Abstract: The present invention involves the rotational principle of rotatable arms, and the restoring force available from biasing elements, by way of intelligent construction of these components together with a structure body and the various standard components of a scooter, provides a simple yet very effective space saving method for a multiple wheeled scooter, or a sporting device. Accordingly, a multiple wheeled scooter, or a sporting device constructed according to the present invention will be more cost effective and more compact and portable for use as a carry-on transportation device. A space saving wheel mechanism according to the present invention includes a structure body, a wheel support, a wheel, a first rotatable arm and a second rotatable arm pivotably engaging the wheel support. At least one of the rotatable arms includes a pair of pivots adapted to rotate about a fixed pivot attached to the structure body. Rotation of the rotatable arms changing the distance between the wheel and the structure body.

Abstract: A convertible wheel apparatus for a skating device including a pair of wheels, a pair of wheel supports, and a connector. Each pair of wheels has an axle and defines a coplanar virtual center and rotational plane, which are perpendicular to the axle. Each wheel support engages a respective wheel and includes a pivotal member defining a pivotal axis with at least one pivotal axis of the pivotal members located at a measurable non-zero distance from a respective virtual axis. The connector is attached to one of the pivotal members of each wheel support and concurrently positions the pivotal members. Control of the orientation of the rotational planes of the wheels is achieved by positioning features attached to a base element or by a biasing mechanism. Various skate configurations can be obtained by a choice selection and combination of connectors and axis constraints that characterize the convertible wheel apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention involves a skate that can be converted from an in-line wheel configuration in which all of the skate wheels are coplanar to a parallel or quad wheel configuration, and vice versa. The skate includes a foot or shoe enclosure, a wheel chassis, a wheel support, at least two wheels, and mechanisms which position the wheel chassis at a center point and allows the wheel chassis to pivot the wheels from an in-line to a parallel configuration. The positioning mechanisms include tie rods, yokes, gear sets, and externally mounted rods or panels. A post on the bottom of the enclosure may include a threaded portion which is engaged by a nut to rotationally secure the position of the wheel chassis, or the post may include a portion of enlarged diameter supporting a spring which biases the wheel chassis into the post. A brake is provided to allow the user to slow or stop the skate in a controlled manner.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a flow carrier connectable in a liquid flow system including an electric motor-pump unit and a conduit for conveying a pumped liquid to a liquid utilization apparatus. The flow carrier is connectable in the conduit and includes an opening which exposes the liquid flowing through the carrier. A heat sink or cold plate is located on the carrier over the opening, the heat sink covering the opening and having a wet side exposed to the liquid. The heat sink further includes a dry side, and heat generating control components are secured to the dry side. A sensor is also mounted on the heat sink and responds to a characteristic, such as the pressure, of the liquid. The sensor and the control components are operable to control the motor-pump unit. In a domestic water supply system, for example, the liquid utilization apparatus includes the plumbing in a building. In a gasoline supply system, the liquid utilization apparatus comprises a gasoline dispenser.

Abstract: An electric motor of the type used to power submersible pumps is disclosed. An interior cavity of the motor is filled with one or more liquids for cooling and/or lubricating the motor interior. A system for circulating the fill liquid within the motor cavity comprising a rotatable cup spacer attached to the motor shaft and liquid passageways is described.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine having a stator housing or frame made by a lost foam process utilizing a unitary single-piece vaporizable pattern. The stator housing may be made from a molten metal such as cast iron or aluminum, and has an annular wall having integral outwardly extending longitudinal cooling fins, mounting foots pads and a conduit box support pad. The lost foam process enables the cooling fins to have a greater effective cooling fin height to housing diameter ratio and greater effective cooling fin height to housing annular wall thickness ratio than obtained with prior sand casting processes. The greater height fins provide increased strength and rigidity for the annular wall which can be made radially thinner than prior stator housing or frames of similar size. Substantial savings in material and labor are realized by the stator housing.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a flow carrier connectable in a liquid flow system including an electric motor-pump unit and a conduit for conveying a pumped liquid to a liquid utilization apparatus. The flow carrier is connectable in the conduit and includes an opening which exposes the liquid flowing through the carrier. A heat sink or cold plate is located on the carrier over the opening, the heat sink covering the opening and having a wet side exposed to the liquid. The heat sink further includes a dry side, and heat generating electrical control components are secured to the dry side. A sensor is also mounted on the heat sink and responds to a characteristic, such as the pressure, of the liquid. A heat insulating layer extends around the control components and the sensor and covers the dry side of the heat sink, the layer preventing condensation. The sensor and the control components are operable to control the motor-pump unit.

Abstract: The present invention involves a skate that can be converted from an in-line wheel configuration in which all of the skate wheels are coplanar to a parallel or quad wheel configuration, and vice versa. The skate includes a foot or shoe enclosure (4), a wheel chassis (10), a wheel support (52), at least two wheels (50), and mechanisms which position the wheel chassis at a center point and allows the wheel chassis to pivot the wheels from an in-line to a parallel configuration. The positioning mechanisms include tie rods (18), yokes (84, 86), gear sets (106), and externally mounted rods or panels (116). A post (30) on the bottom of the enclosure may include a threaded portion which is engaged by a nut (36) to rotationally secure the position of the wheel chassis, or the post may include a portion (94) of enlarged diameter supporting a spring (104) which biases the wheel chassis into the post. A brake (122) is provided to allow the user to slow or stop the skate in a controlled manner.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to bearing support comprising a relatively rigid collar ring for direct support of a bearing. The relatively rigid collar ring is press fit inside a bearing supporting hub of a nonmetal (such as a composite polymer) bearing support. The design of the relatively rigid collar ring and the composite polymer bearing support is such that the stresses in the construction are satisfactory for long-term performance and reliability. The bearing supporting hub includes discrete supporting hub panels and there are axial slots between the hub panels. The supporting hub panels further include radial rib sections extending axially for strengthening the supporting hub panels and for adding support for the relatively rigid collar ring. The inside diameter of the supporting hub panels is tapered to provide stress relief clearance. Contacts between the inside of the supporting hub panels and the collar ring are limited to discrete locations.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine having a stator housing or frame made by a lost foam process utilizing a unitary single-piece vaporizable pattern. The stator housing may be made from a molten metal such as cast iron or aluminum, and has an annular wall having integral outwardly extending longitudinal cooling fins, mounting foots pads and a conduit box support pad. The lost foam process enables the cooling fins to have a greater effective cooling fin height to housing diameter ratio and greater effective cooling fin height to housing annular wall thickness ratio than obtained with prior sand casting processes. The greater height fins provide increased strength and rigidity for the annular wall which can be made radially thinner than prior stator housing or frames of similar size. Substantial savings in material and labor are realized by the stator housing.

Abstract: The present invention involves a skate that can be converted from an in-line wheel configuration in which all of the skate wheels are coplanar to a parallel or quad wheel configuration, and vice versa. The skate includes a foot or shoe enclosure, a wheel chassis, a wheel support, at least two wheels, and a tie rod which anchors the wheel chassis at a center point and allows the wheel chassis to pivot the wheels from an in-line to a parallel configuration. The foot enclosure includes posts which support and secure the wheel chassis, with a nut threadably engaging the post to rotatably secure the wheel chassis relative to the foot enclosure. The tie rods have a predetermined length which maintains the angular position of the wheels relative to the foot enclosure regardless of the angular position of the wheel chassis.