Abstract: An improved composite for absorbing and dispersing impacting forces is disclosed. The composite includes a flexible plastic enclosure defining an internal cavity. The flexible enclosure is generally impermeable to air and capable of having its internal pressure changed. The composite further includes a foam core filling the cavity and retained within the cavity and adhered on substantially all of its external surface to the internal surface of the cavity. The cavity can be pressurized for higher impact absorbance. Methods for fabricating the composites are disclosed, as well.

Abstract: An improved impact absorbing composite comprising protective gear including a shell and a protective layer and a fitting pad comprising a substantially air-tight foam-filled enclosure attached to the protective gear and providing means for adjusting the internal pressure of the enclosure.

Abstract: An improved impact absorbing pad comprising a foam core attached to and enclosed within a generally air impermeable covering, having at least one selected air permeable region, and wherein at least a portion of the covering enclosing one side of the core is comprised of stretch fabric.

Abstract: An improved street sport impact absorbing shield including ball bearings positioned along the outer surface of the shield for providing a rolling impact surface upon a fall to translate a tangential moment of impact. The recesses include sockets or channels for retaining the ball bearings along the outer surface and allowing rotary motion in every direction upon impact.

Abstract: Substantially purified beta (1,3) glucan extracts obtained from yeast cell walls, particularly finely ground, and including nutritional and dermatological applications, are disclosed.

Abstract: Substantially purified beta (1,3) glucan extracts obtained from yeast cell walls, particularly finely ground, and including nutritional and dermatological applications, are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved impact absorbing system for footwear including a compartment having a radiator structure attached to the footwear in fluid communication with an impact absorbing pad in the footwear for cooling the pad fluid heated by repeated compression, as the fluid circulates.

Abstract: Substantially purified beta (1,3) glucan extracts obtained from yeast cell walls, particularly finely ground, and including nutritional and dermatological applications, are disclosed.

Abstract: Sorbitol-solubilized yeast glucan, its method of preparation, and methods of use.

Abstract: A composition and method for protecting skin from the damaging of UV or solar radiation, comprising topical application to the skin of a composition containing a yeast cell wall extract.

Abstract: An improved composite for absorbing and dispersing impacting forces is disclosed. The composite includes a flexible plastic enclosure defining an internal cavity. The flexible enclosure is generally impermeable to air and capable of having its internal pressure changed. The composite further includes a foam core filling the cavity and retained within the cavity and adhered on substantially all of its external surface to the internal surface of the cavity. The cavity can be pressurized for higher impact absorbance. Methods for fabricating the composites are disclosed, as well.

Abstract: A method revitalizing skin by applying topically a substantially purified water insoluble glucan, extracted from yeast cell walls, dispersed within a carrier. Also, disclosed is a method for producing the water insoluble glucan.

Abstract: Serum levels of cholesterol are improved by administration of yeast cell wall extract LCP-100 Series.TM. product LR323.TM. in combination with a cholesterol regulating agent, preferably niacin or gemfibrozil.

Abstract: An improved composite for absorbing and dispersing impacting forces is disclosed. The composite includes a flexible plastic enclosure defining an internal cavity. The flexible enclosure is generally impermeable to air and capable of having its internal pressure changed. The composite further includes a foam core filling the cavity and retained within the cavity and adhered on substantially all of its external surface to the internal surface of the cavity. The cavity can be pressurized for higher impact absorbance. Methods for fabricating the composites are disclosed, as well. These methods include forming the outer enclosure by applying a solution/suspension of the prepolymer of controlled solids content to the core and also can include the step of preheating the core prior to coating it.

Abstract: A structure is provided which absorbs shock by the controlled transfer of air from within an enclosure to outside the enclosure. A core of open-celled foam material is provided to act as an exhaustable reservoir of air within the enclosure. This structure is adapted to provide comfort and freedom of movement to the wearer. Cooperatively arranged with this structure are one or more inserts positioned to provide exceptional protection to one or more selected areas of the wearer's body. These inserts are designed to not loose shock absorbing capability when subjected to forces of anticipated magnitudes. Thus, protective equipment is provided which yields general protection to at least a portion of the wearer's body while providing exceptional protection at selected areas of such individual's body.

Abstract: Shock absorbing structure for athletic equipment is disclosed in which a flexible air-tight fabric structure has an internal surface defining a cavity and an external surface adapted to be in fluid communication with the atmosphere outside the shock absorbing structure. The fabric structure includes a plurality of selectively dimensioned and disposed apertures which couple the cavity and the external surface of the shock absorbing structure in continuous fluid communication. A flexible foam portion having an open-celled structure defining a reservoir to releasably hold air is disposed in the cavity of the fabric structure and bonded, at least in part, to at least a portion of the internal surface of the fabric structure. In one embodiment, the flexible foam portion includes a multi-layered laminate of at least three open-celled foams of different foam density.

Abstract: The protective garment of the present invention primarily for use as protective athletic equipment includes protective gear for the shoulders, ribs, biceps, forearms, thighs, knees and shins. The protective garment is generally composed of variable pressure pads, air cushions, and/or shields. The variable pressure pad includes two superimposed plies of a light-weight, non-elastic fluid-impervious fabric material having the adjacent surfaces of the material sealed around the periphery to form a pressure tight inflatable garment which does not distend and other adjacent surfaces sealed at regions internally of the periphery to define a plurality of fluid chambers and fluid passageways. The internal fluid chambers are fluidly communicable with adjacent fluid chambers by means of the fluid passageways. The material crinkles and folds over at preselected regions to constrict fluid communication between the fluid chambers as an external force is applied to the variable pressure pads.

Abstract: A protective batting jacket is disclosed having a plurality of shock absorbing structures selectively positioned to be adjacent predetermined body locations of the batter to protect the batter from injury caused by a pitched ball. The shock absorbing structure includes a flexible air-tight fabric structure having an internal surface defining a chamber and an external surface adapted to be in fluid communication with the atmosphere outside the shock absorbing structure. The fabric structure includes a plurality of selectively dimensioned and disposed apertures for continuous fluid communication between the chamber and the external surface of the shock absorbing structure. A flexible foam portion having an open-celled structure defining a reservoir to releasably hold air is disposed in the cavity of the fabric structure and bonded, at least, to at least a portion of the interior surface of the fabric structure.

Abstract: An improved composite for absorbing and dispersing impacting forces is disclosed. The composite includes a flexible plastic enclosure defining an internal cavity. The flexible enclosure is generally impermeable to air and capable of having its internal pressure changed. The composite further includes a foam core filling the cavity and retained within the cavity and adhered on substantially all of its external surface to the internal surface of the cavity. The cavity can be pressurized for higher impact absorbance. Methods for fabricating the composites are disclosed, as well.