Abstract: A power turbine employs a plurality of turbine blades each having a normal lip mounted at the free ends thereof. The plurality of turbine blades are mounted in a paddle wheel type configuration about the turbine power shaft. The paddle wheel blade configuration is interposed between the pressurized fluid inlet and outlet ports for efficient response to the pressurized fluid moving therebetween. Directional fans mounted about the rotating shaft maintain the fluid flow through the turbine so as to assure an optimum power as offered by the rotating turbine shaft. A home power generation system utilizing the turbine is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An isokinetic exercise device comprises in a linking arrangement first and second manually-operated members with a floating plate and brake assembly therebetween, all members mounted in rotation about a shaft member. A series of paired arcuate raceways, having a non-linear sloped profile, are located in the opposing faces of the floating plate and the first member. Captivation of a ball bearing between the raceways presents a driving connection for transmittal of forces, created by operator rotation of the first and second members, to the brake assembly. The brake assembly responds to such forces to retard rotation of the first and second members linked thereto, such retardation presented as a resistance to the user. A speed selector assembly provides for a selectable change in the location and attitude of the driving connection so as to control the efficacy of the driving connection which changes the degree of forces transmitted to the brake assembly.

Abstract: A reusable athletic wrap for providing prophylaxis support to the ankle region comprises a socklike elastic sheath with an elongated elastic panel attached thereto. On slipping the sheath over the foot of the wearer, the elongated panel is wrapped about the foot in a predetermined manner to present first and second heel locks to the foot at laterally opposite sides of the ankle. Three sets of Velcro fasteners having paired mating elements therein are positioned along the wrap for mutual interengagement during wrapping. The respective sets of fasteners prevent slippage of the first and second heel locks from their functional position and secures the end portion of the panel about the ankle region at the conclusion of the predetermined manner of wrapping. Furthermore, the use of paired mating elements define associated panel segments which can be selectively stretched in order to offer a selective degree of compression to portions of the foot covered by the panel during the predetermined wrapping path.

Abstract: The number of on-line locomotives of a consist is either reduced or increased by a manual control system that conserves fuel by throttling back trailing locomotives and operating the remaining locomotives of the consist at the most efficient throttle position. A control unit in the lead locomotive is operated by the engineer to command control units in equipped trailing locomotives of the consist. Each time the engineer depresses a "subtract power" push button, one trailing locomotive is throttled back; conversely, each time an "add power" push button is depressed, a trailing locomotive is returned on line by advancing its throttle to the most efficient position. A cutout control signal, which is generated in the lead locomotive and transmitted to trailing units in serial order (front to rear) by a single spare trainline wire, has voltage levels that progressively decrease or increase in response to the subtract or add power commands.

Abstract: A highway line detection system which is insensitive to changes in road surface warns the driver of a motor vehicle when the vehicle is about to drift across either a center line or an edge line. A unit on each side of the vehicle directs light rays rich in infrared and red radiation downwardly toward the road surface, and includes a photoresponsive receiver responsive to the rays reflected from a painted line or mark. A valid center line or edge line has a width within a predetermined range of minimum and maximum widths and is recognized by the receiver to activate a suitable alarm, but other markings of greater or lesser width are discriminated against to prevent a false alarm. The receiver employs a series of photoconductive cells which are highly sensitive to radiation in the red and near infrared region; they are spaced horizontally on a line extending orthogonally with respect to the fore-and-aft axis of the vehicle in order to establish corresponding spaced points at which reflected rays are detected.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly for providing stabilization between the vehicle frame and axle housing comprises a pair of laterally spaced-apart arms with a transversely extending torsion bar joined at the rear ends thereof. The front end of each arm is connected to the axle housing by means of a bracket particularly designed to be sandwiched between the vehicle springs and rear axle housing so as to be concurrently responsive in movement to deflection of the vehicle spring and vertical displacement of the axle housing. Front and rear hinge structures resiliently join the ends of each arm to the bracket and vehicle frame respectively so as to permit yieldable movement to the arm connected therebetween. Presentation of an uneven load to the vehicle causes the flexion of the normal curvature of one or both or the leaf spring assemblies which is transmitted through the associated bracket and arm linked thereto.

Abstract: A holster for a handgun comprises a case for receiving the handgun and a flap member mounted on the case. The flap member provides a cover member for the handgun having an offset hinge associated therewith. The offset hinge comprises a pair of spaced apart arms extending from the cover member and pivotally mounted to the case to provide for swinging movement of the cover through a path clear of the case between open and closed positions. In the open position the cover member is clear of the top of the case and at an over-center position relative to the axis of pivot so as to be maintained thereat. Snap fasteners, separate from the offset hinge, secure the cover to the case in the closed position to assure a maximum degree of safety, security and protection to the holstered handgun.

Abstract: A breakawy fender guide for a vehicle has an upright elongated tube member yieldably mounted to the vehicle bumper by means of a breakaway hinge member attached to the lower portion of the guide. Upon mounting the hinge provides for a selected displacement of the guide from the side of the vehicle to provide a visual marker to the vehicle operator indicating the outboard side thereof. A hinge pin threaded at the ends thereof engages a nut/washer combination in an adjustable bearing relationship against the barrel sections of the respective leaves of the hinge for variously adjusting the force needed to urge the hinge into breakaway movement so as to move the guide from the selected position.

Abstract: A one-piece traffic radar unit has a housing containing both the transceiver and signal processing circuitry and the directional antenna of the radar system. A bracket plate extends from the top portion of the housing and overlies the dashboard of the patrol vehicle to mount the unit therein with the housing depending from the bracket plate in front of the dashboard, thereby leaving the driver's view through the windshield unobstructed. The antenna is of the conical horn type and is vertically disposed to beam the transmitted signal up through the housing to a rotary reflector mounted on the top of the housing. The reflector is rotatable about a vertical axis and permits the operator to aim the beam in any horizontal direction through the windshield or a window of the vehicle. A special safety mount for the reflector provides for 360.degree. rotation and also permits the reflector to break away from the housing on impact.

Abstract: A gated irrigation pipe is operated by a pneumatic control system which automatically opens and closes the gates. Each gate is slidable along the pipe surface and is coupled to a pair of parallel air conduits extending longitudinally along the pipe. The conduits are connected midway between their ends to a common movable pneumatic cylinder which receives therein a piston fixed to the exterior of the pipe. The conduits communicate with opposite ends of the cylinder, and serve as both an air line to the cylinder and an operating linkage which opens and closes the gates and which will not cause damage to the gates in response to differentials of expansion and contraction. A plurality of pipes thus equipped are serially connected to form an irrigation pipeline and the air conduits are interconnected at the pipe joints by flexible hose couplings which may be preset any time during each watering interval.

Abstract: An animal toss trap includes an enclosure having openings for animal entry therethrough. A generally elongated gate displaced from these openings and positioned within the enclosure presents an animal capture compartment therebeyond. In a normal gate position, the horizontally disposed spikes project from one end of the gate towards a wall of the enclosure so as to present a means of entry or path into the animal capture compartment. An animal on initial progression through this path pushes against the spike tips causing the gate to swing in response thereto. During subsequent animal movement the discomfort of the spiked tips upon the side of the animal further urges the animal through the forward path and into the capture compartment. The gate, being spring biased, returns to a normal position after the above animal entry. A lock, released by an animal upon entry into the path is provided to prevent the gate from being opened by a previously captured animal.

Abstract: A generally hemispherical dome designed to cover a hot tub comprises a pair of successively smaller spherical shells, generally quadrantal in configuration, which are pivotally connected to a pin member vertically disposed through the superimposed apexes of the respective shells. A deck surrounding the perimeter of the hot tub provides basal support to the shells as well as a bearing surface for roller wheels attached along the base of the smaller shell. Upon affixation of the larger shell to the deck the smaller shell is rotated about the pin member through a range of superjacent positions relative to the fixed shell. A plurality of arcuate ribs form the framework of each shell and extend from the respective base towards the apex thereof for connection to a circular rim member. Brace members within the rim are rotatable about the pin member extending therethrough to provide rotation to the smaller shell.