Abstract: Power supplies for pool and spa equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, the power supply includes a buoyant housing, a peripheral float, at least one solar cell positioned on the buoyant housing for collecting sunlight and converting same to electrical energy, and a power cable for interconnecting the power supply and pool/spa equipment. In other embodiments, first and second inductive power couplings are provided for powering pool and spa equipment. The power couplings can also be installed using existing plumbing features of the pool or spa.

Abstract: Articulated casters (14, 16) of low-cost design are provided which include an apertured base (18) with a plurality of caster wheels (20, 22, 24) coupled with the base and pivotal about respective upright axes. An upright pivot arm (26) having a lower end (60) and an upper load-supporting end, with the lower end (60) extending through the base aperture and being pivotally connected to the base via a pivot assembly (28). The assembly (28) includes an open-top housing (64) which receives the pivot arm lower end (60), as well as a connection assembly (74) securing the housing (64), base (18), and pivot arm (26) in order to permit relative pivotal movement between the pivot arm (26) and base (18).

Abstract: A detachable drive unit for shifting a mobile carriage is disclosed. The drive unit includes a frame with a carriage-coupling end and a handle end. The drive unit also includes drive wheels and transport wheels rotatably attached to the frame, a motor mounted on the frame, a gear train that drivingly interconnects the motor and drive wheels, and throttle and direction controls attached adjacent the handle end. The drive unit further includes a coupler that is pivotally attached to the frame adjacent the carriage-coupling end. The coupler releasably grasps the carriage and permits upward swinging of the handle end to disengage the drive wheels from the surface while the drive unit is attached to the carriage.

Abstract: In the past shingles and nails were removed from a roof by means of a shovel, pitch fork, or shingle removal tool. All of these methods require intense physical labor, and because of the small width of the available tools are very time consuming to achieve the desired results. The Rapid Roof Remover alleviates the need for intense physical labor by levering the shingles and nails from the wood they are attached to by the action of the tear-off blade (up to 36 inches in width) being levered back by the pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: A carriage incorporating an articulated caster braking system is disclosed. The carriage includes a frame with a base section that pivots relative to the rest of the frame and pivotally attaches to caster wheels. The base section provides a walking-beam suspension for the frame by pivoting at a point between a pair of the caster wheels. The carriage also includes a brake assembly that is attached to the frame and restricts carriage movement by directly engaging the ground. The brake assembly includes a brake arm that engages the ground and redundant actuators for shifting the brake arm between engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an object includes a base assembly and at least three wheels pivotally attached to the base assembly. A pivot arm includes a flange plate at an upper end for attachment to the object. An opposite lower end of the pivot arm includes a universal joint for pivotal motion about two perpendicular axes that is attached to the base assembly. A brake assembly is attached to the pivot arm. The brake assembly includes a first disengaged position and a second engaged position that is latched. When the brake assembly is in the second position, a brake pad is forced downward below a level of a surface and into frictional engagement with the surface. More than one apparatus can also be attached to an adapter plate to provide greater floatation. Pivotal attachment to a support beam is also described.

Abstract: A carriage including an articulated caster is disclosed. The carriage includes a frame with a load-supporting section and a base section that pivots relative to the load-supporting section and pivotally attaches to three casters. The frame further includes a pivot block that cooperates with the sections to provide a universal joint that permits the relative pivotal movement between the sections. The universal joint includes pivot axes that are spaced below the horizontal axes of the caster wheels so that forces applied by the load-supporting section through the joint are prevented from tipping the carriage. The caster wheels are spaced relative to the joint so that the base section provides a walking-beam suspension. The carriage further includes a preferred direction of travel whereby the casters are positioned on the base section to approach an obstacle in sequential order when traveling along the preferred direction.

Abstract: A carriage including an articulated caster is disclosed. The carriage supports a load and includes a frame with a load-supporting section, base sections, and a linkage that permits relative pivotal movement therebetween. The linkage includes a transverse section that pivotally interconnects at least two of the base sections and a longitudinal section that pivotally interconnects the transverse section and the load-supporting section. The linkage permits relative pivotal movement so that at least two of the carriages may cooperatively support the load and substantially share the load over an uneven surface.