Abstract: A dynamic vehicle wheel and tire balancing system with manual rotation of the shaft to which the wheel and tire is attached. A computer within the system receives entered premeasured values of wheel dimensions and are in response to the output of a rotational speed sensor determines a proper rotational speed of the shaft at which point it automatically decouples the manually operated crank from the wheel shaft so that there can be no externally applied disturbances for the subsequent measurements of imbalance. Twin spaced transducers along the shaft determine the wheel runout attributable to imbalances in both inner and outerwheel rims and the computer provides output signals indicative of the correct balance weight and the mounting positions of the weights on the wheel rim.

Abstract: A vehicle burglar alarm characterized by an arming circuit including a transition detector coupled to a door switch, and a divide-by-two and latching coupled to the transition detector; and a timing circuit responsive to the output of the arming circuit. The transition detector is polarity independent and develops a positive pulse for either a negative going or positive going transition at its input. The divide-by-two and latching preferably includes a first astable multivibrator which develops a negative going output signal after two transition signal pulses are received from the transition detector, and a second astable multivibrator responsive to the negative going output signal of the first multivibrator and operative to enable the timing circuit and simultaneously latch the first multivibrator. Thus, the timing circuit is enabled only after the vehicle's door is opened and then subsequently closed.

Abstract: A ski rack for pickup trucks characterized by a separated pair of ski carrier assemblies each including an elongated support post, a base assembly for attaching a lower end of the support post to the bed of the pickup truck, and a ski attachment assembly attached to an upper end of the support post. The support posts are preferably angled towards each other over the wheel well hump and are angled towards the center of the bed so that the ski attachment assemblies clear the upper edge of the pickup truck's sidewall. A number of locking mechanisms are provided to lock the base assembly to the bed and ski equipment to the ski attachment assembly.

Abstract: A pump mechanism adapted to float on a reservoir of water characterized by a floating enclosure provided with an internal chamber, a float disposed within the chamber of the enclosure, a first valve coupled to the float and adapted to open and close an orifice provided at the top of the enclosure, a refill valve associated with an orifice provided at the bottom of the enclosure, and an output tube opening on the chamber of the enclosure and provided with a check valve to prevent the back flow of water into the chamber. As the air within the chamber expands the water within the chamber is expelled through the output tube causing the enclosure to float higher on the reservoir and the float to float lower within the enclosure. When the water level within the enclosure drops to a predetermined level, valves open to recharge the mechanism with water and cool air.

Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning a pre-strung web onto a racket characterized by an elongated base supporting a pair of carriages for reciprocal, colinear movement. A plurality of stretcher bars are supported by the base between the carriages to stretch the web row-by-row away from a central axis. Links are provided to selectively couple the stretcher bars to the carriages.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated safety receptacle and plug characterized by a receptacle having a first pair of electrical contacts extending through a support member, and an over-center drop-out member hinged to the support member and carrying a second pair of electrical contacts. When a magnetic plug is inserted into a recess provided in the front of the support member the drop-out member is magnetically attracted towards the support member so that the first pair of electrical contacts and the second pair of electrical contacts abut to provide power to the plug. The hinge attaching the drop-out member to the support member is articulated so that the contacts can wipe against each other to remove any oxide build up. An industrial version of this invention includes a gas tight enclosure surrounding the drop-out member and the interior contacts to prevent accidental ignition of combustible gases.

Abstract: A method for producing a high porosity ceramic material characterized by the steps of: (1) wetting a finely divided, non-crystalline, amorphous silica with a wetting agent; (2) combining the wetted silica with a ceramic slip to produce a mixture; and (3) removing the majority of the wetting agent to produce a solid, low-density, highly porous bisque. The bisque if preferably partially covered with an impermeable coating, and an aromatic fluid is applied to an exposed surface of the bisque for absorption into the body of the bisque.

Abstract: An improved bicycle drive assembly characterized by an elongated, rotary drive shaft, a front gear assembly coupling the forward end of the drive shaft to the bicycle's crank-and-pedal assembly, a disk gear provided with a plurality of radial grooves on its outer face, a torque-shift gear assembly slidingly engaged to the drive shaft and keyed for mutual rotation therewith, and an adjustable spring assembly for biasing the torque-shift gear assembly towards the center of the disk gear. As the torque on the drive shaft is increased the torque-shift gear assembly is forced laterally out across the face of the disk gear to cause a down-shift in gear ratios. As the torque on the drive shaft decreases the spring assembly forces the torque-shift gear back towards the center of the disk gear to up-shift the gearing ratio.

Abstract: A patient positioning device characterized by a horizontal support beam, a pair of motors coupled to the support beam, a first cable and hook assembly associated with a first motor, a second cable and hook assembly associated with a second motor, and a motor controller operative to selectively actuate the first motor, the second motor, or both motors simultaneously. Rigid, body contoured supports and/or flexible slings are coupled to one or both of the motors to selectively lift portions of a patient's body from a bed.

Abstract: A method for stringing a racquet characterized by forming a linearly expansible pre-strung web having a plurality of rows of diamond shaped interstices and then stretching said web row-by-row along a linear axis of expansion by starting with the innermost rows of the web and proceeding symmetrically outwardly to the outermost rows of said web. As a final step, the linearly expanded web is laced to the head of a racquet. An apparatus for accomplishing the above method is characterized by an elongated base supporting a pair of carriages for reciprocal, colinear movement. A plurality of stretcher bars are supported by the base between the carriages to stretch the web row-by-row away from a central axis. Links are provided to selectively couple the stretcher bars to the carriages.

Abstract: A generator characterized by a circular track attached to the relieved circumferential surface of a wheel, a carriage coupled to the track by rotary bearings, a generator supported by the carriage, and a clutch wheel coupling an armature of the generator to the track. The track, which preferably has a T shaped cross section, has a driving surface which causes the clutch wheel to rotate when there is relative motion between the track and the carriage and/or between the carriage and the air within the tire.

Abstract: A solar powered liquid metering device is disclosed including a solar chamber sealed from atmospheric pressure and partialy filled with a liquid to be metered. Trapped within the device above the liquid is an expansible gas. Also included is an overflow chamber partially filled with the liquid and coupled to the solar chamber to allow fluid communication between the two bodies of liquid. An overflow pipe has an end located within the overflow chamber. When the gas expands due to solar heating liquid is forced from the solar chamber into the overflow chamber and then out the overflow pipe. Various mechanisms are described to keep the liquid level within the overflow chamber no lower than the lip of the overflow pipe.