Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a frame having two opposite fixing walls to fix a first storage device. The fixing apparatus further includes a supporting arm pivotally connected to the frame. The supporting arm includes a fixing plate rotatable between a first position where a second storage device is capable of being sandwiched between the fixing plate and the second fixing wall of the frame, and a second position where the first storage device is capable of being sandwiched between the fixing walls of the frame.

Abstract: A method of making a lead for a stimulation device includes forming at least one pre-electrode in the shape of a ring, the at least one pre-electrode comprises at least two thin-walled portions separated by at least two thick-walled portions; disposing the at least one pre-electrode near a distal end of a lead body; joining at least one conductor to each thick-walled portion of the at least one pre-electrode; and grinding the lead body and the at least one pre-electrode to remove the thin-walled portions of the at least one pre-electrode to form segmented electrodes from the thick-walled portions of the at least one pre-electrode.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward methods of fabricating components for microelectronic devices, microelectronic devices including memory cells or other components, and computers including memory devices. For example, one embodiment is directed toward a method of fabricating a memory cell on a workpiece having a substrate, a plurality of active areas in the substrate, and a dielectric layer over the active areas. One embodiment of the method includes constructing bit line contact openings in the dielectric layer over first portions of the active areas and cell plug openings over second portions of the active areas. The method also includes depositing a first conductive material into the bit line contact openings to form bit line contacts and into the cell plug openings to form cell plugs. This embodiment continues by forming a trench through an upper portion of a plurality of the bit line contacts and portions of the dielectric layer between bit line contacts.

Abstract: A printed circuit board and manufacturing method thereof is disclosed. First, a conductive layer disposed on an insulation layer is provided. The conductive layer is patterned to form at least a conductive layer opening and the insulation layer is drilled throughout to form a via at a position corresponding to the conductive layer opening. The via is then loaded with a conductive material. A plurality of substrates are formed through the steps above and are bonded to form a multi-layer printed circuit board.

Abstract: A method of installing an adapter, a kit including an adapter, and an adapter are disclosed. The adapter includes a first connector, a second connector, and a component adapted for facilitating the second connector to electrical communicate with a portion of a plurality of pins or sockets of the first connector in a predetermined pinout. The first connector has a first plurality of pins or sockets. The second connector has a plug and a socket. Each of the plug and socket has a second plurality of pins or sockets. One of the plug and the socket of the second connector is adapted to mechanically communicate with a first portion of a third plurality of electrical conductors to facilitate electrical communication. The other of the plug and the socket of the second connector is adapted to electrically communicate with a first portion of the first plurality of pins or sockets of the first connector.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lift transmitting component (2), particularly for a gas exchange valve train or a fuel pump drive of an internal combustion engine (1), is provided, The lift transmitting component includes a housing (6), a bearing pin (7) fixed in a reception bore (9) of the housing (6) and a roller (8) mounted through a sliding or a rolling bearing on the bearing pin (7). The bearing pin is core-hardened over an entire axial length to a core hardness of at least 650 HV, and pin ends (10) of the core-hardened bearing pin are radially widened relative to the reception bore for enabling a connection of the bearing pin to the housing (6) through positive engagement. The hardness of the bearing pin is at the most 780 HV, the radial widening of one of the pin ends being realized with a shaping die (11) which travels axially parallel to the bearing pin (7) and applies a force to the pin end in a transition region between a periphery and a front end surface of the bearing pin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for machining crankshaft (5) ends, which comprises two machining heads (1, 2) designed to machine crankshaft (5) ends and two machining stations (3, 4) designed to receive and secure at least one crankshaft (5), said machining stations (3, 4) being disposed between the two machining heads (1, 2). The crankshafts (5) will be mounted in such a manner as to be disposed parallel to each other and oriented at 180°. Additionally, the machining heads (1, 2) are designed to be positioned facing the ends of the crankshafts (5) of the machining stations (3, 4). Additionally, the invention relates to a crankshaft (5) machining process based on the fact that both machining heads (1, 2) alternately machine flange ends (9) and spike ends (8) in the crankshafts (5) secured to the machining heads (3, 4). In this manner, the machine machines crankshafts without stopping between the machining of two successive crankshafts.

Abstract: A method for bonding airfoil sections includes aligning upper and stub airfoil sections having upper airfoil pressure and suction sides and stub airfoil pressure and suction sides respectively, pressing together upper and stub airfoil cross sections at upper and stub airfoil distal ends of the upper and stub airfoil sections respectively, and then resistance welding, preferably solid state resistance welding, the upper and stub airfoil sections together along the upper and stub airfoil cross sections by passing electrical current across the upper and stub airfoil cross sections. The upper and stub airfoil sections may be clamped between pressure and suction side upper airfoil electrodes and between the stub airfoil pressure and suction sides respectively. The method may be performed while the stub airfoil section is attached to an airfoil carrier such as a rotor disk rim, a gas turbine engine drum, or a gas turbine engine blade platform.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for connecting at least two heat exchanger plates so as to form a plate packet for a heat exchanger, said plate packet being provided with at least one passage defined by through holes in the heat exchanger plates. With the aid of this method, the heat exchanger plates are to be braced well to one another so that high-quality welding seams having a high strength can be produced. To this end, the invention suggests that two respective heat exchanger plates should be clamped together in the proximity of the edge of the future through hole, and that the respective heat exchanger plates should be welded to one another in pairs with at least one circumferentially extending welding seam marking the edge of the future through hole, the diameter of at least one circumferentially extending welding seam being at least as large as the diameter of the future through hole, and that the through hole should subsequently be cut out of the heat exchanger plates that have been welded together.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to enhance the orifice design freedom and easy machin ability in a fuel injection valve in which orifices are formed by press-working.

Abstract: An embodiment of the system for forming a movable slab foundation as comprised by the present invention has a slab foundation, at least one substantially vertical support member, at least one support surface, and at least one support sleeve. The at least one supports sleeve surrounds the at least one support member and is encased within the slab foundation and is capable of movement axially along the length of the at least one support member. The at least one vertical support member is capable of rotation relative to the at least one support sleeve to restrict the movement of the at least one support sleeve downward relative to the at least one vertical support member, thereby maintaining the height of the at least one support sleeve and the slab foundation relative to the at least one support surface.

Abstract: A washable device for personal use, in particular a hair removal device, such as an epilator and a shaver, a portion of which is coated with paraffin. The device, the paraffin, or both may include an antibacterial agent. A method of manufacturing components of a device for personal use can include dipping the components into a paraffin bath, spraying molten paraffin on the components, spraying a paraffin solution onto the components, applying solid paraffin by tumbling, and the like.

Abstract: A personal trimming system includes a main body having a motor and a part of a driving unit for converting a rotation of the motor into a reciprocating motion; and a head portion having a driven member moving in a reciprocating motion. The head portion is pivotably supported with respect to the main body, and a gap is provided between the main body and the head portion.

Abstract: A personal trimming system includes a main body having a motor and a part of a driving unit for converting a rotation of the motor into a reciprocating motion; and a head portion having a driven member moving in a reciprocating motion. The head portion is pivotably supported with respect to the main body, and a gap is provided between the main body and the head portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hair removal apparatus (100) having a base body (10) and a slide (20), which is mounted thereon to be movable (displaceably). At least one wet shaver unit (40) comprising a razor blade, such as a blade cartridge for wet shaving, is mounted on the slide. Due to the mobility of the slide (20), this wet shaver unit (40) is protected from damage in the event of impact of the hair removal apparatus, e.g., in a fall to the floor. Certain target positions of the slide (20) can be secured with a slip clutch, such that they become unlocked on exceeding a minimum force that is acting and thereby release a movement of the slide.

Abstract: A power tool includes a motor, a pipe holder configured to support a pipe, and a cutting mechanism coupled to the pipe holder. The cutting mechanism is movable relative to the pipe holder. The power tool also includes a drive mechanism coupled to the cutting mechanism and the motor to move the cutting mechanism from a starting position toward the pipe holder to cut the pipe. The drive mechanism includes a first member operable to disengage a second member to allow movement of the cutting mechanism to the starting position.

Abstract: A power tool, such as a pipe cutter, includes a rotatable cutting head assembly, an electric motor connectable to a rechargeable battery, and a controller. The controller is configured to monitor the state of charge on the battery, compare the state of charge to one or more thresholds, and prevent or limit operation of the power tool when the state of charge is less than or equal to one or more of the thresholds. In some embodiments, the threshold includes the state of charge required to cut a pipe, the state of charge required to return the cutting head assembly to a home position, and a state of charge indicative of an overdischarged condition of the battery. In some embodiments, the controller is configured to detect when the pipe cutter has completed cutting the pipe and returns the cutting head assembly to the home position.

Abstract: There is provided an eating device including a grip configured so as to enable the grip to be grasped by a human hand. The grip is elongated and includes at least one side surface. An eating utensil having a front portion and a rear portion is provided. The front portion is configured to make contact with food and the rear portion extends from the side surface of the grip so that the front portion of the elongated utensil extends away from the side surface of the grip.

Abstract: The invention relates to pliers (1) as middle cutter or side cutter having plier jaws (4, 5) configured on plier legs, having a work range, wherein the plier legs having grip areas (2, 3) and configured to cross over one another around bearing bolts (6, 7) connected by a cover plate (8) are pivotably supported, and the plier jaws on the working region side of the cover plate (8) and the crossing region (K) of the plier legs are configured on the other side of the cover plate (8). In order to improve the handling of pliers of the type in question the invention proposes that relative to a side elevation, on the grip side with respect to the cover plate (8) in the plier legs, a tangential bend (A) is configured in which resultantly created different pivot planes (E1-E1) or (E2-E2) of the plier legs cross one another, wherein the grip areas (2, 3) run in one pivot plane (E2-E2) and in another pivot plane (E1-E1) areas of the plier legs extending on the work range side of the tangential bend (A) run.

Abstract: A knife has a pair of housing parts relatively shiftable between an open position and a closed position and a base on one of the housing parts forming a blade seat. A holding arm mounted on the base is movable relative thereto between a blade-holding position retaining a blade in the seat and a blade-change position freeing the blade so that in the blade-change position the blade can be switched. Interengaging formations on the other housing part and on the arm shift the holding arm from the blade-holding position into the blade-change position on movement of the housing parts from the closed position into the open position.

Abstract: A motor-driven portable chainsaw of the sort that includes a power source enclosed in a casing and a cutter device comprising a toothed chain and a chain guide. The saw being characterized in that the power source is a brushless direct-current electric motor controlled and switched electronically, with a rotor with magnets. A handle for holding and operating the saw is located underneath the motor assembly which supports the chain guide and includes said direct-current electric motor.

Abstract: A cartridge cover assembly having a reversible cover and a shaving cartridge with a first and second positions. The cartridge has at least one blade, a top surface having a front end portion with a guard member and a rear end portion with a lubricating strip. The cover has a front wall with a first retention member, a back wall with a second retention member, a bottom wall, and a pair of side walls defining a pocket dimensioned to nestingly receive the cartridge. The rear end portion of the cartridge is engaged between the first retention member and the front wall in the first position. The rear end portion of the cartridge is engaged between the second retention member and the back wall in the second position. The top surface of the cartridge is spaced apart from the bottom wall of the cover in the first and second positions.

Abstract: Angular displacement of a flexible substrate is determined based on an electrical change of a mm-wave circuit associated with the flexible substrate. This electrical change may relate to, for example, one or more of a phase shift, an amplitude shift, a frequency shift, or a pulse shift. In some implementations the flexible substrate may include conductors on multiple layers whereby an angular displacement of the flexible substrate causes a relative displacement between conductors of different layers, thereby inducing the electrical change of the mm-wave circuit.

Abstract: As the name implies, this product is a compact leveling device that is configured with a series of lighting fixtures. Similar in construction to standard levels, the Level Lite is fabricated of durable metal or plastic material. A solid level, this product is available in various sizes. A series of light emitting diodes (LED) are evenly spaced apart within the circular opening of the unit which houses the liquid filled vial, providing illumination for the entire unit while in use. Power to the Level Lite is provided by an internally encased, replaceable battery, such as a standard AA alkaline battery, or coin battery. Additional contemplated power sources include solar cells and rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: A hands-free level for gauging structural-member orientation. The level includes an elongate frame with two side-faces and at least one main reference surface extending therealong and having a mainwidth, a level indicator secured to the frame, and a support arm to facilitate holding of the reference surface against the stud. The support arm has a proximal end and extends to a free distal end which includes an end member. The proximal end is pivotably secured to the frame about a pivot axis such that the distal end and end member are movable between a storage position along one of the side-faces and a use position beyond the reference surface and stud. A coil spring is about the pivot axis biases the distal end and end member to the storage position. The end member extends from the distal end and terminates in a stud-engaging portion. When the reference surface is against a stud surface, the stud-engaging portion engages the stud for hands-free holding of the level thereagainst.

Abstract: An angle measurement tool having two legs joined together about a common axis so that one of the legs rotates with respect to the other to form a desired angle the value of which is read utilizing gears that are housed in said legs in combination with indicia means indicating the degree of rotation of the gears.

Abstract: A height measuring device and method of measuring height are disclosed. The device includes a first rod having a first opening through a first end of the first rod. The device also includes a second rod having a first opening through a first end of the second rod. The device further includes a first fastener positioned in the first opening of the first rod and the first opening of the second rod. The first fastener engages the first rod and the second rod.

Abstract: A roundness measuring apparatus includes: a stylus having a contact part; a holding member that holds the stylus while allowing displacement of the contact part; an elastic member that presses the contact part against a measurement target object; a detector holder that supports the holding member rotatably; a motor; an elastic force adjustment member that is rotatable and concentric with the holding member; a joining section that joins the elastic force adjustment member with the holding member to maintain relative rotational positions; and a restricting section that restricts rotation of the elastic force adjustment member at a predetermined rotational position. The displacement direction of the contact part is adjusted in a first rotation range. The rotational position of the holding member relative to the rotational position of the elastic force adjustment member changes with the rotation of the elastic force adjustment member being restricted in a second rotation range.

Abstract: A dryer is provided having a drying chamber for items to be dried and a process air duct in which are located a heater for heating the process air, a blower for driving the process air from the heater through the drying chamber, and a heat exchanger arrangement. Via the heat exchanger arrangement, heat can be withdrawn from the process air flowing away from the drying chamber, and the process air flowing toward the heater can be fed to the heat exchanger. The process air duct is divided into a main duct and a secondary duct, the secondary duct having an evaporator in which condensate that was separated from the process air in the heat exchanger arrangement can be evaporated into the process air flowing therethrough and is connected to the exhaust opening.

Abstract: A clothes-treating apparatus and a controlling method thereof are disclosed. According to a controlling method of a clothes-treating apparatus, a predetermined operational condition of a compressor included in a heat pump to supply dry air to clothes placed therein may be maintained normally. Furthermore, a cooling fan provided in a mechanism compartment is operated only if an internal environment of the mechanism compartment is out of the normal operational condition of the compressor. As a result, noise created from operation of the cooling fan may be reduced and dust that happens to be sucked into the mechanism compartment when external air is drawn may be minimized.

Abstract: A method of drying articles within a washer by creating an airflow from an upper compartment to a lower compartment within the washer.

Abstract: Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member.

Abstract: Impact attenuating/spring systems may include first and second body portions and at least one spring member at least partially included between the body portions. The spring member(s) may substantially enclose and/or be pivotally engaged with the body portion(s). The components of the impact attenuating and spring element may be arranged such that when a force is applied to the body portion(s), the spring member(s) will exert a counter force to urge the impact attenuating and spring element back toward its original orientation. The spring members may include one or more polymeric element that stretches under a tensile force. The impact attenuating and spring elements may be included in a piece of footwear or other device in a manner such that a user or a retailer (or others) can select an appropriate spring member (or portion thereof), e.g., depending on characteristics of the user or the intended use.

Abstract: A sole system for an article of footwear comprising: an outsole layer and an insole layer, each of which include a vertically extending opening, a midsole layer disposed between the outsole and insole layers and including a bottom surface, a top surface, and an opening that extends vertically through the midsole layer to define a cavity therein, the cavity opening having a first dimension at the bottom surface substantially corresponding to the outsole layer opening and a second dimension at the top surface substantially corresponding to the insole layer opening; and a bladder element having a top and a base, wherein a portion of the bladder element is secured within the midsole cavity such that the top extends into at least a portion of the insole layer opening and the base extends into the outsole layer opening, wherein the bladder element and the midsole cavity include corresponding shapes and dimensions.

Abstract: An article of footwear with a thong portion is disclosed. The thong portion is configured to fit between two adjacent toes to help fasten a pair of straps to a foot. The thong portion includes a plurality of grooves that enhance the grip between the thong portion and a portion of the foot between the two adjacent toes. The plurality of grooves can also enhance the flexibility of the thong portion to help the thong portion conform to the contours of the foot.

Abstract: An active shoe cleat system with a shoe having a fluid filled chamber in the shoe operably connected to cleats on the bottom of the shoe, at least one fluid communication path with the cleat that responds to pressure or acceleration on the shoe to deploy the cleat by hydraulic or pnuematic pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the cleat may be activated by hydraulics or pneumatics or have a direct fluid path communicating with the cleat or reservoir operably connected to the cleat.

Abstract: A house shoe having a shoe body covering an instep of a foot and wrapping sides and a heel of a foot and a bottom member attached on a lower part of the shoe body, supporting and protecting a sole of a foot in wearing state, wherein the bottom member has several penetration holes consisting of an upper hole (19a) formed on a contact part (15a) contacting with a sole of a foot, a lower hole (19c) formed on a contact part (15b) contacting with an exterior surface and a penetrating bend portion (19b) connecting the upper hole (19a) with the lower hole (19c) and a concave part (20) which is formed on between the contact part (15b) contacting with an exterior surface and the lower hole (19c), and of which a size is larger than that of the lower hole (19c), and a protrusion part (18) is formed on a part of the concave part (20) being connected with the lower hole (19c), surrounding the lower hole (19c), so that a ventilation property of the house shoe is improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to five toe shoes for protecting feet while working or taking part in leisure activities on land or water and in the mountains. In particular, a five toe shoe comprises: an upper which is made out of a moisture-permeable fiber material and has a toe area to encase each toe separately according to the shape; an insole which is made out of a porous material; a midsole which is placed underneath the insole and has a metal mesh to allow water in the shoe to exit therethrough; and an outsole which has a drain formed in coincidence with the metal mesh of the midsole and a toe area for each toe separately according to the shape, being connected to the toe area of the upper in a one-to-one correspondence therebetween.

Abstract: A rotary snow tiller, for grooming the snow surface of ski slopes and designed to advance in a travelling direction, has a frame; a shaft rotating about an axis transverse to the travelling direction, and having teeth for breaking up the snow surface; a further shaft located behind the shaft, rotating about a further axis transverse to the travelling direction, and having further teeth for further breaking up the snow surface; and a finish mat located behind the further shaft.

Abstract: A rotary snow tiller, for grooming the snow covering of ski slopes, which advances in a traveling direction along the ski slope, and has a frame; a shaft fitted with teeth and rotated with respect to the frame about an axis crosswise to the traveling direction; and an actuating device for imparting a reciprocating movement to the shaft with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A resilient excavation bucket for use with a piece of machinery having an articulated arm. The excavation bucket comprises a resilient member and a rigid member. The resilient member has a digging edge adapted to deflect in response to pressure from impact with a material at least as rigid as the digging edge and to return to a substantially non-deflected condition upon release of the pressure. The rigid member is cooperatively associated with the resilient member and has a connection member adapted to pivotally engage a portion of the articulated arm of the piece of machinery. At least one of the resilient member and the rigid connection member at least partially defines a bucket cavity disposed at least partially between the digging edge and the connection member. Additionally, an excavation apparatus comprising a backhoe having an articulated arm and the resilient excavation bucket operatively associated with the articulated arm.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for providing a personalized promotional item to an intended recipient is provided. The contemplated embodiments of the apparatus and system utilizes a confectionary to be sent, distributed or received by an individual whereby the confectionary may be personalized for each individual receiving party. Moreover, the system contemplates having a plurality of cavities to receive the promotional and personalized confectionary whereby the cavities may house the confectionary, and whereby the confectionary may be visible to the receiving party. Additionally, it is contemplated that the cavities be part of a visible portion whereby the portion may be adapted for attachment to a plurality of apparatus including greeting cards, promotional cards, business cards, magnetic devices and the like.

Abstract: A marking device for a generally cylindrical conductor of fluids, electricity, light waves and the like includes a hollow shell containing a horizontal longitudinal through passage for receiving one of a plurality of conductors of different diametric sizes, the shell being horizontally divided to define an upper shell section having a lower internal surface provided with a conductor seat, and a lower shell section including an internal resilient support device for biasing the conductor laterally upwardly toward the seat. An indicia-bearing plate is connected with the external surface of the upper shell section directly above the conductor seat. The conductor seat, the indicia-bearing plate, and the biasing device are symmetrically arranged relative to the vertical plane passing longitudinally through the shell, whereby the biasing forces are uniformly balanced for conductors having different diametric sizes.

Abstract: A signage system having a signboard which is a flexible sheet of magnetically attractive material having a stick on adhesive over a mounting face thereof. The mounting face is opposite a display face, the adhesive is covered by a removable release sheet. The signage system further has a plurality of magnetic signage elements such as graphic elements and text boxes.

Abstract: An alignment guide for maintaining perpendicularity between an elongated anchor rail secured to an overhead support and a sign supporting elongated adjustment rail, comprising: a guide housing having an anchor rail receiving channel arranged across an upper surface thereof; an adjustment rail receiving channel arranged across a lower side of the guide housing, wherein the anchor rail receiving channel and the adjustment rail receiving channel are perpendicular to one another.

Abstract: The present invention is an ammunition magazine, preferably made of a glass fiber reinforced polymer, utilizing a structurally enhancing ridge, angular guide rails and a follower made to interface with said guide rails to reduce wobble. The preferred embodiment also features a protective cover that distributes forces from the spring to more structurally sound areas of the magazine, thus reducing feed end splay, and may include an ammunition indication system comprised of at least one window and a noticeable marker on the follower spring. The follower and magazine casing are also designed to interface to prevent the follower from popping out of the feed end and the floor plate of the magazine utilizes a locking plate and sliding relationship between the floor plate, locking plate and magazine to secure the floor plate onto the magazine casing.

Abstract: A detachable magazine for storing and delivering ammunition to a firearm having a magazine well. The magazine has a body with a column adapted for insertion into the magazine well. The column has a passage for transmitting ammunition to the firearm. The body includes a drum housing defining a substantially cylindrical chamber communicating with the column passage. A first sprocket element is rotatably received in the chamber and has a serrated periphery, with each serration adapted to receive an ammunition cartridge. A second sprocket element is rotatably received in the chamber, and is concentric with the first sprocket element, having a serrated periphery with each serration adapted to receive an ammunition cartridge. A spring element is connected to at least one of the sprocket elements, and operates to rotatably bias the sprocket elements to transmit cartridges from the drum chamber to the column passage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to magazines for firearms, and more particularly to magazines that accept blank cartridges for training and other exercises and that prevent the introduction of live cartridges. In an embodiment, the safety magazine includes an internal cavity that is shorter in length than a live ammunition cartridge. The internal cavity accepts shorter blank ammunition cartridges. The top-most ammunition cartridge in the magazine sits just under the magazine's feed lips, in the top-most ammunition position. A projection extends from the top end of the magazine opposite the feed lips to block a longer live ammunition cartridge from being inserted into the top-most ammunition position. Thus, live cartridges cannot be loaded into the magazine even at the top-most position of the magazine. The projection is retractable into the magazine.

Abstract: A muzzle loading firearm has a barrel with a bore on a bore axis, and the barrel has a muzzle end and a breech end. A frame is connected to the barrel, and has a breech face. The frame moves between an open position in which the breech face is away from the breech end of the barrel, and a closed position in which the breech face abuts the breech end of the barrel. A breech plug is removably attached to the barrel. The breech plug including a seal element closely received by the bore. The seal element may be a set of piston rings that are received in a circumferential groove about a forward end of the plug, or may be a cup at the forward end, with a forward rim that flares under pressure to provide a gas seal.

Abstract: A charging handle for a rifle having a housing. The handle has a body with an elongated bar having a forward end and a rear end. The bar has a bolt engaging element at the forward end, and a crossbar having an intermediate portion connected to the rear end of the bar. The crossbar has opposed ends extending laterally of the bar. First and second latch elements are connected to the body. The first latch element has a housing-engaging element that engages the housing when the handle is in a forward position. The first and second latch elements are engaged to each other such that pivoting of the second latch element disengages the housing-engaging element from the housing.