Abstract: Processes and apparatus in the field of Terradynamics, e. g. projectile penetration into soils and rocks, employing "open chamber" firing systems using "Trounds" (triangular rounds of ammunition). Included are salvo firings of small calibre projectiles for "shock wave" interaction drilling application of residual gun gases to actuate drill heads and/or reamers; a continuous self-contained feed system for feeding ammunition to be fired and removing and storing the used cases; remote self contained powering of the ammunition feed and storage by recoil of the gun, residual gun gases, electrical batteries, and/or combinations thereof; absorption of excess residual gun gas in an ambient environment of over 5000 psi external to the gun; and automatic clearing of the gun barrels from mud and or debris when embedded in a high pressure drilling mud external to a gun drill.

Abstract: A rocket launching mechanism for a shoulder held weapon which permits substantialy continuous loading and firing. A two trigger system is employed -- one for firing the rocket and a second for releasing a stop mechanism which permits a spring drive means to advance a rotary feed mechanism. The rockets are loaded into a magazine which includes a cylindrical outer housing member and an inner rotor member which cooperate to form individual chambers for the rockets. A trap door means is provided in the outer housing to permit access to the rocket chambers, whereby misfired rockets may be removed, and the magazine may be readily loaded and reloaded in the field.

Abstract: An electrical connector is shown having a pin protector molded into its connector housing. The protector has a plurality of elongated, stamped apertures along one edge formed with offset perimeters which extend into the molded housing for increasing the contact surface between the housing and pin protector molded therein.

Abstract: An improved electrical crimp removable socket contact is shown, having a box-like section capable of mating with a square wrap post or round pin at one end and an open barrel section for crimping a wire and its insulation at the other end. The box-like section and open barrel section are joined by a central box section which includes a retention leaf spring and an internal stop for controlling the seating of the socket contact upon the square wrap post or round pin while, at the same time, providing a stop for the wire and strengthening the box sections when the contact is crimped onto the wire.

Abstract: An integral servomechanism is shown that mounts a synchro receiver in the form of a control transformer, a torque motor, an isolation transformer and associated electronic circuitry integrally within a housing wherein the transformer permits the utilization of integrated circuits by providing voltages stepped down from the line voltage while isolating the control transformer from the line voltage.

Abstract: A harness cable connector is shown which receives a plurality of insulated wires by a press fit for retaining the wires in a spaced configuration during insertion and assembly of the wires in a printed circuit board. The cable connector is then rolled and locked into the printed circuit board to provide strain relief for the harness cable.

Abstract: A miniature electrical connector is shown having an insulated housing with a bore passing therethrough including a large passageway and a reduced passageway joined by an inwardly tapering surface. A contact is received by the passageway having three uniformly spaced, triangular based protrusions whose sides form a sharp tapered edge which tapers at a greater angle than the inwardly tapered surface of the passage for engaging that surface as the contact is inserted therein. The contact is provided with leaf spring latches which snap outwardly once beyond the reduced portion of the passageway to prevent the unauthorized removal of the contact therefrom. The uniformly spaced protrusions having sharp edges tapering at a greater angle than the inwardly tapering surface of the passage cause the contact to be self-centering while stably retaining the contact within the passageway.

Abstract: A multi-wire wiper contact is shown formed from a plurality of conductive and nonconductive wires wrapped about a mandrel to form a flat set of wires helically wrapped into a coil. The wire coil is then masked with a desired pattern and the unmasked wire is plated with a conductive metal. The metal plate which forms on the unmasked portions of the wire does not form on those unmasked wires which are nonconductive. After plating, the masking is removed, one set of wire is cut, and the wire set and plated portions holding that set are removed from the mandrel in a continuous flat strand of wire with the nonconductive wire forming a parting line for the strand. The nonconductive wire is removed from the strand and the strand is then cut and shaped into a multi-wire wiper contact for use in potentiometers and other electromechanical devices.