Abstract: A method is provided that can include activating at least two wireless communication channels in parallel, between a first wireless transceiver and a second wireless transceiver. Each of the at least two wireless communication channels can operate at a different radio carrier frequency, and the first wireless transceiver may be part of a first vehicle. The method can also include transmitting, by the first wireless transceiver, common information in parallel on the at least two wireless communication channels to the second wireless transceiver and deactivating the at least two wireless communication channels.

Abstract: A reduced volume drumhead has a layer of porous material and a ring of compressible material. The ring of compressible material is fixed to the underside of the layer of porous material in a substantially centered or coaxial position with the porous material stretched across a hoop in tension. The ring may be formed of a foam or similar material with compressibility and stretchability under tension and defines an open central area of the drumhead for striking. The ring may be formed of segments and thus include one or more circumferential breaks with spacing. The drumhead provides natural tonal characteristics and has a natural feel when struck.

Abstract: A drum key includes a shank portion and defines a top hole for receiving an elongate rod, such as a drumstick. A distal end of the shank includes a socket engageable with a tension rod in a drum. A drumstick is insertable through the hole of the drum key to form a torquing wrench in situ. When formed, the drumstick forms a cross member that is used to apply a torquing force about the axis defined by the shank. Once used, the drumstick can be removed, yielding a low profile drum key that is portable.

Abstract: A snare unit formed from film material includes a plurality of slots that define segments. The snare unit is attachable relative to a drumhead with a surface of the film flat against a surface of the drumhead. In the attached position, one or more of the segments vibrates against the drumhead when the drumhead is struck to produce a snare-like audible sound. In a drumhead with reduced volume, the snare unit is positioned flat against one or more layers of a porous material to define a drumhead and attached such that a portion of the snare unit vibrates against a surface of the porous material when the drumhead is struck, thereby producing a snare-like sound having a volume reduced relative to a standard drumhead.

Abstract: A reduced volume drumhead has a layer of porous material and a ring of compressible material. The ring of compressible material is fixed to the underside of the layer of porous material in a substantially centered or coaxial position with the porous material stretched across a hoop in tension. The ring may be formed of a foam or similar material with compressibility and stretchability under tension and defines an open central area of the drumhead for striking. The ring may be formed of segments and thus include one or more circumferential breaks with spacing. The drumhead provides natural tonal characteristics and has a natural feel when struck.

Abstract: A snare unit formed from film material includes a plurality of slots that define segments. The snare unit is attachable relative to a drumhead with a surface of the film flat against a surface of the drumhead. In the attached position, one or more of the segments vibrates against the drumhead when the drumhead is struck to produce a snare-like audible sound. In a drumhead with reduced volume, the snare unit is positioned flat against one or more layers of a porous material to define a drumhead and attached such that a portion of the snare unit vibrates against a surface of the porous material when the drumhead is struck, thereby producing a snare-like sound having a volume reduced relative to a standard drumhead.

Abstract: An explosive breaching device is made from a surplus bomblet. The bomblet includes a shaped-charge liner, a steel fragmentation case with an open end, explosive material disposed between the shaped-charge liner and the steel fragmentation case, and a fuze. The fuze of the bomblet is removed and a shock-attenuating case is fixed adjacent to and coaxial with the steel fragmentation case. The shock-attenuating case may be made of a material having a speed of sound that differs from the speed of sound in the steel fragmentation case. A mild steel housing is fixed around the shock-attenuating case. A retaining sleeve may be fixed to the mild steel housing. The explosive breaching device may be mounted in an aiming device to direct the shaped-charge jet in a desired direction.

Abstract: A customer satisfaction prediction tool is usable to determine a point value for each of a plurality of leading and lagging service indicators associated with a plurality of service cases. The leading indicators may be based on currently open service cases and the lagging indicators may be based on closed service cases. The tool also is usable to add together the point values to produce a total point value, compute an index score based on the total point value, and display the computed index scores.

Abstract: A cluster munition may include a plurality of submunitions that are ejected from a delivery vehicle. Each submunition is single target discriminating and includes electronic self-destruct and self-deactivate capability. Each submunition includes a microprocessor and a wireless communication device connected to the microprocessor. Each submunition includes a deployable antenna/stabilizer that functions as an antenna for the wireless communication device and as a stabilizer to stabilize the descent of the submunition. Optionally, the deployable antenna/stabilizer may also facilitate ejection of the submunition from the delivery vehicle. The submunitions may wirelessly communicate with each other and with other entities.

Abstract: A child's car seat assembly includes built-in components enabling wireless gaming applications. A child's car seat assembly includes built-in components enabling two-way, person-to-person communications. A child's car seat assembly includes built-in components enabling both wireless gaming applications and two-way, person-to-person communications. The child's car seat assembly of the invention is intended for use with an infant or toddler.

Abstract: A method of converting a bomblet into a hand-thrown grenade may include providing a bomblet having a fuze, a shaped-charge liner, a casing, and explosive material disposed between the shaped-charge liner and the casing. The fuze may be removed from the bomblet. A housing may be attached a fuze end of the bomblet. The housing may adjoin the casing. A cavity that abuts and is exterior to the shaped-charge liner may be filled with a filler material, such as pellets. A hand-grenade fuze may be attached to the fuze end of the bomblet.

Abstract: A Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM) bomblet may be converted into a gun-launched grenade. The bomblet may include a fuze, a shaped-charge liner, a casing, and explosive material disposed between the shaped-charge liner and the casing. An ogive may be attached to an open end of the bomblet. A generally cup-shaped pusher may be placed over the fuze and attached to the bomblet casing. A conventional cartridge case assembly may be fixed to a fuze end of the bomblet. When the gun-launched grenade impacts a target, the casing may shatter to form shrapnel and a shaped-charge jet may be formed.

Abstract: A child's car seat assembly includes built-in components enabling wireless gaming applications. A child's car seat assembly includes built-in components enabling two-way, person-to-person communications. A child's car seat assembly includes built-in components enabling both wireless gaming applications and two-way, person-to-person communications. The child's car seat assembly of the invention is intended for use with an infant or toddler.

Abstract: An exercise device comprises a frame, including a pair of arcuate rails having a central curved portion, a first end, and a second end. The pair of rails are disposed in fixed parallel relation with one another with a first end member interconnecting the first ends of the rails and a second end member interconnecting the second ends of the rails. The exercise device further comprises a platform operatively connected to the frame for supporting a person thereon. The device may be oriented in various orientations including: 1) a rocking orientation wherein the curved portions of the pair of rails abut a surface on which the device is placed such that the device may move in a rocking motion relative to the surface and 2) a stationary orientation wherein the first end member and the second end member abut the surface on which the device is placed such that the device is stationary relative to the surface.

Abstract: An exercise device comprises a frame, including a pair of arcuate rails having a central curved portion, a first end, and a second end. The pair of rails are disposed in fixed parallel relation with one another with a first end member interconnecting the first ends of the rails and a second end member interconnecting the second ends of the rails. The exercise device further comprises a platform operatively connected to the frame for supporting a person thereon. The device may be oriented in various orientations including: 1) a rocking orientation wherein the curved portions of the pair of rails abut a surface on which the device is placed such that the device may move in a rocking motion relative to the surface and 2) a stationary orientation wherein the first end member and the second end member abut the surface on which the device is placed such that the device is stationary relative to the surface.

Abstract: A game includes a game board, a paper shredder; and a plurality of shreddable cards having various visually-identifiable indicia. The game board, the paper shredder and the shreddable cards are arranged in a box. A method of playing the game includes shredding a first of the plurality of cards; receiving, by a player, the shredded pieces of the first card; attempting to identify the visually-identifiable indicia depicted on a first side of the first card; and controlling game play, on the game board, based on the success of the step of attempting to identify the visually-identifiable indicia depicted on the first card.

Abstract: A game includes a game board, a paper shredder; and a plurality of shreddable cards having various visually-identifiable indicia. The game board, the paper shredder and the shreddable cards are arranged in a box. A method of playing the game includes shredding a first of the plurality of cards; receiving, by a player, the shredded pieces of the first card; attempting to identify the visually-identifiable indicia depicted on a first side of the first card; and controlling game play, on the game board, based on the success of the step of attempting to identify the visually-identifiable indicia depicted on the first card.