Abstract: A joint protective apparatus is disclosed that is particularly well adapted to support and cushion the knee joint when kneeling. The apparatus includes a light weight, flexible support material wrap selectively positionable about the joint and having a retaining enclosure thereat positioned to be proximate the knee joint and upper shin area when properly positioned. A pad having plural compartments therein for containing a flowable material is receivable in, and substantially fills, the retaining enclosure. A relatively rigid yet deformable protective cap having a wedge shaped support platform configured to extend between the knee joint and the upper shin area is fastened to the wrap over the retaining enclosure.

Abstract: A system and method for body cooling is disclosed for use with a cryogenic mixed gas storage and delivery apparatus, the storage apparatus including a compact and lightweight dewar for containing cryogenic temperature mixed gas at supercritical pressure. The system includes a garment having a fluid circulation network thereat and a plurality of heat exchangers receiving cold mixed gas expelled from the dewar for heat exchange to cool fluid in the fluid circulation network. Different ones of the heat exchangers also provide for heat input to the dewar to maintain gas therein in a single phase and provide continued expulsion energy and for warming of the gas for end use. No electrical input for fluid circulation is required.

Abstract: Line fitting orientation guides for use with a split socket and socket drive assembly are disclosed, the guides including an opening for receiving and abutting the line on which the fitting is maintained as the fitting is received and properly positioned in the socket. The orientation guide may be integral to either the socket or the drive assembly structure, or may be a separate unit mounted to the drive assembly structure.

Abstract: A currency operated display device is disclosed, the device being in the nature of a public bulletin board and having a mounting structure, a plurality of modules attached to the mounting structure each with at least one normally closed and secured display area access, and a centralized user interface for user selection of display area, duration of material display and receipt of currency. A default display area is provided in each module behind the user display area for material display when the user display area is not in use. The device is configured so that all operations, including maintenance, are undertaken from the front of the device.

Abstract: A transportation system and method for rider propelled vehicles, such as bicycles, is disclosed, the system including a covered structure having a surface for movement thereover of the vehicle. Air is moved through the structure in a direction and at a selected velocity sufficient to aid movement of a vehicle through the structure. Relative elevations of the surface of the structure between entrance thereto and exit therefrom are selectable independently from ground grades found at the site of system installation.

Abstract: A buckle for securement of one or more belts or webbings is shown, the buckle including a mount having first and second independently operable belt or webbing clamping members pivotably mounted thereon along a common axis over a belt receiving path defined across the mount.

Abstract: A releasable axle assembly for skate wheels is disclosed, the assembly including an axle, a nut threadable on one end of the axle, a pivotable retainer connected on the other end of the axle, and a stop/washer on the axle adjacent to the retainer. The retainer includes a camming lever movable between securing and relaxed positions against the stop/washer. The lever is manipulated by an actuator/cap that is pivotably connected to the lever.

Abstract: A roofing and/or siding unit and methods are disclosed, the units being formed of an appropriately formulated flexible foamed PVC material, and having a size, overall shape, and exposed surface configuration modeled after a traditional building material unit for which the units of this invention may be substituted (for example shake shingles, or various types of roofing tiles). The units are manufactured by an injection molding process wherein one part of the mold utilized is made by taking a metal casting of the normally exposed surface of one of the traditional building units so that substantial duplicates thereof are produced by the molding process. Since the units produced are similar in size, shape and the like to the traditional type units, workers need no special training regarding their application, which in most applications requires no techniques differing from techniques utilized to apply the traditional building units after which the units of this invention are modeled.

Abstract: Improved fishing lines, and specifically fly lines, and methods of manufacture and use thereof are disclosed. The line includes a core line portion and a coating portion, the coating including a copolymer of olefin and acrylic material, the olefin preferably being ethylene. The lines provided include a clear floating fly line having a nylon core and ethylene acrylic acid copolymer coating.

Abstract: A respiration monitor is disclosed which includes a simplified pneumatic breath detector, a pressure sensor connected with the detector, and an active low pass filter for filtering the output of the monitor to reduce signals not indicative of respiration, such as movement of and/or impacts upon the detector. The monitor may be linked with a transmitter for remote subject monitoring, and the entire monitor may be configured to be unobtrusively worn by the subject.

Abstract: A conditioning and loading apparatus and method are disclosed for gas storage at cryogenic temperature and supercritical pressure. The apparatus is self-contained and portable and includes first and second precooling stages utilizing heat exchange with vented system fluids to cool the gas received by the apparatus at supercritical pressure. A third cooling stage includes heat exchange in a liquid nitrogen bath before loading of the gas into a container.

Abstract: A quick-release mount attached to a cycle pack, for example an under seat pack for a bicycle, is disclosed that includes a clip having first and second hangers positionable over first and second support, or frame, members of the bicycle. A resiliently movable catch is positioned adjacent to one leg of one of the hangers, thereby forming an entrapment for a support, or frame, member received thereat, the catch being movable by the support member when mounting the pack and movable by a user to allow release of the support member from the entrapment so that the pack may be removed from the bicycle. After movement, the catch returns to its original position adjacent to the leg of the hanger.

Abstract: A transportation system and method for rider propelled vehicles, such as bicycles, is disclosed, the system including a covered structure having a surface for movement thereover of the vehicle. Fan units are provided to move air through the structure in a direction and at a selected velocity sufficient to aid movement of a vehicle through the structure. The structure is covered and is configured so that relative elevations of the surface of the structure between entrance thereto and exit therefrom are selectable independently from ground grades found at the site of system installation and thus with minimum disruption of the site.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for monitoring selected physiological parameters of a subject, such as respiration and/or ECG information, and alerting a care giver at a remote location when an irregularity is recognized. The apparatus includes a sensor or sensors, a dual frequency, asynchronous transmitter unit for transmitting plural signals indicative of the sensed information, a local receiver/transmitter unit, and a remote receiver. The physiological parameters being monitored are sensed and processed to provide signals which are provided to a pair of transmitters. Transmission is selectively enabled at each transmitter, the first transmitting at a first frequency a signal indicative of real time monitored events and the second, under normal circumstances, transmitting, periodically, at a second frequency a signal indicative of monitored event count and updated subject status.

Abstract: A split socket having movable fitting contacting facets and a drive transfer assembly are disclosed which are particularly well suited for manipulating line fittings. The split socket preferably includes first and second movable dogs pivotably mounted at opposite surfaces of an opening in a rotatable socket. The socket opening is at least as wide as the point-to-point diameter of the fitting to be received thereat. Each of the dogs has a facet configured for engaging and thereby, in conjunction with one another, rotating the fitting when the socket is rotated in a first direction, the dogs being movable by the fitting away from engagement when the socket is rotated in the opposite direction, thus allowing rotation of the socket in the opposite direction while the fitting remains substantially still.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for profiling atmospheric temperature, water vapor and/or cloud liquid content utilizing passive microwave remote sensing are disclosed. The apparatus includes an antenna for receiving atmospheric microwave emissions having frequencies of interest, a highly stable, tunable frequency synthesizer, and downconverting system receiving selected frequency outputs from the synthesizer and the received emissions and, responsive thereto, providing output signals indicative of the frequencies of interest and representing the profile.

Abstract: A mechanism for cooling and accommodating user selected relative positioning of a device for manipulating threaded connectors and a drive powering the device is disclosed. The device includes a housing with a socket and a drive transfer assembly maintained therein. The mechanism includes first and second relatively rotatable coupling rings each at a different one of the housing of the device and the drive unit. Cooperative locating and securing structures are associated with each of the rings, one of the structures having apertures indexed around a circumference thereof for engagement by the other of the structures in selected ones thereof.

Abstract: A device for manipulating threaded connectors is disclosed, the device being particularly well suited for manipulating line fittings. The device includes a housing, a socket, a compact drive transfer assembly, and a mechanism for selectively locating the socket relative to the housing. The socket has a split side wall defining a gap and the housing has a gap at one part thereof, together to facilitate passage of the line into the socket for engagement of the fitting. The locating mechanism is actuatable by a user of the device to achieve correspondence of the gaps for engagement and/or disengagement of the device from the line.

Abstract: Personal security monitoring apparatus system and method are disclosed, the apparatus including a breath detector and signal processor worn by the user. The signal processor distinguishes between the user's normal breathing patterns and a preselected other breathing pattern intentionally executed by the user when in distress, an alarm output being generated when the other breathing pattern is recognized, The alarm output is transmitted to a local receiver for retransmission over local telephone service to a remote monitoring station. The other breathing pattern may be selected by the user from a plurality of possible other patterns.