Abstract: A handlebar is described, including a handlebar tube having a middle portion and two rising portions disposed on opposite sides of the middle portion. A damping device may be spaced from the middle portion and may span from one rising portion to the other rising portion, the damping device including a first member operatively connected to a second member by an articulation device. The articulation device may be configured to dampen axial movement of the first member relative to the second member.

Abstract: A handlebar is described, including a handlebar tube having two grip portions at opposite ends of the handlebar. Each grip portion may include an internal compartment containing a filler material. The filler material may include a plurality of non-elastomeric particles. The non-elastomeric particles may include small, substantially spherical glass beads.

Abstract: A windup toy vehicle is provided. In some embodiments, the vehicle may include a body and a wheel assembly that is connected to the body and that defines an axis about which the wheel assembly spins. The vehicle also may include a spring extending at least generally along the axis and having a first end and a second end that are respectively fixed and pivotable with respect to the wheel assembly. An arm may be coupled to the spring at the second end such that the arm and the second end pivot as a unit. The vehicle further may include a stop supported by the body and configured to block the arm from spinning with respect to the body.

Abstract: A pair of motocross pants is described, including a waist portion, a seat portion, a crotch and inner thigh portion, and two leg portions, the pants being formed by plurality of panels of material numbering less than 20. A majority of the surface area of the pants may include elastic material, and a nearly straight knee angle may be formed.

Abstract: A windup toy vehicle is provided. In some embodiments, the vehicle may include a body and a wheel assembly that is connected to the body and that defines an axis about which the wheel assembly spins. The vehicle also may include a spring extending at least generally along the axis and having a first end and a second end that are respectively fixed and pivotable with respect to the wheel assembly. An arm may be coupled to the spring at the second end such that the arm and the second end pivot as a unit. The vehicle further may include a stop supported by the body and configured to block the arm from spinning with respect to the body.

Abstract: A toy for playing various coin-based games includes a polyhedral block having a slot for inserting a card and a channel for rolling a coin.

Abstract: A personal hydration assembly is configured to deliver fluid to a user. The assembly includes a reservoir having a shell defining a volume configured to contain a quantity of fluid. A holder is configured to interconnect the shell and the user. A fluid delivery system is coupled to the shell and is configured to transport fluid from the reservoir to the user. The shell is configured to resist deformation and maintain a first shape when fluid is stored within the shell. The shell is configured to permit deformation into a second shape to reduce the volume when fluid is transported from the shell to the user.

Abstract: The invention provides a finger grip aid for use while holding equipment. The aid is worn on one or more fingers like a sleeve, where it compresses the finger except at an opening over the second knuckle. In one embodiment, the finger grip aid fits over the entire finger, and in a second embodiment the finger grip aid fits over the finger from the base to a position between the first and second knuckles. The inventive finger grip is particularly useful for gripping devices having elongated handles like golf clubs, or for holding hard to grip items, such as balls and drinking glasses.

Abstract: A hands-free, personal hydration system utilizes a peristaltic pump to deliver fluid from a reservoir through a drinking tube to a user's mouth. The pump can be activated by the user's lips completing a circuit upon touching the mouthpiece for a drink.

Abstract: A strap for securing cargo on a vehicle includes a strap and a buckle. The buckle has a releasable strap gripping device, and a cushioning material at least partially surrounding the buckle without obstructing accessibility to the gripping device.

Abstract: A rack assembly for carrying recreational equipment on a vehicle. The assembly includes at least one mount attachable to the vehicle, and a load-carrying support member coupled to the mount and configured to support the recreational equipment adjacent the vehicle. At least one securing apparatus is associated with the load-carrying support member and configured to secure the equipment to the support member. The securing apparatus includes a strap adapted to extend at least partially around the recreational equipment, and a ratchet drive mechanism adapted to receive and grip one end of the strap. In one embodiment, the ratchet drive mechanism includes at least one drive actuator that is operable to grip successive portions of the strap and draw it tight around the recreational equipment.

Abstract: A bicycle trailer has a bed portion supported by a frame assembly and a pair of wheels for transporting the bed portion over ground. The tongue member extends forward from the frame assembly. A hitch assembly is located on a distal end of the tongue member for coupling the trailer to a bike. The hitch assembly may include a ratchet device that permits tightening of a clamp to the bike preventing untightening of the clamp. Front and back hub members allow the trailer to be vertically collapsed to substantially reduce the side-to-side dimension of the trailer for storage or transport.

Abstract: A strap for securing cargo on a vehicle includes a strap and a buckle. The buckle has a releasable strap gripping device, and a cushioning material at least partially surrounding the buckle without obstructing accessibility to the gripping device.

Abstract: A limb protector comprising a knee element. In a preferred embodiment the knee element is pivotally coupled to an outer shell shin element. Padding is positioned between the leg and the outer shell(s) and may be formed of a shock absorbent foam, a plurality of interconnected fluid filled cushions, or a combination thereof. The padding may be coupled to the outer shell shin element so as to create a gap between itself and the outer shell shin element. Alternatively, the padding may positioned on the lateral and medial sides of the outer shell knee element to cradle the underlying leg. The outer shell shin element comprises a raised groove element protruding outward from the shin to form a shin-knee transition cavity located between the shin-knee transition of the leg and the outer shell shin element. The outer shell knee element comprises a centrally positioned domed element protruding outward from the knee generally overlying the patella and may also overlie the shin-knee transition area.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thumb protector for a protective athletic glove, such as used in hockey, lacrosse, and motorcycle racing. The thumb protector involves two elements secured dorsally to the thumb stall and thumb receiving area of the glove, which cooperate to allow opposable thumb movement while still providing superior protection against external blows and injury due to hyper-extension and over-extension. As another aspect of the invention, the thumb-piece of the thumb protector is ergonomically configured to approximate the contour the metacarpalphalangeal joint will typically assume when the wearer is lightly gripping an athletic stick or handlebar.

Abstract: A roller skate wheel is described wherein the weight of wheel is significantly reduced by employing a bushing bearing instead of the usual ball bearing in at least one side of the wheel. The bushing is formed of Peek material so as to provide the necessary strength and low friction necessary to provide desirable skating characteristics.