Abstract: Braces also known as spacers that protect the heel of a person wearing a weightbearing cast, with multiple exemplary embodiments such as with a single rear brace or two braces attached to at least one point on either side of the foot, with one brace below the heel and the other behind the heel with a clearance space between each brace and the cast, to redirect loads from the heel to points behind the ankle and forward of the arch.

Abstract: Methods for installing brackets that protect the heel of a person wearing a non-loadbearing cast. In one embodiment two brackets are attached at two points on opposite sides of the foot, with one bracket below the heel and the other behind the heel with roughly 0.75 inch clearance. This arrangement serves to redirect a load that would have been applied to the heel. The loads are now directed to either side of the ankle at the two attachment points.

Abstract: Methods for installing braces or spacers or braces that protect the heel of a person wearing a non-weightbearing cast, for applying multiple exemplary embodiments are described, such as an embodiment with two braces that are each attached to at least one point on either side of the foot, with one brace below the heel and the other behind the heel with a clearance space between each brace and the cast, to redirect loads from the heel to points behind the ankle and forward of the arch.

Abstract: A system is provided for coordinating inter-satellite handoff in a telecommunications system that includes first and second communication satellites and a communications apparatus. The communications apparatus is configured to generate commands for transmission to the first communication satellite and the second communication satellite to steer respectively first and second spot beams to track and communicate with a user terminal during respective time intervals. The communication interface is also configured to determine a trajectory of the user terminal and a predicted handoff point on the trajectory for handoff between the satellites in which the second spot beam is automatically steered to the handoff point or a point proximate thereto no sooner than the user terminal is within the second spot beam when steered to the predicted handoff point.

Abstract: A system is provided for coordinating inter-satellite handoff in a telecommunications system that includes first and second communication satellites and a communications apparatus. The communications apparatus is configured to generate commands for transmission to the first communication satellite and the second communication satellite to steer respectively first and second spot beams to track and communicate with a user terminal during respective time intervals. The communication interface is also configured to determine a trajectory of the user terminal and a predicted handoff point on the trajectory for handoff between the satellites in which the second spot beam is automatically steered to the handoff point or a point proximate thereto no sooner than the user terminal is within the second spot beam when steered to the predicted handoff point.

Abstract: A ventilation passage system for a mine having a main shaft from which several branch shafts may extend, wherein each shaft has a generally flat floor and ceiling, the system being constructed of a series of substantially rectangular panels arrayed in at least one of the shafts with respect to the shaft walls to provide an air infeed and air return passage therefor, each panel being comprised of rigid, closed cell, foamed plastic material, the panels being in edge-to-edge abutment with each other longitudinally of the shaft, and each panel being forcefully wedged at its top and bottom edges between the ceiling and floor of the shaft.