Abstract: A magazine for a toy gun includes a housing, at least one projectile disposed within the housing, and a constant-force spring disposed within the housing for providing a biasing force against the at least one projectile. The at least one projectile is made of elastomer or polymer foam material having a density between about 0.020 g/cm3 (1.25 lbs/ft3) and about 0.833 g/cm3 (52 lbs/ft3), and a 25% compression resistance (compression deflection) between about 0.6 psi and about 20 psi. The magazine is capable of holding and dispensing the projectiles such that the biasing force of the constant-force spring does not excessively deform the projectiles.

Abstract: A helical field device that accelerates an object to high velocity by converting rotational kinetic energy in the device into linear kinetic energy in the object, and alternatively, that decelerates objects from high velocity by converting the linear kinetic energy in the object into rotational kinetic energy in the device. The device transfers kinetic energy between the device and an object through the use of a localized high pressure field in the form of a helix having a variable pitch along the length of the device, which couples the object to the device without the pressure field itself significantly contributing energy into the system. Instead, the energy that is used to accelerate the object comes from the kinetic energy imparted to the device by an outside source, such as an engine, or a potential energy storage device.

Abstract: A scanning system includes one or more stereo camera sets (10) for detecting qualitative and quantitative anomalies of an object (40). Each stereo camera set (10) includes two cameras (12, 14) and a projector (16). Each camera (12, 14) is calibrated to correct any distortion due to misalignment of the CCD matrix array (18) and deficiencies of the optical system. The projector (16) projects an absolute encoded pattern (32, 34, 36) onto the object (40) to be measured and is capable of varying the intensity of the emitted electromagnetic energy in the infrared, visible and ultraviolet spectrums. A plurality of camera sets (10) can be combined in a scanning system matrix (42, 44) capable of detecting anomalies of the object (40) in a three-dimensional room (26). The three-dimensional room (26) can be of any desirable size, depending on the number of stereo camera sets (10).

Abstract: A seed boot having a modular or replaceable opener removably fastened to the seed boot. The opener is configured in any of several embodiments for discharging a fluent material such as seed in different ways, including narrow single row, wide single row, and double row. A second fluent material such as fertilizer may be dispensed in an additional discharge stream in different embodiments. In some embodiments, two fluent materials may be mixed within the seed boot and dispensed together.

Abstract: A ground engaging furrowing tool for paired row seeding comprising a body having a forward leading point, a bottom and laterally outwardly extending wing members. Each wing member including a leading edge that flares rearward to a trailing edge to form a generally V-shaped profile bottom surface, the trailing edge of each wing member including a seed outlet only open in a rearward direction.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for creating a sloped surface comprising at least one leveling member (12) and at least one guide member (36) for guiding the at least one leveling member (12). The at least one leveling member (12) changes the slope of the surface depending on a distance between a point of low elevation (54) to a point of higher elevation as the at least one leveling member (12) travels across the at least one guide member (36).

Abstract: A system and a device that are used for liquid-gas phase mass transfer with elimination of contaminants. The systems includes a plurality of liquid membrane-producing cells. Upon contact, the liquid membranes collapse with a gas stream and the collapsed liquid material covers the suspended particles, and eliminates them by decantation. Moreover, the membrane cells increase the speed of the gas stream and cause the gas stream to hit the surface of the liquid at an incident angle of 45°, which serves to improve the transfer of vapor into the gas.