Abstract: An improved eddy current braking system for fly wheel braked exercise equipment includes the use of a flat aluminum disc and electromagnets to either side of the disc adjacent to the periphery thereof, with the electromagnets containing multiple pole pieces to multiply the torque so as to reduce heating and power consumption. The utilization of aluminum achieves a flat torque versus speed characteristic vis-a-vis copper discs over the normal operating speed range. Additionally, the utilization of aluminum prevents the warpage associated with copper.

Abstract: An auxiliary cylinder is provided as an adjustable volume accumulator in communication with the two hydraulic ram cylinders utilized to phase the steps utilized in stair climbing apparatus. Step height adjustment is facilitated by providing the auxiliary cylinder with a ram and a positioning lever, with step height adjustment being accomplished through the removal of oil from the system by backing off the ram. Moving the ram forward replaces oil lost during carry out. The subject system facilitates rapid step height adjustment, facilitates lowering of the steps for permitting under-bed storage through the dropping of the steps, and makes up fluid loss during carry out for preventing step height loss. Additionally, operating cylinder component sizing is used to minimize step height growth due to thermal expansion of the fluid in the system.

Abstract: A friction-reduction system for causing the front wheels of a terrorist vehicle to leave the ground during sideward deflection of a terrorist vehicle by an arresting system which includes a rigid immovable crash barrier positioned at one side of a driveway and a deflector positioned at the other side of the driveway. In one embodiment the friction-reduction system includes a transverse ridge or bump across the driveway just before the point of impact of the deflector such that the front wheels of the speeding vehicle leave the ground at the time of impact and following deflection. This minimizes the physical pressure on the deflector making it possible to provide a lighter and more efficient deflector and one which assures deflection of the vehicle. In another embodiment, a ramp with a transverse drop off is used in place of the ridge; with the ramp either rising or dropping away just ahead of the deflection point.

Abstract: A dispenser for use in applying soap or other lubricants to wires to be pulled through conduits includes a slotted resilient canister capable of accommodating different size wires in a central bore, with the canister being filled with lubricant-retaining spronge-like material. The canister slot is adapted to receive a sponge-like and soap-filled insert which is placed in the longitudinal slot, with the slot providing access for the wires to the central bore. In one embodiment, all spong-like materials are packaged within apertured bags, thereby to prevent spillage while permitting the lubrication or soaping of wires or cables inserted into the central bore of the canister through the slot, with 360 degree lubrication being achieved through squeezing of the canister about the wire as it is pulled through the canister. One embodiment includes a rotatable canister cover or sleeve to lock the insertable piece to the resilient container.

Abstract: An SCA receiver is provided which has a close to ideal passband characteristic which greatly improves frequency response to produce a brighter sound due to the use of ceramic resonator elements. The use of ceramic resonator elements and a superheterodyne approach also provides a receiver which can be rapidly aligned and which has improved noise protection, lower distortion, increased stability, less residual subcarrier in the audio, and more consistent performance from one unit to the next. In one embodiment the superheterodynes circuit operates at 455 kHz which up-converts the usual 67 kHz signal by mixing it with the output of a ceramic resonator controlled local oscillator/mixer. The ceramic resonator and ceramic filter along with the local oscillator/mixer I.C. provides low group delay, improved impulse noise rejection, while most importantly achieving at least an order of magnitude better audio response over the signal bandwidth.

Abstract: A universal seal cage lantern ring (USCLR) is provided with a slotted land type structure on both sides of a flexible central web, with the USCLR being constructed in a continuous undefined length, so that lantern rings can be cut to size therefrom, with the USCLR being adapted to wrap around a shaft so as to form a single complete ring around any given size shaft for which it is cut. The structure resembles an I-beam in which the I-beam flanges have been transversely slotted on both sides of the central web. When used for small diameter shafts, this structure prevents fracture or snapping of the ring due to the flexibility of the central web and the slots between lands on both sides of the ring.

Abstract: A range camera is provided for the determination of range to an object through the utilization of a system which projects a limited depth of field light pattern onto an object and measures the blurring of the pattern on the object. In one embodiment an anisotropic aperture or astigmatic optics are used in combination with an isotropic pattern to eliminate system error introduced by the camera. The anisotropic aperture provides that blurring takes place only in a given direction, with measurement of blurring in an orthogonal direction providing an output only responsive to the blurring associated with the camera. This blurring can then be subtracted out to eliminate system error from the range measurement. The range camera is operative to produce a range picture or map, with optional outputs providing localized albedo and a conventional brightness image.

Abstract: An arcuate hand rail for exercise equipment accommodates both varying height individuals as well as individuals leaning towards the exercise machine by orienting and positioning the arcuate hand rail such that a vertical tangent thereto lies at or adjacent the average vertical center line of an exercising individual on the exercise apparatus in a stand-up orientation. This placement of the tangent point at or adjacent the average vertical center line of the standing individual permits a wide range of individuals to grasp the hand rail when exercising in a stand-up mode, with elbows bent in a comfort range of 15.degree.-55.degree. to the horizontal while at the same time, as an additional benefit, providing arm-extended grip points for comfortable lean-forward exercise.

Abstract: An electronic output transformer permits elimination of hum and other ground loop interference from audio signals transmitted between separated pieces of equipment. The transformer has a balanced differential output and feedback circuits which force the differential output voltage to equal the input voltage, and which force the current in the balanced output lines to be precisely equal and out-of-phase. This permits hum and extraneous signal rejection at the input of the remotely located piece of equipment and results in common mode rejection ratios in excess of 100 db.

Abstract: Ultrasonic echo ranging techniques and voice synthesis are used to provide a cost-effective convenient means of determining aircraft altitude during the landing phase of flight to overcome parallax problems, thereby to permit proper flare out, while maintaining constant visual contact down the runway during the landing procedure. In one embodiment a visual height indication or audible altitude annunciation is provided by through-the-air sonar ranging, with the display changing or an annunciation made only when the plane descends through predetermined altitudes such as 50, 25, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 feet. In the above embodiment the height is called out by converting a number representing height to a number which is audiblized in a human voice. This height annunciation technique may also be used with microwave range detection apparatus. In various embodiments, the altitude call outs may be periodic, for predetermined changes in altitude, or upon reaching predetermined heights above the runway.

Abstract: A range camera is provided for the determination of range to an object through the utilization of a system which projects a limited depth of field light pattern onto an object and measures the blurring of the pattern on the object. In one embodiment an anisotropic aperture or astigmatic optics are used in combination with an isotropic pattern to eliminate system error introduced by the camera. The anisotropic aperture provides that blurring takes place only in a given direction, with measurement of blurring in an orthogonal direction providing an output only responsive to the blurring associated with the camera. This blurring can then be subtracted out to eliminate system error from the range measurement. The range camera is operative to produce a range picture or map, with optional outputs providing localized albedo and a conventional brightness image.

Abstract: Edge-reinforced packing is provided for steam service, with wire-reinforced secondary yarns on carriers driven along one or more diagonal tracks of a braiding machine to provide edge-reinforcing which reduces valve stem abrasion while providing sufficient resistance to high pressure, high temperature steam leakage. Wire-reinforcing only the edges of the packing minimizes the amount of reinforcing wire necessary to counteract high pressure steam and thus minimizes valve stem wear. An offset, alternating braid embodiment further reduces wire usage at the packing edges, while at the same time providing complete circumferential reinforced sealing around the valve stem. In cases where the offset braiding results in voids in the steam barrier produced by the reinforced braid, keystone-resisting technology corrects this problem. In one embodiment, the packing is a non-asbestos packing which eliminates both hardening and packing disintegration normally associated with so called "plastic-core" packings.

Abstract: A gardening trowel is provided to permit easy loosening of earth around plants and the like through the utilization of a handle which is substantially offset from the center line of the trowel to simultaneously provide a pushing post and a lever arm such that the heel of the palm is utilized to press the point of the trowel into the earth. This same offset handle is utilized along with an asymmetric trowel blade to permit easy rotation of the blade, such that upon insertion, the trowel may be rotated by the side or heel of the hand due to the lever arm provided by the offset handle, so as to easily rotate the blade even after insertion of the blade into packed, hardened earth.

Abstract: A relational database is created and queried through the use of an outliner-style text editor which permits automatic generation of data entry forms for the creation of records. Data entry and editing are simplified and errors are minimized because changes in the outline are automatically reflected in the data entry forms and thus the automatically updated records. Data retrieval is driven through the manipulation of the outline to allow simple and complex queries without utilizing a database programming language. A specialized global field is utilized in which identical field names may be repetitively inserted into several databases. In the data entry mode, a global value can be set and that value is automatically inserted into each database record containing that global field as they are created so that relations are made automatically within the various databases.

Abstract: An electromechanical and more particularly an electromagnetic brake is utilized in the control of exercise equipment including escalator type stair-climbing apparatus, in which electronically controllable torque, including a clamping torque, is applied to a rotary shaft to load the exercise equipment, thereby giving complete electronic control to the operation of the exercise apparatus including a safety locking function.

Abstract: A terrorist vehicle arresting system includes a rigid immovable crash barrier postioned at one side of a driveway and a turnstile having a circular sector positioned at the other side of the driveway in such a manner that upon entrance of an unauthorized vehicle through a corresponding gate across the entrance of the driveway, means are provided to rotate the turnstile such that the turnstile deflects the vehicle into the crash barrier. In a further embodiment, two opposing turnstiles are used to wedge an oncoming vehicle therebetween. In one embodiment, the terrorist vehicle arresting system includes a rope-barrier attached to an elevating and lowering mechanism on one side of the driveway and is attached at its other end to the turnstile, such that upon the unauthorized attempted entrance and the striking of the rope-barrier, the turnstile is rotated by the rope-barrier into the driveway, diverting the vehicle into the crash-barrier.

Abstract: In studio, stage or field applications, high fidelity audio signals are transmitted to a remote processor in digital form in order to solve the problems of audio degradation, cross talk, ground loops and multi-cable problems associated with the analog transmission of multiple channels of audio over long distances. In one embodiment a TDM/FDM multiplexing system is utilized with increased bandwidth and dynamic range compared to data and telephone multiplexing systems to accommodate high fidelity requirements. In an embodiment involving a distributed system, multiple MUX and DEMUX modules are coupled in a distributive fashion along a light-weight transmission line, in which each of the modules is assigned a predetermined transmission frequency and with each of the modules having a number of audio inputs which are time-multiplexed for that particular MUX module and frequency.

Abstract: Dual facing diammetrically-opposed either independently activatable or electrically or mechanically linked exercise stations are provided on a common base so diammetrically-opposed users can have an unobstructed view of each other and so that common components can serve each station. The dual facing machines having common structural components, common energy absorption components, common housing components, common hand rail components and common instrument components provide for diammetrically-opposed users in a close relationship so that both social as well as face-to-face competitive exercise is acheivable through interactive control of the exercise stations. Dual facing machines include dual stairclimbing devices, dual exercise bicycles, dual rowing machines or dual tread mill devices.