Abstract: A sample collector for extracting a particulate material specimen from a container includes a needle for puncturing the container and capturing an amount of specimen inside a chamber in mechanical communication with the needle. A spring-loaded continuously and progressively retractable and extendable sheath protects the tip of the needle from inadvertent contact with a human user and encloses the puncture site on the container during collection. A preliminary screening test for illicit substances can be conducted on part of the collected specimen to determine whether the container should be confiscated. Part of the collected specimen can be preserved for later confirmatory testing.

Abstract: A quick release equipment mount includes a support module secured to a fixture such as a wall or pipe and a number of item modules, each of which can attach to an item of equipment such as a fire extinguisher for quick release. The item modules can have two pair of vertically spaced apart hooks which engage two pair of commensurately spaced apart posts extending laterally from an elongated vertical tongue extending from the support module. The hooks are formed on a pair of rails spaced to form a groove slidingly engaged by the tongue. Item modules can have different item interfacing segments for securing in various manners to various types of equipment items while all having similar support module interfacing segments capable of quick release mounting to the support module.

Abstract: An oblong, resilient, semi-rigid cantilevered support member can have a pair of spaced apart tapering rods joined by a medial webbing strip. The strip can have a substantially planar back surface tangent with the back edges of the tapering rods to form a substantially quadrangular and planar back side to the member albeit with rounded side edges. The strip can have a generally trapezoidal front surface that is scalloped in a concave manner. The member can be made from a unitary piece of fiber composite material where the orientations of the fibers are varied to provide both bending and torsional strength and stiffness that varies along the length of the member. The member can be coupled to a second latitudinally spaced apart oblong resilient member connected by a pair of longitudinally spaced apart blocks for greater adjustability.

Abstract: A light-weight bolt cutter tool includes a pair of opposing pivotally mounted jaws, each made from a fiber-reinforced composite body jacketed by a blade having a hardened metal outer surface oriented to forcibly engage the other one of said jaws. Each jaw can have pair of indentations proving the jaw with an I-beam-type cross-sectional shape. The bolt cutter tool can be actuated by a pair of elongated, hollow fiber resin composite handles. Each handle can include an elastomeric damping plug to prevent debris entering the hollow handle and reduce material fatigue. A quick-deployment, quiver-style backpack can conveniently carry the colt cutters when not in use.

Abstract: An oblong cantilevered support includes a pair of latitudinally spaced apart oblong resilient members connected by a pair of longitudinally spaced apart blocks. The longitudinal spacing between the blocks can be adjusted. One or both of the members can have a tapered profile causing the stiffness of the member to vary along its length. Adjusting the spacing between the blocks and/or sliding a variable stiffness member longitudinally with respect to the blocks can adjust the stiffness of the overall support. Each member can be made from a unitary piece of fiber composite material such as a carbon fiber infused polymer wherein the orientations of the fibers are varied to provide both bending and torsional strength and stiffness that varies along the length of the member. The tapered geometry can be formed by a pair of parallely spaced apart oblique trapezoidal truncated pyramids interconnected by a webbing strip.

Abstract: A distraction frame for use with a surgical table, wherein the surgical table includes a base for positioning on a floor, the distraction frame including a table mount for fixation to the base of the surgical table; at least one horizontal strut mounted to the table mount; at least one vertical strut mounted to the at least one horizontal strut; and at least one distraction mechanism mounted to the at least one vertical strut, wherein the at least one distraction mechanism may be connected to a limb of a patient for applying a distraction force to the limb of the patient; wherein the table mount may transfer to the floor a force moment imposed on the table mount when the at least one distraction mechanism applies a distraction force to a limb of a patient.

Abstract: A body-worn device for flexibly supporting a body part such as the head in a hunched over position such as when a surgeon performs surgery. The device can include a head harness connected to a torso harness by a specialized oblong variable stiffness beam that extends upwardly along the back of the spine of the wearer. The beam can include a variable stiffness member having a complex tapered geometry. The member can be made from a unitary piece of fiber composite material wherein the orientations of the fibers are varied to provide both bending and torsional strength and stiffness that varies along the length of the member. The beam and harnesses can include a plurality of interconnected mechanisms to provide greater adjustability.

Abstract: A quick release equipment mount includes a support module secured to a fixture such as a wall or pipe and a number of item modules, each of which can attach to an item of equipment such as a fire extinguisher for quick release. The item modules can have two pair of vertically spaced apart hooks which engage two pair of commensurately spaced apart posts extending laterally from an elongated vertical tongue extending from the support module. The hooks are formed on a pair of rails spaced to form a groove slidingly engaged by the tongue. Item modules can have different item interfacing segments for securing in various manners to various types of equipment items while all having similar support module interfacing segments capable of quick release mounting to the support module.

Abstract: A light-weight bolt cutter tool includes a pair of opposing pivotally mounted jaws, each made from a fiber-reinforced composite body jacketed by a blade having a hardened metal outer surface oriented to forcibly engage the other one of said jaws. Each jaw can have pair of indentations proving the jaw with an I-beam-type cross-sectional shape. The bolt cutter tool can be actuated by a pair of elongated, hollow fiber resin composite handles. Each handle can include an elastomeric damping plug to prevent debris entering the hollow handle and reduce material fatigue. A quick-deployment, quiver-style backpack can conveniently carry the colt cutters when not in use.

Abstract: A quick release equipment mount includes a support module secured to a fixture such as a wall or pipe and a number of item modules, each of which can attach to an item of equipment such as a fire extinguisher for quick release. The item modules can have two pair of vertically spaced apart hooks which engage two pair of commensurately spaced apart posts extending laterally from an elongated vertical tongue extending from the support module. The hooks are formed on a pair of rails spaced to form a groove slidingly engaged by the tongue. Item modules can have different item interfacing segments for securing in various manners to various types of equipment items while all having similar support module interfacing segments capable of quick release mounting to the support module.

Abstract: An oblong cantilevered support includes a pair of latitudinally spaced apart oblong resilient members connected by a pair of longitudinally spaced apart blocks. The longitudinal spacing between the blocks can be adjusted. One or both of the members can have a tapered profile causing the stiffness of the member to vary along its length. Adjusting the spacing between the blocks and/or sliding a variable stiffness member longitudinally with respect to the blocks can adjust the stiffness of the overall support. Each member can be made from a unitary piece of fiber composite material such as a carbon fiber infused polymer wherein the orientations of the fibers are varied to provide both bending and torsional strength and stiffness that varies along the length of the member. The tapered geometry can be formed by a pair of parallely spaced apart oblique trapezoidal truncated pyramids interconnected by a webbing strip.

Abstract: A light-weight bolt cutter tool includes a pair of opposing pivotally mounted jaws, each made from a fiber-reinforced composite body jacketed by a blade having a hardened metal outer surface oriented to forcibly engage the other one of said jaws. The bolt cutter tool can be actuated by a pair of elongated, hollow fiber resin composite handles. Each handle can include an elastomeric damping plug to prevent debris entering the hollow handle and reduce material fatigue. A quick-deployment, quiver-style backpack can conveniently carry the colt cutters when not in use.

Abstract: A bracket for securing a container or an array of co-planarly adjacent containers, such as cylindrical barrels or oil drums to a transport vehicle. Each bracket can include a generally ring-shaped circular, planar body having a diameter sized to substantially match the outer diameter of the circular end of the barrel. Six movable couplings can extend radially outwardly from the peripheral sidewall of the bracket body at angularly spaced apart, but adjustable locations. The axial positions of the couplings can be reciprocatingly staggered so that couplings extending from adjacent brackets can overlap and interconnect to one another, thereby conjoining the brackets across the array. Hooked cables can secure the vehicle to the couplings.

Abstract: A sample collector for extracting a particulate material specimen from a container includes a needle for puncturing the container and capturing an amount of specimen inside a chamber in mechanical communication with the needle. A spring-loaded continuously and progressively retractable and extendable sheath protects the tip of the needle from inadvertent contact with a human user and encloses the puncture site on the container during collection. A preliminary screening test for illicit substances can be conducted on part of the collected specimen to determine whether the container should be confiscated. Part of the collected specimen can be preserved for later confirmatory testing.

Abstract: A bracket for securing a container or an array of co-planarly adjacent containers, such as cylindrical barrels or oil drums to a transport vehicle. Each bracket can include a generally ring-shaped circular, planar body having a diameter sized to substantially match the outer diameter of the circular end of the barrel. Six couplings extend radially outwardly from the peripheral sidewall of the bracket body at angularly evenly spaced apart locations. The axial positions of the couplings can be reciprocatingly staggered so that couplings extending from adjacent brackets can overlap and interconnect to one another, thereby conjoining the brackets across the array. Hooked cables can secure the vehicle to the couplings.

Abstract: An oblong stiffening member such as a sail batten having a tapered geometry formed by a pair of parallely spaced apart oblique circular cones interconnected by a webbing strip. The member can be made from a unitary piece of fiber composite material such as a carbon fiber infused polymer wherein the orientations of the fibers are varied to provide both bending and torsional strength and stiffness that varies along the length of the member. Such properties can be useful in sail battens due to the rigorous dynamical forces subjected to such structures.

Abstract: A quick release equipment mount includes a support module secured to a fixture such as a wall or pipe and a number of item modules, each of which can attach to an item of equipment such as a fire extinguisher for quick release. The item modules can have two pair of vertically spaced apart hooks which engage two pair of commensurately spaced apart posts extending laterally from an elongated vertical tongue extending from the support module. The hooks are formed on a pair of rails spaced to form a groove slidingly engaged by the tongue. Item modules can have different item interfacing segments for securing in various manners to various types of equipment items while all having similar support module interfacing segments capable of quick release mounting to the support module.