Abstract: A mailbox system includes more than one mailbox wall that defines a compartment with an open end, a lid that rotates from an open position to a closed position to enclose the open end of the compartment, an axle with a first end and a second end that passes through the mailbox wall, a flag attached to the first end of the axle outside of the compartment, an arm attached to the second end of the axle inside the compartment, and a locking bar that moves forward to release the arm such that the flag rotates from a lowered position to a raised position.

Abstract: A tube and ring assembly is provided for use with a shotgun barrel including a cylindrical tube, which may be a conventional choke tube or a carrier platform, with a first externally threaded portion at one end for threadingly engaging an internal thread in the shotgun barrel. A second externally threaded portion is provided on the tube which will remain exposed beyond the muzzle end of the shotgun barrel when the tube is fully threaded into engagement with the shotgun barrel. An internally threaded ring is also provided which is sized to be threadingly carried on an outside of the tube and to engage the second externally threaded portion of the tube such that the ring can be threaded onto the tube until it abuttingly engages the muzzle end of the shotgun barrel.

Abstract: A breaching tool assembly is provided for use with a shotgun barrel including a cylindrical carrier tube with a first externally threaded portion at one end for threadingly engaging an internal thread in the shotgun barrel. A second externally threaded portion is provided on the carrier tube which will remain exposed beyond the muzzle end of the shotgun barrel when the carrier tube is fully threaded into engagement with the shotgun barrel. An internally threaded stand-off tube is also provided which is sized to be threadingly carried on an outside of the carrier tube and to engage the second externally threaded portion of the carrier tube such that the stand-off tube can be threaded onto the carrier tube until the stand-off tube abuttingly engages the muzzle end of the shotgun barrel.

Abstract: A breeching tool assembly is provided for use with a shotgun barrel including a cylindrical carrier tube with a first externally threaded portion at one end for threadingly engaging an internal thread in the shotgun barrel. A second externally threaded portion is provided on the carrier tube which will remain exposed beyond the muzzle end of the shotgun barrel when the carrier tube is fully threaded into engagement with the shotgun barrel. An internally threaded stand-off tube is also provided which is sized to be threadingly carried on an outside of the carrier tube and to engage the second externally threaded portion of the carrier tube such that the stand-off tube can be threaded onto the carrier tube until the stand-off tube abuttingly engages the muzzle end of the shotgun barrel.

Abstract: A tube and ring assembly is provided for use with a shotgun barrel including a cylindrical tube, which may be a conventional choke tube or a carrier platform, with a first externally threaded portion at one end for threadingly engaging an internal thread in the shotgun barrel. A second externally threaded portion is provided on the tube which will remain exposed beyond the muzzle end of the shotgun barrel when the tube is fully threaded into engagement with the shotgun barrel. An internally threaded ring is also provided which is sized to be threadingly carried on an outside of the tube and to engage the second externally threaded portion of the tube such that the ring can be threaded onto the tube until it abuttingly engages the muzzle end of the shotgun barrel.

Abstract: An improved shotgun choke tube or fixed shotgun shot choking system is provided in which the 3-dimensional tightness or compactness of the pattern is achieved by the placement of radial projections within the choke tube at a selected distance from the muzzle, dependent upon the length of the shotgun shell being used, in conjunction with varying the dimensions of the projections depending on the nature of the components used in the manufacture of the particular shotgun shell used and the pattern results desired. Widest patterns (which are narrower or tighter than without the use of the choke tube) are achieved when the projections are positioned adjacent to the muzzle and/or with radial projections of minimal area contacting the walls of the wad/cup to retard its exit from the muzzle.

Abstract: A shot cup retardation device including circumferentially spaced and radially protruding ridges, pins, studs, or set screws; or an applied grit around an inner circumference of a barrel; or a plurality of continuous circumferential ribs arranged axially spaced apart within the barrel, all for retarding the velocity of a shot cup so as to inhibit interference between shot and cup downstream of the shotgun muzzle. Additionally, the invention provides that a shot cup retardation device and a downstream choke or pattern conditioner can be utilized in combination to produce a fine tuned and selective pattern without the random influence of shot cup and shot interference.