Abstract: For use in rear turbine stabilized helicopters, a air foil blade comprising an integrally formed and readily replicated spar and blade in which the blade is created from compounded plastic having cellular structure and adherent to the spar. The air foil blade is produced by a unique adaptation of an injection molding process using a foamed polypropylene thermoplastic material.

Abstract: An improved unitary parachute torso harness, having a single fastening me, wherein an auxiallary tightening strap is attached to the groin straps of said harness. Said auxillary straps are used to prevent torso rotation or harness slippage and to prevent harness elongation in the groin and chest area.

Abstract: Cigarette-rod weight monitoring system in which the signals from a scanner, e.g. a nucleonic device such as Molins "MODIC", are processed and stored in a memory in a digitized form, and the memory contents are used to drive an analog display device. These signals, which represent the individual cigarettes, or short lengths, are accumulated in the memory over a period which is sufficiently long for a statistically significant distribution pattern to be achieved, so that the shape of the distribution curve can be observed to determine whether it is "normal" or whether any skews or other irregularities are present. In addition the accomulated signals can be analyzed in various ways to provide quantitative measurements of overall standard deviation, or effective standard deviation either side of the mean to show whether any "skews" exist. S.D. can be calculated for whole cigarettes or short lengths for different diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A bistable circuit comprises a light-emitting diode connected in series with a phototransistor and so disposed as to illuminate the latter. When current is flowing--i.e. when the phototransistor conducts--light from the LED keeps the phototransistor conductive, and the circuit can be switched to the non-conductive (OFF) state by interrupting the light path between the LED and the phototransistor. When the circuit is OFF it can be switched to the ON state by external light.A data-storage device embodying such bistable circuits is also disclosed; a rotatable disc carries a plurality of such circuits at regular spacings adjacent its periphery, and several setting devices at different positions are each operable to illuminate one of the circuits passing the setting device to switch that circuit to the ON state.