Abstract: A paintball gun barrel with compression chamber that increases the distance and accuracy of shots fired from a paintball gun. An outer tube (2) with portholes (15) is placed over an inner tube (13) with portholes (15) and connects to the inner tube (13) via threads (14). The outer tube (2) is lined with a spongy filter (16). Thus, when a shot is fired, the CO2 used to propel a paintball is released from the compression chamber at a much slower rate of speed as compared to traditional paintball guns, thereby increasing the range of a paintball. Additionally, the spirally scored inner tube (13) imparts a spin to the paintball for even better accuracy.

Abstract: A shock force indicating device for measuring and visually displaying the extent of a shock force received by an article during handling of the article is disclosed. The device has a cavity formed between a base member and a top member having a raised portion. A bearing is disposed within the cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the top member and the base member provide a compressive force to the bearing such that the bearing is held in place until the device is subjected to a shock force greater than a predetermined threshold. The base member has a pressure sensitive material which provides a visually identifiable path which traces the movement of the bearing when the bearing moves in response to a shock force to the device. The base member may have indicating marks for representing a scale with which to measure a component of a force to the device. The top member is transparent for easy viewing of the indicating marks.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a detachable flexible handle for a power hand tool and an attachment system associated with the handle and the tool for releasably attaching either a rigid or the flexible handle to the power hand tool. The system has housing attachment recesses on the tool that receive attachment clips located at opposite end portions of the flexible handle or structure of a rigid handle.

Abstract: An undercut saw (10) having a central axis (11) generally comprises a cutting assembly (20) and a base (60). Cutting assembly (20) comprises case (30) housing electric motor (24) driving blade (50). Base (60), supporting cutting assembly (20) above a support surface, comprises cylindrical sleeve (63), supporting case (30) such that central axis (11) is vertical, and shroud (61) terminating in foot (98) for resting on a support surface. Case (30) and sleeve (63) are cooperatively adapted such that case (30) may be selectively moved vertically within sleeve (63) and retained in the selected position so as to adjust the height of blade (50) relative to foot (98). Vacuum attachment (100), immediately adjacent cutting area (53) to maximize collection, vacuums cuttings from blade cavity (97). Blade guard (132) rotates to an extended position covering cutting area (56) of blade (50) so as to include cutting area (56) in blade cavity (97).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for automatically setting a page size for an application based on a size of a display. An amount of work area on a display that is available to an application for data input is determined. A page size is set based on the available amount of the work area.

Abstract: An energy absorbing knee bolster assembly for a vehicle includes a knee deflector for partially surrounding a steering column of the vehicle. The energy absorbing knee bolster assembly also includes left and right energy absorbing knee bolster brackets on opposite sides of the knee deflector. The knee deflector and the energy absorbing knee bolster brackets are integral, unitary, and one-piece.

Abstract: An undercut saw (10) having a central axis (11) generally comprises a cutting assembly (20) and a base (60). Cutting assembly (20) comprises case (30) housing electric motor (24) that drives shaft (40), upon which saw blade (50) is mounted. Base (60) supports cutting assembly (20) above a support surface and comprises cylindrical sleeve (63) supporting case (30) such that central axis (11) is vertical, horizontal portion (94), and vertical leg portion (96) extending down from the periphery of horizontal portion (94) and terminating in foot (98) for resting on a support surface. Case (30) and sleeve (63) are cooperatively adapted such that case (30) can be selectively moved vertically within sleeve (63) and retained in the selected position so as to adjust the height of blade (50) relative to foot (98). In a first preferred embodiment, case (30) and sleeve (63) include cooperating screwing devices for adjusting blade (50) height. Line cord (26) departs motor assembly (22) along central axis (11).

Abstract: An energy absorbing knee bolster assembly for a vehicle includes a knee deflector for partially surrounding a steering column of the vehicle. The energy absorbing knee bolster assembly also includes left and right energy absorbing knee bolster brackets on opposite sides of the knee deflector. The knee deflector and the energy absorbing knee bolster brackets are integral, unitary, and one-piece.

Abstract: A life jacket comprises a back panel defining a first flotation pocket and adapted to lie adjacent a wearer's back and a front panel defining a second flotation pocket, the front panel being connected with the back panel and adapted to lie adjacent the wearer's front. A pocket member is hingedly attached to and supported from the front panel and is adapted to contain and retain emergency accessories. The pocket member includes a relatively stiff plate member having an inner surface facing toward the front panel when the pocket member is closed and an outer surface facing away from the front panel when the pocket member is closed. The pocket member includes a third flotation pocket that is defined by two layers of a flexible material. Flotation material is located in the first, second and third flotation pockets.

Abstract: An undercut saw (10) having a central axis (11) generally comprises a cutting assembly (20) and a base (60). Cutting assembly (20) comprises case (30) housing electric motor (24) driving blade (50). Base (60), supporting cutting assembly (20) above a support surface, comprises cylindrical sleeve (63), supporting case (30) such that central axis (11) is vertical, and shroud (61) terminating in foot (98) for resting on a support surface. Case (30) and sleeve (63) are cooperatively adapted such that case (30) may be selectively moved vertically within sleeve (63) and retained in the selected position so as to adjust the height of blade (50) relative to foot (98). Vacuum attachment (100), immediately adjacent cutting area (53) to maximize collection, vacuums cuttings from blade cavity (97). Blade guard (132) rotates to an extended position covering cutting area (56) of blade (50) so as to include cutting area (56) in blade cavity (97).

Abstract: An undercut saw (10) having a central axis (11) generally comprises a cutting assembly (20) and a base (60). Cutting assembly (20) comprises case (30) housing electric motor (24) that drives shaft (40), upon which saw blade (50) is mounted. Base (60) supports cutting assembly (20) above a support surface and comprises cylindrical sleeve (63) supporting case (30) such that central axis (11) is vertical, horizontal portion (94), and vertical leg portion (96) extending down from the periphery of horizontal portion (94) and terminating in foot (98) for resting on a support surface. Case (30) and sleeve (63) are cooperatively adapted such that case (30) may be selectively moved vertically within sleeve (63) and retained in the selected position so as to adjust the height of blade (50) relative to foot (98). In a first preferred embodiment, case (30) and sleeve (63) include cooperating screwing means for adjusting blade (50) height. Line cord (26) departs motor assembly (22) along central axis (11).

Abstract: The protective element includes a flexible, cotton flannel base portion and a wax portion which impregnates the base portion to produce a combination article, wherein the wax portion is formulated so that the combination article is sufficiently flexible to prevent the wax portion from cracking away from the base portion at room temperature, and further such that the flexibility of the article increases sufficiently when the article is warmed by placement in the mouth to permit conforming application of the article to the dental appliance, and further such that the article remains in place against the dental appliance during use.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels (12) includes a steering wheel (18) and a power steering motor (20) which is operated in response to rotation of the steering wheel. A first spring (120) is connected with the steering wheel (18) and urges the steering wheel to rotate in one direction. A second spring (124) is connected with the power steering motor (20) and urges the power steering motor to operate in a direction to urge the steering wheel (18) to turn in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first spring (120) urges the steering wheel to turn. The two springs (120, 124) cooperate to take up lash in a linkage (24) between the power steering motor (20) and the steering wheel (18).

Abstract: An improved transverse pressurization contour (TPC) slider and method for manufacturing the same in which the TPC surfaces occupy more than 50% of the slider rail surfaces. The rail widths may be defined by a shallow etching step in conjunction with a deeper central saw cut defining an ambient pressure slot. Alternatively, the rail widths may be defined by multiple saw cuts. The air bearing surfaces (ABS) may be defined in a single photolithographic step. Utilizing TPC surfaces of greater than 50% of the rail surfaces allows the use of saw cuts to define the rail dimensions and ambient pressure slot with decreased sensitivity to lateral mispositioning of the cuts. The improved TPC slider and method for manufacturing the same provides a simplified, reproducible device and process which is much more rapidly effectuated than processes relying on conventional chemical etching, reactive ion etching or ion milling operations.

Abstract: A mounting device is provided for mounting a window regulator drive unit on a molded plastic mounting panel. A plurality of flexible tabs are molded integral with the mounting panel and adapted to engage with the window regulator drive unit to retain the drive unit on the mounting panel. A molded plastic cap is adapted to fit over the drive unit and has integrally molded mounting fingers for engaging with complimentary integrally molded mounting fingers provided on the mounting panel so that rotation of the plastic cap causes inter-engagement of the mounting fingers and the drive unit is captured between the cap and the mounting panel. The cap has slots therein which become engaged with projecting lugs of the flexible tabs upon rotation of the cap relative to the mounting panel so that the flexible tabs become blocked and cannot be disengaged from their respective engagement with the drive unit.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of monitoring surface resistivity distribution resulting from vacuum deposition of thin, transparent metal films on moving plastic film or other transparent substrates. The process comprises applying to the metallized film electromagnetic radiation and detecting a band width of electromagnetic radiation transmitted through or reflected from the metallized film in the near-infrared region, more particularly within the wavelength range of about 1.5 to 3.0 microns. The detected band width permits excellent correlation between emanant radiation and local conductivity or, reciprocally, resistivity of vacuum deposited gold, silver, and copper. Vacuum deposition can occur, e.g., by vacuum evaporation or sputtering. The metallized films are useful in the production of electrically heated transparent closures such as for automobile windshields.