Abstract: A human-powered-system utilizing an arm lever assembly and/or a pedal assembly to be adapted to or incorporated into other mechanisms including, but not limited to, wheelchairs and vehicles. The arm lever assembly includes an arm lever that is reciprocated to provide power and rotated left or right to provide steering control. Both assemblies are operatively connected to a converter, utilizing gears and one-way clutches that receives the reciprocal movements of the arm lever and converts them into a unidirectional output, to be utilized in combination or independently. The arm lever is further telescoping and when utilizing a slide mechanism operatively connected to the converter representing a first class lever offers a range of various leverages by correspondingly changing the length of the force and load end when extended and retracted.

Abstract: A standard-sized bicycle includes a main frame, a rear drive wheel and a rowing mechanism. The rowing mechanism is coupled to the steering column about a fulcrum. The fulcrum allows the rowing mechanism to oscillate forward in response to a pushing force and backward in response to a pulling force. The rowing mechanism includes a power lever and a pair of drive levers. The power lever has a handle on one end. The power lever also has a second end. The pair of drive levers extend from the second end of the power lever and provide foot rests for additional force. Each of the pair of drive levers is in mechanical communication with the rear drive wheel such that a forward oscillation of the rowing mechanism will drive the rear drive wheel in a same direction of rotation to propel the bicycle forward.

Abstract: A transport device for transporting a user may include a first riding platform to support a user and to propel the user, a second riding platform being opposed to the first riding platform to support the user and to propel the user, and a leading traverse frame member to connect the first platform with the second platform. The leading traverse frame member may allow the first rider platform to move radially and to move axially with respect to the second rider platform. The first riding platform may be connected to the second riding platform with a trailing frame member, and the trailing frame member may allow the first platform to move axially and move radially with respect to the second riding platform. The leading frame member may include a ball clevis, and the trailing frame member may include a ball clevis. The transport device may include a handle to propel the transport device, and the handle may be connected to a rack and pinion device.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle drive mechanism is provided that has a hand leverage arm and one or more horizontal gears to move associated drive gears. A drive chain meshed with a fixed drive sprocket keyed to the drive gears may be used to transmit motion from the horizontal gears to the vehicle wheels.

Abstract: A portable robotic system having a folding carriage is disclosed. The carriage in one embodiment includes two legs and a lateral stabilizer. The folding legs and stabilizer allow the carriage to be maneuvered into a plurality of open and closed positions. In the open positions, the legs and stabilizer are spaced apart to support the robotic system during operation. In the closed positions, the legs and stabilizer and substantially parallel to one another. In one closed position with one leg or stabilizer extended to within reach of a person, the carriage may be rolled like a dolly. In another closed position with one leg or stabilizer collapsed against the carriage, the carriage may be carried like a suitcase. Methods of folding and transporting a robotic system and carriage are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wheeled apparatus is provided that converts alternate back and forth longitudinal motion supplied by the arms of a user to a pair of members into rotary motion that is used to drive the apparatus forward. The members drive special rack gears that include upper and side gear teeth. An idler gear engages the side teeth and maintains alignment between the two rack gears. The upper teeth of each rack gear drive a first gear of a pair of coaster gears. When the first gear is rotated or driven in a first direction a second gear of each coaster gear also rotates in the first direction. When the first gear is rotated in an opposite direction, the second gear is adapted to coast. Each second gear is operatively connected to a first and to a second driven gear by a first and second chain respectively. The first and second driven gears are attached to a rear wheel of the apparatus and which each are adapted to urge the apparatus forward.

Abstract: A combined skateboard scooter/exerciser comprises a handlebar, a board, a steering device, a transmission device, and a wheel device. The steering rod is rotatably supported by the board and thus rotatable relative to the board. In addition, the steering rod is movable back and forth relative to the board. The handlebar is mounted to an upper end of the steering rod to move therewith. The steering device is mounted to a lower end of the steering rod to move therewith. The wheel device is mounted to the steering device. The transmission device is mounted between the lower end of the steering rod and the wheel device such that back and forth movement of the steering rod urges the wheel device to move forward via transmission by the transmission device.

Abstract: A combined skateboard scooter/exerciser comprises a handlebar, a front body, a transmission device, a wheel device, and a board. A rear end of the front body is pivoted to the board and includes a slot through which a steering rod extends. The steering rod is attached to the handlebar to move therewith and movable along the slot. The transmission device is engaged with the steering rod and the wheel device such that back and forth movement of the steering rod urges the wheel device to move forward via transmission by the transmission device. The wheel device includes wheels attached to front and rear ends of the board. The user may stand on the board and operate the handlebar and the steering rod to move back and forth to thereby move the combined skateboard scooter/exerciser forward while achieving a rowing-like exercise effect.

Abstract: The physical properties of an elastane, i.e. spandex, filament may be selectively altered basically by stretching the filament to a selected degree while heating the filament to a selected temperature above its glass transition temperature to set the filament at a reduced denier and a reduced degree of elongation. The tenacity of the filament may increase or decrease depending upon variable parameters of the methodology. The method may be performed on a single elastane filament or simultaneously on multiple filaments, e.g., in a draw warping operation.

Abstract: The apparatus converts reciprocating motion of a rowing type exercise into single direction rotational motion of a shaft in a predetermined direction. A reciprocable arm of a rowing type exercise is pivotally mounted to a frame. A shaft, set for rotation in the frame has first and second one way clutches. First and second racks are mounted with respect to the reciprocable arm and engage one or the other of the one way clutches for driving the shaft in a predetermined direction of rotation as the arms are reciprocated. One or the other clutches freewheels against its respective rack when one of the racks is moved in to drive the shaft and thereby retains the driving rack in engagement with its respective one way clutch.

Abstract: This improvement is for a hand operated wheel chair or exercise machine. The machine uses two racks to operate two one way clutches to furnish forward motion from both the forward and backward strokes of the input lever arm. The mechanical advantage of the input lever arm is readily changeable to affect the overall gear ratio of the drive. Steering is accomplished by turning a wheel on the lever arm. The control is similar to that on a wheel controlled airplane.

Abstract: A cycle that uses both arm and foot motions to drive it. Unlike other designs that connect the hand and foot movements to a single crank mechanism, the instant design uses two sets of gears that are stacked. Four straight toothed racks are positioned between the drive gears. The toothed racks are connected to the hand and foot levers so that as the levers are manipulated, the racks are moved back and forth. This reciprocating motion turns the gears, transferring energy to the main drive gear, which turns the wheels. The drive gears are paired so that one set is always providing power from each operating lever. The operating levers are designed to alternate--i.e., left hand forward left foot back at the same time as the right hand is back and the right foot is forward. Thus, with each stroke, power is transmitted to the wheels.

Abstract: The apparatus converts reciprocating motion of a rowing type exercise into single direction rotational motion of a shaft in a predetermined direction. A reciprocable arm of a rowing type exercise is pivotally mounted to a frame. A shaft, set for rotation in the frame has first and second one way clutches. First and second racks are mounted with respect to the reciprocable arm and engage one or the other of the one way clutches for driving the shaft in a predetermined direction of rotation as the arms are reciprocated. One or the other clutches freewheels against its respective rack when one of the racks is moved in to drive the shaft and thereby retains the driving rack in engagement with its respective one way clutch.

Abstract: Bicycle driven by alternating rowing movement which utilizes conventional frame, brakes, steering and fittings and having as distinctive feature axially articulated steering handles which act as a lever producing axial and alternating (rowing) movements. The lower end of the lever is connected to a device which turns the alternating movement into a rotating movement and which is driven by the driving flange. The movement of the steering handles-lever is connected to a sliding seat mounted on a slider affixed to the frame of the bicycle and to both footrests.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sporting and exercise apparatus movable by muscular force consisting of a frame having for the user an elongated platform supported by at least two wheels and of a mechanical hand-lever drive for converting a lever motion into a rotary motion of at least one of the wheels. The lever drive has at least one hand lever hinged on the frame which actuates either two racks, at least one gear segment or a chain/segment drive which act upon gears supported on a driving axle so that the racks, segment or the chain, when the lever is moved in one direction, actuate one gear to rotate clockwise and another gear counterclockwise, each gear being supported on the driving axle via a free-wheel unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wheelchair having a pair of levers along its opposite sides connected with sprockets on drive wheels. In one form, each lever is connected to its sprocket by a rack. The drive wheels have a clutch enabling the power stroke of the lever to drive the wheels through the rack-and-pinion engagement, yet permitting the sprocket to rotate in the reverse direction freely upon the return stroke of the lever. The rack includes an arcuate extent void of teeth to enable disengagement of the drive connection between the lever and sprocket whereby the wheels may move freely in either direction. In another form, a chain interconnects the lever and a return spring connected to the wheelchair frame. The chain has an extent void of pins to enable disengagement of the drive connection between the lever and sprocket, whereby the sprocket and, hence, drive wheel are free to rotate in either direction. A speed change mechanism is employed to vary the torque applied to the sprocket by the lever.

Abstract: A front and rear wheel road wheel drive apparatus transmits drive power from a drive power source in a motor vehicle to main and auxiliary drive road wheels and controls the transmitted drive power to improve operating performance of the motor vehicle such as turning performance in low- and medium-speed ranges and running stability in a high-speed range.

Abstract: A scooter with a manual propelling system of the invention can be moved by pushing or kicking the ground as usual, operating the manual propelling sytem or combining the both methods. The scooter comprises a body or platform, a steering section attached to the body and a prpelling section. The steering section includes a front shaft rotatably attached to the body, at least one front wheel rotationally connected to a lower portion of the front shaft, and a steering rod. A middle portion of the steering rod is rotationally connected to an upper portion of the front shaft. The propelling section includes a rear wheel shaft rotationally attached to the body, rear wheels fixed to the rear wheel shaft, an engaging device connected to the rear wheel shaft, and a drive shaft connected to a lower portion of the steering rod. The drive shaft is provided with a rack engaging the engaging device.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a human-powered vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle has a frame, plural wheels and linear motion generating mechanism, which is operable by a human being, for generating substantially linear, oscillating motion. A motion converting device is provided for converting the oscillating motion into rotary motion. A mechanism for transmitting the rotary motion to the driving wheels is provided.