Other

Watkins Manufacturing Co.

Watkins Manufacturing Corporation

Jonathan Watkins

A single track vehicle having a foot pedal lever activated side wheel extension/retraction mechanism is fitted with a hydraulic system for responding to excessive feedback force imparted to the driver's leg via the foot pedal. The system includes a normally open needle valve installed mechanically in line with a linear actuator to sense the magnitude of the feedback force to the driver's feet. If the feedback force exceeds the amount the driver can counter comfortably, the needle valve is closed as a result of the opposing force vectors between the loaded side wheel and the driver's feet. The system further includes an inertially activated hydraulic valve installed on the vehicle frame. In the event of a head-on crash, the valve closes, freezing a gas strut and thereby holding the foot pedal lever in the aft position, preventing injury to the driver.

Single-track vehicle with foot pedal feedback and inertial force limiters

A vehicle having a chassis frame and a single front and single rear wheel aligned on the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and retractable side wheels on opposite sides of the frame. A basic linkage transmits force to the side wheels for extending and retracting them in response to operator activation. The linkage may employ two hanging foot pedal levers and two independently rotatable lateral torque tubes to enable independent actuation of the left and right side wheels. The side wheels further comprise pivotally or caster-mounted side wheels in combination with a mechanism for asymmetrically limiting the range of pivotal side wheel motion, as well as lean compensation springs for controlling caster side wheel position as the lean angle of the vehicle changes. A locking mechanism is further disclosed for locking the caster side wheels in a straight-ahead position.

Single-track vehicle with independently actuable and limited-pivot-angle

A vehicle having a chassis frame and a single front and single rear wheel aligned on the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and retractable side wheels on opposite sides of the frame. A basic linkage transmits force to the side wheels for extending and retracting them in response to operator activation. The linkage is activated by a foot pedal lever which stows behind the driver's legs and a mechanism for locking the foot pedal lever in position behind the driver's legs and releasing it only when the driver depresses the foot pedal lever. The side wheels are further automatically steerable in synchronism with the vehicle front wheel by a mechanism which detects the front wheel position and activates an electrical motor to position the side wheels in accordance with the front wheel position. The steering mechanism is further capable of steering the side wheels to a position perpendicular to the track of the vehicle. Finally, an additional or second pair of side wheels may be provided with both pairs being retractable and extendable and one pair arranged to come into play when the vehicle tips.

Single track vehicle

A vehicle having a chassis frame and a single front and single rear wheel aligned on the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and retractable side wheels on opposite sides of the frame. A basic linkage transmits force to the side wheels for extending and retracting them in response to operator activation. A family of mechanisms for assisting the operator in extending the side wheels is disclosed, including ratchet-and-pawl, linear actuator, and power assist mechanisms. When retracted, the side wheels are positioned to permit a lean angle of 40 degrees or greater up to the optimum tire traction loss lean angle. Control of the vehicle rear suspension is provided to prevent it from interfering with vehicle lean angle.

A vehicle having a chassis frame, a single front and a single rear wheel aligned on the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and retractible outrigger wheels on opposite sides of the frame. A driver compartment supported by the frame and a driver foot pedal inside the compartment. Connection apparatus including ratchet and pawl instrumentalities connecting the foot pedal to the outrigger wheels to move them up and down in two full depressions of the foot pedal. The first depression lowers the outrigger wheels to a first position about half way to full lowering of the outrigger wheels which is suitable for low speed operation. The second depressions lowers the outrigger wheels to a second fully lowered position which is suitable for stopping. The force of the feet required to fully lower the outrigger wheels in two strokes when the vehicle is leaned over with the weight applied to one of the outrigger wheels being generally half of the force required to fully lower the outrigger wheels in one stroke. A hand grip on each side of the driver compartment, a front fork pivotally supporting the front wheel, and motion transfer apparatus from each hand grip extending on each side of the driver compartment and connecting to the front fork, whereby steering is accomplished by the driver pushing and pulling on the hand grips. A swing arm pivotally mounting bearings for the rear wheel with the pivotal axis of the swing arm located rearwardly of the rear wheel. The outrigger wheels have axles located in generally the same vertical plane lateral of the vehicle as the rear wheels axles when the outrigger wheels are in down position. The frame includes side trusses disposed generally in horizontal planes and located on each side of the driver compartment at about elbow height and diagonal frame members at front and back of the driver compartment tying together the side trusses thereby forming a complete trusswork about the compartment to protect the driver.

Vehicle

A hand-held dry hydro-massage unit for use in a spa tub to allow the user to direct the soothing effects of the hydro-therapeutic massage to specific portions of the body. The hand held unit is normally used in conjuction with a hydrotherapy spa tub to provide separate air and water supplies to the unit. The air and water are mixed by a discharge jet which forces the mixture onto the inside surface of a flexible diaphragm. The diaphragm encloses the unit such that the water is not discharged but is returned back through the supply line to the tub. The unit therefore provides a dry massage of the user eliminating the annoying water discharge and splash of conventional hydro-therapy devices.

Hand held dry hydro-massage unit for a spa

In a spa having a tank for body immersion, a flexible tube exhausting pressurized water into the tank having a free end adapted to whip usually in a vertical plane by reaction of the exhausting water. The tube has a cross-section with flattened upper and lower surfaces so the tube bends easier in the vertical plane and whips in a reciprocating motion in the vertical plane. Upper and lower limits on tube travel are formed by roller abutments that are supported by a housing. The housing has a series of holes in which the rollers are journaled extending in lines generally parallel to the tube so that the rollers can be changed in location in order to relocate upper and lower tube bending and reversing points as needed to produce effective whipping action of the tube.

Means providing moving water stream ejecting into spa tank

A unit for use in a tub or spa to provide a dry hydro-massage of the neck and shoulders. The unit mounts to the tub edge and includes a diaphragm which sealingly covers a discharge jet such that the fluid will flex the diaphragm into massaging relationship with the user's body. The water is exhausted into the tub through a secondary port below the water line such that dry hydro-therapy is provided by the unit. The unit is mounted to the side wall of the tub spa. The inflation of the diaphragm is controlled by pressure regulating ports formed within the housing to control the exhaust of fluid from the jet chamber. In one embodiment, the ports are variable to vary the inflation pressure of the diaphragm. With the unit mounted to the tub the user may remain seated within the spa while the unit provides a dry hydro-massage of the neck and upper back normally positioned above the water line. The diaphragm unit is adapted to be utilized with various jet nozzles.

Dry hydro-massage unit

Hand-held dry hydro-massage unit for a spa

A unit for use in a spa tub to provide a dry hydro-massage of the neck and shoulders. The unit includes a diaphragm which sealingly covers a discharge jet such that the fluid will flex the diaphragm into massaging relationship with the user's body. The water is exhausted into the spa through a secondary port below the water line such that dry hydro-therapy is provided by the unit. The unit is mounted within the side wall of the tub spa and can be telescopingly adjusted between a position just below the water line and a position above the water line. With the unit in the upper position the user may remain seated within the spa while the unit provides a dry hydro-massage of the neck and upper back normally positioned above the water line. Lower positions provide massage of lower body portions and facilitate storage and covering of the spa. The diaphragm unit is adapted to be utilized with various jet nozzles.

Dry hydro-massage unit for a spa tank

A flexible tube exhausting pumped water into a spa tank and whipping by reaction to exhaust of water therefrom. A number of articulated plastic sleeves encircling the tube and guiding the tube to whip only in a vertical plane. The sleeves being pivotally connected to pivot about horizontal parallel axes. Adjacent sleeves having abutments limiting bending of the harness and the tube. An end sleeve being secured against rotation but being slidable longitudinally of the tube so that the harness can adjust longitudinally of the tube during whipping of the tube.

Spa with moving jets

Spa recirculation water filter installation having an upwardly, inwardly open recess in the plastic spa water reservoir molded in a similar recess in a female mold. Water outlet fittings in opposite walls of the recess connected in a T-manner to a recirculation water pump. A filter having in each end a fitting interengaging with the water outlet fittings to secure the filter in place. A compression spring in one filter end fitting to be compressed during engagement and disengagement of the filter end fittings with the water outlet fittings. A cover over the filter installation with flanges secured to the filter end fittings.

Spa filter installation method and means

In a spa tank, a flexible exhaust water tube pivoting in a vertical plane exhausting a massaging water stream on the back of the user. The assembly is adjustable to govern rate of whipping of the exhaust tube and nozzle. The nozzle is buoyant and adds air to the exhaust water stream. Low-wear roller abutments are pressed by the exhaust water tube as bend points in undulating reversal movements at the top and bottom of the pivotal movement of the tube.

Growing community of inventors

Vista, CA, United States of America

Jonathan Watkins