Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus has a platen to support a polishing pad, a carrier head comprising a rigid housing and configured to hold a surface of a substrate against the polishing pad, a motor to generate relative motion between the platen and the carrier head so as to polish the substrate, an in-situ carrier head monitoring system including a sensor positioned to interact with the housing and to detect vibrational motion of the housing and generate signals based on the detected vibrational motion, and a controller. The controller is configured to generate a value for a carrier head status parameter based on received signals from the in-situ carrier head monitoring system, and change a polishing parameter or generate an alert based on the carrier head status parameter.

Abstract: A flag tag system for removable mating with a resilient cylindrical cup-shaped member defining a socket includes a flag retention frame connected to the flag, a post connected to the flag retention frame, and a plurality of discs or arms connected to the post, the plurality of discs or arms for mating with the socket. The flag tag system is for a flag football or similar tag game using a flag that is pulled by force to tag a player. A first device with the shaped member defining the socket is worn on a belt by the player. The plurality of discs or arms mates by pressing into the socket of the shaped member. The flag retention frame carries a flag. The plurality of discs or arms can provide select pull or force tension for grabbing the flag and thereby popping the discs or arms from engagement with the socket of the shaped member. Embodiments also include a buckle system of a plug with arms for snug connection to a socket.

Abstract: A flag tag system for removable mating with a resilient cylindrical cup-shaped member defining a socket includes a flag retention frame connected to the flag, a post connected to the flag retention frame, and a plurality of discs or arms connected to the post, the plurality of discs or arms for mating with the socket. The flag tag system is for a flag football or similar tag game using a flag that is pulled by force to tag a player. A first device with the shaped member defining the socket is worn on a belt by the player. The plurality of discs or arms mates by pressing into the socket of the shaped member. The flag retention frame carries a flag. The plurality of discs or arms can provide select pull or force tension for grabbing the flag and thereby popping the discs or arms from engagement with the socket of the shaped member. Embodiments also include a buckle system of a plug with arms for snug connection to a socket.

Abstract: A bumper for a pendulum that cannot inadvertently become loose is disclosed. The pendulum has at least one and preferably a pair of spaced apart, elongated bumpers. The elongated bumpers generally have an L-shape. The pendulum is comprised of two halves. L-shaped channels are formed in each pendulum half. The bumpers are fitted into channels of the same shape formed in the pendulum halves. When the two halves are fitted together, the L-shaped bumper is captured therebetween. Each pendulum half includes an elevated central area and a pair of recessed areas with each recessed area formed on one side of the elevated area. Side walls are formed at the intersections of the elevated area and the recessed areas. A base wall is formed along the lower edge of the elevated area. The bumper ends extend from the elevated area beyond the side walls and base wall.

Abstract: A system for generating a repair patch for a damaged area of a composite structure may include a scanning module, a repair patch model generator and a cutting tool. The scanning module may be deployed at the location of the damaged composite structure. The scanning module may be configured to scan the damaged area to generate scanned data indicative of a shape, size and/or contours of the damaged area. The repair patch model generator may include processing circuitry configured to obtain the scanned data, obtain parent ply information of the damaged composite structure, and generating a patch model of a repair patch including size and shape definition for each of a plurality of plies based on the scanned data and the parent ply information. The cutting tool may be configured to receive cutting files based on the patch model to generate a plurality of cut plies that combine to form the repair patch.

Abstract: A system for generating a repair patch for a damaged area of a composite structure may include a scanning module, a repair patch model generator and a cutting tool. The scanning module may be deployed at the location of the damaged composite structure. The scanning module may be configured to scan the damaged area to generate scanned data indicative of a shape, size and/or contours of the damaged area. The repair patch model generator may include processing circuitry configured to obtain the scanned data, obtain parent ply information of the damaged composite structure, and generating a patch model of a repair patch including size and shape definition for each of a plurality of plies based on the scanned data and the parent ply information. The cutting tool may be configured to receive cutting files based on the patch model to generate a plurality of cut plies that combine to form the repair patch.

Abstract: A bumper for a pendulum that cannot inadvertently become loose is disclosed. The pendulum has at least one and preferably a pair of spaced apart, elongated bumpers. The elongated bumpers generally have an L-shape. The pendulum is comprised of two halves. L-shaped channels are formed in each pendulum half. The bumpers are fitted into channels of the same shape formed in the pendulum halves. When the two halves are fitted together, the L-shaped bumper is captured therebetween. Each pendulum half includes an elevated central area and a pair of recessed areas with each recessed area formed on one side of the elevated area. Side walls are formed at the intersections of the elevated area and the recessed areas. A base wall is formed along the lower edge of the elevated area. The bumper ends extend from the elevated area beyond the side walls and base wall.

Abstract: A football holding device comprising a base portion, support structure extending upwardly from the base portion, and a holding arm. The holding arm has a first end attached to an upper portion of the support structure in a manner that allows the holding arm to pivot in a horizontal and vertical plane, and a second end is adapted for engaging the tip of a football. Positioning structure are also provided for releasably retaining the holding arm in a first position in which the football is engaged from above by the second end of the holding arm. A spring for retracting the holding arm upwardly and away from its first position when the ball is kicked is also provided. The positioning structure includes an elastic member which retains the holding arm in a detent formed by a positioning member. As the ball is kicked, the holding arm is urged out of the detent and the retracting spring urges the holding arm up and away from the path of the football and the kicker's foot.