Abstract: The invention is directed to a trigger mechanism for gasoline operated equipment where a trigger is operatively connected to a throttle by a lever. The mechanism includes latch means which regulates the speed of the engine, and an idle setting means. The latch means also stops or shuts the engine down when it is depressed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved blower-vacuum apparatus or unity which relies on the judicious placement of the components to reduce or eliminate vibration and rotation forces thereby contributing greatly to operator comfort.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is disclosed which is useful in mounting the cutter head of a lawn trimming implement to the tubular casing extending forward and downward from the power head. A flexible shaft housed within the tubular casing conveys rotary motion from the power head to the bearing assembly which comprises a short tubular bearing housing within which is a pair of spaced apart bearings. A central bore through the bearings is sized to accept the first end of a drive connector shaft. Within the tubular bearing housing and between the bearings is a lubricant holding annular felt ring. Adjacent the first end of the drive connector shaft is an annular slot which allows the shaft to be secured in the tubular bearing housing by a C-clip keeper. The midsection of the tubular bearing housing has an enlarged diameter as compared to the end sections which contain the bearings.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a rotor for a centrifugal clutch of the type where the rotor resides inside a drum and engages the drum above a predetermined speed. The rotor comprises a plurality of randomly oriented similar rotor elements each capable of expanding ourwardly independently of one another to engage the drum. The rotor elements are preferably stamped from sheet metal.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed which provides for the controlled deployment of a flexible samara blade used to orient and decelerate a submunition cannister which is dispensed at altitude and allowed to free fall to earth. Spin pins are anchored in and extend outwardly from the downstream end of the cannister. Placement of the pins is such that the flexible samara blade can be wrapped around the pins to place the blade in a stowed condition within the periphery of the cannister end prior to launch of the submunition. Caps on the pins are used to inhibit the stowed blade from slipping off the pins. The blade is wrapped around the pins in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the submunition during launch. Launching the submunition in a spinning state creates a centrifugal force in the weighted tip of the samara blade causing the wing to unwrap from the stowed to the deployed state. The pins keep tension in the unfolding wing and preclude erroneous twist-up of the flexible blade.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a protective cover for the air intake opening in a blower-vacuum apparatus. The cover contains opening defined in the cover having a large cross sectional area relative to the area of the air intake opening. The openings in the cover are in the vertical wall of the cover to force the air to enter the apparatus radially.

Abstract: The invention deals with a stiffener assembly for an engine crankshaft to protect the crankshaft against radial bending.

Abstract: A lawn mower is described having a high collection efficiency. This is accomplished by constructing a housing having a toroidally-shaped skirt defining the interior space in which the blade rotates in a horizontal plane. The interior space has a generally circular cross-section, the radius of which gradually increases toward a region of maximum radius between upper and lower portions of the housings. The blade is positioned to rotate in the lower portion of the housing and a discharge port is positioned to encompass the region of maximum radius.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cover assembly for the discharge opening of a lawn mower, which cover assembly serves the unique triple function of (i) mulching, (ii) side-discharging with a fail-safe anti-damage feature, and (iii) enabling the attachment needed for rear bagging to be mounted without removing the cover assembly. The cover assembly also includes transition means for dispersing the cuttings over a wide area as the cuttings are discharged from the discharge opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surface treatment for a carbon surface. A carbon-rich silicon carbide layer is applied over the carbon surface. The ratio of silicon to carbon in the carbon-rich layer varies from zero at the carbon surface interface to greater than zero and preferably 0.3 to 0.5 on the surface of the carbon-rich layer remote from the interface. A preferred method of making the silicon carbide layer is also presented.

Abstract: This invention includes a continuous in-plane spiral of monofilament/metallic ribbon which forms a preform for metal matrix composite fabrication. The purpose is to provide continuous spiral filament reinforcement around a hole or central core. This spiral monolayer is fabricated by co-winding the filament and a ribbon or wire made from the intended composite material around a mandrel. Monolayers so constructed could then be stacked to form cylindrical or torus-shaped components and consolidated in a direction parallel to the axis of the shape.

Abstract: A voltage regulator is presented which is useful in controlling the recharging of the battery of a walk-behind lawn mower. The battery is used as an energizing source for cranking the piston engine of the mower. Once the engine is running it drives a small alternator whose rectified output is a low power capacity pulsating DC voltage capable of recharging the battery. To prevent overcharging of the battery, a voltage regulator module is introduced between the alternator output and the input to the battery. The voltage regulator includes a ripple smoothing capacitor shunted across the output of the alternator, a 3-terminal positive voltage regulator packaged in integrated circuit form having a voltage input terminal, a voltage output terminal and an output voltage adjustment terminal. A solid state diode placed in series between the voltage output terminal of the regulator and the positive input terminal of the battery prevents battery discharge through the regulator module when the engine is stopped.

Abstract: An ordnance device includes a submunition having a generally cylindrical case packed with an explosive charge. The rearmost end of the case is capped by a detonator that fires the explosive charge when a target is sensed. The front end of the case is capped by a liner that on detonation of the explosive charge converts to one or more explosively forged penetrators that speed toward the target at supersonic speed. By assembling the liner from a plurality of narrow metal strips arranged in parallel and weakly bonded together, the strips separate on detonation forming a plurality of aerodynamically stable slugs, each of which has undergone plastic deformation to form a projectile that is potentially lethal.

Abstract: A terra-finned earth penetrator having a plurality of axially symmetric fins adapted to rotate in a downward direction in response to off-axis inertial reactive forces generated on impact with earth. The penetrator thereby executes a tuck maneuver within the earth surface thereby avoiding ricochet, broaching or upward turning found in low level weapon delivery systems.

Abstract: An air dispensed assembly in the form of a submunition cannister is disclosed which has the capability to perform a lateral maneuver during the final 1500 ft. of descent before impact. Maneuvering is accomplished by deploying a samara blade shaped wing from the rear of the submunition cannister after ejection from the casing of the launching shell. The wing is sized and provided with an angle of attack which causes the cylindrical shaped cannister to spin as it descends downward at approximately a constant rate of descent. A passive infrared sensor in the nose of the cannister provides target information to a data processor which generates steering commands to appropriately alter the wing angle of attack so as to bring about a corrective lateral change in direction. When within lethal range of the sensed target, the warhead in the submunition is detonated.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in the feed mechanism for a lead-forming machine for axial-leaded electronic components. The invention comprises a combination of a reverse threaded shaft, controlled by a hand-manipulable knob, which shaft in turn may precisely and rapidly mechanically control one or more walls of the feed chute of the forming machine, the function of which is to orient a small object, such as an electronic component, so that the object assumes a predetermined position with respect to a forming element which then imparts a bend, twist or other change in the shape of said object. The invention is particularly useful for rapid set-up to impart predetermined bends in electrically conductive leads used in capacitors, transistors and similar components for electronic equipment.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a surface treatment for SiC monofilament developed for the purpose of increasing the transverse strain-to-failure of composites, particularly aluminum composites. The surface treatment includes a fine grain SiC region adjacent to the bulk or stoichiometric SiC region and a transition region which interacts with the matrix material.

Abstract: An oxidation resistant carbon-carbon composite (31) including a plurality of graphite fibers (13) within a carbonized (graphitized) matrix (14). A first material including boron (16) and a second material including silicon (18) are applied thereto. Heating the composite in the course of service use to a temperature at which the composite cracks enables the boron and silicon to combine to provide a borosilicate sealant of sufficiently low viscosity for sealing cracks in the composite.

Abstract: A base element fuze having dual safing is disclosed. The fuze is useful with an explosive type shell propelled into a ballistic trajectory from the barrel of a gun. The fuze is actuated to move from first safety to the armed condition after experiencing the inertial setback forces of gun firing followed by the drag forces of deceleration during the ballistic flight phase before target impact. The firing circuit contains an inertial magnetic power supply or setback generator which produces a voltage pulse when the gun is fired, a storage capacitor to receive and store the pulse which is later used to initiate a detonator, and switch closure interface circuitry encircuiting the capacitor with the detonator at target impact. The sequence of events within the fuze is programmed by a spring driven rotor which is latched in first safety when assembled, is released when the gun fires, and moves to the armed position in about 18 ms.

Abstract: An oxidation resistant carbon-carbon composite (31) including a plurality of graphite fibers (13) within a carbonized (graphitized) matrix (14). A first material including boron (16) and a second material including silicon (18) are applied thereto. Heating the composite in the course of service use to a temperature at which the composite cracks enables the boron and silicon to combine to provide a borosilicate sealant of sufficiently low viscosity for sealing cracks in the composite.