Abstract: A universal mount bicycle power meter module has a base member with first and second ends and a narrow central portion which is relatively compressible in response to applied forces. Firmly secured to the first end is an internally threaded mounting nut in registration with an aperture in the first end. The nut secures the first end of the base member to an externally threaded end portion of a bicycle axle. The second end of the base member is configured to be firmly secured to a rear frame portion of a bicycle using a mounting clamp. A strain gauge sensor assembly is mounted on the central portion of the base member to generate resistance values representative of the amount of compression in the central portion. The sensor assembly is coupled to a signal processing unit having circuitry for converting the resistance values and bicycle velocity signals from an associated bicycle speedometer to cyclist power signals.

Abstract: An intelligent fastener having a head and an externally threaded shank for threaded engagement with a structural member. The head has a recess formed in the top surface for mounting an RFID tag with a memory containing information specific to the fastener—such as fastener identification, specified torque value and other information—an antenna for enabling bidirectional communication with an RFID tag reader, and a torque value sensor for determining the torque applied to the fastener by a fastener installation tool. Once installed, the existing torque on a collection of fasteners is measured by using an RFID tag reader to scan the information stored in the memory of each fastener.

Abstract: A bicycle power meter has a strain gauge sensor assembly mounted on a relatively compressible portion of the end of the rear fork of the bicycle frame. The relatively compressible portion is near the rear hub and subject to the forces exerted by the cyclist to the crankset, and transferred via the chain, and sprocket assembly to the hub. The sensor assembly has two ohmically interconnected stretch sensors each having a first layer bearing a variable resistance element, whose resistance changes with displacement of the compressible portion, and a second layer for providing support for the first layer. The sensor assembly is connected in a bridge circuit to two other resistances to generate signals representative of cyclist applied force. These signals are processed along with velocity signals to generate power signals and the power signals are supplied to a display.

Abstract: An electric motor driven fan device has a base member with walls forming an enclosure, an electrically powered motor located within the enclosure and having an output shaft coupled via a bearing mounted in an upper wall of the base member to one end of a flexible drive shaft rotatably enclosed in a bendable sheath secured to the base member. The other end of the flexible drive shaft is coupled via a second bearing to a driven shaft secured to a multi-bladed fan. The other end of the bendable sheath is secured to the outer race of the second bearing. The predominant mass of the device is at the bottom, which reduces the footprint of the lower portion. The bendable sheath enables the attitude of the fan to be manually adjusted.

Abstract: A binder management system having a cabinet with shelves for removable storage of searchable binders. Each binder has a body with front and rear covers and a spine. Inside the body is a binder mechanism for removably retaining sheet media. Each binder has externally extending upper and tower ohmic contact members which ohmically engage conductive members mounted on the shelf surfaces near the front. Each binder has a binder identification circuit coupled to an LED mounted on the binder spine in a location visible when the binder rests on a shelf. When a binder identification signal from a host computer is presented to the shelf conductive members it is transferred by the binder contact members to the binder identification circuit. If the signal matches, the LED is activated to aid the user in finding the binder. An LED and an optional audible indicator are mounted on the shelves to further aid the user in finding the sought binder.

Abstract: A pedometer has first and second signal generators mounted along the inner margin of a first shoe and separated by a fixed distance. A sensor and transmitter assembly is mounted along the inner margin of a second shoe. The sensor and transmitter assembly includes a sensor, a microcontroller unit and a wireless transmitter. A pair of impulses is received by the microcontroller unit each time the shoes pass in close proximity to each other. The microcontroller unit generates various pedestrian performance data based on the impulses. The pedestrian performance data is wirelessly transmitted to a display unit carried by the pedestrian.

Abstract: A bicycle power meter has a strain gauge sensor assembly mounted on a relatively compressible portion of the end of the rear fork of the bicycle frame. The relatively compressible portion is near the rear hub and subject to the forces exerted by the cyclist to the crankset, and transferred via the chain, and sprocket assembly to the hub. The sensor assembly has two ohmically interconnected stretch sensors each having a first layer bearing a variable resistance element, whose resistance changes with displacement of the compressible portion, and a second layer for providing support for the first layer. The sensor assembly is connected in a bridge circuit to two other resistances to generate signals representative of cyclist applied force. These signals are processed along with velocity signals to generate power signals and the power signals are supplied to a display.