Abstract: A front fork brace which clamps to the sliding tubular portion of each front fork leg of a motorcycle. The brace captures a resilient member between each sliding tubular fork leg and respective clamping structures of the brace. A cross member rigidly connects the pair of clamping structures between upper ends of the lower sliding tube of each front fork leg. In one embodiment, each clamping structure has upper and lower flanges which capture an enlarged upper portion of the respective sliding tube therebetween to restrain relative movement between the clamping structures and the sliding tube. In another embodiment, the clamping structures clamp onto respective resilient sleeves.

Abstract: A single track vehicle includes at least one front drive wheel and one rear steered wheel. A steering mechanism causes the front and rear wheels to substantially track each other during a turn and also causes the center of gravity of the vehicle to be raised during a turn. The steering mechanism further allows simultaneous variance of both the camber angle and turn angle of the rear wheel for even more exact tracking of the front and rear wheels. The steering mechanism further provides for a more linear relationship between the rate of change in the angle of rotation of the steering head of the vehicle and the rate in change of the turn radius of the vehicle. In other aspects, a steering mechanism is provided which allows the operator to maintain a constant width between his hands while turning a vehicle incorporating the steering mechanism. Preferred embodiments of the vehicle are shown in the form of a bicycle and a motorcycle.

Abstract: An adaptive matched filter is described as a replacement for a signal replica filter of a maximum likelihood (ML) demodulator, the filter normally receiving an input data vector having signal and noise components. A symbol-justified input data vector is produced from the input data vector. This vector is then used to generate a weight vector. In a time-domain embodiment, the symbol-justified data vector is multiplied by the weight vector on a symbol-by-symbol basis to estimate the signal components of the output of a filter. In a frequency-domain implementation, multiplication is carried out on a symbol block-by-symbol block basis.

Abstract: A separator for continuously separating comparatively small particles of light bulk density such as, for example, expanded polystyrene x-beads from unexpanded polystyrene beads produced by an expansion process, preferably including a vibrating screen of a mesh size for passing smaller particles, but not larger particles, and a pulsed pressure differential across said screen for drawing smaller particles through the screen and for clearing the screen.

Abstract: A mixture of botanical fines and sand is separated by a porous separating medium horizontally disposed within an enclosed chamber in which an upflowing stream of gas carries out the separation. The porous separating medium is comprised of a plurality of particles constrained in a close-packed array between two opposed retaining members. While the gas flows up through the array of particles they are subjected to vibration, the separation being primarily determined by the flow of gas through the array and mobility of the particles. The separation is primarily controlled by altering the volume constraining the particles in the array which affects both the velocity of gas flow and the mobility of the particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a smokable tobacco product comprised of a tobacco portion consisting essentially of tobacco particles having a mean ratio of area to perimeter squared of at least about 0.049 and a short dimension not in excess of 0.5 inch wherein the particles are of a substantially normal particle size distribution. By forming a smokable tobacco product of such particles, the lattice structure is highly resilient, enabling product formation at lower than normal weights while retaining similar firmness, end stability and burn properties as conventional cigarettes.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the separation of sand and botanical materials, particularly tobacco, the apparatus including a fluidized bed and a porous support for the mixture of sand and botanical materials. The method incorporates the apparatus and aids in the separation, the method potentially including a pulsed fluid flow superimposed on a steady fluid flow in the system.