An impact indicator for sports equipment includes an indicating portion having an inner end disposed adjacent an attachment portion and an outer end closed by a sight glass. The indicating portion contains a first component and a second component that react with one another to produce a visual indication in response to an impact event that exceeds a predetermined threshold. The first component may be a first fluid and the second component may be a second fluid. The first fluid mixes with the second fluid in response to the impact event and causes a change in a physical property and/or appearance of a mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid that is visible through the sight glass from the exterior of the sports equipment.

An impact indicator for sports equipment includes an indicating portion having an inner end disposed adjacent an attachment portion and an outer end closed by a sight glass. The indicating portion contains a first component and a second component that react with one another to produce a visual indication in response to an impact event that exceeds a predetermined threshold. The first component may be a first fluid and the second component may be a second fluid. The first fluid mixes with the second fluid in response to the impact event and causes a change in a physical property and/or appearance of a mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid that is visible through the sight glass from the exterior of the sports equipment.

A sensing device includes a housing and at least one film extending across the housing. The at least one film divides the housing into a first compartment and a second compartment. At least one mass is disposed within the first compartment. The at least one mass id sized to rupture the at least one film. A fluid having a first color is disposed in the first compartment and a fluid having a second color is disposed in the second compartment.

An apparatus contains an inertial body held by three electrical conductors along the three principal inertial axes, wherein a voltage is applied to each of the three electrical conductors and are configured such that when a predetermined acceleration threshold value for the inertial body is reached the conductivity of at least one electrical conductor is impaired such that the reaching of a predetermined threshold value is detectable by the voltage measuring device. A rechargeable battery having an apparatus for detecting a critical fall and a method involving detecting three voltages are also provided.

A micromechanical shock sensor includes a proof mass coupled to a surface of a substrate and a projection element extending laterally from the proof mass. The shock sensor further includes a latch mechanism and a retention anchor. The latch mechanism has a latch spring attached to the surface and a latch tip extending from a movable end of the latch spring. The retention anchor is attached to the surface and is located proximate the latch tip. The proof mass is configured for planar movement relative to the substrate when the proof mass is subjected to a force of at least a threshold magnitude. Movement of the proof mass in response to the force causes the latch tip to become retained between the projection element and the retention anchor to place the shock sensor in a latched state. The latched state may be detected by optical inspection, probe, or external readout.

A micromechanical shock sensor includes a proof mass coupled to a surface of a substrate and a projection element extending laterally from the proof mass. The shock sensor further includes a latch mechanism and a retention anchor. The latch mechanism has a latch spring attached to the surface and a latch tip extending from a movable end of the latch spring. The retention anchor is attached to the surface and is located proximate the latch tip. The proof mass is configured for planar movement relative to the substrate when the proof mass is subjected to a force of at least a threshold magnitude. Movement of the proof mass in response to the force causes the latch tip to become retained between the projection element and the retention anchor to place the shock sensor in a latched state. The latched state may be detected by optical inspection, probe, or external readout.

Disclosed is a semiconductor device comprising a stack of patterned metal layers separated by dielectric layers, the stack comprising a first conductive support structure and a second conductive support structure and a cavity in which an inertial mass element comprising at least one metal portion is conductively coupled to the first support structure and the second support structure by respective conductive connection portions, at least one of said conductive connection portions being designed to break upon the inertial mass element being exposed to an acceleration force exceeding a threshold defined by the dimensions of the conductive connection portions. A method of manufacturing such a semiconductor device is also disclosed.

Disclosed is a semiconductor device comprising a stack of patterned metal layers separated by dielectric layers, the stack comprising a first conductive support structure and a second conductive support structure and a cavity in which an inertial mass element comprising at least one metal portion is conductively coupled to the first support structure and the second support structure by respective conductive connection portions, at least one of said conductive connection portions being designed to break upon the inertial mass element being exposed to an acceleration force exceeding a threshold defined by the dimensions of the conductive connection portions. A method of manufacturing such a semiconductor device is also disclosed.