Abstract: The present invention describes a harness apparatus for supporting objects, specifically stringed musical instruments, such as guitars, that allows the weight of the object to be borne by the hips and waist of the wearer and not the wearer's back, shoulders, and/or neck. The apparatus possesses a shapeable, padded rigid frame component that is associated with and rises from a padded waist belt component. The apparatus is profoundly adjustable and can be used by males, females, left-handed and right-handed persons. Advantages to an apparatus such as this include a reduction in back, shoulder, and/or neck strain, discomfort and fatigue that is normally associated with load supporting devices that bear the load's weight from the wearer's upper body. An equipment strap support loop is located on top of the inverted T frame. This support loop functions to replace the human neck and shoulders to support the equipment support strap.

Abstract: A braking system including a pre-charge with a plurality of pumps disposed in parallel with respect to one another. The pumps can direct pressurized brake fluid to the brakes during a controlled braking maneuver. The pumps operate with offset operating cycles such that a first pump is drawing fluid while a second pump is pushing fluid to the brakes. The invention provides an embodiment having three pumps operated in parallel, wherein the pumps define operating cycles offset 120 degrees from one another. The invention also provides a separate master cylinder reservoir feed circuit to improve response of the system, especially cold weather response.

Abstract: Differential performance characteristics are achieved in a motor-driven anti-lock braking system with a DC motor having a first brush which is employed for both forward and reverse motor rotation, a second brush which is employed in connection with the first brush when forward motor rotation is desired, and a third brush which is employed in connection with the first brush when reverse motor rotation is desired. The second and third brushes are displaced along the circumference of the motor commutator such that the first and second brushes encompass more turns of the rotor winding than the first and third brushes. As a result, more of the winding turns are active in the forward direction, and the motor torque is maximized for developing the required brake pressure. On the other hand, fewer of the winding turns are active in the reverse direction, and the motor speed is maximized to relatively quickly retract the armature within the valve bore to relieve the brake pressure.

Abstract: An electric motor-driven brake pressure modulator motor is designed and controlled to exhibit different speed/torque performance characteristics depending on the direction of motor rotation. In the forward direction when the brake pressure is being applied, the torque characteristic of the motor is maximized to develop adequate brake pressure. In the reverse direction when the brake pressure is being relieved, the speed characteristic of the motor is maximized to quickly relieve the brake pressure. The result is an antilock braking system in which the braking performance is maximized without the design compromise penalties of presently known systems.

Abstract: A controller for a multi-phase brushless DC motor which is selectively operable in either full wave or half wave modes for maximizing either the output torque or output speed, respectively, of the motor. One terminal of each phase winding is connected to the terminals of a DC voltage source via upper and lower legs of a full wave bridge circuit, while the other winding terminals are mutually connected to a common terminal which is selectively isolated from or returned to a terminal of the source. When relatively high motor output torque is required to drive a relatively heavy load, the winding common terminal is isolated from the source and the bridge circuit is operated in the full wave mode to energize the motor windings with bidirectional current. When load to be driven is relatively light and higher motor speed is desired, the winding common terminal is connected to a terminal of the source and the bridge circuit is operated in the half wave mode to energize the motor windings with unidirectional current.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a boatless water skiing tow system and a unique traction apparatus for use therein. The traction apparatus comprises a plurality of cable loops connected end to end to form an endless sequence giving the semblance of a dual cable traction device without the disadvantages of such a traction device. Apparatus is provided for equalizing the action of forces applied to the upper and lower arms of the various loops.