Abstract: An improved muzzleloading firearm having a novel safety system. The safety system utilizes a spool coupled to a compression spring to maintain an ignition system such as a primer out of potential contact with a firing pin, even in the event of unintentional actuation of a hammer or sear. The safety system is automatic in operation, automatically placing the ignition system within reach of the firing pin when the firearm is placed into battery.

Abstract: A buoyant lounger. The buoyant lounger has an outer loop constructed of a plurality of releasably secured resilient foam sections. A resilient containment band is placed within the outer loop and a plurality of mesh chairs are coupled between the containment band and the outer loop to produce a floating, buoyant lounger, which can accommodate a plurality of users. The buoyant lounger may be quickly and easily disassembled for transport and storage.

Abstract: A motor for converting fluid pressure to rotational motivation and pump for moving fluid, comprising a first drum provided within a second drum. The first drum is provided with a pair of vanes, each provided with a generally heart-shaped slot around a drum shaft. The orientation of the drum shaft and shape of the slots cause the vanes to extend and retract relative to the inner drum as fluid pressure or mechanical motion rotate the inner drum relative to the outer drum.

Abstract: A collapsible bag comprising a flexible outer skin, defining an interior and a substantially unobstructed opening. Reinforcing material is provided around said opening to define a pocket containing a rigid support, which allows the bag to hydrostabilize when filled with a fluid.

Abstract: A condensation apparatus comprising a fluid and means for changing said fluid from a liquid to a pressurized gas. Means are provided for condensing a portion of said pressurized gas to a first quantity of said liquid, and for deriving work from said pressurized gas as said pressurized gas condenses to said first quantity of said liquid.

Abstract: A wheel support assembly comprising a leg coupled to a wheel and rotatably coupled within a journal, wherein the end of the leg opposite the wheel is provided with a lateral planar surface, and a base plate is provided over the journal with a collar secured to the base plate and having a substantially flat surface is secured around the inner leg with the substantially flat surface provided over the planar surface. The wheel support assembly is also provided with a spring secured to a spring plate and means for rotating the base plate relative to the spring plate.

Abstract: A motor comprising a shaft with four racks which translate linear actuation of the racks to rotational motion of the shaft through pinions secured to sprag clutch assemblies. Motion of the rack assemblies is preferably offset to maintain a substantially constant rotation of the shaft during operation of the motor. The motor uses a pair of primary fluid expansion chambers to generate linear actuation of a first pair of racks, and a pair of secondary expansion chambers to generate linear actuation of the remaining racks.

Abstract: A process for creating a curved rail for use by a trolley by providing a rail having a first side, a second side, a third side, a first edge located between said first side and said second side, and a second edge located between said second side and said third side. The process comprises pinching the first edge and second edge with sufficient force to provide a substantially constant curvature across a majority of said second side. The pinching is not only inexpensive, but also hardens the surface of the rail.

Abstract: A variable release system comprising a first catch, a second catch, and a container containing at least a portion of each catch. A cord is coupled to the first catch to allow the first catch to be moved from the container. The second catch is releasably coupled to the first catch to draw the second catch out of the container as the cord pulls the first catch out of the container. The second catch is constructed so as to cause the second catch to engage the container and substantially prevent dislodgement relative thereto once the first catch has been removed. Preferably, the system is operable in the reverse so that if the second catch, is removed from the container, the first catch becomes engaged to the container.

Abstract: A motor or converting fluid pressure to rotational motivation and pump for moving fluid, comprising an outer race centered about a first axis and an inner race centered about a second axis. The first axis is different from, but parallel to, the second axis. A plurality of vanes is coupled for movement relative to the inner race and a fluid is provided into the vane at a pressure sufficient to cause the vane to rotationally drive the inner race relative to the outer race. Alternatively, the inner race may be driven directly to pump fluid between the inner race and the outer race.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for a ride height adjustable vehicle is provided having a leg which is coupled to a wheel and rotatably coupled within a journal. A base plate is secured to the leg and a pair of uprights are secured to the journal. The uprights are secured to the journal substantially parallel to one another. The uprights are secured to the top of a spring and the spring is secured to a spring plate. Means are provided for rotating the base plate relative to the spring plate, and the spring plate is slidably coupled to both the first upright and the second upright.

Abstract: A fluid valve system is provided for a variable stroke motor. The valve has a housing forming a cylinder, a first fluid input into the cylinder, a first fluid output out of the cylinder, a second fluid input into the cylinder, and a second fluid output out of the cylinder. Provided within the cylinder is a shaft provided with slots. As the shaft rotates into a first position, fluid communication between the first fluid input and the first fluid output is shut off, while fluid communication between the second fluid input and second fluid output is opened. As the shaft rotates to a second position, communication between the first fluid input and first fluid output is opened, while the communication between the second fluid input and the second fluid output is shut off. The device is preferably hooked up to a drive cylinder in fluid communication with the first fluid output and the second fluid input. A piston is provided within the drive cylinder.

Abstract: An improved trolley for use on a track. The improved trolley is of a sandwich construction having a wear resistant interior and a pair of metal end plates. The wear resistant material is preferably plastic or other material designed to avoid damaging a track along which the trolley rides. The end plates are preferably stainless steel and of a diameter greater than the diameter of the center wheel to prevent the trolley from becoming dislodged from a track. By providing a sandwich of long wearing and non brittle materials, the longevity of the trolley is increased and corrosion concerns associated with prior art devices is substantially alleviated.

Abstract: An in-ground pool with an inflatable flange and a non-rigid flexible body to permit the body to conform to the interior surface of a hole. The pool is designed with an exterior circumferential flange which is placed around the ledge of a hole dug in sand or soil which positions the body of the pool over the interior surface of the hole. The pool may then be filled with water with the interior surface of the hole acting as lateral support for the pool. The flange is secured to the ground with stakes which engage the flange and are driven into the ground around the exterior perimeter of the flange. When it is desired to remove the pool, the water is removed and the flange deflated so that the pool may be folded for storage and/or transport.

Abstract: A protective hole cover having a plurality of slots along which slide friction locks secured by screws. Since the slots extend radially outward, the protective hole cover may be releasably secured to holes of varying dimensions. To secure the hole cover, two of the friction locks are positioned at an appropriate distance from the center of the protective hole cover and secured by the screws extending through the slots and into the friction locks. The protective hole cover is then placed within a hole with the two friction locks contacting an interior surface of the hole. The third friction lock is then slid outward to engage the interior surface of the hole as well and the friction lock is thereafter tightened to secure the protective hole cover over the hole. When it is desired to remove the protective hole cover, one of the screws 40 is loosened and the friction lock slid inward toward the center of the protective hole cover.

Abstract: A wall anchor having a first inclined plane secured to a second inclined plane by a connector. The connector is resilient to allow the inclined planes to move relative to one another. The inclined planes are oriented opposite one another, in a manner which increases their combined height as the inclined planes slide in a first direction relative to one another, and which decreases their combined height as the inclined planes slide in a second direction relative to one another. A retainer is secured to the first inclined plane and is used to insert the inclined planes into a hole in a wall. After the inclined planes have been inserted, the retainer is withdrawn slightly, which causes the inclined planes to slide relative to one another and increase their combined height to wedge the inclined planes against an interior surface of the hole. In this manner, a retainer may be securely and manually anchored to a wall.

Abstract: An intracellular surgical tool for removing material from an eye of a patient. The tool is provided with a blade to allow the tool to make its own incision in the eye. The tool is provided with a cutting assembly and an aspiration apparatus to remove a portion of vitreous from the eye for inspection and testing. The tool is also fitted with a mechanism for replacing the removed vitreous with saline or similar fluid. The tool is portable having a housing and battery pack releasably coupled to one another. The cutting assembly is releasably secured to the housing. Accordingly, the housing may be removed and the cutting assembly discarded so that the housing may be sterilized before performing a vitrectomy.

Abstract: A tool adapted for use with a drill for installing screw anchors in concrete or masonry walls or the like having a sleeve type body, a bit holder slidably located in the body, a drill bit with a handle secured in the bit holder, a coil spring seated on a collar of a bit holder and extending around the bit, a set screw to retain the drill bit in the bit holder and also to serve as a means to advance and retract the drill bit, a cutout comprised of a longitudinal slot, a retainer notch, and at least one depth notch, and a driver seat capable of retaining a driver bit and further capable of releasable attachment to the sleeve type body. The attachment cap allows ready conversion of the tool from a drill to a driver and back again.

Abstract: A decorative visual display device for circulating a fluid and simulated snow particles around a diorama. A snow globe is provided with a fluid propeller to circulate the fluid and particles within an outer transparent shell to provide the visual effect of snow falling on the diorama. A motor is placed within the base of the snow globe and may be actuated or deactuated to start and stop the snowfall effect.

Abstract: A flushing apparatus for collecting and removing debris from a rain gutter to permit the unobstructed flow of water through a gutter downspout. The apparatus includes a channel section forming one end of the gutter and having a pair of sidewalls, a screen member and a raised portion associated with the screen member. The raised portion is of a height sized to induce water in the gutter to drop through the screen member into the downspout. The screen member is pivotable between a normal position which prevents the debris from passing into the downspout, and a cleaning position which removes the debris from the screen member.