Abstract: A cutting element for use on a drill bit is disclosed. The cutting element includes a polycrystalline diamond table having a multi-tiered surface. The polycrystalline diamond table has at least a first cutting surface and a second cutting surface. The polycrystalline diamond table has a step between the first and second cutting surfaces. The step is transitional surface feature between the first and second cutting surfaces, which are positioned at different elevations in the polycrystalline diamond table.

Abstract: A collapsible buttstock with automatic deployment has a housing with an opening providing clearance for a buffer tube. Rods slidably couple through respective openings in the housing; the rods each having a hollow cavity accommodating biasing structure for exerting a biasing force against a respective attachment member. A locking element has locking blocks, each engaging a respective one of plural notches on the rods, for locking the rods to an operator support buttstock element, each of the locking blocks comprising a tapered surface. A release trigger with a contoured step engages the tapered surfaces of the locking blocks. When the release trigger is moved, the contoured step engages the tapered surfaces to push locking blocks away from engagement with the notches on the rods, thus allowing the biasing member in each rod to push the respective rod and the operator support buttstock element away from the housing.

Abstract: A thermally stable polycrystalline diamond compact is created by (i) preforming an annular thermally stable polycrystalline from a diamond plate, (ii) preforming a substrate with a projection that has an interfacial mating surface that is a negative topology of the annular thermally stable polycrystalline, (iii) and brazing the two components together. The resulting polycrystalline diamond compact can be made thermally stable because cobalt and other catalysts can be leached out of the thermally stable polycrystalline. The thermally stable polycrystalline can be attached to the substrate by brazing, which due to the topology of the thermally stable polycrystalline and the substrate with a projection will unexpectedly have sufficient blaze shear strength to be used in demanding applications.

Abstract: A cobalt-boron alloy is used as the matrix in a polycrystalline diamond compact. The matrix is hot isostatic pressed with tungsten carbide to form a substrate. The substrate is then high-pressure, high temperature sintered with a diamond powder, preformed and acid-leeched diamond plate, or another ultra-hard material in a press mold to sweep the matrix, thereby creating an ultra-hard polycrystalline compact at a temperature 400° C. lower and with less graphitization than conventional techniques using cobalt binder. The compact is stronger and has a longer useful life than conventional compacts.

Abstract: In this novel PDC cutter, diamond powders of different composition and/or different grain size, are distributed, shaped, and compacted with a novel pressing tool, in multiple stages, spatially arranged into different regions of the PDC diamond body, then HPHT sintered to form one PDC body with spatially varying hardness, toughness and thermal resistance.

Abstract: A firearm magazine assisted release device is provided. The release device comprises a spring secured with or integrated into a firearm. The spring is biased when a magazine is locked into a firearm, such that when the magazine release button is pressed stored potential energy is released as expansive kinetic energy, ejecting the magazine from the firearm.

Abstract: A firearm magazine assisted release device is provided. The release device comprises a spring secured with or integrated into a firearm. The spring is biased when a magazine is locked into a firearm, such that when the magazine release button is pressed stored potential energy is released as expansive kinetic energy, ejecting the magazine from the firearm.

Abstract: A collapsible buttstock with automatic deployment has a housing with an opening providing clearance for a buffer tube. Rods slidably couple through respective openings in the housing; the rods each having a hollow cavity accommodating biasing structure for exerting a biasing force against a respective attachment member. A locking element has locking blocks, each engaging a respective one of plural notches on the rods, for locking the rods to an operator support buttstock element, each of the locking blocks comprising a tapered surface. A release trigger with a contoured step engages the tapered surfaces of the locking blocks. When the release trigger is moved, the contoured step engages the tapered surfaces to push locking blocks away from engagement with the notches on the rods, thus allowing the biasing member in each rod to push the respective rod and the operator support buttstock element away from the housing.

Abstract: A firearm magazine assisted release device is provided. The release device comprises an external spring and method of securing that spring to the magazine. The spring is biased when the magazine is locked into a firearm, such that when the magazine release button is pressed stored potential energy is released as expansive kinetic energy, ejecting the magazine from the firearm.

Abstract: A cobalt-boron alloy is used as the matrix in a polycrystalline diamond compact. The matrix is hot isostatic pressed with tungsten carbide to form a substrate. The substrate is then high-pressure, high temperature sintered with a diamond powder, preformed and acid-leeched diamond plate, or another ultra-hard material in a press mold to sweep the matrix, thereby creating an ultra-hard polycrystalline compact at a temperature 400° C. lower and with less graphitization than conventional techniques using cobalt binder. The compact is stronger and has a longer useful life than conventional compacts.

Abstract: A thermally stable polycrystalline diamond compact is created by (i) preforming an annular thermally stable polycrystalline from a diamond plate, (ii) preforming a substrate with a projection that has an interfacial mating surface that is a negative topology of the annular thermally stable polycrystalline, (iii) and brazing the two components together. The resulting polycrystalline diamond compact can be made thermally stable because cobalt and other catalysts can be leached out of the thermally stable polycrystalline. The thermally stable polycrystalline can be attached to the substrate by brazing, which due to the topology of the thermally stable polycrystalline and the substrate with a projection will unexpectedly have sufficient blaze shear strength to be used in demanding applications.

Abstract: A firearm magazine assisted release device is provided. The release device comprises an external spring and method of securing that spring to the magazine. The spring is biased when the magazine is locked into a firearm, such that when the magazine release button is pressed stored potential energy is released as expansive kinetic energy, ejecting the magazine from the firearm.

Abstract: A shotgun shell or low velocity grenade dispenser and reloader system that can quickly and efficiently dispense a shell without requiring the focus of the operator. The dispenser can be attached to the operator's belt, leg, forearm, or a weapon. Alternatively the dispenser may be left unattached. The dispenser delivers a shell in an orientation that allows rapid loading of a weapon with minimal shell manipulation.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond composite including a generally circular sintered polycrystalline cutting disc and a refractory substrate operationally connected to the polycrystalline cutting disc. The polycrystalline cutting disc further includes a plurality of coarse diamond grains and a plurality of fine diamond grains. The plurality fine diamond grains are concentrated in an annulus positioned to define an outer edge of the polycrystalline cutting disc.

Abstract: A shotgun shell or low velocity grenade dispenser and reloader system that can quickly and efficiently dispense a shell without requiring the focus of the operator. The dispenser can be attached to the operator's belt, leg, forearm, or a weapon. Alternatively the dispenser may be left unattached. The dispenser delivers a shell in an orientation that allows rapid loading of a weapon with minimal shell manipulation.

Abstract: In this novel PDC cutter, diamond powders of different composition and/or different grain size, are distributed, shaped, and compacted with a novel pressing tool, in multiple stages, spatially arranged into different regions of the PDC diamond body, then HPHT sintered to form one PDC body with spatially varying hardness, toughness and thermal resistance.

Abstract: In this novel PDC cutter, diamond powders of different composition and/or different grain size, are distributed, shaped, and compacted with a novel pressing tool, in multiple stages, spatially arranged into different regions of the PDC diamond body, then HPHT sintered to form one PDC body with spatially varying hardness, toughness and thermal resistance more optimal for machining, drilling and/or cutting of hard rock and stone.