Abstract: A mobility aid in the form of a trek pole is disclosed. The trek pole has a lower portion adapted to be maintained in a generally upright position when in use, an upper handle portion, and a joint between the lower portion and the upper handle portion. The joint enables the upper handle portion to be moved between an upright position typical of a trek pole, in which the upper handle portion extends upwardly from an upper end of the lower portion, to a horizontal position which provides the advantages of a cane, in which the upper handle portion extends outwardly from an upper end of the lower portion.

Abstract: A mobility aid, such as a cane, trek pole, or walking stick is disclosed in which the handle has an advantageous angular geometry. Also disclosed is a soft grip surface, such as a gel pad, for the handle of a mobility aid. The soft grip surface may be integral with the handle of the mobility aid or may be sold as a separate part for retrofitting existing mobility aids. The mobility aid may be provided with a variety of individualized handles for accommodating a users' desire for specialized comfort and personal stability needs.

Abstract: A mobility aid having interchangeable features is disclosed. A plurality of handles, shafts, and/or tips are provided of different shapes, sizes, and materials so that different users can select different features based on preference or changing support needs. Each handle and each tip is connectable to each of the provided shafts so that a user may switch out handles or tips as desired. Also disclosed is a shaft for a mobility aid having an upper portion and a lower portion with a telescoping relationship and a locking device, such as a rocking or rocker switch, interposed therebetween. The locking device allows the mobility aid to be locked into a fully expanded position, released for a semi-collapsed position, or released into a fully collapsed position.

Abstract: Fiber grating environmental measurement systems are comprised of sensors that are configured to respond to changes in moisture or chemical content of the surrounding medium through the action of coatings and plates inducing strain that is measured. These sensors can also be used to monitor the interior of bonds for degradation due to aging, cracking, or chemical attack. Means to multiplex these sensors at high speed and with high sensitivity can be accomplished by using spectral filters placed to correspond to each fiber grating environmental sensor. By forming networks of spectral elements and using wavelength division multiplexing arrays of fiber grating sensors may be processed in a single fiber line allowing distributed high sensitivity, high bandwidth fiber optic grating environmental sensor systems to be realized.

Abstract: Fiber grating environmental measurement systems are comprised of sensors that are configured to respond to changes in moisture or chemical content of the surrounding medium through the action of coatings and plates inducing strain that is measured. These sensors can also be used to monitor the interior of bonds for degradation due to aging, cracking, or chemical attack. Means to multiplex these sensors at high speed and with high sensitivity can be accomplished by using spectral filters placed to correspond to each fiber grating environmental sensor. By forming networks of spectral elements and using wavelength division multiplexing arrays of fiber grating sensors may be processed in a single fiber line allowing distributed high sensitivity, high bandwidth fiber optic grating environmental sensor systems to be realized.

Abstract: Fiber grating environmental measurement systems are comprised of sensors that are configured to respond to changes in moisture or chemical content of the surrounding medium through the action of coatings and plates inducing strain that is measured. These sensors can also be used to monitor the interior of bonds for degradation due to aging, cracking, or chemical attack. Means to multiplex these sensors at high speed and with high sensitivity can be accomplished by using spectral filters placed to correspond to each fiber grating environmental sensor. By forming networks of spectral elements and using wavelength division multiplexing arrays of fiber grating sensors may be processed in a single fiber line allowing distributed high sensitivity, high bandwidth fiber optic grating environmental sensor systems to be realized.

Abstract: Fiber grating environmental measurement systems are comprised of sensors that are configured to respond to changes in moisture or chemical content of the surrounding medium through the action of coatings and plates inducing strain that is measured. These sensors can also be used to monitor the interior of bonds for degradation due to aging, cracking, or chemical attack. Means to multiplex these sensors at high speed and with high sensitivity can be accomplished by using spectral filters placed to correspond to each fiber grating environmental sensor. By forming networks of spectral elements and using wavelength division multiplexing arrays of fiber grating sensors may be processed in a single fiber line allowing distributed high sensitivity, high bandwidth fiber optic grating environmental sensor systems to be realized.