Abstract: A compound bow includes a first and second pulley, each of which is operative, when the bow is drawn, to unwind a portion of a bow string from a bow string groove and to take up a portion of a bow cable so as to decrease its effective length. At least one of the pulleys includes a cable controller which operates to modify the rate at which the effective length of the bow cable is decreasing so that during an initial portion of the draw of the bow, the rate is greater than it would be in the absence of the controller, and during a second portion of the draw, the rate is less than it would be in the absence of the controller. Use of the controller provides a bow which has an inherently balanced draw.

Abstract: An adaptive exercise device is configured and operable to mechanically decouple the vertical and horizontal components of a user's foot and leg motion so as to allow the user to independently control the magnitude of both components of motion during the use of the device. The device includes a primary guide assembly which provides for foot motion along a path of travel having equal and opposite, selectably variable, horizontal components of motion and a secondary guide assembly which includes a crankless reciprocating control system which provides for foot motion along respective second paths of travel having equal and opposite, selectably variable, vertical components of motion.

Abstract: An archery bow includes a cam assembly rotatably supported at a pivot axis on a limb of the bow. The cam assembly includes a primary string feed-out which operates to feed out a length of a bowstring as the bow is drawn. The cam assembly includes a control system associated with a secondary string feed-out. The control system is operative, during the time the bow is being drawn and the primary string is being fed out, to control the effective length of a secondary portion of the string such that during an initial portion of the draw of the bow, the effective length of that secondary portion decreases and so that during a subsequent portion of the draw, the effective length increases. The controller thereby operates to modify the force draw profile of the bow so as to increase the amount of energy stored therein during the initial portion of the draw.

Abstract: An adaptive exercise device provides a foot motion in which horizontal and vertical components thereof are mechanically decoupled and independent. The device includes a primary guide assembly, and a secondary guide assembly, and a first and a second foot link, each having a foot pad portion for receiving and supporting a user's foot. The primary guide assembly directs the foot pad portions along a first path of travel having a horizontal component of motion. The secondary guide assembly directs the foot pad portions along a second path of travel having a vertical component of motion. Further disclosed is a method of exercising through the use of the adaptive exercise device.

Abstract: An adaptive exercise device provides for a foot motion in which the vertical component of the path of foot travel is mechanically decoupled from the fore-aft component of the path of foot travel so that a user may selectably control the ratio of these two components during the use of the device. The adaptive exercise device includes foot links which are supported on a track for motion therealong. The links are mechanically interconnected so that when a first link moves in a first direction along the track, the second link moves in an equal and opposite direction. The apparatus further includes a vertical motion control system which raises and lowers portions of each of the foot links along a vertical path of travel independent of their position along the track.

Abstract: A compound bow includes a first and second pulley, each of which is operative, when the bow is drawn, to unwind a portion of a bow string from a bow string groove and to take up a portion of a bow cable so as to decrease its effective length. At least one of the pulleys includes a cable controller which operates to modify the rate at which the effective length of the bow cable is decreasing so that during an initial portion of the draw of the bow, the rate is greater than it would be in the absence of the controller, and during a second portion of the draw, the rate is less than it would be in the absence of the controller. Use of the controller provides a bow which has an inherently balanced draw.

Abstract: A combination food cooler and table assembly includes a cooler base having an insulated cavity covered by a removable lid and a table assembly overlying the cooler lid. A table sub-panel has two legs that slide within table leg sleeves at opposite ends of the cooler base. A table top mounted over the sub-panel includes a central panel and a pair of drop leaves hingedly attached to opposite sides of the central panel. A pair of handhold openings in the sub-panel, accessed through hinged covers at the ends of the central panel, permit the user to raise the table assembly to a desired height. The central panel is mounted atop the sub-panel by means of a swivel mechanism that permits the table top to be rotated about its central axis 90 degrees with respect to the sub-panel when the drop leaves are raised outwardly and upwardly from a vertical or transport position to a horizontal position.

Abstract: An archery bow includes a cam assembly rotatably supported at a pivot axis on a limb of the bow. The cam assembly includes a primary string feed-out which operates to feed out a length of a bowstring as the bow is drawn. The cam assembly includes a control system associated with a secondary string feed-out. The control system is operative, during the time the bow is being drawn and the primary string is being fed out, to control the effective length of a secondary portion of the string such that during an initial portion of the draw of the bow, the effective length of that secondary portion decreases and so that during a subsequent portion of the draw, the effective length increases. The controller thereby operates to modify the force draw profile of the bow so as to increase the amount of energy stored therein during the initial portion of the draw.

Abstract: An exercise device providing a running and stepping foot action is configured to have an adjustable stride length which may be varied and reconfigured by a user while the device is in operation. The device effectively decouples the horizontal and vertical paths of travel of a user's foot. In this regard, the device includes a foot link which moves in a substantially horizontal path of travel under the control of a reciprocating link which engages a portion of the foot link. A control link engages another portion of the foot link and moves it in a substantially vertical direction under control of a crank assembly.

Abstract: A hybrid motor vehicle is operated in a front-loaded electrical power mode. The motor vehicle includes a first, electrical based, propulsion system which is powered by electrical energy stored in a rechargeable battery, and a second, fuel-based propulsion system, which is powered by oxidation of a fuel. According to the method, the amount of electrical energy stored in the battery is measured, and a percentage of that measured level is selected. A distance D which the first propulsion system, operating singly, and using that stored energy, can propel the vehicle is determined.

Abstract: An exercise device providing a running and stepping foot action is configured to have an adjustable stride length which may be varied and reconfigured by a user while the device is in operation. The device effectively decouples the horizontal and vertical paths of travel of a user's foot. In this regard, the device includes a foot link which moves in a substantially horizontal path of travel under the control of a reciprocating link which engages a portion of the foot link. A control link engages another portion of the foot link and moves it in a substantially vertical direction under control of a crank assembly.

Abstract: A compound bow includes a first and second pulley, each of which is operative, when the bow is drawn, to unwind a portion of a bow string from a bow string groove and to take up a portion of a bow cable so as to decrease its effective length. At least one of the pulleys includes a cable controller which operates to modify the rate at which the effective length of the bow cable is decreasing so that during an initial portion of the draw of the bow, the rate is greater than it would be in the absence of the controller, and during a second portion of the draw, the rate is less than it would be in the absence of the controller. Use of the controller provides a bow which has an inherently balanced draw.

Abstract: A hybrid motor vehicle is operated in a front-loaded electrical power mode. The motor vehicle includes a first, electrical based, propulsion system which is powered by electrical energy stored in a rechargeable battery, and a second, fuel-based propulsion system, which is powered by oxidation of a fuel. According to the method, the amount of electrical energy stored in the battery is measured, and a percentage of that measured level is selected. A distance D which the first propulsion system, operating singly, and using that stored energy, can propel the vehicle is determined.

Abstract: A solar-thermal powered generator has an absorber assembly which includes a gas permeable body of light absorbing material operative to absorb incident light and convert the absorbed light into heat. The gas permeable body of light absorbing material is supported in a spaced-apart relationship with a subjacent surface to define a volume which is bounded by the body of light absorbing material and the subjacent surface. A gas flow channel establishes fluid communication between the volume and the ambient atmosphere, and a turbine is disposed so as to intercept the gas flowing between the ambient atmosphere and the interior volume and extract kinetic energy therefrom. Also disclosed is a method for power generation using the disclosed generators.

Abstract: An arm motion assembly for an exercise device includes a first link which is pivotally affixed to a frame portion of the exercise device at a first pivot point so as to be capable of reciprocal motion thereabout. The assembly includes a second link which is pivotally affixed to a second frame portion of the exercise device at a second pivot point separated from the first pivot point so that the second link is capable of reciprocal motion about the second pivot point. The assembly includes a connector link which extends between the first link and the second link. The connector link is pivotally joined to the first link at a first junction point and to the second link at a second junction point so that when one of said first links and said second links reciprocates about its respective pivot point the connector link causes the other of said links to pivot about its respective pivot point. The assembly includes a handgrip which is affixed to the connector link or to one of the first and second links.

Abstract: A control system is operable to selectably activate shock damping devices associated with a bicycle so as to eliminate bobbing encountered under extreme pedaling conditions. The system includes a crank axle torque detector which operates to detect a level of torque applied to a crank axle and provide a control signal corresponding to the level of torque. A shock damping device is coupled to the frame of the cycle, and functions to absorb and dampen mechanical shocks communicated to the frame. The shock damping device includes an activator for controlling its damping function. The activator is operable to receive the control signal from the crank axle torque detector and control the shock damping device in response thereto. The control signal may be an electrical or a mechanical signal.

Abstract: A table which may be quickly and easily reconfigured to meet the present needs of the user includes a base having left and right side members, front and rear slat members, and a bottom member extending therebetween, the foregoing members defining a magazine storage area within the base, a sub-top extending between the left and right side members and being arranged for vertical sliding engagement with respect to the side members to facilitate height adjustment of the sub-top with respect to the base, a table top having a rectangular central top member and drop leaves hingedly attached to respective ones of longer sides of the top member, each of the drop leaves being movable between a horizontal position and a depending vertical position, the top member being mounted on the sub-top such that the table top may be rotated ninety degrees in either direction with respect to the base.

Abstract: An elliptical type exercise device having a modified foot action includes a pair of foot links, each having a foot support for receiving and retaining a user's foot. The device is configured so that a first end of each foot link travels in an arcuate path about a pivot axis, and a second end travels in a predetermined path which may be a reciprocal or non-reciprocal path. The device of the present invention includes a foot action modifier which is configured and operative to provide for motion of each foot support relative to a plane extending between the first and second end of its respective foot link. This motion modifies the foot action achieved by the device.

Abstract: An elliptical-type exercise device provides a modified foot action. The device includes a frame, an axle, and an axle retainer for supporting the axle on the frame so that it is rotatable about a pivot axis. The retainer allows the axle to move relative to the frame so as to displace the pivot axis. A first and a second foot link are coupled to the axle so that a first end of each foot link travels in an arcuate path. The device includes a guide which directs the second ends of the foot links in a reciprocal or non-reciprocal path of travel.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a first and a second foot link configured to receive a user's foot. A coupling member directs a first end of each of the foot links in an arcuate path, and a guide directs a second end of each foot link in a back and forth path of travel. The device includes an active support which is operable to displace the back and forth path of travel of the second ends of the foot link so that that path of travel is non-reciprocal.