Abstract: A locking action firearm has a frame, a barrel connected to the frame, a reciprocating action element operable to reciprocate with respect to the frame between a forward battery position and a rear recoil position, a trigger lever connected to the frame and movable between a forward released position and rear actuated position, and a block element movable between a rest position in which movement of the reciprocating action element from the battery position to the recoil position is enabled, and a blocking position in which the block element contacts the reciprocating action element to prevent movement of the reciprocating action element from the forward battery position to the recoil position in response to movement of the trigger lever to discharge the firearm. The block element may be operably connected to the trigger lever and move based on the trigger lever position.

Abstract: A locking action firearm has a frame, a barrel connected to the frame, a reciprocating action element operable to reciprocate with respect to the frame between a forward battery position and a rear recoil position, a trigger lever connected to the frame and movable between a forward released position and rear actuated position, and a block element movable between a rest position in which movement of the reciprocating action element from the battery position to the recoil position is enabled, and a blocking position in which the block element contacts the reciprocating action element to prevent movement of the reciprocating action element from the forward battery position to the recoil position in response to movement of the trigger lever to discharge the firearm. The block element may be operably connected to the trigger lever and move based on the trigger lever position.

Abstract: Firearm control mechanisms have a frame, a trigger element connected to the frame and movable with respect to the frame, a selector connected to the frame and pivotable with respect to the frame about a pivot axis, the selector including a first cam surface operably engaged to a follower portion of the trigger element, the selector having a detent portion having a detent surface opposing a spring biased detent follower connected to the frame and operable to reciprocate against the detent surface, the detent surface having a plurality of stable positions, each corresponding to an operating condition of the fire control mechanism, and the detent portion being a body lacking any concave surfaces. The detent surface may have a plurality of flat cam surfaces. At least two of the flat cam surfaces may be perpendicular to each other. A corner may join the plurality of flat cam surfaces.

Abstract: Firearm control mechanisms have a frame, a trigger element connected to the frame and movable with respect to the frame, a selector connected to the frame and pivotable with respect to the frame about a pivot axis, the selector including a first cam surface operably engaged to a follower portion of the trigger element, the selector having a detent portion having a detent surface opposing a spring biased detent follower connected to the frame and operable to reciprocate against the detent surface, the detent surface having a plurality of stable positions, each corresponding to an operating condition of the fire control mechanism, and the detent portion being a body lacking any concave surfaces. The detent surface may have a plurality of flat cam surfaces. At least two of the flat cam surfaces may be perpendicular to each other. A corner may join the plurality of flat cam surfaces.

Abstract: A pistol comprises a frame with a slide operable to reciprocate on the frame. A trigger movably connected to the frame to move between a forward position and rear position, and a block element selectably interfacing with the slide and movable between a released position in which the slide is enabled to reciprocate and a locked position in which the slide is prevented from reciprocation. The block element is operably engaged to the trigger to move to the locked position when the trigger is in the rear position, such that the slide does not recoil after discharge when the trigger is held to the rear position.

Abstract: A locking action firearm has a frame, a barrel connected to the frame, a reciprocating action element operable to reciprocate with respect to the frame between a forward battery position and a rear recoil position, a trigger lever connected to the frame and movable between a forward released position and rear actuated position, and a block element movable between a rest position in which movement of the reciprocating action element from the battery position to the recoil position is enabled, and a blocking position in which the block element contacts the reciprocating action element to prevent movement of the reciprocating action element from the forward battery position to the recoil position in response to movement of the trigger lever to discharge the firearm. The block element may be operably connected to the trigger lever and move based on the trigger lever position.

Abstract: A pistol comprises a frame with a slide operable to reciprocate on the frame. A trigger movably connected to the frame to move between a forward position and rear position, and a block element selectably interfacing with the slide and movable between a released position in which the slide is enabled to reciprocate and a locked position in which the slide is prevented from reciprocation. The block element is operably engaged to the trigger to move to the locked position when the trigger is in the rear position, such that the slide does not recoil after discharge when the trigger is held to the rear position.

Abstract: Firearm control mechanisms have a frame, a trigger element connected to the frame and movable with respect to the frame, a selector connected to the frame and pivotable with respect to the frame about a pivot axis, the selector including a first cam surface operably engaged to a follower portion of the trigger element, the selector having a detent portion having a detent surface opposing a spring biased detent follower connected to the frame and operable to reciprocate against the detent surface, the detent surface having a plurality of stable positions, each corresponding to an operating condition of the fire control mechanism, and the detent portion being a body lacking any concave surfaces. The detent surface may have a plurality of flat cam surfaces. At least two of the flat cam surfaces may be perpendicular to each other. A corner may join the plurality of flat cam surfaces.

Abstract: A planar phased array antenna assembly includes a first face sheet with a first plurality of radiating slots for a first frequency band and a second plurality of radiating slots for a second frequency band, a second face sheet, a third face sheet, and a structure interposed between the first and second face sheets with a third plurality of radiating elements at the first frequency band and a fourth plurality of radiating elements at the second frequency band, and a first feed network for the third plurality of radiating elements and a second feed network for the fourth plurality of radiating elements, and the second face sheet interposed between the structure and the third face sheet. The planar phased array antenna assembly may form part of a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) antenna.

Abstract: A planar phased array antenna assembly includes a first face sheet with a first plurality of radiating slots for a first frequency band and a second plurality of radiating slots for a second frequency band, a second face sheet, a third face sheet, and a structure interposed between the first and second face sheets with a third plurality of radiating elements at the first frequency band and a fourth plurality of radiating elements at the second frequency band, and a first feed network for the third plurality of radiating elements and a second feed network for the fourth plurality of radiating elements, and the second face sheet interposed between the structure and the third face sheet. The planar phased array antenna assembly may form part of a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) antenna.

Abstract: Lithographically fabricated apparatus are provided. The apparatus are capable of self-assembly to extend at least in part in an out-of-plane direction. A cantilever arm is anchored to a substrate at one of its ends and fabricated to provide a cantilever portion that extends from the anchor in a longitudinal direction generally parallel to the substrate, One or more posts are fabricated atop the cantilever portion. The posts shrink from a first volume to a second volume, less than the first volume, during fabrication thereof. The change in volume of the post from the first volume to the second volume causes stress between the post and the cantilever arm resulting in the cantilever portion bending from an in-plane orientation extending in the longitudinal direction to a self-assembled orientation extending at least in part in an out-of-plane direction away from the substrate.

Abstract: Lithographically fabricated apparatus are provided. The apparatus are capable of self-assembly to extend at least in part in an out-of-plane direction. A cantilever arm is anchored to a substrate at one of its ends and fabricated to provide a cantilever portion that extends from the anchor in a longitudinal direction generally parallel to the substrate, One or more posts are fabricated atop the cantilever portion. The posts shrink from a first volume to a second volume, less than the first volume, during fabrication thereof. The change in volume of the post from the first volume to the second volume causes stress between the post and the cantilever arm resulting in the cantilever portion bending from an in-plane orientation extending in the longitudinal direction to a self-assembled orientation extending at least in part in an out-of-plane direction away from the substrate.