Abstract: An integrated impact energy absorption system application for enhanced safety performance of sports related protective head gear. A multiplicity of pattern positioned energy shock absorption impact strips of high performance dual elastomeric polyurethane resin of the invention are selectively secured in a pattern orientation on a sports helmet to protect critical vulnerable locations on the exterior thereof. Preformed impact absorption strips are of a composite construction having internalized compartment energy attenuating cells in a repetitive matrix construction for enhanced forced absorption and deflection to the helmet surface to which they are so secured.

Abstract: A trolley transport system comprising at least two supports aligned in proximity to the cable, a pulley rotatably mounted to each support, a drive motor in mechanical communication with one of the pulleys, a continuous loop line suspended from the pulleys, an attachment device secured to the line, a connecting line secured to the attachment device; and a transport block slidably mounted on the cable and removably attached to the connecting line.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for capturing dust created from a work surface by a rotary tool attachment. A shield is comprised of a ridged shroud and a flexible skirt. The shroud is configured to be coupled to a rotary tool, and to either fully enclose or partially expose the rotary tool attachment. The shroud has a plurality of air inlets, a first opening, and a second opening through the top surface of the shroud. The first opening receives a mechanical driveshaft of the rotary tool and the second opening is coupled to an external vacuum source. The flexible skirt is coupled to a perimeter of the shroud and extends downward from above the top surface of the shroud and is configured to contact the work surface.

Abstract: A transport system includes a main cable, a track assembly, and a conveyance assembly, wherein the track assembly is suspended from the main cable to allow unimpeded translational movement of the conveyance assembly along the track assembly. In another aspect according to the present invention, the track assembly has a track changing assembly that includes a track changing section rotatably coupled to a primary track section for selective alignment of the track changing section to any one of a plurality of exit track sections. A method of conveyance along a suspended track includes suspending a main cable between natural or artificial support structures, suspending a track assembly from the main cable, and mounting a conveyance assembly on the suspended track assembly to provide unimpeded translational movement of the conveyance assembly along the track assembly.

Abstract: A cable transportation system includes a first cable suspended over a ground surface, a vehicle supported above the ground surface by the first cable, wherein the vehicle has one or more grooved wheels for riding along the first cable, a frame supported from above by the one or more grooved wheels, and at least one vehicle guide that extends below the grooved wheels, and a junction bracket that has a ramped section, a mid portion section connected to the ramp section, and a rail portion provided on both the ramped section and the mid portion section, wherein the junction bracket is connected to the first cable so that at least an end portion of the ramped section is parallel to and directly above the first cable and the grooved wheels transition from the first cable onto the rail portion when the vehicle engages the junction bracket.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a rider between two points on a cable or rope, having a plurality of supports configured to suspend the cable or rope between two points of unequal elevation and a trolley for transporting the rider supported by a harness on the cable or rope, the trolley having a mounting plate configured with a connection point to receive the rider's harness, a pulley rotatably mounted to the mounting plate to support the plate on the cable or rope, and a friction shoe mounted on the plate forward of the pulley to contact the upper portion of the cable or rope, wherein the connection point is located beneath the cable or rope between the centers of the pulley and the friction shoe.

Abstract: A sack for compressing compressible material contained therein, the sack including: a pliable body portion (20) for receiving the material, the body portion having a lower base portion (22), wall means (21) and an upper opening (23) for introducing the material into the sack and removing it therefrom; cover means (28) exterior to the body portion and fixed thereto proximate the opening and having cover fastening means (29, 30, 31, 32) for releasably fastening to the body portion proximate the base whereby the cover means covers the opening, and a plurality of straps (25, 26) and/or connectors exterior to the body portion and attached thereto; wherein the cover fastening means and the plurality of straps and/or connectors are operable to compress material in the body portion.

Abstract: A system for providing a tour of a venue includes a central computer for creating the tour, at least one venue server computer, communicatively connected to the central computer remotely at the venue, for storing the tour, and at least one portable device, communicatively connected to the venue server computer at the venue, for obtaining the tour from the venue server computer. The at least one portable device includes a GPS receiver or other geographic location identifier. Particular “point of interest”-specific content of the tour is output by the portable device whenever the device is located at the geographical location of the coordinates for the point of interest. The specific content of the tour so output by the portable device includes multimedia, including, for example, text, graphics, audio, video, and others. The portable device is carried by a tourist or other user and provides interactive multimedia to guide during the tour.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a rider between two points on a cable or rope, having a plurality of supports configured to suspend the cable or rope between two points of unequal elevation and a trolley for transporting the rider supported by a harness on the cable or rope, the trolley having a mounting plate configured with a connection point to receive the rider's harness, a pulley rotatably mounted to the mounting plate to support the plate on the cable or rope, and a friction shoe mounted on the plate forward of the pulley to contact the upper portion of the cable or rope, wherein the connection point is located beneath the cable or rope between the centers of the pulley and the friction shoe.

Abstract: A sleeping bag (10) includes baffles (20) cut according to a curved pattern in order to enhance the loft of the canopy of the sleeping bag, thereby improving the thermal performance of the sleeping bag.

Abstract: A spherical crocheted object includes a portion that contains high quality embroidery and is made beginning with a fabric piece called an initial disc. By initially knitting the spherical crocheted object into a flat, round disc of specific and limited dimensions, this initial disc is created for the introduction of an external embroidery process. The crocheted initial disc is tied off to maintain durability during the embroidery step, which is usually performed on specialized embroidery equipment. Thereafter, by vigilantly following specific construction techniques, a ball will be produced that retains its spherical shape resulting in an end product with characteristics similar to that of a spherical crocheted object that does not contain embroidery.

Abstract: A system for providing a tour of a venue includes a central computer for creating the tour, at least one venue server computer, communicatively connected to the central computer remotely at the venue, for storing the tour, and at least one portable device, communicatively connected to the venue server computer at the venue, for obtaining the tour from the venue server computer. The at least one portable device includes a GPS receiver or other geographic location identifier. Particular “point of interest”-specific content of the tour is output by the portable device whenever the device is located at the geographical location of the coordinates for the point of interest. The specific content of the tour so output by the portable device includes multimedia, including, for example, text, graphics, audio, video, and others. The portable device is carried by a tourist or other user and provides interactive multimedia to guide during the tour.

Abstract: A sack for compressing compressible material contained therein, the sack including: a pliable body portion (20) for receiving the material, the body portion having a lower base portion (22), wall means (21) and an upper opening (23) for introducing the material into the sack and removing it therefrom; cover means (28) exterior to the body portion and fixed thereto proximate the opening and having cover fastening means (29, 30, 31, 32) for releasably fastening to the body portion proximate the base whereby the cover means covers the opening, and a plurality of straps (25, 26) and/or connectors exterior to the body portion and attached thereto; wherein the cover fastening means and the plurality of straps and/or connectors are operable to compress material in the body portion.

Abstract: A protective platform is disclosed that includes a panel that moves from a first position to a second position. In the second position, the protective platform may protect swimmers from the rotating propeller of the boat and provides a way for swimmers to enter and/or exit the boat. The protective platform may also cover the swim platform in its entirety.

Abstract: A method of registering for private space travel to the moon, comprises providing a first spacecraft adapted to carry at least one private individual, receiving payment from the private individual for registration for a flight on the first spacecraft, providing launching of the first spacecraft from the earth carrying the private individual, and providing travel into lunar orbit for the private individual in the first spacecraft.

Abstract: A spherical crocheted object includes a portion that contains high quality embroidery and is made beginning with a fabric piece called an initial disc. By initially knitting the spherical crocheted object into a flat, round disc of specific and limited dimensions, this initial disc is created for the introduction of an external embroidery process. The crocheted initial disc is tied off to maintain durability during the embroidery step, which is usually performed on specialized embroidery equipment. Thereafter, by vigilantly following specific construction techniques, a ball will be produced that retains its spherical shape resulting in an end product with characteristics similar to that of a spherical crocheted object that does not contain embroidery.

Abstract: A system for providing position-related information to a mobile user includes a mobile unit and a central site server. The mobile unit includes circuitry for determining present position information from position signals which may emanate from, for example, GPS satellites. The mobile unit further includes circuitry for establishing a wireless bidirectional communications link with the central site server via a terrestrial network, which may be accessed via a cellular telephone network. The central site server includes circuitry for receiving the present position information from the mobile unit. A table stored at the central site server includes different response information in correspondence with possible positions of the mobile unit. The response information may further be in correspondence with user preferences.