Abstract: A polarization-dependent Faraday isolator, imposing both non-reciprocal and reciprocal polarization rotation, implements the polarizing and polarization-rotating optical elements as a solid block with coatings. The solid block includes a Faraday crystal. A forward-propagating laser beam enters the solid block via an input surface, undergoes total internal reflection at a side surface, and leaves the solid block via an output surface. Polarizing input- and output-coatings are disposed on the input and output surfaces, respectively. A phase-shifting coating is disposed on the first side surface and introduces a phase shift between s-polarized and p-polarized beam components of the forward-propagating laser beam during total internal reflection at the first side surface, resulting in reciprocal polarization rotation. The Faraday isolator can be made very compact and eliminates the need for separate alignment of the different optical elements.

Abstract: A firearm foregrip comprising: a lower section hingably attached to an upper section; an attachment arm carried by the lower section with an arm open position and an arm closed position, wherein the attachment arm is adapted to be received within a frame of a firearm securing the lower section to the frame when the attachment arm is in the arm open position; and a barrel clamp, connected to the lower section, with a clamp open position and a clamp closed position, wherein the barrel clamp is adapted to receive a barrel of the firearm and secure the lower section to the barrel when the barrel clamp is in the clamp closed position. The foregrip may include a heat shield, multiple attachment rails, and a second attachment arm. The barrel clamp may comprise multiple clamp assemblies to securely attach the foregrip to the firearm barrel.

Abstract: Wall bases and methods for utilizing the same are provided. A rear surface of the wall base is configured to be secured to an adjacent forward surface of a wall. An extension member extends outward and downward from the base member, and a protrusion extends downward from the extension member. A channel for sealant is defined, at least in part, by the extension member and the protrusion. The protrusion may be separately formed from the extension member and base member.

Abstract: Wall bases and methods for utilizing the same are provided. A rear surface of the wall base is configured to be secured to an adjacent forward surface of a wall. An extension member extends outward and downward from the base member, and a protrusion extends downward from the extension member. A channel for sealant is defined, at least in part, by the extension member and the protrusion. The protrusion may be separately formed from the extension member and base member.

Abstract: A firearm stock may be provided. The firearm stock may comprise a fore-end portion and a pistol grip portion. The fore-end portion may comprise a fore-end portion cavity and a fore-end insert. The fore-end insert may comprise a fore-end insert reinforcing structure disposed in the fore-end portion cavity. The pistol grip portion may comprise a pistol grip portion cavity and a pistol grip insert. The pistol grip insert may comprise a pistol grip insert reinforcing structure disposed in the pistol grip portion cavity.

Abstract: A wall base for sealing a gap between a wall and a floor is provided. The wall base comprises a base member configured to extend along a portion of the wall. A shoe protrusion extends at an angle from the base member and is configured to extend towards the floor and away from the wall. A heel portion extends from the shoe protrusion and is configured to contact the floor. A channel configured to receive the sealant is defined by the space between the heel portion and the shoe protrusion.

Abstract: A firearm stock may be provided. The firearm stock may comprise a fore-end portion and a pistol grip portion. The fore-end portion may comprise a fore-end portion cavity and a fore-end insert. The fore-end insert may comprise a fore-end insert reinforcing structure disposed in the fore-end portion cavity. The pistol grip portion may comprise a pistol grip portion cavity and a pistol grip insert. The pistol grip insert may comprise a pistol grip insert reinforcing structure disposed in the pistol grip portion cavity.

Abstract: A cove base for sealing a gap between a wall and a floor using a sealant is provided. The cove base comprises a base configured to extend along a portion of the wall when installed. A shoe extends at an angle from the base and is configured to extend towards the floor and away from the wall when installed. A heel extends from the shoe and is configured to contact the floor when installed. A channel configured to receive the sealant is defined by the space between the heel and the shoe.

Abstract: A wall base for sealing a gap between a wall and a floor is provided. The wall base comprises a base member configured to extend along a portion of the wall. A shoe protrusion extends at an angle from the base member and is configured to extend towards the floor and away from the wall. A heel portion extends from the shoe protrusion and is configured to contact the floor. A channel configured to receive the sealant is defined by the space between the heel portion and the shoe protrusion.

Abstract: A cove base for sealing a gap between a wall and a floor using a sealant is provided. The cove base comprises a base configured to extend along a portion of the wall when installed. A shoe extends at an angle from the base and is configured to extend towards the floor and away from the wall when installed. A heel extends from the shoe and is configured to contact the floor when installed. A channel configured to receive the sealant is defined by the space between the heel and the shoe.

Abstract: An animal pill feeder having a hollow tube having a first end and a second end, a bulb placed on the first end of the hollow tube, the bulb is adapted to push air through the hollow tube and a bladder placed on the second end of the hollow tube, the bladder contains a pill that is adapted to open and release the pill when the bladder receives the pushed air through the hollow tube after the animal pill feeder is inserted into an animal's or a pet's mouth and behind the animal's or the pet's tongue.

Abstract: A motion resistance and static resistance personal exercise device is provided. The device comprises a pneumatic cylinder and handled piston that resist motion of a user, while elastic resistance bands are utilized between the cylinder and the piston handle to add static resistance to pulling exercises. The cylinder comprises an outwardly extending foot pad, while the piston comprises a handle portion to force the piston in and out of the cylinder. At least one set of opposing resistance band hooks are disposed on the device. Resistance is developed against pushing and pulling motion of the piston handle by way of an air valve on the cylinder, which controls air exiting and entering thereinto. The resistance bands add static resistance and an increase in resistance load required by a pulling user. The device is utilized to exercise the user's upper, lower, and core body regions using a pushing and pulling motion.

Abstract: A modular material handling system includes a base portion removably connectable to a machine tool frame, the base portion including a hollow stanchion with a first end to go against a machine frame coupled to a compression plate by a threaded mounting stud and a second end to couple to a hollow pivot post coupled by a thrust bearing, with a shaft extending through the stanchion and pivot post and coupled at a lower end to the mounting stud and at an upper end to a retaining nut, and further including an arm extending from the pivot post to carry a movable shuttle and lifting mechanism.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for designing contact lenses in which method the lens flexure is taken into account. The method of the invention is insensitive to the lens' back surface design and does not require complex back surface designs. Additionally, the lens design can be optimized virtually, eliminating the need for iterative design-test on-eye-re-design cycles.

Abstract: Medical device, prosthesis, or packaging assembly made up of polymer body comprising at least one polymer having the formula R(LE)x wherein R is a polymeric core having a number average molecular weight of from 5000 to 7,000,000 daltons, and having x endgroups, x is an integer?1, E is an endgroup which is covalently linked to polymeric core R by linkage L, L is a divalent oligomeric chain which has at least 5 repeat units and which can self-assembly with L chains on adjacent molecules of the polymer, and moieties L and/or E in the polymer(s) may be the same as or different from one another in composition and/or molecular weight. The polymer body includes plural polymer molecules located internally within the body, at least some of which internal polymer molecules have endgroups that form a surface of the body. The surface endgroups include at least one self-assembling moiety.

Abstract: Commercial production transport systems, mechanisms, and guides for food processing are configured so as to automate food transport. The system can direct food to travel serially over side-by-side predetermined travel lanes using one or more of a pick-up mechanism and/or router guide channels to pick-up and/or laterally translate the food product form the first travel lane to the second travel lane so that it travels greater than one, and typically a plurality, of revolutions about a tier or level in a vertically stacked food processing unit before moving to the next tier. Associated methods redirect and/or laterally translate food being transported in an automated food processing system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and associated devices for supplying support members to a product loading station, loading, and automatically removing loaded members therefrom include: (a) advancing in spaced-apart relationship, a plurality of carrier members having opposing first and second ends and an associated width and length, along a selected travel path to a loading station; (b) presenting, in serial order, the carrier members to the loading station in a substantially horizontal orientation; (c) discharging elongated product from a winder arm that moves in a selected pattern about the carrier member at the loading station; and (d) straddling elongated product over each respective carrier member at the loading station responsive to the discharging step so that portions of the elongated product are serially draped over the carrier member along a length thereof, the straddling being carried out so that certain lengths of the elongated product hang from opposing sides of the carrier member.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for designing contact lenses in which method the lens flexure is taken into account. The method of the invention is insensitive to the lens' back surface design and does not require complex back surface designs. Additionally, the lens design can be optimized virtually, eliminating the need for iterative design-test on-eye-re-design cycles.