Abstract: A gas-operated semi-automatic rifle having a barrel group, a receiver group, a bolt group, a stock group, a trigger group, and a magazine group. The barrel group includes a gas-operated operating rod, the operating rod further including a follower rod, the operating rod being biased away from the follower rod. The receiver group includes a receiver body. A cavity is formed in a forward portion of the receiver body, the cavity being sized and shaped to receive and movably retain a proximal end of the follower rod.

Abstract: The current invention is a semi-automatic rifle, of the detachable magazine fed, air cooled, gas driven type. The rifle uses some parts from The M1 Garand Rifle U.S. Pat. No. 1,892,141, but differs in method of feeding, bolt operation, barrel design, receiver design, sight systems, and gas system design, therefore requiring a new patent application. The rifle solves shortcomings of the M1 rifle by the upgrading of the listed functions to enhance the rifle's use for the modern shooter.

Abstract: The current invention is an improvement upon the M1 Garand semiautomatic rifle U.S. Pat. No. 1,892,141, and is related to the sighting and feed mechanism of that rifle. The M1 Garand semiautomatic rifle U.S. Pat. No. 1,892,141 has a problem with only being able to be loaded with an enbloc clip and not being able to mount a center line optical sight or other devices over the receiver of the rifle. The invention solves this problem by producing a trigger housing assembly, box magazine assembly, op-rod spring guide, operating rod catch and spring, and scope mount/rail as a unified system or kit for the rifle, that all function on the rifle without permanent alteration of the existing receiver or barrel.

Abstract: A spill prevention device is formed of a desk top/table top cup and/or mug holding device that comprises a base having one or more apertures therein, at least one of said apertures being adapted to receive a beverage container, wherein the width, length and height of the base is such that it stably retains said beverage container placed therein preventing the beverage container from tipping or spilling.

Abstract: A portable hand-held power stapler with an outer housing contoured to fit comfortably within the grip of a hand, said stapler having an improved actuation system comprising a manually operated power switch that will actuate the stapling mechanism when a paper-sensing arm positioned in a document insertion slot is brought into contact with the inserted edge of a document, thereby completing the electric circuit to the power source of the electric motor driving the stapling mechanism, said actuation system further having a manually actuated reverse switch to engage a reverse function of the stapling mechanism to clear a paper or staple jam.

Abstract: A capless retractable sealed marking instrument has a sealed chamber incorporated in a marker casing. The sealed chamber includes a chamber, a wiper ring, and an annular rim and a seal portion with a cross-slit aperture defining surfaces or flaps which are moved out of contact by a linearly-advanced marker nib to open the seal for extension of the marker nib. The configuration of the disk provides positive sealing force between the lateral sealing surfaces of the seal flaps. In the storage position, the seal effectively closes to protect and preserve the associated component. In a preferred embodiment, a housing member includes a closing member. The closing member engages the disc to seal the slit in the closed position when the associated component is in storage. The disc may include tabs that engage the closing member.

Abstract: A frame assembly supports a pair of rolls of clear plastic laminating tape. The two rolls of laminating tape are rotatably disposed facing the other, top and bottom, and dispense toward the center towards a stationary bar to the fore of the device. The frame is open to the rear and a rear feed guide is used to insert a web of cardstock or paper so that the inserted material is directed in between the convergent tape rolls so as to be adhesively secured on top and bottom to the laminating tape. The cardstock is advanced through the tape rolls by pulling the forward distal ends of the laminating rolls. A cutting bar that moves downward to meet the stationary bar. The web of stock and laminating tape form a laminated sheet that is cut off by applying downward pressure against the cutting bar on the stationary bar. A resistive heating element may be provided to cut the laminating tape thermally.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape dispenser including a housing configured to support a roll of tape, such that the tape is dispensable from the roll. A tape cutter is engageable with the tape. The tape cutter includes a heating element. A power source, such as batteries, is in electrical communication with the heating element. When a flow of electricity passes from the power source to the heating element, a temperature of the heating element increases to sever the tape. Buttons and/or switches are preferably included and designed as a safety feature. The buttons and switches are to be operated in a certain manner in order to prevent unwanted heating of the heating element.

Abstract: A package is disclosed having integral means to seal an opening in a packaged product, such as a capless writing instrument, in order to protect material within the packaged product, such as ink, from excessive exposure to air while stored in the package. The package may be of any type used to contain articles of merchandise, including, without limitation, a blister package, a clamshell package, a closed tube, or a box. A plug portion attached to or molded into the interior of the package is sized and positioned so that it fits sealingly in an opening of a product contained within said package in order to prevent or minimize passage of air through said opening. Also disclosed is a package insert for holding an article of merchandise securely within a package while sealing an opening in the merchandise.

Abstract: A hand-held, battery-operated air blower is disclosed having a housing with a handle portion, a discharge end, an air inlet, and a discharge aperture. A battery compartment is provided in the handle portion of the housing to contain one or more batteries. The battery compartment is electrically connected to a motor disposed within the housing between the battery compartment and the discharge aperture, transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housing. A centrifugal fan is mounted on the motor and positioned within the housing adjacent the air inlet in such a manner that operation of the fan draws air in through the air inlet and forces it out from the fan toward the discharge aperture then out through the discharge aperture. An actuator is provided for switching the flow of electricity from the batteries to turn the motor on and off.

Abstract: A hand-held device for shredding paper comprising a pair of rotary cutting wheels disposed within a housing between an inlet slot and an outlet slot. A motor is positioned in the handle to drive the cutting wheels through a gear assembly. One wheel serves as a drive wheel, which is coupled directly to the gear assembly, and the other wheel serves as an idler, driven from a spur gear attached to the drive wheel at the end opposite a gear case. Paper sheets are fed into the inlet slot and pulled between the wheels. Wheels are comprised of a stack of alternating discs of a large and small radius, and staggered so as to allow the two wheels to be interleaved while rotating in opposite (clockwise and counterclockwise) directions and maintain clearance. Large discs have a frictional edge to grab and feed the paper into the intersection of the wheels, tearing the paper into strips and forcing the strips into the outlet slot. A battery compartment in the handle contains the batteries for energizing the motor.

Abstract: A tape dispensing device is comprised of a means for rotatably supporting a roll of tape. A means for adhering to the tape and pulling the tape forwardly is positioned forwardly of the supporting means. The adhering means and pulling means is rotatably supported. A motor means is provided for imparting rotation to said adhering and pulling means. Means for cutting the tape means is positioned forwardly of said adhering and pulling means. A switch means is provided for actuating the motor continuously while said actuating means is engaged. Also a shaping means is positioned above the path of travel of the tape to urge the tape against the adhering and pulling means, the adhering and pulling means including a set of feed rollers. The shaping means is positioned between a pair of adjacent feed rollers, the lowermost edge of the shaping means being positioned below the uppermost edge of said pair of adjacent feed rollers forming a structural indentation in said tape.

Abstract: A portable hand-held power stapler with an outer housing contoured to fit comfortably within the grip of a hand, said stapler having an improved actuation system comprising a manually operated power switch that will actuate the stapling mechanism when a paper-sensing arm positioned in a document insertion slot is brought into contact with the inserted edge of a document, thereby completing the electric circuit to the power source of the electric motor driving the stapling mechanism, said actuation system further having a manually actuated reverse switch to engage a reverse function of the stapling mechanism to clear a paper or staple jam.

Abstract: A capless retractable sealed marking instrument has a sealed chamber incorporated in a marker casing. The sealed chamber includes a chamber, a wiper ring, and an annular rim and a seal portion with a cross-slit aperture defining surfaces or flaps which are moved out of contact by a linearly-advanced marker nib to open the seal for extension of the marker nib. The configuration of the disk provides positive sealing force between the lateral sealing surfaces of the seal flaps. Retraction of the marker nib draws the flaps back into the sealed chamber configuration to protect the marker nib and cartridge from atmospheric degradation.