Abstract: A transmission system disclosed herein includes a crankshaft having an outer surface with a plurality of splines and a hub having an inner surface with a plurality of splines. The hub is mounted on the crankshaft such that the plurality of splines on the inner surface of the hub meshes with the plurality of splines on the outer surface of the crankshaft. The transmission system further includes a flywheel mounted to the hub.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gear absolute position sensor assembly (GAPS) that senses the current absolute, position of the shift lever of a manual transmission. The sensor assembly provides data to an associated electronic controller such as an engine control module (ECM) regarding the current position of the shift lever, such as an engaged gear. The sensor assembly preferably comprises two Hall effect or other type of magnetic field (proximity) sensors in combination with an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which is supplied with data from the sensors, decodes the output of the sensors and provides an output identifying a specific engaged gear or neutral for use by vehicle or engine management electronics. The sensors are mounted proximate the shift linkage at a location where they can sense both rotation and translation.

Abstract: A three-axis robotic system. On the first and second axes, respective linear bearings have movable carriages, and backbone-free linear bases acting as exclusive support or linear bearing supports. A first motor is mounted to the first linear bearing support and coupled to the first carriage. The second linear bearing support is attached at one end to the first carriage and may be orthogonal to the first linear bearing support. A second motor is mounted to the second linear bearing support and coupled to the second carriage. A third axis member is attached to the second carriage. The third axis member may be orthogonal to the first and second linear bearing supports. A third carriage is slidable on the third axis member. A third motor is mounted to the third axis member and coupled to the third carriage. Each respective motor and carriage may be coupled by a belt or leadscrew.

Abstract: A system for externally actuating an animatronic figure. The system including a first robotic mechanism configured as a remote center mechanism for rotating a first rod about a first remote center point. The first rod is attached to a first driven part of the figure with the first remote center point spaced apart from the figure. The system includes a second robotic mechanism rotating a second rod about a second remote center point. The second rod is attached to the second driven part of the animatronic figure, and the second remote center point is spaced apart from the animatronic figure. The system includes a third robotic mechanism rotating a third rod about a remote center point, with the third rod attached to a third driven part of the figure, and the three robotic mechanisms are concurrently operable via a computer-based controller to provide the figure with twenty-one degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A spherical surface is provided in an operation body rotated by a manipulation body, and a detection portion is provided so as to detect a rotation of the operation body. The spherical surface is provided with a radial concave portion of a first set and concentric concave portions of a second set, a protrusion is provided so as to be fitted to the concave portions of the first set, and a protrusion is provided so as to be fitted to the concave portions of the second set. When the manipulation body is manipulated so as to push down or rotate the operation body, a sense of resistance is given to a hand from the concave portions of the first set and the second set.

Abstract: A pedal device is provided with an accelerator pedal pivotally mounted in a vehicle; and a damper disposed between the accelerator pedal and the vehicle. The depressing force as a depression degree of the accelerator pedal is deter mined by the damper according to the movement of the accelerator pedal. Thus, the pedal device does not use friction members which create abrasion and the function thereof is not impaired even if exchange and maintenance are not carried out over a long period of time. Therefore, maintenance frequency and cost of the pedal device can be reduced.

Abstract: A stopping mechanism is disposed on a machine body and a removable device. The stopping mechanism includes a rectilinearly moving action member, a rotationally moving clipping member, and a stopping member fixedly disposed on the machine body, in which the action member pushes and presses against the clipping member so that the clipping member rotates to a holder position. The action member presses against the stopping member fixedly disposed on the machine body through a tilt angle relation at the holder position, so that an accelerating force generated by the removable device under impact is transferred to the machine body, thus dispersing the impact force.

Abstract: An ergonomic handle device for steering wheels of vehicles that includes a handle that can be grasped by the user's hand to turn the steering wheel of the vehicle and where the device enables the ergonomic handle to be moved around three predefined axes “X”, “Y” and “Z”.

Abstract: A system for providing hydraulic power in a machine transmission includes a first hydraulic variator and a second hydraulic variator, each variator having a mechanical input to a hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic motor linked to the hydraulic pump via a hydraulic circuit, and a mechanical output from the hydraulic motor. In an embodiment, the first hydraulic circuit side of one variator is hydraulically connected to the first hydraulic side of the other variator, and the second hydraulic circuit sides are likewise linked together. A common input is geared to the inputs of the variators and a common output is geared to the outputs of the variators, tying the pump and motor of each variator to rotate at the same speed as the counterpart components of the other variator.

Abstract: An electric arc melting facility includes a melting chamber configured to melt a source iron therein by electric arc discharge generated from an electrode, and a source iron feeder configured to continuously feed the source iron to the melting chamber. The facility further includes a state change detector configured to detect a state change of the melting chamber when the electric arc discharge is generated from the electrode, and a controller configured to adjust a feed rate at which the source iron feeder feeds the source iron to the melting chamber, based on a detection result of the state change detectors.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide hydrocarbon additives and methods of making and using the same. The additives are suitable for use in conjunction with gasifiers, furnaces, or other high-temperature vessels. The additives may be part of an input stream to a reaction vessel of a hydrocarbon gasifier. The additives may include materials that at least partially reduce the infiltration of slag into the refractory material.

Abstract: A method with which americium may be selectively recovered from a nitric aqueous phase containing americium, curium and fission products including lanthanides and yttrium, but which is free of uranium, plutonium and neptunium or which only contains these three last elements in trace amounts. The method is applicable for treatment and recycling of irradiated nuclear fuels, in particular for removing americium from raffinates stemming from methods for extracting and purifying uranium and plutonium such as the PUREX and COEX™ methods.

Abstract: A treatment ladle comprising a ladle shell containing a generally tubular refractory ladle liner, said ladle being pivotable between a horizontal position and a vertical position, said ladle liner having a first end and a second end with a continuous sidewall therebetween, an interior space being defined between said first and second ends and the continuous sidewall, said ladle liner additionally comprising a pocket for holding a treatment agent, said pocket being located adjacent the first end and in fluid communication with the interior space and located closer to the top than the bottom of the interior space when the ladle is in its horizontal position and closer to the bottom than the top of the interior space when the ladle is in its vertical position, and a spout for receiving and pouring molten metal located closer to the top than the bottom of the interior space when the ladle is in its horizontal and vertical positions, wherein in the horizontal position, a lower volume of the interior space defined

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing direct reduced iron and/or hot metal using high-moisture content carbonaceous material, including: agglomerating carbonaceous material from the high-moisture content carbonaceous material with a metal oxide-bearing material to form an agglomerate suitable for use in a direct reduction and/or hot metal producing process. The method also includes distilling the high-moisture content carbonaceous material. The method further includes dry quenching the carbonaceous material obtained from the distilling step. The method still further includes drying the high-moisture content carbonaceous material with energy from a hot off gas from a furnace for producing direct reduced iron and/or hot metal prior to the distilling step.

Abstract: A method for recovering at least one rare earth element from a phosphor is presented. The method includes a halogenation step (a) and a reduction step (b). The phosphor is first halogenated in a molten salt to convert at least one rare earth constituent contained therein to a soluble rare earth halide. Then, the rare earth halide in the molten salt can be reduced, to convert the rare earth halide to a rare earth element in its elemental state. A method for individually recovering multiple rare earth elements from a phosphor is also presented.

Abstract: Method for rhenium recovery from copper solvent extraction solution. It is determined whether the copper solvent extraction solution contains trace amounts of rhenium. If so, a feedstock from the copper solvent extraction solution is provided, which is then filtered, producing filtered feedstock. Trace amounts of rhenium are absorbed from the filtered feedstock using a supply of ion exchange resin selective for rhenium. The ion exchange resin is washed. Trace amounts of rhenium are eluted from the ion exchange resin using a first amount of eluent, a second amount of eluent and a third amount of eluent. The first amount and the third amount of eluent produce supplemental feedstock and the second amount of eluent produces rhenium eluate. The rhenium eluate is collected and the ion exchange resin is protonated.

Abstract: The disclosure provides to a PDC element protective system including a mask configured to protect a non-leached portion of a leached polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) element during a leaching process. The mask may be formed from or coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The disclosure also provides a leaching system containing such a mask and a leaching vessel as well as methods of using the protective and leaching systems. The disclosure further provides a Lewis acid-based leaching agent and methods of its use. Finally, the disclosure provides a method of recycling a PDC or carbide element using a Lewis acid-based leaching agent.

Abstract: The disclosure provides to a PDC element protective system including a mask configured to protect a non-leached portion of a leached polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) element during a leaching process. The mask may be formed from or coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The disclosure also provides a leaching system containing such a mask and a leaching vessel as well as methods of using the protective and leaching systems. The disclosure further provides a Lewis acid-based leaching agent and methods of its use. Finally, the disclosure provides a method of recycling a PDC or carbide element using a Lewis acid-based leaching agent.

Abstract: This tool, which is in particular a hammer, comprises a gripping handle, a striking head, and an intermediate shaft extending the handle and supporting the head, whereas the handle comprises a tube in which the shaft partially extends, this tube and this shaft being made from a rigid material presenting a first hardness. This shaft has a radial area bearing against the tube, with interposition of a link part, for absorbing vibrations, made from flexible material presenting a second hardness that is much lower than the first hardness, and a free terminal area, not covered by the link part, radially separated from the walls of the tube so as to be able to vibrate freely in an internal volume of the tube.

Abstract: A tightening machine has a socket unit which tightens a reaction washer and a nut to each other. The socket unit includes an inner socket whose tip end can engage with the nut, and an outer socket formed concentrically with the inner socket. A tip end of the outer socket can engage with the reaction washer. The socket unit concentrically includes an inner socket holder and an outer socket holder. The inner socket holder and the outer socket holder can rotate in opposite directions from each other, and the outer socket holder is formed around an outer periphery of the inner socket holder. The inner socket is detachably engaged with the inner socket holder, and the outer socket is detachably engaged with the outer socket holder. The inner socket is engaged with the inner socket holder with clearance in its circumferential direction.

Abstract: A hand tool set includes two housings each having a chamber formed by a pair of side walls and a base wall, and each having an orifice formed in the base wall, and each having an anchoring member and a pivot axle, two or more tool members pivotally attached to one of the housings, and two or more tool elements pivotally attached to the other housing, and the tool elements are extendible out through an orifice of the other housing when the tool elements are perpendicular to the housing, and the tool members are extendible out through the orifice of the other housing when the tool members are perpendicular to the housing, the tool members and the tool elements are selectively useable by the users.

Abstract: Computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines, adjustable material-working tools, and methods of operating an adjustable tool with a CNC machine are presented herein. An adjustable tool for a material-working machine is disclosed. The adjustable tool includes an elongated housing, and one or more cutting inserts at least partially disposed within the housing. Each cutting insert is selectively transversely repositionable with respect to the housing. A wedge is selectively longitudinally repositionable with respect to the housing. The wedge mates with the cutting insert(s) such that longitudinal movement of the wedge effectuates transverse movement of the cutting insert(s). A control arm is movably mounted to the housing. The control arm is configured to mechanically couple the wedge to a prime mover of the material-working machine such that motive force is transferred from the prime mover through the control arm to the wedge for the selective repositioning thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing wires from a bale includes a conveyor system for moving one or more bales and a de-wiring station positioned adjacent the conveyor system. The de-wiring station includes a robot with an end tool. A bale that is bound by one or more wires is transferred by the conveyor system to a position proximate the de-wiring station. The robot with end tool moves to sense the location of the wires, cut the wires, collect the wires and deposit the wires in a collection hopper.

Abstract: A method for cutting tubular members, particularly legs, for supporting structures using at least one travelling wire having suitable cutting parts is described.

Abstract: A safety system prevents cutting machine operators from being accidentally carried through the infeed chute into the machine's cutting mechanism. An operator wears a safety device on his wrist and/or ankle and a sensor array mounts on opposing sides of the cutting machine's infeed chute. The sensor array elements are wound in opposite directions and connect in series opposing. The magnetic field of the safety device induces a current in the sensor array as it moves in the proximity of the sensor array. The safety system generates a signal which is proportional to the sum of the induced currents. When the signal exceeds a threshold, the safety system shuts off power to the feed mechanism and/or the cutting blades of the cutting machine, preventing injury to the operator.

Abstract: A safety system prevents cutting machine operators from being accidentally carried through the infeed chute into the machine's cutting mechanism. An operator wears a safety device on his wrist and/or ankle and a sensor array mounts on opposing sides of the cutting machine's infeed chute. The sensor array elements are wound in opposite directions and connect in series opposing. The magnetic field of the safety device induces a current in the sensor array as it moves in the proximity of the sensor array. The safety system generates a signal which is proportional to the sum of the induced currents. When the signal exceeds a threshold, the safety system shuts off power to the feed mechanism and/or the cutting blades of the cutting machine, preventing injury to the operator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separating shaft (1) for separating band strips (2) of a longitudinally divided band. Two diagonally opposed transport carriages (8, 9) that can travel in guide grooves (5, 6) parallel to the axis (7-7) of the separating shaft (1) by means of a drive, each having a ripper (10) that can travel into and out of the separating shaft (1) for capturing a separating disc (3) transported on the separating shaft with the transport carriages (8, 9) to a position prescribed by a cutting program and for releasing the positioned separating disc, and two pneumatic clamping bars (11, 12) for clamping the positioned separating discs (3) on the separating shaft (1) and offset 90° from the transport carriages (8, 9), are integrated in the separating shaft (1).

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus that performs a cutting process on a booklet formed by a bundle of center-folded sheets of paper includes: a conveying member that conveys the booklet; a leading edge stopper capable of reciprocating in a booklet conveying direction and used for setting a cutting position by abutting on a center-folded portion of the booklet; and a supporting member that supports the booklet when the cutting position of the booklet is to be set. When the booklet is being conveyed, the conveying member and the conveyed booklet are located in a contact position, and when the cutting position of the booklet is to be set, each of the conveying member and the conveyed booklet is located in one of separated positions, and the cutting position of the booklet is set by the leading edge stopper while the conveyed booklet is supported by the supporting member.

Abstract: A cotton dispenser includes a spool configured to receive a cotton strand thereabout and that rotates when the cotton strand is unwound therefrom. The dispenser includes a feed assembly downstream from the spool configured to receive an end of the cotton strand and unwind it from the spool when actuated. A cutting assembly is downstream from the feed assembly and configured to receive the cotton strand from the feed assembly. The cutting assembly includes a blade movable from a retracted configuration not in contact with the cotton strand and an activated configuration that severs the received cotton strand. The cotton dispenser includes a discharge chute in operative communication with the cutting assembly for guiding severed cotton portions to an outlet opening. A first input switch is electrically configured to actuate the feeding assembly so long as the input button is depressed and to actuate the cutting assembly when released.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of improving the productivity of sheet processing as much as possible. An image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet. A finisher is connected downstream of the image forming apparatus and performs post processing on the sheet. The finisher moves at least one of the sheet and a punching unit to adjust a position for punching holes in the sheet. The finisher determines whether or not a post-processing apparatus connected upstream of the finisher is provided with a correction mechanism for correcting a position of a sheet in a direction orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction. When the post-processing apparatus is provided with the correction mechanism, the finisher causes the image forming apparatus to be set such that a sheet conveying interval becomes shorter than when the post-processing apparatus is not provided with the correction mechanism.

Abstract: A cutter device for cutting envelopes open, which cutter device includes a rotary cutter suitable for cutting open an envelope, and a rotary bearing element against which said envelope is in contact as it goes past the rotary cutter, an axis of rotation of the bearing element forming a predetermined angle of inclination with a drive axis of the rotary cutter.

Abstract: This invention provides a cutting apparatus which holds a rectangular substrate covered by a cover sheet and cuts an edge portion of the cover sheet which protrudes from a periphery of the rectangular substrate. This cutting apparatus includes a periphery holding unit which includes a periphery mount portion on which a peripheral portion of the rectangular substrate is mounted and a periphery suction portion which chucks the periphery of the rectangular substrate, and is provided for each side of the rectangular substrate. The cutting apparatus also includes a movement guide unit which guides movement of the periphery holding units facing each other in directions to approach and separate from each other.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a blazed diffractive grating includes a first step of forming a first groove having a first surface and a second surface by moving, in the first direction at a first position in the second direction, a cutting tool having a first cutting blade and a second cutting blade to cut the object; a second step of forming a second groove by moving, in the first direction at a second position separated from the first position in the second direction by a grating pitch, the cutting tool to cut the object; and a third step of forming a blazed surface of the first groove using the first cutting blade by moving, in the first direction at a third position between the first position and the second position, the cutting tool to cut the first surface of the first groove.

Abstract: A corkscrew includes a rotatable pinion gear having a fixed radius and a horizontal rotational axis rotatably coupled to an annular collar and engaging a gear rack of a vertically translating driver. A helical worm is coupled through a freely rotating connection to the vertically translating driver wherein the corkscrew freely rotates about a longitudinal rotation axis coaxially aligned with a location of a bottle neck from which a corkscrew is to be withdrawn. A crank rotates the pinion gear for translating the driver up and down relative to the collar along the rotation axis of the corkscrew. A helical pinon gear a helical pinion rack drives rotates about the longitudinal rotation axis in meshing engagement with helical rack on the vertically translating driver, the helical pinion gear having at least one blade to contact the bottle neck scoring a foil capsule thereon as the helical pinon gear rotates.

Abstract: A tremolo device for use on a musical instrument having a neck extending between a body and head, and a plurality of strings under tension aligned with the neck includes a bridge structure resiliently supportable relative to the body for rotation about a pivot axis transverse to the neck. String retaining elements of the bridge structure are movable therewith, each being dimensioned and arranged to engage a corresponding string. An actuating lever extends rearwardly from a point of attachment to the bridge structure to a point further from the neck and pivot axis than the point of attachment. Lifting of the actuating lever by an upward force exerted by a strumming or plucking finger reduces tension in the strings and lowers the tone of the musical element and exertion of a downward force upon the actuating lever increases tension in the strings and increases the tone of the musical instrument.

Abstract: An improved mouthpiece for use with single reed woodwind instruments is provided. The mouthpiece includes a tapered shaped tone chamber that creates shaped-charge dynamics in the tone chamber air column to improve coupling of the air column to the reed. The tapered shape is obtained by varying the width of the tone chamber along the interior surfaces of the side walls from a top surface of the side rails to the bottom surface of the tone chamber. In addition, the width of the bottom surface is varied along a length of the tone chamber from a tip rail to the central bore of the mouthpiece. The transition from the top surfaces of the side rails to the interior surface of the tone chamber side walls is sloped to achieve a venturi effect between the top surfaces and the reed at the region of the tone chamber adjacent the tip rail.

Abstract: A mechanically activated musical instrument mainly for public use is preferably installed in open areas such as parks, plazas, cultural centers and the like. The mechanically activated musical instrument has similarities with a carillon, but having a mechanical activation system handled directly by one or more persons. The mechanically activated musical instrument has a sustentation structure (2), multiple sound tubes (3), multiple support structures (4) and multiple actuation mechanisms (5). The mechanically activated musical instrument (1) has a configuration in which the multiple sound tubes (3), the multiple support structures (4) and the multiple actuation mechanisms (5) are arranged on one face of the sustentation structure with the multiple sound tubes (3) disposed parallel to the face of the sustentation structure (2).

Abstract: In conclusion by designing and constructing a base-drum kick-pedal in this form and fashion it provides a drummer a more natural and comfortable motion to the foot, as the foot compresses the pedal to engage the mallet to strike the base drum. Because it is easier to raise and lower the heel of the foot as opposed to raising and lowering the ball of the foot. Thus making it more sensible to move the compression capability of the compression pedal that engages the mallet to strike the base-drum from the front to the rear of the base-drum kick pedal.

Abstract: A musical instrument tuning device includes a tuning sleeve and a tuning collar threadingly engaged to the tuning sleeve. The apparatus is mountable onto a first portion of a musical instrument which also has a second portion, the second portion being slidingly adjustable relative to the first portion to change the length of an air passage to tune that musical instrument. In one embodiment, the musical instrument tuning device is mounted on a neck portion of a saxophone to which a mouthpiece is typically engaged. Rotation of the tuning collar moves a saxophone mouthpiece relative to the neck portion and thereby enables a musician to quickly and precisely tune the saxophone.

Abstract: A performance apparatus 11 extends in its longitudinal direction to be held by a player with his or her hand. The performance apparatus 11 is provided with a geomagnetic sensor 22 and an acceleration sensor 23. At the time when the geomagnetic sensor and acceleration sensor determine that the performance apparatus 11 is kept within a sound generation space and has been moved by the player, CPU 21 gives an electronic musical instrument 19 an instruction to generate a musical tone of a tone color corresponding to the sound generation space. The sound generation spaces and corresponding tone colors are stored in a space/tone color table in RAM 26. Upon receipt of the instruction, the electronic musical instrument generates a musical tone of a tone color corresponding to the sound generation space.

Abstract: By a musical performance guide which is in “waiting mode” with a “tempo-follow” enabled setting, an electronic musical instrument illuminates a guide lamp at a point in time which is earlier by a tone-generation start allowable period Ta than the note-on timing of a musical tone of a melody part of automatic musical performance data to start musical performance guide. The tone-generation start allowable period Ta is an allowable time #2 which is sufficiently longer than that of a case of a tempo-follow disabled setting. When a user has depressed a correct key within the tone-generation start allowable period Ta, the electronic musical instrument starts generating a melody tone to move the position of the automatic musical performance data which is to be reproduced forward.

Abstract: An amplifier for electric guitar including a Cut control for attenuating high frequencies whose operation is expanded via a switch to alternately function as a Master Volume control.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that is a self-contained gas management system (hereinafter “GMS”) that accommodates individual canisters of highly energetic small munitions, but is not so limited. By decoupling the gas management system for a given munition from an adjacent munition, the risk of downing a multi-pack launcher or munition adapter is reduced. Thermal wear, overheating, restrained firing and aft closure debris can be isolated through the separation of gas management systems. In addition, the GMS allows for ease of replenishment and maintenance of a given sub-cell of a multi-pack system. The GMS works with existing munitions and canisters without the need to modify them. Each GMS is dimensioned to fit the canistered munition it receives as well as the launch system with which it is used. The illustrative GMS comprises a plenum, and a first and a second uptake structure. The plenum receives the exhaust from the canistered munition when the munition fires.

Abstract: A weapon interface system, and methods of operating the same. The weapon interface system is coupled to an electrical interconnection system of a delivery platform and a weapon system coupled to a rack system. The weapon interface system includes a translation interface configured to provide an interface between the electrical interconnection system and an inductive power and data circuit. The weapon interface system also includes a weapon coupler, coupled to the translation interface, configured to provide an inductive coupling to the weapon system to provide mission information thereto.

Abstract: A system and method for launching non-vertical launch munitions with a non-vertical launch trajectory from a launcher that is operationally coupled to a vertical launching system (VLS). The inventors of the present invention recognized that munitions that are unsuitable for vertical launches were unavailable for use with vertical launching systems, thus foreclosing important defense, attack, and cost-savings opportunities for VLS-equipped platforms. A VLS could be substantially more versatile if it accommodated munitions such as torpedoes, counter-measures, direct-fire munitions, point-and-shoot munitions, and a variety of other missiles and equipment. The launcher according to the present invention is also stowable in an upward orientation within a cell of the host vertical launching system.

Abstract: An assembly for a firearm (10) includes a sleeve (22) connected to the receiver or receiver end of the barrel (18). The sleeve (22) extends beyond the discharge end of the barrel (18) and includes inwardly extending projections (42) abutting or juxtaposed to a peripheral section (44) of the discharge end of the barrel (18). A noise suppressor (24, 50) threads onto the sleeve (22). Some of the propellant gases are redirected and cooled by the noise suppressor (24, 50) in a conventional manner. Some of the propellant gases are redirected into an annulus (46) between the barrel (18) and sleeve (22) where they are cooled and some of their volume is reduced thereby increasing the efficiency of the noise suppressor (24, 50).

Abstract: An ammunition feed chute has a plurality of feed chute links releasably connected together. The feed chute links have interior surfaces that define a guide path for belted ammunition. Each of the feed chute links has a transitional surface attached to one of the feed chute link's interior surfaces, the transitional surfaces each extending from the interior surface to which it is attached to a location where it overlaps the adjacent feed chute link's transitional surface. A tongue extending from one of the feed chute links may be received by a slot in an adjacent feed chute link to releasably connect the feed chute links together. The ligaments may each receive the top insert and the rivet of one of the feed chute links within their closed slots and removably receive the top insert, AN washer, and rivet of an adjacent feed chute link within their open slots to releasably connect the feed chute links together.

Abstract: A camouflage apparatus includes a mesh adapted to receive twigs, leaves, or the like from a given locale, thus allowing an individual to better blend into local scenery. A first panel-type version includes an adhesive with panel of 2D mesh. A second ring-type version includes a ring of 3D mesh material, including a draw string band for securement, or a resilient band forming a brow for engaging a forehead when looking through the scope. These allow the individual to attach natural materials from an existing area, which greatly improves the individual's ability to camouflage his equipment and hide. The illustrated apparatus can be used to cover shiny clothing such as a belt buckle, or can be used to cover equipment, such as a gun scope, a gun barrel or stock, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the initial construction of furniture having bullet-proof and/or bullet-resistant properties, and methods for manufacturing furniture providing ballistic defense shielding using soft armor and hard armor material components. Soft armor and hard armor require an area of flexibility or expansion to work effectively when struck by a projectile. If these materials are completely restricted their effectiveness is diminished. With the unique design of this application both the soft armor and hard armor are affixed to the interior and/or exterior surfaces of furniture allowing the flexibility or expansion required for maximum protection. The unique design may also be applied to retro-fit panels and/or frames comprising soft armor or hard armor material components to be attached to the exterior and/or interior surfaces of existing furniture.

Abstract: Ring-shaped shape memory alloys put disk-shaped ceramic materials in a state of compression. The rings are radially deformed to introduce plastic strain into the rings. The rings are sized to closely receive the disk-shaped ceramic strike plates. When the assembly is heated, the rings attempt to regain their original shape and thereby put the ceramic strike plates into uniform, two-dimensional compression.