71results about How to "Positive engagement" patented technology

A ride ready vehicle-mounted bicycle carrier includes a pair of spaced apart wheel supports and a stabilizing member which is engageable with the bicycle, preferably with one of the bicycle wheels, at a location above the wheel supports. One of the wheel supports is in the form of a pair of spaced apart wheel engagement members which are pivotably mounted to a structural member associated with the carrier, and which are configured to grip the wheel so as to provide initial support for the bicycle on the carrier. The stabilizing member is in the form of a clamp arm mechanism having a base mounted to the structural member and an extendible and retractable arm having a wheel-engaging portion at its outer end, which can be moved into and out of engagement with the wheel. The clamp arm mechanism is located between the wheel support members, and is arranged to apply a vertical downward force on the wheel at a location between the wheel engagement members, to provide a secure three-point engagement of the wheel and thereby to provide stable mounting of the bicycle to the carrier.

A support arm system (10) includes a socket (16) for attachment to a surface (18) and a support arm (14), for removable insertion in the socket (16). The support arm (14) has at least one formation (22). The socket (16) includes a housing (28) having an insertion opening (30) leading to a passage (32) for insertion of the support arm (14). At least one formation (34) in the passage (32) complementary to the at least one formation (22) on the support arm (14) is provided to engage the support arm (14) when the support arm (14) is in the socket (16). A gate element (36) in the passage (32) is biased to a position at or in front of said at least one formation (34) in the passage. To insert the support arm (14), the gate element (36) must be pushed against its bias to expose the formation in the passage for engagement by the support arm (14) to retain the support arm in the socket, the gate element (36) providing a positive force between the support arm (14) and socket (16) while it is so retained. In another form of the invention, a gate element (126) is moveable in the housing and has a periphery complementary to the insertion opening. This gate element (126) is pushed by the support arm against its bias to allow insertion of the support arm into the socket and to allow the respective formations to be brought into engagement to retain the support arm in the socket. When the support arm is not in the socket, the gate element (126) provides a substantially flush surface with the front surface of the housing.

A snow glider is provided having a design that facilitates gliding through snow rather than skidding. The snow glider may have a narrow waist width combined with an elevated binding assembly to promote positive engagement with a skiing surface during use. A method of skiing includes skiing downhill on a skiing surface using glider skis, wherein each ski has a ski base and a pair of edges extending along opposite sides of the base. While skiing downhill, the method of skiing also includes changing direction without skidding the skis on the skiing surface.