Abstract: A cargo barrier net (10) for retaining cargo within an aircraft fuselage in the event of a hard landing, crash landing, or in-flight turbulence is provided having a net structure made from Kevlar.RTM. or other materials having a high strength-to-weight ratio and end loops (20) made from straps of nylon or other materials having the ability to elongate and distend under an applied load. The end loops (20) attach the net structure to the tie-down frame within the aircraft's cargo compartment and, in the event of a hard landing or in-flight turbulence, the end loops (20) function to absorb forces placed upon the cargo barrier net (10) by elongating and distending under the shifting load. The cargo barrier net (10) also provides the advantage of being light weight due to the ability to use light weight, high strength materials such as Kevlar.RTM.

Abstract: To permit absorption of sudden impacts or shock overloads, or gradual overloads, on a cable stretched to retain stones, rocks or snow masses, for example in road or railway cuts, a tube is bent to form an open loop, the end portions of which are held together by a clamp so that the end portions are frictionally engaged against each other, and the cable is threaded through the tube. Upon overload, the tube can plastically deform, thereby reducing the diameter of the loop or ring formed thereby, and accept overloads without overloading or unduly stressing the cable.

Abstract: A system for capturing a remotely piloted vehicle, the remotely piloted vehicle including a snagging line having a mechanism to be snagged at the end thereof. The system includes a snag mechanism for snagging the line of the remotely piloted vehicle, and a mechanism which funnels or guides the snag line on the remotely piloted vehicle to the snag mechanism of the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the rate of deceleration of a moving body. The apparatus has a cable or net for engaging a moving body and tape connected to the cable or net. The tape is wound onto a reel at the start of a deceleration and is unwindable from the reel during the deceleration so that unwinding the tape from the reel causes a corresponding rotation of the reel. A pump is operatively connected to the reel so that rotation of the reel causes pumping of a hydraulic fluid at a rate which increases as the rate of rotation of the reel increases. A control valve disposed across the discharge of the pump varies pressure drop across the control valve. A brake is provided for applying a braking force to the reel, and an actuator is provided for varying the braking force applied by the braking means in response to the pressure drop.

Abstract: An RPV, comprising means for engaging a snag line carried as part of a securing system which "snags" means (for example hook) on an RPV and assists the RPV to a safe landing, the snag line extending from a winch unit proximate the proposed landing area of the RPV to a position on the ship to which it is removeably secured and the end thereof carrying means to be secured to means on the RPV.

Abstract: An elemental net for a multiple element aircraft arresting net system. The elemental net has a single upper horizontal strap, several vertical straps having top ends and bottom ends, and at least two lower horizontal straps. The top ends of the vertical straps are directly affixed to the upper horizontal strap at spaced intervals along the upper horizontal strap. The bottom ends of the vertical straps are alternatingly affixed to one of the lower horizontal straps so that the lower horizontal straps are free to move relative to each other to a significant degree and so that lifting of one vertical strap will tend to lift only one of the lower horizontal straps in the vicinity of the vertical strap being lifted. The present invention provides a variable window which is free to expand or contract during aircraft engagement, permitting easier penetration of the net by a greater mix of aircraft.

Abstract: An improved coupling for connecting an arresting pendant and the woven tape utilized in an aircraft arresting system is provided. The coupling consists of an elongated hollow body having at least one open end and a longitudinal slot which extends into its hollow interior. A mounting bracket for connection of the coupling to the arresting system pendant is attached to the side of the coupling body which is opposite from the slot. The tape from the arresting system is wrapped between and around a plurality of clamping bars and is then inserted through an open end of the coupling body with the connected end of the tape extending through the longitudinal slot. The clamping bars are sized and shaped to substantially fill the interior of the coupling body and to grip to the tape which is wrapped then around.

Abstract: A flexible barrier is provided for arresting falling rocks comprising posts and a rock collecting and arresting net. Each post pivots upon a ground-anchored base plate and is stayed by windbracing cables secured to the top of the post. Two of the cables extend in an upstream direction from the post and one cable extends in a downstream direction from the post. The net is placed on and secured to a series of spaced, longitudinal, horizontal ropes which are supported by the upstream windbracing cables. The horizontal ropes are connected to the cables in a manner which permits the ropes to slide freely, with the ends of the ropes being secured to ground anchoring means beyond the ends of the barrier.

Abstract: A device for generating transverse force on a ballistic missile mock-up for air tests by means of an installation including a mock-up launching tube adapted to slant at an angle and a recovery mock-up gantry composed of a support structure for the mock-up which is pivotably mounted to the recovery mock-up gantry so as to permit the support structure to slant to the same angle as the mock-up launching tube; a carrier provided with a guide along the support structure for supporting a mobile jack including a stem for adjusting the transverse force applied on one end of the stem which is in turn transmitted to the mock-up via another end of the stem; an adjustable assembly of loads for imparting a desired transverse force to the mock-up which are fixed to an end of a cable wound on an electric winch mounted at an upper end of the support structure, wherein the cable runs on return pulleys fixed to the carrier and wherein at least one of the pulleys is mounted on the stem of the jack so as to transmit the transver

Abstract: Portable aircraft arresting apparatus is comprised of a towable wheeled trailer providing a platform adapted to be anchored along a runway or landing strip and which carries component parts to selectively provide a cable-type or net-type aircraft arresting system. In connection with a net-type system, the platform includes a stanchion assembly including a stanchion mast. The mast is stored in a horizontal position relative to the platform and is elevated to an inclined position to support a net together with a like platform positioned on the opposite side of the landing strip. To accommodate selectivity and rapid conversion between cable and net-type systems, the platform on opposite sides of the landing strip are reversely oriented, and the stanchion assembly on one of the platforms is detached and reversely mounted on the platform for the inclined stanchion masts on opposite sides of the landing strip to be parallel to one another and inclined in the direction of landing.

Abstract: The protective barrier comprises a sheet of netting substantially following the ground transverse to the slope and held spread out upright by posts. The posts are held by upstream and downstream stays on a guide in the direction of the slope, the guide being formed by a loop of cable stretched between two pulleys anchored in the ground and having a bearing strand to which the stays and the post are attached. A mooring cable upstream of the netting retains the attachment place of the upstream stay on the bearing strand. The cable is equipped with shock-absorbing means adapted to allow a length of reserve cable to run when subjected to strong tension. The impact of blocks of stones causes the posts to fall back on either side of the place of impact, the motion being slowed down by the shock-absorbing means. The sheet of netting remains stretched and the posts do not bend.

Abstract: A multiple stake anchoring system for portable aircraft arresting gear including a stake guide for directing a first stake into the ground at a predetermined angle, a stake driven into the ground through the stake guide, a spacer collar mounted on the stake guide by sliding over the top of the stake, and a rigid elongated stake tie having parallel cylindrical passages through each of its ends mounted on the spacer collar by sliding one passage thereof over the stake. A second stake is driven into the ground through the cylindrical passage in the distal end of the stake tie. The second stake is rigidly connected to the first stake by the stake tie and has the same angle of inclination with respect to the plane of the ground because the two cylindrical passages through the stake tie are parallel.

Abstract: Portable aircraft arresting apparatus is disclosed which is comprised of a towable wheeled trailer providing a frame adapted to be anchored along a runway or landing strip and which is adapted to selectively support two different energy absorbing units, one of which includes a tape reel rotatable about a horizontal axis and the other of which includes a tape reel rotatable about a vertical axis. At least partially different tape patterns and paths are required with respect to the tapes on the two reels, and the frame carries sheave components which provide the required tape patterns and paths for the tapes on the two reels. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the sheave components provide selectable tape issue paths, one of which opens laterally of the frame and the other of which opens longitudinally of the frame, thus providing selectivity with respect to positioning of the apparatus relative to a runway.

Abstract: A webbing system is disclosed for use as an aircraft barricade wherein a rality of rectangularly-shaped engaging loops are arranged in an alternating, multi-planar array and suspended across a landing area in the path of an approaching aircraft upon an assembly of support loops stretched between a pair of stanchions and connected on either side to an energy absorbing device. Slidably connected along upper and lower horizontal components of the support loops, the engaging loops are free to move laterally along the support loops toward the longitudinal axis of the aircraft when penetrated by the fuselage so that the aircraft is ensnared about its wings by the loops with equalized loading and its forward motion arrested.

Abstract: In this device for raising the net of an aircraft arresting gear, on either side of the runway is disposed a frame secured to the ground by means of ordinary anchorings and bearing a piston and cylinder ram which comprises a fixed piston rod and a cylinder body movable along a guiding path of the frame structure for actuating through push links a raising post pivoted by its base to the frame structure and obliquely disposed in relation to the runway axis. The pivot axis of the post is off set in relation to the post axis.

Abstract: Actuators transversally movable through a reciprocable mechanical connection, under the control of a single unit disposed at one side of the strip are housed within a channel provided across the strip. Each actuator comprises a cam having an inclined plane and a cable support constantly engaging the inclined plane and adapted to pivot about an axis parallel to the cable axis, so that the raising of the cable support causes the cable to be raised while being off set in relation to its retraction channel.

Abstract: A system is provided to alleviate high initial tensile load in a cable subjected to sudden impact such as airplane arrestment during landing on an aircraft carrier. A series of pulleys or other supporting structure is arranged to impart a curved shape to a cable stretched thereacross. One or more of the pulleys are spaced along opposing sides of the cable impact point so that one side is a mirror image of the other. The pulleys are positioned to change the cable angular direction by an amount less than that which would cause a total reflection of the transverse wave formed in the cable on impact. In this manner, the wave is partially reflected at each pulley/cable contact point. This action generates a corresponding number of small tensile load increases and spreads them out over a relatively long time period thereby alleviating the initial aircraft impact force.

Abstract: A variable K factor energy absorber for an aircraft arresting system has a movable control element which is moved into different positions to adjust the K factor. The movement of the control element is programmed during payout of the arresting system in accordance with the speed of the arrested aircraft. The speed is sensed by a pump driven by the arresting gear tape reel. The program is provided by a cam (also driven by the tape reel through a reduction gear). The control element is moved by a hydraulic drive actuated by an electrical shifting switch, which is triggered when the detected speed of the arrested aircraft exceeds the predetermined speed established by a cam during initial and final phases of payout. The control element is thereby moved from an initial low K to an intermediate K position during the initial phase of payout if the predetermined speed established by the cam is exceeded.

Abstract: The invention consists of an improvement in the art of arresting a moving body through the use of steel cables that elongate to absorb the kinetic energy of the body. The improvement comprises a sleeve which surrounds the cables, protecting them from chafing and providing a failsafe energy absorbing system should the cables fail.

Abstract: The tape for connecting a landing aircraft to a rotary energy absorber, which is arresting it includes at least two longitudinal sections, a leading section and a trailing section. The leading section absorbs the impact shock when the aircraft is first arrested. It, therefore, has longitudinal filaments with a relatively low modulus of elasticity and is, therefore, made of a material, such as nylon, which can absorb considerable impact stress without breaking. The trailing section of the tape is brought into action during the runout of the tape to gradually stop the aircraft. It has longitudinal filaments with a relatively high modulus of elasticity and extremely high tensile strength. Such modulus of elasticity is accordingly above 12.times.10.sup.6 PSI with a tensile strength of at least about 10 grams per denier of 400,000 PSI. A satisfactory trailing section material is, for example, an ultra-high tenacity synthetic fiber, such as Kevlar. Kevlar is the trademark of E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co.

Abstract: A deck for landing an arrested RPV has a row of substantially parallel elastic stringers deployed between a pair of open bed trailers. The stringers are attached to longitudinal rails on the trailers and to wind-up winches for tensioning the stringers. A pendant or net is attached across one of the trailers between a pair of stanchions and is connected to energy absorbers on the other trailer for arresting the landing RPV and dropping it down on the deck. Protruding elements of the RPV slide down inbetween the stringers to protect them from damage as the larger body and wing portions are caught on the stringers.

Abstract: This aircraft arrester net gear comprises at least one flexible frame having each at least one elementary net slidably mounted therein, in such a manner that when a forwardly projecting element of the aircraft engages the net the elementary nets can slide in relation to the frame and the horizontal width of the net mesh normally engaged by the aircraft wings is reduced; for this purpose, open-loop slack portions of the horizontal straps of the elementary nets are provided at each end thereof.

Abstract: In a gear for arresting aircraft at the ends of a takeoff or landing strip, a net is protected against weather conditions by being folded and enclosed in a bag pressed against the strip tarmac by fixed ropes, a movable rope being provided for normally closing said bag. When this rope is released, the net can move out from the bag, the rope movement being associated with the actuation of the posts supporting the lateral ends of the net disposed across the strip.

Abstract: In this device for raising the net of an aircraft arresting gear, a post is pivotally mounted on each side of the strip in a frame structure disposed obliquely to the center line of the strip, this post being pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the piston-rod of a pneumatic cylinder, the net suspension rope passing through the top of each post before being anchored to the ground.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for absorbing impact energy and more particularly to a device to be mounted to a conventional guard rail structure. The device consists of a skein of yarn of undrawn synthetic polymer and preferably nylon 6. The yarn is passed through the holes of a plate which, in turn, is mounted in a gap of a conventional guard rail structure. The weight of the skein is related to the amount of impact energy to be absorbed.

Abstract: A woven fabric belt having a coating of polyurethane on each face and extending through the interstices of the fabric. The polyurethane is the reaction product of a polypropylene ether glycol of 4,4'-methylene di(cyclohexylene isocyanate) cured with p,p'-methylene dianiline and having at least one face of said belt covered with the polyurethane having walnut shell powder incorporated therein.

Abstract: A barricade installation for arresting the motion of a winged space vehicle omprising four rectangular loops of heavy duty nylon rope commonly attached at each corner to a pair of stanchions by tensioning pendants, and at opposite vertical sides to a pair of arresting engines. A plurality of vertical, nylon engaging straps are positioned between top and bottom horizontal ropes at finite intervals along the length thereof in step-wise fashion. Upon engagement of the vertical straps by the vehicle, the rectangular loops break away from the stanchions and move in the direction of forward motion of the vehicle, and loading on the vehicle frame and wing assemblies is equalized during arrestment as the vertical straps are free to move relative to the horizontal ropes.

Abstract: A vehicle traffic-way controller of retractile barrier configuration wherein activation and control is by hydraulics in the form of a pressure source applied from a motor driven pump and directed by a valve to opposite ends of a double acting cylinder and piston actuator to extend and retract the barrier, there being switch control with positive positioning of the barrier and with impact absorbing protection for the hydraulics and structure.

Abstract: An aircraft arresting system providing a controlled, gradual aircraft deceleration is disclosed. The system includes an arresting barrier comprised of a triggering net/parachute combination. The triggering net is aligned transversely to the runway and is actuated by contact with the aircraft nose landing gear. An engaging cable, releasably retained on the triggering net, is then thrust upwardly to entangle the aircraft main landing gear. A pair of parachutes, attached to the engaging cable, are deployed as a result of the continued aircraft motion. Once deployed, the parachutes provide the desired gradual decelerative force to slow the aircraft. The preferred embodiment of the aircraft arresting system includes three arresting barriers spaced a distance longitudinally on the runway to provide a reliable aircraft engagement and a controlled rate of arrest.