Abstract: A simplified and more efficient process is described for drying (and heat-treating) a lyotropic polybenzazole film in which the film is constrained in only the machine direction during drying (and heat-treating). The amount of stretching in the transverse direction the film undergoes prior to it being coagulated can be increased to compensate for the relaxation of the film during the drying process and the lack of stretching during the heat-treating process. Films made in this manner have acceptable finished properties.

Abstract: A handle for a skipping rope having a hand-grip structure which is provided with a fixed or rotatable thumb-grip to be engaged by the user's thumb. The handle is formed of two handle members which are biased apart by a spring. The handle members can be closed or diverged by displacing the position of an axial ring. The skipping rope is attached to one of the handle members by a supporter device. Electronic counting systems are also provided to count either the number of times the hand-grip is compressed or the number of revolutions made by a skipping rope by using a single electronic counter.

Abstract: A handle for a skipping rope having a hand-grip structure which is provided with a fixed or rotatable thumb-grip to be engaged by the user's thumb. The handle is formed of two handle membrs which are biased apart by a spring. The handle members can be closed or diverged by displacing the position of an axial ring. The skipping rope is attached to one of the handle members by a supporter device. Electronic counting systems are also provided to count either the number of times the hand-grip is compressed or the number of revolutions made by a skipping rope by using a single electronic counter.

Abstract: A skipping rope handle is formed in two connected parts which are biased apart by a spring. The end of the skipping rope is attached to a button which is rotatable within an end of the handle parts. The handle parts can be held in closed condition by moving a ring axially over the rebated end of the handle part, when the handle has a generally conventional form and use. When released by the ring, the handle can be used for exercising the gripping muscles of the hand by forcing the parts towards one another against the bias provided by the spring.