Abstract: Various exemplary aspects are directed to mineral wool plant substrates comprising mineral wool fibers bound by a binder formed from an aqueous binder composition comprising a cross-linking agent comprising at least two carboxylic acid groups; a polyol component having at least two hydroxyl groups; a nitrogen-based protective agent; and from 0.05 wt. % to 0.7 wt. % of a non-ionic surfactant. Methods of manufacturing such fiber-based plant substrates can include collecting a plurality of inorganic fibers on a substrate; applying an aqueous binder composition to the collection of inorganic fibers, forming binder-coated inorganic fibers; and curing the aqueous binder composition at a temperature less than 510° F., thereby forming a fiber-based plant substrate, wherein said aqueous binder composition is free of formaldehyde.

Abstract: Disclosed are vise embodiments designed to lower manufacturing cost and work well in an automated CNC milling production environment. The disclosed embodiments include rigid vises having high clamp force and low internal friction. The embodiments include features for resisting the ingress of metal chips into sensitive moving parts through the use of commonly available seals and the flow of CNC coolant to flush metal chips away from the vise.

Abstract: Disclosed are mechanical interfaces of an end-of-arm-tool (EOAT) and part-gripping devices. The EOAT mechanical interface is for operatively coupling a gripper actuator to the part-gripping device. The part-gripping device mechanical interface is matable to the EOAT mechanical interface for operatively coupling the EOAT to the part-gripping device. Among other improvements, also disclosed are improved gripper fingers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cushion for use in a helmet comprising an outer shell for impact with an incoming force, the cushion disposed between the outer shell and a head when the helmet is worn, the cushion comprising: a sealed bladder comprising a flexible membrane; a pad housed within the bladder, said pad comprising a compressible member having interstices open to the exterior of the pad; and a liquid within the interior of the bladder; wherein said pad absorbs at least some of said liquid when uncompressed and expels said liquid when compressed; and wherein the volume of liquid within the bladder is sufficient to allow opposing surfaces of the bladder to be displaced in a shearing motion relative to each other when the cushion is compressed and subjected to shear forces, to decouple shear forces between said helmet and the head.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a helmet comprising a shell; and a force redirection member disposed between the shell and a head when the helmet is worn, the member configured to redirect a force impacting on the shell to a direction different from the original direction of the impact on the shell. The present invention also relates to a method to decrease the risk of injury to a person wearing a helmet, caused by rotational forces when the helmet is impacted by a force characterized by a specific direction having a first vector, the method comprising redirecting the force into a different direction having a second vector, wherein the direction of the second vector is selected to reduce the risk of a specified injury associated with acceleration of the head in the direction of the first vector.

Abstract: Footwear for use during a specialized activity such as skiing, cycling, skating and many other sports or industrial uses, and provides a dorsal element engaging the dorsal aspect of the foot for enabling the user to control relative to the plantar aspect the maximum height of the arch of the foot at substantially all times during the activity regardless of the position or orientation of the foot. A pivotal arm is mounted on a frame attached to the planter aspect for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the foot and is compressed by an adjustable element operable by the user.

Abstract: A system and method for using a robotic arm and a part gripping jaw to tend a CNC machine. A robotic arm picks up a part gripping jaw and used the jaw to grip a part, and moves the part into a vise in the CNC machine. The part gripping jaw has features which the vise engages, and secures the part in the part gripping jaw for processing in the CNC machine. The system and method includes a novel racking system, robotic end of arm tool, jaw grippers and vise system. The jaw grippers that hold the part are moved from the rack system, with the part to be processed, by the robot, to the vise where the vise uses the jaw grippers to secure the part for processing. After the part is processed, the robot removes the part from the vise with the jaw grippers and stores the part back into the rack system using the jaw grippers.

Abstract: Safety head wear for use for example in high risk activities such as sports and industrial purposes where protection from head injuries is required. Components are provided inserted between the liner and outer shell and consists of two parts; a chamber or bladder and a fluid or gel like material. The fluid or gel material is contained in the chamber or bladder and is positioned in such a way to create low friction between the surface of the shell and liner or liner and head. It can also be used on the outer surface of the shell or placed within two layers of the liner. The device provides a method of independently managing both compression and shear force characteristics of the helmet around the head designed to decrease brain trauma resulting from high linear and angular acceleration during impacts to the helmet.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cushion for use in a helmet comprising an outer shell for impact with an incoming force, the cushion disposed between the outer shell and a head when the helmet is worn, the cushion comprising: a sealed bladder comprising a flexible membrane; a pad housed within the bladder, said pad comprising a compressible member having interstices open to the exterior of the pad; and a liquid within the interior of the bladder; wherein said pad absorbs at least some of said liquid when uncompressed and expels said liquid when compressed; and wherein the volume of liquid within the bladder is sufficient to allow opposing surfaces of the bladder to be displaced in a shearing motion relative to each other when the cushion is compressed and subjected to shear forces, to decouple shear forces between said helmet and the head.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a helmet comprising a shell; and a force redirection member disposed between the shell and a head when the helmet is worn, the member configured to redirect a force impacting on the shell to a direction different from the original direction of the impact on the shell. The present invention also relates to a method to decrease the risk of injury to a person wearing a helmet, caused by rotational forces when the helmet is impacted by a force characterized by a specific direction having a first vector, the method comprising redirecting the force into a different direction having a second vector, wherein the direction of the second vector is selected to reduce the risk of a specified injury associated with acceleration of the head in the direction of the first vector.

Abstract: Safety head wear for use for example in high risk activities such as sports and industrial purposes where protection from head injuries is required. Components are provided inserted between the liner and outer shell and consists of two parts; a chamber or bladder and a fluid or gel like material. The fluid or gel material is contained in the chamber or bladder and is positioned in such a way to create low friction between the surface of the shell and liner or liner and head. It can also be used on the outer surface of the shell or placed within two layers of the liner. The device provides a method of independently managing both compression and shear force characteristics of the helmet around the head designed to decrease brain trauma resulting from high linear and angular acceleration during impacts to the helmet.

Abstract: Safety head wear for use for example in high risk activities such as sports and industrial purposes where protection from head injuries is required. Components are provided inserted between the liner and outer shell and consists of two parts; a chamber or bladder and a fluid or gel like material. The fluid or gel material is contained in the chamber or bladder and is positioned in such a way to create low friction between the surface of the shell and liner or liner and head. It can also be used on the outer surface of the shell or placed within two layers of the liner. The device provides a method of independently managing both compression and shear force characteristics of the helmet around the head designed to decrease brain trauma resulting from high linear and angular acceleration during impacts to the helmet.

Abstract: A system and method for using a robotic arm and a part gripping jaw to tend a CNC machine. A robotic arm picks up a part gripping jaw and used the jaw to grip a part, and moves the part into a vise in the CAN machine. The part gripping jaw has features which the vise engages, and secures the part in the part gripping jaw for processing in the CNC machine. The system and method includes a novel racking system, robotic end of arm tool, jaw grippers and vise system. The jaw grippers that hold the part are moved from the rack system, with the part to be processed, by the robot, to the vise where the vise uses the jaw grippers to secure the part for processing. After the part is processed, the robot removes the part from the vise with the jaw grippers and stores the part back into the rack system using the jaw grippers.

Abstract: A system and method for using a robotic arm and a part gripping jaw to tend a CNC machine. A robotic arm picks up a part gripping jaw and used the jaw to grip a part, and moves the part into a vise in the CAN machine. The part gripping jaw has features which the vise engages, and secures the part in the part gripping jaw for processing in the CNC machine. The system and method includes a novel racking system, robotic end of arm tool, jaw grippers and vise system. The jaw grippers that hold the part are moved from the rack system, with the part to be processed, by the robot, to the vise where the vise uses the jaw grippers to secure the part for processing. After the part is processed, the robot removes the part from the vise with the jaw grippers and stores the part back into the rack system using the jaw grippers.

Abstract: Safety head wear for use for example in high risk activities such as sports and industrial purposes where protection from head injuries is required. Components are provided inserted between the liner and outer shell and consists of two parts; a pod and a foam or foam like surrogate or structure. The foam or foam like material is contained in the chamber and is positioned in such a way to create constant force between the surface of the shell and head. The device provides a method of managing compression force characteristics of the helmet around the head designed to decrease brain trauma resulting from high linear acceleration during impacts to the helmet.

Abstract: Footwear for use during a specialized activity such as skiing, cycling, skating and many other sports or industrial uses, and provides a dorsal element engaging the dorsal aspect of the foot for enabling the user to control relative to the plantar aspect the maximum height of the arch of the foot at substantially all times during the activity regardless of the position or orientation of the foot. A pivotal arm is mounted on a frame attached to the planter aspect for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the foot and is compressed by an adjustable element operable by the user.

Abstract: A system and method for using a robotic arm and a part gripping jaw to tend a CNC machine. A robotic arm picks up a part gripping jaw and used the jaw to grip a part, and moves the part into a vise in the CAN machine. The part gripping jaw has features which the vise engages, and secures the part in the part gripping jaw for processing in the CNC machine. The system and method includes a novel racking system, robotic end of arm tool, jaw grippers and vise system. The jaw grippers that hold the part are moved from the rack system, with the part to be processed, by the robot, to the vise where the vise uses the jaw grippers to secure the part for processing. After the part is processed, the robot removes the part from the vise with the jaw grippers and stores the part back into the rack system using the jaw grippers.

Abstract: Footwear for use during a specialized activity such as skiing, cycling, skating and many other sports or industrial uses, and provides a dorsal element engaging the dorsal aspect of the foot for enabling the user to control relative to the plantar aspect the maximum height of the arch of the foot at substantially all times during the activity regardless of the position or orientation of the foot. A pivotal arm is mounted on a frame attached to the planter aspect for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the foot and is compressed by an adjustable element operable by the user.