Abstract: A detent body with a center bore is secured to the chamber wall of a paint-ball gun. A floating detent with a hollow core and a domed tip reciprocates within the center bore, allowing the tip to extend into the chamber to restrict movement of a paint ball. Axially aligned slots extend through opposing sides of the floating detent. A pin extends through the slots and corresponding pin holes in opposing sides of the detent body to create a stationary abutment for limiting axial movement of the floating detent. A compressive spring disposed within the hollow core between the pin and the inner end urges the outer tip into the chamber. A set screw threaded into the end of the hollow core engages the pin and the floating detent. Rotation of the set screw regulates axial movement of the outer tip into and out of the chamber.

Abstract: An electric fish barrier for deterring fish from entering a water intake in a reservoir or along a waterway has a set of conductive members at a first voltage potential and a second set of conductive members at a second voltage potential. The conductive members are disposed on support piles extending up from the bottom of the reservoir. Each conductive member extends vertically between a pre-determined range of depths from an upper depth to a lower depth, forming a contiguous voltage gradient between the two sets of conductive members. Fish are drawn to the attraction flow of water flowing into the intake. The two sets of conductive members are oriented such that the attraction flow passes through the contiguous voltage gradient, thereby deterring the fish from following the attraction flow into the water intake.

Abstract: A dispensing device comprising a container with product outlets, a screw that operates a piston within the container and a torsion spring that biases the screw. The torsion spring includes a hoop having one or more inner tabs. The hoop is frictionally engaged with an interior surface of the container. A boss is fixed to the screw and a flexible arm interconnects the hoop and boss. The torsion spring also includes a spoke that is angularly offset from the flexible arm. Application of a rotational force to the screw urges the piston toward the container outlets, causing the flexible arm to yield, allowing the boss to rotate relative to the hoop until the spoke engages an inner tab. Further rotation releases the hoop from frictional engagement with the container. Once the rotational force is removed, the hoop re-engages the container interior surface and the flexible arm regains its original shape, causing the hub and screw to counter-rotate, which simultaneously moves the piston away from the fluid outlets.

Abstract: A direct braking of a drive shaft for a tracked vehicle that moves on rotating track(s). A disc brake is connected to the same drive shaft that has sprocket(s) for engaging the track(s). Upon activation by a vehicle driver, opposing pistons engage the disc to retard rotation of the drive shaft. This, in turn, causes slower rotation of the tracks and slower movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: An L-shaped tube has a horizontal member that fits into a trailer hitch, and a vertical member. A platform is secured to a post that fits into the vertical member. The platform has bolt holes arranged to engage a variety of commercial clay target throwers and a gun/pistol rest. A threaded dowel is inserted through the a 180 degree horizontal slot in the vertical member, and screwed into a threaded hole in the post, thereby limiting the range the platform post can swivel within the vertical member. The dowel can be tightened to lock the post between zero and one-hundred-eighty degrees. A tension cable secures the vertical member to the vehicle to attenuate vibrations. A gun/pistol rest configured to mount from the platform has a forward cradle for a gun stock or barrel, and rear mount that variously functions as a rifle-butt cradle or a pistol-butt support.

Abstract: A cathode for a cluster tool in accordance with the present invention includes a base, a disc-shaped target mounted to the base and a magnetic source for establishing magnetic flux lines through the target. The target further comprises a top plate with a plurality of through holes; and a bottom plate with a plurality of bottom plate openings which interconnect distribution grooves formed in one surface with base face channels formed in the other surface. When the top plate is mated to the bottom plate, a path of fluid communication is established from the base face channels to the through holes to allow for inert gas to pass through the target. During operation, the through holes act as micro-cathodes to more efficiently cause material to be sputtered from the target. Each through hole defines a through hole axis, and the magnetic flux lines are parallel with the through holes axes.

Abstract: A plate to reinforce a shear panel that has been weakened by an opening extending through the panel is provided. The plate is selected to have a shear load capacity greater than the shear panel without the opening. The plate has a plate opening similar to the panel opening, and is secured to the panel with a predetermined strength and arrangement of panel fasteners. The plate is sized to fit between adjacent structural members. Opposing side flanges extend outwardly from the plate. Flange fasteners of predetermined strength and spacings are used to secure the flanges to the structural members.

Abstract: A fin and tag are formed from a unitary structure. The tag releasably secures to a tag engagement member embedded in a sportboard. A tag-pin extends through the tag about perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tag with first and second tag-pin ends extending outward from the tag. The engagement member has a longitudinal center slot for receiving the tag, and at least one bilateral slot intersecting the longitudinal center slot for allowing passage of the tag-pin as the tag is inserted in the center slot. The first and second tag-pin ends are respectively secured in first and second clamping engagements disposed on opposite sides of the center slot. Each clamping engagement is suspended by opposing flexible anti-torsion suspension members, and has elongated upper and lower clamping members between which a tag pin end is secured. Each clamping engagement is tightened and loosened by a cap screw and T-nut engagement.

Abstract: A container is provided having corresponding shells that mate together about a joint to create an enclosed airtight container. A valve seat is formed on the exterior of a shell adjacent the joint. The valve seat has an opening in communication with the container interior. A latch assembly is used to secure the shells in a closed position. The assembly includes a latch body which is attached to a shell by a hinge fastener close to said joint. The inside face of the latch body is provided with a valve gasket having a curved outer face that is aligned and sealingly engageable with the valve seat. When the latch is closed, the gasket will seal against the valve seat. When the latch is dislodged from its connection to the other shell, the gasket will be simultaneously removed from the valve seat and allow air to flow through the opening. This action permits equalization of any pressure differentials between ambient pressure and the pressure in the container interior.

Abstract: An eye viewing device with a housing having a center opening containing a magnifying lens and a reflective surface. The housing has outwardly extending hinge flanges. A cover overlies the central opening, and includes an outer abutment surface and an inclined outwardly extending hinge body. The housing hinge flanges and cover hinge body cooperate to provide a hinge joint. The hinge flanges include end portions with hinge contact points which cooperate with a cover contact point to provide a stand for the device when the cover is rotated about the hinge joint until the cover abutment surface and housing underside are in contact.

Abstract: A foot traction pad is provided for a sport board having a built-in arch. The arch is constructed of a bladder containing a fluid that will move and conform to a user's foot and continue conformance whenever there is foot movement. The bladder underlies and attaches to a pad covering. Extending upwardly from the plane of the pad is a foot abutment structure. The structure is spaced-apart from the rear end of the bladder and may include one or more small bladders. The abutment structure is aligned laterally in relation to the longitudinal axis of the bladder. The pad covering overlies the abutment structure. The pad may be an integrated unitary body or it may have peripheral segments for accommodating different sport board sizes and shapes.

Abstract: A sportboard fin attachment assembly in accordance with the present invention includes a plug that is inserted into the cavity of a socket to define an enclosure. The enclosure is embedded into the underside of a sportboard so that the top wall of the enclosure is co-planar with the sportboard underside. The enclosure includes a tag slot that extends through the top wall into communication with the cavity. The plug has a clamp that forms a pin slot that is oriented perpendicular to the tag slot and is in communication with the cavity. The assembly also includes a fin and a tag that is releasably attached to the base of the fin. Alternate tags having beveled top surfaces are available for attachment to the fin. The beveled surfaces will cause the fin to be inclined at predetermined angles. A tag pin extends outwardly from a tag sidewall. When the tag is moved through the tag slot into the cavity, the tag pin will enter the pin slot.