Abstract: A portable resistance training apparatus for use in exercise routines is described in this patent application. According to the principles of the embodiments of the present invention, a portable resistance training device comprising: an integral elongated cylindrical unit capable of accepting a piston for doing work on a compressible fluid where the force to drive the piston is supplied from without; an elongated rod whose movement is controlled by adduction or abduction exercise routines; valve means for controlling the flow of air from the internal volume of the cylindrical unit thereby controlling the amount of force supplied by the user, and monitoring means for safe training.

Abstract: A portable resistance training apparatus for use in exercise routines is described in this patent application. According to the principles of the embodiments of the present invention, a portable resistance training device comprising: an integral elongated cylindrical unit capable of accepting a piston for doing work on a compressible fluid where the force to drive the piston is supplied from without; an elongated rod whose movement is controlled by adduction or abduction exercise routines; valve means for controlling the flow of air from the internal volume of the cylindrical unit thereby controlling the amount of force supplied by the user, and monitoring means for safe training.

Abstract: A sole assembly for a shock resistant shoe includes a sole having a heel region and a ball region. A first cone spring, disposed within the sole, includes a large diameter terminal end and an opposing small diameter terminal end. The large diameter terminal end is disposed above the small diameter terminal end.

Abstract: A sole assembly for an article of footwear comprises a midsole, a sole having a heel region, and a first wave spring disposed within a vacuity located within the heel region. The wave spring includes a top surface and a bottom surface. A plate, resting upon the top surface of the wave spring, is unsecured to the midsole and sized to permit movement within the vacuity along with the wave spring responsive to a rolling footstrike.

Abstract: A fluid flow system for a spring-cushioned shoe is disclosed. The sole of the shoe includes a vacuity, a spring disposed within the vacuity, and a fluid passageway in fluid communication with the vacuity. The fluid flow passageway allows fluid, such as air, to escape the vacuity when the volume of the vacuity is reduced during a foot strike.

Abstract: A sole assembly for an article of footwear comprises a sole having a heel region and a ball region. A first multi-turn wave spring disposed within the sole comprises an upper turn and a lower turn. The upper turn is in pivotal contact with the lower turn to define a first side and an opposing second side of the multi-turn wave spring. Compression of the first side causes expansion pressure on the second side and compression of the second side causes expansion pressure on the first side to provide cushioning and energy return responsive to a rolling footstrike.

Abstract: A fluid flow system for a spring-cushioned shoe is disclosed. The sole of the shoe includes a vacuity, a spring disposed within the vacuity, and a fluid passageway in fluid communication with the vacuity. The fluid flow passageway allows fluid, such as air, to escape the vacuity when the volume of the vacuity is reduced during a foot strike.

Abstract: A protective shield 2 for protecting the operable part of a working hand comprises multiple finger sleeves and a palm shield. The sleeves being composed of hydrophobic polymeric or other materials coated or otherwise laden with disinfecting or pharmaceutical agents for destroying disease causing virus inter alia. The hand protector being designed to be attached separately or in a sheath in a non-obtrusive position on the users body such that only the hand to be protected is required to employ the hand protector for use.

Abstract: A fluid flow system for a spring-cushioned shoe is disclosed. The sole of the shoe includes a vacuity, a spring disposed within the vacuity, and a fluid passageway in fluid communication with the vacuity. The fluid flow passageway allows fluid, such as air, to escape the vacuity when the volume of the vacuity is reduced during a foot strike.

Abstract: A sole assembly for an article of footwear comprises a sole having a heel region and a ball region. A first multi-turn wave spring disposed within the sole comprises an upper turn and a lower turn. The upper turn is in pivotal contact with the lower turn to define a first side and an opposing second side of the multi-turn wave spring. Compression of the first side causes expansion pressure on the second side and compression of the second side causes expansion pressure on the first side to provide cushioning and energy return responsive to a rolling footstrike.

Abstract: A sole assembly for a shock resistant shoe includes a sole having a heel region and a ball region. A first cone spring, disposed within the sole, includes a large diameter terminal end and an opposing small diameter terminal end. The large diameter terminal end is disposed above the small diameter terminal end.

Abstract: A Barkhausen probe includes a magnetizing field generator, a magnetoresistive magnetic field sensor, a direct current power supply for biasing the magnetoresistive magnetic field sensor and signal conditioning electronics. The Barkhausen probe is capable of generating and sensing the Barkhausen noise emanating from the surface of a cyclic magnetized specimen. The conditioned Barkhausen noise output of the signal conditioning electronics is usable as input to various analysis systems where textural analysis of the material can be performed.

Abstract: A variable height, portable, inflatable foot and leg elevator comprises a plurality of adjacent prismatoid chambers, cooperating to form one inflatable prismatoid-shaped resilient body adapted to support the legs and feet of a user one way valve means providing for gas transfer between said plurality of prismatoid chambers, allowing the preplanned sequential inflation of selected prismatoid chambers such that the height of said variable height portable inflatable foot and leg elevator, can be increased upon the transfer of gas through one way valve means from one chamber, to an adjacent chamber, when the gas pressure in one chamber reaches a preplanned value, sufficient to cause the opening of the way valve means; inflating means attached to a first prismatoid chamber; deflating means permanently attached to said plurality of prismatoid chambers, permitting the deflation of said chambers, to thereby decrease the height of said foot and leg elevator; power means with control means for said inflating means, and

Abstract: A fluid flow system for a spring-cushioned shoe is disclosed. The sole of the shoe includes a vacuity, a spring disposed within the vacuity, and a fluid passageway in fluid communication with the vacuity. The fluid flow passageway allows fluid, such as air, to escape the vacuity when the volume of the vacuity is reduced during a foot strike.

Abstract: A radioisotope based x-ray residual stress analysis apparatus having a shielded, monoenergetic radioisotopic source to emit x rays for measurement of the stress state of a polycrystalline material. The isotropic source is selected from spontaneously emissive radioisotopes emitting photons in the 5-100 keV energy range. The emissions of the source assembly are measured using either a conventional, solid-state, position sensitive detector or a gas filled position sensitive proportional counter (PSPC). In addition to normal residual stress analysis, the use of a PSPC allows the identification of characteristic photons emitted by particular isotopes to identify trace elements within a sample. As a result of the minimal shielding required for the source assembly and the small size of the isotropic source, the x-ray residual stress analysis apparatus of the present invention is uniquely suited to be configured with an area detector.

Abstract: A Barkhausen probe comprising a magnetizing field generator, a magnetoresistive magnetic field sensor, a direct current power supply for biasing the magnetoresistive magnetic field sensor and signal conditioning electronics is described. The Barkhausen probe being capable of generating and sensing the Barkhausen noise emanating from the surface of a cyclic magnetized specimen. The conditioned Barkhausen noise output of the signal conditioning electronics being usable as input to various analysis systems where textural analysis of the material can be performed.

Abstract: A spring cushioned shoe is disclosed. The shoe includes a sole assembly that has a first spring disposed within a vacuity in the heel portion of the assembly, and a second spring disposed within a vacuity in the ball portion of the assembly. The springs are, e.g., wave springs that extend vertically from the upper to the lower internal boundaries of the vacuities.

Abstract: A spring cushioned shoe is disclosed. The shoe includes a sole assembly that has a first spring disposed within a vacuity in the heel portion of the assembly, and a second spring disposed within a vacuity in the ball portion of the assembly. The springs are, e.g., wave springs that extend vertically from the upper to the lower internal boundaries of the vacuities.

Abstract: A hair drying curler apparatus (10) for curling and drying a lock of hair is disclosed having a tubular roller (11) and a retaining clip (12). The roller has a tubular support (14), a moisture permeable inner cover material (15) joined to a moisture permeable outer cover material (16), and a mass of hair drying expediting material (18) positioned between the inner and outer cover materials. The outer cover material is quilted to form a linear array of generally axially aligned, annular channels (22) containing the expediting material. Similarly, the retaining clip has a support (26), a moisture permeable inner cover material (27) joined to a moisture permeable outer cover material (28), and a mass of hair drying expediting material (30) positioned between the inner and outer cover material. The outer cover material is quilted to form a linear array of arcuate channels (33) containing the expediting material.

Abstract: A thermionic generator (10) has a heated metal heat tube (11) journaled through a set of star-shaped emitters (12) and a set of electrically insulative spacers (13). The generator also has a collector (23) positioned about the grouped emitters and spacers a selected distance from the emitters. A cooling jacket (33) is positioned about the collector for cooling the collector during operation. A pair of seals (29) electrically and hermetically seal the cooling jacket about the heat tube.