Abstract: A helmet including a shell, a plurality of panel buttons pivotally attached at their proximal face to the outer surface of the shell, and the panel buttons are made of a flexible or elastic material with a protective outer coating to protect the panel buttons from abrasion. In one embodiment, the panel buttons are pivotally attached to the outer surface of the shell with a living hinge that allows the panel buttons to swivel in multiple planes that are generally perpendicular to the outer surface of the shell.

Abstract: A flap fitting includes a setting arm attached to a base element so as to be pivotable about a setting axis between an open position and a closed position, a toggle lever mechanism having a first lever and a second lever connected to each other pivotably about a pivot axis, and an energy accumulator. The energy accumulator acts on the first lever at a first link point spaced from the pivot axis and on the second lever at a second link point spaced from the pivot axis. Also, the first link point and the second link point are acted upon by the energy accumulator with force towards one another. A setting contour arrangement with a setting contour and a guide element is arranged between the first lever and the setting arm and the guide element is movable along the setting contour. The setting arm is forcedly loaded in the direction of rotation about the setting axis at least in a partial section along the setting contour by the first lever via the setting contour arrangement.

Abstract: A lift assist mechanism is provided for assisting lifting of a movable component that can move between lowered and raised positions relative to a fixed structure. The lift assist mechanism includes a lift assist spring connected to a spring shaft, and an elongated track in which an end of the lift assist spring or an end of the spring shaft are movably engaged. A spring lock restrains movement of the spring shaft when a lift assist is not required, and releases the spring shaft when a lift assist is required.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for construction of a protective head covering, such as a helmet, to be worn by individuals engaged in activity that may, without the apparatus, cause concussive brain injury. The helmet, which is comparable in weight and envelope to conventional helmets, can be constructed from commercially available materials. The design features a dual shell concept where outer shell deflection under load triggers the primary attenuation mechanism. A second more rigid inner shell defines a space where one or more compartmentalized sealed elastomer energy absorbing cells are located. These cells contain a gas and/or liquid agent designed to adaptively convert potentially injurious normal impact force energy to energy that is channeled between the shells and therefore harmless to the wearer. A portion of this converted energy will be stored and then utilized to automatically re-set the apparatus for the next impact event.

Abstract: In a gas spring which includes a cylinder member slide-engaged in upward and downward directions in the interior of an outer body, an inner pipe which is engaged to an inner wall of the cylinder member and forms a gas flow path in upward and downward directions between itself and the inner wall of the same, a valve member which is provided in the upper sides of the cylinder member and the inner pipe and includes a gas guide flow path for controlling the flow of gas via the gas flow path depending on an operation of a valve pin, and a piston rod of which a head part is air-tightly slide-engaged in the interior of the inner pipe, and a rod part is vertically rotatably engaged to a bottom of the outer body, there is provided a gas spring with a speed control function which comprises a speed control guider disposed between a head part provided on an upper side of the piston rod and the valve member for thereby controlling the flow of a gas via a gas flow path when the cylinder member is lowered, which leads to co

Abstract: A delay return gas spring including a piston at least partially received in a cylinder for reciprocation between extended and compressed positions over a cycle including a compression stroke and a return stroke. A seal disposed between the cylinder and the piston separates a primary chamber on one side of the seal from a secondary chamber on another side of the seal during a portion of the cycle. A passage communicates with the secondary chamber and with the primary chamber. The seal is relatively movable between an open position permitting free flow of gas through the passage to a closed position at least partially restricting gas flow through the passage so as to permit gas in the secondary chamber to be compressed in response to movement of the piston toward its extended position, thereby reducing a net return force on the piston and decreasing a velocity of the piston.

Abstract: An impact absorbing, modular helmet that prevents or reduces injury to the user and other parties in a collision is described. The helmet has layers on the outer side of the hard casing that increase the time of impact and thereby reduces the intensity of the impact forces to reduce their injury potential. The layers may be made up of uniformly consistent impact absorbing polymer material, a polymer layer filled with air or a polymer honeycombed structure. These impact-absorbing layers may also be made and used as an independent, detachable, external protective cover that may be attached universally over hard casing helmets.

Abstract: A deformable polymeric member is drawn or forced through or over a die at an imperceptible rate of travel whereby the visco elastic characteristics of the polymeric member delay and control the displacement for external utility. With appropriate components, force selection determines rate of displacement. Embodiments include long term lubricators and self powered medication infusers.

Abstract: A shock absorber is formed of a cylinder having a stopping surface, a piston slidably situated in the cylinder to be moved when it is pushed by a moving member, and a switching device attached to the cylinder to be actuated right before the piston abuts against the stopping surface of the cylinder. An electromagnetic valve is connected to the switching device. The electromagnetic valve has a first position, and a second position for allowing air in the cylinder to escape outwardly when the piston is moved and the electromagnetic valve is operated by the switching device. A spring cooperates with the piston to return the piston to a position before the switching device is operated when a pressing force applied to the piston is removed by retreat of the moving member after the switching device is actuated.

Abstract: A method and system for preventing damage to a movable dancer assembly in a festoon upon the breakage of the running web that runs through the festoon. During normal running of the web, the vertical position of the dancer assembly, in the festoon and vis-à-vis the fixed entry and exit idlers of the festoon, is controlled by a dancer tensioning cylinder assembly that includes a cylinder and a piston which is connected with the dancer assembly and which is movable in the cylinder in response to pressurized air in a first portion of the cylinder and applied to a first surface of the piston. Upon the breaking of the running web, air pressure is permitted to increase in a second portion of the cylinder and is applied to the second, opposite surface of the piston until the pressure of the air in the first and second positions becomes equal. After a preselected delay after the running web breaks, the pressurized air in the first and second portions of the cylinder is bled from the cylinder.

Abstract: A gas spring apparatus includes first and second cylinders each closed at both ends by end walls, first and second pistons each capable of axial displacement being disposed inside a fluid-filled inner space of the cylinders, the first piston dividing the first cylinder into two sub-spaces, the second piston dividing the second cylinder into two cylindrical chamber, first and second piston rods each of, which is connected to the corresponding piston, being mounted in a sliding and sealing fashion in one end wall, and a plurality of valves selectively communicating among two sub-spaces and two cylindrical chambers to decrease pressure inside one of the sub-spaces so as to cause the first piston to be locked for a predetermined period of time, and to cause the first and second pistons to move upwards and back to an initial position of each of the first and second pistons after a predetermined delay. The valves are openable and closable which are controlled by a control device.

Abstract: The invention consists on the one hand of a cylinder (2) closed at its ends by means of end walls (4, 5) and on the other hand of an enclosed space (10). With a piston (3) capable of axial displacement, the cylinder (2) is divided into two sub-spaces (6, 7). The space (10) communicates with the aforementioned first sub-space (6) via a first openable and closable valve (11a). The second sub-space (7) communicates with the aforementioned first sub-space (6) via a second openable and closable valve (13a). A control device (12) actuates the openable and closeable valves (11a, 13a), so that the second valve (13a) is opened when a force (F) acting upon the end of the piston rod (8) has forced the piston (3) in a direction towards the first end wall (4) and into a predetermined position. The second valve (13a) is closed again once pressure equilibrium has been achieved between the sub-spaces (6, 7).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for a gas spring (1). This comprises a cylinder (2) with a piston (3) capable of being displaced axially therein, which marks the boundary of an inner space (4) of the cylinder (2) filled with a compressible gas-oil mixture. The space (4) varies in volume in accordance with a force (F) acting upon a piston rod connected to the piston. The invention is characterized in that the inner space is so arranged as to communicate via an openable and closable valve (13) with a closed space (10). The arrangement includes a control device (12) for actuating the valve (13), which control device is so arranged as to close the valve (13) once the piston (3) has moved past a predetermined axial position in the cylinder (2), and as to open it at a predetermined time after the moment of closing.

Abstract: An air pressure shock absorber for smoothly stopping a moving object reciprocated by a rod in an air pressure cylinder. The shock absorber absorbs and reduces the internal pressure of a chamber in the cylinder to smoothly stop the moving object by the communication of air compressed in the chamber to the atmosphere through a bypass passage formed in a cylinder wall. The air pressure is released to the atmosphere after the piston has moved through a predetermined stroke.

Abstract: A rotary damper device comprises a base plate, a rotary cylinder rotatably disposed on the base plate through the medium of a damper, and a coil spring interconnecting the base plate and the rotary cylinder. The base plate and the rotary cylinder are interconnected to the main body of a device and the lid of the device. When the lid is opened or closed, the braking force of the damper and the resilient force of the coil spring cooperate to generate effective braking force and enable the opening-closing device to be opened or closed smoothly under the influence of the effective braking force.

Abstract: A spring-biased restraining member is retracted by means of a remotely positioned, manually operable lever being outside the cargo space; the linkage includes a hydraulic structure for delayedly returning the lever and the restraining member to the protracted position. The linkage unlocks a latch and enables the cargo to overrun the restraining member even from that side that is to lock the cargo when the restraining member is in its locked position. In the other direction, the restraining member is overridden by the cargo out of each position of the restraining member structure between the lever and the restraining member.

Abstract: A gas spring for height adjustment of drawing-tables or the like includes an arrangement for hydraulically locking the gas spring against sudden collapse due to overloading or loss of internal gas pressure. The hydraulic locking mechanism includes a pressure responsive valve which operates, in response to an excess pressure differential between the gas spring cavity and the pressurized gas chamber, either to prevent flow of the hydraulic locking medium out of the cylinder cavity or to restrict such flow to a slow, safe rate.

Abstract: A small-sized differential piston unit is disclosed. The piston unit has a cylinder filled with liquid medium and a piston slideably mounted in the cylinder. An operation rod is operatively connected to said piston. An improved sealing member consisting of a membrane is used to completely seal the liquid medium in the cylinder. Control means is provided for imparting fluid resistance caused by the liquid medium to the piston differently between its forward movement and backward movement in the cylinder.

Abstract: A time delay device adapted to cooperate with a firing device. The time delay device comprises a piston cooperating with the firing device, a spring to move the piston between a first position in which the firing device remains in a non-operating condition and a second position in which said firing device is allowed to operate, a retractable pin to hold the piston in the first position, a reservoir of fluid adapted to be acted upon by the piston and communicating with a length of small bore or micro-bore tubing whereby upon movement of the piston fluid will be displaced from the reservoir through said tubing, with the rate of movement of the piston, and therefore the time for the piston to move from the first to the second position under the action of said spring, being dictated by the viscosity of the fluid in the reservoir and the length of the tubing.

Abstract: A delay switch working pneumatically includes a piston and cylinder arrangement with the cylinder compartment being in communication with the outside air through a non-return valve and a throttle bore connected in parallel. The switch contacts include a contact spring connected to the piston and a portion of the inner cylinder wall which is made at least partially conducting. The piston is connected to an axially directed actuating pin through a first compression spring and is supported in the cylinder by a second compression spring which is weaker than the first compression spring. The cylinder may include a metallic sleeve which forms one switch connection and which has an insulating insert which the compact arrangement of a contact spring engages in the off state. In this arrangement, a second switch connection is electrically connected with the contact spring by way of the second compression spring.

Abstract: A switching device for preventing prolonged depression-action type activation includes a housing and a depressible plunger mounted in the housing. This plunger includes an upper portion and a lower portion, with the lower portion being movable with respect to the upper portion. The plunger is adapted to be filled with fluid and has a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port. An operable stopper valve is associated with the outlet port for maintaining it closed, with the valve being operatively responsive to depression of the plunger for allowing fluid to escape from the plunger. A first spring associated with the lower portion retracts the same inwardly toward the housing when sufficient fluid has escaped from the plunger and while the upper portion is depressed inwardly. A second spring associated with the upper portion urges the same outwardly from the housing when there is no depression force on the upper portion.

Abstract: The timer is adapted to be attached to a toggle light switch and comprises a body having a trip slide mounted in the body, with the slide having means for receiving and engaging the switch handle for tripping same to operate the lights. Spring means is provided in the body engageable with the slide for urging the slide to turn the lights off. When the slide is moved to compress the spring the lights are turned on. With the lights on, a latch carried by the slide engages the body to maintain the slide latched with the spring compressed. Fluid responsive timing means, located within the body, is engageable with the latch to operate and release the latch from engagement with the body after expiration of a predetermined time interval. Thereafter the compressed spring means moves the slide in a direction to trip the switch handle, thus turning the lights off.

Abstract: A pneumatic timer is constructed by stacking a calibration subassembly on top of a diaphragm housing stacked above a diaphragm subassembly, and including a filter capsule subassembly interposed between the calibration subassembly and the diaphragm housing. The filter capsule subassembly includes a check valve disposed within a recess so constructed that all air entering the recess must pass through filter screens disposed on opposite sides of the check valve. The biasing spring for the check valve bears against one of the screens and biases the movable valve member to a normal position bearing against the other screen. The second screen is flexible so that at the end of the reset stroke the plunger attached to the timing chamber diaphragm mechanically opens the check valve.

Abstract: A vehicle seat support assembly including a fluid spring that supports an upper seat base on a lower floor base at a vertical height corresponding to the adjusted position of an adjustable control linkage which extends between the seat base and a time delay valve whose operation controls the amount of pressurized fluid within the fluid spring. The control linkage includes an adjustment link pivotally mounted on the seat base for adjusting movement and connected to one end of a connecting link whose other end is connected to an actuating link that controls the valve. The control linkage actuates the valve so that the seat base is positioned at the same vertical height for any adjusted position of the linkage regardless of the seat occupant's weight. The control linkage is adjustable to vary the height at which the seat base is positioned and is prevented from transiently actuating the valve during dynamic vertical movement of the seat base by the time delay operation of the valve.

Abstract: An underwater timer and release device comprising a cylindrical housing sealed at its opposite ends and adapted to receive a slidable spring-loaded piston therein. The piston includes a metering orifice to provide a regulated flow of fluid from a secondary chamber to a primary chamber, thereby actuating a releasing means when the piston shaft is disengaged from a locking means and is allowed to operate. Releasably secured to the housing is a float marker, which rises to the surface of the water, having an interconnecting cord attached to the submerged housing. A one-way check valve is also disposed within the piston, whereby the fluid can be transferred back into the secondary chamber for reloading the release means.