Abstract: A system for storing articles can have at least two operating modes. In the first mode, gases are evacuated from the system whereby the articles are stored at a pressure less than the pressure at the exterior of the system. In the second mode, gases are evacuated while the system is open to the admittance of gases from the exterior of the system whereby the articles are ventilated by the admitted gases. The system also can have a third operating mode wherein both the first and second modes are rendered inoperative. The storage system can function so that when the articles are stored in the first mode, gases are intermittently removed from the system whereby the pressure at which the articles are stored is maintained at less than the pressure at the exterior of the system. The storage system can be located in a refrigeration appliance such as a household refrigerator.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a cable pull of a vehicle parking brake includes an actuating lever rotatable about a first axis, a pull element and a locking element. The pull element includes a pull rod and a guide housing, wherein the pull rod includes notches and is spring-loaded in an actuating direction of the cable pull. The guide housing is pivotably mounted about a second axis disposed outside a line defined by the actuating direction. The locking element includes a latch part releasably engaging the notches of the pull rod, wherein the locking element is mounted pivotably with respect to the guide housing, wherein a force acting in the actuating direction of the cable pull creates a torque on the pull element about the second axis that is proportional to the force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking assembly for a rocking chair. The locking assembly includes a pair of jaws mounted to the body-supporting portion of the chair and a set of pins mounted to the chair base portion of the chair. The jaws are operable to engage a selected pin to lock the body-supporting portion of the chair relative the chair base portion in a position that corresponds to the selected pin. The jaws include gripping faces that spread apart to define a recess when the locking assembly is operated. At the same time the gripping faces move toward the pin to cause the pin to enter the recess such that the pin becomes wedged in the recess.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking assembly for a rocking chair. The locking assembly includes a pair of jaws mounted to the body-supporting portion of the chair and a set of pins mounted to the chair base portion of the chair. The jaws are operable to engage a selected pin to lock the body-supporting portion of the chair relative the chair base portion in a position that corresponds to the selected pin. The jaws include gripping faces that spread apart to define a recess when the locking assembly is operated. At the same time the gripping faces move toward the pin to cause the pin to enter the recess such that the pin becomes wedged in the recess.

Abstract: A manual type tilting apparatus of a vehicle is provided to improve convenience of a driver who can take an action to release the intermeshed state of a movable latch member of an upper steering column and a fixed latch member of a lower steering column and conveniently adjust the slope of the steering axis for a tilting operation while the driver's both hands hold the steering handle at the same time, the apparatus having the upper steering column and the lower steering column coupled at the upper steering column by a pivot point for rotation, a movable latch member with a long hole mounted to rotate at the upper steering column, and a fixed latch member formed at the lower steering column to selectively intermesh with the movable latch member, wherein the movable latch member rotates so as to be detached from the fixed latch member via movable latch member manipulating means eccentrically inserted into the long hole by repeating protrusion and insertion with one touch system, thereby releasing the inte

Abstract: An adjustable retaining bracket for securing a display panel to a stationary object. The invention provides a retaining bracket having a latching arm, with a rounded nose, pivotally connected to the bracket. The latching arm engages a corresponding latching pin located on a support arm. The support arm is secured to a display panel and pivotally attached to the mounting bracket using bolts. The invention is then secured to the existing store shelving using nuts and bolts. The latching arm contains at least one detent and is used to retain the display panel at a variety of viewing angles depending upon which detent engages the latching pin. When the display panel is rotated counterclockwise (toward the store shelving), the latching pin of the support arm engages the rounded nose of the latching arm, raises the arm and comes to rest in a detent position. Further movement of the sign will move the sign to the next detent position (if available).

Abstract: A parking brake operating mechanism having a brake apply pedal arm module and a housing module pivotally mounted on a vehicle. The housing contains a linearly movable toothed rack operatively connected to one end of the pedal arm for movements by that arm and operatively connected at its other end to a front brake cable which is operatively connected to one or more vehicle parking brakes to be tensioned for parking brake application, a pawl member having a pawl tooth selectively engaged with a tooth of the rack to lock the rack in a brake applied position, and a pawl release mechanism which when activated moves the pawl tooth out of engagement with the rack tooth, permitting the rack and the pedal arm to be returned to the parking brake released position by the brake apply tension in the brake cable.

Abstract: A caging system for a magnetized rotor of a gyro. A capacitive detector dcts amounts of linear deflection of the rotor, from an upright position, over time. A computer calculates the linear deflection velocity of the rotor. A power supply sends an amount of current to an electromagnetic coil dependent on the amount of linear deflection velocity of the rotor. An electromagnetic field from the electromagnetic coil moves the rotor to an upright position.

Abstract: An integrated electrostatically-controlled micromechanical gyroscope with a rotor encompassed within a rotor cavity and electrostatically spun within the cavity. The gyroscope includes a plurality of axial electrostatic rotor actuators above and below the rotor for controlling the axial and tilt position of the rotor within the cavity, and a plurality of radial electrostatic actuators spaced circumferentially around the rotor for controlling the radial and tilt position of the rotor within the cavity. The position of the rotor within the cavity is then resolved to determine the external forces acting on the rotor.

Abstract: In a tilt steering column assembly, there is provided a tilt lock mechanism comprising upper and lower toothed bars which extend along the column assembly, and which are formed with rack-like teeth, and pivotally supported by upper and lower steering columns, respectively. The bars are both placed between two side walls of a lock member having inclined cam slots which move the bars into and out of engagement. The toothed bars engaged with each other to lock the tilt steering column assembly securely in a selected tilt position.

Abstract: A steering column including a steering wheel mounted on a tilt-housing of the steering column for up and down pivotal movement about a first transverse axis and a shroud or bezel on the tilt-housing. The shroud has a viewing port therein and a drum is supported on the tilt-housing behind the shroud for rotation about a second transverse axis parallel to the first transverse axis. An outer cylindrical wall of the drum having graphic symbols thereon is partially visible through the viewing port so that the symbols scroll across the viewing port as the drum rotates about the second transverse axis. A connecting rod has a first end pivotally connected to a stationary part of the steering column and a second end pivotally connected to a side of the drum eccentric relative to the second transverse axis so that the drum rotates about the second transverse axis concurrently with up and down pivotal movement of the tilt-housing.

Abstract: An inertial sensor block comprising a sensor block base, an inertial sensors mounting element rotatably mounted with respect to the sensor block base for rotation about a rotation axis and a gyroscope mounted onto the mounting element and having its gyroscope spin axis inclined with respect to the rotation axis.

Abstract: A structure of a tiltable steering column applicable to a steering column of a vehicular steering system having a jump-up mechanism is disclosed in which a substantially flat rod member serving as a lock plate is formed with a plurality of parallel lock grooves aligned on at least one surface of the lock plate, i.e., a pair of lock pins are extended in a space between walls of a link member for engaging and disengaging with and from the lock grooves to adjustably lock and unlock a tilt angle of a related steering shaft according to a pivotal movement of a release lever, and a shoe portion formed on the other end of the lock plate is grasped by means of a pair of rollers provided on the link member(s).

Abstract: A collapsible, energy absorbing steering column having a tilt-adjustable steering wheel thereon includes a blocking member on the tilt-housing supporting the steering wheel which moves from a non-blocking position to a blocking position at the onset of energy absorbing collapse. In the blocking position, the blocking member prevents actuating movement of the tilt-adjust release lever so that the tilt-adjusted position of the steering wheel is captured throughout the energy absorbing event.

Abstract: An adjusting device to vary the inclination of a steering column of a motor vehicle comprises a rectangular frame which surrounds a casing tube accommodating the steering column, braces the same against the vehicle body and acts additionally as a guide lever for pivotal adjusting movement of the steering column. A motor driven adjusting mechanism is anchored at a fixed angle to the frame and to the casing tube and operates to pivotally adjust the steering column inclination.

Abstract: A gyroscope constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a flywheel (220) which can oscillate with at least two degrees of freedom about a central position in which the flywheel axis is aligned with the axis of a drive shaft (200), the flywheel being held radially and rotated relative to the body (100) of the apparatus. The gyroscope also includes a set of electrodes (101 to 104) for electrostatically controlling the position or for detecting the position of the flywheel. The electrodes are fixed relative to the body and face corresponding conducting surfaces of the flywheel. In accordance with the invention, the gyroscope further includes a rigid spinning casing (250) which encloses the flywheel in such a manner as to interpose a dielectric surface between the corresponding conducting surfaces of the flywheel and each electrode, the casing being fixed to the flywheel drive shaft but not having any degrees of freedom in oscillation relative to the body other than being free to spin.

Abstract: A pivotable steering column is adjustable to any of a number of angular positions defined by the teeth of two elements of a first locking device. A manual lever can be raised to disable the first lock and allow selection of a different steering wheel inclination. The steering wheel can be moved to its uppermost position by lowering the manual lever once. In this case, the first lock maintains engagement of the teeth of the aforementioned two element, and a powerful spring pulls the steering column upward to the uppermost position irrespective of the first lock. A second lock then becomes wedged between the pivotable and stationary parts of the steering column, thus holding the former in the uppermost position. Lowering the manual lever a second time disengages the second lock, allowing the steering column tilt cown from the uppermost position. Thus, the steering column returns to an originally set driving position defined by locking engagement of the first lock.

Abstract: A fluid sphere gyroscope is used as the north-seeking sensing element in a gyrocompass. A sensor responsive to angular deviation of the gyroscope from the horizontal provides a tilt signal which is used to energize heating elements located along the independent spin axis of a rotating fluid mass. Application of a thermal gradient along the spin axis of the fluid mass causes a controlled precession of the gyroscope, thereby compensating for bias and acceleration sensitive drift errors and precessing the gyroscope about a vertical axis in a controlled manner. Rotary transformers permit inductive coupling of the heating elements to the tilt signal and to a power source with minimal disturbing torques.

Abstract: In a tiltable steering mechanism wherein a support portion for rotatably supporting a steering shaft on which a steering wheel is mounted is provided for tilting about a tilt axis relative to a fixed portion fixed to a vehicle body, the tilt axis is defined by a pair of tilt fulcrum forming members and an engaging portion is provided in one of the support portion and the fixed portion positioned at the intermediate portion between the two tilt fulcrums, and a restraining member for engaging the engaging portion to fix the support portion to the fixed portion at a desired tilt angle is movably provided in the other of the support portion and the fixed portion. Accordingly, the support portion is fixed to the fixed portion with a great steering wheel holding force and high steering wheel supporting rigidity.

Abstract: A steering column tilt adjusting device allows the tilt of the upper steering column to be adjusted with finer resolution than is normally possible with the same latching hardware. In this case, sets of interengageable teeth of constant pitch are employed. One set of teeth is on a latch plate biased toward latching engagement but releasable by a manually operated lever. The other set of teeth is on a plate linked to the tiltable portion of the steering column. The linkage is such that the plate moves through a smaller angle of displacement than does the movable portion of the steering column. Thus, the teeth on the plate can be relatively coarse while allowing fine adjustment of the steering column position.

Abstract: A steering column for vehicles incorporating an improved tiltable steering wheel head assembly having a separable switch housing that accommodates a wide range of plug-in control switches, the tilt head assembly is pivotally mounted in a one-piece stamped tilt head support which has a neck portion telescoped in and welded to the upper end of the mast jacket.

Abstract: A dual brake pedal lock mechanism includes a pair of lock members individually mounted on a shaft for limited pivotal movement relative thereon. The shaft has a handle connected thereto for respectively bringing the pair of lock members into engagement with racks of teeth of a pair of brake pedals so as to retain them in respective depressed, brake-engage positions. The mountings of the pair of lock members permit one brake pedal to be depressed further than the other without effecting disengagement of the other brake pedal from its associated lock member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a seat recliner adjustment mechanism for a wheelchair having an upper back rest frame pivotally mounted to a lower seat frame. The adjustment mechanism includes an elongate rack member pivotally mounted to the lower seat frame and having a plurality of spaced apart detent engaging means extending along one side thereof. A locking mechanism is mounted on the back rest frame and includes a detent element engageable with a selected one of the detent engaging means of the rack member for maintaining the back rest frame in a selected reclined position. The locking mechanism includes a wedge element normally biased in a locked position to urge the rack member into locking engagement with the detent element. The wedge element is moveable to a released position wherein the rack member is disengaged from the detent element to enable the back rest frame to pivot relative to the lower seat frame.

Abstract: A caging mechanism for caging the inner gimbal of a directional gyroscope to a horizontal position. Depression of an actuator rod turns a caging disc which is simultaneously moved linearly toward the inner gimbal by an angled ramp surface. A pair of pins pushed by the disc have enlarged heads that act against cams on the inner gimbal to provide the caging action. The actuator rod is equipped with an override spring that cushions the caging force and permits additional depression of the rod for caging of the outer gimbal.

Abstract: A gyro device arranged to be mounted in a vehicle and operable selectively as a directional gyro or as a gyro compass, which includesa gyro generating signals relative to two measuring directions, an azimuth gimbal mounted with its pivot axis oriented substantially vertically, a drive unit connected to receive the signal from a first position sensor and for pivoting a precession gimbal supported by the azimuth gimbal about a precession axis into a position in which the gyro spin axis is parallel to the pivot axis of said azimuth gimbal, a second position sensor providing a signal representative of the inclination of the precession axis to the horizontal, and a switching member for effecting pivoting of the precession gimbal about the precession axis to bring the spin axis of the gyro into a horizontal orientation for permitting operation of the device as a directional gyro.

Abstract: A brake mechanism (10) operable to maintain an air operable control drive mechanism (12) in position in the event of failure of the air supply is disclosed. A first rack section (22) is attached to a control lever (16) of the control drive mechanism (12) and is engagable in any operable position of the control lever (16) by a second arcuate rack section (24). A compression spring (62) acting on a toggle mechanism (28) biases the racks into engagement, and an air cylinder assembly (26) acting on the toggle mechanism (28) against the compression spring (62) maintains the second rack section (24) out of engagement with the first rack section (22) so long as the air supply to the air cylinder assembly (26) is maintained.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism can rotate a gyroscopic device about its spin axis. The mechanism has a support that rotatably supports the gyroscopic device. This mechanism also has restraint apparatus for holding the gyroscopic device in one of two angularly displaced positions. The mechanism includes also a driver such as a stepper motor for driving the gyroscopic device between the two angularly displaced positions. In one embodiment the input axis of a gyroscope is moveable between a vertical and horizontal position to change the mode of operation from direction finding to north seeking, respectively.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a quick release latch mechanism for controlling reclining movement of a vehicle seat back. A spring loaded pawl is engageable with an articulated slidable arm to latch the seat at a desired reclining position. The pawl is pivoted so as to bias the arm away from the teeth thereon due to an angular relationship between the pawl and arm when the arm is released for movement. A cam plate having a lost motion connection with a manual operator controls opening of the latch mechanism.

Abstract: The gyrocompass includes an improved indexing mechanism whereby the mechanical position of the gyroscope casing with respect to two orthogonal components of input rate may be measured.

Abstract: A movable linkage has a surface of travel in which a generally V-shaped notch with edges is formed. A rotatable cam follower has first and second sides meeting to form a corner that fits in the notch. One of the sides of the cam follower is urged by a spring against the surface of travel of the linkage. The spring force acts in a direction transverse to one side of the notch and along the other surface of the notch. An arcuate concave relief on the first side of the cam follower adjacent to the corner is shaped to embrace one edge of the notch without such edge bottoming on the cam follower as the corner of the cam follower enters the notch.

Abstract: A movable linkage has a surface of travel in which a generally V-shaped notch with edges is formed. A rotatable cam follower has first and second sides meeting to form a corner that fits in the notch. One of the sides of the cam follower is urged by a spring against the surface of travel of the linkage. The spring force acts in a direction transverse to one side of the notch and along the other surface of the notch. An arcuate concave relief on the first side of the cam follower adjacent to the corner is shaped to embrace one edge of the notch without such edge bottoming on the cam follower as the corner of the cam follower enters the notch.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrostatically supported ball type gyroscope pickoff system for determining the attitude (i.e., angular orientation) of the ball spin axis relative to the gyroscope case for any arbitrary attitude. The gyroscope case is provided with a set of electrostatic electrodes arrayed in three-dimensional space. A levitating electric field is maintained between the ball and the electrodes. The ball is so constructed as to be unbalanced about its spin axis. Under such conditions, as the ball spins, it orbits, and its surface alternately advances towards and recedes from any given electrode at the spin frequency, producing a field modulation signal. The phase pattern of the modulation signals at the several electrodes is a unique function of the attitude of the spin axis relative to the electrodes. Means are provided for processing the modulation signals so as to determine the attitude of the ball.

Abstract: Apparatus for stabilizing a platform characterized by a frame carrying a stabilizing gyroscope that includes a substantially horizontal rotor with its shaft fixed with respect to the frame so as to effect a precessing force 90.degree. in the direction of rotation responsive to a torque force on the shaft in any azimuthal direction in a horizontal plane; a shifting carriage for shifting a load carrying compartment to move its center of gravity with respect to the frame to a plurality of successive second locations to offset to a desired degree a torque force and the reactive precessing force; and a control device for detecting a slight change in attitude from a desired attitude and effecting via the shifting carriage a controlled shifting of the load carrying compartment to a new second location to reestablish the desired attitude. The invention is readily applicable to vertical take-off and landing craft or other platforms having a lifting device connected therewith.

Abstract: Apparatus for centering the inertial member of a gyroscope or an accelerometer wherein the member is maintained in suspension by means of electric fields between electrodes. Three pairs of electrodes are provided, each pair positioned to apply forces on the inertial member along one of three orthogonal axes and each being energized by an electronic channel. A dither signal is introduced into one of the channels. If the inertial member is not perfectly centered between the support electrodes, cross-coupling of electric forces between the channels will occur. Therefore, miscentering of the inertial member will result in appearance of signals in the other two channels corresponding to the dither signal introduced into the first channel. The polarity and the amplitude of such signals are indicative of the direction and the magnitude of miscentering and provide the information which is fed back into the suspension servo to close an automatic adaptive precision centering loop.

Abstract: A parking brake mechanism for use on vehicles of the type normally using a hand-actuated brake, such as snowmobiles, motorcycles, bicycles and the like. Normally, the hand actuated brake is mounted on a handle bar assembly of the vehicle. The brake includes a lever adjacent a hand grip portion and is pivotally mounted thereon. The brake lever, when manually operated, moves from a brake disengaged position to a brake engaged position. The brake lever is normally biased to a brake disengaged position. A brake cable is normally operatively connected to the brake lever, at one of its ends, and at its other end, is operatively connected to a brake, the lever moving the cable from a brake disengaged position to a brake engaged position. The parking brake mechanism includes a U-shaped actuator member, straddling the hand grip portion, and is movably carried thereon.

Abstract: A gyroscopic stable reference system for navigable craft is provided that provides heading, pitch, and roll outputs substantially free of errors at all aircraft attitudes.