Abstract: The invention is a mechanism for removing a liquid such as oil or transmission fluid from an enclosed cavity of a motor vehicle. The invention includes a tube slidable through the sealing plug of the compartment and a flexible bladder into which one end of the tube can be fit. A shut-off valve in the tube controls the flow of liquid from the compartment to the bladder. The invention optionally includes a simple hand operated pump in the tube and a device to prevent the tube from unintentionally being removed from the plug.

Abstract: The invention is a carrier for use in air dropping cargo from an aircraft, the carrier comprising a pallet suspended from a parachute. The pallet has struts which absorb shock and prevent cargo roll over when the pallet lands, the struts being deployed into a shock absorbing, anti-roll-over position by the drag of the parachute when it opens. The pallet includes shock absorbing supports between its upper and lower surfaces to further protect air dropped cargo upon landing.

Abstract: The invention is vehicle propulsion system having a pump driven by an engine, a hydraulic motor driven by the pump, and a ground engaging wheel driven by the hydraulic motor. On the drive shaft connected between the engine and the pump is a flywheel whose moment of inertia is varied by radially translating weights on the flywheel. Under normal vehicle operating conditions, the weights are translated outward, whereby rotational energy is stored in the flywheel. When more power is needed then the engine can provide, the weights on the flywheel translate inwardly so that the flywheel imparts rotational energy to the pump through the drive shaft. The propulsion system has means to maintain the engine in a narrow r.p.m. range where the engine is most efficient. Vehicle speed and direction is varied by controlling the flow speed and direction from the pump, which determines the speed and direction of the hydraulic motor.

Abstract: A method of forming a foamed plastic article, comprising the steps of: injecting pressurized gaseous bubbles into a stream of heated liquid plastic; feeding the heated liquid, with entrained gas bubbles, into a mold cavity without expanding the bubbles; slowly expanding the mold cavity to permit the gas bubbles to expand and thereby produce a foamed plastic article; controlling the temperature of the mold cavity surfaces so that the plastic material is in a viscous liquid state during at least the major part of the bubble expansion process; and cooling the mold cavity surfaces to a temperature less than the melt point of the plastic.

Abstract: A pre-existing trailer is modified to increase its payload capacity from approximately 50 tons to approximately 60 tons. Modifications involve the addition of one new axle, and the remounting of existing wheels to make them steerable. The modified trailer has one fixed axis axle and four steerable axles (two in front of the fixed axis axle, and two behind the fixed axis axle). During turning maneuvers the ground wheels on the fixed axis axle turn freely without skidding because the other steerable wheels automatically turn into the direction of steer. The modified trailer operates with lessened skid force on the wheels, with resultant increases in tire life and axle life.