Abstract: The present disclosure provides a trigger assembly and related method for a firearm (e.g., an AR, SR-25, or M4 style rifle, or another type of firearm). The trigger assembly minimizes inadvertent discharge of the firearm by blocking the trigger from rearward pivoting until pressure is applied to the center portion of the trigger. The system and method employ a configuration wherein a camming surface is engaged with a machined portion of the lower receiver once the trigger assembly is connected to the lower receiver via a pivot that extends through the trigger assembly and at least a portion of the lower receiver.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to techniques for launching high-altitude balloons. In one aspect, a balloon launching system is provided. The balloon has a balloon envelope, a payload attached to the balloon envelope and a launching projection. The launching system includes a releasable restraint attached to the balloon between an apex and bottom of the balloon envelope. The releasable restraint is arranged to temporarily hold the balloon envelope. The launching system also includes a payload positioning assembly. The payload positioning assembly is configured to position the payload during launch of the balloon and includes a member configured to attach to the launching projection. When attached, the member is also configured to maintain the position of the payload relative to the balloon while the releasable restraint is temporarily holding the balloon envelope.

Abstract: A ramrod for a muzzleloader is provided. The ramrod includes a shaft having a knob releasably and rotatably coupled to one end thereof. The knob may have a central bore therein, and the shaft may be inserted into the central bore. The knob may include an internal bearing, wherein the shaft rotates with respect to the knob by operation of the internal bearing in response to rotation of a bullet during loading a rifle with the bullet, wadding, and a propellant charge.

Abstract: Multi-impact multi-layer body armor is presented. A first layer is a single layer of front covering material. A second layer, is a ballistic ceramic plate formed of a plurality of curved smaller ceramic tiles that are bonded together using a structural adhesive. A third layer formed of one or a plurality of aramid layers such as Kevlar® XP. A fourth layer formed of a rigid backing plate, formed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene such as Spectra Shield®. A fifth layer is a single layer of rear covering material. Thus, an improved body armor is presented which is inexpensive to produce, light, durable and can sustain multiple impacts.

Abstract: A firearm slide accessory includes a charging handle member including an upper member and a lower member. Both the upper and lower members are formed with internal serrations that mate with external serrations of a slide. One or more fasteners secure the upper and lower members together.

Abstract: The rifle system comprises a rifle and an ammunition round for operation with the rifle. The high pressure ammunition round further comprises a cartridge case having an outer wall wherein prior to firing of the ammunition round, the outer wall geometry of the cartridge case is devoid of features configured for interfacing with a mechanical extractor. The rifle further comprising a barrel chamber which fully supports a chambered cartridge case and a rear extraction mechanism for extracting a spent cartridge case through the rear of the barrel chamber.

Abstract: A rear sight assembly for a firearm is disclosed. The rear sight assembly contain a sight base coupled with the firearm, a sight blade pivotally coupled with the sight base and a tension member positioned between the sight base and the sight blade and configured to push the sight blade against the firearm.

Abstract: A defense device for combating an unmanned aircraft includes a communications device configured for receiving communications information transmitted by at least one external signal source, an emitting device configured for producing and emitting a high-energy electromagnetic pulse in the event of triggering of the emitting device, and a control device configured to trigger the emission of the high-energy electromagnetic pulse depending on communications information received by the communications device. A protective configuration for combating an unmanned aircraft and a method for operating a protective configuration are also provided.

Abstract: A detonation transfer assembly is disclosed. A detonation transfer assembly may comprise an external casing comprising an input end and an output end axially opposite the input end, an explosive column spanning axially inside the external casing, a primary explosive disposed within the explosive column, and a secondary explosive disposed within the explosive column axially between the primary explosive and the output end. The primary explosive and/or the secondary explosive may comprise a thermally insensitive initiation material that resists at least one of detonation or thermal degradation in response to temperature increase rate of 3.3° C. per hour over at least twenty hours.

Abstract: Provided is a non-motorized flying unit. The non-motorized flying unit includes a body part having a head part and a tail part having an accommodation space and a through hole, an image capturing unit installed in the through hole and configured to obtain an image information, a protective window installed in the through hole, a plurality of shock absorbing devices installed at the end portion of the tail part, a weight installed at the end portion of the tail part, and a lighting device installed at an end portion of the plurality of shock absorbing devices. A propulsion unit which is detachably coupled to the tail part storing a propellant which, upon combustion, forms pressure in the propulsion unit to provide thrust to the body part.

Abstract: An apparatus implementable on a firearm may include a takedown pin and a pivot pin. The takedown pin holds together a rear portion of lower and upper receivers of the firearm. The pivot pin holds together a front portion of lower and upper receivers of the firearm. Each of the takedown pin and pivot pin respectively includes a head and a generally cylindrical shank extending from the head toward a distal end thereof opposite the head. The shank is configured with: (1) a first groove track extending along a longitudinal axis of the shank, (2) a second groove track parallel to the first groove track and extending along the longitudinal axis of the shank, and (3) a linking groove track extending around the longitudinal axis of the shank and linking the first groove track and the second groove track.

Abstract: Counterbalance assemblies include a torsion bar spring for counter-balancing the weight of upwardly opening aircraft doors for ease of opening and closing. The torsion bar spring may be linked to the aircraft door through an integrated gear reduction system comprised of two pairs of spur gears and respective shafts as well as a linkage assembly. A cable reel is connected to the output shaft and the input shaft is connected to a four bar linkage system attached to the end of the torsion bar. The cable reel stores the lift cable and provides the output torque to lift the aircraft door. When the aircraft door opens or closes, the center of mass loses or gains height respectively, causing a variation of gravitational potential energy. In such a manner, the gravitational potential energy is exchanged with strain elastic energy from the counter-balance spring therefore reducing the required external source of energy whether it is from a power assisted means or manual operation.

Abstract: A blasting mat including a number of resilient elements arranged in a number of parallel rows that are located in a number of predetermined regions of the blasting mat. The resilient elements in each region are respectively subjected to a preselected compression pressure, to cause each region to have a respective preselected density within a range of preselected densities. The preselected density of at least a second selected one of the regions is greater than the preselected density of at least a first selected one of the regions.

Abstract: A space efficient lavatory module for commercial aircraft includes an aft facing concave wall recess that provides a greater distance from an upper, forward facing portion of a cabin structure, such as an aircraft passenger seat to avoid having a passenger's head impact the aft facing lavatory or enclosure wall in a sudden aircraft deceleration. The aft facing concave wall recess also provides space for mounting of a protective cushion, in order to reduce a passenger's risk of head trauma in a sudden deceleration, as well as other items, such as a video monitor, a bassinet or infant bed, without inhibiting passenger movement.

Abstract: A fragmentation casing is defined by a monolithic tube having a solid radial wall and a pattern of tunnels defined in the solid radial wall. The tunnels may be filled with air, a powder that is a powdered form of the material used to make the solid radial wall, or a solid material that is the same as the solid radial wall but whose mechanical attributes differ from those of the solid radial wall.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a method and suppressor assembly that allows a suppressor to be used in combination and interchangeably with a blank firing adaptor. The assembly comprises a muzzle mount, an elongate member, an end cap, an outer tube, and an a blank firing adaptor that is configured to be fastened to the front end of the muzzle mount and disposed within the suppressor.

Abstract: A folding stock with barrel toggle clamp has a body defining a receptacle adapted to receive the action, a clamp mechanism on the body operable to move between a released position and a clamped position, and the clamp mechanism operable to bias the barrel toward the receptacle to secure the barrel to the action. The clamp mechanism may be a multi-link linkage. One of the links may have an adjustable length. The clamp mechanism may include a lever that is flush against an external surface of the stock when in the clamped position. The clamp mechanism may include a V-block defining a channel adapted to receive a protrusion on the receiver and an angled surface on the barrel to clamp the barrel to the receiver. The clamp mechanism may include a lever pivotally connected to the body to pivot on a first horizontal axis lateral to the body.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a firearm which may include a frame with a first outer wall, and a second outer wall opposite the first outer wall. A laser module may be disposed between the first and second outer walls. An alignment pin may be in communication with the first outer wall and may be configured to move the laser module relative to the frame.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a wing and a wing box. The wing is joined to the wing box at a side of body joint. The wing and the wing box each includes lower skin and a plurality of stringers on the skin. Ends of at least some of the stringers at the side of body joint have a web cutout and a base that is spanwise tapered to a knife edge at the skin.

Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is provided comprising a fuselage (12) defining a forward end and an aft end, the fuselage accommodating at least one engine (56), a left wing (18) and a right wing (20) extending from either side of the fuselage, a lift fan drive system (22) accommodated within each wing, a forward thrust fan drive system (24) fitted proximate the aft end of the fuselage, and a stabiliser arrangement (26) proximate the forward thrust fan drive system. In an embodiment, each wing comprises a rotor housing portion (18.1, 20.1) extending away from the fuselage and a wing tip portion (18.2, 20.2) extending away from the rotor housing portion, the wing tip portion being angled towards the rear and side of the aircraft. In an embodiment, the rotor housing portion comprises two rotor housings, one forward of the aircraft's centre of gravity and one aft of the aircraft's centre of gravity.