Abstract: A system and method for alerting responsible personnel to perform a post-trip inspection check for passengers remaining on a bus at the end of a trip by issuing audible and/or visual alerts when the bus is parked and the motor shut off at the end of the trip. The ignition switch (47) must be placed in ACCESSORY position and a park brake applied for the system to be rendered capable of being disarmed by operation of a disarming device (45S) at the rear of the bus. Operation of the disarming device is indicated by a correct sequence of operating conditions of the device, namely first non-actuated, then actuated, and then non-actuated. The system includes a SNOOZE state that allows the ignition switch to be temporarily turned off during a trip and the alert to be stopped by pressing a snooze switch.

Abstract: An interlock for a vehicle platform lift meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 403) effective in late 2004 with minimum modification of vehicle electronic control arrangements. The interlock prevents forward and rearward mobility of vehicles unless the platform lift is stowed. The interlock operates to prevent accidental release but does not affect vehicle movement when the platform lift is stowed. Operation of the lift is allowed by placing the transmission in park or by placing the transmission in neutral and actuating the parking brake. A vehicle body computer controls operation when the vehicle is running. A bypass enable relay allows use when the vehicle's engine is not running.

Abstract: A system and method for alerting responsible personnel to perform a post-trip inspection check for passengers remaining on a bus at the end of a trip by issuing audible and/or visual alerts when the bus is parked and the motor shut off at the end of the trip. The ignition switch (47) must be placed in ACCESSORY position and a park brake applied for the system to be rendered capable of being disarmed by operation of a disarming device (45S) at the rear of the bus. Operation of the disarming device is indicated by a correct sequence of operating conditions of the device, namely first non-actuated, then actuated, and then non-actuated. The system includes a SNOOZE state that allows the ignition switch to be temporarily turned off during a trip and the alert to be stopped by pressing a snooze switch.

Abstract: An automated system for cycling vehicle lamps on and off allows direct inspection by one person of operability of the lamp bulbs while doing a walk around of the vehicle. The system is switch operated. Interlocks to operation are based upon the status of the vehicle's service brake, its park brake and the on/off status of the lights themselves. Lights are organized by related groups and each group given a distinctive, repeating cycle to lighten the burden of memorization on the operator.

Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing aircraft is configured so as to provide, when landing tail-first with its fuselage (1) in a generally vertical attitude, a touchdown area (21) at the tail of the aircraft at a position offset from a line extending along the length of the fuselage through the centre of gravity (23) of the aircraft such that after the touchdown area contacts a landing surface the aircraft topples under the action of gravity to bring an undercarriage (11, 13) of the aircraft into contact with the landing surface, thereby to attain a stable landed position.

Abstract: An aircraft capture system, e.g. for a radio-controlled pilotless aircraft (19), having at the homing station a boom arrangement (13) mounted for rotation about a vertical hinge axis (A--A) and having appreciable flexibility under forces acting perpendicular to the hinge axis while being substantially inflexible under forces acting parallel to the hinge axis. The flexibility of the boom arrangement cushions the aircraft against shock when an arrester hook (33) deployed from the aircraft engages the boom arrangement via an arrester wire (15) attached to the boom arrangement.

Abstract: A fixed wing aircraft comprises two major components, namely an airframe and a payload carrier which are articulated. The airframe is equipped with all the essentials for independent flight. The attitude of the payload carrier can be controlled independently of the attitude of the airframe.

Abstract: An inductive coupler system including a first part in which is defined a socket region and a second part including a plug member. A first frame member carrying a first magnetic half-core constituting one half of an inductive coupler is supported by the first part, while the second part carries a second magnetic half-core constituting the other half of the inductive coupler. The first part includes actuation means responsive to the insertion of said plug member in said socket region to move the first frame member towards the second part to a position where a mating surface of each of the half-cores are in surface-to-surface alignment with each other. Second actuation means drives the aligned mating surfaces into intimate contact or moves the first frame member away from the second part.

Abstract: A portable "Ski-Jump" runway for use by Hawker Siddeley Harrier Type V/STOL aircraft and other conventional tricycle undercarriage aircraft having suitable performance characteristics. The runway comprises a main central ramp constructed on or as the chassis of a truck or trailer along which in use the main undercarriage wheels travel and secondary ramp sections of substantially lighter structural construction collapsibly mounted on support frames cantilevered from the main ramp section along which in use the secondary undercarriage wheels of the aircraft travel. The main ramp section is conveniently divided into at least two, preferably three, lengths, the foremost length being part of the truck or trailer and with the rearward length or lengths capable of being stored on top of the foremost length for transportation purposes. Component parts of the secondary ramp sections may be stored in the truck for transportation purposes.