Abstract: A mounting bracket including an impact release mechanism for use in connection with helmet-mount lights and other devices. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket is a two-piece assembly comprising a base plate, an upright bracket configured to detach from the base plate upon a sufficient impact or force. In one embodiment, the impact release mechanism is configured to allow the upright bracket to break away from the base plate without affecting the subsequent utility of the mounting bracket. After the upright bracket detaches from the base plate, the mounting bracket can be reassembled by pressing the base plate and upright bracket together to engage the features associated with the impact release mechanism. Other embodiments of the present invention feature a one-use mounting bracket wherein the upright bracket is integrally formed to the base plate at predefined failure points that allow the upright bracket to break away from the base plate upon sufficient impact.

Abstract: A modular light arrangement is described which is useful for an individual engaged in a sport activity. It easily can be converted from a single to a dual light bulb housing arrangement while maintaining stability and rigidity. It includes a clamp positioned to grip one or more light housings between a pair of opposed jaws. A pair of spaced indexing pins is provided on one of the jaws and a corresponding pair of spaced indexing posts are provided on the other jaw. These pins and posts collectively engage complementary sockets in the housing(s) to facilitate the gripping. One of the jaws is movable toward and away from the other to facilitate changing the number of light housings that are gripped.

Abstract: A modular individual lighting arrangement for sports activities, such as mountain biking, is described. Such modular unit includes a light bulb housing having an exterior configuration to interact with a second housing by attaching such housings together. An intermediary receiver is included having a pair of spring fingers which are spaced apart an appropriate distance to interact both with a complementary set of apertures on a single housing and with corresponding apertures in two housings.

Abstract: A known gas operated firearm has been modified to be of more compact size and reduced weight while retaining the firepower, the features, and most of the components of its predecessor. A bolt assembly reciprocably mounted in a longitudinal cavity of a receiver assembly for movement between recoil and battery positions has a forwardly facing pressure surface and first and second longitudinally extending coaxial bores. The annular flange of a firing pin is slidable in the second bore and the bolt assembly includes a transversely extending retaining pin engageable by the annular flange to define an aftward terminal position of the firing pin. A recoil assembly includes a pair of tungsten weights mounted in the longitudinal cavity for rectilinear movement with the bolt assembly between the recoil and battery positions and includes means to bias the bolt assembly toward the battery position.

Abstract: A cassette for cleaning the capstan and read/write head of a tape drive. The capstan drives a mechanism for cleaning the read/write head, while a cleaning pad simultaneously engages the capstan from the side. As the cleaning cassette is inserted into the tape drive, the engaging extension of the tape drive activates a lever or motor system to move the capstan cleaning pad from a location within the cassette to a cleaning position in contact with the capstan.

Abstract: A known gas operated firearm has been modified to be of more compact size and reduced weight while retaining the firepower, the features, and most of the components of its predecessor. A bolt assembly reciprocably mounted in a longitudinal cavity of a receiver assembly for movement between recoil and battery positions has a forwardly facing pressure surface and first and second longitudinally extending coaxial bores. The annular flange of a firing pin is slidable in the second bore and the bolt assembly includes a transversely extending retaining pin engageable by the annular flange to define an aftward terminal position of the firing pin. A recoil assembly includes a pair of tungsten weights mounted in the longitudinal cavity for rectilinear movement with the bolt assembly between the recoil and battery positions and includes means to bias the bolt assembly toward the battery position.

Abstract: A swimmer distress signal of the smoke or flare type has an ignition system hich can be operated with one hand. A stab primer is activated by a sliding firing pin that is normally locked in position and protected by a metal cover. Upon withdrawal of the signal from a pouch, a lanyard pulls off the cover to expose and unlock the firing pin which has an enlarged head. A hit or force on the firing pin head drives it into the primer to ignite the display.

Abstract: A planing boat is provided having a variable configuration hull including two side panels hingedly secured to opposite sides of a keel panel. When the boat is sitting still in the water or moving at relatively slow speeds, the side panels extend generally outwardly from the keel panel providing the boat with a degree of stability. As the speed of the boat increases, and upon attaining dynamic stability, the side panels pivot upwardly thereby reducing the effect of impact on the water. When the speed of the boat decreases, the side panels return to their normal outwardly extending position.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing a memory subsystem from a requesting subsystem connected to a first bus. The memory subsystem is connected to a second bus. A pair of adaptors coupled to each other by a cable are respectively connected to the first and second busses. The requesting subsystem has a plurality of input/output paths from which a memory message can be transmitted to the first bus. Each such transmitted memory message includes a source code identifying the address of the requesting subsystem on the first bus and a tag bit identifying the one of the input/output paths from which the memory message is transmitted. The first adaptor has the same address on the first bus as the memory subsystem has on the second bus and receives a memory message addressed to the memory subsystem.

Abstract: The unit comprises outer and inner coaxial cylinders defining an hydraulic fluid reservoir between the inner walls of the outer cylinder and the outer walls of the inner cylinder. The opposite ends of the cylinders are closed off by a lower closure means and an upper cylinder head. A single piston within the inner cylinder has first and second piston rods extending from opposite sides through the cylinder head and lower closure. The cylinder head includes an hydraulic pump with passages placing the reservoir into communication with the interior of the inner cylinder above the piston together with appropriate check valves so that operation of the hydraulic pump will move the piston down the inner cylinder to exert a pulling force on the first piston rod and a pushing force on the second piston rod.

Abstract: The accessory device is for use with an hydraulic unit for compressing heavy duty springs. The accessory includes a base plate having feet for engaging lower coils of a spring and a fixed vertical cylinder with its lower end secured to the base plate. A movable cylinder is arranged to telescope over the fixed cylinder and includes laterally extending arms terminating in hooks for engaging over upper coils of the spring. Hydraulic power can be applied to telescope the movable cylinder over the fixed cylinder thereby moving the arms towards the feet and thus compressing a spring positioned therebetween. The relatively large diameters of the cylinders relative to their lengths provides for a very accurate guiding of the downward compressing movement in a rectilinear vertical direction.

Abstract: A memory subsystem is connected to an addressable port on one bus and a non-memory subsystem is connected to an addressable port on another bus. Access to the memory is achieved by the non-memory subsystem by generating a message having a destination code indicating an address on its own bus. An inter-bus communication adapter is connected between the buses and intercepts the requesting message. The message is transmitted by the adapter while the destination code is altered to indicate the address of the memory subsystem on the other bus. The receiving memory subsystem responds by generating a response message and placing the source address into the destination address position of the message. The message is transmitted on the bus to which the memory is connected and is intercepted by a second inter-bus communications adapter. The second adapter transmits the response message to the first bus for application to the requesting subsystem.