Abstract: Employing a set of open gears in a bicycle drivetrain allows disengaging the connection between the crank arms and the driven wheel. When the fold axis passes approximately through the mesh plane between the aforementioned gears, and said axis is offset from the center plane of the gears in the direction of the fold by at least one-half the gear width, by design even a small angular displacement around the fold axis opens instantly producing a gap between the gears that increases as the fold proceeds, thus breaking and disengaging the connection between the crank arms and driven wheel, thus leaving the displacement of the fold to complete its angular cycle without regard or interference from the newly separated drivetrain. In its folded configuration, the bicycle can roll backwards, forwards, and spin or pirouette on its own axis.

Abstract: This invention is an easily assembled and disassembled exercise dumbbell that derives the majority of its adjustable weight from the addition of monetary coins. The number of coins used determines the weight of the dumbbell, thereby making possible very small incremental increases in the dumbbell's effective total weight. The weight of the dumbbell's handle assembly can be multiplied up to nine times in its heaviest dumbbell configuration. Additional weight may be achieved with the use of small metal slugs. Due to the use of a specialized screw head, the dumbbell can be assembled and disassembled with only the use of a coin (no standard screwdriver is necessary). With all coins removed, this dumbbell makes an excellent lightweight travelling companion.

Abstract: The addition of a lockable second axis of crank arm rotation roughly parallel to the structural neutral axis of the crank arm enables a reduction in bicycle storage or shipping volume substantially more effectively and easily than current removable or folding pedal designs. This second axis passes through an adapter, one at each end of the bottom bracket. The adapter restricts any motion of the crank arm to normal pedaling or rotating the crank around the second pedal axis to a storage position. A locking key(s) and retainer prevent any inadvertent crank arm movement. This invention is not dependent on pedal design. Any standard pedal may be employed.

Abstract: Employing a set of open gears in a bicycle drivetrain allows disengaging the connection between the crank arms and the driven wheel. When the fold axis passes approximately through the mesh plane between the aforementioned gears, and said axis is offset from the center plane of the gears in the direction of the fold by at least one-half the gear width, by design even a small angular displacement around the fold axis opens instantly producing a gap between the gears that increases as the fold proceeds, thus breaking and disengaging the connection between the crank arms and driven wheel, thus leaving the displacement of the fold to complete its angular cycle without regard or interference from the newly separated drivetrain. In its folded configuration, the bicycle can roll backwards, forwards, and spin or pirouette on its own axis.

Abstract: A method of deflection routing a packet in an all-optical communication network is described. Routing and destination information is contained in the address header of the packet and is generated by the originating node while still in the electrical domain before conversion to the optical domain. Receiving nodes process the address header in the optical domain using the information for their node from the address header. The address header is comprised of N node fields where N is the number of nodes on the optical network. Each node field contains routing information for a node on the optical network. Each node field contains at least one port field containing routing and address information associated with a port in the node.

Abstract: An engine which employs a cam follower mechanism to reduce wear and reduce the size of an assembled engine. The cam follower mechanism utilizes guide rails located to reduce side thrust on the valve stem. The engine employs a high speed quill shaft to synchronize independent cam shafts existing in each of a plurality of interconnected engines. The engine is assembled using a single size fastener to provide a uniform stress gradient within the engine. The engines are interconnected utilizing O-ring seals. The engine provides a piston crown utilizing a connecting rod directly connected to the bottom surface of the piston crown. The piston crown is stabilized along the longitudinal cylinder axis by a rail guide. Connecting rods are provided which require less than one hundred eighty degrees (180°) circumference of a crankshaft pin for support so that a plurality of connecting rods can be associated with a single crankshaft pin.

Abstract: An engine which employs a cam follower mechanism to reduce wear and reduce the size of an assembled engine. The cam follower mechanism utilizes guide rails located to reduce side thrust on the valve stem. The engine employs a high speed quill shaft to synchronize independent cam shafts existing in each of a plurality of interconnected engines. The engine is assembled using a single size fastener to provide a uniform stress gradient within the engine. The engines are interconnected utilizing O-ring seals. The engine provides a piston crown utilizing a connecting rod directly connected to the bottom surface of the piston crown. The piston crown is stabilized along the longitudinal cylinder axis by a rail guide. Connecting rods are provided which require less than one hundred eighty degrees (180°) circumference of a crankshaft pin for support so that a plurality of connecting rods can be associated with a single crankshaft pin.

Abstract: An engine which employs a cam follower mechanism to reduce wear and reduce the size of an assembled engine. The cam follower mechanism utilizes guide rails located to reduce side thrust on the valve stem. The engine employs a high speed quill shaft to synchronize independent cam shafts existing in each of a plurality of interconnected engines. The engine is assembled using a single size fastener to provide a uniform stress gradient within the engine. The engines are interconnected utilizing O-ring seals. The engine provides a piston crown utilizing a connecting rod directly connected to the bottom surface of the piston crown. The piston crown is stabilized along the longitudinal cylinder axis by a rail guide. Connecting rods are provided which require less than one hundred eighty degrees (180.degree.) circumference of a crankshaft pin for support so that a plurality of connecting rods can be associated with a single crankshaft pin.

Abstract: An engine which employs a cam follower mechanism to reduce wear and reduce the size of an assembled engine. The cam follower mechanism utilizes guide rails located to reduce side thrust on the valve stem. The engine employs a high speed quill shaft to synchronize independent cam shafts existing in each of a plurality of interconnected engines. The engine is assembled using a single size fastener to provide a uniform stress gradient within the engine. The engines are interconnected utilizing O-ring seals. The engine provides a piston crown utilizing a connecting rod directly connected to the bottom surface of the piston crown. The piston crown is stabilized along the longitudinal cylinder axis by a rail guide. Connecting rods are provided which require less than one hundred eighty degrees (180.degree.) circumference of a crankshaft pin for support so that a plurality of connecting rods can be associated with a single crankshaft pin.

Abstract: An engine which employs a cam follower mechanism to reduce wear and reduce the size of an assembled engine. The cam follower mechanism utilizes guide rails located to reduce side thrust on the valve stem. The engine employs a high speed quill shaft to synchronize independent cam shafts existing in each of a plurality of interconnected engines. The engine is assembled using a single size fastener to provide a uniform stress gradient within the engine. The engines are interconnected utilizing O-ring seals. The engine provides a piston crown utilizing a connecting rod directly connected to the bottom surface of the piston crown. The piston crown is stabilized along the longitudinal cylinder axis by a rail guide. Connecting rods are provided which require less than one hundred eighty degrees (180.degree.) circumference of a crankshaft pin for support so that a plurality of connecting rods can be associated with a single crankshaft pin.

Abstract: An engine which employs a cam follower mechanism to reduce wear and reduce the size of an assembled engine. The cam follower mechanism utilizes guide rails located to reduce side thrust on the valve stem. The engine employs a high speed quill shaft to synchronize independent cam shafts existing in each of a plurality of interconnected engines. The engine is assembled using a single size fastener to provide a uniform stress gradient within the engine. The engines are interconnected utilizing O-ring seals. The engine provides a piston crown utilizing a connecting rod directly connected to the bottom surface of the piston crown. The piston crown is stabilized along the longitudinal cylinder axis by a rail guide. Connecting rods are provided which require less than one hundred eighty degrees (180.degree.) circumference of a crankshaft pin for support so that a plurality of connecting rods can be associated with a single crankshaft pin.

Abstract: A bicycle frame comprises a tapered nose portion having a front sleeve adapted to receive a front wheel-mounting member, a center portion having a tapered upper arm adapted to support a seat and a tapered lower arm having a bottom sleeve adapted to support a bottom bracket/crank assembly, and a tail portion having a rear sleeve adapted to support a rear wheel. The frame may be modular, and some or all of the portions may be of monocoque construction.

Abstract: An engine which employs a cam follower mechanism to reduce wear and reduce the size of an assembled engine. The cam follower mechanism utilizes guide rails located to reduce side thrust on the valve stem. The engine employs a high speed quill shaft to synchronize independent cam shafts existing in each of a plurality of interconnected engines. The engine is assembled using a single size fastener to provide a uniform stress gradient within the engine. The engines are interconnected utilizing O-ring seals. The engine provides a piston crown utilizing a connecting rod directly connected to the bottom surface of the piston crown. The piston crown is stabilized along the longitudinal cylinder axis by a rail guide. Connecting rods are provided which require less than one hundred eighty degrees (180.degree.) circumference of a crankshaft pin for support so that a plurality of connecting rods can be associated with a single crankshaft pin.

Abstract: A bicycle comprises a wheel-supporting frame member, a swing arm mounted on the frame member to pivot about a pivot axis, and a wheel mounted on the pivot arm for rotation about a rotation axis spaced apart from, to the rear of and substantially below the pivot axis. The pivot axis is located relative to the rotation axis such that upward vertical displacements of the rotation axis relative to the pivot axis upon rotation of the swing arm from a neutral position are accompanied by substantial rearward horizontal displacements of the rotation axis relative to the pivot axis. In the case of a rear wheel suspension, the drive chain passes over an idler sheave, which is mounted for rotation on the rear wheel support member generally below the pivot axis with its circumferential support surface for the chain located such that a tangent to it is proximate to the pivot axis.

Abstract: A bicycle comprises a wheel-supporting member having an annular sleeve portion, a stub wheel spindle having a journal portion supported for rotation in the sleeve portion by thin wall, large diameter angular contact bearings, a wheel attachment portion extending laterally out of the sleeve in cantilevered relation, and a wheel having a hub received on the wheel attachment portion of the spindle. The wheel attachment portion of the spindle and the wheel hub have mating tapered surfaces so as to provide precise alignment of the wheel and mating splines so as to couple the wheel to the spindle for rotation. The wheel is fastened to the spindle by a split tapered collet and a latch mechanism that holds the collet in place and is releasable by operation of a single member.

Abstract: A bicycle comprises a frame having a sleeve portion adapted to support a headset assembly and having an annular opening having its axis located substantially in a vertical-longitudinal center plane of the bicycle. The opening has an internal bearing seat surface that supports the outer race of a thin wall large diameter angular contact bearing. A handlebar support member and a front wheel-mounting leg member are joined end to end at a juncture proximate to the bearing by removable fasteners. One of the members has an external bearing seat surface receiving an inner race of the bearing such that the joined members are rotatable within the sleeve.

Abstract: A bicycle comprises a frame having a sleeve portion adapted to support a bottom bracket/crank assembly and having an annular opening having its axis oriented substantially orthogonally to a vertical-longitudinal center plane of the bicycle, a bearing support ring attached to the sleeve portion in cantilevered relation and having an external bearing seat surface oriented substantially orthogonally to the vertical-longitudinal center plane, and a thin wall large diameter angular contact bearing having an inner race received on the bearing seat surface of the ring. A driving sprocket wheel set having an internal bearing seat surface is received on an outer race of the bearing. A first crank member having a crank arm located on the side of the sprocket wheel set opposite from the frame sleeve portion is fastened to the sprocket wheel set for rotation therewith. A sleeve portion of the first crank member overlies the opening in the sleeve portion.