Abstract: A latch mechanism (24) disclosed secures a vehicle seat (10) in a seating position and is selectively releasable to permit movement of cushion, back, and auxliary components (14, 16, 18) on a support linkage (20) to a bed position. The latch mechanism includes a first latch (26) having a latched position for securing the cushion and back components (14, 16) in the seating position. A second latch (28) of the mechanism has a latched position for securing the auxiliary component (18) in a vertical seating position at the rear of the back component. A pair of the first latches are preferably provided at opposite lateral sides of the seat with the second latch therebetween and are releasable in coordination therewith by an actuator (30) of the mechanism to permit unlatching that allows the seat movement to the bed position. A laterally extending connector shaft (96) of the actuator coordinates the releasing of the latches and is pivotally moved by a pedal-actuated member through a pair of cams.

Abstract: A pendulously supported proof mass accelerometer wherein a pulse generator applies periodic pulses to a bridge circuit comprising variable resistors and pick-off capacitors to generate a restoring current to maintain the proof mass in a null position. The variable resistors of the bridge circuit provide a means of varying the null position of the proof mass to achieve substantially balanced linear operation of the accelerometer circuitry. A bias compensation circuit applies a correction current to an output circuit which is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to output current produced by static bias factors of the accelerometer.

Abstract: A warehouse product monitoring and control system includes a distribution audit system computer which receives batch picking information on a recording medium identifying each transaction or article to be picked with a unique number. Associated with each unique number is processing information for controlling the sorting of the article within the system. The same number, unique for each article, is contained on a label positioned on each article as it is picked. The computer control provides continuous monitoring of the article as it is scanned by one or more label reading devices such that the picking and sorting status of each article to be picked can be continuously monitored. The system includes operator interface terminals and printers for providing a variety of status reports to the operating personnel such that the operational status of the system can be continuously monitored.

Abstract: A variable speed centrifugal pump for aircraft fuel systems and the like having the capability of matching fuel flow and pressure to engine requirements throughout a variable flight profile without in-line flow controls and metering devices comprising a unique combination of centrifugal impeller stage and positive displacement pump device which controllingly, drivingly, fluidly couples the impeller to the aircraft engine drive. The positive displacement pump device includes rotating hydraulic displacing input and output members, the latter being driven by the former at a relative speed normally responsive to discharge flow rate of the positive displacement pump device which is controlled to regulate impeller speed for matching pump flow and pressure to engine requirements.

Abstract: A system for accurately controlling the horizontal and vertical alignment of a materials handling vehicle with storage locations of a materials storage system includes a target positioned at a predetermined location with respect to each storage location and a sensor positioned on the materials handling vehicle and including three detectors positioned in a triangular pattern and responsive to the alignment of the detectors with a target to provide control signals employed to control the positioning of the vehicle for the accurate horizontal and vertical alignment of the vehicle with storage locations of the system.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat portion, a support frame for the seat portion, a back rest portion and an independently adjustable, front thigh support slidably supported at the front of the seat portion. A pair of spaced slideways define a slide path for the thigh support extending from a fully retracted position to a fully extended position. In a first embodiment of the invention, the slide path is inclined upwardly in a forward direction at an angle which is sufficiently small enough that the sliding friction between the slideways and corresponding slide members of the thigh support prevents the weight of the thighs of a person sitting in a seat from moving the thigh support in a retracting direction. In a second embodiment of the invention, the slide path lies in an upwardly extending curved surface.

Abstract: The pump assembly includes a rotatably mounted impeller with vented shroud surrounding same for venting air and vapors from the liquid being pumped to avoid possible vapor lock so that the pump will start and prime itself over a wide range of altitudes and temperatures. The impeller is preferably of the mixed flow type which, together with the inlet venting, assures that the pump will adequately separate the air and vapors from the liquid being pumped and deliver substantially vapor-free liquid at the desired pressure.

Abstract: A leaf spring suspension assembly (12) for a truck or trailer (18) includes a plurality of leaf springs (20) arranged in a vertical relationship. The leaf springs (20) are mounted to a vehicle through a trunnion assembly (28) which permits for flexure of the ends of the springs (20) to which wheels (16, 18) are attached. The ends of the leaf springs (20) are mounted in an axle connection (26) comprising a housing. The lower leaf (64) of the leaf spring assembly (20) is seated against a base plate (52) of the axle connection (26) and is restrained against movement relative thereto by pairs of pins (90) or cups (72) disposed between the spring (64) and the base plate (52). Cups (74) or pins are also disposed between adjacent springs of the leaf spring assembly (20) to restrain longitudinal movement therebetween.

Abstract: An improved combined chair and stool apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a U-shaped member having a pair of leg portions defining the front legs of the apparatus, a pair of spaced support members extending between the front legs and secured thereto, and a pair of folding steps comprising upper and lower steps. A pair of spaced back legs are pivotally connected to the top step adjacent to the back edge of the top step for relative pivotal movement therebetween. A pair of spaced pivot links are pivotally connected at their opposite ends to the upper support member and to the back portion of the upper step. The lower step is pivotally attached at its front portion to the lower support member. A second pair of pivot links are pivotally connected to the top step and the bottom step. The second pair of pivot links are connected to the top step at a position forward the pivotal connection between the top step and the first pair of pivot links.

Abstract: An accumulator conveyor has rollers forming an object transport surface and an endless flexible drive member. The drive member, at intervals, rests on and travels over support members each resiliently supported for vertical movement. Each support member has a generally circular drive member support having a flattened area of reduced radius and also a circular feeler extending into the path of objects on the transport surface. An object held stationary over the feeler depresses it and the drive member, with the drive member continuing to rotate until the flattened area is uppermost, dropping the drive member and terminating its drive engagement with the object above.

Abstract: A flight performance data system comprises a control and display unit operably connected to a computer. The computer has input means responsive to real air mass parameters and real aircraft dynamic measurements. The computer is programmed to respond to the incoming signals and automatically generate various output signals representing flight profile data. A mode selector is operably connected to the computer to direct the computer in different modes to determine the different flight profile data for the climb, cruise, descent and other modes of the aircraft. For various modes, a different flight schedule can be determined corresponding to the most fuel efficient flight, a long-range cruise flight, or the most economical flight. In addition, the computer produces output signals corresponding to the maximum rate of climb and the maximum rate of descent in the climb and descent modes, respectively. A display screen selectively displays the desired flight profile data.

Abstract: An unloader valve for use in high pressure fluid handling systems which includes a valve body having an inlet port, an outlet port and a bypass port. A tubular plunger element is disposed within the housing for axial reciprocal movement, the tubular plunger having apertures formed through its side wall with the aperture communicating with the inlet port and chamber. Affixed to and coaxially aligned with an open end of the plunger is a ball check valve assembly which is disposed in the outlet chamber communicating with the outlet port. Assembled about the tubular plunger are seals and guides which isolate the outlet chamber from the bypass chamber. A poppet valve having a floating seat secured to the plunger is provided for normally isolating the inlet and bypass chambers. A spring housing is secured to the valve body and contains a compression spring which normally urges the plunger in a direction such that the poppet valve is closed.

Abstract: A conveyor for sorting and arranging in single file randomly received articles is disclosed. The unscrambling device has an acticle conveying surface consisting of skewed rollers divided into a number of zones arranged in tandem along the conveyor. The rollers in each zone from infeed to discharge are driven at increasingly higher speeds with the zones overlapping in such a manner that abrupt speed changes occur in steps both lengthwise and laterally of the conveyor. The articles are biased to one side of the conveyor which side is equipped with an article contacting rail divided into segments at least some of which are inclined to impart a jostling effect to the articles.

Abstract: A roller pump comprising a generally cylindrical housing and a generally cylindrical rotor disposed eccentrically within the housing, and having push rods arranged radially within the rotor for assisting in forcing radial motion of the rollers within the rotor during rotation of the rotor within the housing. A camming shaft is disposed within the housing, and arranged generally with the housing, the push rods making contact with the periphery of the camming shaft in order to provide radial motion of the push rods during rotation of the rotor. The cross-sectional dimension of the push rods is preferably equal to at least 331/3 percent of the axial length of the rollers, and secondarily preferably having a diameter generally equal to the roller diameter. The cross-sectional dimension of the push rods at the line of contact with the roller surface enables the pump to effectively handle highly viscous products.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling integrated circuits to a printed circuit board wherein integrated circuits with protective carriers are selectively dispensed from a rotary magazine, are removed from the carriers and positioned by the leads on magnetic holders on a continuous conveyor which moves the integrated circuits, thus mounted on the holders, to a lead-forming and trim assembly wherein the leads are bent downwardly and outwardly to form feet and trimmed. Thereafter the integrated circuits are moved, thus mounted on the holders, to a flux-applying assembly wherein flux is applied to the lead feet, then to a solder-applying assembly wherein solder is applied to the lead feet, and then to a program activated X-Y axis table which mounts the printed circuit board. The integrated circuits, with tinned leads, are transferred through magnetic fingers to the printed circuit board wherein electrodes solder the leads to pads on the Board.

Abstract: An automatic gain repeater for varying the amplification of AC signals transmitted through a telephone subscriber loop in accordance with the impedance of such subscriber loop is described. The automatic gain control circuitry includes controllable variable gain amplifiers connected in series circuit arrangement with the subscriber loop. The gain of the amplifiers is varied, in a continuous manner, in accordance with the subscriber loop line impedance such that the overall transmission line loss is a constant predetermined value. Gain of the amplifiers is accomplished by means of a control signal generated in a loop extender circuit that is coupled to the subscriber loop.Impedance networks coupled to gain repeater hybrid transformers provide minimum operating power loss with maximum power transfer between the automatic gain repeater circuit and subscriber loop while maintaining adequate transhybrid loss between the two directions of transmission and matching input impedance.

Abstract: A finishing broach for a work piece having helical teeth in which an elongated broach body has a multiplicity of series of helically aligned teeth and in which each tooth has sides conforming to the profile shape of the tooth spaces between adjacent teeth on the work piece, and in which the sides of each tooth are inclined to define obtuse and acute included angles at the leading corners. Each series of broach teeth has a leading and a following section. In the leading section at the acute side the teeth are all laterally stepped and backed off. At the obtuse side the teeth are neither laterally stepped nor backed off. In the following section at the obtuse side the teeth are all laterally stepped and backed off. In the following section at the acute side the first few teeth are backed off but are not laterally stepped. The following tooth is neither laterally stepped nor backed off but its side surface is chamfered from the front surface of the tooth rearwardly.

Abstract: A self-contained, self-propelled air-conditioning system is provided for supplying air to structures, such as aircraft on the ground at airports. The aircraft are of the type having an inlet duct for conveying the air through the structure. The system includes a suitable truck having a frame or chassis mounted on wheels. The system also includes a diesel engine separate from the engine of the truck mounted on the chassis for supplying mechanical energy and an electrical generator mechanically connected to the diesel engine for changing the mechanical energy into electrical energy. A ventilation system is mounted on the frame and is electrically connected to the generator for moving air from the ambience to the inlet duct. A pair of independent refrigeration systems, each including a compressor, are mounted on the frame. The compressors are electrically connected to the generator. Each refrigeration system cools the moving air independently from the other refrigeration system.