Martin Ekonen

US Patent:

50609360, Oct 29, 1991

Filed:

Dec 19, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/286339

Inventors:

Martin A. Ekonen - Livonia MI
William D. Suggett - Verdi NV
Richard Munson - Sparks NV

International Classification:

A63B 520

US Classification:

272 75

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for providing rotation to a portion of a loop of rope by which an individual can jump rope alone, and without holding the rope, and in which the rope loops near the ground so that a jumper may jump over it, then rotate over the head of the jumper for another passage close to the ground, wherein a feature is a method for adjusting small weights on the rope to alter the characteristics of the loop; and safety provisions are made so that the rope will not become entangled with the user and cause injury. The apparatus comprises a stand with a fixed swivel arrangement to hold one end of a rope and a rotating device for the other end of the rope to cause the rotating motion of the loop and an adjustment can be made to accommodate different configurations of the loop as it passes beneath the jumpers feet and over the jumpers head.

US Patent:

42315549, Nov 4, 1980

Filed:

Oct 17, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/952179

Inventors:

Martin A. Ekonen - Livonia MI
James L. Blechschmidt - Plymouth MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60G 1126
F16F 300
F16F 500
F16F 1300

US Classification:

267 65D

Abstract:

A control valve having a cylinder mounted to a frame of a motor vehicle and a piston rod mounted to an axle of a motor vehicle for controlling the amount of air introduced to or exhausted from an air suspension spring mounted between the axle and frame of the motor vehicle. The piston rod is connected to a piston which is slidable within a cylinder. Three ports, a port leading to an air spring, an exhaust port, and a supply port extend through the side wall of the cylinder. A piston has a passage therethrough with one outlet at the top surface of the piston and a second outlet at a side surface of the piston. The piston is movable to three positions; one position with the supply port in communication through the passage, with the air spring port, a second position which all three ports are sealed from one another, and a third position in which the air spring port is in communication with the exhaust port. As air flows to and from the air spring connected to the air spring port, the piston slides respectively down and up towards its second position to control the height of the motor vehicle.