Abstract: A starter-generator brush has first and second juxtaposed carbon wafers. A first copper plate is provided on a recessed back surface of the first carbon wafer. A first electrically conductive hammer place has a first copper back plate on a recessed back surface of the second carbon wafer and a first top plate extending from the first back plate at an acute angle therewith. First and second solid copper rivets extend through the first copper plate and first and second side holes of the first carbon wafer and affix the first copper plate to the first wafer with the first copper plate in juxtaposition with the back surface of the first wafer. Brush pigtails are accommodated in first and second top holes of the first wafer and have a first end in electrical contact with the first and second solid copper rivets.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering properly positioned rivets to a hopper and including a venturi station, a conduit connected to the venturi station for delivering the rivets from the venturi station to the hopper and having a restricted end for automatically properly positioning the rivets, a rivet shaped slot for introducing the rivets into the venturi station, and components for creating a suction in the venturi station so that when the rivets are introduced into the venturi station by the rivet shaped slot the rivets are drawn by the suction created by the suction creating components through the venturi station and the delivering conduit from the rivet shaped slot to the restricted end of the delivering conduit where the rivets are automatically properly positioned in the hopper for riveting.

Abstract: A fluid actuator includes an internal lock assembly for locking an actuator piston to a cylinder of the actuator. A circumferential slot is located on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall for receiving locking latches which are radially extendable and retractable on the piston, and ball bearings are located between an inner aspect of each latch and a first abutment member on the piston. A second abutment member has a thickness less than about half the diameter of the ball bearings and is adapted to become wedged between the ball bearings and the first abutment means to force the latches radially outwardly into the slot for locking the piston relative to the cylinder and thereafter to abut only the latches to maintain locking.

Abstract: A device that can be ridden for recreation and exercise. The device has an upright annular spring body member with a seat and a handle on the upper segment of the body annulus. In use, the rider straddles the device and with his feet planted on the riding surface, flexes his legs to impose his weight on the device to store energy therein. This cycle is followed by the rider extending his legs to release the stored energy. This jouncing sequence is repeated and the rhythmic build up of energy causes the device and its rider to be bouncingly propelled across the riding surface. In a second embodiment, stirrups are provided in the lower segment of the body annular for the rider's feet. In a third embodiment, the body member has supports for the rider's feet suspended from the seat.

Abstract: A transient air and surface contact vehicle for transporting a person has a fuselage structure for carrying a person. A vehicle support extends from the structure and abuts a surface and thereby supports the vehicle at a predetermined distance above the surface. A buoyancy control device mounted on the structure and on the vehicle support provides for the buoyancy required to keep the vehicle afloat while stationary and at low speeds. At high speed the dynamic pressures generated at the bottom of the struts provide the supporting forces. A power source is mounted on the structure for moving the vehicle along the surface at the predetermined distance above the surface. A position control mounted on the structure produces a positive pitching moment to cause the vehicle to become airborne, a negative pitching moment to maintain the vehicle in surface-following contact with the surface and both moments to control the altitude of the vehicle when it is airborne.

Abstract: A composite VTOL vehicle comprising a VTOL carrier with outboard mounted engines and an aircraft which is lifted off and retrieved by the carrier.

Abstract: A plastic molding, such as a key top with signals or letters appearing on its face, has a first part molding having projections formed at its top defined an enclosed area. A second part molding of a color other than that of the first part molding is adhered to the surface of the first part molding in a manner permitting the ends of the projections to be exposed. The first part molding has a plurality of through holes formed in mesh configuration. At least one of the projections corresponds to at least one of the through holes. The second part molding is adhered to the first part molding to be buried in the plastic material of the second part molding. Part of the plastic material of the first part molding is filled into the enclosed area via the through holes. In a method of making such plastic molding, an inner member of the mold die may be used commonly regardless of the sign or letter provided in the plastic molding.

Abstract: A rotatable platform rotatably mounted in a refrigerated compartment is adapted to support a plurality of chunks of meat thereon. An arm in the refrigerated compartment is in operative proximity with the platform and mounted to sweep chunks of meat off the platform. A meat grinder in the refrigerated compartment below the platform catches and grinds chunks of meat swept off the platform. The meat grinder has an output opening formed through its bottom, whereby meat ground by the meat grinder is provided at the output opening. A drive in the refrigerated compartment coupled to the platform and the meat grinder rotates the platform and operates the meat grinder to grind meat supplied to it. A patty member is placed in the refrigerated compartment beneath the output opening of the meat grinder, whereby ground meat at the output opening is dropped onto the patty member. The patty member has an upper surface and a plurality of depressions formed in the upper surface.

Abstract: An index tab for use in conjunction with computer paper includes a female jaw and a male jaw pivotally attached along a common edge such that they are movable between an open position and a closed position wherein projections from the male jaw extend through perforations along the margin of the computer paper and frictionally engage registered apertures in the female jaw. A tab section is attached to and extends from the common edge and extends outwardly from the margin of the computer paper.

Abstract: A security mounting arrangement for securing at least one computer and at least one piece of peripheral equipment to a surface. The arrangement has a first pad which contains a mounting aperture and a plurality of peripheral apertures and is fixedly attached to each of the at least one computer, a lock for securing the first pad to the surface, epoxy is used for fixedly attaching the first pad to each of the at least one computer, a second pad fixedly attached to each of the at least one piece of peripheral equipment and containing an aperture, epoxy is used for fixedly attaching the second pad to each of the at least one piece of peripheral equipment, and a cable is used for securing each of the at least one piece of peripheral equipment to the first pad.

Abstract: A primary and at least one backup alternating voltage source are coupled to a common load to provide interrupt free electric current to the load through a simplified interconnecting network. Phase control of all but one of the sources is accomplished by monitoring the phase difference across choke coils coupling the sources to the load.

Abstract: A self-contained, standby flight instrument includes sensors, processing circuitry, rechargeable power supply, voltage regulation circuitry, and display hardware arranged to provide a continuous display of aircraft airspeed, altitude, roll, pitch and heading regardless of any partial or complete failure in the primary instrumentation, an interrelated subsystem, or the electric power supply.

Abstract: A charge coupled device transfers a charge via a meandering route in a channel having at least one bend. The selected channel bending angle has a maximum of two right angles, or 180.degree.. When the channel bending angle is less than 180.degree., the channel may be formed into a ring by being bent a plurality of times. The gate electrode is of simple rectangular form, and is bent at the same angle as the channel where the channel is bent. If the channel is bent at 180.degree., a signal injected from an input end is transferred to an area adjacent to the input end. The signal may be injected again at the input end for circulation, after amplification.

Abstract: A vane pivotally mounted atop a wind turbine, rotatably mounted on a support structure, rotates freely with the wind. A cam is affixed to and rotatable with the vane. A toothed wheel is stationarily affixed to the support structure. A pair of pawls are mounted atop the wind turbine in operative proximity with the cam and the toothed wheel. Thus, when the vane rotates to align itself with a new wind vector, the cam rotates with the vane and disengages one of the pawls from the toothed wheel thereby permitting the wind turbine to rotate in the direction of rotation of the vane until the wind turbine is aligned with the vane at which point both the pawls engage the toothed wheel, locking the wind turbine in aligned position with the wind.

Abstract: A charge coupled device transfers a charge via a meandering route in a channel having at least one bend. The selected channel bending angle has a maximum of two right angles, or 180.degree.. When the channel bending angle is less than 180.degree., the channel may be formed into a ring by being bent a plurality of times. The gate electrode is of simple rectangular form, and is bent at the same angle as the channel where the channel is bent. If the channel is bent at 180.degree., a signal injected from an input end is transferred to an area adjacent to the input end. The signal may be injected again at the input end for circulation, after amplification.

Abstract: A data base management system of a data processing system handles a hierarchical structure model. Matrix type data, considered as having different hierarchical structure in accordance with the application, is effectively handled by storing in the form of one-dimensional data in a file device and making up the desired hierarchical structure when used. This is accomplished by providing first order address information and designating a scheme code which defines the desired hierarchical structure when the data is utilized by a user.

Abstract: A support device for supporting first and second units has an instrument platform having first and second spaced opposite parallel planar surfaces. The instrument platform is rotatably supported for rotation about an axis of rotation. A first joining subassembly pivotally mounts the first unit on the first surface of the instrument platform for rotation about an axis spaced from and parallel to the axis of rotation. A first pair of locking devices lock the first unit in abutting relation to the first surface in locked position and release the first unit to hang freely at various angles with the first surface in unlocked position whereby the first unit is in playing position when the instrument platform is horizontal with the first surface up and in stored position, hanging from the first surface, when the instrument platform is horizontal with the first surface down.

Abstract: Swimming apparatus for improved propulsion includes fluked foot flippers constructed to include a stiff load-bearing frame member in the leading edge of the fluke. As the flipper is pumped by the swimmer, a web secured to the frame member is caused to cup the flowing water by arching its surface. The flipper permits arching of the web and bending of the frame member both upward and downward, thereby creating a powerful stream of water propelled to the rear and resulting in a powerful propulsive forward thrust of the swimmer. The thrust is further enhanced by applying precisely formed hydrofoil cross-sectional or chordwise shaping to the fluke to accelerate the flow of water into the pocket. This flow also creates a lifting force which is in the direction of the fluke's motion and thus supports the kicking effort. In addition, spanwise hydrodynamic shaping serves to guide a greater volume of water into the pocket thereby further increasing the propulsive thrust.

Abstract: A charge coupled device has a meandering charge path formed by a channel stop of unique shape. The channel stop is of interdigitated pattern, and the gate electrodes form a straight strip. The channel stop pattern and an asymmetric depletion layer formed within the channel cause the transfer of the charge through the channel via the meandering charge path. A transversal filter and imaging device are readily provided by extracting the signal from one or both sides of the channel.