Abstract: The invention provides various improved sailboats and methods for their use. In one exemplary embodiment, a sailboat comprises a hull and a deck that is operably attached to the hull. The deck has a longitudinal axis extending along its center. A mast is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis, and a luff cable is coupled to the mast and the deck. The luff cable is movable relative to the longitudinal axis. Further, a foresail is coupled to the luff cable such that at least a portion of the foresail is movable relative to the longitudinal axis upon movement of the luff cable.

Abstract: The invention provides braking systems and methods for slowing or stopping a roller skate having a plurality of wheels. In one exemplary system, at least one braking surface is spaced-apart from the wheels. A rotatable wheel engaging member is positioned between the braking surface and at least one of the wheels. The rotatable wheel engaging member is caused to rotate when moved against at least one of the wheels when rotating. Further, the rotatable member has an engaging surface which moves against the braking surface upon rotation of the rotatable member by the wheel to slow or stop the wheel.

Abstract: The invention provides various improved sailboats and methods for their use. In one exemplary embodiment, a sailboat comprises a hull and a deck that is operably attached to the hull. The deck has a longitudinal axis extending along its center. A mast is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis, and a luff cable is coupled to the mast and the deck. The luff cable is movable relative to the longitudinal axis. Further, a foresail is coupled to the luff cable such that at least a portion of the foresail is movable relative to the longitudinal axis upon movement of the luff cable.

Abstract: A skate brake system includes a carriage that pivots about the rear of a skate so as to bring a brake pad into contact with the skating surface when activated by a hand-activated actuator. The skater need not perform any special body movement to raise (or lower) the toe of the skate, and, accordingly, the angle of the skate relative to the ground remains constant while the brake is applied. In another embodiment, a plunger canister contains a plunger that brings a brake pad into contact with the skating surface when the plunger is actuated by a hand-activated actuator.

Abstract: The invention provides various improved sailboats and methods for their use. In one exemplary embodiment, a sailboat comprises a hull and a deck that is operably attached to the hull. The deck has a longitudinal axis extending along its center. A mast is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis, and a luff cable is coupled to the mast and the deck. The luff cable is movable relative to the longitudinal axis. Further, a foresail is coupled to the luff cable such that at least a portion of the foresail is movable relative to the longitudinal axis upon movement of the luff cable.

Abstract: The invention provides a braking systems and methods for slowing or stopping a roller skate having a plurality of wheels. One exemplary system, at least one braking surface is spaced apart from the wheels. A means is provided between the braking surface and at least one of the wheels for slowing or stopping the wheel such that heat generated when slowing or stopping the wheel is created at the braking surface and is substantially prevented from reaching the wheel.

Abstract: The invention provides a braking systems and methods for slowing or stopping a roller skate having a plurality of wheels. In one exemplary system, at least one braking surface is spaced apart from the wheels. A means is provided between the braking surface and at least one of the wheels for slowing or stopping the wheel such that heat generated when slowing or stopping the wheel is created at the braking surface and is substantially prevented from reaching the wheel.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for slowing or stopping a roller skate. In one exemplary system, a roller skate is provided having a frame with a longitudinal axis, a piece of footgear securely attached to the frame, and a plurality of wheels operably attached to the frame in alignment with the longitudinal axis. A braking mechanism is operably attached to the roller skate, with the braking system having a braking pad in alignment with the longitudinal axis. The braking pad is movable between a first position above a skating surface and a second position in contact with the skating surface. An actuator is provided which moves the braking pad between the first and the second positions while the angle of the skate relative to the skating surface remains constant.

Abstract: A ground engaging movable skate brake brings a brake surface into contact with the ground by moving the brake surface independently of the skate. The skate brake system of this invention includes: a delivery mechanism for driving a brake surface to the ground; a variable force mechanism for providing an increased mechanical advantage to the delivery mechanism or otherwise enhancing the performance of the system; an arresting mechanism to provide an emergency back-up in the event that the delivery mechanism should fail; a brake surface driven to the ground by the delivery mechanism; and an actuator mechanism for activating the delivery mechanism. Using the ground engaging movable skate brake, a skater need not perform any special body movement to bring the brake surface to the ground. The angle of the skate relative to the ground remains constant while the brake is applied.

Abstract: A ground engaging movable skate brake brings a brake surface into contact with the ground by moving the brake surface independently of the skate. The skate brake system of this invention includes: a delivery mechanism for driving a brake surface to the ground; a variable force mechanism for providing an increased mechanical advantage to the delivery mechanism or otherwise enhancing the performance of the system; an arresting mechanism to provide an emergency back-up in the event that the delivery mechanism should fail; a brake surface driven to the ground by the delivery mechanism; and an actuator mechanism for activating the delivery mechanism. Using the ground engaging movable skate brake, a skater need not perform any special body movement to bring the brake surface to the ground. The angle of the skate relative to the ground remains constant while the brake is applied.

Abstract: The invention provides a braking system and methods for slowing or stopping a roller skate. The braking system includes a male member which is attached to a back end of the roller skate's frame. A female member is slidably engaged with the male member such that the female member may be translated both toward and away from a skating surface. The female member may also be pivoted within a vertical plane which passes through a longitudinal axis of the frame during translation. A brake pad is attached to the female member, and a mechanism is provided for translating the female member relative to the male member so as to engage the brake pad with the skating surface.

Abstract: A skate brake system includes a rocker arm that pivots about the rear of a skate so as to bring a brake pad into contact with the skating surface when the rocker arm is activated. The rocker arm is mechanically activated so that the skater need not perform any special body movement so as to raise (or lower) the toe of the skate. Accordingly, the angle of the skate relative to the ground remains constant while the brake is applied.

Abstract: A skate brake system includes a carriage that pivots about the rear of a skate so as to bring a brake pad into contact with the skating surface when activated by a hand-activated actuator. The skater need not perform any special body movement to raise (or lower) the toe of the skate, and, accordingly, the angle of the skate relative to the ground remains constant while the brake is applied. In another embodiment, a plunger cannister contains a plunger that brings a brake pad into contact with the skating surface when the plunger is actuated by a hand-activated actuator.

Abstract: A skate brake system includes a rocker arm that pivots about the rear of a skate so as to bring a brake pad into contact with the skating surface when the rocker arm is activated. The rocker arm is mechanically activated so that the skater need not perform any special body movement so as to raise (or lower) the toe of the skate. Accordingly, the angle of the skate relative to the ground remains constant while the brake is applied.

Abstract: A skate brake system includes a carriage that pivots about the rear of a skate so as to bring a brake pad into contact with the skating surface when activated by a hand-activated actuator. The skater need not perform any special body movement to raise (or lower) the toe of the skate, and, accordingly, the angle of the skate relative to the ground remains constant while the brake is applied. In another embodiment, a plunger cannister contains a plunger that brings a brake pad into contact with the skating surface when the plunger is actuated by a hand-activated actuator.

Abstract: A skate brake system includes a rocker arm that pivots about the rear of a skate so as to bring a brake pad into contact with the skating surface when the rocker arm is activated. The rocker arm is mechanically activated so that the skater need not perform any special body movement so as to raise (or lower) the toe of the skate. Accordingly, the angle of the skate relative to the ground remains constant while the brake is applied.

Abstract: A process for preparing a heat-treated body from a material (preferably a dielectric ceramic) that does not couple well with microwaves while nevertheless using microwave energy for the heating step. The process involves the use of a microwave susceptor (i.e. a material that couples well with microwaves) as a means for generating heat in the material. To avoid contamination of the final product, a susceptor is chosen which is converted, during the heating step, to a substance which is substantially the same as the material itself, both the susceptor and the material are converted to the same desired final product, or the material is converted to a substance substantially the same as the susceptor. The resulting substantially pure heat-treated (and preferably sintered) bodies can be used for a variety of purposes, e.g. as substrates for micro-electronic devices. The process can also be used for joining bodies of non-susceptor materials without contaminating the resulting joint.

Abstract: In an aluminium reduction cell including a cell lining and embedded therein at least one cathode current collector including a high temperature section comprising an electrically conducting refractory material such as titanium diboride, generally in conjunction with molten aluminium metal, corrosion is a problem. The invention provides a substance to protect the collector section. The substance may be a liquid impermeable layer e.g. particulate material impregnated with a molten fluoride-or chloride-containing salt mixture; for a getter such as particulate aluminium to react chemically with gaseous corrosive species. Combinations of these substances may be used, optionally in conjunction with a solid layer such as an alumina or aluminium metal tube.

Abstract: A lining to support the liquid contents of an aluminium electrolytic reduction cell includes an upper layer which is penetrated by electrolyte during operation of the cell, consisting essentially of unbonded alumina, including a substantially close-packed array of alumina shapes, the gaps between the shapes being substantially filled with particulate alumina in one or more fractions having discrete particle size ranges, including a fraction having an average particle diameter not more than 20% of the average diameter of the shapes, the layer having a bulk density of at least 2.0 g/cc.

Abstract: An aluminium reduction cell includes a potlining 16, which may be of alumina, with cathode current collectors 24, 32 embedded therein. The cell floor has an array of depressions 22 with at least one collector at the bottom of each depression. The depressions are filled with metal-wettable bodies 20, e.g. 5-20 mm diameter balls of titanium diboride, sized to prevent the entry of electrolyte or sludge. The depressions may be elongate in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal magnetic field in the cell.