Abstract: A method for loading a muzzle loading firearm with a projectile. The projectile including a bullet; a gas check member; and a pin or cavity affixed to the bullet and a mating member affixed to the gas check member for frictional attachment of bullet to gas check member. The bullet has a diameter less than the bore of the firearm to minimize scoring or deformation of the bullet during the loading procedure; to facilitate loading; and to improve the ballistics of the bullet; and the gas check member being constructed of resilient plastic material and having a diameter exceeding the diameter of the bore for holding the bullet in place within the bore over the charge. The gas check member attaches by the mating attachment members to the bullet rearward of the maximum diameter of the bullet to prevent any interference between bullet and bore as the bullet obturates during firing.

Abstract: Embodiments of an insert are shown and described, each insert being for use with recreational boards, such as snow boards, to attach bindings or other equipment onto the board. Each insert is imbedded into the board, by being inserted and cemented into a two-diameter hole drilled in the board from the bottom. Each insert includes a generally cylindrical shaft extending up through the narrow portion of the hole to the top surface of the board, for receiving screws or bolts into the threaded interior space of the insert. Each insert embodiment includes a non-round base having an outer perimeter edge that is not a circle in shape. The preferable hexagonal base and the preferably U-shaped channels on the exterior surface of the shaft prevent the insert from breaking loose from the cement and rotating.

Abstract: Embodiments of a fluid filtering assembly are shown and described, each embodiment including a valve head that routes fluid to and from a filter cartridge and that includes a valve system that automatically opens and closes when the filter cartridge is inserted and removed, respectively. The valve system preferably includes a generally-cylindrical piston with a hollow interior space, which receives a stem member. The stem member has a bottom-end seat or sealing member and has a central body shape that allows fluid to flow up through the piston interior space, either through or up around the stem member. Upon removal of the filter cartridge, the piston is biased to move down into an "off" position, to close both the inlet and outlet fluid passages. In this "off" position, the piston exterior surface blocks off radial fluid inlets and the piston interior surface seals with the stem bottom end seat to prevent fluid backflow out of the piston interior space.