Abstract: An ergonomic cane uses the user's hand as the socket portion of a ball and socket hinge. In use the hand and wrist remain stationary as the ball shaped handle rotates within the hand to eliminate stress on body parts. A narrow stem connects the ball shaped handle to the cane-leg to allow fingers to straddle comfortably. The ball shaped handle may be shock mounted to soften impact with the ground. The cane has a length adjustment feature.

Abstract: A cane comprises a handle, a foot, and a flexible flat spring member connecting the handle and the foot. The flexible flat spring member may be positioned to flex forwardly in a direction of travel of a user. The handle end may project rearward from a vertical center of the flat spring member. The cane may further comprise a flexible tube shrouding the flat spring member. The cane may further comprise a rigid strut member aligned with the flat spring member for selectively locking the flat spring member into a rigid condition and a first notch positioned for selectively engaging a lower end of the rigid strut member, such that the flat spring member is locked into a rigid condition when the lower end of the rigid strut member is engaged with the first notch.

Abstract: A lightweight folding motorized chair with mechanical traction steering and braking. A folding frame supports the traction wheels and the drive system with hinged frame members configured to mechanically fold the control levers, wheels and periphery components into a substantially flat configuration for easy storage in small spaces. A mix of weight saving choices including: structural materials; mechanical traction control system; lithium ion battery; and overall lightweight design keeps the folding motorized chair at a size and weight that a person can lift into the trunk of a car.

Abstract: A lightweight folding motorized chair with mechanical traction steering and braking. A folding frame supports the traction wheels and the drive system with hinged frame members configured to mechanically fold the control levers, wheels and periphery components into a substantially flat configuration for easy storage in small spaces. A mix of weight saving choices including: structural materials; mechanical traction control system; lithium ion battery; and overall lightweight design keeps the folding motorized chair at a size and weight that a person can lift into the trunk of a car.

Abstract: A loading device for an exercise machine includes a lever arm and a nitrogen gas compression spring in a force triangle that provides easy adjustment of the resistive load presented to a user. The nitrogen gas compression spring and the selected portion of the lever arm comprise two legs of the force triangle, with a slidable coupling selectively interconnecting the nitrogen gas compression spring with the lever arm at adjustment points on the lever arm. Both the nitrogen gas compression spring and the lever arm are pivotally mounted on a rigid member, with the distances between their pivots forming the third leg of the force triangle. The nitrogen gas compression spring exhibits a high resistance, a flat spring rate and is of rigid construction so that the lever arm and nitrogen gas compression spring are self-supported at all times.

Abstract: A glider device includes a pair of swingably mounted foot platforms pivotally supported by links at their heel ends. A spring cage, in one embodiment, includes a tension spring in each link to resiliently support the heel end of the foot platform. The spring cage limits displacement of the tension spring and includes a compression spring that cushions the displacement of the tension spring. In the a second, preferred embodiment, a stack of rubber bushings is supported in the spring cage and compress and decompress to provide a cushioning action to the foot platform.

Abstract: A glider device includes a pair of swingably mounted foot platforms pivotally supported by links at their heel ends. A spring cage, including a tension spring and a compression spring, is included in each link to resiliently support the heel end of the foot platform. The spring cage limits displacement of the tension spring and includes a compression spring that cushions the displacement of the tension spring.

Abstract: A directionally controllable air cylinder has a set of circumferentially disposed air passages formed at each end of a closed tube. A sleeve manifold surrounds the tube and is pneumatically sealed thereto by means of a plurality of O-rings. The O-rings are positioned such that they selectively expose the sets of air passages to the manifold for receiving compressed air and to the atmosphere for venting. The direction of piston movement is determined by the set of passages exposed to compressed air. A pilot piston moves the manifold in response to a pilot air signal in one embodiment and an electrically operated solenoid moves it in another version. The manifold may also be manually or mechanically moved to operate the air cylinder. Hydraulic cylinders utilizing fluids, other than air, are also disclosed.