Abstract: A headgear adjustment mechanism is provided that includes a worm having a central axis of rotation, a first headband element, a second headband element, a spur gear, and a housing. The first headband element includes (i) a worm rack disposed in operative engagement with the worm, and (ii) a first pinion rack. The second headband element includes a second pinion rack. The spur gear is disposed in simultaneous operative engagement with the first pinion rack and the second pinion rack, and the housing at least partially encloses the first and second headband elements. During operation of the adjustment mechanism, rotation of the worm about the axis of rotation causes the first headband element and the second headband element to translate in opposite directions with respect to the worm, thereby adjusting a fit of the headgear.

Abstract: Strap buckles for headgear can be independently adjusted by single-handed operation while the headgear is worn. To tighten the straps, the wearer pulls a strap buckle toward the chin. The adjustment preferably involves a 1:1 length-adjustment ratio, such that the strap is shortened substantially by the amount the wearer pulls on the buckle.

Abstract: Embodiments of a fixture secured, securable to, or integral with the outer shell of a helmet of the type that has a bulge or protrusion on a side thereof to facilitate convenient positional adjustment, attachment and removal of multiple accessories include a fixture for securely receiving an accessory, wherein the fixture comprises a rail for slidably and adjustably receiving a plurality of accessories thereon.

Abstract: A helmet, adjustable longitudinally and laterally to fit a variety of head configurations, includes an outer shell having front and a rear shell parts, which are movably joined with one another, and an adjuster. The rear outer shell and/or the front outer shell can include first and second lateral shell portions separated by a slot. The adjuster can move the first and second lateral shell portions away from one another from a narrowed mode to a widened mode to increase the lateral dimension of the helmet. Simultaneously, the adjuster can move the front and/or rear shell to increase the longitudinal dimension of the helmet as the first and second lateral shell portions move from a narrowed mode to a widened mode. A method is also provided for effecting the longitudinal and lateral adjustments of the helmet.

Abstract: Embodiments of a fixture secured, securable to, or integral with the outer shell of a helmet to facilitate convenient positional adjustment, attachment and removal of multiple accessories include a fixture, attachable to the helmet, for securely receiving an accessory, wherein the fixture comprises a rail for slidably and adjustably receiving a plural of accessories thereon.

Abstract: Embodiments of a fixture secured, securable to, or integral with the outer shell of a helmet of the type that has a bulge or protrusion on a side thereof to facilitate convenient positional adjustment, attachment and removal of multiple accessories include a fixture for securely receiving an accessory, wherein the fixture comprises a rail for slidably and adjustable receiving a plurality of accessories thereon.

Abstract: A mounting buckle for a safety helmet includes at least one mating member configured for attachment to a V-shaped strap having an apex, the apex of the strap being substantially flush with the abutment surface. This configuration channels the tension in the straps along continuous lines, rather than allowing the tension to dissipate in an intervening length of strap.

Abstract: A protective sport helmet, such as for lacrosse, includes a hard shell portion, a lining portion, and an adjustment mechanism. The inner side of the adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment protective pad. Together, the lining portion and the inner surface of the adjustment protective pad define an interior region of the helmet wherein the user's head is introduced. The adjustment mechanism includes a lower rear shell portion having a clutch mechanism that allows the user to manually adjust the size of the interior region via a strapping system of the helmet to couple snugly around the user's head. The clutching mechanism can prevent the interior region from being easily altered in the absence of manual adjustment to the adjustment mechanism. The strap includes a hard end material that engages the adjustment mechanism and a flexible, durable and tough material that conforms to a wearer's head.

Abstract: A protective sport helmet, such as for lacrosse, includes a hard shell portion, a lining portion, and an adjustment mechanism. The inner side of the adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment protective pad. Together, the lining portion and the inner surface of the adjustment protective pad define an interior region of the helmet wherein the user's head is introduced. The adjustment mechanism includes a lower rear shell portion having a clutching mechanism that allows the user to manually adjust the size of the interior region via a strapping system of the helmet to couple snugly around the user's head. The clutching mechanism also prevents the interior region from being easily altered in the absence of manual adjustment to the adjustment mechanism. The strap includes a hard end material that engages the adjustment mechanism and a flexible, durable and tough material that conforms to a wearer's head.

Abstract: A mounting buckle for a safety helmet includes at least one mating member configured for attachment to a V-shaped strap having an apex, the apex of the strap being substantially flush with the abutment surface. This configuration channels the tension in the straps along continuous lines, rather than allowing the tension to dissipate in an intervening length of strap.

Abstract: An improved retention system for a protective helmet comprises slide/coupling mechanisms on opposite sides of the helmet shell, and a movable element at the rear of the helmet. Fastening of the chinstrap secures the helmet in the downward direction and tightens the movable element against the nape of the neck, thereby securing the helmet in the area of the occipital lobe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for supporting a human body during intimate activities. The apparatuses include a base connected to an adjustable frame and one or more support surfaces for at least partially supporting the human body. The frame includes a main rail connectable to one or more rails arranged to bear weight of the support surfaces and constructed to displace the support surfaces to selected positions.

Abstract: A method of producing a planar waveguiding device having a core [10] and a cladding [17]. The cladding has groves [11,12] directly interfacing [15,16] with the core [10]. A layer of core glass [10] is deposited on the surface of a substrate [23,24]. This layer is etched to produce a shaped layer which includes a first core portion [10] having the same configuration as the intended core [10] and an expanded core portion [30] wherein the core glass extends beyond the intended core boundary. A glass covering layer [21] is deposited over the etched core glass and grooves [11,12] are produced by etching through the covering layer [21] and into said expanded core portion [30].

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for supporting a human body during intimate activities. The apparatuses include a base connected to an adjustable frame and one or more support surfaces for at least partially supporting the human body. The frame includes a main rail connectable to one or more rails arranged to bear weight of the support surfaces and constructed to displace the support surfaces to selected positions.

Abstract: A planar waveguiding device includes at least on section of core which is located between and adjacent to two grooves. The refractive index within the grooves is substantially equal to one and the grooves are located so that the evanescent fields of optical signals travelling in the core extend into the grooves. Preferably the grooves have a direct interface with the core and they extend through a layer located above the core into a layer located below the core. Where the cores have bends, e.g. bends with radii of curvature below 2 mm the grooves are located both inside and outside the bends.

Abstract: An arrayed waveguide grating [WDG] comprises I/O slabs (53a, 53b) interconnected by a grating region (51). The grating region (51) comprises many, e.g. at least 25 and preferably 50 to 500, individual cores (61,62,63), which have different lengths so as to provide wavelength selectivity by causing phase changes in light conveyed between the I/O slabs (53a, 53b). There are bends (64) for providing the different lengths and, to improve optical guidance round the bends, empty (R.I.=1) grooves (71) are located adjacent to the inside (71.1) and outside radii (71.2) so that the evanescent fields extend into the grooves (71). In order to keep the dimensions small, which improves the optical accuracy, tight bends (preferred radii of curvature of less than 2 mm and especially less than 500 &mgr;m) are desirable. The grooves conveniently have tapered ends and they extend into straight portions adjacent to the bends.

Abstract: A multi-bit packet carried on an optical network includes a marker pulse. A bit-rate clock for use in a bit-level operation on the packet is generated by replicating the marker pulse. The bit-level operation may comprise retiming, regeneration or demultiplexing. The marker pulse may be distinguished by a fixed, bit-asynchronous time relationship to the rest of the packet.

Abstract: A safety helmet has a hard outer shell having front and rear edges. A bowl-shaped liner with front and rear edges and a peak between the edges is contoured to fit snugly in the shell so that the front and rear edges of the liner are adjacent to the front and rear edges of the shell. The liner has an interior surface contoured generally to fit a wearer's head and a corrugated exterior surface, the tips of the liner corrugations contacting the shell along multiple lines of contact. The corrugations in at least a central zone of the liner adjacent to the peak extend fore and aft between the front and rear edges of the liner such that the corrugations define valleys that are spaced from the shell to provide air passages in the helmet extending from the front of the helmet to an array of through-holes in the liner and to a vent opening in the shell adjacent to the rear edge of the liner. A valve is provided to control air flow through the passages and the through-holes.