Abstract: Composite fiber reinforced orthoses are described with respect to fiber orientation of layers making up the laminate and with respect to load to strength ratios, safety zones, loading zones and relationships between these zones. Orthoses involved are such as ankle-foot orthoses, which include the subset of knee ankle-foot orthoses.

Abstract: Laminate orthoses, preferably fiber-reinforced laminate orthoses, and preferably ankle-foot orthoses, are described. The shape, relative orientation, and positioning of layers comprising the orthoses may be configured and assembled in embodiments to manage the distribution of external static and dynamic loads through and within the orthosis. Peak stresses and strains developed in the orthosis from external static or dynamic loading may be managed such that they may be greater in certain areas and lesser in other areas. Layers of material comprising an orthosis may have unique and/or nonuniform shapes with cutouts, nonuniform or ply drop offs, and tapering. These irregular configurations may serve to focus, increase, decrease, or otherwise manage internal stresses developed from external static and dynamic loading at various target areas of an orthosis.

Abstract: Laminate orthoses, preferably fiber-reinforced laminate orthoses, and preferably ankle-foot orthoses, are described. The shape, relative orientation, and positioning of layers comprising the orthoses may be configured and assembled in embodiments to manage the distribution of external static and dynamic loads through and within the orthosis. Peak stresses and strains developed in the orthosis from external static or dynamic loading may be managed such that they may be greater in certain areas and lesser in other areas. Layers of material comprising an orthosis may have unique and/or nonuniform shapes with cutouts, nonuniform or ply drop offs, and tapering. These irregular configurations may serve to focus, increase, decrease, or otherwise manage internal stresses developed from external static and dynamic loading at various target areas of an orthosis.

Abstract: Composite fiber reinforced orthoses are described with respect to fiber orientation of layers making up the laminate and with respect to load to strength ratios, safety zones, loading zones and relationships between these zones. Orthoses involved are such as ankle-foot orthoses, which include the subset of knee ankle-foot orthoses.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oil collecting unit for collecting oil from the water surface, comprising rotating oil-collecting brush discs (5), and a comb member (8) separating oil from the brush discs, the brush discs being arranged to press the oil below the water surface and then lift it up through the bottom dead center, so that the water adhering to the brushes drops off. The brush discs (5) comprise brush fibres (19) attached to a rim (18) provided on the outer periphery of the discs. The collecting unit comprises a box (1) divided into adjacent compartments, the first compartment (4) comprising said brush discs (5) positioned over its entire width on a transverse shaft, an opening (17) formed in its front portion for passing oil-containing water against the brush discs (5), and an opening (6) on the inside of the rim (18) of the brush discs (5) for discharging water from the first compartment (4).