Abstract: A rolling device for pet exercising and floor cleaning is generally disclosed comprising a hollow body (1), of spherical or cylindrical shape, to securely enclose a small pet, and ventilation holes (2) to allow supply of fresh air into the hollow body for the pet breathing, and a litter collector (6) with sticky, bristly and/or magnetic surface on an exterior surface of the hollow body capable of collecting small-sized litter. The hollow body and the litter collector are provided with transparent windows for the small pet to be able to view outside objects. The device can be supplemented with area guarding to prevent the device to roll outside the designated perimeter and get stuck under furniture, as well as by a stand for placement of the device inside a small pet cage or on top of a desk, so the pet can exercise occupying relatively small area of surface.

Abstract: An indicator device for an animal includes an indication region and an indication means disposed upon the indication region and arranged to visibly indicate to a person whether and how the person should approach the animal. The indicator device also includes fastening means for fastening the indicator device to the animal. A method of coordinating interaction between a person and an animal is also provided. An indicator system for a plurality of animals is also provided. The system includes at least first and second indicator devices. The method includes determining how the animal should be approached and fastening an indicator device to the animal.

Abstract: A pet travel safety device is provided for use with a vehicle seatbelt system to controllably restrain movement of a pet in a vehicle during a collision or sudden deceleration of the vehicle. In one embodiment, a safety restrainer may secure a pet in a vehicle having a seat belt with a first prong configured to latch into a first buckle of a shoulder/lap belt combination system. The safety restrainer may comprise a restraint assembly including a restraint strap having a first strap end and a second strap end which are configured to releasably couple to each other. The safety restrainer may further comprise a harness configured to couple to the restraint assembly. The harness may include a first harness end and a second harness end. The first harness end comprises a first connector to releasably couple to the first prong and the second harness end comprises a second connector to releasably couple to the first buckle. The harness may include first and second harness portions.

Abstract: The present invention is a retractable animal leash having a housing that surrounds a spring activated spooled leash. The housing may be opened in order to gain access to the spring-activated spooled leash and replace or repair the spooled leash as desired.

Abstract: A pet boot having therapeutic properties is worn on a pet's injured or sensitive paw to facilitate healing and or provide protection. The therapeutic pet boot includes an external boot member having a shaft and a paw portion constructed to form a cavity integrated therein appointed to receive an injured paw of a pet. The therapeutic pet boot further includes an internal therapeutic member appointed to be received within the cavity of the external boot member and is appointed to intimately contact the injured paw. The therapeutic pet boot is appointed to be worn on the injured paw of the pet to facilitate healing. The internal therapeutic member may comprise a gel bootee having a massaging gel sole or may comprise a gel inner layer or gel insole. Advantageously, the internal therapeutic member may directly deliver medicament to the paw and/or provide cold treatment or hot treatment therapies to the paw, while providing cushioning, shock absorption and protection from dirt and debris.

Abstract: A therapeutic gel pad for household pets and farm animals is worn on a pet's injured or sensitive body part to facilitate healing and provide protection or treatment. The therapeutic gel pad includes a base gel layer and an upper gel layer appointed to intimately contact a body region of the household animal and/or farm animal. The therapeutic gel pad may comprise a massaging gel sole or may comprise a gel inner layer or gel pad and may be provided with a securing member for securing the pad to the animal's body. Advantageously, the therapeutic gel pad may directly deliver medicament to the injury. It may also provide cold treatment or hot treatment therapies, while providing cushioning, shock absorption and protection from dirt and debris.

Abstract: A novel water heat exchanger with a helix coil incorporated into a stainless steel elongated variable diameter cylindrical housing. A buffer tank is incorporated within the lumen of the helix coil. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger utilizes a radial direct-firing burner and a blower-driven hot flue gas to heat water for domestic and commercial use. In one embodiment, at least a rope seal is disposed between adjacent coil loops of a portion of the helix coil for enhancing heat transfer to the helix coil. In one embodiment, solar and electric heating systems are combined with the helix coil heat exchanger and disposed within the buffer tank to provide supplemental heating. In another embodiment, the heat exchanger further comprises a Stirling engine comprised of a free piston having hot and cold ends that is disposed within the cavity taken up the buffer tank, wherein the hot end receives heat from the burner and the cold end is cooled by the incoming cold water line to form an electric power generator.

Abstract: The present invention describes numerous improvements in steam generating apparatus for pest control. In one aspect, an improved cart arrangement for such an apparatus is described. Other aspects include improved valves, nozzles and other improvements to increase the efficiency of the steam generating apparatus.

Abstract: A steam generator of a technical plant, in particular a power plant, comprising a heating gas passage enclosed by a gas-tight enclosing wall, wherein the heating gas passage has a number of heating surfaces through which a flow medium can flow, is to ensure especially reliable cleaning of the heating gas flowing off from the heating gas passage at an especially low design and production cost. To this end, provision is made according to the invention for at least one of the heating surfaces to be at least partly provided with a catalytic coating on its side facing the heating gas.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of providing energy to a dwelling. An engine is housed within an inner tank, which is in turn housed within an outer tank. The engine provides electricity which is used for a dwelling. Exhaust fumes from the engine are piped through a series of heat-exchanging tubes within the outer tank to heat potable water within the outer tank. Water enters the potable tank at a bottom of the tank, and warms as it rises through the outer tank toward an outlet near a top of the outer tank. Hot, potable water is provided from the top of the outer tank to the dwelling. Condensate from the exhaust is captured and used as potable water. Heat, vibration, and acoustic energy from the engine is captured by the fluid in the inner tank and transferred to the outer tank.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling one or more glowplugs in a compression-ignition engine. The controlling of the glowplug involves the prediction of a glow plug temperature to control a power supply to the glowplug. A supplied power to a glowplug and a combustion chamber temperature is determined. A temperature of the glowplug is predicted and the predicted glowplug temperature is used to control a power supply to the glowplug. The predicted glowplug temperature is derived from a numerical solution of a differential equation for the glowplug temperature. The differential equation is nonlinear in the glowplug temperature.

Abstract: There is provided, in one aspect of the present description, an internal combustion engine system. In one example, the system comprises a controller configured to control an intake valve closing timing varying mechanism to vary a closing timing of the intake valve to regulate air charged in a combustion chamber in accordance with engine operating conditions and, in a first engine operating condition where a least volume of air is required to be charged into the combustion chamber, retard a closing timing of the intake valve to a most retarded crank angle which is after bottom dead center during a cylinder cycle and satisfies the following formulas: ???0.2685×?02+10.723×?0+15.815 and ?0?11.0, where ? is the most retarded crank angle and ?0 is a geometric compression ratio of the engine.

Abstract: A method is presented for compensating for combustion chamber-specific actual values of a parameter, which characterizes combustions, between a plurality of combustion chambers of an Otto engine (10) operated with homogeneous filling of the combustion chambers and homogeneous charge compression ignition, said Otto engine (10) operating with a direct fuel injection and a variable valve drive, wherein the combustion chamber-specific actual values are formed as a function of signals (S—40; S—42) of combustion chamber-specific sensors (40; 42) and wherein deviations of the combustion chamber-specific actual values from a set value are processed to manipulated variables, with which a valve lift of a gas exchange valve (28) of a combustion chamber (12) is changed.

Abstract: A camshaft adjusting system of an internal combustion engine, which has a rotor, a stator, and first and second concentrically arranged camshafts one of which is driven by the stator and the other one of which is driven by the rotor. The camshafts can be rotated relative to one another to change phase angles of at least one cam on the first of the camshafts relative to at least one cam on the second of the camshafts. Hydraulic vane cells between the stator and the rotor control the rotation of the rotor relative to the stator. The total difference in the shapes and positions of the camshafts is smaller than bearing gaps of at least one bearing point between the rotor and the stator, and sealing elements which can be adjusted to the bearing gaps are provided in the bearing gaps between the rotor and the stator.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the rotational position of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine having a rotor (1), which is connected rotationally fixed to the camshaft, and a stator (2), which is driven by the crankshaft. The rotor (1) or the stator (2) has a hole (10), in which a fixing unit (3) is disposed for fixing a target position of the rotor (1) to the stator (2), which engages so it can be detached in a locking link (5) disposed on the other part. The position of the fixing unit (3) can be set in the longitudinal direction of the hole (10) and the hole (10) is disposed at an acute angle (F) to the adjustment direction (G) of the rotor (1) relative to the stator (2).

Abstract: A pre-assembled camshaft module for attachment to a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head cover, at least one camshaft, and bearing elements to which the camshaft is rotatably mounted. The bearing elements are formed as bearing brackets, which are connected by attachment members to the cylinder head cover at individual attachment points, in order to produce the pre-assembled camshaft module. The camshaft module is connectable to the cylinder head at the attachment points by the attachment members.

Abstract: A rocker arm unit constituting a valve gear of an internal combustion engine includes a support member assembled into the cylinder head, a rocker arm supported on a top of the support member so as to be swung with a supported position serving as an approximate fulcrum, and a wire member bridging the support member side and the rocker arm side with each other thereby to connect the support member and the rocker arm together.

Abstract: An unleaded gasoline composition comprising: (i) a gasoline base fuel; and (ii) component A, wherein component A is an alkyl alkenoate compound, or a mixture of alkyl alkenoate compounds, selected from compounds of formula I: wherein R1 is a linear alkenyl group containing 3 to 5 carbon atoms, optionally substituted by a methyl group, and R2 is a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms. The gasoline composition of the present invention exhibits good lubricity. The gasoline composition of the invention in another aspect provides increased sensitivity.

Abstract: A method for operating a laser device, which has a laser-active solid-state body including a preferably passive Q switch, in which pumped light is applied to the laser device in order to generate a laser pulse. The laser device and/or an optical link between the laser device and a pumped light source supplying the pumped light is at least partially acted upon by an optical test pulse in order to check the integrity of a/the optical link between the laser device and a pumped light source supplying the pumped light.

Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine, for example a diesel engine, including a body delimited laterally by a skirt and configured to collaborate with walls of a cylinder of axis of revolution C in which the piston is configured to slide along the axis C. The piston includes a transverse face including a central pip, a peripheral ring, and a bowl of axis of revolution B extending from the central pip towards the peripheral ring to which it connects at a lip. The bowl includes, in substantial vertical alignment with the lip, a torus in profile, for example dome-shaped, of maximum radius capable of guiding fuel injected under the lip in a region of a re-entrant zone towards the central pip. The tip of the pip lying on the axis of revolution B of the bowl rises to a height that is a distance of between 4.8 mm and 5.5 mm, or equal to 5.4 mm, below the level of the peripheral ring.

Abstract: A housing of a engine or gear box mount and its manufacture is provided. The engine or gearbox mount can be cost-effectively manufactured from extruded profiles by interlocking at least two mutually orthogonal and preferably non-positively and positively connected segments (1, 2) of preferably differently configured profiles, while attaining a high loading capacity of the support housing even transverse to the main loading direction. The completed mount housing is formed when the engine- or gearbox mount to be received by the housing is installed at the predetermined installation site, when the sections forming the housing are connected at the same time.

Abstract: An oil filter and oil-additive dispensing device comprising an oil filter and oil additive replenishment system further comprising: a full-flow oil filter; a by-pass oil filter; an oil additive dispensing system; and an on-vehicle controller to dispense additive as required, track additive consumption and signal the need for a replacement system is described. Also a method of using such oil filter and oil-additive dispensing device to extend the useful life of lubricating oil in a vehicle engine is described.

Abstract: A crankcase lubricating oil composition comprising: (A) an oil of lubricating viscosity in a major amount; (B) as an additive component in a minor amount, an oil-soluble metal salt of a dithiophosphoric acid; (C) as an additive component in a minor amount, an oil-soluble carbodiimide compound; and, wherein the lubricating oil composition is contaminated with at least 0.3 mass %, based on the total mass of the lubricating oil composition, of a biofuel or a decomposition product thereof and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A hydraulic control device for an internal combustion engine having a pressure level switch mechanism that switches the pressure level of the oil supplied to components of the engine between a high pressure level and a low pressure level is provided. The hydraulic control device has a detecting section and a determining section. The determining section outputs a command signal instructing to switch the pressure level of the oil to the high pressure level to the pressure level switch mechanism and determines that the pressure level switch mechanism has a malfunction on condition that, after the command signal has been output, the pressure of the oil detected by the detecting section is smaller than a high-pressure-level switching malfunction determination value.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine can include a combustion volume within a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The combustion volume can be defined at least by a cylinder wall and a first piston in the cylinder. A swirl port can deliver a fluid into the combustion volume via a swirl port outlet such that the delivered fluid is directed around a periphery of the cylinder with a fluid velocity disposed at a predetermined angle away from tangential to a curve of the cylinder wall to generate a swirling motion in the combustion volume.

Abstract: A rotary actuator comprises a housing with an output shaft extending from the housing. There is a magnet disposed on the output shaft and the output shaft is coupled to an actuator arm. A motor rotates the output shaft. A position sensor mounted on a circuit board determines the position of the output shaft based on the position of the magnet. A position of the actuator arm may be determined based on the rotating position of the output shaft.

Abstract: A method for engine starting is provided. The method may include performing idle-stop operation, and during a subsequent re-start, applying multi-strike ignition operation for a first combustion cycle. In this way, improved engine starting may be achieved with reduced emissions.

Abstract: A control system for an engine includes a speed error determination module that periodically determines an engine speed error rate based on a difference between a measured speed and a desired speed of the engine, and a torque reserve module that monitors the engine speed error rate and that selectively adjusts a torque reserve of the engine based on the engine speed error rate. The torque reserve module maintains the torque reserve at a predetermined first torque reserve amount while the engine speed error rate is less than a predetermined first error rate and selectively increases the torque reserve above the first torque reserve amount when the engine speed error rate increases above a predetermined second error rate greater than the first error rate. The torque reserve module decreases the torque reserve when the engine speed error rate decreases below the first error rate. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an internal combustion engine include an ignition coil that generates a pre-discharge ionization signal during charging of the ignition coil after reaching a first threshold charge level and prior to spark discharge and a controller that determines an engine operating condition, such as pre-ignition or plug fouling, in response to the pre-discharge ionization signal. The ignition coil may also generate digital feedback and ionization signals used to by the controller for to control ignition coil dwell and repetitive sparking, as well as providing various combustion diagnostics.

Abstract: A multiplexing drive circuit for an AC ignition system having a common leg that includes two switches coupled in series, and one or more dedicated legs, wherein each leg includes two switches coupled in series. The multiplexing drive circuit also includes a transformer for each of the one or more dedicated legs, each transformer having a primary winding coupled between one of the one or more dedicated legs and the common leg, and wherein each transformer has a secondary winding coupled in parallel to a spark plug, and a pulse-width modulated (PWM) switch controller configured to operate the common leg and dedicated leg switches to control characteristics of the spark discharge for the spark plug.

Abstract: A pressure actuated valve assembly includes a valve body. The downstream end portion of a main spring is engaged with a downstream end portion of the valve body and the main spring is axially aligned with the valve body. A main spring guide is engaged with an upstream end portion of the main spring proximate an upstream end portion of the valve body. The main spring guide is mounted for movement toward the downstream end portion of the valve body by compression of the main spring. A hold-down sleeve is engaged with the downstream end portion of the valve body and includes a stop structure proximate the main spring guide. The stop structure is configured to engage the main spring guide to maintain a predetermined minimum clearance between the main spring guide and the upstream end portion of the valve body with the valve body in the closed condition.

Abstract: A method for performing an intake manifold injection for at least one combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, at least one intake valve being connected to an intake port, at least one exhaust valve and at least one injector being assigned to at least one combustion chamber, fuel being injected into the at least one intake port by the at least one injector during an injection time, the injection time being started after the closing of the at least one exhaust valve and terminated before the closing of the at least one intake valve for performing the method.

Abstract: A fuel injector for use in an internal combustion engine, the fuel injector comprising: a valve needle which is engageable with a valve needle seat to control fuel injection through an injector outlet; an actuator arrangement arranged to control fuel pressure within a control chamber, a surface associated with the valve needle being exposed to fuel pressure within the control chamber such that fuel pressure variations within the control chamber control movement of the valve needle relative to the valve needle seat; damping means for damping opening movement of the valve member, the damping means comprising a damper chamber and the damping means being arranged such that fuel pressure variations within the damper chamber damp opening movement of the valve member wherein the damping means is arranged such that in use there is a through flow of fuel through the damper chamber.

Abstract: In a method and a device for the pressure control of a common rail injection system of an internal combustion engine, typically a volume flow control valve regulating mode is carried out. During the performance of the volume flow control valve regulating mode, a pressure control valve regulating mode is activated, if necessary, and temporarily carried out in order to achieve improved pressure control behavior in this way, particularly during dynamic processes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a fuel pump assembly comprising a plurality of pump elements for delivering fuel at high pressure to a rail volume, each of the pump elements comprising a plunger which is driven by an associated cam to perform at least one pumping event per engine revolution and a control valve for controlling fuel flow into and/or out of the pump chamber. Each pumping event corresponds to an associated cam lobe of the associated cam. The method comprises, for each pumping event of each pump element, controlling the control valve of said pump element in response to an output control signal derived from at least one previous pumping event. The output control signal is derived by measuring fuel pressure within the rail volume to derive a measured rail pressure value; and comparing the measured rail pressure value with a demanded rail pressure value to derive a rail pressure error.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, a variable compression ratio mechanism able to change a mechanical compression ratio, a variable valve timing mechanism able to control the closing timing of the intake valve, and predicting means for predicting the temperature of the catalyst arranged in the engine exhaust passage are provided. When it is predicted that the temperature of the catalyst will fall to less than the activation temperature, the actual expansion ratio is lowered while maintaining the actual compression ratio the same or while increasing the actual compression ratio.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, a variable compression ratio mechanism able to change a mechanical compression ratio and a variable valve timing mechanism able to change a closing timing of an intake valve are provided. When a load is higher than a predetermined load, an amount of intake air inside a combustion chamber is controlled by controlling the closing timing of the intake valve, while when the engine load is lower than the predetermined load, the amount of intake air inside the combustion chamber is controlled by controlling both the closing timing of the intake valve and the opening degree of the throttle valve.

Abstract: A method is described for cooling fuel for a diesel engine system with a common rail fuel injection system having a coolant pump and a fan. The method comprises passing a returning fuel from the engine through a fuel to coolant heat exchange system to cool the fuel, and adjusting the cooling of the fuel by controlling the coolant pump and/or the engine cooling fan.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine and in particular to a device and a method for improving the fuel supply of the engine in order to optimise the fuel consumption by a better combustion in the engine, to reduce the polluting exhaust gases and to increase the yield of the engine. The invention is based on the principle of a liquid fuel gasification and on the production of an optimal air-fuel mixture.

Abstract: An arrangement for a supercharged combustion engine (2) including a first cooling system with a circulating coolant, a second cooling system with a circulating coolant which is at a lower temperature than the coolant in the first cooling system, and a cooler (10, 15) in which a gaseous medium which contains water vapor is to be cooled by the coolant in the second cooling system. A first valve (32) which can be placed in a first position whereby it prevents coolant from the first cooling system from being led to the second cooling system via a first connecting line (30), and a second position whereby it allows warm coolant from the first cooling system to be led to the second cooling system via the first connecting line (30). The warm coolant from the first cooling system is intended to circulate at least a certain distance (26b, c) in the second cooling system so that it passes through the cooler (10, 15).

Abstract: A diesel engine system and a method for operating said system are provided. The diesel engine system includes a diesel engine provided with an exhaust conduit including a controllable supercharger located upstream of a catalytic converter, a fuel injector located between the supercharger and the catalytic converter, a diesel particulate filter located downstream of the catalytic converter, and a control unit for controlling the engine system. The control unit is arranged to determine that a regeneration of the particulate filter is required, which regeneration is initiated when a predetermined condition is fulfilled. The fuel injector is arranged to inject a predetermined amount of fuel during a first stage of the regeneration, and the supercharger is arranged to vary the flow rate of exhaust during the injection of fuel. The catalytic converter is arranged to combust the injected fuel, and the combusted fuel is arranged to burn particulates trapped within the diesel particulate filter.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for protecting an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve from fouling due to hydrocarbon condensation at low EGR cooler outlet exhaust temperatures. In modern internal combustion engines exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valves provide a means to recirculate exhaust gases into the intake air stream. The EGR valve regulates the flow of exhaust gas entering the stream. The EGR valve can experience fouling due to the condensation of hydrocarbons at low EGR cooler outlet exhaust temperatures. Typically, fouling occurs when the internal combustion engine is operating at relatively low temperatures, namely during low speed and/or low torque operations. The effects of fouling an EGR valve include higher emission levels, reduction in fuel economy, and rough idling.

Abstract: The recirculation device comprises, inside an air intake duct (3) which is followed by a manifold (6), means for introducing recycled exhaust gases, for mixing same with the fresh air let in. This device is designed to inject the exhaust gases by forming two counter-rotating adjacent vortices (14, 15), owing to a twin tubular mixer nozzle (10, 11) in communication with a common exhaust gas supply duct, positioned tangentially with respect to the two nozzles, placed side by side. The two vortices (14, 15) are self-sustaining to the outlets (7) of the manifold (6). Such a recirculation device is applied, in particular, to an air intake duct (3) of oblong cross section and/or to a manifold (6) with a flattened inlet (5) and/or a flattened plenum (8), in particular for a motor vehicle engine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a glow plug with the engine running, wherein an effective voltage is generated from a vehicle electrical system voltage by pulse width modulation, the effective voltage is applied to the glow plug and changed as a function of engine parameters, a target value of the effective voltage that is dependent on the engine parameters and to which the effective voltage is changed is specified, a maximum increment for a change of the actual value of the effective voltage in at least one direction is specified, and a change of the actual value in at least one direction to a target value that deviates from the actual value by more than the maximum increment is carried out in several steps. The invention further relates to a controller which carries out such a method during operation.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one cylinder, with which an injection valve for metering fuel is associated and an exhaust system with an exhaust gas catalytic converter. A first exhaust gas probe is disposed upstream of or in the exhaust gas catalytic converter, and a second exhaust gas probe is downstream. A lambda controller determines a regulating variable as a function of the first probe and a control variable acting on a fuel mass to be metered using the injection valve. A trim regulator determines a regulating variable thereof as a function of the second probe and the first trim control variable thereof as a function of a P regulator component and the second trim control variable thereof as a function of an I regulator component. A function of a predetermined evaluation of the first trim control variable decides whether the second trim control variable is adapted.

Abstract: A device (1) for launching a projectile, comprising: a stock (2); at least two bending members (10) associated to said stock (2) on opposite sides thereof; tensioning means (323) of said bending members (10), comprising at least two cams (323) arranged on opposite sides of the stock (2), each of which is pivoted at a respective first axis of rotation (33) and is associated to at least one corresponding bending member (10); pushing means (30) of said projectile apt to cooperate with said bending members (10) comprising at least two pushing arms (32) arranged on opposite sides of the stock (2) and connected to each other through a flexible pushing member (31) wherein each of said pushing arms (32) is pivoted at a respective axis of rotation (33) and is apt to support a portion of said flexible pushing member (31), each of said pushing arms (32) being operatively connected to a respective cam (323), wherein said device (1) further comprises a flexible force member (37) for commanding a rotation of a pushing arm

Abstract: A launcher apparatus for soft foam toy darts, the apparatus having a lock that operates momentarily during a cock and load cycle of the launcher apparatus to prevent an improper cocking operation. The launcher apparatus includes a barrel, a slide, a firing assembly and the lock. The launcher apparatus also includes three protrusions or surfaces for operative engagement with the lock to partially depress the lock, to fully depress the lock, and to disengage the lock to reset the launcher apparatus for the next cock and load cycle. During operation, one protrusion surface depresses the lock partially and momentarily, a second protrusion or surface fully depresses the lock to enable the lock to be maintained in the depressed state, and a third protrusion or surface causes the lock to be released.

Abstract: The present invention is a toy projectile launcher in the form of a role play accessory such as a belt. The belt assembly includes a strap, a launcher housing, and projectiles stored on the belt strap. The belt strap feeds through the launcher housing so that projectiles may be launched from the strap. In one embodiment the launcher is hand-held, and includes a handle which serves both as a means for holding the launcher during operation and as a power switch for the launcher. Projectiles may be discharged singly from the launcher or continuously in a rapid-fire mode.

Abstract: A toy dart magazine apparatus that includes a housing divided into a drum portion and a clip portion, and a wheel structure rotatably mounted to the drum portion. The wheel has four portions, two spaced apart portions having peripheral recesses for receiving the darts and storing them until they are “fired” by a launcher to which the dart magazine apparatus is mounted. A third portion having a smooth circumference and a smaller diameter than the two recess bearing portions wherein the third portion separates the two spaced apart portions. The fourth portion of the wheel has a larger diameter than the two recess bearing portions and is positioned adjoining one of the two recess bearing portions for aligning the darts relative to the wheel. The wheel also includes an opening in the third portion leading to a chamber in a hollow support of the wheel. A spring-biased knob is mounted on a shaft that also mounts the wheel.

Abstract: A toy for launching two or more projectiles employing a central shaft cocking mechanism for rapid fire projectile launching through quick, simple and fun cocking and triggering mechanisms. The toy includes a housing assembly, a projectile device disposed about the housing with two or more projectiles, a piston and cylinder assembly. The piston is secured to the housing in a fixed position and the cylinder is slidably mounted on the piston, a cocking mechanism in mechanical communication with the piston and cylinder assembly including a shaft extending through the projectile device for engagement with the cylinder capable of moving the cylinder to a cocked position. A trigger mechanism is secured to the housing capable of advancing the projectile device to a firing position and capable of releasing the cylinder from a cocked position to advance the cylinder on the fixed piston and discharge a burst of compressed air launching a projectile.