Abstract: An optical switch includes a first fluid, and a second fluid positioned adjacent to and in contact with the first fluid. The interface between the first fluid and the second fluid defines a reflective surface. The optical switch also includes electrodes for applying an electrical field across the second fluid to alter the geometry of the reflective surface and redirect an incident light beam in one or more directions.

Abstract: An optical switch includes a first fluid, and a second fluid positioned adjacent to and in contact with the first fluid. The interface between the first fluid and the second fluid defines a reflective surface. The optical switch also includes electrodes for applying an electrical field across the second fluid to alter the geometry of the reflective surface and redirect an incident light beam in one or more directions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a football shoulder pad which includes a pair of rigid arches and a less rigid pad member associated with each rigid arch. Each pad has opposite pockets which open toward each other, and terminal edges of the rigid arches are received in the pockets whereby the arches and the pad members can be readily assembled and disassembled. Snap fasteners or the like are utilized to hold the arches and associated pads assembled while facilitating the ease of release thereof.

Abstract: A protective leg guard particularly adapted for baseball catchers is disclosed herein and includes a rigid foot guard, shin guard, knee guard and first and second thigh guards, each having secured thereto respective foot, shin, knee, first and second pads, elements pivoting the guards/pads for articulated relative movement, other elements including at least one strap looped about itself and sandwiched between the first thigh guard and first thigh pad and secured to the latter and to the knee guard and the second thigh guard to effect articulated motion therebetween, the shin pad including an upwardly projecting knee protection pad portion in spanning relationship to a gap between the knee guard and the shin guard, and the shin pad having opposite side edges and an ankle bone projection pad portion both of which project appreciably beyond opposite side edges and lowermost convex radius edges of the shin guard.