Abstract: An air diffuser with a modular core is disclosed in which the diffuser comprises a fixed rectangular framework retaining a plurality of removeable rectangular core elements. The direction and volume of air distributed by the diffuser is selectively changed by adjusting the position of the circulation blades comprising the modular core elements and by altering the orientation of the elements. Each element is retained on two sides by the fixed framework and is secured to the framework by a spring clip located at a corner of the element.

Abstract: An aircraft weapon delivery system includes in combination with the usual computer for solving fire control equations and a display generator displaying a firing pipper, further circuitry for generating a reticle for viewing on the display such that command signals from the computer responsive to movement of the aircraft control stick are passed directly to the display to move the reticle without lag time to a registering position with a target viewed by the pilot. By providing the generated reticle in the form of a circle together with manual controls operable by the pilot for passing a variable reticle signal for varying the diameter of the circle, the pilot can adjust the circle size to match the visual target, the reticle signal then constituting a function of the range of the target and the rate that the pilot must vary the reticle signal to maintain a matching with the visual target constituting a function of the rate of change of range.

Abstract: An approximation is made in the equation for the desired vertical profile command signal to control the altitude of a drone traveling towards a target such that simple analog circuitry may be utilized instead of complicated computers.

Abstract: The tilted position of an upright seat back mounted on the seat base is controlled by a recliner mechanism. A pawl of the recliner mechanism has ends that are slidably supported by two spaced support portions of the upper base between which a toothed keeper on the seat back is received. The keeper teeth engage the pawl and transfer forces from the seat back to the support portions on the seat base in a balanced manner due to the positioning of the keeper and pawl between the support portions.

Abstract: A sliding damper plate is positioned between the blower and heat exchanger of a down draft gun-type furance for mobile home usage and includes cam means at opposite ends thereof for actuating associated switches coupled to the furnace and air conditioning control circuits. When the damper is closed to cut off the flow path through the furnace to permit a separate air conditioner unit to utilize the existing heating ductwork in a mobile home, one of the switches is actuated to permit operation of the air conditioning unit. Alternatively, when the damper is moved to an open position for heating operation, the air conditioning unit is inactivated and a second switch closed by the cam to permit furnace operation. If the damper is partially open or closed, both the furnace and air conditioning unit are deactivated.

Abstract: A diffuser is disclosed incorporating a plenum chamber adapted for mounting upon the T bars utilized to support ceiling tile in a suspended ceiling structure. The plenum chamber includes an elongated opening along the bottom thereof to permit conditioned air to escape from the plenum into the room below. A pattern controller is mounted in the plenum and includes a longitudinally extending sheet having a continuously curved surface extending from one edge of the opening upwardly into the plenum to adjustably partially block the flow of air through the opening. The portion of the sheet adjacent the edge of the plenum is offset to lower the exit surface of the sheet so that the curved surface extends downwardly to or below the surface of the ceiling.

Abstract: Code circuitry for controlling the operation of a vehicle that is guided along a guide line by means of a vehicle guidance mechanism comprises a plurality of code markers positioned in a code marker path alongside the guide line, a sensor circuit that senses the intensity of radiation received from the guide line and code marker path and generates a code signal whenever the radiation from the code marker path increases to a predetermined proportion of the intensity of the radiation received from the guide line, and a control mechanism that controls the operation of the vehicle in response to code signals generated by the sensor circuit. A gain control feedback mechanism provides gain adjustment for wide variations in guide line and code marker intensity, and modulation circuitry eliminates the effect of static background radiation.

Abstract: A rectangular box spring assembly of the disclosure includes a grid of crossing wires whose lateral edges have an improved construction in combination with formed wire springs that support the edges of the grid on lateral side members of a lower frame. Each lateral edge of the grid includes a pair of inboard and outboard longitudinally extending wires that are of a heavier gauge than the other wires of the grid. Each formed wire spring on the side frame members includes a pair of fishmouth sections extending upwardly from the frame and a connecting section that interconnects the fishmouth sections and supports the adjacent grid edge. The connecting section of each spring includes an inboard main portion and outboard end portions connected to the main portion. The outboard heavier gauge wire at each lateral grid edge is secured to the outboard end portions of the spring connecting sections to locate the grid.

Abstract: A calibration system produces a calibrating signal having an adjustable amplitude, a torque force representative of that amplitude is directly applied to a meridian seeking gyroscope unit that hangs from a suspension band. Prior to each use of the instrument, the signal amplitude is adjusted so the gyroscope unit assumes a predetermined null position. The torque force is applied to the gyroscope unit by inductive field interaction of the first, second, and third coils. A control signal representative of the displacement of the gyroscope unit from the null position is applied to the third coil, which is fixed relative to the null position. The calibrating signal is applied to the first coil, which is also fixed relative to the null position. The axis of the first and third coils are both in an approximately perpendicular relationship to a vertical axis.

Abstract: A furniture frame construction of the disclosure includes a framework of steel frame members that support a spring assembly for a seat cushion. Front and rear frame members of the framework are fabricated from relatively thin steel stock and have closed cross-sections with projecting flanges secured to each other. End frame members of the framework are also fabricated from relatively thin steel stock with channel cross-sections and interconnect the front and rear frame members with each other. The spring assembly includes a primary spring of the formed wire type extending between the front and rear frame members. The front end of the primary spring includes a fishmouth section that spaces a support section of this spring above the front frame member. The rear end of the primary spring includes a helical coil with a tail that supports the rear end of the support section on the rear frame member. An auxiliary spring of the spring assembly is secured to the lower side of the primary spring support section.

Abstract: A seat of the disclosure has an exposed edge construction that reduces the seat padding necessary to cushion a frame portion extending along the seat edge. The seat edge construction may be utilized with either the seat cushion or seat back of the seat and incorporates auxiliary sinuous springs having first ends supported by primary sinuous springs so as to extend therefrom in a cantilevered manner. The auxiliary springs extend over the adjacent frame portion with a curved configuration that is convex with respect to seat padding supported by these springs. Second ends of the auxiliary springs are secured to the frame portion on the opposite side thereof from their first ends.

Abstract: A generally rectangular box spring assembly of the disclosure includes a wire grid supported on a lower frame by center coil springs and by formed wire springs at the edge of the assembly. The formed wire springs provide relatively firm edge support while the coil springs provide softer center support. Each of the formed wire springs includes at least one fishmouth section extending upwardly from an associated frame member for connection to the grid. The formed wire springs preferably include a pair of the fishmouth sections which are interconnected by a connecting portion. The grid may be secured to the connecting portion of the formed wire springs or to a border wire that is itself secured to the fishmouth sections of these springs. The center coil springs are preferably of a conical shape with their smaller ends secured to laterally extending frame slats and with their larger ends clipped to the wire grid.

Abstract: A gyroscope unit having a horizontal spin axis hangs from a suspension band within a container. The container is rotatably supported about a vertical axis. A transducer generates a control signal representative of the angular displacement between the gyroscope unit and the container about the vertical axis from a reference position. The container is rotated about the vertical axis responsive to the control signal to reduce the angular displacement from the reference position. A torque about the vertical axis that opposes the angular displacement is directly applied to the gyroscope unit responsive to the control signal. The directly applied torque is a nonlinear function of the angular displacement, being zero below a threshold value of angular displacement and having a predetermined gradient above the threshold value.

Abstract: A hot air furnace includes a cylindrical combustion chamber with enclosed upper and lower ends. A plurality of apertures are formed in the lower end of the combustion chamber wall through which flame jets are radially discharged into a flue chamber defined by the space between the combustion chamber wall and a flue chamber wall circumscribing and spaced from the combustion chamber wall. The end of the flue chamber wall nearest the apertured end of the combustion chamber is closed with a domed panel and the opposite end is closed with a streamlined closure member. A plurality of vertically extending fins extend a substantial distance between the combustion chamber wall and flue chamber wall along a portion of the length of said flue chamber wall spaced from the apertures in the combustion chamber wall. An air chamber wall circumscribes and is spaced from the flue chamber wall which includes a plurality of vertically extending fins disposed in the air chamber so formed to surround the flue chamber wall.

Abstract: A delta modulator produces a digital bit stream from an input analog waveform and applies same to bit-averaging circuitry dividing the bit stream into time-frame intervals and computing the average slope per frame. Each average time-frame slope value is transmitted over a communication system as a discrete digital signal and at a receiver each such signal is employed to set the gain of a multi-level integrator and thus incrementally reconstruct the original waveform.

Abstract: A vehicle guidance mechanism for guiding a vehicle along a guide line comprises a radiation source that causes the guide line to reflect or emit a guidance signal; photocell sensors mounted in the vehicle and adapted to sense the guidance signal and produce an error output signal proportional to the variation of vehicle position from a predetermined lateral position with respect to the guide line; and a control device in the vehicle adapted to steer the vehicle in response to the error signal so as to cause the vehicle to follow the guide line. An automatic contrast or gain control circuit eliminates the effect of background illumination in the output signal received from the guide line. Modulation circuitry and appropriate filters reduce the effects of static background illumination and improve the reliability and line detecting ability of the guide system. Line detection circuitry is employed to prevent operation of the automatic control device unless the vehicle is tracking a valid guide line.

Abstract: A shaving cutter having a circular array of teeth of the same number and approximate size as that of a gear to be shaved, and having cutting edges at one end of the teeth of identical profile as that to be formed on the gear teeth, the teeth of the cutter being backed off to provide cutting clearance and dimensioned to be received simultaneously in all of the tooth spaces of the gear with circumferential clearance. Relative reciprocation is provided with timed relative circumferential depth feed to shave first one side and then the other of the gear teeth. The teeth are provided with cutting edges occupying different planes to avoid having all teeth initiate cutting action at the same time.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle such as a trailer or tractor wherein ground-engaging wheels on an axle are mounted on a pair of control arms, which in turn are pivotably mounted for vertical swinging motion at one end to frame brackets laterally disposed at opposite sides of the vehicle frame. Spring means are disposed in a load-transmitting relation between another end of the control arm and the vehicle frame. The pivotal connection between the frame bracket and the control arm includes a bolt which passes through an aperture in the control arm and slotted apertures in the frame bracket to provide fore and aft adjustment of the control arm at the pivotal connection. This slotted connection facilitates alignment of the axle relative to the vehicle frame. The bolt is carried in the slotted adjustment apertures by special mounting plates which have means for pivotably supporting the plate on the frame bracket and means for gripping the mounting plates for movement with respect to the frame brackets.