processing assembly adapted to produce hydrogen gas from a carbon-containing feedstock. The fuel processing assembly includes a fuel processor, such as a steam reformer. The fuel processing assembly further includes a feed assembly adapted to deliver a carbon-containing feedstock, such as a hydrocarbon, to the fuel processor. In some embodiments, the fuel processing system includes a fuel cell stack that includes at least one fuel cell adapted to produce electrical power from hydrogen gas produced by the fuel processor.

Abstract: A deterrent device comprises a portable container having a cavity disposed therein and an actuator mechanism disposed within the cavity. An inflatable deterrent extends outwardly from the actuator mechanism, the inflatable deterrent is substantially contained within the cavity in a non-operative configuration. The actuator mechanism is activated by an operator to attain an operative configuration in which the actuator mechanism inflates the inflatable deterrent outwardly from the container, an assailant being deterred by the inflated inflatable deterrent.

Abstract: A new, large-area, thin-film, flexible photovoltaic structure is disclosed, as well as a general fabrication procedure, including a preferably roll-to-roll-type, process-chamber-segregated, “continuous-motion”, method for producing such a structure. A special multi-material vapor-deposition environment is disclosed to implement an important co-evaporation, layer-deposition procedure performed in and as part of the fabrication procedure. A structural system adapted to create a vapor environment generally like that just referred to is disclosed, as is an organization of method steps involved in the generation of such a vapor environment. Also, a unique, vapor-creating, materials-distributing system, which includes specially designed heated crucibles with carefully arranged, spatially distributed, localized and generally point-like, heated-nozzle sources of different metallic vapors, and a special multi-fingered, comb-like, vapor-delivering manifold structure is shown.

Abstract: An enhanced vision system and method for use with vision systems with an imager sensitive to infrared radiation of less than 2-microns in wavelength, to produce a first image signal. Another imager sensitive to infrared radiation at least 3-microns in wavelength may be used to produce a second image signal. Preferably, the first image signal represents sensed electric light sources, and the second image signal represents sensed background such as terrain, runways, structures, and obstacles. A signal processor combines an image signal representing locally maximum values of the first image signal with the second image signal to create a displayed image.

Abstract: A damping assembly has a bracket, a damping wheel, a torsion spring, at least one pair of rotating wheels and a strap. The damping wheel is rotatably mounted in the bracket. The torsion spring is arranged between the bracket and the damping wheel to provide a torsion force to the damping wheel. A cord wound around each rotating wheel of one pair of the rotating wheels. The strap is connected between damping wheel and the secondary axle with the rotating wheels attached to the cords. By such an arrangement, the damping assembly can be used with a roller exerciser or a chest exerciser with little additional structure. The use of the damping assembly becomes more versatile. The cost for manufacturing different types of exercisers is decreased.

Abstract: A sports equipment rack for mounting to a vehicle, the vehicle including a first generally planar surface expanse and a second generally planar surface expanse disposed adjacent the first surface expanse in a concave relation thereto to form a corner. The rack comprises a base, the base including a first surface-contacting portion for supporting the base against the first surface expanse, a second surface-contacting portion for supporting the base against the second surface expanse, and an equipment-supporting portion for supporting equipment on the rack. The rack also includes at least one securing structure coupled to the base, wherein the securing structure is configured to simultaneously urge the first surface-contacting portion against the first surface expanse and the second surface-contacting portion against the second surface expanse to thereby secure the rack to the vehicle.

Abstract: A personal hydration system with an improved mouthpiece for use in providing fluid for delivery to a user. The mouthpiece includes a neck that is adapted to be mounted on a supply tube to a hydration system and which is joined to a resilient head. The head includes a dispensing face with a pair of lips that define a normally closed slit, through which fluid is dispensed from the mouthpiece, a perimeter and a minimum dimension between opposed points on the perimeter. The bite region extends from the perimeter to a shoulder, which joins the bite region and the neck. From a closed position, in which the lips extend against each other to close the slit and prevent fluid from being dispensed through the slit, the mouthpiece is deformable to a dispensing position in which the lips are spread at least partially away from each other to allow fluid to be dispensed through the lips.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing embolisms resulting from an operation being performed in a body conduit by an instrument. The apparatus includes a selectively actuable conduit blocking mechanism that is actuated prior to performing the operation to thereby block the conduit while the operation is being performed upon an interior wall of the conduit, wherein the conduit blocking mechanism is de-actuated subsequent to the operation being performed. A transporting mechanism is movable within the conduit. The conduit blocking mechanism and the instrument are disposed at separate positions upon the transporting mechanism. The apparatus may be used for stent delivery, vessel predilation, or other operations.

Abstract: The invention provides a ceiling-mountable display monitor system with an improved monitor retention system. The display monitor system includes a display monitor that is mounted on the ceiling portion of a vehicle by a mounting assembly. The monitor system includes a display surface and a retention system adapted to selectively engage a catch on the display monitor to retain the monitor in a stowed configuration proximate the ceiling portion of the vehicle. Upon actuation by the user, the retention system releases the monitor for pivotal or other movement away from the ceiling portion of the vehicle to a viewing configuration. In the viewing configuration, the viewing surface is oriented to viewing by passengers of the vehicle. The retention system includes a retainer pivotally mounted about a pivot axis and an actuator with a user-manipulable element adapted to selectively pivot the retainer relative to its pivot axis.

Abstract: A tool for tightening a plurality of wire lengths that extend between a first bracing location on a first fence support and a second bracing location on a second fence support, the wire lengths defining an axis extending generally parallel to their lengths. The tool includes a body adapted to be transversely inserted between the wire lengths so that the wire lengths pass around the body. The body has at least one seating portion formed on its outer surface for retaining at least one of the wire lengths generally between the ends of the body when the body is inserted between the wire lengths. The body is adapted so that, when inserted between the wire lengths, the body can be selectively rotated about the axis to twist the wire lengths around one another and thereby exert a contracting force on the fence supports.

Abstract: A device for protecting the edge of a doorway. The device includes opposing contact edges which extend around the edge of a doorway to contact and grip opposing walls adjacent the doorway. The edge of the doorway, which may include a door frame, is enclosed within a protective space defined by the device. Alternatively, the device may be mounted on a doorway and an attached door so that both the edge of the doorway and a portion of the door are enclosed within a protective space defined by the device. The device may be modified in the field to fit doorways and/or doors of various sizes.

Abstract: A digital circuit configured to receive three or more input signals and produce an output signal corresponding to either an XOR or XNOR of the input signals. In one embodiment of the invention, the circuit includes a first section connected in series with a second section to form a three-input XOR or XNOR gate. The first section is a two-input XOR or XNOR circuit having no more than eight transistors, including two transmission gate pairs. The second section is a two-input XOR or XNOR circuit having no more than six transistors, including one transmission gate pair.

Abstract: A monitor lift apparatus is provided which includes a frame and a carriage-mounted monitor configured for travel between a stowed position and a presented position along a flexible track. The carriage typically includes a rotary drive element which traverses the flexible track to effect travel of the carriage and monitor between the stowed and presented positions. The flexible track may take the form of a chain, belt, or cable, and typically extends between upper and lower ends of the frame so as to provide for vertical deployment/stowage of the monitor. The monitor may be secured in position using a latch pin which is mounted on the carriage to selectively engage the frame. Correspondingly, the frame may define a one or more detents for receipt of the latch pin.