Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a platform balance that is suitable for transmitting forces and moments in a plurality of directions. The platform balance is adapted to support a test specimen, such as a large vehicle, in a test environment such as a wind tunnel. The platform balance includes a frame support and at least three spaced-apart transducers coupled to the frame support. Each of the transducers is sensitive about two orthogonal sensed axes. The transducers cooperate to provide signals indicative of forces and moments with respect to at least two orthogonal axes. Each transducer includes a transducer body having a support coupled to a sensor body along an axis of compliance. The sensor body is adapted to deflect about the two orthogonal sensed axes where the sensed axes are mutually orthogonal to the axis of compliance.

Abstract: A load cell body for transmitting forces and moments in a plurality of directions includes an integral assembly having a first ring member and a second ring member. Each ring member has a central aperture centered on a reference axis. In one embodiment, three or more sensor assemblies extend from the first ring member to the second ring member parallel to the reference axis. The sensor assemblies include spaced-apart apertures forming flexure members.

Abstract: A multi-party transaction management system includes a web-page server that includes a multi-party transaction web-page. This web-page allows authorized users to enter contact information and transaction information that may only be viewed by the authorized users. The transaction information includes transaction process steps, electronic word-processing documents, and notes. Authorized users may send notifications to other authorized users.

Abstract: Automatic and semi-automatic firearms of remarkably reduced mass yet capable of long-range accuracy because of unique recoil reduction are characterized by (A) a temporary combination of a barrel, an integral breech and a separable chamber that in operation of the firearm is moved by a compressed spring distally before and while a chambered cartridge is fired, (B) run-out of such temporary operative combination diminishes firearm recoil, (C) recoil of the temporary operative combination recompresses the spring and (D) the separable chamber is loaded with a round while spatially separated from the breech and barrel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting articles to a delivery point sequence includes at least one article sorter adapted to sort articles and a conveying system operable to arrange and convey containers of articles sorted in a first sort pass to an induct of the article sorter for a second sort pass or process of the articles. The conveying system may include at least one transport conveyor and a plurality of zone conveyors or staging zones. The transport conveyor conveys trays from the discharge of the article sorter to the induct of the article sorter, and the zone conveyors are positioned along the transport conveyor. The conveying system is operable to arrange and accumulate trays in a sequenced manner on the transport conveyor. The transport conveyor is operable to discharge the sequenced trays to the induct of the article sorter.

Abstract: A method for handling trays for use with an article sorter includes providing a conveying surface along a plurality of sorter units and conveying empty trays along the conveying surface. The empty trays that are being conveyed along the conveying surface are stopped with a tray stopping device that is positioned at least partially below the conveying surface and operable to project a portion of the tray stopping device above the conveying surface to engage and stop an empty tray. The stopped empty trays are moved from the conveying surface to the tray support areas in a direction generally transverse to the conveying surface. The empty trays are at least partially filled at the tray support areas, and the partially filled trays are moved from the tray support area onto the conveying surface.

Abstract: Gas-operated automatic and semi-automatic guns are improved by providing their barrels with unique exterior surface configurations to reduce the weight of their barrels while retaining the barrels' original stiffness and to cause the barrels to dissipate heat faster.

Abstract: Grenade launchers for attachment to gas-operated service rifles and carbines such as the M16 and M4 are improved by providing them with a trigger assembly that enables the shooter to deliver repeated hammer strikes to the primer of the loaded grenade without having to open the breach to reset the hammer and signals final aim indication via added trigger pull force.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a platform balance that is suitable for transmitting forces and moments in a plurality of directions. The platform balance is adapted to support a test specimen, such as a large vehicle, in a test environment such as a wind tunnel. The platform balance includes a frame support and at least three spaced-apart transducers coupled to the frame support. Each of the transducers is sensitive about two orthogonal sensed axes. The transducers cooperate to provide signals indicative of forces and moments with respect to at least two orthogonal axes. Each transducer includes a transducer body having a support coupled to a sensor body along an axis of compliance. The sensor body is adapted to deflect about the two orthogonal sensed axes where the sensed axes are mutually orthogonal to the axis of compliance.

Abstract: A projectileless ammunition system (20; 320) includes a metallic case (22; 322). A propellant charge (26; 326) is carried by the case and covered by an over-powder member (24; 324) in the absence of a separate projectile. The ammunition is advantageously used with an industrial ballistic tool operating so that each spent case serves as the effective projectile to be propelled by firing of the next round of ammunition.

Abstract: A projectileless ammunition system (20; 320) includes a metallic case (22; 322). A propellant charge (26; 326) is carried by the case and covered by an over-powder member (24; 324) in the absence of a separate projectile. The ammunition is advantageously used with an industrial ballistic tool operating so that each spent case serves as the effective projectile to be propelled by firing of the next round of ammunition.

Abstract: Gas-operated automatic and semi-automatic guns are improved by having a bisectional barrel with demountable and interchangeable muzzle sections wherein the breech section has a rifled bore and by having an actuation cylinder mounted to the receiver instead of the barrel. The muzzle sections are connected to the breech section via a tapered plug that locks into a tapered socket of the breech section. A port in the tapered plug joins with a port in the tapered socket to deliver gas from the barrel bore to the actuation cylinder and the tapered plug port in each interchangeable muzzle section is sized to provide automatic control of the proper amount of gas to cause the gun to function at its best rate based on the ammunition, silencer and length of the particular muzzle section selected by the user.

Abstract: A computing system for managing information between a server computing environment and a remote computing platform is disclosed. The server computing environment distributes information relevant to a user to the remote computing platform. The remote computing platform is configured to allow the user to automatically access the information distributed from the server computing environment. For example, in one aspect, the computing system comprises a server application and a server database resident on the server computing environment and a first client application resident on the remote computing platform. The server application is configured to manage and arrange information relevant to a user stored in the server database and is capable of communicating with and distributing information to the remote computing platform.

Abstract: A computing system for managing shopping events at one or more retail locations is disclosed. The system comprises a hand-held computer configured to receive shopping list information from a user. The system also comprises a server computing system operable with the hand-held computer. The server computing system is configured to receive the shopping list information from the hand-held computer and distribute one or more information packets associated with each of the products comprising the shopping list to the hand-held computer in advance of a shopping event. The system further comprises a retailer computing system associated with each of the retail locations. The user can distribute the shopping list information and the information packets to the retail computing system as the user completes the shopping event.

Abstract: A computing system for managing shopping events at one or more retail locations is disclosed. The system comprises a hand-held computer configured to receive shopping list information from a user. The system also comprises a server computing system operable with the hand-held computer. The server computing system is configured to receive the shopping list information from the hand-held computer and distribute one or more information packets associated with each of the products comprising the shopping list to the hand-held computer in advance of a shopping event. The system further comprises a retailer computing system associated with each of the retail locations. The user can distribute the shopping list information and the information packets to the retail computing system as the user completes the shopping event.

Abstract: Terminal straps are positioned within a battery container via multiple formations formed integral to the battery container. The unique formations provide for positive location of the terminal straps relative to the battery container and the battery container lid simplifying the manufacturing process and improving product quality.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hollow-form bicycle wheel formed by injection molding of plastic. The wheel has an integral, central sleeve to receive a wheel hub assembly, at least three, hollow-form, integral spokes that are symmetrically located at equal angular spacings about the hub, and an integrally formed peripheral annulus which is jointed to an independently formed annular rim having a peripheral channel to receive a tire. Preferably the rim is assembled to the mandrel of the wheel and the subassembly of rim and mandrel is placed in the mold cavity used for injection molding of the wheel, thereby bonding the rim to the wheel during its formation.