Abstract: An end-burning grain of a solid rocket motor or other gas-generating device is supplemented with one or more sticks of high-burn-rate propellant embedded in a matrix of a relatively low-burn-rate propellant. The sticks increase the burning surface area as the grain burns by forming conical indentations in the surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a human body protecting element for use with and attachment to an article of clothing, such as sports apparel, to protect a wearer from impact and frictional forces, such as road rash. One exemplary body protecting element includes a first part having a first locking member. The first part is for placement along an inner surface of the article of clothing. The body protecting element also includes a second part having a second locking member that is complementary to the first locking member and results in a mechanical coupling (e.g., a snap-fit attachment) between the first and second parts when the first and second locking members engage one another. The second part is for placement along an outer surface of the article of clothing and includes an outer ground contacting contoured surface.

Abstract: An end-burning grain of a solid rocket motor or other gas-generating device is supplemented with one or more sticks of high-burn-rate propellant embedded in a matrix of a relatively low-burn-rate propellant. The sticks increase the burning surface area as the grain burns by forming conical indentations in the surface.

Abstract: An end-burning grain of a solid rocket motor or other gas-generating device is supplemented with one or more sticks of high-burn-rate propellant embedded in a matrix of a relatively low-burn-rate propellant. The sticks increase the burning surface area as the grain burns by forming conical indentations in the surface.

Abstract: An end-burning grain of a solid rocket motor or other gas-generating device is supplemented with one or more sticks of high-burn-rate propellant embedded in a matrix of a relatively low-burn-rate propellant. The sticks increase the burning surface area as the grain burns by forming conical indentations in the surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a human body protecting element for use with and attachment to an article of clothing, such as sports apparel, to protect a wearer from impact and frictional forces, such as road rash. One exemplary body protecting element includes a first part having a first locking member. The first part is for placement along an inner surface of the article of clothing. The body protecting element also includes a second part having a second locking member that is complementary to the first locking member and results in a mechanical coupling (e.g., a snap-fit attachment) between the first and second parts when the first and second locking members engage one another. The second part is for placement along an outer surface of the article of clothing and includes an outer ground contacting contoured surface.

Abstract: A replacement cartridge for a razor assembly is provided that includes a shaving aid body for use with the razor assembly. The shaving aid body includes an aperture disposed within a contact surface. The aperture is sized to receive a razor cartridge. Some embodiments of the present replacement cartridge include a base. In some of those embodiments the base includes one or more features for attaching the replacement cartridge to the razor assembly.

Abstract: A wet shaving razor has a handle, a razor cartridge pivotally mounted to the handle and a protective cover. The handle may be a unitary molding or an assembly including a pivot frame. The handle has a biasing member and a creep control arm that controls creep in the biasing member. The creep control arm interacts with the protective cover to provide a first at-rest position for the cartridge. The biasing member interacts with the cartridge to provide a second at-rest position when the protective cover is removed from the razor. The first at-rest position may be generally identical to the second at-rest position or may be different.

Abstract: A battery powered grooming tool is provided that includes a safety razor assembly adjoined to a hair trimmer assembly. Both assemblies include a housing. The housings may be separable or may be integrally formed. The trimmer assembly includes a motor operably connected to a moving toothed blade. The motor has a diameter less than 18 mm, a peak efficiency greater than 55% and an output torque greater than 0.8 mNm at peak efficiency. The grooming tool has a width less than 25 mm and a mass less than 80 g and the grooming tool is ergonomically familiar to a typical safety razor user.

Abstract: A wet shaving razor has a handle, a razor cartridge pivotally mounted to the handle and a protective cover. The handle may be a unitary molding or an assembly including a pivot frame. The handle has a biasing member and a creep control arm that controls creep in the biasing member. The creep control arm interacts with the protective cover to provide a first at-rest position for the cartridge. The biasing member interacts with the cartridge to provide a second at-rest position when the protective cover is removed from the razor. The first at-rest position may be generally identical to the second at-rest position or may be different.

Abstract: A replacement cartridge for a razor assembly is provided that includes a shaving aid body for use with the razor assembly. The shaving aid body includes an aperture disposed within a contact surface. The aperture is sized to receive a razor cartridge. Some embodiments of the present replacement cartridge include a base. In some of those embodiments the base includes one or more features for attaching the replacement cartridge to the razor assembly.

Abstract: An improved surgical retraction apparatus (and corresponding method of operation) includes a plurality of rigid retraction members disposed about a central axis that move radially with respect to the central axis between a closed state and an open state. In the closed state, the retraction members form a central opening that is adapted to closely fit around the tubular section of a surgical port device. In the illustrative embodiment, a planetary gear train, cable assemblies, lever arms or two annular slotted plates used to control radial movement of the retraction members with respect to the central axis.

Abstract: A wet shaving razor has a handle, a razor cartridge pivotally mounted to the handle and a protective cover. The handle may be a unitary molding or an assembly including a pivot frame. The handle has a biasing member and a creep control arm that controls creep in the biasing member. The creep control arm interacts with the protective cover to provide a first at-rest position for the cartridge. The biasing member interacts with the cartridge to provide a second at-rest position when the protective cover is removed from the razor. The first at-rest position may be generally identical to the second at-rest position or may be different.

Abstract: A shaving implement is provided that includes a replacement cartridge mounted to a handle. The replacement cartridge includes a shaving aid body and a razor cartridge. The shaving aid body can be erodible and the handle is provided with a self-leveling mechanism to relatively maintain a generally coplanar relation between the top surface of the shaving aid body and the shave plane of the razor cartridge during a normal shaving operation as the shaving aid body erodes during use. The shaving implement is provided with limited pivotal motion of the replacement cartridge relative to the handle about three generally mutually perpendicular axes and combinations of the three axes. Biasing force is provided to urge the replacement cartridge to a neutral position relative to the three axes.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a handle for a shaving implement includes a tail portion, a head portion and a neck portion. The tail portion includes a width and a thickness, and defines a centerline when the handle is viewed from a side. The head portion defines a flat surface for supporting a razor cartridge thereon, a thickness and a centerline when the handle is viewed from the side. The neck portion separates the tail portion and the head portion, and defines an angle, a pinch and a thumbprint thickness.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a shaving implement having a handle; a razor cartridge; a self-leveling mechanism operably coupled to the razor cartridge and the shaving aid body; and a pivoting mechanism operably coupled to the shaving aid body and the handle to permit pivotal movement of the razor cartridge and the shaving aid body together relative to the handle. The shaving aid body has a top surface, and at least a portion of the shaving aid body is adjacent the razor cartridge. The self-leveling mechanism permits the top surface of the shaving aid body to remain coplanar with a shave plane while shaving.

Abstract: A shaving equipment system is provided that includes a razor assembly, a replacement cartridge container, and a storage apparatus. The storage apparatus includes a body, a wall attachment mechanism, a razor assembly holder, and a replacement cartridge container holder. The wall attachment mechanism, the razor assembly holder, and the replacement cartridge container holder are attached to the body.

Abstract: A shaving aid body for a safety razor is provided. The shaving aid body has one or more contact portions and one or more non-contact portions and has an aperture. The aperture is sized to receive a housing with one or more razor blades disposed within the housing. In some embodiments of the present shaving aid body the contact portion is contiguous with the non-contact portion and together define a convex surface. Some embodiments of the present shaving aid body include a base embedded within the body, the base having one or more features for attaching shaving aid body to the safety razor.

Abstract: Passive venting apparatus and method for a rocket motor or ordnance device containing propellant or explosive material enclosed in a case, which presents an explosion hazard when subjected to external heat. A combustible strip is secured to the exterior surface of the case and is constructed to burn and generate sufficient heat when exposed to predetermined external heat to weaken the adjacent portion of the case and effect rupture of the case to vent interior gases therein prior to autoignition of the propellant or explosive.