Abstract: A contractible escape ladder, configured for deployment from a collapsed configuration outwardly proximate a wall of a building structure to an escape configuration, is comprised of first and second ladder rails pivotal about a plurality of ladder rungs bridging same and nestable interiorly thereof and a latching member for maintaining the rails juxtaposed one to another in the collapsed configuration, including a latch release pin traversing the wall for deployment of the ladder from a position inside the building while maintaining the ladder secure from positions outside the building.

Abstract: A phonorecord cleaner is comprised of a handle member journalled for relative rotational movement with a phonorecord contact member, the latter including a phonorecord contact face having a wiping surface which is substantially equal to the radial dimension of the grooved recording band of a phonorecord, wherein movement of the cleaner in an arcuate path corresponding generally to the orientation of the spiral groove pattern maintains uniform contact of the wiping surface across the recording band of the phonorecord. A positioning member is preferably included to center the cleaner over the recording band and maintain proper orientation of the wiping surface with respect thereto during the cleaning operation.

Abstract: A portable core drill adapted for sampling dense mineral specimens or the like by urging a fluid cooled/lubricated tubular drill bit into a dense mineral mass from which a sample is to be extracted is comprised of a drive member for imparting a drilling-effective rotary motion to a tubular drill bit about a longitudinal drill axis and a spindle member for coupling the drill bit to the drive member, which spindle member includes a bit fastening member for receiving and retaining the drill bit concentrically in respect of the drill axis.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an amplifier circuit (2, 1100, 1500, 1600) and transformer based power supply (24, 500, 700, 1710) wherein greater efficiency is achieved by using the input signal characteristics to control various aspects of the circuit operation. The transformer primary winding (8, 500a, 700a, 1710a) is energized by a pulsed power supply (6, 502, 702, 1702) which is duty cycle modulated in response to the signal being amplified. One embodiment of the amplifier employs output transistors (Q1101, Q1103, Q1105, Q1107, Q1109, Q1111) connected to respective stepped voltage levels. Amplifier control circuitry (1126, 1130, 1138, 1140) acts in relation to the input signal amplitude to more evenly distribute the voltage drop across the interconnected transistors (Q1101, Q1103, Q1105, Q1107, Q1111), thus reducing amplifier power requirements and minimizing distortion in the amplifier output.

Abstract: A torque isolation device for a force-sensitive load having a safe force limit to be imposed thereon, configured to transmit upstream rotational force within the limit to the load and transmit any force in excess thereof to a load-isolated path, is comprised of a radially displaceable driving coupling which includes a cam member having a dwell and bi-directional, outwardly oriented camming surfaces bounding same receiving a cam follower secured to a pivotal drive arm radially extensible from a biased primary transmission position, wherein the cam follower is disposed within the dwell, to an extended overload position in engagement with mechanical ground wherein the cam follower is displaced along the camming surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electrochemically deburring perforate metallic clad dielectric laminates such, for example, as laminated printed circuit boards (PCBs) or printed wiring boards (PWBs) and similar machined and fabricated laminated dielectric parts; and, more specifically, methods and apparatus for removing burrs formed during drilling, punching and similar machining operations for forming holes in a workpiece and wherein the conductive path for current flow during the electrochemical deburring process extends through the thru-hole perforations formed in the workpiece being deburred so as to concentrate current densities and preferential electrochemical attack in the regions of the clad at the peripheral edges of the thru-hole perforations in the clad dielectric laminate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electronically steering a radio frequency signal beam (RF) along at least one of "X" and/or "Y" coordinates with respect to the axis of the signal beam (RF) and comprising n pairs of back-to-back prisms (20, 21) formed of ferroelectric dielectric material such, for example, as BaTiO.sub.3, LiNbO.sub.3, LiTaO.sub.3, Bi.sub.12 SiO.sub.20 (BSO) and Bi.sub.12 GeO.sub.

Abstract: A compact, spring operated, two-way counterbalance system is disclosed for the hinge assembly of an inwardly/outwardly moveable plug-type aircraft passenger door of the type adapted to pivot about an inwardly canted hinge axis whereby a first convolute clock-type spring member is wound during the final stages of downward door-closing movement to provide an outward biasing force for assisting on-board flight attendants in opening the door during that portion of door movement when it must move in an upward direction; and, a second convolute clock-type spring member is provided which is wound during the latter stages of door opening movement when the door is moving in a downward direction, with the second convolute spring member thus providing a biasing force for assisting the on-board flight attendant in pulling the door upwardly and away from the fuselage during upslope door-closing movement.

Abstract: A variable camber leading edge device having a movable nose section and an upper flexible panel extending rearwardly from the nose section. To move the nose section between its upper cruise position and a high lift downwardly deflected position, there is attached to the nose section a generally arcuate cam track, having its forward and rear portions curving upwardly. The cam track is constrained to move in a generally arcuate path by means of two spaced pair of rollers, and it is driven by a pinion gear engaging an upwardly facing middle portion of the track.

Abstract: A simple, compact, cantilever-type spring (31) is mounted on the aircraft body structure (22) and is positioned so as to be deflected from its normally unstressed condition to a stressed state (31') by means of a radially projecting roller (39) mounted on and carried by the body-mounted torque tube (35) during at least the final increment of movement of the aircraft door (20) when it is being shifted to its fully opened position so as to store energy in the spring (31) for assisting in closing of the door (20) and counterbalancing the hinge moment attributable to the weight of the door (20) when the door is moving upslope during a door closing operation and for thereby minimizing the exertion of the on-board flight attendant (29) who is required to apply torque manually by pulling upwardly and outwardly thereon to overcome the door hinge moment until such time that the door (20) begins its downslope travel about the canted hinge axis (35).

Abstract: Actuating mechanisms (39, 40, 44) for an aircraft door (34) mounted along its upper edge to the body (36) of an aircraft (25) for movement into and out of a door opening (35) in the fuselage (29). The hinge actuating mechanisms (39) include a drive unit (46) and linkage assembly (50, 51) secured to the body (36) with all actuating components (45, 46, 48-51) mounted on the door (34) and positioned so that all actuating components move outwardly and upwardly to points outboard of an above the opening (35) except for actuating links (51) which pass through the upper corners of opening (35), thus defining an esentially unobstructed clearance area for passage of cargo. The latch cam assembly (40) employs a single actuator (90) for pulling door (34) to a fully closed position and for latching/unlatching a plurality of bottom latches (99, 100) and a pair of mid-span latches (42, 109).

Abstract: A flap mounted in a track member for movement between a retracted and an extended position. The track member itself is pivotally mounted at a forward portion thereof for up and down rotational movement. With the flap in its retracted position, upward and downward rotation of the track causes the flap to move to upper and lower cambered positions. The flap member in its extended position forms a slot with the wing, and upward and downward rotational movement of the track changes the deflection angle of the flap member to provide greater or less lift, to optimize the wings for various cruise conditions, to alleviate gust loads and provide improved maneuverability.

Abstract: A continuous flap hinge and sealing device for hingedly connecting a control flap (45) to the trailing edge (46) of a flexible fluid foil (41) comprising a span-wise hinge block (52) having a continuous comb-like hinge member interconnected with a comparable comb-like hinge member (50) integral with the foil trailing edge (46) and defining alternating interdigitated hinge elements (51, 54) secured together by a span-wise continuous hinge pin (55) and wherein such continuous hinge block (52) is received within a continuous span-wise leading edge slot (56) formed in the flap leading edge (48) with the flap leading edge being fixedly secured to the hinge block (52) at two span-wise spaced inboard and outboard points ("X", "Y") defining "hard" pivotal connections wherein relative movement between the hinge block (52) and flap (45) is retrained; yet, wherein fore and aft relative sliding movement of the hinge block (52) within the flap leading edge slot (56) is permitted at all span-wise points intermediate the tw

Abstract: A digital test point monitoring system for continuously monitoring n digital test points (where "n" is any desired whole integer)--test points which may, for example, be associated with m data processors, computer processing units (CPU's), machine tool controls, or any similar control system (where "m" is any desired whole integer)--and dynamically acquiring n signal values which may, for example, be indicative of performance, utilization (activity) levels, or similar data point parameters; processing such n signal values; and, simultaneously displaying y of such processed n signal values (where "y" is any whole integer from "1" to on the order of "8") on a living display containing y discrete independent channels of digital information each portraying a pseudo real time digital representation of the monitored signal values and a digitally pictorial historic representation of previously monitored signal values over a preselected period of time ranging up to on the order of 90 minutes, or more; and the digital

Abstract: Actuating mechanisms (106 and 122) for latching and unlatching an aircraft plug-type door (50) which is laterally and vertically translatable along tracks (55, 56 and 60) for movement into and out of an ingress/egress door opening (51) formed in the aircraft fuselage (52) and vertically along a path following the interior contour of the fuselage (52). The interior actuating mechanism (106) includes an interior door handle (99) mounted in the fuselage (52) adjacent the ingress/egress opening (51) and swingable between first and second positions, with the interior door handle (99) being operably associated with locking means (119, 120) for locking the door (50) upon closure thereof and for unlocking the door (50) preparatory to opening thereof.

Abstract: A pedal control assembly for a pilot station of an aircraft. The pedals are arranged in a module for linear sliding movement and position sensing members transmit appropriate signals to control components of the aircraft.

Abstract: A distinctive pattern of contrasting stripes is formed on a dinnerware plate by successively dipping opposite ends of the plate in glaze solutions. Initially a thin strip of glaze solution is deposited on the plate by means of a template. Thereafter, the opposite ends of the plate are dipped into one or more glaze solutions, to form two glaze areas with an intermediate strip. After the glaze solution has dried to a moderate extent, the opposite ends of the plate are again dipped in a different glaze solution, with the two second glazed areas being spaced from one another to leave a second intermediate strip spaced from the first intermediate strip. The plate is then subjected to a firing to permanently bond the glaze material to the plate. The result is a plate having contrasting stripes, some of which are formed by a single coating of the glaze solution, and some of which are made by a combination of two different glaze solutions.

Abstract: A composite multiple strand or filament twisted fishnet twine (11, 11') formed of synthetic material, methods for forming the same, and fishnets (10) formed therefrom, characterized in the use of a plurality of relatively fine, small diameter synthetic filaments (15.sub.a -15.sub.n) which may be on the order of 210 denier and which are twisted together in one of an "S" or a "Z" configuration to form a first multiple filament "B" strand (15) which is thereafter twisted with a plurality of relatively thick monofilament "A" strands (14.sub.a -14.sub.n) formed of synthetic material with either a "Z" or an "S" twist to form a coreless twine (11, 11') in which all of the "A" and "B" strands (14.sub.a -14.sub.n and 15) are of equal length per unit length of the twine (11, 11') and the individual fibers (14.sub.a -14.sub.n) and (15.sub.a -15.sub.n) are all exposed on the outer surface of the twine along substantially the entire lengths of the individual fibers.