Abstract: An orbital replacement unit electrical connector assembly is provided which is releasably attachable to a threaded bore of a target area of a support structure having at leat one first electrical connector and nut mounted thereon. The orbital replacement unit includes a casing in which a base panel housing is mounted together with a threaded shaft for engagement with the nut. A spring loaded transfer mechanism is provided between the shaft and the base panel which has at least one second electrical connector for mating with the first electrical connector. The spring loaded transfer mechanism serves to apply a disconnecting load at the interface between the shaft and the base panel to align the threaded shaft with the nut. Rotation of the aligned threaded shaft causes a second load to be applied for aligning the second electrical connector with the first electrical connector as the threaded shaft is screwed into the nut.

Abstract: An alignment lever is provided for aligning a load item with respect to a target. The alignment lever has a body which has a V-shaped alignment seat. The body is pivotally mounted to displace the seat through an arc of about 45.degree.. A plurality of these alignment levers are used to provide an alignment assembly that is effective for aligning a load item with respect to a target area as the load item moves toward the target area. The alignment levers are located at spaced locations about the perimeter of the target area and serve to provide a target zone which is larger than the target area. An orbital replacement unit is provided which is releasably attachable to a target area of a support structure in which a first electrical connector and nut are mounted in a predetermined spaced relationship. The orbital replacement unit includes a housing in which a threaded shaft is mounted for engagement with the nut.

Abstract: The devices are floating engageable means which may be a floating nut or a floating driver for use in hostile environment, such as space. The device includes a housing with a cross-shaped opening, each arm of the cross receiving a wing of a floating member. A spring between the base of the housing and the back of the floating member urges the wings against the top surface of the arms of the cross-shaped opening in the housing. The cross-shaped openings may have a rectangular configuration with a thread surface forming the top surface of the opening. This permits the floating member to maintain a lateral offset. Alternatively, the arms may have a triangular outline with the vertex forming the top surface of the arms. With this configuration, a force will be provided to center the floating member in the housing. The floating member terminates in a an outwardly facing taper guiding surface which tapers to the engaging means of the floating member. With this arrangement, off axis and off angle mating is possible.

Abstract: An extensible articulated manipulator arm is described in which the distal end is movable in a straight line relative to the proximal end thereof. The articulated arm includes a first arm which incorporates a first parallelogram linkage and a second arm which includes a second parallelogram linkage, the adjacent ends of the parallelogram linkages are drivingly connected to one another whereby rotation of the first arm about the first end support alters the geometry of the first parallelogram linkage which in turn effects a corresponding alteration in the geometry of the second parallelogram linkage, thereby to cause movement of the distal end of the second arm in a straight line relative to the proximal end of the first arm.

Abstract: A grappling device that is light-weight is formed with a light weight head. The interior of the head has three cables attached to two spaced rings so that rotary movement of the rings move the cables to open or closed configuration.