Abstract: A pulley assembly for a compound bow comprises a draw cable pulley, a power cable pulley attached to the draw cable pulley, and a cable deflector attached to the power cable pulley or the draw cable pulley and adjustable among multiple deflector arrangements. The cable deflector engages the power cable during a let-off portion of drawing of the bow after the power cable is taken up by the power cable pulley. Different deflector arrangements result in corresponding draw force curves for the bow that differ from one another with respect to one or both of (i) draw force let-off rate with respect to draw distance or (ii) hold weight at full draw. The adjustment can be performed without using a bow press and without derigging the bow.

Abstract: As a compound archery bow (binary cam or hybrid cam; having first and second pulley members, a draw cable, and a single, continuous secondary cable) is drawn and its pulley members rotate: (i) both pulley members let out the draw cable; (ii) a take-up pulley of the first pulley member takes up a first end segment of the secondary cable; (iii) a let-out pulley of the second pulley member lets out a portion of an intermediate segment of the secondary cable; and (iv) a take-up pulley of the second pulley member takes up a portion of the intermediate segment of the secondary cable. Engagement of the intermediate segment with the second pulley member substantially prevents slippage of the secondary cable.

Abstract: A crossbow comprises a longitudinal rail, first and second bow limbs, a slide, and a bowstring. The longitudinal rail has a longitudinal slot. The first and second bow limbs are coupled to the rail and arranged on opposing sides of the rail. The slide has a transverse hole therethrough. The bowstring is coupled to the first and second bow limbs and passes through the transverse hole through the slide. The slide is engaged with the slot so as to be constrained to move reciprocally along the rail and so as to enable the bowstring to move (i) from a forward brace position to a rearward drawn position and (ii) from the rearward drawn position to the forward brace position. A forward surface of the slide can be structurally adapted to engage a rear end of a bolt loaded onto the rail of the crossbow.

Abstract: A high-voltage transmission cable having a carbon fiber core. The outer conductor is aluminum. The carbon core is enshrouded in a sheath that prevents the formation of a galvanic cell at the aluminum-carbon interface and provides a slip plane between the carbon core and outer conductor. The high-voltage transmission cable has insignificant sag, is operable at greater ampacity and greater temperature than conventional ACSR cable of comparable size, and is a cost-effective replacement for conventional ACSR cables. Use of the high-voltage transmission cable allows greater volume of power to be distributed over the existing power transmission grid.

Abstract: Method of forming a hollow, carbon/carbon composite article around an axis of symmetry, in which method a heat refractory mandrel is shaped to provide a desired inner surface configuration and tolerances of the article, and one or more plies of thermally stable carbon filaments are braided over the surface of the mandrel. The filaments have a diameter of substantially not greater than about 6 microns and a modulus of elasticity of substantially not less than about 45.times.10.sup.6 psi. The plies are then impregnated with a carbonizable liquid impregnant, and the assembly of impregnated plies and mandrel is heat treated so as to carbonize the impregnant. The resulting composite article has a high translation of the original strength of the filaments and has an inner surface defined by the outer surface of the mandrel.

Abstract: A sound barrier system particularly suited for out-of-doors, ground-mounted installations, such as for a highway noise barrier, comprises a vertical wall composed of successive individual wall sections arranged with immediately adjacent wall sections disposed at an intersecting angle to each other. Immediately adjacent wall sections are rigidly joined together in abutment along a common vertical joint. An earth anchor is anchored into the ground at each vertical joint. Each joint is secured to the corresponding earth anchor so that downwardly directed hold-down forces are applied by the earth anchors to the wall at the bottom portions of the joints.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for loading firewood into woodburning stoves and the like which has a pair of opposed arms with pivotably joined horizontal portions and vertical portions connected thereto having dogs on the ends thereof for gripping the firewood. A handle is secured to the horizontal portion of one of the arms and has a V-shaped member attached at its apex to the handle for maintaining the piece of firewood aligned with the handle during transport.