Abstract: A head suspension including a load beam and flexure having a damping member for damping vibrations of the head suspension at a resonance mode frequency thereof. The load beam includes a mounting region at a proximal end, a rigid region adjacent to a distal end, and a spring region between the mounting region and the rigid region. The flexure is at the distal end of the load beam and is for supporting a head slider. The damping member extends from the head suspension and has a free end such that it can frictionally contact the head suspension to damp resonance mode frequency vibrations thereof.

Abstract: A head suspension including a load beam and flexure having a vibration absorbing member for vibrating at resonance mode vibrations of the head suspension. The load beam includes a mounting region at a proximal end, a rigid region adjacent to a distal end, and a spring region between the mounting region and the rigid region. The flexure is at the distal end of the load beam and is for supporting a head slider. The vibration absorbing member extends from the head suspension and has a resonance mode frequency substantially the same as one of the resonance mode frequencies of the head suspension. As such, the vibration absorbing member absorbs energy on the head suspension at a resonance mode frequency thereof, acting to reduce gain at a resonance mode frequency of the head suspension.

Abstract: A head suspension assembly including a load beam having a rigid region, a mounting region on a proximal end of the load beam, and a flexure on a distal end of the load beam. The flexure has a read/write head attachment region for supporting a read/write head on the distal end of the load beam. Deformation of the head suspension assembly displaces the head attachment region. A strain transducer circuit that acts as a strain gauge is mounted on the head suspension assembly. The resistance of the transducer circuit varies with strain in the circuit, which, in turn, varies with displacement of the read/write head. The magnitude of resistance change of the transducer circuit indicates the magnitude of head off-neutral motion.

Abstract: A system and method develops an indication of a cause of a particular result of a process from values associated with attributes which arise during runs of the process. The system includes a data entry device which permits a user to enter data indicating the values of the attributes and a class associated with each of the runs of the process, a memory which stores the data, a processing unit which produces an induction tree having multiple nodes and an output device which provides an indication of the induction tree to a user. At each of a plurality of the nodes of the induction tree, the processing unit divides the values associated with the attributes into value groups, allows a user to select any one of the attributes and designates a value group of the selected attribute as an endpoint of an induction tree when the value group satisfies an endpoint criterion and, otherwise, designates the value group of the selected attribute as a branching point of the induction tree.

Abstract: A uniquely configured fin (2) that has an open instep (60) and which is secured to the foot of the wearer by padded securement means (52) so as to accommodate a plurality of foot sizes and wherein the fin (2) is made in a two part single mold process. Protuberances (70) may be placed on selected drag surfaces of the fin (2) to act as vacuum breakers to reduce drag of the fin (2) as it propels a swimmer through the water.

Abstract: A swim fin having manually articulable water-channeling vanes. A swim fin attachable to a human extremity such as a foot has a front portion through which a plurality of holes are present. Circumscribing these holes are corresponding clock washers that provide intermittent stops when engaged by a complementing clock washer. Such a complementing clock washer is present in a water channeling vane that is affixed over the clock washers of the swim fin by a bolt that passes into a bore (which may be threaded) within the vane. Upon full threading of the vane upon the bolt, the complementing and opposing clock washers come into close contact with one another whereby the ridge of one clock washer fits into a corresponding furrow of the other. The vane is then temporarily locked into place with respect to the swim fin, however this temporary lock is overcome by rotational pressure generally available from a human hand.

Abstract: A monofin comprising a swim blade having two adjustable foot pockets for attachment to the feet of a swimmer. The foot pockets can be positioned on the blade to conform with the optimal foot positions for a particular user. The blade itself has a central v-shape, so that when the foot pockets are attached to the blade each pocket leans inwardly towards the other. The blade has upturned outer wing sections to reduce the resistance during the retracting kicking motion. The blade is pitched to channel the flow of water rearwardly and centrally, focussing the water to a point behind the swimmer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a swim fin (10) adapted to be worn on a foot of a swimmer for the purpose of varying the effect of the swimmer's leg strokes. In one preferred embodiment of the invention a sole plate (14) having a rear portion (22) of a roughly rectangular shape and front portion (18) of a roughly trapezoid shape is provided. The sole plate (14) is larger than the swimmer's foot. The sole plate may be secured to the sole swimmer's foot. In one of the preferred embodiments, this consists of a pair of flaps (34) integral with the rear portion (22) of the sole plate (14) plus adjustment straps (42) and a heel strap (46). The sole plate has a plurality of mounting holes or slots (54), which will be clear of the foot after the sole plate (14) is securely fastened to the foot. Also provided in the preferred embodiment are sets of water channeling vanes (58). The vanes (58) may be of many different designs including straight or curved in one or two dimensions.

Abstract: A closed shoe swim fin which has a planar trapezoidal shaped flexible base (20) with a pair of symmetrical upwardly curved tips (26). An enlarged bulbous foot retainer (32) is integrally located on the base at the rear portion. The retainer has a rearward opening (34) and an inside cavity (36) larger than the size of the foot of a swimmer allowing flexing of the users foot. A strap (42) with a stiffening sleeve (46) and buckle (48) hold the foot into the swim fin. The base is planar in the middle and tapers toward the outside edge. The tips are flexible enough that they are responsive to a force urged against the upper surface, causing an arcuate shaped path curling away from the foot retainer creating a build-up of water pressure within the flexed surface, subsequently when the direction of travel is reversed a snapping action takes place producing a propelling force through the water.

Abstract: This invention is a drop-lock adjustment used on automatic feeders to adjust the feed gates either up or down and includes shielded drop locks connected to control rods that pass through a channel. An adaptor plate mounted on the channel has a downwardly projecting flange spaced from the channel with an elongated slot in the plate to prevent the animals being fed from tripping the lock to cause either more or less feed to be dispensed.

Abstract: This invention is a drop-lock adjustment used on automatic feeders to adjust the feed gates either up or down and includes shielded drop-locks connected to control rods that pass through a channel adjacent slot-like openings in such channel to prevent the animals being fed from tripping the lock to cause either more or less feed to be dispensed.