Abstract: A helical member comprises a continuum of coaxial helixes disposed in spaced longitudinal relation which define an axial aperture that is adapted to receive an external connecting device such as a line or anchor pin. An elastic core is disposed within the aperture in frictional engagement with at least one of the helixes. One end of the core is attached to the member and a free end extends out of the aperture. Gripping the free end and stretching the core reduces its cross-sectional dimensions which releases the frictional engagement and provides sufficient space to admit the connecting device. Releasing tension on the core substantially restores its original dimensions and releasably grips the connecting device between the core and at least one helix to provide a simple, yet effective attachment.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling fluid flow through a gate opening includes frame means that define the opening, and guide means which are adapted to retain a gate disc in slidable relation with the opening. Drawing means for laterally displacing the disc relative to the opening are pivotably connected to lever means having long and short ends. A fulcrum between the ends is pivotably connected to the disc. The short end is disposed to bear against a fixed portion of the guide means when the disc is closed, and the long end is connected to the drawing means to obtain a mechanical advantage in drawing pressure when displacing the disc to a partially open position. The lever means may be a single lever, but a preferred embodiment discloses a pair of levers to apply a uniform drawing pressure on the disc via a hydraulic cylinder that is anchored in a wall of a closed tank which contains the apparatus.

Abstract: A shipboard system that provides safe storage and complete quality control of aviation fuels from acceptance of the fuel at shipside to delivery of clean, dry fuel at a shipborne aircraft includes a storage tank disposed in a closed chamber defined by a cofferdam. The tank is mounted in the chamber to provide an airspace around all sides which is vented to the atmosphere and maintains any concentration of fuel vapor in the chamber below a predetermined lean limit. Fire protection apparatus of the system is actuated by a rate of temperature rise detector and releases an agent that floods the chamber to terminate the combustion cycle in the event of a fire. Conduit runs include filters to remove contaminants when fuel is pumped through and also include a closed-circuit filtered conduit through which the fuel is frequently recirculated to control deterioration of the system and degradation of the fuel caused by long term storage and intermittent use of the system.

Abstract: Apparatus having radially disposed adjustable pitch fan blades embodies a split hub that is adapted to retain the blades in the plane of the hub. One portion of the hub includes an annular base with concentric upstanding inner and outer walls that define a channel. The outer wall includes a plurality of openings in which the blades are rotatably journalled with a cam portion of each blade extending into the channel. Cam follower means are slidably disposed in the channel and interlink adjacent cam portions so that rotation of any one blade will correspondingly adjust the pitch of each of the other blades. The blades are locked to a predetermined pitch setting by fastening the hub portions together. Another embodiment includes the fan blades and split hub which is bushed and secured to a shaft of a reversible drive motor.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating a human subject in controllable gravitational and electrical fields includes a platform that is adapted to carry the body in a prostrate position. The platform is cyclically and uniformly displaced about a fixed horizontal axis by support means that are rotatably coupled to the platform and driven by a motor through a speed reducer. An AC generator is mounted under the platform and produces a low frequency signal connected across a pair of electrodes located at opposite ends of the platform. As the platform is displaced, the body is subjected to a uniformly varying gravitational field together with a low energy electrical field between the electrodes which produce in the subject a feeling of well-being and relaxation.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a secure data communication system includes a microcomputer that controls a cipher process by which sensitive data is encrypted before transmission. When activated, the apparatus accepts either cleartext or ciphertext and transforms the text to its opposite form according to an algorithm that is past dependent and which is also dependent on a pseudo random cipher key. Ciphertext may then be stored in an information retrieval system or transmitted to a destination terminal where the text is deciphered in real time by a corresponding second apparatus that stores the same key. In either case, security of transmitted and stored data is maintained since the sensitive data is in encrypted form. A set of logical instructions according to the algorithm is stored in a read only memory of the microcomputer which includes an EPROM unit having a data field of predetermined characters.

Abstract: A container lid is formed from a disc having thin walls of uniform thickness throughout which span and overlap the open end of the container. The overlapping portion includes a downwardly depending resilient skirt that partly overlies in engaging relation one surface of the sidewall adjacent the open end. Complementary engagement means are formed in the skirt for releasably engaging lid engagement means such as a continuous bead or groove that comprise an integral part of the container. A reclosable tear strip defines an opening through which the contents of the container may be discharged and forms an integral part of the disc and the skirt. The strip has sides defined by fracture lines formed in the disc, an outer end defined by the lines extending into the skirt to include the complementary engagement means and an inner end forming a hinge along a weakened line in the disc.

Abstract: Visual display apparatus having conductors arranged in a matrix forming a plurality of crosspoints includes an improved light-emitting diode connected across each crosspoint. The diodes are electrically energizable via the matrix to form an image and individual ones of the diodes are positioned relative to their respective crosspoints so that every light-emitting diode junction is provided an unobstructed path for its emitted light. An embodiment for colored image displays includes a shadow mask overlying the matrix with apertures in the mask aligned in registry with the diodes to direct the light outwardly of the matrix. Three transparent lamina overlie the mask and each lamina carries a predetermined array of photon activated fluorescent material that emits light having one of the additive primary colors of red, green and blue.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring electromagnetic signal energy between a signal circuit and an antenna that extends outwardly from a ground-plane surface includes a conductive shield that substantially encloses the antenna to confine the signal energy and to exclude all others. The shield has an open end to admit the antenna and suction-cup means disposed around the opening to mechanically connect the apparatus to the surface. A plug of dielectric material inside the open end includes a through passage and a recessed portion that conforms to a base of the antenna and operates to align the antenna within the shield. Conductive mesh lines the recessed portion and is electrically connected to the shield. Flexible contacts extend inwardly from the shield and engage mounting screws in the antenna base to electrically connect the shield to the surface.

Abstract: An air-borne radar system for terrain-imaging employs a sidelooking synthetic-aperture radar that records reflected signals on photographic film. Range data has a constant focal length whereas data in an azimuth direction has a focal length that varies as a function of range and therefore requires optical correction. A known processor system brings the various focal planes into coincidence using a complex lens structure that includes a computer generated spatial filter. A novel method and apparatus is disclosed for interferometrically generating a two-dimensional spatial filter which is more simple and economical to produce. Means are provided for diffracting a source beam of coherent light into a beam having a predetermined amplitude distribution. The resulting beam is imaged through a lens system onto a light responsive recording medium together with direct illumination from a reference source of coherent light to obtain a predetermined intensity distribution.

Abstract: Electrical leakage between electrodes in an electrochemical cell is determined by initially overcharging the cell to place it in a fully charged state. Various methods are available to ascertain a full charge, and a convenient method is disclosed in which the full charge is indicated by a predetermined rate of gassing at the electrodes. After receiving a full charge the cell is stored on open circuit for a time, during which some of the charge is dissipated due to leakage, and is then recharged to achieve an onset of gassing condition. The gas from the cell is conducted to a pressure vessel where it is filtered and slowly exhausted to the atmosphere while the pressure is monitored. An anomalous delay, relative to a reference cell, in achieving the onset of gassing condition indicates a cell leakage. The method and apparatus disclosed provides a convenient and considerably faster way than previously known to test for cell leakage.

Abstract: A dial calculator for determining periods of fertility and sterility in a menstrual cycle of a human female. In one embodiment, the calculator includes first and second discs each having an annular display of first indicia representing thirty-one days of a calendar month. The second disc is smaller than the first disc and is adapted to be rotatably set in coaxial relation with the first disc so that the indicia of the second disc follow consecutively any one of the indicia on the first disc. A third disc is adapted to be rotatably set in coaxial relation with the second disc in respect of any one of the indicia on the first disc. The third disc is smaller than the second disc and includes an annular display of second indicia representing at least the days of a normal menstrual cycle including the periods of fertility and sterility and relates such days to the consecutively arranged indicia of the first and second discs. The three discs are simple to operate and display the indicia in improved form.

Abstract: A housing enclosing an electrical connector has a capable open end through which the connector is received and a closed end having a passage that is sealably mounted in alignment with a through opening in a pressure hull. The connector is isolated from a marine environment by a dielectric liquid that fills the housing and immerses the connector. An end cap closes the open end of the housing to prevent loss and contamination of the liquid and includes a sealable opening through which a first member of the connector is admitted and locked to the housing. A feed-through portion of the connector mates with the cable end portion and is sealably fitted within the passage to provide an electrical connection through the hull. In an embodiment for in-line cable connections, the closed end carries a second member of the connector, corresponding to the first member, which is locked and sealed in the passage.

Abstract: A foldable wheelchair includes a pair of sides each having an upstanding backrest support member, and a soft backrest suspended between both members. Below each member there is mounted a side wheel for propelling the chair. A pair of seat supports interconnect the sides. Each seat support includes two upstanding rectangular panels having inner ends that are hingedly interconnected and outer ends that are hingedly connected to respective sides. A seat is mounted between the sides and is supported by the seat supports when the wheelchair is infolded. The seat includes two rectangular panels having inner ends that are hingedly interconnected and outer ends that are hingedly connected to respective sides. A longitudinal bar interconnects the hinged inner ends of the seat supports and a tee portion at one end of the bar carries a wheeled footrest.

Abstract: A frame for supporting a games net includes a number of tubular frame members having threaded ends and a number of helical springs that are threadably connectable to the threaded ends to form a novel frame structure that is restorably deformable at the joined ends.