Abstract: Tactical firearm systems and methods of manufacturing tactical firearm systems are discussed herein. In some embodiments, a tactical weapons platform can comprise a forend assembly adapted to house a portion of a barrel; a receiver assembly detachably coupled to the forend assembly and adapted to interface with a bolt action; and a butt stock assembly detachably coupled to the receiver assembly. In other embodiments, a modular stock assembly for a bolt action rifle can generally comprise a forend assembly, a receiver assembly, and a butt stock assembly. The forend assembly can have a body adapted to house a barrel in a free floating configuration, wherein the body surrounds at least a portion of the length of the barrel. The receiver assembly can be detachably coupled to the forend assembly and adapted to directly interface with a bolt action without bedding. The butt stock assembly can be detachably coupled the receiver assembly by a hinge.

Abstract: This invention of a prepacked automatic retractable safety syringe comprises a needle hub with a needle tube and a rubber washer, a cap, a barrel, a spring, a vial, and a retractable plunger. To prevent or reduce injuries of needle stab and protect medical staffs, a forward action of the vial plus the needle hub compressed by the retractable plunger can drive a sliding movement between slides on the needle hub and snap hooks on the barrel via the spring's force to complete automatic retraction of the needle hub as well as the vial when an injection is finished.

Abstract: A storage media and method for transacting cargo insurance business in a network environment includes the on-line automation of quoting, billing, certificate issuance, underwriting, and claims processing. Moreover, the method also includes customer qualification and support services, in addition to data collection and analysis, for management report generation.

Abstract: A process for producing bio-diesel is described in which a consolidator in the form of a hydrocyclone is located between the processor or reactor and a separator to improve the efficiency of the overall formation of bio-diesel. The present of the consolidator in which the major constituents of the bio-diesel is in one part or in one flow both within the consolidator and the by-products are in another part of flowpath within the consolidator acts to condition the mixture from the processor so that more efficient separation can take place in the separator thereby reducing the time taken to achieve separation of the bio-diesel component from the by-product.

Abstract: A system and method for selling insurance products online is described. The system and method allow a provider to sell insurance products to a customer, either directly or through a broker or aggregator, whereby a single GUI is used for all insurance products sold and the customer only has to enter their personal details once when purchasing multiple insurance products.

Abstract: Mounting brackets for use in attaching accessory devices to firearms are provided. Some embodiments can be configured as detachable and can comprise multiple transverse members disposed between two connection members and an attachment member. Connection members can be configured for attachment to an exterior firearm surface, such as along a top surface of a fire arm. The second generally parallel member can be spaced apart from the connection members and can comprise an outer surface, which can be configured as Picatinny rail for carrying devices. Transverse members can be disposed between and coupled to the parallel members, and the number of transverse members can. The transverse members can define openings enabling including structural strength, low weight, and compact, sleek design. The transverse members can be angled relative to the parallel members to provide structural and energy absorption features. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for administering a life insurance policy to provide increased interest based on specifically weighted linkage to multiple equity indices that typically may include Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Price Index, Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50, the Hang Seng Index, and/or derivatives thereof wherein the leading-performing index during a look back period is weighted more heavily than any other index. Also disclosed is a computer system using at least one administration component to implement a series of steps associated with administering an equity indexed-interest universal life insurance policy.

Abstract: A system and method by which an insurance company can make a loss estimate resulting from a loss event use a networked central repository, such as an electronic collaboration site, for collecting and sharing information to be used in the loss projection process. The common repository can be provided on a computer network that is accessible by a plurality of computers. Upon identifying an incident as likely causing a major loss, information concerning the event can be stored in the repository and reviewed to identify entities involved in, or affected by, the event. A database of in-force insurance policies can be searched for policies held by the identified entities. These identified policies can be reviewed to identify those that should be included in the loss estimate. The loss estimate for the event is generated based on the identified in-force policies.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for determining rates of insurance for travelers based on certain risk parameters. Insurance rates are computed using factor relativities derived from insured data and parameters for several different insurance coverages. Factor relativities are computed through an iterative process using a minimum bias procedure according to each coverage. Parameters are evaluated simultaneously for each coverage to eliminate cross bias from one parameter to another. Once factor relativities are calculated, the system and method allows for a consumer to request a rate on an insurance coverage. The system and method provides the rate using the factor relativities for the requested coverage. The method and system also provides insurance rates to additional or upgraded insurance coverages based on consumer preferences.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for the sale of insurance products using a telemarketing system combined with a voice response unit (“VRU”) housed at a licensed agency to efficiently offer, make, and close the sale of insurance products. The direct marketing process includes providing a lead file to an agency, operating a dialer from the agency to call a consumer, obtaining an indication of interest in an insurance product using an unlicensed agent, and passing the consumer to a VRU housed in a licensed agency to offer and close sale using a pre-approved script. Also, the apparatus for direct marketing of insurance products includes an outbound autodialer, a VRU at a licensed agency, telephonic or computer interfaces, and related connection equipment.

Abstract: A web-based application for an insurance carrier that combines national account information and detailed insurance policy information with catastrophe modeling technology. As an event occurs, the modeling technology determines a projected damage area that the event will cause. The insurance carrier can cross-reference that information with its account and policy information. In a short time, the insurance carrier can generate the following catastrophe exposure data: (1) summary reports indicating the projected number of damaged locations for each account; (2) maps and graphs of each account's affected locations that provide a visual image of the epicenter and the concentration of the losses; and (3) tables with detailed property location information. After receiving this data, the insurance carrier can secure the services of independent adjusters and assign other resources according to the scope and magnitude of the projected loss.

Abstract: A system and method by which an insurance company can project an initial net projected loss arising from a major loss event quickly after the occurrence of the event. The system uses a networked central repository, such as an electronic collaboration site, for collecting and sharing information to be used in the initial net loss projection process. After the occurrence of a major incident, media reports can be reviewed to identify entities involved in, or affected by, the event. In-force insurance policies and applicable reinsurance information of the identified entities are collected and stored in the repository and reviewed to identify those that should be included in the initial net loss projection. Additional information can be entered into a policy database regarding those policies which allows aggregation of net policy limits and an initial projection of the net loss arising from the major loss event.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for facilitating the exchange of data between one or more price providers and customers who communicate with the price providers through various portals, each of which may use it own data format. In transmitting data from customer to price provider, the data output from each portal is normalized to a standardized format and then transmitted to the appropriate price provider(s) where the data exchanged with the various portals can be viewed by a trader at a single display or can be exchanged with an automated pricing engine. The customer may also be provided with a universal Web site at which a customer may access any of the portals' Web sites to simplify access for the customer as well.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for assessing environmental risk associated with a parcel of real property through the form of reports which can be generated without the significant expense and time delay of a physical site inspection. Also disclosed is a method to facilitate contaminated land transactions by reports that provide consultancy, legal, and/or financial advice based on factors determined in the absence of a property site visit. In one aspect, the disclosed method comprises several steps based on certain determinations made using commercially-available and publicly-available databases. In another aspect, the disclosed method is a way of providing financial assurance via an insurance policy with the steps of supplying an environmental risk report and automatically supplying an environmental insurance quote based upon the environmental risk report.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for facilitating the exchange of data between one or more price providers and customers who communicate with the price providers through various portals, each of which may use it own data format. In transmitting data from customer to price provider, the data output from each portal is normalized to a standardized format and then transmitted to the appropriate price provider(s) where the data exchanged with the various portals can be viewed by a trader at a single display or can be exchanged with an automated pricing engine. The customer may also be provided with a universal Web site at which a customer may access any of the portals' Web sites to simplify access for the customer as well.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a rate of insurance for management liability coverage which determines a base premium, a limit/retention factor, shared limit credits, and other rating considerations. The limit/retention factor, shared limit credits, and rating considerations are applied to the base premium to ascertain a resultant premium. Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method for determining a shared limit credit when insured clients purchase multiple insurance coverages in a single policy or package of policies and subject to common limit of liability.

Abstract: A method for generating a futures index based on active, rule-based analysis of at least two commodities futures is disclosed. The method can include identifying which commodity futures to include in a set under analysis. A parameter can be selected to measure a signal of future expected risk premium of each commodity future of the set. The signal for each commodity future of the set can be calculated. The set of commodity futures can be ranked relative to each other according to the value of the signal for each commodity future. A predetermined rule can be applied to each commodity future in the set to determine whether a position is taken in each commodity future, the determination depending on its ranking.

Abstract: Various detachable firearm mounting bracket device embodiments are provided. According to an embodiment, a detachable mounting bracket is adapted to allow users of various weapons platforms and field optical devices to rapidly and securely attach visual augmentation devices to a firearm. A detachable mounting bracket can comprise a housing to attach to a firearm stock, a clamping mechanism to secure the housing to a firearm, and a rail interface adapted to receive a visual augmentation device. The detachable mounting bracket device can be attached to a firearm with a clamp, screw closure, and a vertical interlock clamp. After the detachable mounting bracket is attached to a firearm, a user can easily and rapidly secure a visual augmentation device to the rail interface. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: A system and method for incident reporting uses an application server on a network to facilitate the creation of incident reports and distribution of the reports for review, and controls access to the incident reports to protect the integrity and confidentiality of the reports. Each incident report is given a routing profile, which is tailored such that only proper authorized persons can review and/or edit the report. The progress of incident report review and incident investigation is tracked, and the tracking data are stored for monitoring and auditing purposes. Access to selected reports may be given to users on a temporary basis. The incident reports are archived to enable auditing and generation of reports.