Abstract: A sling attachment device has a body having a strap facility adapted for attachment of a sling strap, a flexible elongated tether having a first end attached to the body, the tether having a free end opposite the first end, and the body defining a receptacle operable to receive the free end of the tether, such that the tether may be threaded through an aperture on a rifle and received by the receptacle to secure the strap to the rifle. The tether may have a selected first width along at least a portion of its length, and the free end may have a second width greater than the first width. A ball may be attached to the free end. The body may define a channel having a width larger than the first width and smaller than the second width. There may be an aperture adjacent to the channel.

Abstract: Techniques and devices are described for preparing a fish fillet. The techniques and devices facilitate the removal of the skin and/or rib bones of the fish from the meat that forms the fillet. In embodiments, the techniques employ a fish skinning device that includes a roller and a blade. The roller is configured to contact the skin included on a fillet so that rotation of the roller causes the fillet to be directed toward the blade. The roller and blade are configured so the skin passes between the roller and blade and is generally separated and directed away from the meat. A blade float assembly permits the blade to float with respect to the blade during use to receive the skin or rib bones of the fish fillet between the roller and the blade.

Abstract: A foldable step apparatus is provided having an upper tread with a first end and a second end, a first support pivotally joined to the first end at a first joint and a second support pivotally joined to the second end at a second joint. A lower tread has a third end and a fourth end, the third end pivotally joined to the second support at a third joint and a third support pivotally joined to the fourth end at a fourth joint. The lower tread has a first portion and a second portion pivotally joined at a fifth joint between the third end and the fourth end of the lower tread.

Abstract: An earpiece designed to fit a substantial majority (over 90%) of people without customization to the outer ears, i.e., without the need to make customized measurements or a mold of the actual ear of an individual. The device is generally C-shaped and contacts the outer ear in four locations.

Abstract: A pet stroller having a frame assembly and a cloth platform enclosure connected to a platform enclosure member that defines a base and a sidewall of a pet seating area. Upper and lower canopy bars are pivotably connected to the handle and are pivotable to extend or retract a canopy over the pet seating area. A cloth canopy assembly is connected to the handle and the upper and lower canopy bars. A latch assembly clamps the lower canopy bar to the platform enclosure member to form an enclosed pet seating area.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to load carrier systems and associated manufacturing methods. In one embodiment, a load carrier system can include a unitary piece of material. The unitary piece of material can include a body portion comprising a first face side, an opposing face side, a first peripheral edge and an opposing second peripheral edge; and one or more straps comprising a respective extended end, wherein the straps are an integral part of the body portion; wherein the one or more straps are folded over onto the first face side adjacent to the first peripheral edge; and wherein at least one respective end of the one or more straps is fastened to the opposing second peripheral edge.

Abstract: A pet stroller having a frame assembly and a cloth platform enclosure connected to a platform enclosure member that defines a base and a sidewall of a pet seating area. Upper and lower canopy bars are pivotably connected to the rear pivot blocks that are pivotable to extend or retract a canopy over the pet seating area. A cloth canopy assembly is connected to the handle and the upper and lower canopy bars. A latch assembly is connected to the platform enclosure member and is movable to a latched position in which it clamps the lower canopy bar to the platform enclosure member to form an enclosed pet seating area.

Abstract: An apparatus for selective holding of a footwear heel to a snow travel aid is provided. The apparatus is of the kind that comprise a base mountable to the snow travel aid, an upper portion slidable relative to the base and at least one forward connector for connecting the upper portion to the heel. The upper portion is rotatable on a generally vertical axis between a downhill position and at least one lateral release position. In this invention, the upper portion comprises at least one camming surface positioned such that rotation of the upper portion toward the lateral release position results in the upper portion translating rearwardly against an opposing force provided by a forward biasing device.

Abstract: A multispeed drive unit (10) comprising a rotary input (27) positioned to be driven by a power source and disposed at an input side of the drive unit (10); a rotary output (28) positioned to drive a driven unit and disposed at an output side of the drive unit (10), a transmission operably interposed between said rotary input (27) and said rotary output (28), said transmission having a gear (20) moveable between a high-reduction configuration and a low-reduction configuration, a first friction clutch (40) operable to fix said gear (20) in said high-reduction configuration, whereby said transmission is operable to reduce a speed of said rotary output (28) relative to said rotary input (27) when said first friction clutch (40) is engaged, and a second friction clutch (60) operable to fix said gear (20) in said low-reduction configuration, whereby said transmission is not operable to reduce the speed of said rotary output (28) relative to said rotary input (2) when said second friction clutch (60) is engaged.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for holding a footwear toe to a snow travel aid. The apparatus comprises jaws that grasp the toe while permitting pivotal movement of the footwear about the toe in forward and rearward directions and is for use with a heel holder that provides for lateral release. The apparatus comprises one or more resilient elements for biasing the jaws whereby the jaws are biased towards a closed position throughout the operational range of motion of the jaws. Also provided is an apparatus which comprises jaws that grasp the toe while permitting pivotal movement of footwear about the toe, wherein the apparatus is adapted for generally horizontal, forward and rearward translation relative to a longitudinal axis of the snow travel aid, selectively by a user.

Abstract: Systems and methods evaluate material in rotary motion. Exposure duration is calculated based upon an intensity of radiation incident upon a sample area of the material and a desired radiation exposure for the material. Angular velocity for a rotational stage is calculated based upon the sample area, the calculated exposure duration, and an initial position of a linear stage. The initial position of the linear stage, the initial velocity of the linear stage, and the initial angular velocity of the rotational stage are set and a radiation generator is activated. The system then waits for time to read the next data sample based upon the calculated exposure duration and a fluorescence level of the material is determined. Angular velocity of the rotational stage and linear velocity of the linear stage are controlled based upon positional sensors to capture data from all areas of the material at the desired radiation exposure.

Abstract: An adjustable suspension system for a backpack includes a flexible frame, a trampoline and a tension adjustment mechanism. The suspension system can allow the user to control the position of the frame anywhere between a flat position directly adjacent to the user's back and a fully bowed position that arches away from the user's back.

Abstract: Techniques and devices are described for preparing a fish fillet. The techniques and devices facilitate the removal of the skin and/or rib bones of the fish from the meat that forms the fillet. In embodiments, the techniques employ a fish skinning device that includes a roller and a blade. The roller is configured to contact the skin included on a fillet so that rotation of the roller causes the fillet to be directed toward the blade. The roller and blade are configured so the skin passes between the roller and blade and is generally separated and directed away from the meat. A blade float assembly permits the blade to float with respect to the blade during use to receive the skin or rib bones of the fish fillet between the roller and the blade.

Abstract: A curvilinear gear system and method for transferring force and speed through a wide range of angles is disclosed. The system can optionally incorporate curvilinear U joints to increase effective range of angles to tailor the system to specific applications. The system includes complimentary gear heads, one of which is a curvilinear gear such as a hemispherical gear. A method of using the gear systems in a transmission apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A selectively locked differential has a locked configuration in which both side gears are independently locked to the differential casing so that torque is not transmitted through the pinion gears. The locking of the side gears is accomplished by generally cylindrical, ring-shaped structures with castellations on one axial end surface of each structure. These castellations selectively interfit with rotatably fixed castellations of secondary structures fixed to the differential casing, such that the ring-shaped structures define a mechanically interconnected, zero-slip arrangement with respect to the rotationally fixed secondary structures when the differential is in the locked configuration.