Abstract: An embodiment of a mast includes a first support configured for coupling to one of a foiling platform and a foiling assembly, and a second support configured for coupling to the other of the foiling platform and the foiling assembly and for coupling to the first support in a manner that allows adjustment of a combined height of the first and second supports. For example, such a mast can be configured to have first and second telescoping supports that can be extended and retracted to different heights so that surfers of different skill levels can use the same mast.

Abstract: A head-protector is described herein having a shell that is dimensioned to fit on the head of a user. The shell is formed with an opening to expose the face of the user. A locking mechanism attaches a lens to the shell and allows the lens to be pivoted between an operational position in which the lens covers the opening of the shell and a stowed position. Vents are established between an edge of the lens and the shell to establish an airflow over the inside surface of the lens to reduce fogging when the head-protector is subjected to an outside airflow such as wind. The vents can include a first vent that extends across the forehead of the user between the edge of the lens and the shell and a second vent that extends across the chin of the user between the edge of the lens and the shell.

Abstract: A skydiving helmet includes a lens for protecting the face of a skydiver during a skydiving event. An air-intake hole is formed on the helmet, and an airflow deflector plate is positioned against the air-intake hole. Thus, the deflector plate directs air over the inside surface of the lens to prevent fog from forming on this surface during a skydiving event.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for emptying liquid from a flexible, portable bladder that enhances the wake of a boat, including locating a submersible pump within the bladder and activating the pump to evacuate liquid from the bladder.

Abstract: A lamina cutter includes a handle with a blade having a cutting edge mounted thereon. A guard member is affixed to the blade, and is positioned at a distance from the handle to establish a channel having a width “w” therebetween. The blade then extends between the handle and the guard member to present its cutting edge across the width of the channel. In use, a lamina (e.g. a sheet) having a thickness “t” (wherein “t”<“w”), is advanced through the channel and against the cutting edge to cut the lamina.

Abstract: An armor system is provided for installation in a vehicle having a body structure. The armor system includes frame members joined to form a framework having openings. The framework is joined to the inside of the body structure of the vehicle. Brackets are joined to the frame members. A number of armor plates are provided, which are configured to cover the openings of the framework. Each plate is joined to at least one of the brackets, so that gaps between the armor plates are overlapped by the frame members.

Abstract: A square tool defining a triangular housing contains a tape measure, spirit level, and pencil sharpener. A triangular chassis is covered at a top triangular cover, a bottom triangular cover and contains the tape measure, spirit level, and pencil sharpener. The triangular chassis defines two sides intersecting at right angles with the hypotenuse closing the third side. A pencil clip having an arcuate pencil holding arm is provided. The arcuate pencil holding arm attaches to a pencil arm base, a trapped arm backing extending at 90° to the pencil arm base, and a chassis mounting clip extending along the underside of the triangular chassis.

Abstract: An improved measuring instrument for use with drawings employing different scales with indicia thereon; wherein, the measuring instrument includes a pair of elongated first and second instrument member arms having top walls and bottom walls and having opposite ends wherein one pair of ends are adapted to be releasably and pivotally connected to one another. The measuring instrument further includes a rotatble ratchet connection assembly associated with the first and second instrument member arms for captively but releasably engaging the first and second instrument member arms in both an L and an inverted L configuration. The tops walls of the first and second instrument member arms having beveled edges with indicia thereon, for preventing the indicia from engaging the measured or drawn surfaces when in use; and the bottom walls of the first and second instrument member arms having inclined planes with indicia thereon for preventing the indicia from engaging the measured or drawn surfaces when in use.

Abstract: A disposable anti-fog airway adapter for use with a mainstream respiratory gas analyzer which provides a measurement of a patient's inhaled and exhaled gases. The airway adapter includes windows that are constructed of a thin, low heat capacity plastic that rapidly equilibrates to the temperature of the warm moist gases in the patient breathing circuit. In addition, the inside of the windows is also coated with an anti-fog surfactant either by laminating an anti-fog film with the window plastic prior to attaching the window to the airway adapter body or by first attaching the window to the airway adapter body and then applying the surfactant to the airway adapter after the window film is bonded in place so that the surfactant coats the entire inside of the adapter.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the concentration of an analyte such as oxygen in an unknown gas sample. A Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) is used as a variable wavelength light source which is "swept" through a wavelength range by varying the drive signal applied thereto. Quantitative spectroscopic analysis of the unknown gas sample is performed without the requirement of feedback circuitry for tuning the light source to the characteristic frequency of an analyte. Instead, the VCSEL is repeatedly "swept" through a range of frequencies determined by the drive signal, and the absorption is measured by the detector. The absorption lines do not always occur at the same place but instead move along around during the sweep based on the temperature and baseline current. The absorption at a particular wavelength may be determined by overlaying the drive signal and its timing information over the detected absorption signal.

Abstract: An side stream infrared gas analyzer for detecting the concentration of a gaseous component of a substantially gaseous flow stream such as the expired air of a patient under anesthesia. The infrared gas analyzer comprises an infrared energy detector, a sample cell, and an infrared energy source which are designed to be small and to consume relatively little electrical power. The infrared energy detector converts the received incident radiation into at least one electrical signal representative of the received incident radiation and is preferably mounted directly onto a printed circuit board containing signal processing circuitry which processes the electrical detection signals provided by the infrared energy detector. The infrared energy detector also has a first infrared transmissive window on a detection side thereof through which the incident radiation passes for detection.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a safety/rescue knife requires the forming of four blank laminates. Each blank laminate has a handle portion and includes a base arm which is attached to the handle portion. Also, each blank laminate has an extension arm which extends from the base arm to define a groove therebetween. One blank laminate is further formed with a cut out in its base arm, and another blank laminate is further formed with a cut out in its extension arm. The method then requires aligning each of the cut out laminates with a respective blank laminate to create blade recesses. Next, cutting blades are placed in the recesses, and the cut out laminates are juxtaposed in alignment. The blank laminates are then connected together to hold the inner laminates and the blades therebetween with the blades crossed to establish a cutting angle in the groove.

Abstract: This invention relates to reciprocable sheaths for hypodermic syringes that have latches to hold the sheaths over the needle of the syringes. A spring is employed to normally move the sheath over the needle and the expansion of the spring is limited to 90.degree. of the free expansion dimension to positively move the sheaths and latches to the fully protected position. Volume numbers and graduations are placed on the exterior of the syringe plumger for greater clarity of reading.

Abstract: This specification discloses a lock for a latch on a hypodermic syringe which has a reciprocating sheath that is normally latched to cover the needle to protect persons handling the syringe. The latch is operated to withdraw the sheath to expose the needle for use. The latch shell 22 is moved longitudinally to actuate latch fingers 26. After use it is desirable to lock the latch to prevent reuse of the syringe. A user manually rotates the latch shell 20 to lock the latch in the position where the sheath is over the needle. Rotary motion causes the lugs 26 to ride up the ramps 28 and then drop into the recesses 29. Thereafter, there can be no rotation and no reciprocation of the latch. The lugs prevent rotary motion as well as reciprocating motion of the latch shell 22.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated lead frame pulse oximetry sensor which includes a thin metal lead frame to which is connected light emitting diodes and a photodiode chip for the purpose of emitting light and detecting light respectively. The thin metal frame is deformable to attach to perfused tissue. The lead frame has a very low mass which diminishes its acceptability to motion induced artifact.