Abstract: A trigger assembly comprises a trigger frame having a body with a cavity therein, a handle connected to the body, a trigger guard on the body defining a space with which a portion of the cavity is in communication, a connection member on the body, a slot member on the body, and abutment surfaces within the cavity. It also comprises a trigger pivotably mounted and movable within the trigger frame and comprising a body portion, a pivot connection means on the body portion connectable to the connection member of the body, a lever extending from the body portion for contact by a user, an engagement portion for engaging a firing mechanism to initiate discharge, and a rod connection means associated with the body portion for connecting the trigger to a rod to initiate re-arming.

Abstract: A musical instrument apparatus including multiple parallel strings defining a string line and a keyboard overlay positioned at an acute angle to the string line to allow for consistent playing feel by consistently positioning the hammers on the keys while allowing large key spacing with minimized distance between the strings. The hammers are directly mounted to the keys and are adapted to either cause vibration of the strings or clamp the strings against the upper surface of a neck board so that the strings may have multi tonal capabilities as is commonly used with a fret board neck on a guitar. The strings can be played with just the keyboard, but the strings also extend past an edge of the keyboard overlay so that the user can directly play the multiple parallel strings to achieve a guitar sound. Both an electrical pickup and an acoustical body are provided for further sound variety.

Abstract: A steering suspension system utilizing a flexible push/pull cable attached from an operator input mechanism across a suspension system to a wheel steering mechanism. An operator input mechanism is located within a land vehicle structure supported by a wheel. A suspension system connects the wheel to the land vehicle structure and a wheel steering mechanism is used to connect the wheel to the suspension system. The flexible cable connection minimizes the complexity in number of parts for the steering system while providing a flexible connection to the wheel steering mechanism allowing free suspension movement with minimal or negligible affects provided from the steering linkage.

Abstract: An internal reset system for paint ball markers. A hammer body as modified rearwardly to include an axial opening to receivably retain the forward head of a reset rod. The forward portion of the reset rod is thus free to reciprocate within the axial opening, but restrained, during the reset phase, when the head of the reset rod internally encounters a flange at the rear of the axial opening. In this phase the reset rod carries the hammer to the reset position, compressing a spring, where it is retained by the trigger sear ready for the next firing. The rear end of the reset rod is affixed to a back block that mechanically connects the modified hammer assembly and the marker bolt. In one embodiment the hammer is modified by a hammer sleeve, attached rearwardly to the hammer body and having an axial opening for the head of the reset rod.

Abstract: An automotive windshield cover is taught using a pliable sheet with a central body for covering the windshield and side tabs that may be closed in the gasket seal between the side doors and the door frame. The sheet may include a top flexible tab for extending onto part of the roof of the vehicle and a bottom flexible tab for either extending onto the hood or for insertion into the cowl vent at the bottom of the windshield. The bottom tab is made with a contoured shape that follows shape of the sides of the cowl vent. The cover may also be inserted under the spring biased windshield wipers to be held in place. Tearing stress on the bottom tab is accounted for with a relaxed angle approach on the bottom tab to body connection. Also taught is a method for using the cover.

Abstract: A mechanism for preventing the chopping by the firing bolt of a paintball stuck or only partially inserted into the gun barrel. The bolt comprises an axial channel admitting compressed gas through a radial intake port in the proximal section of the bolt and leading the gas through a elbow-zone and an axial portion to a discharge port at the leading edge of the bolt. A sleeve slidingly engaged over the bolt as a radial aperture which is maintained in line with the intake port by a compressible coil spring, and has a leading portion extending ahead of the bolt. When the firing mechanism translates the bolt and sleeve to place the intake port and aperture in line with a gas-supplying outlet, any obstruction in the gun barrel upon being contacted by the leading edge of the sleeve, causes the sleeve to resiliently slide backward. The misalignment of the aperture and intake port prevents gas from expanding through the bolt channel and into the gun barrel.

Abstract: The use of a frictional engagement with the top and/or side of a lifter ring on the neck of a bottle for controlling the rotation of the bottle during the capping process. The frictional engagement may be used to hold the bottle steady during the capping process or may be utilized to cause counter rotation of the bottle during the capping process. A method and apparatus for using counter rotation of the bottle to apply a cap to a bottle is also described.