Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided to allow fire fighters and other personnel unimpeded access to a roof no matter the placement or configuration of a plurality of solar panels installed on the roof. A user first disables the flow of electricity from the solar panels by activating a fail-safe system, thus electrically isolating each solar panel from a common power line and making safe manipulation of the solar panel possible. The user then unlocks the solar panel from its mounting frame by opening a latch and rotates the solar panel on the frame to expose the portion of the roof beneath the panel. The solar panel rotates over the end of the frame and remains coupled to the frame. With the solar panel swung out of the way, full and unimpeded access of the roof below the panel is now accessible to the firefighter.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cushion for absorbing energy to dampen vibration, distribute pressure and absorb shock. The cushion has a deformable polyurethane bladder which defines a chamber adapted to contain a fluid, such as air. A piece of viscoelastic material, such as a highly plasticized PVC gel, may be located inside the bladder so that when air is introduced into the chamber, the cushion is capable of absorbing energy to dampen low amplitude vibration, distribute pressure and absorb high amplitude shock. The cushion has a valve in fluid communication with the chamber for selectively varying the amount of air so that the shock absorbing capability of the cushion may be varied.Various embodiments incorporating the cushion are disclosed, including a removable bicycle saddle pad, a bicycle saddle, a wheelchair seat pad and a cyclist's glove.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cushion for absorbing energy to dampen vibration, distribute pressure and absorb shock. The cushion has a deformable polyurethane bladder which defines a chamber adapted to contain a fluid, such as air. A piece of viscoelastic material, such as a highly plasticized PVC gel, may be located inside the bladder so that when air is introduced into the chamber, the cushion is capable of absorbing energy to dampen low amplitude vibration, distribute pressure and absorb high amplitude shock. The cushion has a valve in fluid communication with the chamber for selectively varying the amount of air so that the shock absorbing capability of the cushion may be varied.Various embodiments incorporating the cushion are disclosed, including a removable bicycle saddle pad, a bicycle saddle, a wheelchair seat pad and a cyclist's glove.