Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.

Abstract: The method of making bread products without animal shortenings and/or vegetable oils comprises substituting waxy barley flour made from processed or unprocessed, hulled or nonhulled waxy barley for shortenings and/or oils. Bread products comprising waxy barley flour less the shortenings and/or oils which were one of the staple ingredients for making bread products, are essentially fat free, have a longer shelf life and are healthier for people than conventional bread products.

Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.

Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for measuring heart rate is provided which comprises a sensor for generating a signal which includes the biopotential signal produced by a heart. This signal is filtered, amplified and digitized. A computer autocorrelates the digitized signal. A plurality of signal indication routines then scan the autocorrelated output for the presence of periodic signals. Each of the signal indication routines uses different search or filter criteria, such as peak and wave form detection, and generates one (and in some cases, several) candidate heart rates. An arbitrator then selects one of the candidate heart rates according to predetermined criteria. These criteria include the value of previously selected heart rates. In one embodiment, the signal indication and arbitration routines are especially well-suited for measuring the heart rate of a user while exercising on a stair climbing machine or treadmill.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing barley food ingredients, comprising the steps of pearling, tempering and stabilizing grain from barley lines having the waxy phenotype, and thereafter forming the grain into a cereal ingredient. Pearling the grain may comprise removing from about 5 weight percent to about 15 weight percent of the bran and germ. Tempering may comprise achieving a moisture content of about 12% to about 16% in about 2 to about 3 hours. Stabilizing the grain may comprise heating the grain in a bulk material radiation processor, preferably to a temperature between about 235 and 260 degrees Fahrenheit for a time between about 1 and about 7 minutes. Cereal ingredients may be formed by rolling the grain to a flake thickness from about 0.007 to about 0.030 inches. Barley food ingredients and compositions are disclosed, including cereals and snack foods.

Abstract: An exercise management system is disclosed for maintaining a user's level of exercise intensity (such as measured by heart rate) at a target level while exercising. In one embodiment, the system includes a movement member (such as pedals) which is engaged by the user to provide an exercise movement. The movement member is selectively adjustable to varying the intensity of exercise performed by the user. A heart rate sensor indicates the user's heart rate, and a computer adjusts the movement member in accordance with the heart rate signal to establish and maintain the user's heart rate near the target level. The user may periodically disengage the heart rate sensor for a limited time, during which time the computer maintains the user's heart rate near the target level by adjusting load in accordance with the user's rate of exercise (such as measured by rpm).

Abstract: Both indirect and counterflow direct heating are utilized in a dryer to achieve improved efficiency with a reduced tendency to char or damage the treated material. A horizontal drum has a first segment of aluminum and a second section of stainless steel and is disposed within a heating chamber which is divided into two sections by a baffle. Hot combustion gases are introduced to the chamber and flow to the end of the heating chamber to the rear of the drum and enter the drum. The gases counterflow through the drum in a direction opposite to material moving through the drum to exchange heat. The gases remove moisture from the material and exit the drum into a preheat zone of the chamber where the moisture laden gases condense on the drum's surfaces. The exhaust gases then proceed up two stacks. The interior surfaces of the heating chamber and the preheat chamber are insulated to increase thermal efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring heart rate is provided which comprises a sensor for generating a signal which includes the biopotential signal produced by a heart. This signal is filtered, amplified and digitized. A microcomputer autocorrelates the digitized signal. A plurality of signal indication routines then scan the autocorrelated output for the presence of periodic signals. Each of the signal indication routines uses different search criteria, such as peak and waveform detection, and generates a candidate heart rate. An arbitrator then selects one of the candidate heart rates according to predetermined criteria. These criteria include the value of previously selected heart rates.

Abstract: A step type exercise apparatus is disclosed in which two pedal members are connected for reciprocating movement by a chain which, in turn, operates through a transmission providing a resistive force to the pedals. The resistive force is supplied by an alternator which is controlled by a computer. Means are provided to lubricate the chain thereby prolonging the life of the chain.

Abstract: A blacktop plant has a rotatable cylindrical mixing drum. The drum is disposed within a chamber which is divided into two chambers by a baffle through which the drum penetrates. The forward section of the heating chamber preheats the material which is fed into the drum for heating and recovers latent heat from the water vapor in the heating chamber exhaust. The second chamber has a multiplicity of burners mounted beneath the drum and aligned with the drum axis. Each heater is partially baffled from adjacent heaters by zonal baffles. The heaters are rotatively mounted to a frame upon which the heating chamber and drum are mounted and may be rotated to change the angle with which the burner flame impinges upon the drum. Quadrant plates partition the drum along its axis to form the drum into four equal quadrants. The quadrant plates have drop slots which allow the material to pass from one quadrant to another.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for asphalt paving in which existing asphalt pavement is removed, mixed with additives and relaid as a fresh layer of pavement. The apparatus includes a train, composed of a series of cars or trailers, which is adapted to move along the roadway. The train includes a fuel operated electrical generating unit which generates electricity that is transmitted through a power line extending along the length of the train. The hot gases of combustion from the generating unit are discharged into contact with the pavement to pre-heat the pavement. Following the pre-heater in the train, is a microwave heating unit which is connected to the power line and operates to soften the pavement. Additional aggregate, asphalt and other additives can be applied to the existing softened pavement ahead of a planar, or other pavement removing unit.