Abstract: A select spring coupler structure is outfitted upon a flat finisher assembly or apparatus so as to enhance the user's ability to maintain the flat finisher apparatus. The flat finisher apparatus essentially comprises at least one (tension) coil spring removably held in tension between opposing anchor structures. The select spring coupler structure according to the present invention is outfittable upon the coil spring at the first spring end of the coil spring. The spring coupler structure comprises certain radially extending structure for engaging the first spring end and certain finger engaging structure for enabling manual alteration (i.e. via one's digits) of spring tension so as to disengage the first spring end from respective anchoring structure. The spring coupler structure may be twisted into engagement with the first spring end(s) via the helical structure of adjacent loops of the coil spring to couple therewith.

Abstract: Multi-layer, multi-material fabrication methods include depositing at least one structural material and at least one sacrificial material during the formation of each of a plurality of layers wherein deposited materials for each layer are planarized to set a boundary level for the respective layer and wherein during formation of at least one layer at least three materials are deposited with a planarization operation occurring before deposition of the last material to set a planarization level above the layer boundary level and wherein a planarization occurs after deposition of the last material whereby the boundary level for the layer is set. Some formation processes use electrochemical fabrication techniques (e.g. including selective depositions, bulk depositions, etching operations and planarization operations) and post-deposition processes (e.g. selective etching operations and/or back filling operations).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microphone comprising a substrate, a transducer element that is mounted on a top side of the substrate, a covering layer that covers the transducer element and forms a seal with the top side of the substrate, a shaped covering material that covers the substrate, the transducer element and the covering layer, and a sound opening that extends through the covering material and the covering layer. Methods for manufacturing a microphone and for manufacturing a plurality of microphones are also disclosed.

Abstract: The system for installing shower walls includes a pressure transfer member for urging a shower wall against a back up support during bonding of the shower wall to the support. An adjustable force development device engages the pressure transfer member to force the pressure transfer member against the shower wall. A support member engages the pressure transfer member when the force development device exerts a predetermined force against the shower wall. A fixation device holds the support member to maintain the pressure transfer position of the pressure transfer member. The fixation device includes a cam that moves a shower wall into a tight corner fit with an adjacent shower wall.

Abstract: A soldering fixture is disclosed having a unitary base member configured to maintain a printed circuit board and an electrical connector in a particular orientation during soldering. The unitary base member includes a lateral channel dimensioned to maintain a plurality of wire leads associated with the electrical connector in a spaced relationship with the printed circuit board. The unitary base member further includes a wire alignment tool configured to align the plurality of wire leads in the particular orientation such that the plurality of wire leads are in juxtaposition with a plurality of solder pads affixed to one or more surfaces of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A printed wiring board includes a Cu wiring pattern formed on a substrate. A first metal layer is formed on the Cu wiring pattern. A second metal layer is formed on the first metal layer. The first metal layer has a less reactivity with Cu than the second metal layer. The first metal layer and the second metal layer together cause an eutectic reaction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method—for producing an engine valve (V) filled with metallic sodium (Na) within by means of: forming a stem section (S), which has a hollow section (H), at an intended size by successively drawing the stem section (S) using dies (D1, D2, Dx, Dx+1, Dn) in a manner so as to causing the size of the outer diameter and the inner diameter of the stem section (S) to contact in a stepwise fashion; and inserting metallic sodium (Na) into the hollow section (H) of the stem section (S)—wherein after drawing the stem section (S) until the inner diameter of the hollow section (H) of the stem section (S) has become a prescribed size (steps S11-S15) and then inserting the block-shaped solid metallic sodium (Na) into the hollow section (H) of the stem section (S) (step S16), the stem section (S) is further drawn (steps S17 and S18).

Abstract: A method for producing steam generator tube walls, where the tube walls are formed from a tube-fin-tube combination and are comprised of a multiplicity of at least one of the tube wall components made of plane tube wall panels, curved tube wall panels, transition tube wall panels and corner bends and are configured with a take-up member with one penetration opening each at tube wall regions at which tubes are passed through the tube wall and the tube wall panels exhibit at the periphery longitudinal fin-fin panel joints and transverse circumferential weld-panel joints. The method including producing tube wall components made primarily of 9-12% martensitic chromium steels by welding in a workshop, the components having a material that is not to be heat treated at specific locations. Tempering the tube wall components in the workshop with a first heating device. Connecting the tube wall components at their circumferential weld-panel joints at the assembly site with weld seams.

Abstract: A remanufacturing and salvaging strategy for fuel injector tips such as high flow fuel injector tips includes blocking a first set of spray orifices in the fuel injector tip, including at least partially filling the first set of spray orifices with a material, for example by laser welding. New spray orifices are formed in virgin material of the fuel injector tip, offset from the former spray orifices, also for example via a laser. A remanufactured fuel injector tip includes blocked former spray orifices as well as new spray orifices configured to permit spraying of fuel from the fuel injector tip.

Abstract: A flat tube for use with a heat exchanger. The flat tube including wide sides, narrow sides, an inner insert, a wall that at least partially forms the wide sides and the narrow sides, and the wall is configured to be produced from a punched-out blank. The flat tube further includes an introduction bevel in order to facilitate introduction of the inner insert. The introduction bevel includes at least two bent-down projections at an end of the flat tube. The at least two projections extend over portions of at least one of the wide sides and the narrow sides, and it being possible for the at least two projections to be separated off after the introduction of the inner insert.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite hose, which is capable of being used without leakage, and which has a longer length and/or diameter than has been previously achievable. A composite hose comprises a tubular body of flexible material arranged between an inner and an outer helically wound wire. The hose further comprises an axial strengthening means adapted to reduce deformation of the tubular body when the tubular body is subjected to axial tension, the axial strengthening means being adapted to exert a radially inward force on at least part of the tubular body when axial strengthening means is subjected to axial tension. The hose can have length above 30 m and a diameter above 400 mm. A method of, and apparatus for, making the hose are also described, which involves the use of a non-metallic mandrel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screen cylinder that is particularly suitable for screening, filtering, fractionating, or sorting cellulose pulp suspensions of the pulp and paper making industry, or other similar suspensions. The present invention relates more particularly to a screen cylinder formed from a plurality of screen wires leaving screening slots therebetween, and circular support elements. The support elements include openings/grooves for installation of the screen wires therein, so that at least one of the support rings is thermally deformed and clamps the screen wires in the openings/grooves of the rings.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly and sequencing system includes the advantages of a batch vehicle body build sequence with the advantages of a random sequence of vehicle body styles transferred to a painting area. The build system includes using automated guided vehicles which transfer and store assembled, un-painted vehicle bodies in a storage area and sequentially transfers selected bodies from the storage area to the painting area achieving a random or variable supply of different vehicle bodies to be painted a certain color.

Abstract: An assembly jig for a radial roller bearing comprises a retaining structure having a plurality of axially-projecting projections configured to retain a plurality of roller bodies disposed in a ring-shape during a bearing assembly process. The roller bodies are supportable in a first radial direction on a first component and each roller body contacts two adjacent projections in a second radial direction, which is opposite of the first radial direction. The projections are configured to press the roller bodies against the first component and such that a portion of the roller bodies projects past the projections in the second radial direction. The assembly jig is removable from the roller bearing in the axial direction after final assembly of the roller bearing.

Abstract: A blade cartridge for a shaving razor contains a series of parallel blades, and at least two wire conductors of an electric circuit connected to the blades at spaced intervals to provide an electric current flow through the blades in a manner that provides more efficient heat distribution across the length of the blades. The ends of the blades may be held in place by staples that are insulated from the electric circuit. A thin conductive film may be fitted to be in contact with the ends of the blades to insure conductivity throughout the entire length of each blade. A radiator effect of the heated blades causes the blades to become warmer when the blades are placed against the skin surface and air is unable to circulate between the blades. The blades become less hot when removed from the skin and air circulates between the blades.

Abstract: A hair-clipper includes a stationary blade and a movable blade. The comb projections of the stationary blade include a skin-contact surface which abuts against skin, and a slide surface with which the comb projections of the movable blade come into slide contact. Further, the main body of the stationary blade includes an opposed surface which is opposed to a plane including the skin-contact surface, and a shortest distance between the opposed surface and the plane including the skin-contact surface is equal to or greater than a distance between the plane including the skin-contact surface and the comb projection of the movable blade.

Abstract: A blade assembly of a hedge trimmer includes at least one cutting blade having cutting teeth. At least one portion of the cutting teeth are configured as protective teeth which, referred to the cutting blade axis, have an inner cutting region and from which an outer protective finger extends. The protective tooth is, referred to its tooth axis, configured unsymmetrically. The protective tooth has a cutting side and an opposite-lying holding side and a cutting edge in the cutting region on the cutting side and a holding edge on the holding side. The protective finger has a forward edge on the cutting side and a rearward edge on the holding side. Starting from the blade axis, the forward edge is inclined to the tooth axis and the rearward edge, starting from the blade axis, is inclined away from the tooth axis.

Abstract: Gardening scissors include two blades facing each other, two connecting blocks, two covers and two handles, wherein each blade is equipped with a perforation at a middle section, and a locking board is extended from one side of rear end of two blades. The connecting blocks have a (half) shell body facing the cover, and a receiving slot with half-oval shape extending from rear end of the shell body. Front end of the receiving slot has a stopping edge, one side of which has a side wing extending therefrom. The cover is symmetrically disposed to face the shell body, so that a second receiving slot, a second stopping edge, a second side wing and a second locking hole are formed on the cover. One end of the handle has an anti-slippery sleeve and the other end has a through hole.

Abstract: A hand cutting tool includes a handle lock assembly configured to retain handles of the cutting tool in a closed position. The handle lock assembly includes a latch that pivots with respect to a first handle about a latch axis from a locked position to an unlocked position and a pin manually movable with respect to a second handle between an engaged position and a released position. In a latched position of the handle lock assembly, the latch is in the locked position and engages the pin in the engaged position to retain the second handle in the closed position, and in an unlatched position of the handle lock assembly, the latch is in the unlocked position and is disengaged from the pin in response to the pin being manually moved to the released position to allow the second handle to move toward the open position.

Abstract: A power tool includes a power source, a speed change mechanism and a tool bit. The speed change mechanism includes first and second rotating shafts disposed parallel to each other, a first power transmission path provided with a first gear train and a first clutch and a second power transmission path provided with a second gear train and a second clutch. The power transmission path is switched between the first power transmission path and the second power transmission path while the first and second gear trains are held engaged, by shifting of the first and second clutches between the power transmission state and the power transmission interrupted state according to a load applied to the tool bit. The speed change mechanism further includes a switching retaining mechanism, a switching preventing mechanism, a switching set value adjusting mechanism or a switching mechanism.

Abstract: A selective light assembly for a sighting device associated with an archer bow or the like has a plurality of light collectors, such as optical fibers, that serve as sight points. An artificial light source is adapted for projecting radiant energy in a direction toward the light collectors and a base member is operatively associated with the light source. The base member has at least one window adapted for alignment with at least one of the light collectors. At least one of the light source and base member is adjustable between first and second positions, such that the radiant energy projects through the base member and onto first and second light collectors for selectively illuminating a sight dot associated with one of the light collectors.

Abstract: A temporary line projection system designed to be grasped by hand and moved, by a single human operator, into a desired location as, for example, along the sidelines of a football field adjacent to where a first down line is to be projected. The system comprises a movable structure that is dimensioned and arranged to be supported by and project upwardly from an athletic field surface. A laser source is supported by the movable structure and is maintained by the movable structure at an elevated location relative to the athletic field surface. This allows the laser source to direct optical energy downward upon the field while the movable structure is maintained substantially in a first orientation relative to the athletic field surface.

Abstract: Provided is a flux gate sensor comprising the following: a magnetic core having a first wiring layer formed on a board, a first insulating layer formed in such a way as to cover the aforementioned first wiring layer, and a magnetic core which is formed on the aforementioned first insulating layer and which has a central portion and an end portion that continues to the aforementioned central portion, that has a width larger than the width of the aforementioned central portion, and that is located on either side of the aforementioned central portion; a second insulating layer which covers the aforementioned magnetic core and which is formed on the aforementioned first insulating layer; and a second wiring layer formed on the aforementioned second insulating layer.

Abstract: A chalk box includes a housing with an opening and a rotatable reel disposed within the housing. An elongated line is arranged to be wound on the reel. A reel winder is arranged to rotate the reel to wind the line on the reel. A movable cover is mounted to the housing and is movable between an open position and a closed position, the cover when open permits a powder or a fluid marker material to be placed into the housing through the opening in the housing. The movable cover includes an elastomeric material enabling the cover to seal with the housing when the cover is closed to prevent leakage of the marker material at an interface between the movable cover and the housing. A releasable lock is arranged to releasably lock the cover in the closed position, the releasable lock being manually manipulable by a user's fingers to release the lock to permit access into the housing through the opening.

Abstract: A plumbing path guide apparatus comprising a plurality of interconnectable elements, said elements interconnectable by means of female and male connectors configured to slidingly mate with each other, wherein a perceived plumbing path is erectable between at least two extant points whereby measurements of extant pipe required to plumb said plumbing path are ascertained as the apparatus is erected.

Abstract: The axle guide has a generally rectangular base having a thickness, a top surface, and an opposite bottom surface, a first end and an opposite second end, and a right side and an opposite left side. The top surface has a lengthwise spine with less height than the thickness of the base. The first end has a threaded aperture receiving a screw which secures a planar gauge. The gauge has its own thickness, generally that of the desired gap between a wheel hub and the car body. The gauge has a generally slotted shape secured by the screw to the first end. The gauge is preferably H shaped or alternately C shaped. The slot of the gauge receives the shaft of an axle.

Abstract: The industrial tumble dryer comprises a casing (1) enclosing a drum (2) to contain the clothes to be dried by means of drying air introduced into it, a low-pressure chamber (3) to extract drying air from the drum (2) and a filtering device (4) interposed in the low-pressure chamber (3). The filtering device (4) comprises a filtering element (5), means to detach fuzz from said filtering element (5) and a build-up enclosure (6) to collect the detached fuzz. In the casing (1) there is an opening (7) communicated with the build-up enclosure (6) and configured to receive a suction nozzle (8a) of an external suction device (8) to remove the fluff from the build-up enclosure (6) through suction without the need to remove the filtering element (5) or to access it.

Abstract: A shower drying system directs air downwardly onto the walls, surfaces and/or shower curtain of a shower enclosure. In one embodiment, the air is heated. The movement of the air in the downward direction helps urge droplets of water on the shower surface towards a drain at the lower level of the shower enclosure. Remaining water on the surfaces is evaporated into water vapor that is exhausted from above the shower enclosure, thereby reducing mold and mildew.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the vacuum drying of capillary porous bulk materials. The method involves preheating of the material, its loading into the vacuum drying chamber having heating elements followed by cycle-by-cycling heating of the material and vacuum creation in the rapid vacuum impulse action mode with stage-by-stage single or multiple reduction of pressure in the range from 0.1 MPa to 0.0001 MPa followed by the exposure to vacuum unless the material temperature is stabilized. Said cycles are repeated unless the required material moisture is achieved. Cooling of the material is performed in the same drying chamber by alternating cooling in spouted bed and vacuum impulse action. The device comprises two vacuum chambers cone-shaped at their bases with heaters mounted inside them, material loading/unloading system, one or several receivers with pumps connected in parallel to them and connected via vacuum pipeline system with quick-acting valves to the drying chamber inlet.

Abstract: A ventilating shoe including a removable deodorant and/or a perfumed pad includes a water resistant sole, an upper shoe portion and connecting means for fastening the sole to the upper shoe portion. A series of closely spaced small openings are disposed between the sole and the upper shoe portion surrounding the shoe with the exception of a back portion thereof. In addition, an open porous pad impregnated with a deodorant and/or perfume and a longitudinally extending air chamber are provided.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole having a forefoot portion, a heel portion and an outsole having a bottom surface including a primary ground contacting surface. The bottom surface of the outsole includes a forefoot bulge and a heel bulge which provide the footwear with controlled instability for providing dynamic conditioning of the wearer's muscles during the gait cycle.

Abstract: A shoe construction including a shoe upper, an intermediate composite structure and an outsole. The composite structure underlies at least a portion of the upper and overlies at least a portion of the outsole. The composite structure includes cushion members with one cushion member being positioned to underlie a heel of a wearer and another cushion member being positioned to underlie the ball of the foot. The cushion member underlying the ball may be perforated. The composite structure can also include a relatively rigid lower member which can be perforated in the area of the ball of the foot underlying the cushion member for the ball of the foot. The composite structure can provide a flexure discontinuity in the shoe forward of the midfoot zone of the shoe.

Abstract: Embodiments relating to a lightweight sole structure are disclosed. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a lobed member having a protruding portion associated with a cleat member. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a chambered member located in an indention in an intermediate member. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a cleat member having an outer layer, an intermediate layer, and an inner layer. In some embodiments, a method of making a sole structure may include injecting a chambered member in between an upper member and an intermediate member. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a plurality of zones having varying degrees of flexibility. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include cleat members having penetrating portions for penetrating into the ground surface.

Abstract: Lacing systems are disclosed for use with footwear or other articles. The lacing system can comprises flexible webbing lace guides. In some embodiments, a lace guide can include a first lace guide element and a second lace guide element. The lace can pass through the first and second lace guides consecutively on the first side of the article before crossing to the opposing side of the article. The first and second lace guide elements can be angled towards each other to reduce the occurrence of sharp turns in the lace path through the lace guide elements. In some embodiments, the lace guide can have a central portion that is less flexible than the end portions so as to reduce the occurrence of sharp turns in the lace path through the lace guide when tension is applied to the lace.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the upper U of an athletic shoe comprising a first opening 1 out of which the foot sticks upwards during wearing and a second opening 2 which is closed with a tongue. The two openings 1, 2 are continuous with each other, and the upper U comprises a medial side stretchable part 51 which covers a part of a medial side face of an arch of the foot, a lateral side stretchable part 50 which covers a part of a lateral side face of a ball of a little toe (a fifth toe), a front part 3 located forward of the two stretchable parts 50, 51 and a rear part 4 located backward of the two stretchable parts. Each of the stretchable parts 50, 51 is provided so as to essentially cross one of side faces of the upper U from a top surface of a sole S to the second opening 2. Young's modulus along the lengthwise direction L of the foot of each of the stretchable parts 50, 51 is set smaller than that of the front part 3 and the rear part 4.

Abstract: The present invention features a path lighting system integrated with a slipper for wearing a foot of a user. The system features a slipper. A slipper sole is located on a slipper sole plane. The system features a rechargeable power supply located in the slipper sole close to a slipper anterior end. A charging port is located on a slipper sole side edge. The system features a power switch. The system features a light located on a slipper top close to the slipper anterior end. The light is located on a light plane and projects a light beam on the light plane. The light plane is parallel to the slipper sole plane. The light is located in a light housing that is integrated into and contiguous with the slipper top.

Abstract: A snow track maintenance system is described herein including a frame extending along an axis which is oriented along a direction of displacement, a mounting assembly secured to the frame for mounting the frame to a motorized vehicle so as to be trailed therefrom along the direction of displacement, and a leveler mounted to the frame so as to be pivotable relatively to the direction of displacement. Other equipments may further be provided to the maintenance system, including a snow regenerator mounted to the frame along a first longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the direction of displacement, and a snow compactor mounted to the frame upstream from the snow regenerator. The system can be used for the maintenance of alpine ski tracks and cross-country ski tracks, even in an underbrush trail, and allows setting a track on any type of snow.

Abstract: An oil-storing electric iron comprises: a flat ironing part including a stainless steel soleplate, a top casing plate, an electric heating tube and a heating conducting oil; and an adjustable temperature controller. The stainless steel soleplate and the top casing plate form an enclosed casing in which the electric heating tube and the heating conducting oil are provided. The thermal capacity of the electric iron soleplate can be effectively increased and the problem of instability and nonuniformity of the electrical iron soleplate temperature can be solved, so as to be uniform in temperature, easy to operate, safe in use and energy saving.

Abstract: A voice control electric fireplace comprises a housing, an imaging screen installed in the housing, emulating coal disposed in a lower front of the imaging screen, a flame shape board disposed in a lower back of the imaging screen, a reflecting module, and a first light source. A second light source is disposed under the emulating coal, a sound generator is installed in the housing for controlling illumination of a simulate flame of the fireplace, and the sound generator is connected to the second light source. A dynamic variation on the simulate flame is attained, which results in an attractive performance of the simulate flame.

Abstract: A rack system for displaying products comprises a rack unit supporting some of the products so as to be accessed at a forward facing product dispensing face. The rack unit has a side portion facing generally perpendicular to the dispensing face. A corner member is supported on the side portion and comprises a first wall portion extending generally forwardly to a vertical edge adjacent the product dispensing face, and a second wall portion extending generally laterally outward from the side portion to a second vertical edge. The first and second edges each have a retaining portion extending vertically. A flexible signage member is supported on the corner member in a flexed condition between the retaining portions with a signage surface that is concave outwardly between the retaining portions. The signage member is supported and retained on the corner member by a biasing of the signage member to extend wider than a distance between the retaining portions.

Abstract: An advertising device and method with an advertising display that comprises a sign holder mounted on the side or top of the vending machine in a position projecting upwardly from the top or laterally from the side so as to extend outwardly from the surface of the vending machine. Each sign holder supports removable print advertising or electronic video display advertising and holds the advertising display in a position facing forwardly toward a location taken by a customer when the customer is located in front of the vending machine. In this way, the customer's primal instinct attracts the customer into proximity to the advertising display and places the customer in a position that facilitates reading the advertising display so as to induce the customer to respond to the advertising display.

Abstract: A label (200) is configured to be disposed in an installed position on a vending machine (100) vendable-product support shelf (104). This label has a horizontally-oriented first portion (201) and a vertically-oriented second portion (202). The horizontally-oriented first portion can be oriented directly beneath an area that vertically corresponds to a given row of vendable products (106). This first portion has first promotional content (203) (comprising, for example, graphic content such as alphanumeric material and/or images) that is visible to a consumer viewing the interior of the vending machine through the transparent front portion (at least when the given row of vendable products is empty). The second portion can similarly have second promotional content (204) (again comprising, for example, graphic content such as alphanumeric material and/or images) that is visible to the aforementioned consumer regardless of whether the given row of vendable products is empty.

Abstract: A temporary reusable sign apparatus that includes a substantially flat sign board having one or more openings and front and rear sides, and a securing means for securing the substantially flat sign board to a supporting structure. The front side includes a dry-eraseable marker surface configured to receive one or more indicia. The securing means is configured to deflectably receive and thereby frictionaly engage a portion of the supporting structure.

Abstract: A cover member includes: a cover body that is located such that a reverse surface of the cover body faces an engine; a sticker that has a sticker body and an adhesive layer, the sticker body being formed such that the sticker body covers an aesthetically-designed concave portion that is formed on a top surface of the cover body, the adhesive layer being provided on a reverse-surface side of the sticker body to adhere the sticker body to the cover body; and a communication path that communicates an interior of the aesthetically-designed concave portion with the atmosphere.

Abstract: A firearm has an off-trigger locator and/or guide path. The off-trigger locator may be a depression or a convexity formed on a side of a frame of the firearm adjacent a trigger of the firearm, and may further include a raised portion. The off-trigger locator is configured to allow a user of the firearm to move between the off-trigger locator and the trigger, as necessary, for instance, as the user goes between non-firing and firing conditions. The guide position may comprise a groove or raised ridge formed on a frame of the firearm adjacent a trigger of the firearm and extending from the frame of the firearm into a trigger area adjacent the trigger. The guide path is configured to allow the user to move along the guide path away from and into the trigger area, as necessary, for instance, as the user goes between non-firing and firing conditions.

Abstract: A magazine release device is affixed to a firearm and operable from either side of the firearm. The device includes a shaft extending between opposite sides of the lower receiver and movable longitudinally between an engaged and a disengaged orientation. A spring biases the shaft into the engaged orientation. A plate, affixed to one end of the shaft, includes an inwardly directed catch that engages with a magazine when the shaft is in the engaged orientation and disengages from the magazine when the shaft is moved to the disengaged orientation. A right hand actuation button is affixed to the shaft on the right side of the lower receiver and a left hand actuation button is affixed to the plate on the left side and each actuation button controls the shaft and plate between the disengaged orientation and the engaged orientation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bolt assembly that may include several lands that extend along the forward end of the bolt assembly that occupy only about 1 percent to about 12 percent of the surface area of the forward end. Also disclosed is a bolt carrier that defines a cam path that includes an increased unlock dwell time of approximately twice the unlock dwell time provided by a cam path shaped like a standard M-16 cam path. Also disclosed is a bolt carrier that includes a protrusion at a forward end of the bolt carrier with a bore that extends through the protrusion and the bolt carrier at a substantially constant bore diameter, where the protrusion is sized to be received in the barrel extension extends approximately one hundred thousandths of an inch from the end of the bolt carrier.

Abstract: A reinforcement device for reinforcing a locating pin aperture in a firearm magazine. The reinforcement device includes a front panel with an aperture adapted to be coaxially aligned with the locating pin aperture. The reinforcement device also includes a clamp adapted to secure the front panel to the firearm magazine to ensure accurate alignment of the front panel aperture with the locating pin aperture.

Abstract: A magazine for a firearm is adjustable for cartridge capacity using a thumb slide to select the quantity of cartridges to be held by the magazine. The thumb slide is operable in a vertical slot and below the carriage pushing up on the bullets. The thumb slide protrudes into the internal chamber through the vertical slot so as to form an obstruction preventing downward movement of the carriage beyond the obstruction. Alternatively, the thumb slide raises a platform on which a segmented spring rests. When the platform is raised, it reduces available storage in the magazine. If a capacity selection requires a smaller spring, then spring segments are removed. A set screw locks the thumb slide in place. An indicator bar shows through holes in the magazine indicating the number of cartridges remaining in the magazine. A bolt and nut is introduced to permanently prevent further adjustment.

Abstract: A retrofit able Trigger Guard assembly is the invented embodiment, which is attached permanently to an existing firearm or can be integrated to any firearm during manufacturing. This assembly is attached permanently under the muzzle of any firearm, typically a hand gun. In general, the invented mechanism operates under the force of gravity and certain relevant lever action extends guard plates on both side of the trigger assembly, thereby making it in operable. The guard plates are extended over the trigger guard of the firearm as soon as the gun is pointed downward. This mechanism is locked inside the assembly by an electrical miniature solenoid, which release the lock in order to facilitate the retraction only if the firearm is leveled and the bio metrics of the user matches the pre stored finger prints in the memory of the assembly, therefore, only authorized user can activate the trigger.