Abstract: A jewelry apparatus including a power module, a magnetically permeable band connected to the power module, the magnetically permeable band including a core and a primary winding disposed around the core, the primary winding electrically connected to the power module. A bead can have an aperture shaped to receive the magnetically permeable band, the bead including a secondary winding positioned around the magnetically permeable band when the magnetically permeable band is received through the aperture, and at least one light source electrically connected to the secondary winding. The core in the magnetically permeable band can include a flexible band of magnetically permeable cores, or the core can otherwise be flexible. The jewelry apparatus can include a wireless transceiver either on the power module or the bead such that the jewelry apparatus can be communicated wirelessly with other jewelry apparatuses.

Abstract: A barrier for arresting a vehicle. The barrier includes a net spanning an area through which the vehicle may pass, an anchor coupled to the net, a support arm arranged on one side of the area through which the vehicle may pass, a raising/lowering mechanism for raising and lowering the support arm, and a release mechanism arranged on the support arm, the release mechanism having an upper and a lower protrusion forming an interior space to accommodate a member coupled to the net, and the member and the release mechanism become uncoupled upon application to the net of at least a predetermined threshold force.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system having a stanchion, a linearly extendable energy absorber coupled to the stanchion, a net coupled to the energy absorber, wherein the net transfers force to the energy absorber, and a securing mechanism that maintains tension between the net and the energy absorber until acted upon by tensile forces of at least a minimum threshold force, wherein at least a portion of the system is retractable into the ground.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system. The system includes an energy absorber mechanically coupled to a net, a joint mechanically coupled to an anchor, and a support mechanically coupled to the net via a frangible connector. The frangible connector may uncouple the support from the net upon application of at least a threshold force to the frangible connector. The joint may pivot on a horizontal axis and support the energy absorber at a predetermined angle relative to ground level.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system. The energy absorbing system includes a supporting member, a barrier pivotable between a first angular position and a second angular position, where the barrier becomes mechanically coupled to the supporting member when arranged at a predetermined angular position, and an energy absorber mechanically coupled to the supporting member, where the energy absorber absorbs energy when the supporting member travels from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A vehicle barrier system. The vehicle barrier system includes a base, an arm hingably mechanically coupled to the base, a raising/lowering mechanism in mechanical communication with the arm, and a cable supported by the arm, the cable mechanically coupled to first and second anchors placed on opposite sides of an area through which a vehicle may pass, and the raising/lowering mechanism moves the arm and the cable between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: An enhanced vehicle barrier system. The enhanced vehicle barrier system including bases located on opposite sides of an area through which a vehicle may pass, first and second arms hingably mechanically coupled to a base, first, second and third members, a raising/lowering mechanism, and a cable in mechanical communication with at least one of the first, second, and third members, the cable having connecting points located on opposite sides of the area through which a vehicle may pass, and wherein, in one position, at least portions of the first, second, and third members and the cable may be high enough to encounter a front of a vehicle.

Abstract: A removable barricade system. The system having a first sleeve to be affixed to a first bollard, a second sleeve to be affixed to a second bollard, and a barricade attached to the first and second sleeves. The barricade blocks the area between the first and second bollards.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system having a stanchion, a linearly extendable energy absorber coupled to the stanchion, a net coupled to the energy absorber, wherein the net transfers force to the energy absorber, and a securing mechanism that maintains tension between the net and the energy absorber until acted upon by tensile forces of at least a minimum threshold force, wherein at least a portion of the system is retractable into the ground.

Abstract: A heavy duty ground retractable automobile barrier for a railroad crossing. Concrete bunkers are placed at each side of a roadway. An upstanding concrete-filled steel pipe fixed in each bunker has a sleeve for rotational and axial movement. Shock absorbers are mounted on each sleeve. A net extends across the road and is attached to the opposite ends of the shock absorbers. Collision of an automobile with the net creates tensile forces in the net. The shock absorbers expand while rotating about the pipe's axis in response to tensile forces from the net that meet or exceed a minimum threshold. Forces from the net pass through the axis of the steel pipe. The net is stored in a pit transverse the roadway parallel to the railroad tracks and is raised and lowered as appropriate. The net includes a cable that extends across the road in a wave pattern, having peaks, valleys and midpoints, wherein tangents of the wave midpoints are at least 90 degrees from tangents of the peaks and valleys.

Abstract: A barrier for arresting a vehicle. The barrier includes a net spanning an area through which the vehicle may pass, an anchor coupled to the net, a support arm arranged on one side of the area through which the vehicle may pass, a raising/lowering mechanism for raising and lowering the support arm, and a release mechanism arranged on the support arm, the release mechanism having an upper and a lower protrusion forming an interior space to accommodate a member coupled to the net, and the member and the release mechanism become uncoupled upon application to the net of at least a predetermined threshold force.

Abstract: An anchor for use with a vehicle restraining system. In one aspect, the anchor may include a matrix of members, where the matrix is of sufficient size to accommodate a vehicle on top thereof, and one or more connection members, where each of the one or more connection members is joined at one end to the matrix and each of the one or more connection members is joined at another end to a connector.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system. The energy absorbing system includes a supporting member, a barrier mechanically coupled to the supporting member, the barrier pivotable between a first angular position and a second angular position, an energy absorber, at least a portion of which is immovably fixed, that is mechanically coupled to the supporting member, wherein the energy absorber absorbs energy when the supporting member travels from a first lateral position to a second lateral position, and a first rotation limiter mechanically coupled to one of the barrier and the supporting member that limits the barrier from pivoting beyond the second angular position.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system. The system includes an energy absorber mechanically coupled to a net, a joint mechanically coupled to an anchor, and a support mechanically coupled to the net via a frangible connector. The frangible connector may uncouple the support from the net upon application of at least a threshold force to the frangible connector. The joint may pivot on a horizontal axis and support the energy absorber at a predetermined angle relative to ground level.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system. The energy absorbing system includes a supporting member, a barrier mechanically coupled to the supporting member, the barrier pivotable between a substantially horizontal position and a predetermined angle, and an energy absorber mechanically coupled to the supporting member, wherein the energy absorber absorbs energy when the supporting member travels from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system. The energy absorbing system includes a supporting member, a barrier pivotable between a first angular position and a second angular position, where the barrier becomes mechanically coupled to the supporting member when arranged at a predetermined angular position, and an energy absorber mechanically coupled to the supporting member, where the energy absorber absorbs energy when the supporting member travels from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system. The energy absorbing system includes a supporting member, a barrier pivotable between a first angular position and a second angular position, where the barrier becomes mechanically coupled to the supporting member when arranged at a predetermined angular position, and an energy absorber mechanically coupled to the supporting member, where the energy absorber absorbs energy when the supporting member travels from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system. The system includes two anchors, a net mechanically coupled thereto and spanning a roadway, and a first raising/lowering arm arranged on one side of the roadway. The first raising/lowering arm mechanically coupled to and supporting an upper portion of the net via a first upper frangible tensioner and mechanically coupled to and supporting a lower portion of the net via a first lower frangible tensioner. A second raising/lowering arm arranged on another side of the roadway, the second raising/lowering arm mechanically coupled to and supporting an upper portion of the net via a second upper frangible tensioner and mechanically coupled to and supporting a lower portion of the net via a second lower frangible tensioner. The first and second upper and first and second lower frangible tensioners decouple from the net upon application of a predetermined force.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system. The energy absorbing system spanning a roadway and including a net spanning the roadway, the net having a first member coupled to a second member, and a mat arranged on the roadway, the mat having recesses to accommodate the net when the net is in a lowered position.

Abstract: A removable barricade system having a first sleeve to be affixed to a first bollard, a second sleeve to be affixed to a second bollard, and a barricade attached to the first and second sleeves, the barricade blocks the area between the first and second bollards.