Abstract: A paint ball gun with typical gun body bolt chamber, air chamber, hammer chamber and trigger plate aligns the trigger plate with a timing plate and air valve to eliminate torques otherwise incurred between the valve and a trigger integral with the trigger plate as the trigger pulls the valve between effective positions during firing and recocking of the gun. The timing plate reciprocates with movement of the trigger plate in a timing plate groove in the gun body, shielding the timing plate from external damage and dirt. The air chamber and the hammer chamber, typically rearward of the air chamber, together lie below the bolt chamber and above the timing plate groove in vertical alignment further stabilizing the gun during recocking and firing of the gun.

Abstract: The invention is a separation system for releasably securing first and second structural members together along mating edges thereof. For example, the segments of a launch vehicle faring used to protect the payload until orbit is reached. In detail, the invention includes a plurality of latches with each latch including a male portion mounted in proximity the edge of the first structural member and a female portion mounted on the second structural member in proximity to the edge thereof. A locking device is mounted on the second structural member in proximity to the edge thereof, movable from a locked position securing the male portion to the female portion to a second position unlocking the male portion from the female portion. An actuation device is provided for sequentially moving the locking device of each latch from the first position to the second position, unlocking the male portions from the female portions of the plurality of latches.

Abstract: A shellfish cutting utensil which has first and second elongated members pivotally connected together, each of the members having a jaw and a handle, one of the jaws having a recess or notch formed on an edge thereof and having a cutting edge. The cutting edge formed on the notch or recess can be utilized with a cutting edge on the other member in a scissors like movement for opening the shell of a shellfish.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods, compositions and kits for raising marine fish in freshwater. The methods involve adding at least one Polyvalent Cation Sensing Receptor (PVCR) modulator to the freshwater in an amount sufficient to increase expression and/or sensitivity of at least one PVCR; and adding feed for fish consumption to the freshwater, wherein the feed comprises an amount of NaCl sufficient to contribute to a significant increased level of the PVCR modulator in serum of the marine fish.

Abstract: The invention provides a blank pyrotechnic cartridge comprising a cartridge casing having a bullet-like projection extending forwardly therefrom, the bullet-like projection being retractable through an opening in the casing when the cartridge is fired, the cartridge being axially expandable in a rearwards direction in use to move the breechblock of a firearm to recycle the firearm. Also provided is a method of feeding blank ammunition into the barrel of a gun comprising the step of loading the gun with a blank cartridge, the blank cartridge comprising a cartridge casing having a bullet-like projection extending forwardly therefrom, the bullet-like projection being retractable through an opening in the casing when the cartridge is fired, the cartridge being axially expandable in a rearwards direction in use to move a breechblock of the gun to recycle the gun.

Abstract: A decorative, washable, protective panel that is adhered to a wall adjacent to bird cage, to prevent bird eating splatter, whereby the washable panel protects a wall adjacent to a bird cage by capturing bird food splatter, wherein further the protective panel does not need to be attached to the cage. Fasteners, such as push pins having peelable release liners exposing adhesive thereunder, attach the back surface of the frame to a wall. The push pins have a pointed shaft, a head, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a release liner which is peeled off to expose the adhesive layer prior to attachment to the frame. The panel includes a front layer which is a transparent washable layer such as vinyl, acrylic sheet, polycarbonate sheet or glass. To this is attached a decorative panel layer.

Abstract: A projectile for firing from an ammunition shell. The projectile includes an elongated hollow body of a resilient material, the hollow body further having a trailing end, a mid-portion, and a leading end, the leading end being closed and the trailing end having an aperture providing access to the interior surface. A propellant is included near the leading end of the hollow body and against the interior surface of the elongated hollow body, so that the interior surface of the hollow body between the trailing end of the hollow body and the mid-portion of the hollow body defines a hollow space. The projectile is adapted for placement within the ammunition shell to allow firing of the projectile from a shotgun or the like.