Abstract: An energy storing brace to be worn on a limb of a user may include a primary frame and a secondary frame pivotally connected to the primary frame. An energy storage assembly may include a spring member that is spaced apart from the first hinge and the second hinge. A first energized cord path may extend from the first hinge to the energy storage assembly. A tensioning cord may extend from a first anchor section secured relative to the first primary arm, across a first peripheral surface and through the first energized cord path to the spring member. Pivoting the brace from an extended position toward a flexed position may cause (i) the first extension member to exert a tension force on the first cord segment thereby loading the spring member and the spring member applies a restorative spring force to urge the brace to return to the extended position.

Abstract: A composite ball bat or other sporting-good implement includes a handle and a barrel attached to or integral with the handle. The barrel has a wall including a first structural region and a second structural region between which a porous separation layer is positioned. The separation layer is at least partially coated with a release agent that prevents, or substantially prevents, adherence of the separation layer to at least one of the first or second structural regions.

Abstract: A tubular bat is provided whereby at least one diaphragm is located within the internal cavity of the bat. The diaphragm is fastened at its peripheral edge to the inner surface of the bat wall, thereby dividing the internal cavity into two separated cavities, thus creating two sweet spots, or shifting the existing sweet spot forward towards the distal end of the bat. This improves player performance by providing an expanded number of optimal hitting zones or by moving the optimal hitting zone farther from the bat handle.

Abstract: A tubular bat is provided whereby at least one diaphragm is located within the internal cavity of the bat. The diaphragm is fastened at its peripheral edge to the inner surface of the bat wall, thereby dividing the internal cavity into two separated cavities, thus creating two sweet spots, or shifting the existing sweet spot forward towards the distal end of the bat. This improves player performance by providing an expanded number of optimal hitting zones or by moving the optimal hitting zone farther from the bat handle.

Abstract: A tubular bat is provided whereby at least one diaphragm is located within the internal cavity of the bat. The diaphragm is fastened at its peripheral edge to the inner surface of the bat wall, thereby dividing the internal cavity into two separated cavities, thus creating two sweet spots, or shifting the existing sweet spot forward towards the distal end of the bat. This improves player performance by providing an expanded number of optimal hitting zones or by moving the optimal hitting zone farther from the bat handle.

Abstract: The method of the present invention fabricates a plurality of composite structures so as to permit the reliable recovery of leads embedded within respective ones of the composite or smart structures. In this regard, the method of the present invention permits a plurality of composite structures to be fabricated, such as by means of a continuous pultrusion process, while enabling the leads to be recovered without interrupting the pultrusion process and without damaging the resulting composite structures. Correspondingly, a composite structure is provided according to the present invention which has a protective sleeve surrounding the portion of the lead which extends through the end of the composite body. As such, the protective sleeve protects the lead during the fabrication process by protecting the lead during the separation of the composite structures and the recovery of the embedded lead.

Abstract: A structure is provided that includes a structural element and a composite carrier assembly associated with the structural element, such as by being embedded therein, wherein the compatible carrier assembly includes a composite carrier and a sensor disposed with the composite carrier. By embedding the composite carrier assembly within a structural element, the sensor, such as a fiber optic sensor, will measure the conditions, such as the strain, temperature or the like, to which at least a portion of the structural element is subjected in a manner which averages the measurements over a distance greater than the predetermined dimensions of the sensor element. In addition, the thermal, mechanical and electrical characteristics of the composite carrier can be precisely tailored, such as to match those characteristics of the structural element in which the composite carrier is to be embedded, so that the composite carrier will be compatible with the host material of the structural element.