Abstract: An electroless deposition system is provided. The system includes a processing mainframe, at least one substrate cleaning station positioned on the mainframe, and an electroless deposition station positioned on the mainframe. The electroless deposition station includes an environmentally controlled processing enclosure, a first processing station configured to clean and activate a surface of a substrate, a second processing station configured to electrolessly deposit a layer onto the surface of the substrate, and a substrate transfer shuttle positioned to transfer substrates between the first and second processing stations. The system also includes a substrate transfer robot positioned on the mainframe and configured to access an interior of the processing enclosure. The system also includes a substrate a fluid delivery system that is configured to deliver a processing fluid by use of a spraying process to a substrate mounted in the processing enclosure.

Abstract: A plasma processor electrode includes a support member disposed to face to an electrode that holds a substrate to be treated, an electrode plate fixed to the support member and equipped with gas injection holes and a screw hole open and facing to the support member to supply a processing gas through the gas discharge hole into a processing space formed between the electrode plate and the electrode to generate a plasma in the processing space, and a fastening unit that clamps the electrode plate on the support member by fastening the electrode plate to the support member with a screw driven into the screw hole from the support member.

Abstract: A vaporizer vaporizes a force-fed liquid source material in a depressurized atmosphere to generate a source gas and discharging the source gas together with a carrier gas. The vaporizer includes a liquid reservoir chamber for temporarily storing the force-fed liquid source material; and a vaporization chamber communicating with the liquid reservoir chamber via a valve port. Further, the vaporizer includes a valve body adapted to sit on a valve seat surrounding the valve port of the liquid reservoir chamber; an actuator for driving the valve body; a carrier gas injection hole formed at a side of the valve body facing the valve port; and a discharge port for discharging the source gas from the vaporization chamber. By virtue of a specific arrangement of the carrier gas injection hole, the liquid source material is prevented from remaining unvaporized at a downstream side of the valve port.

Abstract: A combination of a teat cup and a flexible milk tube is shown. The flexible milk tube has a main duct and a plurality of secondary ducts for discharging milk from the teat cup and for applying vacuum in the teat cup. The main duct is confined by a duct wall extending around the main duct. The secondary ducts are included in the duct wall of the main duct. By including the plurality of secondary ducts in the duct wall of the main duct the flexible milk tube as a whole has a smaller cross-section than that of the known milk tube. The plurality of secondary ducts no longer need separate duct walls forming separate tubes either connected or not with the flexible milk tube comprising the main duct. This results in space saving.

Abstract: An automated method and system for individual animal electronic identification, measurement, and management of cattle in a feedlot. Through the use of a computer system integrated with individual animal identification, multiple measurement and remeasurement systems, and a handling and sorting system, animals are individually identified and measured. The computer system calculates optimum slaughter weight, economic end point and marketing date for shipment to a packing plant. Individual animals are sorted by the computer in response to calculations from the measurements. The computer system stores individual animal measurement, performance and location data, which is used to select animals for shipment to slaughter at the optimum time.

Abstract: A restricted animal access feeder which includes the concept of having vibratory means and noise emitting means which will scare an animal away from eating food in a desired dish. The vibratory means and noise emitting means are generated by closing of a magnetic circuit so that the vibratory mechanism and noise activating mechanism is activated. An animal who is desired not to eat from a specific food dish will wear a specific magnetic collar that will close the activation circuit. An animal that does not have such collar will not close the activation circuit and therefore, will have access to the food. The invention also includes means to enable the magnet to detach from a magnetic object so that the animal will not be permanently attached to a magnetic object such as a refrigerator.

Abstract: A bird feeder that includes a bird feed holder having open top and bottom ends, a plurality of feeding ports disposed in a sidewall defining the holder, a plurality of perches each associated with an inlet of an associated feeding port and a removable base for engaging with the bottom end of the holder, the removable base having a closed position for sealing the bottom end of the holder so as to retain the bird feed therein and an open position in which the base is removed from the holder to enable access to the bottom end of the holder. One embodiment has a manually operated latch member supported by the base and supported for radial engagement so as to enable releasable securing of the removable base to the holder. In another embodiment a manually operated latch couples to a main body portion, the latch being supported for rotation with respect to the main body portion to releasably secure the base assembly to the housing. Also disclosed is a feeder support apparatus.

Abstract: Providing underwater marine structures having a primary component of sedimentary rock of biochemical origin that is fixated into an assemblage forming structure that is anchored into the marine environment to foster establishment of a reef ecosystem.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a manure conveyor device. The method includes driving a first return roller about which a manure conveyor belt circulates at a first rotational speed, and driving a second return roller about which the manure conveyor belt circulates at a second rotational speed. During a first interval the first rotational speed exceeds the second rotational speed, and during a second interval the second rotational speed exceeds the first rotational speed.

Abstract: A modular bird cage includes a plurality of support posts located at the corners of the cage. The support posts are made up of an internal column and an external post surrounding the internal column. The internal column is internally threaded to rigidly connect a base portion and an upper portion of the bird cage. The internally threaded column engages a vertically extending threaded stud extending from the base portion. Two perpendicular, radially extending lugs are mounted on the base portion spaced from the stud. The internally threaded column, when fully engaged with the externally threaded stud, abuts against the two radially projecting lugs, filling the space between the stud and the lugs. A hollow external post is passed over the column and includes two perpendicularly located arched openings which engage the two lugs mounted on the base portion.

Abstract: A modular enclosure system, for example, for housing plants and/or animals is provided. The enclosure system includes a frame assembly having a plurality of vertical and horizontal members, and a plurality of connectors adapted to engage the horizontal and vertical members. The members include longitudinal projections or ribs adapted to engage a plurality of panel assemblies. The panel assemblies include first ends adapted to pivotally engage a rib of one member and a second end having a releasable locking mechanism adapted to engage a rib of a member. The enclosure may be used for any type of storage or housing, but is uniquely adapted to house animals, for example, pets, or plants. Aspects of the invention also include a structural system having horizontal and vertical members and connectors adapted to engage the members.

Abstract: To provide a boiler equipped with a water tube group performing heat recovery effectively and having expansion heating surfaces (fins or the like) of high durability, the present invention provides a boiler (1) including: a boiler body (10) having an inner water tube group (20) and an outer water tube group (30) that are arranged in an annular fashion; and a burner (40) arranged at a central portion of the inner water tube group (20), in which: intervals between adjacent inner water tubes constituting the inner water tube group (20) are closed except for portions where a gas flow passage is provided; and stud fins (22 and 32) are provided on a portion of at least one of the inner water tube group (20) and the outer water tube group (30) in a vicinity of the gas flow passage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lubrication structure for an engine comprising pistons 12 for slide motion in cylinders 11 of a V-type engine and lubricating means 13 and 14 for injection of oil to cool the pistons 12. The lubricating means 13 or 14 being arranged on an anti-thrust load side of each of the cylinders 11 with respect to a sliding surface for the piston 12, a notch of each of the pistons 12 required for said lubricating means 13 and 14 being formed on the anti-thrust load side of the cylinder 11 so as to increase strength of the cylinders 11 and pistons 12.

Abstract: A variable compression ratio system for use in a reciprocating-piston engine. The system allows the compression ratio in a combustion cylinder of the engine to be varied by varying the distance from a combustion chamber facing surface of a piston to the center of pivotal connection of a connecting rod to a crankshaft. The distance is varied responsive to the supply and withdrawal of pressurized hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid is supplied and discharged by a slave pump pivotally connected to the connecting rod at a first end and pivotally connected to a stationary point at a second end. The slave pump supplies and withdraws hydraulic fluid responsive to the rotation of the crankshaft and a hydraulic backpressure controlled using a pressure control valve.

Abstract: A control system and method for a hydraulic system (HS) that controls a fluid supply in an engine includes a timer module determines the response time of the HS to perform at least one of: increasing the pressure of the fluid supply above a predetermined threshold following the state change command and decreasing said pressure of said fluid supply below said predetermined threshold following said state change command. An update module updates the desired time of the HS based on the response time of the HS.

Abstract: In a camshaft operating unit having a friction torque variation simulation arrangement for controlling a camshaft adjustment device with at least two camshafts one of which is at least adjustable camshaft and at least one camshaft adjusting unit, the friction torque variation simulation arrangement is provided to simulate a friction torque camshaft required to rotate the camshaft.

Abstract: An upper surface of a head part of a valve lifter has a predetermined turn back portion at which, with a variable valve control device kept controlled to induce a maximum lift of an engine valve, a swing stroke of a rounded cam surface of a swing cam relative to the upper surface of the head part changes a traveling direction from a radially outward direction for opening the engine valve to a radially inward direction for closing the engine valve. An inlet end part of an oil hole formed in the head part is placed at a radially inside position of the upper surface other than a position where side edges of the rounded cam surface of the swing cam are in contact with the inlet end part of the oil hole when the rounded cam surface is placed in the vicinity of the turn back portion.

Abstract: A variable displacement pump including a chamber volume varying mechanism including a moveable member, a first biasing member always biasing the moveable member in such a direction as to increase volumes of the working fluid chambers, and a second biasing member that is disposed with a set load and applies a biasing force to the moveable member in such a direction as to increase the volumes of the working fluid chambers when the moveable member is displaced against a biasing force of the first biasing member by a predetermined amount or more. The biasing force of the first biasing member is set such that before the moveable member is displaced against the biasing force of the first biasing member, the valve timing control device is shifted to a release state in which an open-and-closure timing of an engine valve is variably controlled.

Abstract: A variable valve timing control apparatus of an internal combustion engine has a drive rotary member rotated by an engine crankshaft, a driven rotary member fixedly connected to a camshaft and transferring a turning force from the drive rotary member to the camshaft, and a phase-change mechanism changing a relative rotational phase between the drive and driven rotary members and having an intermediate rotary member installed between the drive and driven rotary members for a relative rotational phase control. The variable valve timing control apparatus further has a holding mechanism and a releasing mechanism. The holding mechanism forces the intermediate rotary member and holds the relative rotational phase between the drive and driven rotary members, and the releasing mechanism releases a holding state of the holding mechanism.

Abstract: A variable valve timing control apparatus employs a five-blade vane member fixedly connected to a camshaft end and rotatably disposed in a phase-converter housing formed integral with a sprocket driven by an engine crankshaft. Five phase-retard chambers and five phase-advance chambers are defined by five blades of the vane member and the housing, for creating a phase change of the vane member relative to the housing. A circumferential width of each of a first pair of blades, located on both sides of a first blade having a maximum circumferential width, is dimensioned to be less than a circumferential width of each of a second pair of blades, circumferentially spaced apart from the first blade rather than the first pair. The circumferential width of each of the second pair of blades is dimensioned to be less than the maximum circumferential width of the first blade.

Abstract: A valve cover assembly for sealed engagement with a cylinder block includes a cover portion, a rail and a molded-in-place elastomeric bridge molded to the cover portion and the rail maintaining the cover portion and the rail in spaced relation to one another. The rail has an outwardly extending mounting flange providing a hard mounting bottom surface that is coplanar with the rail sealing surface. A seal depends from the sealing surface of the rail when in an uninstalled, uncompressed state for compression against the cylinder block upon the sealing surface and the hard mounting bottom surface being brought into engagement with the cylinder block, thereby establishing fluid-tight seal between the valve cover assembly and the cylinder block.

Abstract: In a gas exchange valve operating apparatus with at least one overhead camshaft for actuating the gas exchange valves, with a hydraulic medium supply passage extending through the camshaft and with at least one hydraulic switchable support unit cooperating with a lever-like cam follower which is disposed on a switchable support unit and on a gas exchange valve and is furthermore in contact with the overhead camshaft, the support unit is disposed in communication with at least one pressure medium supplied via the hydraulic medium supply passage of the camshaft.

Abstract: A variable tappet includes a tappet body; a variable portion in the tappet body, configured to open and close a valve; and a control portion to maintain the variable portion in either a first state, at which it can open and close the valve, and a second state, at which it cannot open and close the valve.

Abstract: The invention proposes a switchable support element (1) for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, said support element comprising a housing (2) in whose bore (3) an axially displaceable inner element (4) is received, a coupling means (6) extending in the inner element (4) can be brought partially into engagement with an entraining surface (7) of the housing (2) for achieving coupling, and said support element (1) further comprising at least one vertical stop means (10) that overlaps an annular groove (9) between the inner element (4) and the housing (2) for defining a coupling position of said coupling means (6) with coupling lash relative to said entraining surface (7), the vertical stop means (10) is constituted by at least one thin-walled ring comprising a slot (11), the ring is placed or slipped, slot (11) ahead, onto an outer peripheral surface (12) of the housing (2) to extend parallel to a transverse plane of the support element (1), the housing (2) comprises at least one aperture (13) throug

Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling a plasma-jet spark plug in a four-stroke internal combustion engine, including the steps of: causing the spark plug to generate a primary discharge during either a compression stroke or an expansion stroke of the engine in such a manner as to produce a plasma by the primary discharge; and causing the spark plug to generate a secondary discharge during a time after the primary discharge and before the completion of a subsequent intake stroke of the engine.

Abstract: An engine for a leisure vehicle including a crank chamber in which a crankshaft is disposed, a transmission chamber in which a transmission unit of the vehicle is disposed, the transmission unit having an input shaft that is coupled to the crankshaft and configured to be driven by the crankshaft, a cylinder extending from the crank chamber, and a cylinder head attached to the cylinder. The crank chamber is located above the transmission chamber, and the cylinder is disposed in such a manner that an axial direction thereof is oriented in a substantially longitudinal direction of a vehicle body of the leisure vehicle.

Abstract: A revolving piston engine incorporating revolving pistons for improving fuel efficiency, increasing power output, easy cooling and reduced vibration. One or more of revolving piston pairs, each consisting of one piston and one cylinder head, revolve within a ring cylinder, around a common axis in a same direction, but with different velocities. A revolving piston compressor is also disclosed, incorporating appropriately designed and relocated ports/valves for both of associated intake and outlet components.

Abstract: A control device is provided that controls the injection quantity and injection timing of fuel injected into the cylinder of a diesel engine, in which are provided two control modes of: a normal injection mode in which the injection quantity and injection timing are controlled so that the injected fuel ignites near compression top dead center during an injection period; and a premixed injection mode in which the injection quantity and injection timing are controlled so that fuel injection is completed before compression top dead center and the injected fuel ignites near compression top dead center after a premixing period, and target values of control parameters (pilot injection timing, and the like) are set in advance separately for each control mode, the control device comprising change means for gradually changing target values V1 of one control mode into the target values V2 of the other control mode when switching from one control mode to the other control mode.

Abstract: In a gas exchange valve actuating device having a lever for transmitting a drive movement to at least one gas exchange valve of an engine braking control unit of an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine includes a compact braking control unit which is coupled to the valve operating lever for controlling actuation of the gas exchange valves in a braking mode of engine operation.

Abstract: An ignition device (ECU and a drive circuit) for a spark ignition type internal combustion engine that directs an ignition with generation of a predetermined start signal (i.e., falling of an ignition signal) has a circuit for monitoring generation timing of the start signal and for prohibiting the ignition based on the start signal when the start signal is generated at abnormal timing. In particular, the ignition device has a circuit for determining whether the start signal is generated at predetermined start timing and a circuit for prohibiting the ignition based on the start signal when the above circuit determines that the start signal is not generated at the start timing. Thus, damages to the engine and peripheral devices due to the ignition at the abnormal timing can be reduced.

Abstract: A controller of an engine that can use a blended fuel with alcohol blended therein, the controller includes: an ignition timing controller, operable to control an ignition timing of the engine; an exhaust air-fuel ratio detector, operable to detect an exhaust air-fuel ratio of the engine; a concentration detector, operable to detect concentration of the alcohol in the blended fuel; an operation state detector, operable to detect an operation state of the engine; and a corrector, when the operation state which is detected by the operation state detector is a high-speed, high-load operation state, as the concentration of the alcohol which is detected by the concentration detector is higher, operable to control an injection amount which is injected from a fuel injection valve to correct a target equivalence ratio more in a lean direction, and operable to correct the ignition timing which is controlled by the ignition timing controller more to a spark advance side.

Abstract: A pump is provided for pumping two or more different fluids. The pump comprises a body having a longitudinal bore and at least first and second inlets selectively communicating with and providing passage to the bore via non-return valves. A plunger is mounted for reciprocation within the bore and at least one piston is also mounted for reciprocation within the bore so as to permit at least one type of fluid to pass into the bore through one or both inlets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injection system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having a first high-pressure accumulator and having a second high-pressure accumulator. The fuel injection system also has a high-pressure pump, wherein the first and the second high-pressure accumulators have a number of ports for injector supply lines corresponding to the number of cylinders of the internal combustion engine. A damping volume for damping pressure pulsations between the high-pressure accumulators and the high-pressure pump is integrated into one of the high-pressure accumulators.

Abstract: In a method for adaptation of closed-loop control of a pressure in a common-rail injection system (3) for an internal combustion engine (1), with the closed-loop control having a pilot control and the common-rail injection system (3) with at least a correction device (11) able to corrected by corrective signals in each case corresponding to corrective values for influencing the pressure, a pilot control value for generating at least one corrective signal for the correction device (11) is determined, and using the pilot control value by generating the at least one corrective signal and issuing it to a correction device, the current pressure is corrected to a predetermined setpoint pressure. For adaptation the pilot control is adapted as a function of at least one current value of an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine (1) and of the corrective value corresponding to the at least one corrective signal.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel injector pocket, formed within a cylinder head, for housing an injector which sprays fuel into a combustion chamber defined by the cylinder head and a piston crown. The injector is mounted with an isolator which is loaded at a lower, elastic rate during lower power operation, with the elastic load element being stacked solid and subject to higher rate column loading during high power operation of the engine and injection system. The isolator controls unwanted injector ticking noise, while protecting the integrity of the injector's tip seal.

Abstract: A piston aircraft engine assembly includes a piston aircraft engine, a fuel source, and a control system adapted to deliver fuel from the fuel source to the piston aircraft engine. The control system includes a mass airflow sensing apparatus adapted provide a pressure signal, an electronic engine controller coupled to the mass airflow sensing apparatus, and a set of fuel injectors. The electronic engine controller is adapted to (i) receive the pressure signal from the mass airflow sensing apparatus and (ii) generate a set of fuel injector signals based on the pressure signal received from the mass airflow sensing apparatus. The set of fuel injectors is adapted to meter the fuel in response to the set of fuel injector signals generated by the electronic engine controller.

Abstract: An ECU reduces a fuel flow rate discharged from an electric pump to the filter when a fuel temperature and a fuel pressure in the filter detected by a sensor portion drop. Since a mechanical pump continues to be driven without respect to the fuel quantity discharged from the electric pumps when the fuel flow rate discharged from the electric pump is decreased, a suction pressure is generated at an inlet of the filter. The fuel in a recirculation passage is introduced into the filter through a branch passage. As the result, relatively high temperature fuel is introduced into the filter to melt a solidified fuel causing a clogging of the filter.

Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure defining a combustion chamber, a fuel injector in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, a fuel supply and a fuel pump assembly. The fuel pump assembly may include a housing, a reciprocating member, and a solenoid valve assembly. The housing may define an inlet in fluid communication with the fuel supply, an outlet in fluid communication with the fuel injector, and a bypass passage. The reciprocating member may be located within the housing to define a compression chamber in fluid communication with the inlet, the outlet, and the bypass passage. The solenoid valve assembly may include a valve member located within the bypass passage and displaceable between open and closed positions to selectively provide fluid communication between the compression chamber and the fuel supply during a compression stroke of the reciprocating member.

Abstract: An engine control system comprises a camshaft, a cam phaser module, a pressure sensor, and an engine control module. The camshaft is operably coupled to a crankshaft of an engine. Rotation of the camshaft operates a fuel pump in driving communication with a cam of the camshaft. The cam phaser module provides hydraulic pressure to change a rotational position of the cam about the camshaft. The pressure sensor determines a cam phaser pressure signal based on a pressure of fluid in the cam phaser module. The engine control module diagnoses a condition of the fuel pump based on the cam phaser pressure signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel supply device that can suppress the excessive heating of a fuel supplied from a fuel pump into an internal combustion engine even if a control module is cooled. The fuel supply device (1) comprises a set plate (10) attached to a mounting hole (34a) of a fuel tank (34), an electric fuel pump (30) attached to an inner surface of the set plate (10), a control module (14) attached to an outer surface of the set plate (10), the control module driving the fuel pump (30) using electric power supplied from the exterior, and a heat radiating member (32) for radiating heat generated in the control module. One end of the heat radiating member (32) is thermally connected to the control module (14), and the other end of the heat radiating member (32) protrudes downward from the inner surface of the set plate (10).

Abstract: A vapor separator includes a fuel pump, and a container at least partially defining a fuel reservoir to hold fuel and a pump chamber to hold the fuel pump. A closure is carried by the container to close the fuel reservoir and at least partially defines a vapor chamber above a level of fuel in the fuel reservoir and in fluid communication with the pump chamber. A vapor vent device is carried by the closure to allow fuel vapor to vent out of the vapor separator from the vapor chamber and prevent liquid fuel from flowing therethrough when the vapor separator is declined.

Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine defining a cylinder bore, a fuel tank, a fuel supply assembly in fluid communication with the fuel tank and the cylinder bore, a fuel return assembly in fluid communication with the fuel supply assembly and the fuel tank, and a fuel filter assembly. The fuel filter assembly may include a filter casing having an inlet, an outlet and a bypass opening, and a filter media located within the filter casing. The filter media may be located between the inlet and the outlet, defining a dirty fuel region of the filter assembly between the inlet and the filter media and a clean fuel region between the filter media and the filter outlet. The bypass opening may be in fluid communication with the dirty fuel region and the fuel return assembly to draw gases out of the dirty fuel region.

Abstract: An adsorption/desorption device is communicated with an upper space of a fuel tank via a vapor passage. The adsorption/desorption device is configured to selectively adsorb or desorb air components contained in vapor. The adsorption/desorption device and the vapor passage are not communicated to the external atmosphere. The fuel tank is provided with a pressure detecting device for detecting the internal pressure of the fuel tank. A pressure regulating device is provided to the vapor passage for controlling and maintaining the pressure applied to the adsorption/desorption device. When the internal pressure of the fuel tank is higher than the atmospheric pressure, the internal pressure of the fuel tank is pressure-fed to the side of the adsorption/desorption device via the pressure regulating device until the internal pressure of the fuel tank becomes in equilibrium with the atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An integrated positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) channel is formed along a structural weld line between two shell components that are welded together to form an air intake manifold. The integrated PCV channel can be used to uniformly distribute blow-by gases from the crankcase of an internal combustion engine to a plurality of combustion chambers via the air intake manifold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, wherein the nitrogen content in an intake air flow (1) suctioned from the ambient air is reduced before delivering the air flow to at least one combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine (7) in order to produce a nitrogen-reduced combustion air flow whose oxygen content is higher than that of the suctioned air flow.

Abstract: A method for operation of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine may include one or more combustion chambers, a fuel delivery system including a direct fuel injector coupled to each combustion chamber, an ignition system including one or more spark plugs coupled to each combustion chamber, a piston disposed within each combustion chamber, and an intake and an exhaust valve coupled to each combustion chamber, the internal combustion engine providing motive power to the vehicle. The method may include discontinuing combustion operation within the internal combustion engine responsive to idle-stop operation. The method may further include, during a direct-start, performing multi-strike ignition operation per combustion cycle via one or more selected spark plug(s) for at least a first combustion cycle in a combustion chamber following the discontinuation of combustion operation, the one or more selected spark plug(s) coupled to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A tube unit of a spark plug for an engine that is used for mounting the spark plug in a cylinder head, may include a spark plug tube including a hollow tube body inserted in an interior mounting hole of the cylinder head, wherein a lower end of the hollow tube body that a gasket is coupled thereto is mounted at an upper end of a penetration hole formed at a lower deck, and a compression bolt engaged to the interior mounting hole of the cylinder head at an upper end of the hollow tube body so as to apply compression force to the hollow tube body and generate surface pressure to the gasket for sealing a gap disposed between the hollow tube body and the penetration hole while the compression bolt is engaged to the interior mounting hole of the cylinder head.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a collapsible locking slingshot having a quick-release interchangeable band replacement safety system. The present invention also includes a self-centering, open-pocket slingshot pouch and a unique dual-tapered band. The slingshot collapses into a lockable case, improving the slingshot's safety, and enhancing the protection and longevity of the slingshot's components. The slingshot incorporates a unique shoot-over design in which the arms generally are parallel to the shooter's arm during operation.

Abstract: A device is provided for locking a front end of a spear shaft in a spear gun. The device comprises a bridge extending crosswise over a distal end of the gun with a substantially U-shaped nosepiece joined to the distal end and revolving relatively freely about a crosswise axis thereof. The nosepiece includes at least two arms connected to respective ends of a relatively elastic cable that may be tensioned against a rear end of the shaft, when the shaft is placed on a support surface along the body of the gun. The bridge is attached to and integrally with the ends of the elastic cable and is located a selected distance from the support surface such that the shaft is retained against the surface when the spear is in a stowed or loaded position.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an arrow rest usable with an archery bow to support an arrow shaft in a ready-to-draw position during the draw and until the release of the arrow by an archer. The arrow rest preferably aligns an elongate axis of the arrow shaft in a desired path which the arrow follows during release from the bow and at least initially towards the target. In certain embodiments, the arrow rest includes a support frame mounted to an archery bow riser. At least one resilient, inwardly extending support piece made from a sheet-based material extends across the frame to radially support portions of the arrow shaft. In use, arrow rests according to preferred embodiments of the present invention preferably support the arrow in place and impede the arrow from laterally escaping from the arrow rest.