Abstract: An assembly is provided for towing first and second push-type lawn mowers behind a riding mower. A base plate attachable to the rear of the riding mower releasably holds a tow bar. First and second tow arms are releasably coupled to the tow bar and are each adapted for pivoting motion relative to and in an arc defined by the tow bar. The first and second tow arms are received in respective first and second couplers that are attachable to the first and second push-type mowers, respectively. The first and second couplers allow releasable attachment of the respective first and second tow arms. Each coupler is configured to allow rotational movement thereof relative to the tow arm such that respective first and second mowers to which the first and second couplers are attached can follow the contours of the terrain, thereby providing an even cut. The towing assembly is easily disassembled and re-connectable. Likewise, each push-type mower is easily removed from the towing assembly for quick use.

Abstract: A wheelchair brake system is provided that allows an operator of the brake system to retard and/or stop the motion of the wheelchair. The brake system provides for independent and variable application of a braking force to wheels of the wheelchair. The brake system includes first and second brake force application assemblies, first and second braking assemblies, and actuation lines coupling the respective brake force application assembly to the braking assembly. The brake force application assemblies may be associated with handles of the wheelchair that allow a secondary or ancillary operator to apply a braking force, but may be associated with armrests of the wheelchair for use by an occupant. The brake force application assemblies are rotationally positionable and/or pivotally positionable to achieve various orientations thereof. This provides ergonomic placement of the handles for comfort and ease of brake force application.

Abstract: A radio with a tuner and other program sources uses a digital signal processor (DSP) to enhance the audio signal and to generate a stream of digital data including audio data and control data corresponding to loudness functions. A fiber optic data link couples the data stream to a plurality of remote DSP modules each of which drive one or more speakers. Each module contains a user programmed DSP, a digital to analog converter and an amplifier for each associated speaker. The DSP modules are identical except for software parameters which establish a transfer function and a loudness characteristic for each speaker. The same DSP modules and the same speakers can be used in several vehicle types and the system audio performance can be optimized by customizing software for each type of vehicle.

Abstract: In an automotive radio system an amplifier is capable of detecting speaker faults. A fault signal from the amplifier is received by a microprocessor which sends a fault message to a radio display and/or stores fault data which can be accessed via a serial data link by a diagnostic tool. One embodiment of the amplifier has an output pin for outputting distortion signal, and that pin is used when distortion is not likely to also output a fault signal which reveals the presence of a fault. Another embodiment of the amplifier has a data storage register which receives data on the type of fault and the affected channel, and a data bus to send the data to the microprocessor.

Abstract: A vehicle audio system is tested during vehicle assembly by a computer controlled system coupled to a vehicle data bus via a diagnostic connector. Radio settings are controlled via the data bus. RF signals bearing preset tones are generated according to computer command via an encoder and RF generator and coupled to the audio antenna base. A microphone in the vehicle detects tones from the speakers and a decoder analyzes the tones to determine whether a tone is correct. Certain speakers are selected for test by adjustment of Fade and Balance controls to check speaker connections. AM and FM SEEK function are checked to verify radio circuits and antenna connections.