Abstract: The rider powered vehicle has two steerable front wheels, each with a turning arm, and a single rear drive wheel. Power transmission means is provided between the rear wheel and a single push-pull and steerable handlebar mounted in a column assembly supported to oscillate about a lateral pivot axis. The handlebar is connected to a steering arm, and two steering links are connected at respective inboard and outboard pivotal connections between the steering arm and the two turning arms. Handlebar rotation causes the inboard pivotal connections to trace an arcuate path, and the lateral pivot axis is located to intersect the arcuate path generally at two spaced locations. This geometry provides a propulsion and steering mechanism that has substantially no interaction between the push-pull power strokes of the handlebar, for vehicular propulsion, and the handlebar rotation, for vehicular steering.

Abstract: A three wheeled vehicle, with two steerable front wheels and a driven rear wheel which may be either rider- or motor-powdered, includes steering/coupling linkage disposed adjacent to the lower end of a steering column having a handlebar attached to its upper end. The steering/coupling linkage pivotally couples a forward frame to a rear frame which supports the rider and includes the rear wheel and its means for propulsion. The steering/coupling linakge includes a pivot shaft, a bearing housing and a mechanical connection for leaning the rear frame in the direction of a turn so as to compensate for centrifugal force encountered in turning the vehicle. The mechanical connection causes the rear frame to lean in a controlled relationship to the amount of rotation of the steering shaft, within rotational limits, to emulate the leaning action of a conventional bicycle when making a turn.

Abstract: A weighing scale is disclosed with high accuracy and speed and minimal response to vibrations having a balanced mass construction and including a variable capacitance load cell coupled to the load side of the scale and having a spring rate substantially greater than the spring rate of the remaining scale components.

Abstract: An operator-responsive drive system is capable of rotating a drive wheel in either a velocipede, such as a bicycle, or a stationary exerciser. In a first mode of operation, drive linkage connects a pair of coupled pedals and a seat pivotally coupled to a frame to a drive sprocket which is rotationally mounted to the frame. Downward displacement of the seat such as in response to the weight of the operator positioned thereupon causes both pedals to be displaced upward in imparting rotation to the drive sprocket which, in turn, rotates a drive wheel coupled thereto. Transfer of the operator's weight to the pedals resulting in the downward displacement of the pedals causes further rotation of the sprocket in the same direction and upward displacement of the seat. The operator may thus propel the vehicle by alternately shifting his weight between the seat and the pedals in effecting reciprocating displacement thereof.

Abstract: A weighing machine is disclosed that accepts product from a source, segregates it into discrete quantities, and combines a number of the discrete quantities into a group that closely approximates a target weight. The machine includes a feeder means that selectively transports product from the source. Accumulator means receive product from the feeder means and discharge discrete quantities of product therefrom. Weighing means accept product from the accumulating means and determine the weights thereof. Divertor means receive product from the weight sensing means and direct it in one of a plurality of directions. Holding means receive product from the divertor means and retain the product until it is selectively discharged. Collecting means receives product from the holding means, consolidates it, and directs it to another location.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for the high-speed, cyclic batch weighing of a flowable material in which variations in initial scale weight are automatically compensated for. Measuring cycle time is minimized by overlapping the time required to achieve scale stability prior to tare with the material discharge time. Tare weight is automatically measured during a weighing cycle following material discharge while the weight container is open to provide a residue compensation output signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the weight of product charges fed to a receptacle, such as a weigh bucket associated, for example, with a packaging machine, in order to minimize product giveaway, is disclosed, wherein there is but a single receptacle to which the product is fed, and the product is check-weighed one or more times before being discharged from the receptacle. Flow of product to the receptacle is stopped when a predetermined feed cut-off weight is sensed by weighing means, and the product is then checkweighed. If the weight being sensed is less than the minimum package weight allowed or desired, one or more additional charges of product may be fed to the receptacle, and when the desired weight is reached, which may be equal to or above the minimum package weight, product is discharged. The additional charges of product fed to the receptacle after a checkweighing operation may comprise either a pulsed feed or a continuous feed until minimum package weight is reached.

Abstract: A bag making machine for making bags from a sealable film is disclosed wherein the film is fed over a forming shoulder and around a forming tube. Sealer jaws form a transverse seal to provide a top for one bag and the bottom of the next adjacent bag, and move with the film as it is advanced intermittently along the tube. Separate and independent means are provided to advance the film simultaneously with movement of the sealer jaws, and means are also provided for forming a substantially flat bottom on each bag including a novel arrangement of folding plates for the bottom, tuckers for forming gussets, and creasers for forming creases in the film at the corners of each bag.

Abstract: A self-locking support for tubular members embodying two annular supporting members eccentrically mounted on a shaft and rotatable relative to each other.