According to one aspect, an apparatus for reducing the speed or acceleration of motion of a skateboard and its user is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the apparatus includes one or more friction elements that are removably affixed to a substantially flat resilient member at a location near the first end of the resilient member typically proximate to the rear wheel mounting truck; the resilient member is then affixed by fasteners upon its opposite and second end to the underneath face of the platform of the skateboard, typically proximate to or forward of the center of the platform. The apparatus also includes a substantially rigid linkage that penetrates the skateboard platform and is affixed to near the first end of the resilient member for the purpose of interfacing the first end of the resilient member selectively to one foot of a user of the skateboard, such that when the user desires to reduce the speed or acceleration of the skateboard the user applies to the linkage a force substantially normal to the skateboard platform and therefore the resilient member. The force applied to the resilient member causes the friction element or elements to contact the riding surface, creating by the contact of the friction element or elements with the riding surface a frictional force that is transmitted to the skateboard platform via the fixation of the second end of the resilient member to the skateboard, opposingly counteracting the velocity or acceleration of the skateboard and user, thereby slowing the motion. The frictional force is modulated by the variable force applied to the apparatus by the user.

A vehicle is disclosed for providing increased friction between the wheels of a vehicle and the ground. An example vehicle includes an anti-lock brake system, inertial sensor, and wheels. The vehicle also includes a computing system configured to deploy aggregate to an area proximate the wheels, responsive to determining that a vehicle traction value is below a first threshold. The computing system is also configured to, after deploying the aggregate, deploy a friction mat to an area proximate the wheels, responsive to determining that the vehicle traction value remains below a second threshold.

The method of attaching or integrating a drag force on a service pig within a pipeline to improve the service operations such as jet cleaning or quality control inspections, comprising providing one or more drag members such as blocks or wheels and engaging the drag members with the inner wall of said pipeline.

A vehicle braking arrangement includes a braking plate connected to a vehicle by a link arm. The braking plate is movable from a rest position to a braking position where contact is made with the ground, and includes a sealing rim arranged to at least partially contact the ground such that an at least partly enclosed volume is formed. The vehicle braking arrangement includes an expandable chamber formed between a lower plate, at least one connecting side wall and an upper plate, which chamber is connectable to the volume. Upon activation, the chamber's volume is expanded by movement of the lower plate away from the upper plate. Then the pressure is lowered in the volume which results in that the braking plate is pressed against the ground. In this way, a retaining force is obtained.

A vehicle braking arrangement includes a braking plate connected to a vehicle by a link arm. The braking plate is movable from a rest position to a braking position where contact is made with the ground, and includes a sealing rim arranged to at least partially contact the ground such that an at least partly enclosed volume is formed. The vehicle braking arrangement includes an expandable chamber formed between a lower plate, at least one connecting side wall and an upper plate, which chamber is connectable to the volume. Upon activation, the chamber's volume is expanded by movement of the lower plate away from the upper plate. Then the pressure is lowered in the volume which results in that the braking plate is pressed against the ground. In this way, a retaining force is obtained.

An exercise machine has a mobile base and an upright support extending upwards from the mobile base. An upper support assembly extends forward from an upper portion of the upright support and an exercise device is suspended from the upper support assembly at a location spaced forward from the upright support. The exercise machine may include a compact and safe counterbalancing gas spring mechanism that tends to move the exercise device away from the exerciser, and that requires a force to be applied to move an exercise device down towards the exerciser. The exercise machine may include an exercise device that is rotatable along a vertical axis, and may be coupled to an adjustable monitor for a wide range of uses. The exercise machine may be used by a exerciser lying supine, sitting in a chair or wheelchair, or standing in front of or adjacent the exercise machine.

A driving aid arrangement configured to control a longitudinal velocity of a host vehicle, the arrangement including a driving environment monitoring unit, a road friction estimation unit configured to provide a road friction estimate, and a velocity control unit configured to control the velocity of the host vehicle on the basis of the monitored driving environment and the road friction estimate. The velocity control unit is further configured to control the velocity of the host vehicle on the basis of a pre-set road friction value, corresponding to a high road friction value, if the road friction estimation unit is unable to provide the road friction estimate. The driving aid arrangement further comprises an enhanced braking system arranged to provide an emergency braking of the vehicle upon detection of a crash threat event.

A driving aid arrangement configured to control a longitudinal velocity of a host vehicle, the arrangement including a driving environment monitoring unit, a road friction estimation unit configured to provide a road friction estimate, and a velocity control unit configured to control the velocity of the host vehicle on the basis of the monitored driving environment and the road friction estimate. The velocity control unit is further configured to control the velocity of the host vehicle on the basis of a pre-set road friction value, corresponding to a high road friction value, if the road friction estimation unit is unable to provide the road friction estimate. The driving aid arrangement further comprises an enhanced braking system arranged to provide an emergency braking of the vehicle upon detection of a crash threat event.

A braking system includes a frame, an actuator coupled to the frame, a rotating joint coupled to the actuator and the frame, an arm coupled to the rotating joint, a brake pad having a connector, the connector pivotably coupled to the arm, and a torsion spring positioned at the connector to bias the brake pad relative to the arm.

A braking system includes a frame, an actuator coupled to the frame, a rotating joint coupled to the actuator and the frame, an arm coupled to the rotating joint, a brake pad having a connector, the connector pivotably coupled to the arm, and a torsion spring positioned at the connector to bias the brake pad relative to the arm.