Abstract: A firearm such as a pistol includes a barrel which rotates and travels linearly relative to a frame of the pistol and a slide which travels linearly relative to the barrel and frame. The barrel has at least one stop located at a muzzle end for engaging at least one stop on the slide when the barrel is in a first rotational position to prevent linear movement of the slide relative to the barrel, which stops permit the slide and said barrel to move linearly relative to one another when the barrel is in a second rotational position. Another aspect of the invention comprises a control surface which is located on a barrel of a firearm. Yet another aspect of the invention comprises such features associated with a rotating, rather than tipping, firearm barrel. Yet another aspect of the invention comprises a replaceable energy buffer for a firearm.

Abstract: A firearm such as a pistol includes a barrel which rotates and travels linearly relative to a frame of the pistol and a slide which travels linearly relative to the barrel and frame. The barrel has at least one stop located at a muzzle end for engaging at least one stop on the slide when the barrel is in a first rotational position to prevent linear movement of the slide relative to the barrel, which stops permit the slide and said barrel to move linearly relative to one another when the barrel is in a second rotational position. Another aspect of the invention comprises a control surface which is located on a barrel of a firearm. Yet another aspect of the invention comprises such features associated with a rotating, rather than tipping, firearm barrel. Yet another aspect of the invention comprises a replaceable energy buffer for a firearm.

Abstract: A ring airfoil style paintball comprises a ring airfoil carrying a visible marking agent. The marking agent is located in one more compartments in a nose portion of a body of the ring airfoil, or within one or more containers located in those compartments. The nose portion of the body of the airfoil is configured to rupture upon impacting a target, releasing the marking agent into contact with the target. Cartridges comprising a sabot containing the ring airfoil style paintball are launched from a launcher. The launcher includes a magazine for sequentially delivering cartridges for launch. A stripper associated with the launcher strips the sabot from the ring airfoil paintball, and an ejector ejects the stripped sabot from the launcher.

Abstract: A launcher is configured to launch a plurality of ring airfoil projectiles. The launcher includes a body defining a launch passage. Ring airfoil projectiles are mounted on a magazine loaded into a first end of the passage. Movement of a trigger causes the magazine to be moved forward in the passage into engagement with a drive element, such as a pair of drive disks. Movement of the trigger also causes the drive element to be driven, and when engaged with a ring airfoil projectile on the magazine, to be launched from the second end of the passage. In one embodiment, the drive disks are driven by an electric motor and impart both a propelling and spinning force upon the ring airfoil projectile. Multiple ring airfoil projectiles may be loaded on the magazine and launched in succession without the need to reload.

Abstract: A ring airfoil launcher comprises a main support on which is movably mounted a ring airfoil accepting conical chuck and a retractor. A stop mounted on the main support for limiting forward movement of the chuck. A spring biases the chuck towards the stop. The retractor is mounted distal of the chuck and includes a latch for connecting it to the chuck. Rearward movement of the retractor causes rearward movement of the chuck, extending said spring. Twisting of the retractor rotates the chuck, winding the spring. A release disengages the latch from the chuck, allowing the spring to pull the chuck forward along the main support towards the stop, and rotating the chuck as it unwinds, causing the ring airfoil mounted on said chuck to be released from the launcher with forward velocity and stabilizing spin.

Abstract: A launcher is configured to launch a plurality of ring airfoil projectiles. The launcher includes a body defining a launch passage. Ring airfoil projectiles are mounted on a magazine loaded into a first end of the passage. Movement of a trigger causes the magazine to be moved forward in the passage into engagement with a drive element, such as a pair of drive disks. Movement of the trigger also causes the drive element to be driven, and when engaged with a ring airfoil projectile on the magazine, to be launched from the second end of the passage. In one embodiment, the drive disks are driven by an electric motor and impart both a propelling and spinning force upon the ring airfoil projectile. Multiple ring airfoil projectiles may be loaded on the magazine and launched in succession without the need to reload.

Abstract: A launcher is configured to launch a plurality of ring airfoil projectiles. The launcher includes a body defining a launch passage. Ring airfoil projectiles are mounted on a magazine loaded into a first end of the passage. Movement of a trigger causes the magazine to be moved forward in the passage into engagement with a drive element, such as a pair of drive disks. Movement of the trigger also causes the drive element to be driven, and when engaged with a ring airfoil projectile on the magazine, to be launched from the second end of the passage. In one embodiment, the drive disks are driven by an electric motor and impart both a propelling and spinning force upon the ring airfoil projectile. Multiple ring airfoil projectiles may be loaded on the magazine and launched in succession without the need to reload.

Abstract: Toys and methods for safely and reproducibly launching ring airfoils in a flying orientation. The toys generally comprise a member, a ring airfoil support mounted on the member, and a propelling element configured to move the ring airfoil support along the member from a first to a second position. Contact between the ring airfoil and the ring airfoil support causes the ring airfoil to move with the ring airfoil support as the ring airfoil support moves; this contact is overcome as the ring airfoil support decelerates at the second position, causing the ring airfoil to be launched with forward or both forward and spinning motion. The toys further may comprise a housing to protect the toy and user, a return element to place the toy in an engaged, launch-ready configuration, and a trigger to hold the toy in the engaged configuration until launching.

Abstract: A collector of a blood sample from a body member comprising a hollow container which is closed at both ends and has a hypodermic needle projecting from one of the ends and extending into the interior of the container. An arcuate disc of a frangible, inert material is sealingly positioned within the container to divide it into two compartments, one containing a blood culturing medium, the other air. An elongated tube engages the interior end of the needle and passes through the disc into the air chamber. When the wall of the container is deflected inwardly to expel the air to create a negative pressure condition within the container, the disc is broken thus allowing the blood drawn into the container when the wall is released to mix with the medium.

Abstract: A pistol in which a recoil-impacted bolt is in engagement with the front link of a toggle; and such link carries a transmittance pin designed to be struck by the hammer of the pistol when the links of the toggle are aligned. The bolt carries a firing pin advanced by the transmittance pin when the pistol is fired. The motion of recoil is transmitted from the bolt to the barrel through the toggle; and such motion later buckles the toggle by means of a supporting link attached to a rear toggle link and to a pistol frame. Also, in the event of recoil, the rear of the barrel structure has a spacer which impinges on the hammer, driving it to a rearward cocked position.