Abstract: A brake assembly and method are provided wherein a shaft having a bore rotates about a rod such that a flexible ring member positioned within a groove of the rod expands into frictional contact with the shaft bore wall for restricting rotation of the shaft when pressure is increased in a chamber formed between the flexible ring member and a bottom portion of the groove. The brake assembly for use with a model vehicle incorporates an onboard air pressure tank which suppplies pressure to the chamber forcing the O-ring into frictional contact with a rotating hub for bringing the rotating hub to a stop. A pressure regulator valve having both high and low pressure sources provides multiple pressure levels to the chamber for imparting varying frictional forces to the rotating hub for taking the vehicle through a controlled slowing and stopping action.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle is disclosed of the type in which the ground engaging wheels are retracted during marine operation. The vehicle has, among other things, an arrangement in which the side surfaces of the tires act to provide a primary water seal when ground engaging wheels are retracted. Such amphibious vehicle also includes a secondary securing mechanism for locking the wheel suspensions in their retracted positions, and means for filling a space between two parts of the suspension with a hydrophobic substance, such as a grease, whenever the wheels are retracted.

Abstract: An adjusting device of brake rods for bicycles includes a connector, two rods and two receivers. The two rods each has first and second ends, the first end thereof rotatably engaged to the connector and the second end thereof having a threaded portion for engaged to the receiver which is pivotally engaged to a brake arm. A user adjusts the rod by rotating the rod corresponding to the receiver.

Abstract: A brake shoe for spot-type disc brakes. The novel brake shoe incorporates a retaining spring which is fixed to the brake shoe's backplate and which is intended to engage a hollow portion of a brake piston. Preferably the backplate is coated with a silencing varnish paint for noise abatement. A fixing section of the retaining spring is formed with a step which is in abutment against the backplate in a range devoid of silencing varnish paint. The retaining spring is secured to safeguard against twisting. The operability of the retaining spring is preserved, independently of the accidental thickness of the layer of silencing varnish paint.

Abstract: A barge for the commercial shipping of cargo along an inland waterway having an economically optimized bow, a stern, elongated sidewalls extending between the bow and the stern, and a bottom interconnecting the bow, stern and sidewalls. The bow has a profile within a longitudinal centerline plane of symmetry defined by a fullness which is defined by a block coefficient. The bow also has a corresponding radius within the longitudinal centerline plane. The fullness and the radius of the bow are optimized for economic performance of the barge, which is dependent upon revenue generated by shipping cargo in the barge along a waterway, fuel costs associated with overcoming resistance to propel the barge along a waterway, and maintenance and repair costs associated with propelling the barge along a waterway. The barge has a block coefficient in the range of about 0.96 to about 0.988, with a corresponding radius ranging from about 10' to about 22'.

Abstract: A drum brake arrangement for vehicle axles has an axle body and a support plate connected thereto. A bearing lever is fixed to the support plate. A brake camshaft has a first and a second end and is actuatable by a brake cylinder. The brake camshaft has a brake cam connected to the first end. A support bearing and another bearing for rotatably supporting the brake cam shaft on the axle body are provided. A slack adjuster is connected to the second end of the brake camshaft and has a housing with a cylindrical bore. The slack adjuster has a worm gear, connected to the brake camshaft, for adjusting the drum brake according to wear of the brake pads. The worm gear has a first profiled section extending parallel to its axis. The brake camshaft has a second profiled section extending parallel to its axis. The first and second profiled sections mesh with one another for fastening the worm gear on the brake camshaft. The slack adjuster has a bearing ring supported in the housing for receiving the bearing lever.

Abstract: A flotation system for supporting a person on a body of water for a variety of activities comprises an endless inflatable tube for supporting a person on a body of water, the tube having a circumference that defines an interior space extending from a stern end of the tube to a bow end of the tube. At least a portion of the interior space is open at the stern end. A seat platform is secured to the tube within the interior space at a location whereby a person sitting on the seat platform may face the stern end and extend his feet and legs through the open portion of the interior space into the body of water. The flotation system comprises a storage pack adapted to fit between the seat platform and the bow end. The storage pack is designed to hold the water vehicle in its uninflated condition for stowage and may be designed to be carried (much like a suitcase) or worn (much like a backpack) or both.

Abstract: A motor vehicle suspension system with a jounce bumper comprising a rigid support having a rigid cylindrical wall, an outer bumper member having an open end and a substantially closed end, the outer bumper member defining a cylindrical passage bordered by an inner cylindrical wall at its open end, wherein the open end is mounted radially interior of the rigid cylindrical wall, and an inner bumper member of cylindrical shape and size to fit within he cylindrical passage, having a radially exterior surface radially interfering with a predetermined axial length of the inner cylindrical wall, wherein, during compression of the outer bumper member, the inner bumper member cooperates with the rigid cylindrical wall to trap the open end of the outer bumper member, wherein the spring rate of the outer bumper is passively increased by the inner bumper cooperating with the rigid cylindrical wall.

Abstract: A buffer comprising a plunger slidable in a ported tube. A metal tubular member circumferentially surrounds that part of the ported tube in which all the flow resisting ports are formed and is the radially inner wall of an annular space filled with compressed gas. The outer wall of an annular space is formed by a tubular membrane. The annular chamber between the ported tube and the metal tubular member is part of a low pressure reservoir of the buffer and communicates via an annular passage in the closed end of the buffer with the remainder of the reservoir which is an annular chamber formed between the tubular membrane and the outer tubular wall of the buffer. The metal tubular member shields the tubular membrane from the damaging effects of jets of liquid forced through the flow resisting ports during compression of the buffer.

Abstract: A shock and vibration isolator having a diaphragm and a bumper attached to the diaphragm. The bumper is also provided with a damper attached to the bumper. The isolator has an internal chamber in which an incompressible fluid and a compressible fluid within the chamber are in contact with each other and in which the damper is submerged. The diaphragm has a flexible fabric imbedded in the diaphragm and extending into the sidewall.

Abstract: A steering arm assembly for a railway truck has an undercut compound radius between the body portion and the longitudinal segment on of each side arm in order to decrease the stress intensity at this location, which resultantly provides increased flexural strength to the assembly while maintaining the clearance between the steering arm and truck components.

Abstract: A hose system for brakes of vehicles adapted to replace the flexible hose of a vehicle that extends from the pre-existing brake caliper of a vehicle through a bracket and to the pre-existing brake master cylinder of the vehicle. The system includes a flexible hose of stainless steel braid protected extruded Teflon material having a whip dampening member mounted on the hose receivable in the pre-existing bracket of the vehicle.

Abstract: An adjustable shock absorber is provided having means for adjusting the damping curves and breakover characteristics of the shock absorber while the shock absorber is installed in a vehicle. The shock absorber has a generally elongated cylindrical body defined by concentrically mounted inner and outer cylinders. A pair of end caps mounted on the ends of the inner and outer cylinders retain a working medium therein. Disposed within the elongated inner cylinder is a movable piston defining upper and lower chambers. Working medium is transportable between the upper and lower chambers via an annular passage formed between the inner and outer cylinders. A plurality of adjustable valves are disposed in the path of transportation of the working medium for providing an adjustable damping function.

Abstract: Frictional resistance to motion of a boat is reduced by generating an unconfined layer of intermixed air bubbles and water adjacent at least a portion of the hull of the boat including at upcurving side surfaces of the hull. In the preferred form of the invention, an array of spaced apart airflow apertures in the hull extends outward and upward at each side of the keel at a plurality of locations along the hull. Air is forced through the apertures by a compressor or a forward facing air scoop or by a combination of both. In the preferred embodiment, barnacle inhibiting fluid may be released through the array of apertures when the boat is docked or at anchor.

Abstract: A guide plate having an arcuate groove (70) is fixed to the chassis. The guide groove (70) has a first bend (71) at one end, a second bend (72) at the other end, and a third bend (73) at an intermediate position therein. A slide member (8) is provided in the guide groove (70). A coil spring (61) is provided between the slide member (8) and an engagement member (11) of the floating section (1). The slide member (8) is engaged in one of the bends (72-73) in accordance with the angle of installation of a disc player to the horizon or vertical. The coil spring (61) is set so as to extend vertically at all times to support the floating section.

Abstract: A berthing type of watercraft having a main hull that is devoid of any propulsion unit and which defines a passenger compartment to receive a plurality of passengers and a berthing area to receive a smaller watercraft having a propulsion device for powering the watercraft when received in the berthing area. There is provided a pair of storage compartments on the opposite sides of the berthing area where riders may sit with their feet in the berthing area. A detachable table can be stored in a storage compartment on one side of the berthing area for use by the seated riders. A bridge also extends over the rear portion of the berthing area and provides an arrangemen for lifting the rear of the small watercraft out of the water. In addition, a canopy may be attached to the bridge to afford protection for the berthing area and the passengers' area.

Abstract: A locking device for selectively securing two movable objects in desired positions relative to each other includes a cylinder and a piston movable within the cylinder and defining first and second working chambers of variable volumes. A fluid exchange connection provided on the piston includes a flow chamber having openings that communicate with the working chambers. A valve body slidably received on the piston in sealed relation is biased by a spring into a position closing the opening from the flow chamber to first working chamber. When the fluid pressure in the second working chamber exceeds a predetermined amount and acts on the valve body, the valve body is moved against the spring bias and opens to allow fluid to flow through the fluid exchange connection. In the open position, a larger area of the valve body is exposed to the pressure in the second chamber.

Abstract: A mounting plate assembly for use in isolating vibration between a motor and a support member is disclosed. A motor is securely mounted to the mounting plate. The mounting plate has a plurality of openings in the outer portion of the plate to receive fasteners for mounting the mounting plate to a support member. An elastomeric gasket is molded to the mounting plate and encompasses the openings about the outer perimeter in the mounting plate. The gasket has bosses formed therein which extend through the openings in the mounting plate. The bosses have, at the openings in the mounting plate, an external diameter which is substantially less than the openings in the mounting plate at least in one direction perpendicular to the axis of the opening. Preferably, the openings in the mounting plate are elongated in a direction tangential to an axis of rotation of the motor drive shaft so that the motor can articulate in a rotational direction with respect to the support member.

Abstract: A readjusting device wherein the readjusting process is pressure-controlled and is readjusted upon a decreasing brake pressure.The frictional cone is placed in the piston and the sealant is provided between the rotatable readjusting member and the interior wall of the piston. Advantageous embodiments of the readjusting control are disclosed which employ a differential pressure process and improvements in the restoring pattern of the adjusting device.

Abstract: A hull for a boat comprising a main hull bottom having a pair of hull bottom sides, each side having a first longitudinal inner edge and a second outer edge, with the hull bottom sides connected along the first inner edges and extending transversely upwardly and outwardly therefrom in a generally "V" shaped transverse cross section, each of the hull bottom sides having a main portion angled outwardly and upwardly from the first inner edge, and each of the hull bottom sides having a chine angled outwardly and downwardly from the main portion along a majority of the length of the second edge, a substantially vertical transom at the aft ends of the hull bottom sides, and a pair of raised after planing surfaces having forward ends at the transom and projecting aft of the transom and substantially parallel to and stepped slightly above the hull bottom sides immediately in front of the after planing surfaces, and the raised after planing surfaces also projecting aft generally parallel to and slightly above the chin