Abstract: A portable cleaning apparatus includes a handle and a wheel rotatably mounted to the handle having a plurality of scrubbing elements. A nozzle delivers fluid to the scrubbing elements to effect rotation of the wheel. The scrubbing elements can be secured to the wheel to limit pivoting movement of the scrubbing element in a direction of rotation of the wheel while permitting greater pivoting movement of the scrubbing elements in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the wheel. A dispensing system mounted to the handle is remotely operable to position a dispenser of treatment material in the rotational path of the scrubbing elements to apply treatment material to the scrubbing elements.

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: An exercise device having position verification feedback capabilities. In one embodiment, the exercise device generally includes a base unit defining a support surface, at least two position sensors arranged along a sensing plane relative to the support surface for detecting the presence of the user along the sensing plane, and a controller in communication with the position sensors to determine the user's position relative to the sensing plane. In another embodiment, the exercise device is configured to simulate the activity of jumping rope. In a further embodiment, an exercise device is provided that is capable of measuring one or more parameters associated with a user's vertical jumping ability.

Abstract: An exercise device including a support surface and at least two position sensors arranged along a sensing plane relative to the support surface, with the position sensors adapted to detect a presence of a user along the sensing plane. The exercise device further includes a controller in communication with the position sensors to determine a position of the user relative to the sensing plane. The controller has a closed loop feedback mode adapted to process at least one input parameter provided by the user, and to further measure a performance criteria of the user related to the input parameter and to provide feedback to the user indicative of a measurement of the performance criteria.

Abstract: A portable cleaning apparatus includes a handle (11) and a wheel (13) rotatably mounted to the handle and the wheel having a plurality of scrubbing elements (74). Pressurized fluid enters the apparatus and a fluid flow director (16) delivers the fluid to the scrubbing elements to rotate the wheel. The scrubbing elements can be secured to the wheel to limit pivoting movement of the scrubbing elements in a direction of rotation of the wheel while permitting greater pivoting movement of the scrubbing elements in direction opposite the direction of rotation of the wheel. Different types of treatment material dispensing systems (100) are operable position a flow director to spin a dispenser of treatment material, or to position a dispenser in the rotational path of the scrubbing elements, to apply treatment material to the scrubbing elements.

Abstract: An exercise device having position verification feedback capabilities. In one embodiment, the exercise device generally includes a base unit defining a support surface, at least two position sensors arranged along a sensing plane relative to the support surface for detecting the presence of the user along the sensing plane, and a controller in communication with the position sensors to determine the user's position relative to the sensing plane. In another embodiment, the exercise device is configured to simulate the activity of jumping rope. In a further embodiment, an exercise device is provided that is capable of measuring one or more parameters associated with a user's vertical jumping ability.

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: An exercise device having position verification feedback capabilities. In one embodiment, the exercise device generally includes a base unit defining a support surface, at least two position sensors arranged along a sensing plane relative to the support surface for detecting the presence of the user along the sensing plane, and a controller in communication with the position sensors to determine the user's position relative to the sensing plane. In another embodiment, the exercise device is configured to simulate the activity of jumping rope. In a further embodiment, an exercise device is provided that is capable of measuring one or more parameters associated with a user's vertical jumping ability.

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 exercise device, comprising an upper body unit including at least one load member having at least one elastic/resilient element and a pair of gripping portions for manual grasping by the user, wherein an applied force exerted onto the gripping portions transitions the element from an initial state to an elastically deformed state, and wherein a reduction in the applied force resiliently reforms the element back toward the initial state. In one embodiment, a lower body unit is also provided including a support base defining a support surface, a plurality of light sources configured to generate discrete lighted regions on the support surface, and a controller configured to activate and deactivate the discrete lighted regions.

Abstract: Leakage detection of cargo from the hold of a barge involves a mounting plate to the top hatch of the hold. Two pipes secured to the plate extend to locations near the bottom. Each pipe has a guide tube in it coaxial with the pipe. Each pipe has a float in it received around the guide tube. A float follower is in each tube and magnetically coupled to the float so that the float follower rises and falls with the float. One pipe has an open bottom for cargo to freely move up and down in the pipe as the hold is filled and emptied. The other pipe has a valve at the bottom for admitting cargo from the hold to the pipe at the port of origin of the vessel. Following loading of the cargo, the valve is closed. One embodiment tethers the floats to reels atop the plate. Any change of level of the floats, reflecting a loss of cargo during transit from the port of origin to that of destination, is reflected in relative rotation of the reels and triggering an output signal to an annunciator.

Abstract: An exercise device having position verification feedback capabilities. In one embodiment, the exercise device generally includes a base unit defining a support surface, at least two position sensors arranged along a sensing plane relative to the support surface for detecting the presence of the user along the sensing plane, and a controller in communication with the position sensors to determine the user's position relative to the sensing plane. In another embodiment, the exercise device is configured to simulate the activity of jumping rope. In a further embodiment, an exercise device is provided that is capable of measuring one or more parameters associated with a user's vertical jumping ability.

Abstract: A portable tool has a long handle with a fitting for connection to an external pressurized water supply, a hand receiver on the worker end of the handle with a trigger-operated water flow control valve, a rotatable wheel at a distal end of the handle remote from the control and having surface scrubbing elements thereon, a distribution nozzle pivotable in the handle adjacent the wheel to direct high velocity water discharge onto the scrubbing elements, a discharge direction control button adjacent the proximal end, and a control wire coupled to the nozzle and button and operable to direct discharge from the nozzle onto the wheel at selectable radii relative to the wheel rotational axis to change wheel speed, direction and torque.

Abstract: Leakage detection of cargo from the hold of a barge involves a mounting plate to the top hatch of the hold. Two pipes secured to the plate extend to locations near the bottom. Each pipe has a guide tube in it coaxial with the pipe. Each pipe has a float in it received around the guide tube. A float follower is in each tube and magnetically coupled to the float so that the float follower rises and falls with the float. One pipe has an open bottom for cargo to freely move up and down in the pipe as the hold is filled and emptied. The other pipe has a valve at the bottom for admitting cargo from the hold to the pipe at the port of origin of the vessel. Following loading of the cargo, the valve is closed. One embodiment tethers the floats to reels atop the plate. Any change of level of the floats, reflecting a loss of cargo during transit from the port of origin to that of destination, is reflected in relative rotation of the reels and triggering an output signal to an annunciator.

Abstract: A portable tool has a long handle with a fitting for connection to an external pressurized water supply, a hand receiver on the worker end of the handle with a trigger-operated water flow control valve, a rotatable wheel at a distal end of the handle remote from the control and having surface scrubbing elements thereon, a distribution nozzle pivotable in the handle adjacent the wheel to direct high velocity water discharge onto the scrubbing elements, a discharge direction control button adjacent the proximal end, and a control wire coupled to the nozzle and button and operable to direct discharge from the nozzle onto the wheel at selectable radii relative to the wheel rotational axis to change wheel speed, direction and torque.

Abstract: A portable tool has a long handle with a fitting for connection to an external pressurized water supply, a hand receiver on the worker end of the handle with a trigger-operated water flow control valve, a rotatable wheel at a distal end of the handle remote from the control and having surface scrubbing elements thereon, a distribution nozzle pivotable in the handle adjacent the wheel to direct high velocity water discharge onto the scrubbing elements, a discharge direction control button adjacent the proximal end, and a control wire coupled to the nozzle and button and operable to direct discharge from the nozzle onto the wheel at selectable radii relative to the wheel rotational axis to change wheel speed, direction and torque.

Abstract: A lid lifter mount is installed on the hinge pin of a conventional manway lid, and has a compression spring assembly engaging a lever which is also installed on the hinge pin. The lever has a bar engaging a lid hinge arm. A spring force adjustment screw connected to the mount enables adjustment of the amount of lift assist the bar applies to the hinge arm by cam action against the arm as the operator lifts the lid. Two embodiments are shown for attachment to two types of lid hinges.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for generating chlorine from common salt preferably includes a base with a passageway in it, a first liquid-holder extending upward from the base in fluid communication with one end of the passageway, and a second liquid-holder extending upward from the base in fluid communication with the other end of the passageway. An anode and a cathode are disposed in the passageway, with an ion-selective membrane positioned between them. The electrodes preferably include an electrolyte-contacting portion positioned in the passageway, and an electrical connection portion that extends outward away from the passageway. An electrode-holder effective to prevent liquid from leaking out of the passageway is preferably included on each electrode. Sight tubes to facilitate observation of the liquid levels in the liquid-holders are also preferably included, as is a handle to facilitate carrying and/or hanging the generator.

Abstract: A lid lifter mount is installed on the hinge pin of a conventional manway lid, and has a compression spring assembly engaging a lever which is also installed on the hinge pin. The lever has a bar engaging a lid hinge arm. A spring force adjustment screw connected to the mount enables adjustment of the amount of lift assist the bar applies to the hinge arm by cam action against the arm as the operator lifts the lid. Two embodiments are shown for attachment to two types of lid hinges.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the amount of liquid contained in a railroad tank car, or any other liquid storage tank having an interior region defining a predetermined relationship between liquid level and volumetric content. A tube having a closed bottom end is disposed within the tank in a substantially vertical orientation with the closed end of the tube emersed in the liquid and the open end of the tube protruding from the top of tank. An elongate member having a longitudinal edge defining a varying profile corresponding to the predetermined relationship between liquid level and volumetric content is slidably received within the tube. A float is slidable vertically along the exterior of the tube and is magnetically coupled to the elongate member such that as the float rises or falls in response to a change in liquid level, the elongate member will be vertically displaced within the tube.