Abstract: An apparatus for linearly displacing a cartridge engaging assembly along a predetermined displacement path and for supporting the cartridge engaging assembly at a fixed orientation relative to its displacement path. The apparatus includes single or multiple elongate flexible members fixedly secured to the cartridge engaging assembly at at least three points thereon, a flexible member engagement assembly (e.g. pulleys) fixedly positioned relative to the displacement path, and a drive assembly operatively connected to at least one elongate flexible member.

Abstract: A picker for a computer information storage library. The computer information storage library includes at least one computer information drive, storage locations for data cartridges, a picker and a transport mechanism. The picker includes a sleeve for holding a cartridge and a moveable thumb. The transport mechanism provides displacement in two orthogonal dimensions for the picker. The moveable thumb provides displacement in a third dimension orthogonal to the movement of the transport mechanism. Data cartridges include two openings in a bottom surface. The thumb includes fixed fingers with bent tips that engage the openings in the bottom surface of the data cartridges. Data cartridges are removed from a drive or storage by hooking the tips of the fingers into the data cartridge openings, and then moving the thumb relative to the sleeve to pull the cartridge into the sleeve. The picker also includes a rigid thumb for pushing a data cartridge out of the sleeve and into a drive or into a storage location.

Abstract: A tensioning device for a reciprocating flexible drive system, such as a wire rope is provided. The tensioning device provides a mechanism which effectively tensions the slack side of the wire rope while directly coupling the driven side of the wire rope to the load. The tensioning device slides within a housing to a first position where force from the driven side is applied directly to the load while the slack side is tensioned with a spring. When the wire rope is reversed, the tensioning device slides to a second position within the housing where force from the driven side is once again directly applied to the load.

Abstract: A structural enclosure, box-like for many embodiments, which effectively contains an explosion, thereupon remaining virtually intact and minimizing fragmentation. The structural wall has a sandwich-like arrangement of two fiber-reinforced matrix material skins and a foam core situated between the two skins, at least one skin having fiber-reinforced high strain-to-failure viscoelastic matrix material. The core foam material selectively varies in density so as to provide appropriate rigidity or flexibility at different locations of the structural enclosure. The fiber-reinforced high strain-to-failure viscoelastic matrix material can be deformed elastically to large strains, has demonstrably high energy-absorbing characteristics, and is relatively lightweight. Upon explosive impact, the inner skin largely deforms so as to be energy-absorbent of the pressure wave caused by the explosive charge, the foam core crushes so as to also be energy-absorbent, the outer skin largely deforms, and both skins contain debris.

Abstract: An apparatus for linearly displacing a cartridge engaging assembly along a predetermined displacement path and for supporting the cartridge engaging assembly at a fixed orientation relative to its displacement path. The apparatus includes single or multiple elongate flexible members fixedly secured to the cartridge engaging assembly at at least three points thereon, a flexible member engagement assembly (e.g. pulleys) fixedly positioned relative to the displacement path, and a drive assembly operatively connected to at least one elongate flexible member.

Abstract: Cylinder-to-cylinder attachment method and construction featuring nonutiltion of mechanical fasteners or bonding, especially advantageous for attachment of cylinders which are composite or to be subjected to hydrostatic pressure. A fastening ring is interpositionally and rotatively engaged and aligned with a toothed axial end of each cylinder whereby the inwardly radial teeth for each cylinder appropriately mesh with the outer grooved circumferential surface of the fastening ring. The resultant joint is easily detachable and less susceptible than conventional joints to damage, breakage, degradation, stress concentrations and fluid infiltration.

Abstract: A load bearing structural support for machinery which provides a mechanism or dissipating both mechanical and vibrational energy comprises a high damping flexible reinforcement of fiber preform infiltrated with a viscoelastic material which has a high elongation to failure property and provides a significant damping ability. In one embodiment, an I-Beam is formed by a pair of L-shapes and a T-shape. The two L-shapes are placed back to back, with the T-shape placed therebetween forming an I-beam. At least one flexible reinforcement is then positioned between the vertical segments of the T-shape and the two L-shapes to isolate the T-shape. The T-shape is actually "floating" between the L-shapes. In another embodiment, the flexible reinforcement is suspended between at least a pair of spaced anchors with a vertical support of the same flexible reinforcement attached to or integral with the suspended flexible reinforcement portion and its free end anchored to a stable base.

Abstract: Cylinder-to-cylinder attachment method and construction featuring nonutilization of mechanical fasteners or bonding, especially advantageous for attachment of cylinders which are composite or to be subjected to hydrostatic pressure. A fastening ring is interpositionally and rotatively engaged and aligned with a toothed axial end of each cylinder whereby the inwardly radial teeth for each cylinder appropriately mesh with the outer grooved circumferential surface of the fastening ring. The resultant joint is easily detachable and less susceptible than conventional joints to damage, breakage, degradation, stress concentrations and fluid infiltration.

Abstract: A circumferential rib-stiffened hollow cylinder and method for fabrication thereof featuring construction of the cylinder from complementarily shaped nestled prefabricated rings and resultant circumferential ribs which are integral with the rest of the cylinder. In one embodiment ring sections which are "L"-shaped in cross-section are axially and sequentially mated; ring sections which are "U"-shaped are axially and correspondingly integrated therewith, therein for a cylinder having internal circumferential ribs and thereout for a cylinder having external circumferential ribs. The dominant load path for the cylinder is through the reinforced cylinder elements, and the cylinder's wall-thickness-to-diameter ratio is effectively reduced, thereby allowing radial reinforcement of the ribs, reducing residual stresses and increasing strength; these advantages are especially significant for cylinders which are composite or are to be subjected to hydrostatic pressure.