Abstract: A saw for cutting an overhead object is provided. The saw including: an elongated pole having a first end held by a user and a second end; a holding mechanism disposed at the second end of the elongated pole, the holding mechanism having an opening for holding the overhead object; and a cutting blade movably disposed on one of the elongated pole or holding mechanism so as to define a cutting stroke within the opening.

Abstract: A method for non-lethal crowd and personal protection. The method includes: firing non-lethal bullets towards a person; and deploying portions on the non-lethal bullets prior to impacting the person to decrease its impact pressure on the person.

Abstract: A method for non-lethal crowd and personal protection. The method includes: firing non-lethal bullets towards a person; and deploying portions on the non-lethal bullets prior to impacting the person to decrease its impact pressure on the person.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a vehicle. The wheel assembly including: a rim; a tire operatively connected to the rim; one or more movable assemblies extending in a radial direction from the rim towards an outer portion of the tire; and potential energy storage device operatively connected to the one or more movable assemblies for converting a kinetic energy of the vehicle into potential energy upon movement of the one or more movable assemblies thereby slowing a rotation of the wheel assembly.

Abstract: A method for storing form data is provided. The method including: displaying a form at an internet or intranet web site; allowing a user to enter data into the form; saving the data entered by the user; and indicating a date that the data was entered.

Abstract: A method for at least slowing a vehicle moving along a surface is provided. The method including; providing one or more panels capable of extending above the surface; and deploying the one or more panels from the surface into a position extended from the surface.

Abstract: A valve for preventing the flow of fluid when the temperature of the fluid is above a predetermined threshold, the valve including: a body having at least one opening for allowing the fluid to pass when the temperature of the fluid is below the predetermined threshold; and a shape memory or bi-metal actuator for substantially closing the at least one opening when the temperature of the fluid is above the predetermined threshold to prevent the fluid from passing.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating an electrical power upon an acceleration of the apparatus is provided. The apparatus including: a piezoelectric member having at least a portion thereof formed of a piezoelectric material for generating an output power upon an impact; and a helical spring element configured to have at least one of a portion thereof and a portion attached thereto impact the piezoelectric material upon the acceleration, the helical spring element having a plurality of helical strands.

Abstract: A wrist strap is provided for use with gymnastic equipment having a bar held by a gymnast. The wrist strap including: a wrist band secured around the wrist of the gymnast; and one or more straps attached to the wrist band to form a loop around the bar.

Abstract: A method for preventing a gymnast from striking a portion of gymnastics equipment while performing a routine or practicing. The method including: attaching a member to one of a gymnast, either directly or through intervening members or to the portion of the gymnastics equipment; and the member preventing the gymnast from directly striking the portion of the gymnastics equipment.

Abstract: A sleeve is provided for use on gymnastics equipment having a bar which is held by a gymnast. The sleeve includes a first half and a second half. The first and second halves can be secured to surround at least a portion of the bar such that the first and second halves rotate relative to the bar while the gymnast holds an outer portion of the first and second halves.

Abstract: A manually operated impact tool is provided and includes: an impact mass; an anvil rotatably disposed relative to the impact mass; an input member operatively connected to one of the impact mass and anvil mass for imparting a relative rotation between the impact mass and the anvil; an output member connected to the other of the impact mass and anvil mass for transferring an impact to a fastener; and one or more elastic elements for storing potential energy upon the relative rotation between the impact mass and the anvil. Wherein conversion of the potential energy to kinetic energy causes the impact mass to impact the anvil and transfer of the impact to the output member.

Abstract: A device for use with gymnastics equipment is provided in which the device includes: at least one harness for securing around at least a portion of a torso of a gymnast; and one or more straps fixed at one end to the harness and rotatably engaged with a portion of the gymnastics equipment at another end.

Abstract: A method for enhancing an aerodynamic performance of an unmanned projectile. The method including at least one of the following: (a) morphing a cross-sectional shape of the projectile after launch thereof; (b) morphing a longitudinal shape of the projectile after launch thereof; (c) bleeding a fluid at a base of the projectile during flight thereof: (d) varying a base cone angle of the projectile as a function of speed thereof; (e) deploying at least one wing from a body of the projectile after launch thereof; and (f) deploying a fin from the body of the projectile after launch thereof.

Abstract: A method for slowing a vehicle upon a roadway. The method including: providing a movable surface upon which the vehicle travels, the movable surface being movable in two opposite directions; converting a kinetic energy of the vehicle traveling in either of the two opposite directions into potential energy upon movement of the vehicle over the movable surface; and storing the potential energy in the movable surface to thereby slow the vehicle.

Abstract: A manually operated impact tool having: a handle; an anvil movably connected to the handle, the anvil having an anvil surface, the anvil further having a fastener engagement portion for engaging a fastener to be loosened or tightened, the fastener engagement portion being substantially rigidly attached to the anvil; a hammer movable with respect to the anvil and handle, the hammer having a hammer surface in cooperation with the anvil surface; an energy storage device for storing potential energy upon a relative movement of the handle and hammer; a locking device for preventing relative movement between the hammer and anvil during the relative movement of the handle and hammer; and a locking release device for unlocking the locking device upon an amount of the relative movement of the handle and hammer such that the potential energy stored in the energy storage device is at least partially transferred to the hammer such that the hammer surface contacts and impacts the anvil surface and at least part of such im

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for determining a flight characteristic of an object in a flight path, the flight characteristic to be determined can be the object's position while in flight, a linear velocity, a rotational velocity or an acceleration of the object. In one embodiment, the method comprises arranging a radiation source in a plane, the plane being located to intersect the flight path of the object. The radiation source irradiates the object at least at the intersection with the flight path. The object is provided with at least first and second surface features having a predetermined configuration such as, for example, equally spaced parallel lines painted on the surface of the object. Reflected radiation from the object is measured with a sensor from the surface features and a flight characteristic of the object is determined based on the measured reflected radiation and the predetermined configuration of the surface features.

Abstract: A manually operated rotatable impact tool including: a driven member having means for retaining and driving a fastener about an axis, the driven member further having at least one impact stop offset from the axis; a driving member rotatably connected to the driven member for driving the driven member about the axis to loosen or tighten the fastener; an impact mass movable along a path in communication with the impact stop; a spring disposed in the path for storing energy upon rotation of the driving member; and an energy releasing mechanism for releasing the stored energy and allowing it to be at least partially transferred to the impact mass such that the impact mass accelerates and strikes the impact stop upon the release of the stored energy.

Abstract: A method for reducing an exerted energy associated with muscles acting across a joint is provided. The method including: storing energy during one or more periods of a periodic motion of the joint in which energy is absorbed by the muscles; and at least partially returning the stored energy to the muscles during one or more periods of the periodic motion in which the muscles are performing work.

Abstract: A method for reducing stance energy is provided. The method including: storing energy during one or more periods of a periodic motion of a joint in which energy is absorbed by the muscles; at least partially returning the stored energy to the muscles during one or more periods in which the muscles are performing work; and producing a resisting moment at the joint in addition to a moment necessary for the storing. A method for rehabilitating muscles acting across a joint is also provided in which an amount of the storing is adjusted to provide a desired rehabilitative effect. Also provided is a method for enhancing performance of a physical activity where energy is absorbed by muscles associated with the motion and the stored energy is at least partially returned to the muscles during one or more periods of the motion in which the muscles are performing work.