Abstract: A modular ballistic wall is disclosed for use in shoot houses and the like. The modular ballistic wall can be formed from metal plates having key-holes formed therein which are held together by facing and backing strips. Additionally, the modular ballistic wall is preferably formed so that the bolts used to hold the facing and backing strips to the metal plates do not directly secure a bullet containment frame to the facing and/or backing strips, to thereby prevent damage to the bullet containment frame from weakening the joint formed by the metal plates and the facing and backing strips.

Abstract: A method of upgrading the software load of a device includes receiving a configuration file and checking if a device software load matches load information (EE) of the configuration file. If the device software load does not match the EE of the configuration file, a check is made to determine if the device software load matches new load information (NE) of the configuration file.

Abstract: An omnidirectional target system includes a target movable between a retracted position and an extended position and an actuation mechanism for moving the target to the extended position, the target and the actuation mechanism being releaseable so that the target can be moved back into the retracted position despite movement of the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A drop target includes a first target seen by a shooter and a second target concealed behind the first target. When the shooter hits the second target, the first target moves, thereby representing that the shooter as hit a desired “kill zone” and should cease shooting.

Abstract: A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap.

Abstract: A modular target system utilizes standard sized pieces which may be releasably attached to form a target system. The size of the target system may be easily customized as well as the number and types of targets which are mounted to the target system.

Abstract: A drop target includes a first target seen by a shooter and a second target concealed behind the first target. When the shooter hits the second target, the first target moves, thereby representing that the shooter as hit a desired “kill zone” and should cease shooting.

Abstract: A modular target system utilizes standard sized pieces which may be releasably attached to form a target system. The size of the target system may be easily customized as well as the number and types of targets which are mounted to the target system.

Abstract: An isolated zebrafish genetic strain having a dystrophin mutant phenotype and fish models useful for screening or assaying agents having potential activity on muscular dystrophy or cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: A reusable ballistic door for use in the training of individuals such as police officers and military personnel. The door may be formed to have different weak spots, requiring different techniques to enter the door. The door may be quickly and inexpensively rebuilt for subsequent training. A reusable training door may also be used inside of a shoot house to provide realistic training scenarios.

Abstract: A modular ballistic ceiling allows increased flexibility in building and reassembling shoot houses. Shoot houses may be built with multiple levels which are completely modular.

Abstract: A packet containing a dosage of one or more medications or nutritional supplements and including a communication printed thereon that encourages a consumer to pursue a health regimen. The communication can be printed language on the packet that encourages the consumer to consume the contents of the packet. Alternatively, the packet can have an image printed on it, wherein the image provides encouragement to the consumer.

Abstract: In a film extraction apparatus, a flexible stripper blade tongue is held in a relaxed condition with the tongue extending downwardly of the blade by a natural curvature in the tongue near the tongue's juncture with the remainder of the blade. Inducing stress in the blade to create a slight degree of curvature of the tongue forces the tongue into a longitudinally straight and stiffened condition allowing the tongue to be driven through the cartridge mouth. Relaxation of the stress on the blade returns the tongue into its normal, downwardly-extending condition with the end of the tongue resting on the outer layer of the film irrespective of the roll diameter. Presence of the stripper blade upper surface across the gap between the cartridge mouth and a following film channel serves to guide the film into the film channel during the film extraction procedure.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee mechanism that improves stability and flexion of an individual during use. The prosthetic knee mechanism has a braking mechanism to increase stance phase stability in a polycentric knee. The combination of the braking mechanism with a polycentric knee increase stance stability and reduces frictional forces on the prosthetic knee components. The prosthetic knee mechanism uses a cam mechanism to control the flexion and extension of the knee. The cam mechanism also controls the speed at which the foot and shank swing. The prosthetic knee uses a collapsible posterior linkage which allows the knee to go into a small degree of flexion at heel strike while maintaining overall knee stability.

Abstract: A method is provided for controllably delivering signals on a bus, wherein the bus is comprised of a first and second segment. The method comprises monitoring the first bus segment for the presence of a first signal being driven thereon. Thereafter, the first signal is repeated on the second bus segment. To prevent the repeated signal from being repeated again, the second bus segment is not monitored during the repeating phase of the operation.

Abstract: A modular ballistic wall is disclosed for use in shoot houses and the like. The modular ballistic wall can be formed from metal plates having key-holes formed therein which are held together by facing and backing strips. Additionally, the modular ballistic wall is preferably formed so that the bolts used to hold the facing and backing strips to the metal plates do not directly secure a bullet containment frame to the facing and/or backing strips, to thereby prevent damage to the bullet containment frame from weakening the joint formed by the metal plates and the facing and backing strips.

Abstract: A method is provided for controllably delivering signals on a bus, wherein the bus is comprised of a first and second segment. The method comprises monitoring the first bus segment for the presence of a first signal being driven thereon. Thereafter, the first signal is repeated on the second bus segment. To prevent the repeated signal from being repeated again, the second bus segment is not monitored during the repeating phase of the operation.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for reducing drag produced by relative air movement on a moving body are disclosed. The method includes the steps of modifying a rear air pressure behind a rear of the body such that the rear air pressure is increased, wherein the air pressure modifying step includes inletting an amount of air from a boundary flow around the body and forming a pressure shell behind the rear of the body, wherein the pressure shell forming step includes forming a large vortex behind the rear of the body by outletting the inlet air at the rear of the body in a plurality of small high-energy vortices.

Abstract: A metal fitting (11) for an end of a plain length of pipe (12) comprises a body (13) with flange means (14) adjacent a first end (15), a gland ring (16) adjacent the other end (17) of the body, a grip ring (18) between the body (13) and the gland ring (16), and screw fasteners (19) for urging the gland ring (16) towards the flange means (14); characterised in that:the body (13) has an integral outer tubular spigot (20) projecting towards the gland ring (16) and a co-axial integral inner tubular spigot (21) having a cylindrical outer surface (22) projecting beyond the free end (23) of the outer tubular spigot (20), the inside (24) of the outer spigot (20) being provided with a frustoconical portion (25) adjacent and converging from that free end;the gland ring (16) has its inside provided with a similar frustoconical portion (26) converging in the opposite direction;and the grip ring (18) is a split ring having external surfaces (27, 28) mating with the frustoconical portions in the body (13) and the gland rin

Abstract: A rotor system for horizontal-axis wind turbines is provided having compound coning and a sweep angle to improve the rotor system's yaw responsiveness and stability and to reduce vibration and stress. To further improve wind turbine performance and rotor durability blades with the load-bearing function and airfoil function separated are disclosed and are particularly useful in rotor systems having compound coning or compound coning and sweepback. The load-bearing function and support function of the rotor hub are separated to improve rotor system durability and to provide a rotor hub for use with a pitch change mechanism for altering the pitch of rotor system blades.