Abstract: A snow removal device for use in conjunction with a runner of a ski assembly, which comprises a pedestal and a plurality of upright bristles. The pedestal is secured fixedly to the runner, while the bristles are affixed to the pedestal. In this manner, the pedestal at an inclined forward angle to the ski provides the necessary height to the bristles and the bristles provide maximum digging action to remove snow and ice while maintaining a smooth and easy motion of the boot. The bristles are fabricated of the proper designs and material to prevent filling with snow and ice and thereby avoid freezing solid or breaking during use. The pedestal is arranged in a transverse manner to the runner at a predetermined distance forward of the toe piece of the binding mechanism. Alternatively, the pedestal may be formed integral with the toe piece base plate or may be incorporated into a base plate onto which the top piece mounts. In this way, the removal snow is deposited away from the binding.

Abstract: A dither flexure for a ring laser gyroscope includes a central portion and a plurality of curved vanes extending therefrom to connect to a flexure ring. The flexure ring includes a boss in a central portion thereof. A glass ceramic ring having a pair of end bosses is bonded to the boss around the flexure ring with the end bosses facing outward toward the ring laser gyroscope frame. The end bosses contact the ring laser gyroscope frame so that a void is formed opposite the flexure ring boss, which prevents transmission of radially directed stresses from the dither flexure to the frame. The curved blades have high resistance to off-axis vibrations and have high off-axis resonant frequencies so that very little coning and axis sag occur. Each blade has a curved portion and a straight portion, which provides a convenient location for mounting piezoelectric drive elements for dithering the ring laser gyroscope.