Abstract: A multiple paper holding apparatus having a mounting plate positioned adjacent a rear infeed end of a computer printer. The free ends from several paper sources are mounted in related slots and over the top edge of the mounting plate, and releasable pin means engaging edge apertures of the paper releasably hold the paper in place. Thus a selected one of the paper sources can be conveniently fed into the printer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning a digitally encoded disc by moving a circumferential wiping surface in a circular path across the periphery of the disc toward the middle of the disc, and again outwardly toward the periphery of the disc. This is accomplished by having a gear drive connection between a rotatable disc support member and a rotatable wiping member positioned above and offset to one side of the support member. Rotation of the cleaning member causes a relatively slower rotation of the support member so that all parts of the disc are properly cleaned.

Abstract: A spray assembly for a milk tank, where there is an elongate water pipe positioned in the tank, and a plurality of spray nozzle assemblies mounted to the pipe. Each spray nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle member having radially inwardly directed openings leading to a middle impact chamber which in turn leads directly to an upper discharge opening. The water flows radially inwardly to the impact chamber to provide a random expanding spray pattern that washes upwardly against the interior surface of the tank. The nozzle member is retained by a member having an expanded head and a shank that extends downwardly through a second opening in the pipe. A releasable retaining member retains the connecting member in place. In operation, the water flows against substantially all of the surface portions of the nozzle assembly to provide a self-cleaning action. The assembly can be easily disassembled for maintenance or possibly further cleaning.

Abstract: A golfing apparatus which has the combined function of an umbrella and a backstop for a low trajectory golf ball. In the umbrella configuration, the apparatus operates as a conventional umbrella and may be repositioned from a closed to an open position where the canopy portion of the umbrella extends downwardly in a bowed configuration. The canopy may be inverted to another position in which the canopy extends in an upward bowed configuration so that the canopy may be placed on its side to act as a backstop for practicing golf shots. The canopy includes pockets which act as targets and as receptacles for the golf ball when it strikes the target.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for an aircraft to provide improved reserve capability for the thrust reverser power system. There is a fluid reservoir having a vent tube with an inlet location located above the bottom wall of the reservoir. In the event that fluid in the reservoir reaches a predetermined low level, supply and pressure isolation valves isolate at least one pump from the rest of the hydraulic system, and also start that pump operating, with a reserve supply of fluid being available for supplying power for the thrust reverser.

Abstract: An apparatus and method wherein a punching tool is used to punch a downspout hole in the bottom wall of a rain gutter, and wherein a swaging tool is insertable into a gutter drop after the gutter drop is inserted into the downspout hole to swage-lock the gutter drop to the rain gutter.

Abstract: A portable and collapsible stair which provides support platforms that are spaced laterally and vertically from one another at approximately a one-to-one slope, thus enabling a person to ascend or descend the stair in a more convenient walking motion. There are two inverted U-shaped cross members pivotally connected to one another at a pivot axis intermediate the ends of the legs of the two U-shaped members. An upper support platform extends between the upper ends of the two inverted U-shaped members. There are one or more additional support platforms extending horizontally from forwardly positioned lower leg portions of one of the U-shaped members.

Abstract: A conventional J-hook is mounted to a slot board by means of an adapter having a front plate fitting against the slot board and a mounting element extending into a slot of the slot board. The J-hook has a right angle finger portion, comprising a laterally extending member which fits in an upper horizontal recess formed in the front plate and mounting portion of the adapter, and an upper finger retaining portion which extends behind the flange defining the slot. The adapter maintains the J-hook in a proper position so that it will not inadvertantly be pulled loose from the slot board by, for example, a lateral and downward force being exterted on the J-hook.

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, but with a movable center of rotation, and is driven by a gear engaging a radially outward rear portion of the track.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for an aircraft to provide improved reserve capability for the steering and reserve brake power system. There is a fluid reservoir having a vent tube with an inlet location located above the bottom wall of the reservoir. In the event that fluid in the reservoir reaches a predetermined low level, supply and pressure isolation valves isolate at least one pump from the rest of the hydraulic system, with a reserve supply of fluid being available for supplying power for the steering wheel and reserve brakes.

Abstract: Two aileron assemblies at opposite ends of a wing. Each aileron assembly has an aileron airfoil member having a first stowed position for high speed flight, where aerodynamic contours of the airfoil member match those of the wing. Each aileron airfoil member has a second extended position forming a slot with the trailing edge of the wing. Each airfoil member is slide mounted to a track member which is in turn pivotally mounted to wing structure.

Abstract: An aircraft trailing edge flap assembly including a main flap and an aft flap are repositioned by a dual arm rotary actuator. One arm of the rotary actuator repositions the main flap by driving a carriage assembly along a linear track. The other arm of the rotary actuator repositions the aft flap by driving a bell crank assembly which is operatively connected to an aft flap support member extending downward from the aft flap. The aft flap support member is operatively connected to a main flap support member which extends downwardly and rearwardly from the rear portion of the main flap to operatively connect with a mounting member extending downwardly and rearwardly from the track so that the track mounting member supports the majority of aerodynamic load forces applied to the flap assembly. Both arms of the rotary actuator rotate together through a predetermined arc so that the aft flap and main flap remain in a nested configuration.

Abstract: A swept wing having a leading edge flap which in its deployed position forms a slot with the forward end portion of the wing. An elongate strip is positioned on the forward portion of the wing in a manner that when the flap is deployed to form the slot, this strip protrudes into the airstream that passes upwardly through the slot. This creates a stall condition in the area of the strip to produce the desired pitch characteristics for safe recovery from stall. In the cruise configuration, where the flap is positioned against the leading edge of the wing, this strip is aerodynamically concealed.

Abstract: A mounting member having an upper peripheral side wall to receive a ball member, and a lower connecting portion to be placed in locking engagement through a bottom opening in a base member. The side wall is positioned within a base support member for limited up and down movement; a plurality of spring-like washers are positioned between the mounting member and the base support member to urge the mounting member and the ball member which it supports to an upper support position.

Abstract: A stand for supporting a musical instrument, such as a guitar, in an upright position when the musical instrument is not in use. The stand includes a mounting bracket which is rigidly connected to an upper portion of the instrument, and a downwardly depending support member which is pivotally connected to the mounting bracket to permit movement of the support member between a first stowed position adjacent to the instrument, and a second operable position spaced away from the instrument. When the stand is in the operable position, the instrument is supported on a bottom edge of the instrument in cooperation with the lower end of the support member.

Abstract: Composite, lightweight, flexible, fire-resistant, decorative laminates (10, 10', 10") suitable for use as wall coverings on bulkhead panels in commercial aircraft include: (i) a laminar fire-resistant layer (15/14) including an aluminum foil sheet (15) bonded to a first inert polyvinyl fluoride sheet (14); (ii) an underlying flexible paper-like base lamination (11); (iii) means (12) for adhesively bonding the first polyvinyl fluoride sheet (14) to the panel-like base lamination (11); (iv) a resinous embossing film (16) overlying and in face-to-face bonded relation to the aluminum foil sheet (15); (v) sheet defining means (18, 18', 18") having an outer decorative surface and in overlying face-to-face bonded engagement with a resinous embossing film (16); and (vi), an outer transparent sheet (21) of clear polyvinyl fluoride overlying in bonded face-to-face relation with the decorative surface (19, 22) of the sheet defining means (18, 18', 18").

Abstract: There is disclosed a flexible, hollow, tubular member for conducting a fluid therethrough to cause the tubular member to move in a whip-like manner inside a container. The conduction of fluid therethrough causes the tubular member to move in a generally upward direction through material in the container while producing whip-like motions of the tubular member to agitate compacted portions of the material and cause the material to discharge from the container. The container may include a passageway covered by an entry/sealing means which includes a one way flap or a flexible tubular housing to permit insertion of the tubular member enclosed by a tubular housing into the container, while preventing the escape of material from the container when the tubular member/housing has been removed. Retraction of the tubular housing relative to the flexible tubular member providing a substantially exposed section of the tubular member to allow for the random, whip-like movement of the tubular member in the container.

Abstract: A visible file pocket (100) having a laminar central web (101) and front and back, lower and upper pocket tips (102-105) for receiving the lower and upper edges of documents to be supported thereon and wherein the upper edge (108) of the file pocket (100) is provided with a transversely extending hinge pin receiving bore (109) adapted to receive a hinge pin (110) and laterally projecting hinge elements (112).

Abstract: Aircraft navigational system and methods are disclosed for creating aircraft navigational guidepoints during in-flight operations. A digital computer and computer control displays provide dynamic and static display of the aircraft relative to the flight path and earth referenced data. In one embodiment, a new guidepoint is located and displayed at the intersection of a pilot selected radial and a track line, such as the aircraft projected flight path, defined by a series of guidepoints which are stored in the computer. The selected radial emanates from a selected geographical location defined by a known latitude/longitude, such as for example, preprogrammed NAVAIDS, geographical reference points and pilot entered geographical locations.

Abstract: A method of replacing an inlet valve for a hot water tank, comprising removing the existing valve and inserting a new valve particularly adapted for use in the present invention. The new valve is connected to the pipe end portion of the inlet pipe by means of a compression nut and a ferrule, with the compression nut attaching to exterior threads on a first connecting portion of the valve. Then the flex tube connecting member is interconnected with the exterior threads of a second pipe connecting portion. The valve itself is a gate valve with a full flow through passageway, and the two exteriorly threaded connecting portions are to be connected to the compression nut and the flex tube connecting nut, respectively.