The invention relates to a protective coating, having the chemical composition CaSibBdNeOgHlMem, wherein Me is at least one metal of the group consisting of {Al, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Y, Sc, La, Ce, Nd, Pm, Sm, Pr, Mg, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn}, with a+b+d+e+g+l+m=1. According to the invention, the following conditions are satisfied: 0.45≦a≦0.98, 0.01≦b≦0.40, 0.01≦d≦0.30, 0≦e≦0.35, 0≦g≦0.20, 0≦l≦0.35, 0≦m≦0.20. The invention relates also to a coated member having a protective coating, as well as to a method for producing a protective coating, in particular a multilayer film for a member.

An insulated concrete form including of first and second spaced sidewalls forming a cavity therebetween, said sidewalls having an inside surface and interconnected by a plurality of form ties, and a form insert made of an insulative material positioned adjacent the inside surface of at least one sidewall which thereby increases the R-value of the resulting structure.

A unitary assembly facilitates constructing concrete foundation pads made of poured concrete, the foundation pads being useful to support a structure or building. The apparatus comprises a unitary assembly of existing planar forms connected by taper-shaped corners using wedge connectors to define an upwardly-tapered cavity shaped to hold poured concrete until the concrete cures. The assembly is sufficiently rigid and the planar forms are held at an angle sufficient for the unitary assembly to self-release from the cured concrete without disassembly when lifted/moved vertically off of the cured concrete.

The present teachings provide a modular articulating cement spacer mold for forming a temporary implant comprising a mold first portion, a mold second portion, and a ventilation forming surface feature on an interior surface of at least one of the mold first portion or the mold second portion. The first mold portion and the second mold portion have corresponding interior surfaces that form a cavity therebetween.

A method for producing a sanitary article, comprises the step of introducing liquid clay into the casting chamber of a casting mould, the step of hardening the liquid clay in the casting mould and the step of separating the casting mould for removing the hardened sanitary article out of the casting mould. Prior to the step of introducing the liquid clay, at least one slide is introduced from outside the casting chamber along an insertion direction (E) at least partially into the casting chamber, wherein the slide is removed out of the casting chamber in opposition to the insertion direction (E) prior to or during the step of separating the casting mould, wherein an opening, an indentation or a break-through can be provided in the sanitary article by means of the slide.

A pair of mold cores (51, 52) for molding an undercut portion (P1) in a holder (30) installed inside a movable mold (13) are connected to and supported by a retaining piece (40) which is moved in the demolding direction, and at the time of demolding, the respective mold cores (51, 52) are guided by guide means (33, 34) from the molding position, where they are contacted with each other, to the mold release position, where they are separated from each other, being moved from one end side to the other end side of the retaining piece (40), in the mutually opposite directions so as to pass each other in the back and forth direction.

The present invention generally provides mold modules for constructing boat hulls, methods of constructing boat hulls using the mold modules, and hulls constructed using the mold modules. The modules may be adjustable, and may be included in a kit for building the hull of many boats of different dimensions but generally the same shape. Each mold module generally comprises a mold in a shape complementary to that of a portion of a boat hull, and an edge mold to form the edge of the hull part formed by that mold module. A mold module according to the present invention may also comprise one or more mold adjustment areas, and calibrators for selecting the boat hull dimensions. Methods for using the aforementioned mold modules generally comprise steps of molding hull parts, removing them from the mold modules, aligning them and finally attaching them together.

A system for constructing a form for forming a concrete structure is disclosed herein. The system may include a number of extensible form panels. An extensible form panel may be constituted with a basis frame having a basis frame section and an extensible frame section extensible for a variable amount in at least one direction, along one axis. The frame sections may be configured to respectively accept and support basis and filler facings. The extensible frame section may include male/female endings. The system may also include a capping member with male and/or female endings. A form panel may include hinges, which may be swivelable, drive screws, and/or electronic motors. The system may further include a stub free to facilitate vertical coupling of form panels. In various embodiments, the parts may be formed with reusable material or materials.

A mold structure, a patterning method thereof and a method of fabricating an LCD device using the same are disclosed, which can realize a conformal contact by applying a voltage between a mold structure and a material layer being opposite to each other in an In-Plane Printing process, so as to prevent defective patterns, wherein the mold structure comprises a mold whose surface is provided with patterns; a backplane for supporting the mold; and a conductive film formed between the backplane and the mold.

A curved surface forming device for an adjustable segmented mold board with square rams, consisting of an upper group and a lower group of adjustable molds (4) whose height can be adjusted, and a loading mechanism. The adjustable molds (4) are arranged in the loading mechanism and at least one group of adjustable molds (4) can move up and down under the drive of the loading mechanism. The upper group and the lower group of the adjustable molds (4) are respectively provided with M×N and (M−1)×(N−1) square rams (1) capable of swinging. The upper and the lower square rams (1) are arranged in an interlaced manner in both transverse and longitudinal directions. The square rams (1) are composed of a square plate (a) and the sphere (b) with the pressure imposition surface being a plane or a curved surface. The curved surface forming device can eliminate the crumpling and deformation generated in the board punching, reduce dents and improve processing quality.

A method of forming a mesh by a molding a link element around other link elements to form a mesh in which the interlinking link elements are formed as continuous unjoined loops by a molding process. An apparatus for forming a mesh including a plurality of first cavities for accommodating first link elements and a plurality of second cavities for forming interlinking link elements. The method and apparatus allow the continuous production of mesh formed of a range of materials including plastics materials.

The present invention provides templating methods for replicating patterned metal films from a template substrate such as for use in plasmonic devices and metamaterials. Advantageously, the template substrate is reusable and can provide plural copies of the structure of the template substrate. Because high-quality substrates that are inherently smooth and flat are available, patterned metal films in accordance with the present invention can advantageously provide surfaces that replicate the surface characteristics of the template substrate both in the patterned regions and in the unpatterned regions.

An apparatus for making frozen comestibles including a base having a plurality of apertures formed within said first site thereof, and a plurality of molds attached to or formed integrally with the base. Each of the molds includes a receiving surface and an opening aligned with a corresponding one of the apertures of the base. Each of the molds is moveable between a first position, in which a substantial portion of at least one mold is positioned within the interior portion of the base and said receiving surface forms a molding cavity that is adapted to receive a comestible to be frozen, and a second position, in which a substantial portion of the mold extends outwardly from the first side of the base and the receiving surface of the mold is exposed externally.

The invention describes a regulating device that adapts to the aerodynamic profile of a mold bed made of composite material offsetting the geometrical deviations occurring in the mold bed. The device comprises some stiffening ribs (20) supported on a surface of the bed (10) of the mold and is equipped with actuators (21) that modify the curvature of the bed (10) of the mold.

Provided are a polycrystalline silicon ingot casting mold and a method for producing a polycrystalline silicon ingot casting mold, with which high-quality silicon ingots can be obtained at high yields by minimizing sticking with the surfaces of the silicon ingot casting mold, and losses and damages that occur when solidified silicon ingot is released from the mold. The method for producing a polycrystalline silicon ingot casting mold having a release layer, including: forming a slurry by mixing a silicon nitride powder with water, coating the surface of the mold with the slurry, and heating the mold at 400 to 800° C. in an atmosphere containing oxygen, after coating the slurry.

A housing component system having fiberglass resin forms secured in place with a binder such as cement. The forms may have a variety of forms and once secured with the cement will be strong avoiding the need for any reinforcement components such as reinforcing bar (rebars) of metal mesh.

A formliner, sheet, system, and methods of use and manufacture are provided in order to provide a product that can minimize and/or eliminate visible seaming between interconnected formliners during fabrication of a pattern on a curable material. In some embodiments, the formliner can comprise raised sections that define interrelated inner and outer dimensions. Thus, a plurality of formliners can be interconnected by overlaying raised sections thereof. Further, the formliner can comprise one or more detents and one or more protrusions to enable engagement between interconnected formliners without requiring adhesives. In this manner, formliners can be interconnected in a nested manner such that visible seaming between the interconnected formliners is reduced and/or eliminated.

A mold and method for making a hollow core concrete block. The mold has two opposing side walls; a bottom wall; a front wall; a top side with an opening through which the block can be removed from the mold; a cover, and a rear side through which liquid, such as concrete, can be poured into the mold. Extending from the two side walls are a pair of trunnions about which the mold is rotatable, such that when the mold is suspended by the trunnions and the mold is empty, gravity rotates the mold from a block-removal orientation in which the top side faces upwards to a mold-filling orientation in which the rear side faces upwards. The trunnions are also positioned such that when the mold is filled with the liquid, gravity rotates the mold from the mold-filling orientation to the block-removal orientation.

A mold for forming a coated intramedullary (IM) nail can include a tubular member having an insertion end and an opposite end. The tubular member can comprise a sidewall extending along a longitudinal axis between an outer surface and an inner surface. The sidewall can define at least one threaded inlet port therealong. The tubular member can be configured to receive the IM nail therein. The tubular member can be further configured to locate a flowable material against the IM nail within the inner surface.

A polycrystalline silicon ingot casting mold, and method for producing same. Mold release material being obtained by blending a silicon nitride powder (A) having an average particle diameter along the short axis of 0.6 to 13 μm with a silicon nitride powder (B) having an average particle diameter along the short axis of 0.1 to 0.3 μm at a weight ratio of 5:5 to 9:1; coating the mold surface with the slurry; and a heating the mold at 800 to 1200° C. in an atmosphere containing oxygen.

A vibrating machine for producing a molded body by compacting a granular raw mixture includes an oscillatable vibrating table configured to receive a molding box. A clamping device is produced by at least two clamping closures, each including: a pivot bracket having a lower end being pivotally mounted on the vibrating table and an upper end including a cranking which is directed outward; a double-acting hydraulic pivot cylinder pivotally mounted on the vibrating table; a two-armed rocker arm pivotally connected to the pivot bracket and including an inner part that cooperates with the molding box and an outer part that cooperates with the hydraulic pivot cylinder; and a compression spring disposed between the cranking and the outer part of the rocker arm such that the rocker arm releases from a position closing the respective clamping closure upon a pressure in the hydraulic pivot cylinder being relieved.

A method for producing a wood wool construction element. This method comprises the steps of dispersing at least a part of a mixture of wood wool and a hydraulic binder in a mold so as to obtain a layer of the mixture with a height that is less than the height of side walls of said mold. Said mixture is at least partially hardened after which a subsequent layer of mixture is provided. The thickness of a construction element may well exceed 30 cm, for example 40 cm, 50 cm or even 60 cm. Also, an element obtained with such method is described, as well as a production facility.

A rifle bow assembly is disclosed herein. The rifle bow assembly includes: an outer barrel slide subassembly having an elongate cavity, the outer barrel slide subassembly configured to be attached to a bow assembly; a projectile barrel subassembly having a first end and a second end, the projectile barrel subassembly configured to be slidingly received within the elongate cavity of the outer barrel slide subassembly, and the projectile barrel subassembly having a helical projectile passageway extending in a lengthwise direction thereof; a magazine subassembly coupled to the second end of the projectile barrel subassembly, and having attachment means for securing a projectile magazine thereto; and a release subassembly coupled to an end portion of the magazine subassembly, the release subassembly including at least one string release mechanism for releasably engaging a bow string of the bow assembly. A rifle bow, which incorporates the rifle bow assembly, is also disclosed herein.

In at least one embodiment, a crossbow comprises a stock, a first limb, a first rotatable member, a second limb and a second rotatable member. A bowstring, a first cable and a second cable each extend between the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member. The crossbow defines a shooting axis. The first cable is offset from the shooting axis in a first direction and the second cable is offset from the shooting axis in a second direction different from the first direction.

A toy pump action rifle for launching discs having an outer housing, a stock, a grip, a trigger, a handle for cocking the rifle and a revolving drum for storing multiple discs. Within the housing is a mechanism for removing discs, one at a time, from the drum where the discs are arranged in a first position, rotating each disc 90° to a second position, and transporting each disc to a discharge chamber. The mechanism includes a transfer arm to remove each disc from the drum, a disc pocket for receiving the removed disc, the pocket being rotatable to reorient the disc, and disc pocket also being slidable to carry the disc to the discharge chamber. Activation of the trigger releases a cocked launch arm that snaps forward and strikes the disc to cause discharge.

A trigger assembly for a crossbow comprises a string retainer and a trigger mechanism. The trigger assembly can further comprise a piston, a safety mechanism, a secondary safety mechanism, a bolt sensor, or a pair of rotating sears. The string retainer can comprise a pair of opposed jaws.

A ball throwing machine can include a hopper for receiving one or more balls and a ball delivery device. The ball delivery device can be used to throw or pitch a ball from the hopper to a user of the machine. The ball delivery device can include wheels to impart speed to the ball and a direction system to control the projection angle of the ball. The direction system can control at least one of the up and down angle and the side to side angle of the ball as it is thrown, among possibly other throwing parameters. A controller may be provided for controlling operation of the ball throwing machine.

The present invention discloses a device and method for wireless communication between a paintball marker or gun and it's associated paintball loading device. This wireless communication, whether bidirectional or unidirectional, allows for the transmission of “load” commands and various other useful information between the paintball marker and the paintball feeding device. When the “load” command, which is much more responsive than the “passive” communication found in the prior art, is wirelessly received by the paintball feeding device, the paintball feeding device loads a singular or plurality of paintballs into the paintball marker of appropriate conduit.

An adjustable mechanical vibration limiting and absorbing device for an archery bow including a hollow housing and two groups of elastomer washers provided in the hollow housing with a means for preventing the first group from advancing out of the hollow housing and separating the first group from the second group. In addition, a fastener extends through the center of the first and second groups of elastomer washers and a lock nut and weight are provided on the projecting end of the fastener.

Methods, apparatus, systems, and kits for loading paintballs into a feed tube of a paintball gun are disclosed. A loader includes a chamber for holding paintballs, a feed mechanism having a rotational feeder within the chamber that feeds paintballs from the chamber along a feed channel when rotating to fill the feed tube, and a drive mechanism that drives the rotational feeder of the feed mechanism, ceases to drive the rotational feeder responsive to stoppage of the rotational feeder, and periodically attempts to rotate the stopped rotational feeder. Paintballs are loaded from a loader into a feed tube of a paintball gun by driving a rotational feeder within the loader, the rotational feeder configured within the loader to feed paintballs into the feed tube when rotating, ceasing to drive the rotational feeder responsive to stoppage of the rotational feeder, and periodically attempting to rotate the stopped rotational feeder.

A double-magazine (“Dmag”) able to house projectile ammunition for a projectile launcher having a first ammunition channel, a second ammunition channel, and a flexible projectile control bar (“FPCB”) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the first ammunition channel contains a first set or column of projectiles and the second ammunition channel which is situated in parallel to the first ammunition channel is configured to house a second set of projectiles. Dmag also includes a follower with a follower lock capable of moving along the first ammunition channel. The follower is configured to push the first set of projectiles toward a first ammunition supply port of the first ammunition channel. The FPCB has a first flexible flap which keeps the first set of projectiles from reaching the loading port of the launcher until the follower lock is released.

A projectile for launching through the air comprises a body and one or more projecting members integral therewith extending outwardly a distance from the body, which can be hollow or solid. The projectile is formed from an elastomeric material capable of being stretched to energize the projectile for launching. The projecting members are positioned a distance apart from one another and include openings disposed therethrough at distal ends for engaging sections of a launching device. The launching device includes a handle with the sections extending outwardly therefrom to accommodate placement of the projectile openings thereagainst for retaining the projectile before and during launch. The projectile is launched from the device by pulling the body away from the launching device to energize the projectile, and then releasing the energized projectile, causing it to be propelled from the launching device into the air and towards a desired target.

A magazine for an air gun is provided with first and second shells; an internal passage; a rotatable shaft including a lengthwise groove on a surface, and a transverse slot on the surface communicating with the groove; a pulley rotatably put on the shaft and having both ends rotatably secured to the first and second shells respectively; a ratchet mechanism mounted on the pulley; a pin inserted into the pulley to dispose in one end of the groove; a line having one end wound on the pulley, the line extending through the passage to have an other end engaged with a projectile support in the passage; a spring put on the line and biased between the pulley and the projectile support; and a spring biased knob disposed on an outer surface of the first shell and secured to the shaft.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a toy dart launcher comprises a housing defining an interior recess and a launch assembly. The launch assembly is at least partially disposed within the interior recess and comprises: a projectile feed, a slidable frame, and a launch mechanism. The projectile feed is rotatably disposed within the interior recess and comprises a plurality of receiving chambers each adapted to receive one or more projectiles. The slidable frame has at least one engagement finger rotatably disposed thereon, and is movable with respect to the projectile feed so that the at least one engagement finger can engage and move at least one projectile through at least one receiving chamber. The launch mechanism is disposed rearwardly of the projectile feed and is configured to create a pressure differential about the at least one projectile so that the at least one projectile can be launched from the housing.

The present invention relates to the field of electromagnetic rail launchers, and particularly to a rail launcher and an associated projectile-launching process including at least two longitudinal rails connected to a power supply circuit of these two rails, these rails being at least partially surrounded by superconductor elements able to generate a magnetic induction of a direction perpendicular to the plane formed by the rails and located therebetween during the flow of a current therein, launcher wherein the supply circuit includes the superconductor elements.

A dart launcher comprises a housing, a safety arm, and a trigger. The housing includes a launching section configured to receive a dart having a minimum threshold length. The safety arm is movably attached to the housing and extends at least partially across the launching section. The safety arm is positioned so that the dart having the minimum threshold length engages at least a portion of the safety arm upon insertion into the launching section. The trigger is movable with respect to the housing and is operable to cause the dart having the minimum threshold length to launch from the launching section.

The present invention relates to a three dimensionally fiber-reinforced riser and to the unitary or single-step methods of making the same. In one embodiment (a cross bow riser for example), the riser has an interior support with opposed side members and a front brace. The front brace has a depression centrally located therein. Two side ribs are also provided for structural support. Two pockets each optionally having a divider wall defining a top and bottom section are provided for receiving respective top and bottom pieces of a split limb, when a split limb is used. The riser can be made of a composite material having fibers aligned there within in the directions of the highest stresses for enhancing the structural strength of the riser. Other bow parts or components can likewise be made via composite material as well.

A water balloon launching cannon is disclosed. The water balloon launching cannon includes a slotted barrel for rapid and easy loading and uses compressed air as the propelling force for firing the water balloon. Namely, the water balloon launching cannon includes an I-beam support upon which is mounted an air delivery system and the slotted barrel. For ease of disassembly, (1) the air delivery system includes quick-release mechanisms and (2) a plunger assembly inside the barrel is held by an easily removable pin. Further, a method of operating and a method using the water balloon launching cannon are disclosed.

An archery stabilizer which, by utilizing a carbon fiber tube or a comparable material in a tube configuration, provides for preloading the tube in compression, thereby effectively increasing the stiffness of the tube. The stabilizer includes weights, and the preloading of the tube compensates for the bending moment applied to the tube by the weights attached to the end of the tube or contained within the tube. In effect, the present invention presents an apparatus and method for loading the tube so as to allow a user to adjust the elastic modulus of the tube.

A face-driver assembly and method for accurate coupling of a face driver with the spindle of a rotary-drive machining device. The assembly includes a face driver, a hub on the spindle defining a prealignment bore, a pair of self-centering coacting tooth sets on the hub and face driver, an engagement post extending into the hub and forming a prealignment shaft closely complementary to the prealignment bore, and a releasable coupling to hold and draw the engagement post rearwardly and thereby join the tooth sets in a manner facilitating final accurate centering.

A wood substitute turning blank and method of making the same is described. The turning blank includes a body having an outer shell of relatively low tensile strength material positioned about a rotational axis of the body. An inner core of relatively high tensile strength material is positioned along the rotational axis of the body. The high tensile strength of the inner core allows this turning blank to be turned at high speed on a lathe or the like. The high tensile strength of the core enhances the overall tensile strength of the finished product.

An improved carving blank and mandrel for mounting the blank in a carving machine enables accurate carving of prosthetic and orthotic positive shapes. The blanks are simple to mount and dismount and means are provided enabling a repeatable mounting position in one angular orientation only to be achieved. The blanks are firmly fixed in place on the mandrel during the carving operation, and they are simple and inexpensive to manufacture thus reducing manufacturing costs while achieving high shape accuracy.

A machine for carving workpieces having substantially similar configurations generally including a base member, means disposed on the base member for retaining at least one workpiece thereon, means for rotationally indexing the workpiece disposed on the retaining means, about an axis, a working tool operatively engageable with a workpiece disposed between the retaining means, supported on the base member and displaceable along x, y and z axes pursuant to a programmed sequence of motions coordinated with the workpiece indexing means for shaping the workpiece in a selected configuration, and at least one means for successively positioning a plurality of similarly configured workpieces in a selected orientation including a support member, a jointed linkage supported on the base member, supporting the support member and manipulatable to position the support member into a support relationship with an initial one of the workpieces disposed in the selected orientation and held by the retaining means, means for fixing the interrelationship of the components of the linkage when the support member is positioned in the support relationship with the initial workpiece to place the positioning means in an operative condition and means for displacing the positioning means when in the operative condition between an operative position for supporting a sequential one of the workpieces in the selected orientation and an inoperative position.

The invention relates to methods for forming an emulsion explosive composition and to methods for sensitizing an emulsion explosive composition. The methods involve the in-situ expansion of organic microspheres during the formation of the emulsion explosive composition.

A cutting tool for cutting a work piece and catching debris during turning operations is described herein. The cutting tool comprises a tubular cutting member having first and second ends, the first end having a sharpened edge, and a debris receiving means connected to the second end. The tubular cutting member may have a number of different cross-sections providing a number of different cutting tool configurations for use in turning operations. The debris receiving means may further include a flexible hose having a first hose end and a second hose end, wherein the first hose end is connected to the second end of said tubular cutting member. The hose may be connected to a vacuum source to more effectively collect debris generated during turning operations. The tubular cutting member could be made in a range of sizes from one quarter inch to two inches in diameter, with a nominal tube length of from three inches to twenty inches, or even larger where needed. Both ends of the tubular cutting member could be sharpened, and reversed in the holder when one end is dull.

The present invention consists of a lathe attachment for installation on a portable bandsaw mill, for turning round shafts from wood blocks on the portable bandsaw mill. The lathe attachment has an elongated chassis, a tailstock and a headstock mounted on opposite ends of the chassis for holding and rotating a wood block along the chassis. Bindings are provided to retain the chassis to the cross beams of the portable bandsaw mill. In another aspect of the invention, a number of symmetrical facets are firstly sawed along the wood block prior to turning the wood block. The turning of a round shaft on the bandsaw mill is preferably effected while the alignment of the wood block or shaft makes an acute angle with the direction of movement of the bandsaw head.

A concentric coaxial cutting machine which cuts cylinders, cylindroids or cones using a chain saw from a single larger object such as a wood tree trunk, a block of ice or a block of plastic. An embodiment of the invention comprises a transverse support member having directly or indirectly mounted thereon; a headstock member including; a headstock spindle member mounted to said headstock member including; a drive spindle rotationally mounted to said headstock spindle member and adapted to rotationally retain one end of an object to be centrically cut; a tailstock member including; a tailstock spindle member mounted to said tailstock member including; a tailstock spindle rotationally mounted to said tailstock spindle member and adapted to retain an opposite end of the object; a drive assembly in rotational communication with the drive spindle and adapted to rotate said drive spindle around a common axis with said tailstock spindle; and, a first chain saw variably aligned at an angle to said common axis and adapted to concentrically cut the object from at least the opposite end.

Cutting assemblies are disclosed that include an entrance portion and a receiving portion, with the receiving portion defining a receiving opening configured to be axially aligned with an entrance opening of the entrance portion when mounted to the surface of a cutting apparatus. Cutting assemblies are also provided that include a material carriage configured to be borne by a cutting apparatus. Cutting assemblies that include a material receiving portion configured to be slidably mounted to a surface of a cutting apparatus are also disclosed. Cutting methods are also disclosed that can include rotating a piece of material around the materials longitudinal axis and delivering the material to a cutting tool while the longitudinal axis of the material is aligned substantially opposite the direction of rotation of the cutting tool.

A way of making small, fragile, decorative handles on a lathe is disclosed along with tools for gluing pen-tubes into these handles is shown. Use of these tools and methods of use allows wood turners to avoid excessive rework and mess associated with the gluing process of making pen blanks while assuring better product due to more complete and uniform distribution of the adhesive layer.

Cutting assemblies are disclosed that include an entrance portion and a receiving portion, with the receiving portion defining a receiving opening configured to be axially aligned with an entrance opening of the entrance portion when mounted to the surface of a cutting apparatus. Cutting assemblies are also provided that include a material carriage configured to be borne by a cutting apparatus. Cutting assemblies that include a material receiving portion configured to be slidably mounted to a surface of a cutting apparatus are also disclosed. Cutting methods are also disclosed that can include rotating a piece of material around the materials longitudinal axis and delivering the material to a cutting tool while the longitudinal axis of the material is aligned substantially opposite the direction of rotation of the cutting tool.