Abstract: A head and neck restraint device controls the motion of the head and forces exerted upon the neck of a seated occupant in a decelerating vehicle. A body defines a collar, right and left legs, and right and left wings. The collar is tethered to the helmet. Each leg has belt interaction surfaces that provide a friction action on the shoulder straps. Left and right extensions or wings residing under the shoulder strap rearward of the legs provide a restriction of rotation of the body and thus a binding action on the shoulder straps. A cantilever action is induced during forward impact by the tethers pulling on the collar of the body and the binding action on the shoulder straps, thus reducing the forward motion of the body. The present restraint device does not attach to the structure of the vehicle, allows travel thereof with respect to the seated occupant, yet controls the motion of the occupant's head in order to substantially reduce neck loads on the occupant.

Abstract: A head and neck restraint device controls the motion of the head and forces exerted upon the neck of a seated occupant in a decelerating vehicle. A body defines a collar, right and left legs and right and left wings. The collar is tethered to the helmet. Each leg has belt interaction surfaces that provide a friction action on the shoulder straps. Left and right extensions or wings residing under the shoulder strap rearward of the legs provide a restriction of rotation of the body and thus a binding action on the shoulder straps. A cantilever action is induced in generally forward impact by the tethers pulling on the collar of the body and the binding action on the shoulder straps reducing the forward motion of the body. The present restraint device does not attach to the structure of the vehicle, allows travel thereof with respect to the seated occupant, yet controls the motion of the occupant's head in order to substantially reduce neck loads on the occupant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a workpiece in a desired position on a gauge fixture. The apparatus includes a gauge fixture, a positioner assembly, a pusher assembly and a controller. The fixture has a first side and a second side, the first side being opposite the second side. The positioner assembly is mounted on the first side of the gauge fixture, and includes a stop member, a crank and a positioner sensor. The pusher assembly is mounted on the second side of the gauge fixture, and includes a pusher member and a pusher sensor. The controller is connected to the pusher assembly and the positioner assembly.

Abstract: A solid core fixture for measuring a workpiece and a method for making the same. The solid core fixture includes a solid core made of a homogeneous material, a skin layer covering the solid core, and a surface material covering a portion of the skin layer. The surface material is machined for measuring the workpiece. The skin layer preferably includes an inner skin covering the solid core, a skin core attached to the inner skin and an outer skin attached to the outer surface of the skin core, the three layers being molded in a single process and cured together. A method of making the solid core fixture includes the steps of fabricating a plug core from a homogeneous material; attaching the plug core to a base; applying a skin layer to the plug core and the base; curing the skin layer; covering a portion of the skin layer, after curing, with a surface material; and machining the surface material for measuring the workpiece.

Abstract: An improved sensor and system of attaching sensors to their associated equipment, tooling or product. This attachment device provides stability of the sensor, quick removal and installation and a definite seating position thus providing a consistent reference point. The sensor holding system combines a flange on the sensor with a groove for the engagement of pre-loaded spring biased balls, and an outer housing that incorporates an opposing flange for seating the sensor and a ring of radially inwardly biased pre-loaded balls to engage the circumferential groove in the sensors. The diameter of the outer housing is determined by the sensor body but is kept as small as practical.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel has good impact properties and increased durability. In one embodiment the rim comprises a two piece rim having a carbon fiber based body portion having bulbous sidewalls for capable of flexing in response to radially directed forces, and a tire engaging, hoop-like rim made from aluminum. The rim includes a pair of parallel braking surfaces. In the preferred embodiment, the convex curved sides of the wheel, in transverse cross section are wider than the braking surfaces and intersect the braking surfaces at an angle of less than about 175.degree..

Abstract: A hollow, fiber reinforced composite product having a substantially continuous outer surface and a minimum of discontinuities in the fiber reinforcement material and method for manufacturing the product. The product is manufactured by inserting a tubular bladder inside a length of composite material in tubular form so that the bladder ends extend out the corresponding ends of the composite material. An opening is formed in the side of the composite material at a location spaced apart from one of the ends thereof. Both ends of the bladder are passed through the side opening from the inside thereof. A hollow preform is formed by overlapping the ends of the composite material so that the ends of the fiber reinforcement in the composite material overlap. One of the ends of said bladder is sealed and the preform is placed into a mold. The preform is molded into the desired hollow continuous annular shape by curing the preform within said mold while inflating the bladder through its nonsealed end.