Abstract: Provided is an agile, adaptive, globally deployable online network-centric autonomic supply chain management system that when triggered by a predictive/diagnostic condition management system, without user-maintainer intervention, autonomously authorizes a complete requisitioning cycle of supply chain assets to warfighters with unprecedented criticality of speed. A requisitioning cycle is comprised of: (1) asset issue authorization to a vehicle/requester (2) retrograde [return] of repairable to depot and (3) replenishment [resupply] of drawn inventory. It also autonomically provides global total asset visibility of the asset(s) of interest and a tempo surge-priority ranking with a calm-down functions. The system operates in either default autonomic mode or a user activated semi-autonomic mode.

Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle having a distal portion and a proximal portion, and a blade rotatably connected to the distal portion of the handle. The blade may be moveable between an opened position and a closed position, and may have at least one lock member receiving recess formed therein. The folding knife may further include a lock bar pivotally connected to a medial portion of the handle and moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The lock bar may include a lock member which contacts a respective portion of the blade adjacent the lock member receiving recess to define a contact point between the lock member and the blade when the blade is in the opened position and the lock bar is in the engaged position. The folding knife may also include a lock pin connected to the handle adjacent the lock member.

Abstract: A floatation device is to be worn by a user and includes a front portion, a pair of opposing side portions connected to the front portion, and a pair of rear portions connected to the respective pair of opposing side portions. Each one of the pair of rear portions includes a first end adjacent the respective side portions, and a second end opposite the first end. The second ends of the pair of rear portions define a floatation device closure that is moveable between an opened position and a closed position. The floatation device also includes at least one pocket adjacent at least one of the front portion, and the pair of opposing side portions.

Abstract: A moveable soffit cover system includes a guide track for connecting to a structure adjacent a soffit panel having a plurality of vents formed therein, and a soffit vent cover slidably connected to the guide track to overlie the soffit panel. The vent cover is moveable between opened and closed positions. The system may include a motor in communication with the soffit vent cover for moving the soffit vent cover between the opened and closed positions, and a primary power source and a controller in communication with the motor, and a wind speed detection device in communication with the controller. The motor may be activated to move the soffit vent cover from the opened position to the closed position upon detection of a predetermined wind speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that will locate the center of a circle in a single operation by positioning two points of registration at the edge of the circle relative to a third point of registration previously set at the edge of the circle where these points are held in accurate spatial relationship to each other and a fourth point of registration that in turn, indicates the center of the circle. By allowing precise registration and novel operation, this invention provides a simpler, more accurate means to locate the center of a circle that precludes the need to make extraneous marks on the circle being measured.

Abstract: A display system may include a frame, column connection members connected to the frame, and column members positioned adjacent one another and rotatably connected to the column connection members. Each column member may include a connector and elongate display members positioned adjacent one another and pivotally connected to the connector. The display system may also include a drive assembly carried by the frame that engages the column connection members to rotate each column member so that selective display members pivot in a predetermined direction during rotation to change the shape of the column members allowing rotation thereof when positioned adjacent one another.

Abstract: A display system may include a frame, column connection members connected to the frame, and four-sided column members positioned adjacent one another and rotatably connected to the column connection members. Each column member may include a connector and elongate display members positioned adjacent one another and pivotally connected to the connector. The display system may also include a drive assembly carried by the frame that engages the column connection members to rotate each column member so that selective display members pivot in a predetermined direction during rotation to change the shape of the column members allowing rotation thereof when positioned adjacent one another.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes an elongate handle to be grasped by a user, and an elongate blade connected to the elongate handle. The elongate blade includes a substantially linear proximal portion extending longitudinally outwardly from an end of the handle, and a curved distal portion extending in a downward and forward curve from the proximal portion and ending in a tapered tip. The linear proximal portion and curved distal portion may have about equal lengths. The linear proximal portion may have a sharpened lower edge and the curved distal portion may have sharpened upper and lower edges. In some embodiments, the elongate blade may have a length of less than about twelve inches so that the cutting tool is a knife, and in other embodiments, the elongate blade may have a length of greater than about twelve inches so that the cutting tool is a sword.

Abstract: A system for transferring a vessel between a first body of water having a first water level and a second body of water having a second water level includes a barrier separating the first body of water from the second body of water. The system also includes a transfer structure adjacent the barrier for receiving the vessel to be transferred between the first and second bodies of water, and a transfer apparatus adjacent the barrier for moving the transfer structure between a first position and a second position. The upper portion of the barrier includes a barrier door that is movable between an opened position when the transfer structure is in the second position to allow the vessel to move into and out of the transfer structure, and a closed position when the transfer structure is in the first position.

Abstract: A flame throwing apparatus includes a handheld frame, a fluid container carried by the frame for containing a flammable fluid, a disposable propellant container, and a disposable propellant container receiver carried by the frame and connected to the fluid container for removably receiving the disposable propellant container, and supplying propellant to the fluid container. A nozzle assembly may be carried by the frame, and may include an extraction tube extending into the fluid container, a control valve connected to the extraction tube, a nozzle connected to the control valve, and an igniter adjacent the nozzle.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes an elongate handle to be grasped by a user, and an elongate blade connected to the elongate handle. The elongate blade includes a downwardly sloping proximal portion extending outwardly from an end of the handle, and a linear distal portion extending substantially parallel to and downwardly offset from an axis defined by the elongate handle and ending in a tapered tip. The downwardly sloping proximal portion may have a sharpened lower edge, and the linear offset distal portion may have a sharpened lower edge. In some embodiments, the elongate blade may have a length of less than about twelve inches so that the cutting tool is a knife, and in other embodiments, the elongate blade may have a length of greater than about twelve inches so that the cutting tool is a sword.

Abstract: A harpoon includes a handle to be grasped by a user for placing the harpoon and a shaft having a proximal end connected to the handle. A distal end of the shaft has a pin receiving passageway formed therein. The pin receiving passageway may include a releasing portion and a retaining portion in communication therewith. The manual harpoon may also include a harpoon tip having an open proximal end for being received over the distal end of the shaft, and a pin carried by the open proximal end of the harpoon tip. The pin may cooperate with the pin receiving passageway to retain the harpoon tip on the shaft when the pin is in the retaining portion of the pin receiving passageway, and to release the harpoon tip from the shaft when the pin is in the releasing portion of the pin receiving passageway.