Abstract: An exhaust system includes a housing comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion separated by a common wall. The first housing portion has a first exhaust passage therethrough. The first exhaust passage has a first inlet receiving exhaust gasses from a turbocharger. The second housing portion has a second exhaust passage therethrough. The second exhaust passage has a second inlet receiving gasses from an exhaust bypass valve. The first passage and the second passage are non-intersecting within the housing.

Abstract: An exhaust system includes a housing comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion separated by a common wall. The first housing portion has a first exhaust passage therethrough. The first exhaust passage has a first inlet receiving exhaust gasses from a turbocharger. The second housing portion has a second exhaust passage therethrough. The second exhaust passage has a second inlet receiving gasses from an exhaust bypass valve. The first passage and the second passage are non-intersecting within the housing.

Abstract: A large capacity magazine apparatus for spherical projectiles, such as toy foam balls that may be used in conjunction with a launcher. The magazine includes drum and clip housings and a rotatable sprocket with longitudinal flutes that together form a smooth pathway for the foam balls to travel in the magazine and to alleviate jams. The smooth pathway includes a helical path, a transition path and a linear path within the housings. A constant force spring provides a rotational force for the sprocket and a plurality of articulated rigid balls function to push the foam balls out of the magazine and into a firing chamber of the launcher.

Abstract: A large capacity magazine apparatus for spherical projectiles, such as toy foam balls that may be used in conjunction with a launcher. The magazine includes drum and clip housings and a rotatable sprocket with longitudinal flutes that together form a smooth pathway for the foam balls to travel in the magazine and to alleviate jams. The smooth pathway includes a helical path, a transition path and a linear path within the housings. A constant force spring provides a rotational force for the sprocket and a plurality of articulated rigid balls function to push the foam balls out of the magazine and into a firing chamber of the launcher.

Abstract: A toy figure assembly including a footing assembly in combination with a dual action actuator employing first and second working surfaces accessible through underside openings of the footing assembly for driving action movements of the toy figure by both a user's fingers and a piston driven controller secured to the footing. Further alternative embodiments with various alternative mechanism appendage couplings with the torso assembly through the footing gears, bracket or channel elements facilitate driven for movements in relation to the torso assembly moved relative to the footing assembly. Battling action game play may be expanded with the controller to battle virtual robots, allowing users to play various interactive computer based games.

Abstract: An improved chorded zither is disclosed herein which may be characterized in that it comprises a novel adjustably positionable chord bar assembly (which assembly enables the playing of every key in the normal chromatic scale of 12 keys). In a preferred embodiment, the inventive chord bar assembly comprises a slidable chord bar rack operably connected to a plurality of chord bars, with the chord bar rack being interposed between the top surface of a body and a plurality of strings (associated with a stringed musical instrument). The plurality of chord bars is positioned above chord bar rack and perpendicular relative to the plurality of tensioned strings. The chord bar assembly is configured to be adjustably positionable between at least a set up key position, a sharpened key position, and a flatted key position.

Abstract: An improved chorded zither is disclosed herein which may be characterized in that it comprises a novel adjustably positionable chord bar assembly (which assembly enables the playing of every key in the normal chromatic scale of 12 keys). In a preferred embodiment, the inventive chord bar assembly comprises a slidable chord bar rack operably connected to a plurality of chord bars, with the chord bar rack being interposed between the top surface of a body and a plurality of strings (associated with a stringed musical instrument). The plurality of chord bars is positioned above chord bar rack and perpendicular relative to the plurality of tensioned strings. The chord bar assembly is configured to be adjustably positionable between at least a set up key position, a sharpened key position, and a flatted key position.

Abstract: A reusable vacuum bag apparatus for use in a compaction operation by which composite parts are formed. The apparatus includes a flexible, inflatable support structure which is secured to a reusable flexible mat vacuum bag. When inflated, the support structure maintains the vacuum bag in the orientation it needs to assume when placed on a forming tool associated with a compaction apparatus. The support structure is formed by a plurality of intercoupled linear and curving tubing segments which form a grid-like support structure. The support structure is shaped in accordance with the configuration and contours of the reusable vacuum bag portion, which is in turn shaped in accordance with a forming tool. The support structure can be de-inflated, which allows the vacuum bag secured thereto to be stored in a compact arrangement when not in use.

Abstract: A vacuum bag assembly used in making laminated articles having layers of composite materials and thermosetting resins that are formed and adhesively bonded together. The assembly includes a forming tool on which the composite materials and the thermosetting resins may be positioned. The composite materials have edges well spaced from edges of the forming tool. A vacuum bag is positioned over the composite material and the forming tool. The vacuum bag includes a flexible mat, having an irregular surface contiguous with the composite materials. The flexible mat also has edges well spaced from the edges of the forming tool. The vacuum bag also has a continuous flexible suction channel having an inner arch-like surface and an outer arch-like surface positioned between the edges of the flexible mat and the edges of the forming tool. The suction channel is attached to the flexible mat by a flexible connecting flange.

Abstract: A retainer for a flat object comprised of an envelope having front and rear planar members forming a pocket open at one end and for containing the flat object, and joined along opposite side edges, the planar member having a centrally located tongue projecting forward of the one end, the tongue being resiliently bendable adjacent the front end around an end and under a contained object so as to lie against an inside surface of the rear planar member, the width of the tongue being a fraction of the width of the planar members, the inside width of the envelope between the side edges being wider than the flat object by a distance sufficient to lift the tongue from under the contained object when the edges of the envelope are compressed toward each other and toward adjacent edges of the contained object.