Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an improved wire-gate carabiner system including a frame, gate, and gate biasing system. The gate is pivotably coupled to the frame across an opening to form a continuously enclosed inner region in a closed configuration. The gate may be referred to as a wire-type gate in that it includes an arch and two ends. The arch is looped over a hook disposed on the keyed region of the frame in the closed configuration. The two ends are pivotably coupled to the frame at two independent gate coupling points on the pivot region so as to utilize the torsional rigidity of the gate structure as the gate biasing system. The keyed region of the frame includes a hook and a cover. The cover is oriented and shaped to laterally shield the arch and hook from undesirable couplings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support system for use in relation to an articulation region of a boot. Embodiments of the present invention relate to a boot with a dorsal metatarsal articulation region that allows for articulation in the sagittal plane such as a telemark ski boot. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a telemark ski boot, including a shell, an articulation region, and an articulation support system. The articulation support system includes at least one tensile rigid region extending transversely between the proximal and distal sides of the articulation region. The tensile rigid region impedes rotation of the rear portion of the shell about the toe portion in a frontal plane. This form of rotation is often referred to as torsional rotation. The articulation support system may include one or more of a cable, an integrated shell portion, a material mesh, and/or other tensile rigid components which maintain bending flexibility.

Abstract: Methods for repairing abradable seals of gas turbine engines include providing an abradable seal component of a gas turbine engine, the seal component having a structural substrate; providing a first preform to restore the structural substrate; and providing a second preform to form an abradable layer of the component. Preforms include a multilayer stack having a first layer and a second layer.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a selectable boot articulation and support system. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a boot system including an intercoupled upper and lower shell configured to encase a user's foot and lower leg. The boot system further includes an articulation system effecting the articulation between the upper and lower shell. The articulation system includes an instep member coupled and positioned with respect to the upper shell in a manner that facilitates selection between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The unlocked configuration provides increased articulation and decreased stiffness between the upper and lower shell with respect to the locked configuration. The instep member may include a releasable dorsal coupling between portions of the upper shell. The instep member may also include one or more moveable lateral couplings with the upper shell.

Abstract: A method for dimensionally restoring a stationary shroud segment, the method comprising removing at least a portion of a damaged flowpath of the stationary shroud segment to provide an exposed surface, casting a replacement flowpath, positioning the replacement flowpath on the exposed surface, and diffusion bonding the replacement flowpath to the stationary shroud segment.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a ski boot system with a modular binding interface. The system includes a shell encasing a user's foot and lower leg. A first and second block are interchangeably coupled to the shell below the base to effectuate alternative binding interfaces. The first and second blocks include a binding interface surface and a sole surface. The positioning and shape of the blocks with respect to the shell results in the binding interface surface extending distally from the toe region of the shell and the sole surface being the lowest surface on the boot system. The binding interface surfaces for each block are positioned at different sagittal heights with respect to the shell to facilitate the interconnection with alternative binding coupling systems. The sole surfaces for each block are positioned at substantially identical sagittal heights with respect to the shell to maintain optimum and consistent performance characteristics among different bindings.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a ski boot system including an upper shell, lower shell, and an articulation system. The upper and lower shell function to enable a user to move their encased foot in various dimensions/orientations corresponding to anatomical supination, pronation, dorsiflexion, and plantarflexion. The articulation system selectively affects the articulation freedom between the upper and lower shells in locked and unlocked configurations. The articulation system includes a lower shell coupler and an upper shell coupler coupled to the lower and upper shells, respectively. The locked configuration of the articulation system includes engaging the upper and lower shell couplers to restrict freedom between the upper and lower shell. The lower shell coupler is coupled within a recess in the lower shell that substantially restricts movement to a single orientation corresponding to coronal rotation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support system for use in relation to an articulation region of a boot. Embodiments of the present invention relate to a boot with a dorsal metatarsal articulation region that allows for articulation in the sagittal plane such as a telemark ski boot. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a telemark ski boot, including a shell, an articulation region, and an articulation support system. The articulation support system includes at least one tensile rigid region extending transversely between the proximal and distal sides of the articulation region. The tensile rigid region impedes rotation of the rear portion of the shell about the toe portion in a frontal plane. This form of rotation is often referred to as torsional rotation. The articulation support system may include one or more of a cable, an integrated shell portion, a material mesh, and/or other tensile rigid components which maintain bending flexibility.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a ski boot system including a shell and an elongated hollow region disposed substantially sagitally within the base or bottom of the shell. The elongated hollow region is rigidly coupled at the proximal and distal ends to a secondary support structure of the shell that extends dorsally on at least one side of the boot, thereby forming a lateral triangular rigid coupling. The lateral triangular rigid coupling increases the torsional support of a user's foot and lower leg disposed within the shell. An optional second lateral triangular coupling may extend dorsally on the opposite side of the ski boot so as to balance medial and lateral torsional support. The elongated hollow region may be formed internally within the base or created by rigidly coupling a rigid member to a lengthwise U-shaped region.

Abstract: A resilient biasing element for a snowboard binding is disclosed. The biasing element provides a means of biasing an ankle or toe strap for a conventional snowboard binding towards an open position when the strap is unsecured, easing the insertion and removal of a boot from the binding. The binding may be used in combination with a conventional snowboard, or a snowboard incorporating impact plates to distribute loads and increase the structural integrity and life of the snowboard.

Abstract: Variable tension footwear lacing systems and methods permit and facilitate adjustment of selected zones by a user. In an embodiment, stop devices are used with a footwear lacing system to prevent opposing closure edges of a footwear article from advancing towards each other. The stop device includes a stop guide configured for fastening to a portion of the footwear article, and a stop element. In an implementation, the stop element includes a stop head and a releasable affixing member. The stop head is configured to be manipulated by a user to releasably secure the affixing member to a selected position across the length of the stop guide. The stop head is operable to contact a first closure edge of the footwear article. In an embodiment, during use first and second stop devices contact first and second opposing closure edges of the footwear article and prevent them from advancing towards each other.

Abstract: Variable tension footwear lacing systems and methods permit and facilitate adjustment of selected zones by a user. In an embodiment, stop devices are used with a footwear lacing system to prevent opposing closure edges of a footwear article from advancing towards each other. The stop device includes a stop guide configured for fastening to a portion of the footwear article, and a stop element. In an implementation, the stop element includes a stop head and a releasable affixing member. The stop head is configured to be manipulated by a user to releasably secure the affixing member to a selected position across the length of the stop guide. The stop head is operable to contact a first closure edge of the footwear article. In an embodiment, during use first and second stop devices contact first and second opposing closure edges of the footwear article and prevent them from advancing towards each other.

Abstract: Variable tension footwear lacing systems and methods permit and facilitate adjustment of selected zones by a user. In an embodiment, stop devices are used with a footwear lacing system to prevent opposing closure edges of a footwear article from advancing towards each other. The stop device includes a stop guide configured for fastening to a portion of the footwear article, and a stop element. In an implementation, the stop element includes a stop head and a releasable affixing member. The stop head is configured to be manipulated by a user to releasably secure the affixing member to a selected position across the length of the stop guide. The stop head is operable to contact a first closure edge of the footwear article. In an embodiment, during use first and second stop devices contact first and second opposing closure edges of the footwear article and prevent them from advancing towards each other.

Abstract: With an aim to provide a fixing apparatus capable of maintaining strong fixation with a simplified mechanism in a stable manner for a long time, a fixing apparatus fixing a headlamp to an object includes a plurality of arms having one end connected to each other, having free another end, and capable of changing a range of enclosure so as to grasp the object, a base member supporting the connected plurality of arms, and a nut changing a position relative to the base member, engaging to the base member, and pressing its edge against the plurality of arms to change an angle of enclosure by the arms.