Abstract: Dispensing systems, dispensers, and methods for dispensing a pepper spray or other irritant from a container. Such dispensers include a cap, a nozzle within the cap so as to be translatable relative to the cap, an actuator within the cap so as to be translatable relative to the cap and relative to the nozzle, and a biasing member that urges the actuator and nozzle apart. The nozzle is configured to attach to a valve stem of a canister and has a passageway through which the pepper spray is dispersed. The dispenser has a partially actuated position following a first actuation stage resulting from the actuator being translated until the actuator abuts the nozzle without causing the nozzle to translate, and a fully actuated position following a second actuation stage resulting from the actuator being further translated to cause the nozzle to simultaneously translate with the actuator.

Abstract: Dispensing systems, dispensers, and methods for dispensing a pressurized product from a container. Such a dispenser includes a cap, a nozzle within the cap so as to be translatable relative to the cap, an actuator within the cap so as to be translatable relative to the cap and relative to the nozzle, and a biasing member that urges the actuator and nozzle apart from each other. The nozzle is configured to attach to a valve stem of a canister and has a passageway through which the pressurized product is dispersed. The dispenser has a partially actuated position following a first actuation stage resulting from the actuator being translated until the actuator abuts the nozzle without causing the nozzle to translate, and a fully actuated position following a second actuation stage resulting from the actuator being further translated to cause the nozzle to simultaneously translate with the actuator.

Abstract: A pellet having an external configuration capable of promoting the aerodynamic and/or terminal (penetration) characteristics of the pellet. The pellet includes a head that defines a projectile tip coinciding with an axis of the pellet, and a raised pattern centered around the projectile tip. The raised pattern comprises a plurality of legs radiating from a center of the raised pattern that coincides with the projectile tip. The raised pattern is defined by at least two tiers that are generally congruent, of different size, and converge at the projectile tip. A smallest of the tiers is superimposed on a largest of the tiers and defines the projectile tip.

Abstract: A weapon-mountable designator/illuminator unit having a light source adapted to generate a light beam in a direction away from the unit. The light beam is variable between a collimated light beam and a divergent light beam for, respectively, designating a target and illuminating a target area of the weapon. At least a first modular power supply is adapted for installation in the designator/illuminator unit. The power supply includes a cage adapted to receive a power source, a first end adapted to be received within the designator/illuminator unit, and an end cap adapted to be exposed when the power supply is assembled with the unit. The power supply is adapted to deliver power from its power source to the light source of the designator/illuminator unit. The end cap may contain a light source for generating a light beam in addition to the light beam generated by the designator/illuminator unit.

Abstract: A signaling buoy and method suitable for emitting a light signal over long distances in marine environments. The buoy includes a watertight enclosure having a compartment, an aperture at an upper end of the enclosure for emitting a laser light beam therethrough, a laser light source disposed within the enclosure for generating the light beam, and a battery within the enclosure for powering the light source. Electrical contacts are disposed on an exterior of the enclosure and are adapted to complete an electrical circuit when an electrical short exists therebetween to conduct electrical power from the battery to the laser light source. The buoy is configured to float upright in water with the electrical contacts submersed in the water.

Abstract: Mount assemblies for securing laser sights (designators) to a wide variety of guns through mounting of the designator directly to an existing conventional scope. The mount assembly includes a base adapted for attaching the mount assembly to a scope, a rail pivotally attached to the base, and a ring assembly on the rail for mounting the designator to the rail. A first adjustment mechanism is provided for pivoting the rail in a first plane toward and away from the base to effect elevation changes in the trajectory of a laser beam generated by the designator, and a second adjustment mechanism is provided for pivoting the rail relative to the base in a second plane to effect windage changes in the trajectory of the laser beam.

Abstract: A novel, adjustable locking windage and elevation turret assembly capable of being re-zeroed, for the improved functionality and accuracy of a scope.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus and method for adjustably mounting, for example, an optical device to a rail interface of a firearm. The apparatus includes a base, a ring assembly configured to surround and grip the device, and at least two spacer members configured to be disposed and secured between the base and ring assembly. The ring assembly includes ring segments, a mechanism for securing the ring assembly to the base, and a mechanism for securing the ring segments together to grip the device therebetween. One of the ring segments has a support surface having a shape complementary to a support surface of the base. The spacer members are configured to be secured between the base and ring assemblies, and each spacer member has oppositely-disposed support surfaces configured to complementarily engage the support surface of either the base or ring assembly.

Abstract: A weapon-mountable designator/illuminator unit having a light source adapted to generate a light beam in a direction away from the unit. The light beam is variable between a collimated light beam and a divergent light beam for, respectively, designating a target and illuminating a target area of the weapon. At least a first modular power supply is adapted for installation in the designator/illuminator unit. The power supply includes a cage adapted to receive a power source, a first end adapted to be received within the designator/illuminator unit, and an end cap adapted to be exposed when the power supply is assembled with the unit. The power supply is adapted to deliver power from its power source to the light source of the designator/illuminator unit. The end cap may contain a light source for generating a light beam in addition to the light beam generated by the designator/illuminator unit.

Abstract: Binoculars with an integrated laser light source capable of illuminating the optical field of view through the binoculars to provide concise and effective viewing under limited visibility conditions. The integrated light source generates a coherent laser light beam that has variably adjustable divergence.

Abstract: A signaling buoy and method suitable for emitting a light signal over long distances in marine environments. The buoy includes a watertight enclosure having a compartment, an aperture at an upper end of the enclosure for emitting a laser light beam therethrough, a laser light source disposed within the enclosure for generating the light beam, and a battery within the enclosure for powering the light source. Electrical contacts are disposed on an exterior of the enclosure and are adapted to complete an electrical circuit when an electrical short exists therebetween to conduct electrical power from the battery to the laser light source. The buoy is configured to float upright in water with the electrical contacts submersed in the water.

Abstract: A mechanism adapted for rapid attachment/detachment of a lighting device to a rail system of a host weapon system. The mechanism includes a body, a fixed rail clamp, and a floating rail clamp that is adjustably attached to the body in an opposing manner to the fixed rail clamp to provide a clamping effect therebetween. The floating rail clamp has a recess in a surface opposite the fixed rail clamp. A holding screw passes through a bore in the fixed rail clamp, and a clamp screw passes through a slot in the floating rail clamp and is threaded into one end of the holding screw. An oppositely-disposed end of the clamp screw protrudes within the recess of the floating rail clamp, and a cam arm has a first end pivotably coupled to the second end of the clamp screw and an oppositely-disposed distal end that protrudes from the recess.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus and method for adjustably mounting, for example, an optical device to a rail interface of a firearm. The apparatus includes a base, a ring assembly configured to surround and grip the device, and at least two spacer members configured to be disposed and secured between the base and ring assembly. The ring assembly includes ring segments, a mechanism for securing the ring assembly to the base, and a mechanism for securing the ring segments together to grip the device therebetween. One of the ring segments has a support surface having a shape complementary to a support surface of the base. The spacer members are configured to be secured between the base and ring assemblies, and each spacer member has oppositely-disposed support surfaces configured to complementarily engage the support surface of either the base or ring assembly.