Abstract: A radioactive gas assay system comprises a scintillation cell production assembly, a detector assembly, a computer assembly, and a scintillation cell destruction assembly. The scintillation cell production assembly is configured to produce a scintillation cell comprising a glass scintillator shell containing a volume of radioactive gas. The detector assembly is configured to receive the scintillation cell and to detect photons emitted thereby. The computer assembly is configured to receive data from the detector assembly to automatically calculate an absolute activity of the volume of radioactive gas of the scintillation cell and radiation detection efficiencies of the detector assembly. The scintillation cell destruction assembly is configured to receive the scintillation cell and to rupture the substantially non-porous glass scintillator shell to release the volume of radioactive gas. A method of assaying a radioactive gas, and a scintillation cell are also described.

Abstract: A radioactive gas assay system comprises a scintillation cell production assembly, a detector assembly, a computer assembly, and a scintillation cell destruction assembly. The scintillation cell production assembly is configured to produce a scintillation cell comprising a glass scintillator shell containing a volume of radioactive gas. The detector assembly is configured to receive the scintillation cell and to detect photons emitted thereby. The computer assembly is configured to receive data from the detector assembly to automatically calculate an absolute activity of the volume of radioactive gas of the scintillation cell and radiation detection efficiencies of the detector assembly. The scintillation cell destruction assembly is configured to receive the scintillation cell and to rupture the substantially non-porous glass scintillator shell to release the volume of radioactive gas. A method of assaying a radioactive gas, and a scintillation cell are also described.

Abstract: A protective padding assembly for covering a section of chain link fence of the character found in sports venues, such as baseball fields, soccer fields, football fields and the like, wherein the section of chain link fence includes a hingeably connected swinging gate. The protective padding assembly uniquely includes a fence covering section, a gate covering section and an intermediate, wedge shaped portion for covering the gate hinges in a manner that will not interfere with opening and closing the gate.

Abstract: A protective padding for covering the upper portion of a barrier of the character found in sports venues, such as baseball fields, soccer fields, football fields and the like. The protective padding uniquely includes a plurality of padding assemblies, each padding assembly covering a section of the barrier and each including an elongate structural channel positioned over the top rail of the barrier. The elongate channel includes longitudinally spaced apart pairs of inwardly extending support brackets. A plurality of securement members span the support brackets with each securement member having a central portion provided with a threaded bore that threadably receives a threaded screw having a first end moveable into engagement with the top rail of the barrier. An elongate foam member is superimposed over the elongate channel and a vinyl covering covers the elongate foam member.

Abstract: A protective padding assembly for covering a section of chain link fence of the character found in sports venues, such as baseball fields, soccer fields, football fields and the like, wherein the section of chain link fence includes a hingeably connected swinging gate. The protective padding assembly uniquely includes a fence covering section, a gate covering section and an intermediate, wedge shaped portion for covering the gate hinges in a manner that will not interfere with opening and closing the gate.

Abstract: A protective padding assembly for covering a section of chain link fence of the character found in sports venues, such as baseball fields, soccer fields, football fields and the like, wherein the section of chain link fence includes a hingeably connected swinging gate. The protective padding assembly uniquely includes a fence covering section, a gate covering section and an intermediate, wedge shaped portion for covering the gate hinges in a manner that will not interfere with opening and closing the gate.

Abstract: A protective padding assembly for covering a section of chain link fence of the character found in sports venues, such as baseball fields, soccer fields, football fields and the like, wherein the section of chain link fence includes a hingeably connected swinging gate. The protective padding assembly uniquely includes a fence covering section, a gate covering section and an intermediate, wedge shaped portion for covering the gate hinges in a manner that will not interfere with opening and closing the gate.

Abstract: A photomask assembly is described having a frame for supporting a transparent pellicle above a photomask substrate, defining a closed pellicle space overlaying the substrate. The frame is formed of a porous material configured to allow the pellicle space to be purged with an inert gas within a reasonable processing time period, thereby removing any harmful chemicals that might be present. The frame preferably is made by a method that includes preparing a gel by a sol-gel process, drying the gel, and partially densifying the dry gel. The resulting frame has a gas permeability to oxygen or nitrogen higher than about 10 ml.mm/cm2.min.MPa, an average pore size between 0.001 micrometer and 10 micrometers, and a coefficient of thermal expansion between 0.01 ppm/° C. and 10 ppm/° C.

Abstract: A photomask assembly is disclosed having a photomask substrate and a composite pellicle frame that includes both a metallic frame component and a scavenger component. The metallic frame component has a cross-sectional thickness of at least 100 micrometers in all directions, and the volume percentage of the scavenger component relative to the overall volume of the composite frame is in the range of 0.1 to 95%. The scavenger component has a gas permeability to oxygen or nitrogen greater than about 10 ml·mm/cm2·min·MPa, an average pore size between 0.001 and 10 micrometers, and a pore surface area greater than 10 m2/g. This configuration enables the pellicle frame to have sufficient strength to withstand stresses encountered during normal use, yet also to have the capability of scavenging impurity molecules from the space adjacent to the photomask substrate.

Abstract: A photomask assembly is described having a frame for supporting a transparent pellicle above a photomask substrate, defining a closed pellicle space overlaying the substrate. The frame is formed of a porous material configured to allow the pellicle space to be purged with an inert gas within a reasonable processing time period, thereby removing any harmful chemicals that might be present. The frame preferably is made by a method that includes preparing a gel by a sol-gel process, drying the gel, and partially densifying the dry gel. The resulting frame has a gas permeability to oxygen or nitrogen higher than about 10 ml.mm/cm2.min.MPa, an average pore size between 0.001 micrometer and 10 micrometers, and a coefficient of thermal expansion between 0.01 ppm/° C. and 10 ppm/° C.

Abstract: A photomask assembly is described having a frame for supporting a transparent pellicle above a photomask substrate, defining a closed pellicle space overlaying the substrate. The frame is formed of a porous material configured to allow the pellicle space to be purged with an inert gas within a reasonable processing time period, thereby removing any harmful chemicals that might be present. The frame preferably is made by a method that includes preparing a gel by a sol-gel process, drying the gel, and partially densifying the dry gel. The resulting frame has a gas permeability to oxygen or nitrogen higher than about 10 ml.mm/cm2.min.MPa, an average pore size between 0.001 micrometer and 10 micrometers, and a coefficient of thermal expansion between 0.01 ppm/° C. and 10 ppm/° C.

Abstract: A photomask assembly is described having a frame for supporting a transparent pellicle above a photomask substrate, defining a closed pellicle space overlaying the substrate. The frame is formed of a porous material configured to allow the pellicle space to be purged with an inert gas within a reasonable processing time period, thereby removing any harmful chemicals that might be present. The frame preferably is made by a method that includes preparing a gel by a sol-gel process, drying the gel, and partially densifying the dry gel. The resulting frame has a gas permeability to oxygen or nitrogen higher than about 10 ml.mm/cm2.min.MPa, an average pore size between 0.001 micrometer and 10 micrometers, and a coefficient of thermal expansion between 0.01 ppm/° C. and 10 ppm/° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continual comfort adjusting fastener for a footwear article and provides an alternative to fasteners that necessitate periodic attention by the wearer in order to maintain a proper combination of support, fit and comfort by utilizing spring mechanisms to induce a predetermined amount of tension between opposing eye flaps of the footwear article. In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the spring mechanism portion of the spring assembly that provides constant tension between eye flaps may be one of a tension spring, compression spring and torsion spring. The spring assembly is comprised substantially of a spring mechanism and may be fastened directly to eyelets in the footwear article. In accordance with other exemplary embodiments, the spring assembly is further comprised of locking eyelets which themselves are attached to the eye flap of the footwear article via rivets, thus replacing the eyelets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continual comfort adjusting fastener for a footwear article and provides an alternative to fasteners that necessitate periodic attention by the wearer in order to maintain a proper combination of support, fit and comfort by utilizing spring mechanisms to induce a predetermined amount of tension between opposing eye flaps of the footwear article. In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the spring mechanism portion of the spring assembly that provides constant tension between eye flaps may be one of a tension spring, compression spring and torsion spring. The spring assembly is comprised substantially of a spring mechanism and may be fastened directly to eyelets in the footwear article. In accordance with other exemplary embodiments, the spring assembly is further comprised of locking eyelets which themselves are attached to the eye flap of the footwear article via rivets, thus replacing the eyelets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continual comfort adjusting fastener for a footwear article and provides an alternative to fasteners that necessitate periodic attention by the wearer in order to maintain a proper combination of support, fit and comfort by utilizing spring mechanisms to induce a predetermined amount of tension between opposing eye flaps of the footwear article. In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the spring mechanism portion of the spring assembly that provides constant tension between eye flaps may be one of a tension spring, compression spring and torsion spring. The spring assembly is comprised substantially of a spring mechanism and may be fastened directly to eyelets in the footwear article. In accordance with other exemplary embodiments, the spring assembly is further comprised of locking eyelets which themselves are attached to the eye flap of the footwear article via rivets, thus replacing the eyelets.

Abstract: A contoured landing surface system and a method of making thereof are provided. The system matches landing surface or pit density to the force generated by an athlete's descending body to cushion the athlete's fall based on air displacement rather than foam characteristics. The system is designed to compensate for variables such a velocity, mass and surface area at the point of impact by utilizing a multi-layer structure, each layer having a plurality of patterned ridges thereon and a network of air channels therebetween. The ridges and air channels of adjacent layers extend perpendicular to the ridges and air channels of each other. Preferably, the landing surface is constructed using layers of foam having the same density.