Abstract: A pair of a skater foot supports are joined with a skating motion director including, a simple crank interconnected with the foot supports by a pivotal linkage, such that as the crank rotates in a circle, one of the foot supports is pulled and the other pushed during a first one-half of the circle rotation, while, the reverse occurs during the second one-half of the circle rotation. The crank is rotationally engaged with a flywheel through a mechanical drive train, enabling the flywheel to rotate at a speed greater than that of the crank whereby the foot supports move with a skating motion for exercising a skater.

Abstract: A foldable cart apparatus includes a first, second and third U-shaped frames pivotally joined and functionally movable between a folded attitude and an unfolded attitude. Its primary function is for carrying articles such a beach related items. In the folded attitude the frames are positioned adjacently. In the unfolded attitude the first and second frames diverge upwardly and the second and third frames diverge downwardly as viewed from the side. The first frame is engaged with a bottom strut supported on spaced apart wheels for moving the apparatus on a surface. A flexible sling is engaged with the first and the third of the frames, so that in the unfolded attitude, a vertical rear containment wall and a horizontal bottom shelf are formed. A flexible fabric bag is fastened between the first and second of the frames and forms an open topped container for receiving the items for transport. The bottom shelf can be used to support an ice chest or other bulky article.

Abstract: A water heater apparatus for aircraft applications has three water heating tubes joined in series interconnection and positioned in side-by-side adjacency, where each of the tubes provides an electrical resistance heater part of a 3 phase electrical power circuit. Each tube also has a thermostat, and an electrical circuit breaker. The thermostats establish an open electrical circuit if water temperature exceeds a temperature set point. The circuit breakers establish an open circuit if electric current flow exceeds an electrical current set point. The apparatus uses a pressure check valve to expel pressure from the water heating tubes when pressure exceeds a water pressure set point. A temperature sensor is positioned for sensing water temperature at a water outlet and an ultrasonic water flow sensing switch identifies water flow in the water heating tubes.

Abstract: A water heater apparatus for aircraft applications has three water heating tubes joined in series interconnection and positioned in side-by-side adjacency, where each of the tubes provides an electrical resistance heater part of a 3 phase electrical power circuit. Each tube also has a thermostat, and an electrical circuit breaker. The thermostats establish an open electrical circuit if water temperature exceeds a temperature set point. The circuit breakers establish an open circuit if electric current flow exceeds an electrical current set point. The apparatus uses a pressure check valve to expel pressure from the water heating tubes when pressure exceeds a water pressure set point. A temperature sensor is positioned for sensing water temperature at a water outlet and an ultrasonic water flow sensing switch identifies water flow in the water heating tubes.

Abstract: A humidifier apparatus has a source of water such as a tank, joined through an inlet valve to a manifold providing water flow from the inlet valve to a vent stack and a mist stack. The stacks extend upwardly from the manifold and are positioned for sharing a common water level. Both stacks are open at their top. An ultrasonic mist generator is positioned below the mist stack and is enabled for generating a mist within the mist stack. The vent stack provides a water sensor enabled for detecting a preferred water level in the vent and mist stacks and for controlling the inlet valve to maintain this preferred water level.

Abstract: A foldable cart apparatus comprises a first, second and third U-shaped frames pivotally joined and functionally movable between a folded attitude and an unfolded attitude. Its primary function is for carrying articles such a beach related items. In the folded attitude the frames are positioned adjacently. In the unfolded attitude the first and second frames diverge upwardly and the second and third frames diverge downwardly as viewed from the side. The first frame is engaged with a bottom strut supported on spaced apart wheels for moving the apparatus on a surface. A flexible sling is engaged with the first and the third of the frames, so that in the unfolded attitude, a vertical rear containment wall and a horizontal bottom shelf are formed. A flexible fabric bag is fastened between the first and second of the frames and forms an open topped container for receiving the items for transport. The bottom shelf can be used to support an ice chest or other bulky article.

Abstract: A humidifier apparatus has a source of water such as a tank, joined through an inlet valve to a manifold providing water flow from the inlet valve to a vent stack and a mist stack. The stacks and extend upwardly from the manifold and are positioned for sharing a common water level. Both stacks are open at their top. An ultrasonic mist generator is positioned below the mist stack and is enabled for generating a mist within the mist stack. The vent stack provides a water sensor enabled for detecting a preferred water level in the vent and mist stacks and for controlling the inlet valve to maintain this preferred water level.

Abstract: A golf club swing training apparatus is used in perfecting a golf club swing. A vertically adjustable frame supports, in an upright position, a head positioning device and a swing arm. The head positioning device and the swing arm are each enabled for vertical position adjustment. The swing arm further provides a handgrip enabled for pivotal and rotational positioning. The frame further supports a resisting force producing device engaged with the swing arm and enabling a selectable swing biasing resistance force. A user-supporting platform provides visual foot locating means.

Abstract: An apparatus for kick boxing training or punching, the apparatus comprising: a base portion providing a way of increasing the weight of the base portion; an upright portion removably and fixedly engagable with the base portion; and a cushion portion removably engagable with the upright portion and positioned for receiving hand and foot blows from an upright boxer. The base portion provides a circular base plate for resting the apparatus on a surface, and a circular sidewall, the sidewall joining the base plate in an outside radiused peripheral edge. The outside radiused peripheral edge is enabled such that a blow received by the cushion portion causes the apparatus to rotate about the radiused peripheral edge and to thereafter right itself.

Abstract: A boxing exercise apparatus is mounted onto a stand. A pivoted support arm provides a strike absorbing means. In a first embodiment, the support arm is connected to the stand with a spring joined to a rigid rod. The rigid rod is preferably positioned in a neutral position with an integral positioning means. Displacement of the support arm away from the neutral position toward at a rocked-back position is counteracted by the spring. In a second embodiment, the apparatus further includes a second spring joining the stand and the rigid rod; and a second positioning means for contacting the rigid rod. When the support arm is deflected, alternately the first spring and then the second spring retards the motion of the support arm. In a third embodiment, a pair of strike absorbing means are mounted in such a manner that they move away from a blow and recover a neutral position as described, and also move laterally, and again recover a neutral position.

Abstract: A skating training apparatus includes rotating gears positioned in a generally horizontal plane. Linear supporting struts are pivotally attached to the gears for movement therewith and a motion restricting device is engaging with the liner supporting struts and adapted for restricting the linear supporting struts to a combination of pivotal and linear translational motion. Pivots engage the linear supporting struts and restrict it to pivotal motion at one end. Foot rests are mounted on the linear supporting struts at an end opposite to the pivots. The rotating gears, linear supporting struts, motion restricting device and pivots are mutually interconnected for moving the foot rests in a skating motion as driven by a person's feet while training on the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing coffee comprises a chassis engaging an electronic power and control circuit, a water heater, a coffee brewing tray adapted for receiving a coffee packet, a coffee pot supporting shelf, a control panel adapted for receiving manual selections for operating the apparatus, an electrical interlock adapted for sensing the presence of a coffee pot on the coffee pot supporting shelf. An electrical interlocking scheme is adapted for sensing when the coffee pot is present and when it is full, the temperature and level of water in the water heater, and when a restraining handle is in place.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a pair of elongated reciprocating members. The reciprocating members are supported for rotational motion about a pivot axis and the forward ends of the reciprocating members reciprocate back and forth linearly along a motion restrictor forcing near linear motion. The combination of these two motions by the reciprocating members permit a user's feet to travel along conical orelliption motion path of travel. Resistance to rotation of a cranking means is provided and may be selectively altered by the user. At lower inclinations/elevations of the restrictor, the stepping motion may resemble cross-country skiing. At progressively higher angles of inclination or elevations of the restrictor, the stepping motions may simulate walking, jogging, running, climbing.

Abstract: An improved press arm allows an operator to perform either a traditional straight chest press exercise or to incorporate "butterfly" motion during the performance of the chest press exercise. A main arm is pivotally coupled to the frame of the exercise machine at a main pivot in the same manner as conventional press arms. The main arm includes a cross-beam to which a pair of handle arms are pivotally coupled at secondary pivots. The axes of the secondary pivots are orthogonal to the axis of the main pivot and are inclined with respect to vertical when the press arm is in a rest position. This inclination causes the handle arms to assume a natural rest position under the influence of gravity. The rest positions of the handle arms place the press arm handles at a comfortable starting position for performance of a press exercise. Stops to limit the inward or outward travel of the handle arms are not necessary.

Abstract: A boxing exercise apparatus is mounted on a stand. A pivoted support arm provides a strike absorbing means. In a first embodiment, the support arm is connected to the stand with a spring joined to a rigid rod. The rigid rod is preferably positioned in a neutral position with an integral positioning means. Displacement of the support arm away from the neutral position toward a rocked-back position is counteracted by the spring. In a second embodiment, the apparatus further includes a second spring joining segments of the stand so as to bias lateral movement of the support arm. When the support arm is deflected, the first spring and the second spring retards the motion of the support arm within two degrees of freedom. A friction adjustment is provided so as to adjust motion stiffness. This adjustment provides a novel approach using a friction washer.

Abstract: An exercise machine has a pair of exercise mechanisms pivotally coupled to the frame of the machine for use by an operator in performing a biceps curl exercise. Each such mechanism includes an exercise arm coupled to the frame for rotation about two spaced-apart, generally horizontal axes. One axis is fixed with respect to the frame, while the second axis is rotates about the first axis. A linkage member pivotally coupled to both the frame and the exercise arm connects the two axes of rotation. An additional linkage member is connected between the exercise arm and the frame. Exercise resistance is provided by weights, although other sources of exercise resistance may be used. As the operator applies an exercise force to the exercise arms, the arms rotate about both the first and second axes, the relative movement about the two axes being coordinated by the linkage members.

Abstract: A multi-station exercise machine has a movable subframe on which a user sits while performing various exercises. The subframe is pivotally attached to a stationery frame and is supported by a lever arm that is also pivotally attached to the stationery frame. The pivot arms coupling the subframe to the stationery frame bear against a carriage that is movable located on the lever arm. A cable and pulley system couples the lever arm to the various operable members of the apparatus so that a selectable ratio of the weight of the subframe, including the user, is communicated as exercise resistance. The amount of weight that is coupled to the operable members is selected by positioning the carriage along the lever arm. This adjustment also varies the height to which the subframe is lifted by the exercise stroke and hence the effort that must be exerted by the user.