Abstract: A personal protective apparatus, having a wearable support member and a mesh shield securable thereto. The mesh shield may include first and second air-permeable conductive layers secured to the wearable support member and a first air-permeable non-conductive layer received between the first and second air-permeable conductive layers to separate them, and a portable power supply coupled to the mesh shield with a negative high voltage lead to the first air-permeable conductive layer and a positive high voltage lead to the second air-permeable conductive layer. The mesh shield may be a flexible mesh shield, and include at least one air-permeable layer secured at a first layer upper end to the wearable support member to hang from the wearable support member, the at least one air-permeable layer including at least one of an anti-virus material and an anti-microbial material. A fibrous filter layer may overlay an outer surface of the mesh shield.

Abstract: A flight vehicle including a frame having a bottom side configured to receive a user harness, port and starboard wings extend from port and starboard sides of the frame. Each wing may include at least one helium wing bag. The flight vehicle also includes a helium backpack secured to a top side of the frame, the helium backpack including an inflatable main helium bag configured for holding a main volume of helium. Each of the at least one helium wing bag may be fluidically isolated from the main helium bag. The flight vehicle may include a rigid base member, the inflatable main helium bag joined to an upper surface of the rigid base member via an elastic expansion member.

Abstract: A flight vehicle, comprising a frame, the frame having a bottom side configured to receive a user harness; a port wing extending from a port side of the frame and a starboard wing extending from a starboard side of the frame, each wing comprising at least one helium wing bag for containing a wing volume of helium and having a wing port for the passage of fluid in and out of the wing bag; a helium backpack secured to a top side of the frame, the helium backpack comprising an inflatable main helium bag configured for holding a main volume of helium, the main helium bag having a main bag port for the passage of fluid in and out of the main helium bag; at least one pressurized container secured to the frame, the at least one pressurized container being configured to contain liquid helium, and having a container opening for the passage of fluid in and out of the pressurized container; at least one electronic valve coupled to the at least one pressurized container for governing fluid flow through the container open

Abstract: A neck support apparatus for a contact sports helmet. The neck support apparatus may include an inflatable neck support including at least one air bladder normally in a deflated state, the inflatable neck support adapted to attach to the contact sports helmet; a first air supply; and at least one impact sensor adapted to trigger airflow from the first air supply into the at least one air bladder upon detection of an impact force exceeding a predetermined limit. The inflatable neck support is adapted to attach to a base portion of the contact sports helmet normally adjacent to a player's neck when worn, and inflate the at least one air bladder in a manner to deploy the inflatable neck support and help brace the player's neck immediately after an impact.

Abstract: There is disclosed a watercraft paddle apparatus operable by a user's legs and feet. In an embodiment, the watercraft paddle apparatus comprises a pair of rails positioned side-by-side and mountable to a watercraft, each rail configured to slidably receive a pedal mechanism adapted to slide back and forth along each rail. Each pedal mechanism includes a downwardly extendable paddle adapted to engage a water surface on which the watercraft is floating during a backward stride and to lift from the water surface on a forward stride, whereby a user can operate the pedal mechanism in each rail using an alternating walking or skiing motion. In an embodiment, each pedal mechanism is supported laterally by a front axle with a pair of wheels on either end of the front axle engaging the parallel rails. In another embodiment, each pedal mechanism is attached.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved impact absorption padding for a contact sports helmet, for contact sports such as football, hockey and lacrosse, which incorporates a plurality of air pockets formed from a resiliently flexible material, such as plastic or rubber. At least some of the air pockets enclose a coil or spring. The coil or spring is also resiliently flexible over a wide range of temperatures, and oriented to compress in the general direction of impact to absorb a substantial portion of the energy before it is transferred to the head of the player. The coil or spring is also sized and shaped to return the air pocket to a desired thickness and shape after an impact. The air pockets may be arranged to substantially cover the outside of a contact sports helmet shell as a layer of impact absorption padding. A second inner layer of impact absorption padding may also be provided inside the contact sports helmet shell.

Abstract: There is disclosed a neck support apparatus for a contact sports helmet. In an embodiment, the neck support apparatus comprises an inflatable neck support comprises at least one air bladder normally in a deflated state, the inflatable neck support adapted to attach to the contact sports helmet; a first air supply; and at least one impact sensor adapted to trigger airflow from the first air supply into the at least one air bladder upon detection of an impact force exceeding a predetermined limit. The inflatable neck support is adapted to attach to a base portion of the contact sports helmet normally adjacent to a player's neck when worn, and inflate the at least one air bladder in a manner to deploy the inflatable neck support and help brace the player's neck immediately after an impact.

Abstract: There is disclosed a watercraft paddle apparatus operable by a user's legs and feet. In an embodiment, the watercraft paddle apparatus comprises a pair of rails positioned side-by-side and mountable to a watercraft, each rail configured to slidably receive a pedal mechanism adapted to slide back and forth along each rail. Each pedal mechanism includes a downwardly extendable paddle adapted to engage a water surface on which the watercraft is floating during a backward stride and to lift from the water surface on a forward stride, whereby a user can operate the pedal mechanism in each rail using an alternating walking or skiing motion. In an embodiment, each pedal mechanism is supported laterally by a front axle with a pair of wheels on either end of the front axle engaging the parallel rails.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved impact absorption padding for a contact sports helmet, for contact sports such as football, hockey and lacrosse, which incorporates a plurality of air pockets formed from a resiliently flexible material, such as plastic or rubber. At least some of the air pockets enclose a coil or spring. The coil or spring is also resiliently flexible over a wide range of temperatures, and oriented to compress in the general direction of impact to absorb a substantial portion of the energy before it is transferred to the head of the player. The coil or spring is also sized and shaped to return the air pocket to a desired thickness and shape after an impact. The air pockets may be arranged to substantially cover the outside of a contact sports helmet shell as a layer of impact absorption padding. A second inner layer of impact absorption padding may also be provided inside the contact sports helmet shell.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved face mask mounting apparatus for a contact sports helmet. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a mounting sleeve adapted to be mounted at a contact sports helmet attachment point; a mounting ring encased in the mounting sleeve and adapted to receive a mounting bolt; and a plurality of resiliently flexible impact absorption components positioned between the mounting ring and an inner wall of the mounting sleeve to generally center the mounting ring within the mounting sleeve; whereby, in use, the plurality of resiliently flexible impact absorption components are adapted to collectively absorb an impact force received on the face mask by deforming, and returning the mounting ring to its center position after the impact force has been absorbed. By way of example, the plurality of resiliently flexible impact absorption components may comprise springs or resiliently flexible and deformable rubber balls.