Abstract: A switch assembly for electrically coupling and uncoupling a first device to a second device may include a first switch configured to electrically couple and uncouple a first device to the second device, and a first switching barrel. The switch assembly may further include a second switch configured to electrically couple and uncouple a power source to the second device, and a second switching barrel. The switch assembly may also include an isolator barrier separating the first and second switches from one another and the first and second switching barrels from one another. The switch assembly may further include a shaft associated with the first and second switching barrels, such that rotation of the shaft causes angular displacement of the first and second switching barrels, electrically coupling or uncoupling of the first device to the second device, and electrically coupling or uncoupling of the power source to the second device.

Abstract: A gear reduction assembly may include a main input shaft, a carrier coupled to the main input shaft, and at least one carrier shaft coupled to the carrier and spaced from the main input shaft. The gear reduction assembly may also include at least one spur gear pair including a first spur gear coupled to the carrier shaft, and a second spur gear, wherein the first and second spur gears are coupled to one another such that they rotate together. The gear reduction assembly also includes a first internal gear engaged with the first spur gear, a second internal gear engaged with the second spur gear, and a hub associated with the first internal gear. The first internal gear has a first number of teeth, the second internal gear has a second number of teeth, and the first and second numbers of teeth differ by from one to five teeth.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block defining a cylinder and a crankshaft rotatably received by the cylinder block. The crankshaft includes a crankshaft gear and is configured to rotate along a longitudinal axis of the crankshaft. The engine further includes a piston configured to reciprocate within the cylinder between spaced stroke termination points defining a stroke of the piston. The engine also includes a connecting rod operably coupled to the piston. The connecting rod includes a gear configured to engage the crankshaft gear, wherein the crankshaft gear and the gear of the connecting rod are configured to engage one another, such that as the piston travels within the cylinder, the connecting rod rotates the crankshaft via engagement between the crankshaft gear and the gear of the connecting rod.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine may include a bushing defining an external circumferential diameter and an aperture defining an internal circumferential diameter. A center defined by the external circumferential diameter and a center defined by the internal circumferential diameter are offset with respect to one another. The internal circumferential diameter is operably coupled to a crankpin, and the external circumferential diameter is operably coupled to a connecting rod, thereby operably coupling the connecting rod to the crankpin. The engine may further include a bushing control assembly, wherein the bushing control assembly is configured to delay initiation of a power stroke of the engine until a crankshaft of the engine has rotated at least about 15 degrees beyond a first stroke termination angle of a compression stroke of the engine.

Abstract: A machine has a platform for a standing patient to perform foot exercises specified by a set of selectors on the machine and pre-selected according to a therapy program. Different types of monitor devices viewable by the patient and an attendant, direct the patient to proceed with selected exercises. Light sources associated with the platform to illuminate portions of it, and other slight sources directed to sensors above the platform, are activated in concert, according to the directions addressed to the patient.

Abstract: An adjustable rebound device may include a support platform and a warping assembly to adjust a rebound resistance of the support platform. The warping assembly may include a plurality of mounting assemblies coupled to the support platform and a rebound adjustment assembly coupled to at least one of the mounting assemblies. The rebound adjustment assembly may be configured to actuate a mounting assembly such that the support platform is warped and a rebound resistance is adjusted. A method for adjusting a rebound resistance of a platform assembly is also described. An exercise machine may include a machine base assembly, a support platform, and a warping assembly. The warping assembly may include a plurality of mounting assemblies and a rebound adjustment assembly, such that the rebound adjustment assembly is configured to actuate a mounting assembly such that the support platform is warped and a rebound resistance is adjusted.

Abstract: A gear reduction assembly may include a main input shaft, a carrier coupled to the main input shaft, and at least one carrier shaft coupled to the carrier and spaced from the main input shaft. The gear reduction assembly may also include at least one spur gear pair including a first spur gear coupled to the carrier shaft, and a second spur gear, wherein the first and second spur gears are coupled to one another such that they rotate together. The gear reduction assembly also includes a first internal gear engaged with the first spur gear, a second internal gear engaged with the second spur gear, and a hub associated with the first internal gear. The first internal gear has a first number of teeth, the second internal gear has a second number of teeth, and the first and second numbers of teeth differ by from one to five teeth.

Abstract: A gear reduction assembly may include a main input shaft, a carrier coupled to the main input shaft, and at least one carrier shaft coupled to the carrier and spaced from the main input shaft. The gear reduction assembly may also include at least one spur gear pair including a first spur gear coupled to the carrier shaft, and a second spur gear, wherein the first and second spur gears are coupled to one another such that they rotate together. The gear reduction assembly also includes a first internal gear engaged with the first spur gear, a second internal gear engaged with the second spur gear, and a hub associated with the first internal gear. The first internal gear has a first number of teeth, the second internal gear has a second number of teeth, and the first and second numbers of teeth differ by from one to five teeth.

Abstract: A crankshaft may include first and second journals having circular cross-sections, and a crankpin, the crankpin extending between first and second crankpin journals. The crankpin may include first, second, and third cams including respective first, second, and third cam profiles, wherein the first, second, and third cam profiles differ from one another. At least one of the first, second, and third cam profiles may be configured to affect the stroke of a connecting rod coupled to the crankpin. A connecting rod may include first, second, and third followers including respective first, second, and third follower surfaces, wherein the first and second follower surfaces differ from one another. An internal combustion engine may include a crankshaft and a connecting rod configured to provide relative linear movement between a crankpin axis and a proximal end of the connecting rod.

Abstract: A connecting rod for an engine may include a sleeve portion having a distal end including a distal aperture configured to be coupled to a piston, and a rod portion having a proximal end including a proximal aperture configured to be coupled to a crankshaft. The rod portion may be configured to reciprocate in the sleeve portion, such that a distance between a center of the proximal aperture and a center of the distal aperture is variable. An engine may include the connecting rod, a power train may include the engine, and a vehicle may include the power train.

Abstract: A tool powered by pressurized liquid, typically water, for treatment of a variety of surfaces ranging from natural to manufactured, has a scrubber wheel powered by the pressurized liquid. A treatment liquid is contained in a single-use, throw-away cartridge mounted in the tool. The cartridge is mounted in the tool for rotation therein when desired. A nozzle in the tool for discharging the pressurized liquid onto the scrubber wheel to rotate the scrubber wheel, is movable by the tool operator during a treatment operation to change the direction of discharge to the extent desired to drive the scrubber forward or backward and to rotate the cartridge to dispense the treatment liquid if, and when, dispensing of the treatment liquid is desired.

Abstract: A crankshaft may include first and second journals having circular cross-sections, and a crankpin, the crankpin extending between first and second crankpin journals. The crankpin may include first, second, and third cams including respective first, second, and third cam profiles, wherein the first, second, and third cam profiles differ from one another. At least one of the first, second, and third cam profiles may be configured to affect the stroke of a connecting rod coupled to the crankpin. A connecting rod may include first, second, and third followers including respective first, second, and third follower surfaces, wherein the first and second follower surfaces differ from one another. An internal combustion engine may include a crankshaft and a connecting rod configured to provide relative linear movement between a crankpin axis and a proximal end of the connecting rod.

Abstract: A crankshaft may include first and second journals having circular cross-sections, and a crankpin, the crankpin extending between first and second crankpin journals. The crankpin may include first, second, and third cams including respective first, second, and third cam profiles, wherein the first, second, and third cam profiles differ from one another. At least one of the first, second, and third cam profiles may be configured to affect the stroke of a connecting rod coupled to the crankpin. A connecting rod may include first, second, and third followers including respective first, second, and third follower surfaces, wherein the first and second follower surfaces differ from one another. An internal combustion engine may include a crankshaft and a connecting rod configured to provide relative linear movement between a crankpin axis and a proximal end of the connecting rod.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine may include a cylinder block defining a cylinder, and a crankshaft defining a crankpin, wherein the crankshaft is rotatably received by the cylinder block and rotates about a longitudinal axis. The internal combustion engine may further include a piston configured to reciprocate within the cylinder, and a connecting rod operably coupled to the piston and the crankpin. The connecting rod may include a first rod element having a first distal end and a first proximate end, wherein the first distal end is operably coupled to the piston. The connecting rod may further include a second rod element having a second distal end operably coupled to the first proximate end of the first rod element, and a second proximate end operably coupled to the crankpin, wherein the first rod element and the second rod element are pivotally coupled to one another.

Abstract: A gear reduction assembly may include an input shaft, a first spur gear, and a second spur gear. The first and second spur gears may be coupled to one another. At least one of the first spur gear and the second spur gear may be associated with the input shaft such that the input shaft drives at least one of the first and second spur gears. The gear reduction assembly may further include a first internal gear engaged with the first spur gear, a second internal gear engaged with the second spur gear, and a hub associated with the first internal gear The first and second internal gears have a first number of teeth and a second number of teeth, respectively, and the first number of teeth differs from the second number of teeth by from one to five teeth. The gear reduction assembly may be included in a winch.

Abstract: An adjustable rebound device may include a support platform and a warping assembly to adjust a rebound resistance of the support platform. The warping assembly may include a plurality of mounting assemblies coupled to the support platform and a rebound adjustment assembly coupled to at least one of the mounting assemblies. The rebound adjustment assembly may be configured to actuate a mounting assembly such that the support platform is warped and a rebound resistance is adjusted. A method for adjusting a rebound resistance of a platform assembly is also described. An exercise machine may include a machine base assembly, a support platform, and a warping assembly. The warping assembly may include a plurality of mounting assemblies and a rebound adjustment assembly, such that the rebound adjustment assembly is configured to actuate a mounting assembly such that the support platform is warped and a rebound resistance is adjusted.

Abstract: A crankshaft for an internal combustion engine may include first and second journals having circular cross-sections, wherein the first and second journals define a longitudinal crankshaft axis. The crankshaft may further include a crankpin defining a longitudinal crankpin axis and being configured to be coupled to a connecting rod, the crankpin extending between the first and second journals, such that the longitudinal crankpin axis is parallel to the longitudinal crankshaft axis. The crankpin may include at least one crankpin journal and at least one cam including a cam profile, wherein the cam profile is configured to affect the stroke of a connecting rod coupled to the crankpin. A connecting rod may include a follower configured to follow a cam. An internal combustion engine may include a crankshaft and a connecting rod configured to provide relative linear movement between a crankpin axis and a proximal end of the connecting rod.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine may include a cylinder block defining a cylinder and a crankshaft having a crankpin. The crankshaft is rotatably received by the cylinder block and rotates along a longitudinal axis, and the crankpin defines a longitudinal axis parallel to and offset by a distance with respect to the longitudinal axis along which the crankshaft rotates. The engine may further include a piston configured to reciprocate within the cylinder and a connecting rod operably coupled to the piston and the crankpin. At least one of the piston and the connecting rod is configured such that a distance between a cross-sectional center of the crankpin and an upper surface of the piston is variable via hydraulic operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning (e.g., scrubbing, washing, treating, waxing, etc.) a surface, such as a recessed crevice or area, includes a fluid-powered scrubber head and a removable brush extending from the scrubber head. The scrubber head includes a housing, an inlet at one end of the housing for receiving a flow of fluid from a fluid supply and a deflecting surface for directing the flow of fluid once received through the inlet. The deflecting surface may be a movable deflecting panel that is selectively moved relative to the housing to cover an opening in the housing. The deflecting surface may also include a partial conical surface that concentrates the flow of fluid deflected out of the housing and onto the brush outside the housing as the brush rotates in response to the fluid flow.

Abstract: A portable cleaning apparatus may include a handle and a wheel rotatably mounted to the handle. Pressurized fluid may enter the apparatus, and a fluid flow director directs the fluid to scrubbing elements to rotate the wheel. The scrubbing elements may be secured to the wheel, and different types of treatment material dispensing systems are operable to apply treatment material to the scrubbing elements.