Abstract: An apparatus for storing ammunition. The apparatus is comprised of a first member and a second member. The first member has an interior portion. The second member is configured so that at least a portion of the second member may enter the interior portion of the first member. The first member includes a first element of a securing device and the second member includes a second element of the securing device. The securing device releasably secures the first and second members together.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of shooting target assemblies and associated systems and methods of use and manufacture. One aspect of the disclosure is directed to shooting target assemblies configurable in an assembled arrangement and a stowed arrangement. Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to shooting target assemblies having a stabilizer for improving target stability during operation.

Abstract: Shooting rests having elevation adjustment assemblies are disclosed herein. One embodiment of the disclosure, for example, is directed to a shooting rest for supporting a firearm having a buttstock spaced apart from a forestock. The shooting rest includes a first base portion carrying a first support for supporting the buttstock and a second base portion coupled to the first base portion and carrying a second support for supporting the forestock. The second base portion includes a body having an opening extending therethrough, and a height adjustment member slidably positioned in the opening. The height adjustment member has a non-circular cross-sectional shape in a plane that is generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the height adjustment member. The height adjustment member is attached to the second support and configured to adjust a height of the second support.

Abstract: Adjustable shooting rests and shooting rest assemblies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shooting rest includes a rest assembly for supporting a forestock of a firearm. The rest assembly includes a base member and first and second upright members extending from the base member. A position of each of the first and second upright members is independently adjustable with reference to the base member. The shooting rest also includes a support assembly coupled to the rest assembly to move the rest assembly in a first direction and in a second direction. The first and second directions are in a plane generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the firearm. The shooting rest further includes a base coupled to the support assembly.

Abstract: Adjustable shooting rests and shooting rest assemblies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shooting rest includes a rest assembly for supporting a forestock of a firearm. The rest assembly includes a base member and first and second upright members extending from the base member. A position of each of the first and second upright members is independently adjustable with reference to the base member. The shooting rest also includes a support assembly coupled to the rest assembly to move the rest assembly in a first direction and in a second direction. The first and second directions are in a plane generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the firearm. The shooting rest further includes a base coupled to the support assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of shooting target assemblies and associated systems and methods of use and manufacture. One aspect of the disclosure is directed to shooting target assemblies configurable in an assembled arrangement and a stowed arrangement. Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to shooting target assemblies having a stabilizer for improving target stability during operation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microstructured fiber, includes: providing a preform having a plurality of elongate holes; mating at least one, but not all, of the holes with a connector to connect the hole(s) to an external pressure-controller; drawing the preform into the fiber while controlling gas pressure in the hole(s) connected to the pressure-controller.

Abstract: Shooting rests having elevation adjustment assemblies are disclosed herein. One embodiment of the disclosure, for example, is directed to a shooting rest for supporting a firearm having a buttstock spaced apart from a forestock. The shooting rest includes a first base portion carrying a first support for supporting the buttstock and a second base portion coupled to the first base portion and carrying a second support for supporting the forestock. The second base portion includes a body having an opening extending therethrough, and a height adjustment member slidably positioned in the opening. The height adjustment member has a non-circular cross-sectional shape in a plane that is generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the height adjustment member. The height adjustment member is attached to the second support and configured to adjust a height of the second support.

Abstract: Adjustable shooting rests and shooting rest assemblies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shooting rest includes a rest assembly for supporting a forestock of a firearm. The rest assembly includes a base member and first and second upright members extending from the base member. A position of each of the first and second upright members is independently adjustable with reference to the base member. The shooting rest also includes a support assembly coupled to the rest assembly to move the rest assembly in a first direction and in a second direction. The first and second directions are in a plane generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the firearm. The shooting rest further includes a base coupled to the support assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing ammunition. The apparatus is comprised of a first member and a second member. The first member has an interior portion. The second member is configured so that at least a portion of the second member may enter the interior portion of the first member. The first member includes a first element of a securing device and the second member includes a second element of the securing device. The securing device releasably secures the first and second members together.

Abstract: Shooting rests having elevation adjustment assemblies are disclosed herein. One embodiment of the disclosure, for example, is directed to a shooting rest for supporting a firearm having a buttstock spaced apart from a forestock. The shooting rest includes a first base portion carrying a first support for supporting the buttstock and a second base portion coupled to the first base portion and carrying a second support for supporting the forestock. The second base portion includes a body having an opening extending therethrough, and a height adjustment member slidably positioned in the opening. The height adjustment member has a non-circular cross-sectional shape in a plane that is generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the height adjustment member. The height adjustment member is attached to the second support and configured to adjust a height of the second support.

Abstract: Shooting rests having elevation adjustment assemblies are disclosed herein. One embodiment of the disclosure, for example, is directed to a shooting rest for supporting a firearm having a buttstock spaced apart from a forestock. The shooting rest includes a first base portion carrying a first support for supporting the buttstock and a second base portion coupled to the first base portion and carrying a second support for supporting the forestock. The second base portion includes a body having an opening extending therethrough, and a height adjustment member slidably positioned in the opening. The height adjustment member has a non-circular cross-sectional shape in a plane that is generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the height adjustment member. The height adjustment member is attached to the second support and configured to adjust a height of the second support.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microstructured fibre, includes: providing a preform having a plurality of elongate holes; mating at least one, but not all, of the holes with a connector to connect the hole(s) to an external pressure-controller; drawing the preform into the fibre whilst controlling gas pressure in the hole(s) connected to the pressure-controller.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to target assemblies and targets with reinforcing features for improved durability. One example of such a target can include a target portion that is configured to be struck by a projectile, and a connector portion configured to movably couple the target portion to a support structure. The target also includes a neck portion extending between the target portion and the connector portion, and a reinforcing portion proximate to the neck portion. The reinforcing portion comprises an integral portion of the target that is at least partially deformed to reinforce or otherwise strengthen the neck portion.

Abstract: Adjustable shooting rests and shooting rest assemblies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shooting rest includes a rest assembly for supporting a forestock of a firearm. The rest assembly includes a base member and first and second upright members extending from the base member. A position of each of the first and second upright members is independently adjustable with reference to the base member. The shooting rest also includes a support assembly coupled to the rest assembly to move the rest assembly in a first direction and in a second direction. The first and second directions are in a plane generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the firearm. The shooting rest further includes a base coupled to the support assembly.

Abstract: Adjustable shooting rests and shooting rest assemblies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shooting rest includes a rest assembly for supporting a forestock of a firearm. The rest assembly includes a base member and first and second upright members extending from the base member. A position of each of the first and second upright members is independently adjustable with reference to the base member. The shooting rest also includes a support assembly coupled to the rest assembly to move the rest assembly in a first direction and in a second direction. The first and second directions are in a plane generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the firearm. The shooting rest further includes a base coupled to the support assembly.

Abstract: A birefringent elongate waveguide for guiding light, comprises: a core region (110), comprising an elongate region of relatively low refractive index; and a cladding region (100), comprising elongate regions (105) of relatively low refractive index interspersed with elongate regions (117,120) of relatively high refractive index. In a transverse cross-section of the waveguide, a (5) relatively high refractive index boundary region (115) is provided that surrounds the core region and has either (1) at most two-fold rotational symmetry or (2) a rotational symmetry that reduces the rotational symmetry of the waveguide to at most two-fold rotational symmetry. The symmetry of the boundary region (115) results at least in part from azimuthal variations therein, which are substantially uncharacteristic of the cladding region (100).

Abstract: An elongate waveguide for guiding light including a core having an elongate region of relatively low refractive index; a microstructured region around the core comprising elongate regions of relatively low refractive index interspersed with elongate regions of relatively high refractive index; and a boundary at the interface between the core and the microstructured region, the boundary including, in the transverse cross-section, a region of relatively high refractive index, which is connected to the microstructured region at a plurality of nodes, and at least one relatively enlarged region around the boundary, the enlarged region having a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the length of the major dimension divided by the length of the minor dimension is more than 3.0.

Abstract: Shooting gallery devices and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shooting gallery includes a plurality of targets rotatably connected to a plurality of target connectors. The targets rotate between an extended position and a fallen position. The target and target connector assembly at least partially retains the targets in the extended position and/or prevents the targets from rotating from the extended position to the fallen position. Furthermore, the targets and target connector assemblies are configured to reset from the fallen position to the extended position without a rail guide or reset cam.

Abstract: An elongate waveguide for guiding light including a core having an elongate region of relatively low refractive index; a microstructured region around the core comprising elongate regions of relatively low refractive index interspersed with elongate regions of relatively high refractive index; and a boundary at the interface between the core and the microstructured region, the boundary including, in the transverse cross-section, a region of relatively high refractive index, which is connected to the microstructured region at a plurality of nodes, and at least one relatively enlarged region around the boundary, the enlarged region having a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the length of the major dimension divided by the length of the minor dimension is more than 3.0.