Abstract: A bracket for mounting a view screen fixes the screen in a retracted or a deployed position. The bracket has a base plate fixed to an upright panel. A carrier plate both swings and vertically translates on the base plate. Hinged between the base plate and the carrier plate is a bridge plate. The carrier plate holds the screen, whereby swinging the carrier plate away from the base plate will tilt the screen. A latch subassembly disposed on the carrier plate has a finger that locks to either a tang of the bridge plate or a projection of the base plate to hold the bracket respectively in the deployed or the retracted position. The latch subassembly includes a grip-squeeze actuator to release the finger from the bridge plate or the base plate.

Abstract: An electrical outlet or junction box is provided herein for interiorly accommodating at least one electrical device and at least one cable furnished to said box by a manual source. A secure, quick connect and release capability for electrically connecting said cable and electrical device is supplied by one or more terminal blocks that are mounted to an interior wall of said box. These blocks carry at least one receiving means and at least one releasing means along an exterior surface. The box itself, comprises a rear wall which is perimetrically bounded by an outer wall that extends outwardly from said rear wall to define an integral structure with an open front opposite of the rear wall. The electrical device is then energized by supplying said cable with electricity from an external power source.

Abstract: A trailer hitch apparatus for use with a lunette eye mounting includes a housing with a lunette eye on one end. A housing has a plurality of rectangular inserts, the inserts having a recess on one face adapted to hold and enclose a lunette eye and hold the lunette eye of the trailer firmly within the housing. A retention pin extends through the apertures in the housing the lunette eye of the trailer and the apertures in the rectangular inserts to hold the adapter and parts together. For attachment to a towing truck or other vehicle.

Abstract: An improved scheduling system which normally schedules the operation of number of functions using a shared resource based on time considerations is modified so as to provide a means to predict when the system has a condition that may cause the system to operate below the level required to operate all the functions. When the warning condition is triggered, the scheduler shifts to value based system where critical systems are given priority based on their criticality to the survival of the system.

Abstract: A flexible container for the transportation of fluids having means to keep the container in a sufficiently rigid shape that it can be moved and handled using conventional techniques until empty at which time the container can be collapsed for ease of shipment and storage.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle is provided with an elliptical shaped housing, the housing having a circumferential track disposed about its midsection. The circumferential track is driven by a prime mover to rotate the housing and move it over a variety of different terrains. The vehicle is adapted to carry weapons systems for military application.

Abstract: A radiator cap tool for removing a radiator cap comprising a base member that has at least two axially aligned rectangular apertures. A socket drive is disposed on one side to receive the drive portion of a socket handle. Two detents are disposed in the apertures extending orthogonally from the base member to form a gap on the side of the base member opposite the socket drive member. The detents are adjustable to vary the gap between the detents for use on various sized caps.

Abstract: A towing assembly is mounted to the rear of a robotic vehicle. The assembly has motors and hydraulic cylinders which are actuated to manipulate a lunette, pintle or other hitching element. Manipulation of this hitching element brings it into connection with a complementary element on a vehicle to be towed. The motors and cylinders can be remotely controlled and a camera on the robotic vehicle allows a human operator at a remote site to monitor the operation of the towing assembly.

Abstract: An auxiliary ladder is disclosed which can be stored as part of the tailgate of a large truck. The ladder can be rotated into position with its lowest step into ground and a handle deployed to allow easy access to and from the elevated bed of truck.

Abstract: A new method of creating a realistic simulated terrain database results in a database that requires less computer memory for storage than prior simulated terrain databases. The new method generates a simulated surface that provides realistic disturbances to a real-time mathematical model of a vehicle traversing the simulated surface. The simulated surface is also output visually. The method uses fractal Brownian motion to create the high-resolution terrain database in the frequency domain, and then the database is transformed to the spatial domain using a two-dimensional inverse Fast Fourier Transform. Then control points describing a NURBS surface are extracted from the transformed database, and thereafter geometric G1 continuity is created between surface patches represented by the NURBS control points. The surface patches form a high-resolution surface superimposed on a lower resolution surface produced by the image generator to create a hybrid, high-resolution simulated terrain.

Abstract: A headlamp assembly for mounting a headlamp structure on a vehicle frame in a manner to minimize the vibration transmitted to the headlamp. The assembly includes an annular base member that is mounted to the vehicle frame with an opening sufficiently large to receive and surround the base of the headlamp structure without touching the base of the headlamp structure. A plurality of flat metal springs are attached by one end to the annular base at regular spaced intervals and the headlamp structure is attached to the other end of the shaped, flat springs. The springs hold the headlamp structure within the annular base substantially isolated from vibrations that would injure the filaments.

Abstract: A specially designed bolt fastens together two parts of an engine and in particular can fasten together two components of a rocker arm assembly. The bolt is in a bore passing through the two components. The bolt has a full-diameter pilot that closely fits with the bore at a location where the components mate, and thereby locates the components relative to each other. On opposing axial sides of the pilot are reduced-diameter shank portions of the bolt, which form cylindrical gaps with the bore. The pilot has groove communicating the cylindrical gaps, whereby the gaps and grooves form an oil flow path along the bolt. A duct in each component communicates with a respective one of the cylindrical gaps, so that oil flows through one component, along the bolt and then into the other component.

Abstract: A device for mounting a computer or similar article can hold the article in a plurality of orientations. The device has a mounting plate fixed to structural element such as a post, and has a frame plate that hinges to the mounting plate. The article attaches to the frame plate and swings therewith from a retracted position where the frame plate lies along the mounting plate. The article and frame plate can be swung to a deployed position where the frame plate is tilted away from the mounting plate. A slide member connected to the frame plate translates thereon as the plate swings between the retracted and deployed positions. A guide plate is hinged to the slide member and the mounting plate to control translation of the slide. A latch on the frame plate selectively engages an orifice in the mounting plate or a specially designed slot in the slide member so as to lock the frame member in either the retracted or the deployed position.

Abstract: A method of determining the visibility of a target in a background uses search time as the output. A set of images of the target in the background is made, and selected input variables in each image are measured. The input variables relate to target size, target juxtaposition relative to the viewer's location, luminance of the target and luminance of the background scene. One version of our method additionally uses wavelet edge points as an input variable. Each input variable, as well as the output variable, has several applicable membership functions by which membership values are assigned to the variables. Choosing membership functions for variables is done by fuzzy rules. Applying the fuzzy rules and membership functions produces multiple values for the output variable. These values are defuzzified to obtain a crisp end result. This result can disqualify proposed target designs or to help select among several good designs of the target.

Abstract: A wheeled caster assembly engages a carrying case at the handle thereof, but the assembly is easily removed from the case. The caster assembly has a base on which the case rests. The base is supported by a wheeled caster at one end and a strut at the other end. A keel on the underside of the base is disposed between the caster and the strut. The keel contacts the crossbar of the handle such that the upper side of the base faces against the case. A corner of the case fits with a complementary corner formed by the base and an upright flange at the one end of the base.

Abstract: An improved battery case for armored vehicles the case having an inlet and outlet, the case halving means that opens the case for airflow when the interior temperature of the case reaches a predetermined value. The case is further insulated so it will minimize the transfer of heat from the surrounding engine components and armor plate.

Abstract: A starter circuit provides capacitor-assisted energization of a vehicle's starter motor and prevents damage to capacitors in the circuit. The circuit includes a battery, a capacitor pack and a power control switch in the line connecting the pack to the motor and battery. The starter circuit includes a regulator for limiting current flow from the battery to the pack to a selected rate, the regulator being connected between the battery and the pack in parallel with the power control switch. A regulator switch is between the regulator and the capacitor pack. The starter circuit has a control circuit for selectively opening and closing the switches in response to a voltage level of the pack. The control circuit detects the voltage level of the pack, opens the power control switch when the voltage level falls below a predetermined threshold and simultaneously closes the regulator switch.

Abstract: An improved accessory drive device is disclosed where the device will provide a substantial portion of the rated capacity at idle speed, essentially full capacity at a fast or tactical idle speed and will resume normal operating characteristics at highway speeds. The device will revert to the higher yield idle mode when the vehicle remains at idle for a predetermined time.

Abstract: An improved track end connector for a double-pin track assembly of a tracked vehicle includes a novel connector body, a bolt in the connector body, track pins held by the bolt, and a retainer ring engaging both the body and the bolt. The connector body defines a smooth bore having a relief groove holding the retainer ring. The bolt is inserted through the smooth bore until threads at one end of the bolt engage a second, threaded bore in the connector body. As the bolt screws into the threaded bore, a ramp near the bolt's head expands the retainer ring. As the bolt screws further into the threaded bore, a retention groove on the bolt is clinched by the retainer ring, so that the bolt can not unscrew from the threaded bore. A smooth shank portion of the bolt seats with concave depressions in the track pins, so that the track pins do not escape from the connector body.

Abstract: A vehicle interior lighting system for use in military vehicles to minimize infrared signatures under normal operating conditions. The system has a blackout reduced signature capability, emergency interior lighting capability and a removable portion with reduced thermal signature for use in evacuating a disabled vehicle.