Abstract: A sliding door for covering an opening (102) in an aircraft fuselage (100) including a sliding door member (10) mounted on the fuselage and adapted for sliding in the longitudinal direction of the fuselage between an opened and a closed position. Supporting and guiding means (30, 31, 32, 33) on the sliding door member (10) and the fuselage for supporting the sliding door in the opened and closed position and supporting and guiding sliding movement of the sliding door member (10) between the open and closed position.

Abstract: A power centering apparatus for resisting off-center movement of the steered wheels of a vehicle and returning them to a selected center position after each such movement. The apparatus includes a centering unit for providing the resistance to off-center movement and a trimming unit for varying the center position. The resistance unit includes a linkage extending between the steering system and a fixed vehicle member, and the trimming unit has a trim piston movable relative to a trim cylinder to vary the center position by changing the length of the linkage. A plurality of passages and check valves make the trimming unit operable by a single solenoid valve to supply gas free liquid to and remove gas contaminated liquid from trim chambers on opposite sides of the trim piston without intermixing these two liquids.

Abstract: A compensating apparatus resists movement of the steered wheels of a vehicle to either side of a selected center position, and returns them to this center position after such movement. The apparatus includes a cam member connected to the steered wheels for movement therewith and having a cam surface with a centering depression. A follower member is pivotally mounted on one end of an elongated rocker member and may be received in the centering depression to define the center position. An actuator assembly applies a resilient force against the other end of the rocker member to press the follower member into the centering depression in response to the pressing of a resilient mechanism by a fluid pressure system. The amount of the resilient force may be varied remotely either by the driver during vehicle operation or automatically in response to vehicle speed. The center position also may be changed during vehicle operation.

Abstract: A self-adjusting bearing assembly comprising a rod end bearing having a ball member and a connector member, and a bearing seat component having at least two bearing seat members arranged to receive the ball member therebetween. The ball member has a substantially spherical segment providing an outer bearing surface, and the bearing seat members include spherically-shaped inner bearing surfaces for engaging the outer bearing surface of the ball member. The connector member extends through a conical passage formed by the bearing seat members, and this passage restricts pivotal movement of the rod end bearing. A slack removal mechanism urges a movable one of the bearing seat members toward the ball member; and comprises a pressure chamber adjacent a pressure surface of the movable bearing seat member, and a fitting for pressurizing this chamber with a fluid. The assembly may include a fitting for feeding lubricant to the bearing surfaces, and a fitting for preventing excessive chamber pressure.

Abstract: A sliding aircraft door assembly for selectively closing a doorway in a pressurized aircraft fuselage. The door assembly includes a door having a height and width at least as large as the vertical opening of the doorway. At least one elongate supporting and guiding rail is attached to the inner side of the door adjacent each of its upper and lower edges. At least one elongate supporting and guiding fuselage track is attached longitudinally along the length of the fuselage both along the upper and lower edges of the doorway and adapted for slidable interlocking engagement with the rails on the door. The fuselage tracks extend a sufficient distance along the fuselage past the doorway to enable the door to be moved to a position substantially fully opening the doorway.

Abstract: A steering compensator for providing resistance to movement of a steering system away from a preselected center position until a steering force exceeds a preselected value which may be varied remotely while the vehicle is in operation. The preselected center position may also be varied remotely while the vehicle is in operation by a trim mechanism. The compensator may be rotary or linear and the resistance force may be provided by a variable spring force and/or a variable magnetic force. Optional features include a liquid system for viscous dampening and an undercut seat and cam arrangement for centering without significant slack or overshoot.

Abstract: A steering compensator for connection to the steering system of a vehicle at a location between a steerable member and a reduction gear so as to provide a resistance force preventing substantial movement of the steerable member away from a preselected position until the steering force generated on the low ratio side of the reduction gear exceeds a predetermined value. A return assembly provides a return force continuously biasing the steerable member toward its preselected position during its movement through a predetermined distance to either side thereof. A trim mechanism may be provided to remotely vary the preselected position of the steerable member. Other optional features include a fluid system for preventing movement of the steerable member until the steering force exceeds the return force by a preselected differential force, a variable fluid resistance to steerable member movement, and components for controllably varying the resistance force, differential force and/or return force.

Abstract: Disclosed is a switch for selectively connecting an electrical system to a source of electrical power, such as a battery. At least two electrically conductive bodies are mounted within a switch housing in spaced relation to each other and in communication with a housing chamber. Fastening means are provided for connecting each conductive body to an electrical cable. An electrically conductive contactor carried within the chamber is movable between a closed position in contact with each conductive body and an open position out of contact with each conductive body. A first biasing means presses the contactor into engagement with the conductive bodies in response to movement of an actuator means toward a first position and a second biasing means snaps the contactor out of contact with the conductive bodies in response to movement of the actuator means toward a second position, actuator movement being responsive to a mechanical or electrical signal produced remotely from the switch housing.

Abstract: A compensator is disclosed for centering a frame supported steerable member comprising part of the steering system for a vehicle. The compensator is connected between the frame and the steering system and comprises a cylinder containing a pair of pistons and an actuator for engaging the pistons in response to movement of the steerable member. A fluid system provides fluid resistance to off-center piston movement and fluid force for return piston movement and includes components for independently varying both the resistance and the return force. The compensator may include a trimming apparatus for remotely varying the center position of the steerable member and components for controlling the rate of both turning and return movements. Optional valves may provide for deactivating the compensator manually or in response to power steering system failure, overpressurization, or vehicle speed.

Abstract: A trailer stabilizer is comprised of a hydraulic assembly having a pair of hydraulic units for providing viscous fluid resistance to relative turning movements between a trailer and a towing vehicle. The assembly includes flow controls for varying turning resistance in response to turning rate and vehicle speed. Slack removal members constantly bias interconnected couplings to provide rate sensing and turning resistance with zero mechanical slack. A brake control system actuates towed vehicle brakes in response to hydraulic system pressure and includes speed responsive components preventing brake application below a predetermined speed. Circuitry is also provided for varying braking force in response to vehicle speed and turning rate, for adjusting braking force according to trailer size and road conditions, and for testing braking force adjustments.

Abstract: The battery cable switch disclosed has electrically conductive bodies positioned in an insulating housing which also contains a reciprocating contactor movable into and out of contact with said bodies. The switch is remotely operable by an actuator having a cam slide for reciprocating the contactor and a detent for holding the contactor in its open position. Each conductive body can be detachably connected to a battery cable and the housing made watertight by seals around the cables and the actuator. Snap-on means are provided for connecting the actuator to the housing and the housing to its mounting bracket. Both the cam slide and the contactor may be spring biased and the motive portion of the actuator may take various forms.

Abstract: A self-threading casting bobber for automatically letting out a predetermined length of fishing line to position a sinker and hook attached to the line at a predetermined depth beneath the bobber and including a lock mechanism selectively actuable to fixedly clamp the fishing line in place within the bobber to allow the line to be wrapped on a rotatable spool mounted within the bobber.

Abstract: The steering assembly disclosed has means for sensing changes in both lateral offset and angle between a towed and a towing vehicle, means for generating angle and offset signals responsive to such changes, means for combining the angle and offset signals to produce a joint steering input, and means for turning a steerable wheel of the towed vehicle in response to the joint steering input. The assembly has two operating modes, one in which offset signals and angle signals are subtracted to produce a joint steering input for forward travel of the vehicles and another in which offset signals and angle signals are added to produce a joint steering input for backing of the vehicles. The assembly also includes steerable wheel means, means for detachably coupling the vehicles together, and means for remotely shifting between the two operating modes.

Abstract: A novel, vehicular suspension system comprising an air-bag shock absorbing assembly acting in cooperation with a plurality of sequentially deformable elastomeric members. The air-bag carries a portion of the load and at least some of the elastomeric members carry the remainder of the load. Each elastomeric member is supported in a retaining member so arranged that, as the load on the suspension system is increased, additional ones of the elastomeric members are sequentially compressed and absorb more of the load.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a means of coupling a trailer to an automobile comprising a self-aligning and shock-absorbing coupling means. The coupling means uses a fifth wheel and spring-loaded roller-detent means to maintain alignment in yaw between the vehicle and the trailer. A speed-responsive means reduces the "stiffness" in yaw between the automobile and the trailer when the vehicle speed is below a predetermined value.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the condition of a fluid filter comprises a flexible diaphragm exposed to the upstream, downstream or differential pressure acting on the filter and indicator means for monitoring the condition of the filter as a function of movement of the diaphragm in response to said pressures. A unique, low friction indicator mechanism, means for adjusting the sensitivity of the device and means for resetting the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a means of coupling a trailer to an automobile comprising a self-aligning and shock-absorbing coupling means. The coupling means uses a fifth wheel and spring-loaded roller-detent means to maintain alignment in yaw between the vehicle and the trailer. A speed-responsive means reduces the "stiffness" in yaw between the automobile and the trailer when the vehicle speed is below a predetermined value.