Abstract: Projectile launchers have an elongated cylindrical body defining a projectile bore having a bore axis, the body having an open forward exit end, the body having a gas inlet facility at an opposed rear end, a movable latch element connected to the body and having a latch portion movable between a retention position in which the latch portion protrudes into the bore and a release position, and the latch element being biased to the retention position such that a projectile in the bore rearward of the latch is retained by the latch portion except until a gas pressure above a selected amount builds up behind the projectile to overcome the biasing of the latch and launch the projectile. The latch element may be clear of the bore when in the release position.

Abstract: Projectile launchers have an elongated cylindrical body defining a projectile bore having a bore axis, the body having an open forward exit end, the body having a gas inlet facility at an opposed rear end, a movable latch element connected to the body and having a latch portion movable between a retention position in which the latch portion protrudes into the bore and a release position, and the latch element being biased to the retention position such that a projectile in the bore rearward of the latch is retained by the latch portion except until a gas pressure above a selected amount builds up behind the projectile to overcome the biasing of the latch and launch the projectile. The latch element may be clear of the bore when in the release position.

Abstract: Projectile launchers have an elongated cylindrical body defining a projectile bore having a bore axis, the body having an open forward exit end, the body having a gas inlet facility at an opposed rear end, a movable latch element connected to the body and having a latch portion movable between a retention position in which the latch portion protrudes into the bore and a release position, and the latch element being biased to the retention position such that a projectile in the bore rearward of the latch is retained by the latch portion except until a gas pressure above a selected amount builds up behind the projectile to overcome the biasing of the latch and launch the projectile. The latch element may be clear of the bore when in the release position.

Abstract: A collapsible ladder having rungs of a relatively strong and thin material with integral stand-off projections that allow the ladder to be safely descended and of a cross-section that allows the ladder rungs to nest to a high degree of compactness. The ladder is readily deployed by means of a cover having two sets of temporary fasteners. In an emergency, the ladder is deployed by partially unwrapping the cover to a first state which allows an attaching member to be removed and placed over a window sill. After insuring that narrow fabric supports, which attach the attaching member to the rungs, are not twisted between the attaching member and a top rung of the ladder, the multiple rungs (still wrapped by the cover and secured by a second set of temporary fasteners) are supported using a handle attached to the cover. The handle is then held outside the window and dropped.

Abstract: A collapsible ladder having rungs of a relatively strong and thin material with integral stand-off projections that allow the ladder to be safely descended and of a cross-section that allows the ladder rungs to nest to a high degree of compactness. The ladder is readily deployed by means of a cover having two sets of temporary fasteners. In an emergency, the ladder is deployed by partially unwrapping the cover to a first state which allows an attaching member to be removed and placed over a window sill. After insuring that narrow fabric supports, which attach the attaching member to the rungs, are not twisted between the attaching member and a top rung of the ladder, the multiple rungs (still wrapped by the cover and secured by a second set of temporary fasteners) are supported using a handle attached to the cover. The handle is then held outside the window and dropped.

Abstract: A collapsible ladder having rungs of a relatively strong and thin material with integral stand-off projections that allow the ladder to be safely descended and of a cross-section that allows the ladder rungs to nest to a high degree of compactness. The ladder is readily deployed by means of a cover having two sets of temporary fasteners. In an emergency, the ladder is deployed by partially unwrapping the cover to a first state which allows an attaching member to be removed and placed over a window sill. After insuring that narrow fabric supports, which attach the attaching member to the rungs, are not twisted between the attaching member and a top rung of the ladder, the multiple rungs (still wrapped by the cover and secured by a second set of temporary fasteners) are supported using a handle attached to the cover. The handle is then held outside the window and dropped.