Abstract: A protective helmet. The protective helmet includes an outer layer and an inner layer, each formed of a hard material. The outer layer and the inner layer each further include a concave interior surface and a convex exterior surface. A flexible connector connects the concave interior surface of the outer layer to the convex exterior surface of the inner layer. The flexible connector is configured to allow the outer layer to laterally shift relative to the inner layer upon impact to the protective helmet. Upon impact, the convex surface moves along the inclined planed of the concave surface in a direction opposite of the impact, while the stretched flexible connector provides a restoring force pulling the inner and outer layers back to their original positions.

Abstract: A protective helmet. The protective helmet includes an outer layer and an inner layer, each formed of a hard material. The outer layer and the inner layer each further include a concave interior surface and a convex exterior surface. A flexible connector connects the concave interior surface of the outer layer to the convex exterior surface of the inner layer. The flexible connector is configured to allow the outer layer to laterally shift relative to the inner layer upon impact to the protective helmet. Upon impact, the convex surface moves along the inclined planed of the concave surface in a direction opposite of the impact, while the stretched flexible connector provides a restoring force pulling the inner and outer layers back to their original positions.

Abstract: A protective helmet. The protective helmet includes an outer layer and an inner layer, each formed of a hard material. The outer layer and the inner layer each further include a concave interior surface and a convex exterior surface. A flexible connector connects the concave interior surface of the outer layer to the convex exterior surface of the inner layer. The flexible connector is configured to allow the outer layer to laterally shift relative to the inner layer upon impact to the protective helmet. Upon impact, the convex surface moves along the inclined planed of the concave surface in a direction opposite of the impact, while the stretched flexible connector provides a restoring force pulling the inner and outer layers back to their original positions.

Abstract: A protective helmet. The protective helmet includes an outer layer and an inner layer, each formed of a hard material. The outer layer and the inner layer each further include a concave interior surface and a convex exterior surface. A flexible connector connects the concave interior surface of the outer layer to the convex exterior surface of the inner layer. The flexible connector is configured to allow the outer layer to laterally shift relative to the inner layer upon impact to the protective helmet.

Abstract: A system for ventilating an area surrounding a patient is disclosed. The system includes an air exchanger configured to induce an air flow, and an outer duct disposed in communication with the air exchanger, and having an airway aperture configured to selectively induce an air flow at a location along the outer duct. The system further includes an inner duct disposed in communication with the air exchanger and disposed inside the duct, the inner duct being configured to selectively induce an air flow at a location along the inner duct. A method of ventilating an area surrounding a patient is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for generating useful energy from vehicle motion. The system includes: a projection projecting above a road surface, pivotably mounted to the road surface to be pushed downward against an upward bias, by a vehicle tire passing over an upper surface of the projection; a master fluid cylinder mechanically linked to the projection; a fluid transfer device connected to the master fluid cylinder; a secondary fluid cylinder, communicating with the master fluid cylinder via the fluid transfer device; and a lever configured to transfer motion from the secondary fluid cylinder to a flywheel shaft, the flywheel shaft having a distal end coupled to an electric generator.

Abstract: A system for generating useful energy from vehicle motion. The system includes: a projection projecting above a road surface, pivotably mounted to the road surface to be pushed downward against an upward bias, by a vehicle tire passing over an upper surface of the projection; a master fluid cylinder mechanically linked to the projection; a fluid transfer device connected to the master fluid cylinder; a secondary fluid cylinder, communicating with the master fluid cylinder via the fluid transfer device; and a lever configured to transfer motion from the secondary fluid cylinder to a flywheel shaft, the flywheel shaft having a distal end coupled to an electric generator.

Abstract: A vehicle rear view mirror assembly. A mirror frame attaches to an exterior side of a vehicle, the mirror frame has a first set of dimensions, and a mirror has a second set of dimensions. An adaptor has two sides. One side, having the first set of dimensions, fits into the mirror frame, and the other side, having the second set of dimensions, receives and holds the mirror. By use of the appropriate adaptor, a standard-sized mirror can be mounted in a wide variety of different dimensional mirror frames. A turn signal can also be mounted in a turn signal mounting portion in the adaptor.

Abstract: An automatic mirror rotation assembly is provided for a vehicle having a tractor and semi-detached trailer. A control wheel is mounted in a structure connecting to a chassis of the tractor, and is raised into engagement with a lower surface of the trailer. As the vehicle turns, the rotation of the trailer with respect to the tractor is measured by counting rotations or partial rotations of the wheel against the underside surface of the trailer. A corresponding degree of passenger-side rear view mirror is calculated, and a motor automatically rotates the mirror. A mirror position feedback device measures the actual rotation of the mirror and feeds that information back to the assembly. A mirror position correction device automatically adjusts the mirror position when an actual mirror position differs from a desired mirror position.

Abstract: An automatic mirror rotation assembly for a vehicle including a tractor and semi-detached trailer is provided. An elongated arm supporting a rotatable wheel attaches to a support mounted at a selected position on the tractor chassis. The arm is pivoted upward until the wheel contacts the underside of the trailer, and is kept engaged with substantially constant pressure. As the vehicle turns, the rotation of the trailer with respect to the tractor is measured by counting rotations or partial rotations of the wheel against the underside surface of the trailer. A corresponding degree of passenger-side rear view mirror is calculated, and a motor automatically rotates the mirror. A feedback device measures the actual rotation of the mirror and feeds that information back to the assembly.

Abstract: An automatic mirror rotation assembly for a vehicle including a tractor and semi-detached trailer is provided. An elongated arm supporting a rotatable wheel attaches to a support mounted at a selected position on the tractor chassis. The arm is pivoted upward until the wheel contacts the underside of the trailer, and is kept engaged with substantially constant pressure. As the vehicle turns, the rotation of the trailer with respect to the tractor is measured by counting rotations or partial rotations of the wheel against the underside surface of the trailer. A corresponding degree of passenger-side rear view mirror is calculated, and a motor automatically rotates the mirror. A feedback device measures the actual rotation of the mirror and feeds that information back to the assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method in a tractor-trailer type vehicle for insuring the ability to change lanes without colliding with other vehicles traveling in lanes adjacent the lanes adjacent the lane in which the vehicle is traveling. The side rear view mirror is motorized to encompass fields of view that include both adjacent and non-adjacent lanes without attention on the part of the operator. The mirror is rotated at a minimum rate of speed to prevent confusion on the part of the operator during travel of the mirror between the two positions. The normal home position setpoint and the outer or scanned position setpoint are adjustable. The activation switch may be on the gear shift lever, the turn signal, or the control box for the motor.

Abstract: A jackknife warning system for a trailered vehicle. A rotation sensor, mounted to a chassis of a tractor, engages an underside of a semi-detached trailer and senses rotation of the trailer with respect to the tractor. A pressure sensor senses pressure applied to a set of brakes for the vehicle. When rotation of the trailer reaches a first setpoint, and pressure applied to the brakes reaches a second setpoint, an alarm is emitted. The alarm can either be a right alarm or a left alarm, depending on if the vehicle is jackknifing to the right or to the left. The brake pressure setpoint can be adjusted by the driver based on the load being carried or on road conditions.

Abstract: An automatic mirror rotation assembly for a vehicle including a tractor and semi-detached trailer is provided. A control wheel is mounted in a structure connecting to a chassis of the tractor, and is raised into engagement with a lower surface of the trailer. As the vehicle turns, the rotation of the trailer with respect to the tractor is measured by counting rotations or partial rotations of the wheel against the underside surface of the trailer. A corresponding degree of passenger-side rear view mirror is calculated, and a motor automatically rotates the mirror.

Abstract: A bicycle handlebar stabilizer is attachable to a bicycle, the bicycle including a head tube and a set of handlebars projecting from a stem, with the stem mounted to the head tube at a pivot point to be pivotable with respect to the head tube. The bicycle handlebar stabilizer is comprised of a first clamp attachable to the stem of the bicycle above the pivot point, a bracket pivotally attached to the first clamp, a cam follower attached to a distal end of the bracket, and a second clamp having a surface and a notch in the surface that is attachable to the head tube of the bicycle below the pivot point. The bracket is pivotable between a first position with the cam follower engaged with the notch in the surface of the second clamp, and a second position with the cam follower and the notch disengaged.

Abstract: An automatic mirror rotation assembly for a vehicle including a tractor and semi-detached trailer is provided. An elongated arm supporting a rotatable wheel attaches to a support mounted at a selected position on the tractor chassis. The arm is pivoted upward until the wheel contacts the underside of the trailer, and is kept engaged with substantially constant pressure. As the vehicle turns, the rotation of the trailer with respect to the tractor is measured by counting rotations or partial rotations of the wheel against the underside surface of the trailer. A corresponding degree of passenger-side rear view mirror is calculated, and a motor automatically rotates the mirror.

Abstract: An electroluminescent display device includes at least two elongated, conductive contacts substantially adjacent to and spaced from each other with at least two substantially coextensive ends. A light-emitting element is electrically coupled between the coextensive ends. An elongated insulating base is formed about and between the contacts with their elongated outer edges extending beyond the elongated sides of the base. The base extends substantially the entire length of the outer edges of the contacts and is substantially integral between such contacts.The device is fabricated in a lead frame environment, wherein the light-emitting element is bonded to a lead frame. A lens is formed over the light-emitting element. The contacts for the device, which may be slidably engageable, are formed from the lead frame. The base is formed contiguous to the lens and over the lead frame to embed the contacts within the base with edges of the contacts extending laterally beyond the surface of the base.