Abstract: Images are overlaid using a personal viewing device, such as a head mounted display. The personal viewing device includes a mount, an electronic display, a lens, and an electronic circuit. The electronic display, lens, and electronic circuit are physically attached to the mount. The electronic display and lens are positioned by the mount so that an eye views the electronic display through the lens. The electronic circuit overlays a first image with a second image to produce an overlaid image. The electronic circuit then displays the overlaid image on the electronic display. The electronic circuit can include an image generating device. The image generating device can generate the first image and/or the second image. The image generating device can be a video player or a processor. The personal viewing device can further include a wireless transceiver attached to the mount.

Abstract: This disclosure includes various embodiments of apparatuses for encapsulating and stopping a flowing mass of fluid (e.g., liquid such as water, or gas such as air) to extract the kinetic energy from the mass, and for exhausting the mass once stopped (spent mass, from which kinetic energy has been extracted). This disclosure also includes various embodiments of systems comprising a plurality of the present apparatuses coupled together and/or one or more of the present apparatuses in combination with one or more flow resistance modifiers (FRMs). This disclosure also includes various embodiments of methods of extracting kinetic energy from a flowing mass of fluid (e.g., liquid such as water, or gas such as air) by stopping the mass, and for exhausting the mass once stopped (spent mass, from which kinetic energy has been extracted). This disclosure also includes embodiments of mechanical energy-storage or accumulation devices.

Abstract: Images are overlaid using a personal viewing device, such as a head mounted display. The personal viewing device includes a mount, an electronic display, a lens, and an electronic circuit. The electronic display, lens, and electronic circuit are physically attached to the mount. The electronic display and lens are positioned by the mount so that an eye views the electronic display through the lens. The electronic circuit overlays a first image with a second image to produce an overlaid image. The electronic circuit then displays the overlaid image on the electronic display. The electronic circuit can include an image generating device. The image generating device can generate the first image and/or the second image. The image generating device can be a video player or a processor. The personal viewing device can further include a wireless transceiver attached to the mount.

Abstract: A water energy conversion system for convening the potential energy of water to electrical or mechanical energy, takes water at an inlet (105) from a higher elevation source, through a conduit (110) to a lower location. Then a riser (120) conveys the water up to nearly the same elevation it had at the inlet. The riser acts as a “virtual dam”, delivering the water with nearly the same head as a dam. The water from the riser is delivered to an energy converter (100) which comprises a loop raceway (130) which constrains and guides a plurality of carriage and disc assemblies (135) connected in a continuous train by links (155). An inlet (125) at the top of the energy converter receives the water where it falls downward through a jacket (140) that is constrained by the raceway (140).

Abstract: A compact wall fastener (200) comprises pivotably connected proximal and distal sections where the proximal section has a through hole (205). The distal and proximal sections (220, 222, 235) preferably are flat. The distal section has a cam follower surface (251), a point (240), and a raised portion (250) that has the cam follower surface. The fastener is driven into a wallboard (600) until its proximal surface is parallel to the surface (605) of the wallboard. An activating pin or screw (615) is inserted into the entry of the fastener and forced into contact with the cam follower and then past the raised portion, forcing the distal section to bend, thereby causing the distal section to rotate downward until it is in contact with the inside surface (610) of the wallboard. The result is a secure fastener with minimal damage to the wallboard. In addition, the fastener can be used to fasten layers of delicate or easily displaced materials (1305, 1306, 1307).

Abstract: A head mounted display assembly including a frame comprising a base (5) adapted to rest on a top portion of a head of a user, a front frame portion (4) adapted to rest against a front portion of the head of the user, and a rear frame portion (6) adapted to rest against a back portion of the head of the user. The assembly also includes an optical display housing (2). Additionally, the assembly includes an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a distance between the front frame portion (4) and the rear frame portion (6) while maintaining the optical display housing (2) at a constant angle relative to the base (5). The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: An ocular device is be used to magnify virtual and real scenes in a binocular or monocular configuration. A plurality of lenses is positioned as though each of the lenses is tangent to a surface of a first sphere having a center that is located substantially at a center of rotation of an eye of a user. A plurality of displays is positioned as though each of the displays is tangent to a surface of a second sphere having a radius larger than the first sphere's radius and having a center that is located at a center of rotation of the eye. Each of the displays corresponds to at least one of the lenses, and is imaged by the corresponding lens. A processor displays an image to the user using the plurality of displays. An input device allows the user to adjust a magnification of the image.

Abstract: A compact wall fastener (200) comprises pivotably connected proximal and distal sections where the proximal section has a through hole (205). The distal and proximal sections (220, 222, 235) preferably are flat. The distal section has a cam follower surface (251), a point (240), and a raised portion (250) that has the cam follower surface. The fastener is driven into a wallboard (600) until its proximal surface is parallel to the surface (605) of the wallboard. An activating pin or screw (615) is inserted into the entry of the fastener and forced into contact with the cam follower and then past the raised portion, forcing the distal section to bend, thereby causing the distal section to rotate downward until it is in contact with the inside surface (610) of the wallboard. The result is a secure fastener with minimal damage to the wallboard. In addition, the fastener can be used to fasten layers of delicate or easily displaced materials (1305, 1306, 1307).

Abstract: A head mounted virtual environment display with high visual resolution and a full field of view is disclosed. The display uses an optical system in which the video displays and corresponding lenses are positioned tangent to hemispheres with centers located at the centers of rotation of a user's eyes. Centering the optical system on the center of rotation of the eye allows both a full field of view and high fidelity visual resolution, without compromising visual resolution. A multi-panel video wall design for the video displays allows each lens facet to image a miniature flat panel display at optical infinity. The flat panel displays are centered on the optical axes of the lens facets. A parallel graphics architecture uses data from high resolution and accuracy head trackers and built-in eye trackers to generate high detail 3D models at high frame rates with minimal perceptible lag.

Abstract: A head mounted virtual environment display with high visual resolution and a full field of view is disclosed. The display uses an optical system in which the video displays and corresponding lenses are positioned tangent to hemispheres with centers located at the centers of rotation of a user's eyes. Centering the optical system on the center of rotation of the eye allows both a full field of view and high fidelity visual resolution, without compromising visual resolution. A multi-panel video wall design for the video displays allows each lens facet to image a miniature flat panel display at optical infinity. The flat panel displays are centered on the optical axes of the lens facets. A parallel graphics architecture uses data from high resolution and accuracy head trackers and built-in eye trackers to generate high detail 3D models at high frame rates with minimal perceptible lag.

Abstract: Exercising apparatus for simulating the characteristics of exercise during actual riding of a bicycle comprising a stationary frame device for mounting apparatus components comprising a pedal operated drive system, fly wheel apparatus of relatively small size and weight operatively associated with the drive system and being operable thereby at relatively high velocities simulating momentum during actual riding of a bicycle, and resistance load applying apparatus operatively associated with the drive system for automatically applying variable resistance loads to the drive system in direct proportion to velocity of the drive system to simulate variations in resistance load encountered during actual riding of a bicycle.

Abstract: A power transmitting system for transmitting power between a power source, such as an internal combustion engine or an electric motor or the like, and a driven device, such as a vehicle wheel or the like, comprising an endless power transmitting device, such as a chain or a belt, and a plurality of pulley devices including at least one variable diameter pulley with clamping devices associated with the variable diameter pulley and the endless power transmitting device to clamp them together during movement of the endless power transmitting device around the variable diameter pulley.

Abstract: Exercising apparatus comprising a flywheel-type energy storage and fan-type resistance load applying system which is connectible to a variety of human force input systems such as a leg-operated bicycle-type system, a hand operated rowing-type system, etc. through a chain-type drive system which may include multiple speed and force multiplying and force controlling devices.

Abstract: A one way rotary force transmission system comprising a rotary force input means for receiving force from operatively associated drive means to impart an angular input velocity thereto; a rotary output means for rotation by said rotary force input means in only one direction to impart an angular output velocity thereto; rotatable force transmission means having at least one transmission member displaceable relative to the rotary force output means between an input force transfer position of direct positive input force transfer between the transmission means and the rotary force output means and a non-force transfer position preventing transfer of force between the rotary output means and the rotary force input means; and transmission actuating means operatively associated with the one transmission member of the transmission means for causing displacement thereof to the input force transmission position in response to applied force causing an angular input velocity greater than the angular output velocity of s

Abstract: Exercising apparatus for simulating the characteristics of exercise during actual riding of a bicycle comprising a stationary frame for mounting components of a bicycle or the like including at least a frame, a seat, handle bars and a front wheel fork, a rear wheel, crank arms and pedals, and a pedal operated drive system; a driven wheel for frictionally engaging the rear wheel for rotation by the rear wheel to simulate engagement with the ground during the actual riding of a bicycle; a fly wheel operatively connected to said driven wheel for energy storage during rotation of the rear wheel to simulate momentum during actual riding of a bicycle; and load applying resistance operatively connected to said driven wheel in the form of either a cage fan unit or a centrifugal control device for applying variable loads to said driven wheel to simulate variations in load encountered during actual riding of a bicycle.

Abstract: A brake system and method of braking including brake pads made of an "anti-friction" material, which may be lubricated, to establish a constant wet coefficient of friction in use with braking force applying apparatus for applying relatively high braking force which may be obtained in part by the energy of the moving member to which the braking force is applied.

Abstract: An input-output force correlated drive system for driving any driven device such as the rear wheel of a bicycle, a flywheel, or the like comprising: input force applying apparatus for transmitting input force to and causing operation of the drive system; rotatable output force transfer apparatus operable by the input force applying apparatus for transferring output force to the driven device; and input-output force correlation apparatus being continuously operatively connectable to and operable by the input force applying apparatus and being continuously operatively connectable to and operating the output force transfer apparatus for variably changing the rotational speed and circumferential location of the output force transfer apparatus relative to the input force applying apparatus during each revolution in accordance with predetermined input-output force correlation characteristics to be provided by the drive system.

Abstract: Actuating apparatus for actuating a device such as a brake or clutch or the like comprising output force transfer apparatus movable between an open non-force applying position and closed force applying positions whereat a variable output force is applied to the device in the closed force applying positions; and wherein the actuating apparatus causes, movement of the output force transfer apparatus between the open position and the closed positions and exerts variably increasable output forces in the closed positions. A constant force applying apparatus continuously exerts a uniform substantially constant force of pre-selected magnitude on the output force transfer apparatus in the closed positions and holds the output force transfer apparatus in the open position.

Abstract: An input-output force correlated drive system for driving a driven device such as the rear wheel of a bicycle or the like comprising: input force applying apparatus for transmitting input force to and causing operation of the drive system; rotatable output force transfer apparatus operable by the input force applying apparatus for transferring output force to the driven device; and input-output force correlation apparatus being continuously operatively connected to and operable by the input force applying apparatus and being continuously operatively connected to and operating the output force transfer apparatus for variably changing the rotational speed and circumferential location of the output force transfer apparatus relative to the input force applying apparatus during each revolution in accordance with predetermined input-output force correlation characteristics to be provided by the drive system.

Abstract: It is a purpose of this invention to provide for highly efficient transmission of power delivered either manually or thru any other means from the source to the output point, whether either is rotary or reciprocating, thru an infinitely variable range beginning with zero.