Abstract: A ballistic strike plate assembly comprises a first plate formed from aluminum alloy and having a first surface and a second surface. A titanium plate is has a first surface and a second surface. A sheet of ballistic gap foam is adhered to the first surface of the first plate and the first surface of the titanium plate. A multilayer ballistic fabric plate is adhered to the second surface of the titanium plate. A first sheet of ballistic wrap is disposed over the multilayer ballistic fabric plate, and has edges extending beyond edges of the multilayer ballistic fabric plate that are folded over the edges of the multilayer ballistic fabric plate. A second smaller sheet of ballistic wrap is adhered to the portion of the second surface of the first plate not covered by the folded over edges of the first sheet of ballistic wrap.

Abstract: A pistol magazine loader device. The pistol magazine loader device includes a housing designed to receive a magazine. A control element, whose movement is directed by a handle device, coordinates the movement of a plunger designed to push a magazine follower or first cartridge resident at a top of the magazine down into the magazine and a cartridge pusher that pushes a second cartridge into the magazine.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to various aspects of the present invention, produces contractions in skeletal muscles of a target to impede locomotion by the target. The apparatus is used with a provided deployment unit that deploys an electrode away from the apparatus. The electrode conducts a current through the target. The apparatus includes a terminal; a producing sub-system for producing an electric arc to warn the target without conducting a current through the target; a conducting sub-system for conducting the current in series through the terminal and through the target; an initiating sub-system for initiating deployment of the electrode; and an operator interface. The operator interface facilitates selecting one or more cartridges of a set of cartridges to provide a stimulus signal to a target and/or display an arc.

Abstract: A forearm stock for a shotgun includes a forearm stock main body, an integral shot shell carrier tube, disposed in the main body, an accessory rail, at the forward end of the main body, and a removable cover, adapted to cover the accessory rail. The forearm stock main body has a forward end, a back end, a contour, and an upper cavity for receiving a shotgun's tube magazine. The shot shell carrier tube is disposed below the upper cavity, and is adapted to receive a plurality of shot shells, with an opening toward the back end. A mechanism for urging the shot shells out of the carrier tube through the opening is provided, and a retention mechanism is adapted to selectively retain the shot shells in the carrier tube. The removable cover has a contour that substantially complements a contour of the main body.

Abstract: A unit of modular armor. The module has a box-like, optically opaque outer shell of ballistic-protection material enclosed to exclude light from the module's interior. The shell contains transparent armor plates and the shell contains a self-diagnostic system for ascertaining whether the plates have been damaged. The self-diagnostic system includes a first PC board disposed along first edges of the plates, the board being divided into strips on which are mounted rows of lights. The self-diagnostic system further includes a second PC board at second, opposed edges of the plates divided into strips on which are mounted rows of light receptors. The PC boards incorporate circuitry for illuminating the rows of the lights in a row-by-row sequence, and for allowing activation only of the receptors directly opposed to illuminated lights. This circuitry has an analysis means for determining the health of the plates in response to signals from the receptors.

Abstract: A glass-to-metal bushing for ignitors of airbags or belt tensioning pulleys. A metal pin is arranged in a slot in the base plate in the fixing material, the base plate being formed by one element whereby the base geometry describing the slot is produced by at least one separation process. Structure is provided between the front and rear of the base plate for preventing relative motion of the fixing material in the direction of the base plate rear portion across from the inner circumference of the slot.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide firearm receiver with ambidextrous features. Some of these features include a bolt-locking mechanism on a firearm receiver that is configured to allow an operator to clear jams while maintaining hold of a firing grip. The bolt-locking mechanism may include a linking mechanism configured to manipulate a bolt-catch device in response to activation of a magazine release button on a firearm receiver. Other features include an ambidextrous magazine release mechanism on a firearm receiver that is configured to allow an operator to release an inserted magazine while maintaining hold of a firing grip with either hand. The magazine release mechanism may include a linking mechanism configured to manipulate a magazine catch device in response to activation of either a right-handed magazine release button or a left-handed magazine release lever that pivots on an external fulcrum on a firearm receiver.

Abstract: A minigun having a plurality of barrels. At least one barrel has a lug. A barrel clamp is attached to the barrels. The barrel clamp has a rear portion with apertures to receive the barrels. The barrel clamp has a front portion with apertures to receive the free end of the barrels. A clamp collar captures both the rear portion of the barrel clamp and at least one lug. The clamp collar may have two parts that are hingedly attached at one end and releasably pinned at the other end. Each of the two parts may have two flanges. The two flanges may be spaced apart by a distance defined by the barrel clamp's length. Each of the flanges may include a plurality of scallops. The clamp collar and the barrel clamp may each include a plurality of apertures that are aligned when the clamp collar is closed.

Abstract: A firearm support apparatus has a table element having legs for supporting the table element in a generally horizontal configuration, a forward cradle assembly mounted on a forward portion of the table element, and a rearward cradle assembly mounted on a rearward portion of the table element. The forward cradle assembly may comprise a mounting post, an adjustment plate mounted on the mounting collar and extending laterally therefrom, and a pair of adjustment collars mounted on the adjustment plate laterally spaced from one another. A lateral adjustment rod has ends engaged with the adjustment collars, and an externally threaded median portion threadedly engaged with an adjustment slide. A forward cradle is mounted on an adjustment slide for adjustable mounting a forward part of the rifle.

Abstract: A venting system for a casing containing an explosive material includes a base plug having one or more venting ports. A ring-shaped failure mechanism mounted to the base plug seals the venting ports. The failure mechanism has a selected melting temperature such that raising the temperature of the failure mechanism to its melting temperature causes the failure mechanism to unseal the venting port to allow controlled burning of the explosive material. An insert ring formed of a durable material to protect the failure mechanism from being damaged may be mounted on an outer surface of the failure mechanism. An adhesive may be used to seal gaps between the failure mechanism, the insert ring and the base plug. The failure mechanism may have a peripheral tab formed to fit within a corresponding groove in the base plug to mount the failure mechanism securely to the base plug.

Abstract: A weapon may include a translatable recoil mass and two translatable counterweights disposed on opposite sides of the recoil mass. Each counterweight may have a mass that is substantially one-half a mass of the recoil mass. A pair of racks may be fixed to respective ones of the counterweights and a second pair of racks may be fixed to opposites sides of the recoil mass. Pinions may engage the counterweight and recoil mass racks. A receiver may be fixed with respect to the recoil mass and the pair of counterweights. The directions of translation of the recoil mass are substantially opposite directions of translation of the two counterweights.

Abstract: A method of identifying and optionally neutralizing an undersea object (1, 1?) that might be an undersea mine and that is of known geographical position, in which an undersea intervention robot (4, 4?) is used suspended under an aircraft capable of stationary flight, such as a helicopter (7) or a drone, serving to bring the robot (4, 4?) into register with the object (1, 1?) for identification and possibly for being neutralized, the object is identified, and optionally it is neutralized.

Abstract: A blowgun for efficiently and accurately launching subcaliber projectiles comprises: an elongate barrel; a detent comprising a magnet affixed near the proximal end of the barrel and a protrusion partially obstructing the bore breech; an associated conical shell discarding sabot; and an associated subcaliber projectile having a magnetically attractable foreshaft and a lightweight elongate shaft. The magnet and the protrusion cooperate antagonistically to hold the projectile abuttingly seated against the sabot in loaded disposition pending launch. The projectile shaft serves in-flight as an aerodynamic stabilizer. Alternatively a subcaliber steel BB-shot is launched with a foam sabot. Another alternative embodiment operates without a detent. An additional alternative embodiment utilizes a blowgun comprising a barrel having a longitudinal straight-line groove in the inner surface of the bore.

Abstract: A shotgun includes a first barrel having a first barrel muzzle end and a second barrel having a second barrel muzzle end. The shotgun includes an expansion joint provided adjacent the first barrel muzzle end and the second barrel muzzle end to connect together the first barrel muzzle end to the second barrel muzzle end. The expansion joint is operative to allow movement of one of the first and second barrels relative to the other one of the first and second barrels to prevent bowing thereof.

Abstract: A rifle barrel adapter that ensures adequate mounting overlap for muzzle mounted grenades for proper firing alignment is described, which adapter is formed of only four parts: (1) an elongated unitary body with a narrowed cylindrical front section upon which the muzzle mounted grenade is mounted, which elongated unitary body has an enlarged rear section that is mounted about the muzzle end of the rifle barrel over the flash suppressor; (2) a unitary locking mechanism to secure the elongated unitary body to the muzzle end of the rifle; (3) a bias spring to maintain the unitary locking mechanism in place, and (4) a locking pin to hold the unitary locking mechanism in place within the unitary body.

Abstract: A reciprocally-cycled, externally-powered weapon may include a rotative driver connected via a crank and connecting rod to the operating group of the weapon. The connecting rod may be connected to a pinion that meshes with a translating rack and a stationary rack. The translating rack may be connected to the operating group, and the stationary rack may be fixed to the receiver of the weapon. The energy needed to fire the weapon may be supplied by an energy generator. The minimum amount of energy supplied by the energy generator may be independent of the speed of translation of the operating group and may be sufficient to reliably result in cartridge ignition, thereby providing an infinitely adjustable firing rate.

Abstract: An improved semiautomatic firearm is provided comprising as assembly which reduces the effort of cocking the firearm or loading a first cartridge. A spring tube contains an inner recoil spring which is employed only during cycling of the firearm when firing. For initial cocking purposes, the inner recoil spring is bypassed in favor of a lighter outer spring which is selectively engaged by the user. When the inner recoil spring is engaged, both inner and outer springs are employed without adversely affecting the recoil dynamics of the firearm.

Abstract: A glass-to-metal bushing for ignitors of airbags or belt tensioning pulleys. A metal pin is arranged in a slot in the base plate in the fixing material, the base plate being formed by one element whereby the base geometry describing the slot is produced by at least one separation process. Structure is provided between the front and rear of the base plate for preventing relative motion of the fixing material in the direction of the base plate rear portion across from the inner circumference of the slot.

Abstract: Firing assemblies for use with firearms are described. A firing assembly for use with a firearm includes a hammer pivotably coupled to a hammer shaft. The hammer includes a hammer stop notch that at least partially engages a portion of a lever of a trigger assembly when the hammer is in a cocked position and a control curve section that engages a surface of the lever to retain the lever in an unlocked position as the hammer moves between the cocked position and a firing position. Additionally, the firing assembly includes a control element pivotably coupled to the hammer shaft and adjacent the hammer, wherein the control element includes a first control curve portion that at least partially adjoins the control curve section and wherein the hammer interacts with the control element to change a control curve region as the hammer moves between cocked position and the firing position.

Abstract: A rifle conversion platform assembly comprised of components to fit around an existing action such that attachment locations such as a hand guard, pistol grip, and butt stock attachment locations are provided to have conventional rifle components, which in one form may be components of a high caliber semiautomatic rifle such as an AR-15, attached thereto.