Abstract: A coin validator is provided in the region of its entrance hopper with a flap which is caused to pivot against the action of a spring when a coin is inserted in the hopper. In the case of fraudulent use of the coin validator wherein a thread is attached to a coin, the movement of the flap into the closed position following passage of the coin causes a tension to be applied in the trailing thread, and the thread under tension is then sensed by a lever mechanism. Actuation of the lever mechanism by the tensioned thread inhibits validation of the attached coin, e.g. by causing any credit added by the passage of the coin past a testing station to be debited before returning the coin to the user.

Abstract: A circuit and method for measuring the capacitance of a circuit element. A reference capacitor, a voltage source, and a switching circuit are arranged such that the circuit element and the reference capacitor are alternately charged and discharged from the voltage source at the same frequency, the charging of the circuit element being synchronized with either the charging or the discharging of the reference capacitor. Currents of the circuit element and the reference capacitor, for example the discharge currents, are supplied to a reservoir capacitor circuit and compared to provide a measure of the difference between the capacitances of the circuit element and the reference capacitor. The comparison is made by monitoring the feedback current necessary to maintain the charge of the reservoir capacitor circuit substantially constant.

Abstract: A portable and adjustable aircraft cargo handling system designed to facilitate substantially simultaneous aerial delivery of cargo from a cargo ramp and paratroops from side doors from a conventional troop carrying aircraft of the Hercules C130 type which is provided with an inwardly and upwardly-opening rear cargo door and an outwardly and downwardly opening rear cargo ramp. The cargo device includes a base, which can be secured to the conventional aircraft cargo ramp; a load carrying platform, having friction reducing rollers or the like, superimposed on the base and pivotally connected thereto along one of its marginal edges; and a lifting device which is located between the base and the platform to raise and lower one end of the platform relative to the base between a first, lowered position in which cargo is loaded thereon and loaded into the aircraft and a second, raised position in which cargo is carried in flight and is discharged from the aircraft when the rear cargo door is raised.