Abstract: A light unit having a lower plastic base which is adapted to be fixedly mounted to the exterior of a vehicle, and an upper globe which is screwed to the base. Located inside the light unit is a horizontal circuit board which is connected to the floor of the base by a number of upstanding fasteners. The floor of the plastic base is melded to the metal fasteners each of which includes an upper shaft portion to which the circuit board is secured in electrical contact, and a lower head portion which is located outside the base and which is connected to the vehicle electrical supply to provide electrical power to a light tube inside the globe. The circuit board is removed from the fasteners without having to remove the base from the vehicle or without having to disconnect the electrical wires from the fasteners.

Abstract: A deicing system for leading edges of an aircraft. There is a hot air supply tube extending along the leading edge, a fan to move air through the tube, an electric heater to heat the air that is moved through the tube, and pressure release valves. The hot air is discharged from openings in the tube to spray against the internal surfaces of the wall forming the leading edge. In another embodiment, an electric heater is not used, but there is a compressor which in compressing the air raises the air temperature to accomplish the deicing.

Abstract: Aerodynamic structures in which loads are carried around the corner between two angularly related sections in a covering composed of multiple, anisotropic plies of a polymer reinforced with unidirectional fibers or filaments (these terms are used interchangeably herein). Tear straps are incorporated in the covering to halt the propagation of cracks, and filler plies are located between the tear straps to minimize irregularities in the surfaces of the covering.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for the insulation and interior panels of an aircraft. The mounting assembly includes an upper retainer for securing the upper edge of the cabin panel to the aircraft, and a lower releasable latch assembly which connects the lower end of the cabin panel to the aircraft. The curved aircraft panels, which are made of a resilient bendable material, are installed so that the panels are further resiliently bent into a tensioned state which acts to resiliently engage the panels between the upper retainer and the lower latch assembly. A shock absorber and insulation retainer is attached to the aircraft between the aircraft frame and the cabin panel to prevent vibration of the cabin panel and to secure the insulation between the aircraft panel and the aircraft frame.

Abstract: A gazebo structure having an octagonal configuration with a base structure comprising corner posts and side panels. The roof comprises a plurality of triangularly shaped roof sections having radially extending beams at edge portions thereof. There is an apex center piece having a plurality of U-shaped mounting brackets, with each bracket receiving therein the apex ends of two adjacent side beams from two adjacent roof sections. The roof sections are prefabricated and can be erected into the completed roof quickly and conveniently.

Abstract: Rowing apparatus for propelling an oar driven watercraft in a direction in which the oarsman is facing. The apparatus includes a handle portion, a blade portion, and a transmission mechanism interconnecting the handle and blade portions. Through the transmission mechanism, rearward movement of the handle portion causes corresponding rearward movement of the blade portion to propel the watercraft in the forward direction. Likewise forward movement of the handle portion, as during the stroke recovery, causes corresponding forward movement of the blade portion. Rotation of the handle portion about its longitudinal axis is transmitted via the transmission mechanism to cause a corresponding rotation of the blade portion so that the blade may be axially rotated.

Abstract: Apparatus for training cutting horses and other performance horses. The apparatus includes an endless carrier for a simulated animal and a reversible, variable speed drive for the endless carrier. Accordingly, an operator can cause the simulated animal to move along the path traversed by the endless carrier in different directions and at different speeds, and the simulated animal can be started and stopped at will.

Abstract: A vehicle steerable differential which includes a cage which encloses a differential unit in a manner that rotation of the cage drives wheeled or tracked axles to propel the vehicle. The axles are operatively engaged to respective spur gears via intermediate roller gears. If there is no braking pressure applied to either one of the spur gears by a manual steering brake, the spur gears rotate with the cage and the vehicle maintains its direction of travel. If a braking force is applied to one of the spur gears however, causing its rotational velocity to slow relative to the cage, the intermediate roller gear which is engaged to the slowed spur gear is caused to rotate thereby increasing the rotational velocity of the corresponding axle and causing the vehicle to turn. The rotational velocity of the opposing axle is reduced by means of the differential unit. A quick turn is initiated by a quick turn assembly which causes a selected one of the spur gears to stop its rotation.

Abstract: A brace for securing cargo inside a containing device, such as the cargo bed of a truck, includes a first cylindrical pole with mounting brackets at opposite ends of the pole for engaging the sidewalls of the container. The cargo brace is selectively adjustable along its lengthwise axis to decrease or increase its length. Furthermore, the mounting brackets are pivotally connected to the pole to permit the brace to be installed at a selected orientation to the sidewalls. In another embodiment, the aforementioned brace includes a T-connector which is mounted arond the first pole and further includes a second pole which is engaged to the T-connector and which is perpendicular to the first pole. The second pole includes a mounting bracket which engages another sidewall or floor of the container. In another embodiment, a sleeve, having flanged ends which are perpendicular to the sleeve, and a handle, is mounted about the first pole to secure the cargo in the container.

Abstract: An effluent treatment apparatus adapted for conditioning an effluent stream within a treatment zone is comprised of an injection system which includes at least one injection nozzle having a flexible discharge tube with an effective length at least equal to the characteristic wavelength for flexural resonant vibration thereof when pressurized fluid issues therefrom. The injection nozzle(s) preferably include(s) a length of elastomeric tubing as the discharge conduit, capable of providing a high flow rate of a conditioning agent to the treatment apparatus while delivering same in a relatively finely divided state. The conditioning agents may be delivered to a treatment zone within the apparatus in a generally concurrent, generally countercurrent, or generally transverse direction with respect to the flow of effluent to be conditioned. A recirculating system for the conditioning agent may be employed.

Abstract: Carrying apparatus for engaging a hook portion of a hanger to aid in carrying garments supported on the hanger. The carrying apparatus includes a handle having a cord inserted through a vertical hole in the handle; the hole extending in a direction perpendicular to the handle lengthwise axis. The cord includes a looped end portion for engaging the hanger hook to suspend the hanger from the hook when being carried. When not being carried, the cord is pulled upwardly through the handle hole so that the loop is partially engaged within the handle hole and is tightened around the hanger hook. The cord is secured within a slotted portion of the handle to secure the loop tightly around the hanger hook.

Abstract: An assembly for supporting a cooking device, such as a barbecue, including a main platform and folding end platforms. The main platform is connected to a shaft which in turn is mounted to a conventional structure such as the rail of a boat by means of a mounting bracket. The support assembly which supports the cooking device thereon, is secured in a level manner above the ground or water. Repositioning of the main platform and end platforms relative to the mounting bracket is accompanied by slidably mounting the main platform to the support shaft. When it is desired to store the support assembly when not in use, the end platforms are folded inward to locations atop the main platform, the mounting bracket and shaft are moved inward toward the main platform, and the support assembly is stored inside the cooking device.

Abstract: Computer apparatus comprising a central computer having a data input port, means connecting two or more remote chord keyboards to the input port, and means for identifying with each respective keyboard alpha-numeric and like character data and command instructions generated by operation thereof and received through the input port; the central computer is programmed to process and combine the character data from the keyboards in accordance with the commands and to output resultant information for display in common by video and/or audio display means. In a preferred embodiment key-operated switches incorporated in each remote chord keyboard are connected in an R-2R resistive ladder network so that operation thereof either singly or in combinations of two to all will produce ratiometric changes in an analog output voltage that uniquely varies as the binary weighting of the operated switch or switch combination.

Abstract: Integrally stiffened skin structures (72, 88, 96) which can advantageously be substituted for structures of the honeycomb, skin-and-stringer, and integrally machined types. Exemplary of a virtually endless list of components in which the integrally stiffened skin structures can be employed are jet engine components, aircraft and missile fuselages, jet engine pods, aircraft landing brake components, components with compound curvatures such as bulkheads and fairings, flat and curved panels, and conical and other shell-like components. Materials from which the structures can be fabricated include stainless steels, superalloys, titanium and aluminum alloys, other metals, and a variety of composites including those advanced ones with a high strength-to-weight ratio.

Abstract: An adjustable seating system particularly adapted for use in a passenger aircraft, where they are a pair of tracks mounted in the floor of the aircraft, and a plurality of seating units mounted to these tracks. Each seating unit has a pair of interconnected traction wheels which have positive engagement with the tracks, so as to avoid skewing of the seating units as these are moved along the tracks. Pivotally mounted locking members lock the rear leg portions of the seating units to the tracks at selected locations. Telescoping track cover members cover the track sections that extend between adjacent seating units.

Abstract: Devices for protecting the bulb of a night light against damage and for denying access to the sockets of an electrical outlet into which the night light is plugged and for also denying access to those parts of the night light which might produce an electrical shock if touched. One component of the protective arrangement is a cover with externally threaded bosses which are apertured so that the night light can be plugged into a socket which a boss overlies by installing the night light through the aperture. The night light includes a bulb surrounding protective shield which is clamped against the boss by a safety cap of the push-and-twist type, thereby protecting the bulb and isolating the socket and electrically charged parts of the night light. Safety caps are also used to deny access to any othe sockets of the outlet servicing the night light, and these safety caps may be designed so that they will perform this function when the protected socket is in use as well as when it is out of service.

Abstract: An inward/outward movable plug-type aircraft passenger door (50) including: (i) a hinge assembly (56) and programming control mechanism (100, 114, 116 and 105, 114, 119) therefor; (ii) a latch/unlatch mechanism (58, 70, 82, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 94 and 95) therefor; (iii) a pressure lock gate (69) and actuating mechanism (58, 75, 76, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82 and 84) therefor; and (iv), a deployable emergency evacuation system (59) and actuating linkage (60, 132, 134, 135, 136, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142 and 144); wherein the aircraft door (50) is of the type adapted to be translated between a first fully closed and latched position and a second fully opened position while being maintained essentially parallel to the plane containing the ingress/egress cutout opening (51) in the fuselage (52) at all intermediate door positions--i.e.

Abstract: A relatively rigid cap is made of a material which is deformable at moderately elevated temperatures. A flexible blank contoured to fit a person's foot is placed against the cap which is at the elevated temperature, and these two are placed against the plantar surface of the foot. A plastic bag is placed around the cap, the blank and the foot, and a blank is applied to conform the cap and the blank to the person's foot so as to make a custom fit orthotic. Upon cooling, the cap remains properly contoured relative to the plantar surface of the foot.

Abstract: A protective cover for restricting access to the female sockets or connectors of an electrical outlet, thereby protecting infants and small children and others of limited understanding against electrical shock. The cover includes a base plate bearing an externally threaded boss which replaces the conventional outlet cover; a safety cap of the push-and-twist type threaded on the boss; protective members which are clamped by the safety cap against the boss overlying the socket being protected to deny access to the socket, both when the socket is in use and when it is not in service; and a platelike shield which normally overlies, and denies access to, a second female socket of the typical double socket wall outlet. This shield can be swung aside after backing off the safety cap to furnish unprotected, but controlled, and typically temporary, access to that second female socket.

Abstract: Aileron-supported split flaps and ground speed spoilers (collectively referred to as "aerodynamic lifting or braking devices") for reducing aircraft approach speeds and reducing the length of the runway needed to land the aircraft. The actuating mechanism for the aerodynamic lifting or braking device allows the latter to rotate with the supporting aileron as the latter is moved up and down when the lifting or braking device is in its stowed position. When the lifting or braking device is in its extended position, up and down aileron movements will cause the aerodynamic lifting or braking device to translate to and fro, but the lifting or braking device will remain in the extended position, irrespective of aileron movement. Hydraulic and torque tube systems can be used to deflect the aerodynamic lifting or braking device which completes the aerodynamic profile of the supporting aileron when that device is in its stowed position.