Abstract: Cargo loading and unloading systems, particularly for military aircraft such as helicopters, including right and lefthand restraint rail assemblies having longitudinally spaced lock mechanisms which are adapted to provide lateral and forward and aft restraint of load-supporting pallets. Operating controls for each lock to enable the locks to be closed individually, and further include control rod assemblies to permit all such lock mechanisms to be closed simultaneously or to be opened either sequentially or simultaneously. Other lock mechanisms are operable to secure non-palletized types of cargo and are closed and opened sequentially by one of the control rod assemblies. A ramp structure is also provided, including guide structure for proper guidance of the pallets as they are loaded into or unloaded from the aircraft, and pallet supporting rollers facilitating the loading and unloading of vehicles.

Abstract: A retractable center guide and vertical and lateral load restraint for a cargo carrying aircraft. The devices are mounted along the center line of the aircraft and in erect position include laterally extending arms adapted to overlie the edges of load carrying structure such as pallets. The devices are pivoted for swinging about axes extending transversely of the aircraft so that if a device is in the path of an advancing load carrying structure, it will be pivoted to retracted position, thus avoiding damage to the device or load carrying structure. Resilient means are provided effectively to maintain the device either in erect or in retracted position, or the resilient means may restore the device to an erect position if it is released after being moved to retracted position. The series of devices together with guide surfaces at the side of the aircraft, constitute an elongated guideway along which load carrying structure may be advanced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling together a rectangular outer tube, a rectangular inner tube and thin flat elongated panels having their side surfaces solidly abutted between the inner wall of the outer tube and the outer wall of the inner tube. The assembly is expanded by applying an internal pressure of at least a thousand psi into contact with a die cavity of rectangular cross-section. In order to minimize the required expansion of the tubes it is desirable that the inner tube conform as closely as possible to the space between the panels prior to expansion. In order to facilitate insertion of the panels, the inner tube is subjected to a controlled collapse in which its sidewalls are curved inwardly and its corners are displaced radially inwardly to provide additional clearance for insertion of the panels. After insertion of the panels the walls of the inner tube are formed outwardly to fit relatively closely within the space defined by the panels.

Abstract: The invention is in an aircraft provided with a flexible rail roller construction adapted to be positioned on the deck of a cargo space to provide for movement of cargo thereover and arranged to be quickly and easily moved to a storage position below the deck. To accomplish this the rollers are provided in a flexible track movable through a 180.degree. arc at one end of the deck by engagement with a curved arcuate guide surface to extend in an inverted position beneath the deck. In a preferred embodiment roller supporting axles extended between midpoints of rigid plate-like links.

Abstract: A storage rack in which a plurality of tubular shrouds are assembled together in a checkerboard arrangement, each shroud having side walls arranged to absorb sub-atomic particles such as neutrons. With this arrangement, spent atomic fuel rods may be assembled in the shrouds and also in the spaces which are surrounded by shrouds, so that each adjacent grouping of fuel rods has interposed therebetween an emission absorbing wall.

Abstract: Generally elongated rectangular baskets formed of injection molded structural plastic foam. The baskets are designed so that they may be nested together or may be stacked with their longitudinal axes parallel or they may be cross-stacked so that access is afforded the contents of intermediate baskets in the stack.

Abstract: A rack for receiving a multiplicity of vertical tubular shrouds or tubes for storing spent nuclear fuel cells. The rack comprises a plurality of horizontally reticulated frames interconnected by tension rods and spacing tubes surrounding the rods.

Abstract: Spline connector for interconnecting adjacent corners of diagonally adjacent rectangular nuclear fuel cell modules are provided with a novel shape including only two attachment arms to permit assembly of a multiplicity of rows of fuel cells while affording access to the edges of the splines for welding them to the storage modules.

Abstract: A cargo container having initially four vertical corner posts comprising allel upper rails and upper belt rails affixed to extend between longitudinally spaced pairs of posts, vertical belt rails affixed to each of the corner posts, parallel lower rails and belt rails, a plurality of pairs of panels each having a plurality of horizontally extending parallel belt rails, and releasable means for connecting the panels to the upper and lower rails at one side of the container in different longitudinally adjusted positions.

Abstract: A cargo container having opposed horizontally elongated vertically extend side walls, a floor, and a roof, and pre-assembled panel constructions comprising vertically corrugated sheet metal walls surrounded at top, bottom and both ends with extruded edge caps. The ends of the top and bottom caps carry adjustable corner abutment bolts which are advanced into contact with corner posts present on the container and are welded in place. The corrugated walls of the panel are bolted to the walls of the container to provide a substantially unitary wall-panel combination. The panels are provided with a multiplicity of openings for receiving the ends of removable restraint bars.

Abstract: A cargo container is provided with a door opening having means for engaging and disengaging the top and/or bottom of the door on vertical movement thereof. A hollow rail extends across the top and/or bottom of the door opening and has elongated slots therein provided with slot-enlargements for receiving a foot or feet of a locking member movable along the bottom and/or top of the door. The locking member includes a reduced portion movable through the slot and an enlarged portion having a transverse dimension greater than the width of the slot. Suitable means, preferably rack and pinion means, are provided for shifting the locking members along the door to locking position after movement through the slot-enlargements into the interior of the rail.

Abstract: A storage rack for spent nuclear fuel elements comprising a multiplicity of elongated hollow containers of uniform cross-section, preferably square, some of said containers having laterally extending continuous flanges extending between adjacent containers and defining continuous elongated chambers therebetween for the reception of neutron absorbing panels.

Abstract: Neutron shielding material in the form of a thin rigid sandwich, comprising outer layers of metal, preferably aluminum, and a solid core formed of a uniform intimate solid mixture of particles of metal and a neutron absorbing material, preferably boron carbide (B.sub.4 C). The sandwich is made by initially forming an open-sided welded box from metal plates, preferably aluminum, leaving one end open. Uniformly and intimately mixed particles of the metal powder, preferably atomized aluminum, and the neutron absorbing material, preferably boron carbide having an approximate range of 20-200 mesh particle size, is placed in the box so as to completely fill it, and the open end is closed by welding another metal plate in position. Openings are provided in the ends of the box for the escape of air, the box is heated to approximately 800.degree.-850.degree. F., and is then rolled to required thickness, as for example 0.125 or 0.250 inch.

Abstract: A generally tubular shroud of rectangular cross-section having flat side walls formed by inner and outer tubes of rectangular cross-section spaced apart to provide a substantially uniform space therebetween, a flat aluminum-boron carbide sandwich received in and substantially filling the spaces at the four sides of the shroud. The inner and outer tube walls are in pressure contact with the inner and outer surfaces of the sandwiches. The side walls of the tube and sandwiches are interlocked by transversely extending elongated channels formed in the shroud walls including the inner and outer tube walls and the sandwiches. The invention includes a method in which after assembly, the parts are expanded in a die by very high pressure hydraulic pressure by means of a flexible bag, establishing the pressure contact and suitably folding end portions of the inner and outer tubes.

Abstract: Lock-up structure for applying a thin flexible press roll to a generally semi-cylindrical saddle comprising means for fixing one end of a printing plate to one straight edge of the saddle, and a bar at the other straight edge of the saddle. The bar includes means for affixing the opposite edge of the printing plate thereto. Toggle means are provided for swinging the bar into position adjacent the other straight edge of the saddle while applying a predetermined tension to the printing plate.

Abstract: A hand truck intended primarily for transporting luggage comprising an elongated generally rectangular back frame having an elongated generally rectangular nose extension pivoted thereto adjacent the lower end of the frame. The pivot connection is established by hinge brackets fixedly secured to the nose extension and pivoted to the back frame on an axis adjacent the lower end of the back frame. Wheel support brackets mount a pair of wheels substantially rearwardly of the lower end of the back frame. The hinge brackets include angularly disposed flat support surfaces adapted to engage the ground or floor when the nose extension is in the loading position or the generally upright rest position.