Abstract: A reinforced die for use in a throwing game and method of manufacture of same are provided. Having corners reinforced with multiple rows of machine stitched threads, multiple layers of inner lining padding the corners, and filler material within the inner lining layers helps the die maintain distinct sides and resist deformation even after being thrown extensively against a hard surface. The use of machine stitching to reinforce the die allows to impart uniform strength to all sides of the die, further increasing resistance to deformation. The material of the housing, such as duck cloth, is weather resistant, durable, and has a friction coefficient that is high enough to prevent excessive sliding of the die from a board upon which the die is thrown, but low enough to prevent damage to the board.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a surgical end effector and a threaded rotary input shaft. An actuator member is in operable engagement with the surgical end effector and is in selective threaded engagement with the threaded rotary input shaft such that when the actuator member is in an engaged configuration, rotation of said threaded rotary input shaft causes the actuator member to move axially to impart an actuation motion to the surgical end effector and when the actuator member is in a disengaged configuration, rotation of the threaded rotary input shaft will not be imparted to the actuator member. A switch may be employed for selectively moving the actuator between the engaged and disengaged configurations. A locking system may be employed for preventing axial movement of the actuator member when the actuator member is in the disengaged configuration.

Abstract: A reinforced die for use in a throwing game and method of manufacture of same are provided. Having corners reinforced with multiple rows of machine stitched threads, multiple layers of inner lining padding the corners, and filler material within the inner lining layers helps the die maintain distinct sides and resist deformation even after being thrown extensively against a hard surface. The use of machine stitching to reinforce the die allows to impart uniform strength to all sides of the die, further increasing resistance to deformation. The material of the housing, such as duck cloth, is weather resistant, durable, and has a friction coefficient that is high enough to prevent excessive sliding of the die from a board upon which the die is thrown, but low enough to prevent damage to the board.

Abstract: A handling system for brass shell casings in an ammunition handling system. A shaft has a first sprocket and first hub and a non-circular gear mounted thereto, and because of the non-circular gear, rotates at a variable speed when driven by a power source. A second hub, coaxial with the shaft and rotatable independently of the shaft, has a second sprocket and a circular gear mounted thereto, and because of the circular gear, rotates at a selected speed when driven by the power source. The speed of the first sprocket varies between being equal to the speed of the second sprocket to being less than the speed of the second sprocket so that one end of a shell casing mounted on the two sprockets first lags behind the other end of the shell casing, then catches up to the other end of the shell casing.