Abstract: A quick-attachment fastener has an elongate barrel and a plunger translatable in forward and aft directions in the barrel. A pivot pin in the barrel extends through the plunger and has an axis fixed relative to the barrel. An arm on the pin swings between a retracted position in the barrel and a deployed position where the arm extends from the barrel. An aft facing part of the plunger engages the arm so that a spring biasing the plunger urges the arm toward the deployed position. A forward facing part of the plunger opposes the arm so that aft plunger translation swings the arm to the retracted position.

Abstract: The invention shows a detachable ladder for use with a military and similar ehicles. The ladder has an adjustable mounting apparatus allowing the ladder to be attached to a wide variety of vehicle tailgates. The ladder also has hand holds to be used by personnel entering the vehicle when encumbered with combat gear.

Abstract: An improved tire tensioning system for use with flexible band tracks moun on dual tire sets is disclosed. The tensioning system includes first and second tensioning bars which each have one threaded end connected to a turnbuckle and a second end connected to block fixed to a respective front or rear wheel axle by a ball coupling. Also shown is an improved axle structure which can be used to adjust the toe in/out of the rear tire sets.

Abstract: An auxiliary protection device is attached to the rear of a semitrailer wh resists the tendency of passenger vehicles to go under a trailer upon impact in order to provide an increased measure of safety. In addition, the device to will absorb energy incrementally so as to minimize vehicle damage at low speeds but have sufficient energy absorption to safely prevent incursion at moderate speeds. The device can be moved to a retracted position to allow the trailer to back up a ramp or into a plane with the protection device retracted so as to avoid injury to the ramp.

Abstract: A web structure adapted to retain portions of an armor structure is discld. The structure will prevent or limit the incidence of secondary projectile injuries caused by fastener degradation caused by threat incursion.

Abstract: A microscopy-thermal wave microscopy apparatus for measuring crack propagon resistance based on the lateral crack system induced by forming a hardness indentation in an opaque material the resistance and crack extent providing a quantitative measure of the spalling propensity of the opaque material.

Abstract: The invention provides a structure mounted on the front of a vehicle to cteract wire booby traps set to disable vehicle drivers. The wire cutter has an upright cutting bar mounted on the front of a vehicle and a second cutting bar extending back from the first cutting bar at an angle. The second cutting bar has a cutting hook attached to the end so as to catch and sever any wire which remains uncut when the end of the second bar is reached.

Abstract: A nonlinear shock absorber is disclosed. The device has a housing filled with hydraulic fluid and contains a relatively heavy mass or piston supported by a helical coil. The helical coils disposed and shaped so as to provide a nonlinear resistance to a shock applied to the housing. During shock absorption fluid flows contra to the piston movement with a corresponding elongation of the helical coil spring causing the coil spring to engage an inner wall of the housing to provide for frictional dampening.

Abstract: An anti-lock system for preventing vapor lock is disclosed. It has a temperature sensor which controls the vehicle fuel pump to circulate liquid fuel through the majority of the fuel system when the under hood temperature is above a certain level to maintain liquidity at all times and prevent the formation of vapor in the fuel system.

Abstract: The present invention is a hand operated throttle control system for use h a fuel flow control mounted on an internal combustion engine. A hand piece assembly mounted on the vehicle rotated has an actuator so rotation of the hand piece causes a corresponding rotation of the housing. The actuator has a hydraulic structure which uses the rotation of the hand piece to cause a corresponding hydraulic pressure to cause fuel control modification.

Abstract: An improved modular armor system is disclosed where at least two hooks are sed to hold a modular armor construction in place on a light weight vehicle hull. The hooks may have an associated cushioning means which will help protect the vehicle and crew as well as position the armor.

Abstract: An improved ergonomic knife configuration is disclosed. The knife has a blade with an unsharpened notch formed on the upper, back surface of the blade and a thrust ramp located approximately above the quillion. The knife also has a shaped handle which in combination with a choil and the notch allows the knife to be gripped in a variety of different grips for various uses.

Abstract: The present invention provides protection from lasers with a high nonlinear bsorption structure including a mirror which directs an incident beam to a beam splitter. A focusing lens receives and focuses the radiation to a higher intensity beam which is directed into an absorption material with a third order polarization property. Such materials will cause a two-photon absorption partial attenuation from the intensified beam when the incident radiation intensity is greater than ambient intensity. A focusing mirror receives the partially attenuated beam and reflects and refocuses the partially attenuated beam back through the absorption material, which now acts as a single photon absorption material to further attenuate the beam. The doubly attenuated beam passes through the focusing lens which recollimates the doubly attenuated beam and directs it to the beam splitter which in turn directs the beam to the receiving device.

Abstract: An improved tool is disclosed for use in aligning pulleys. The tool has a shaped configuration with multiple engaging pads adapted to align the pulleys with in about 0.2 degrees.

Abstract: A remote control system is disclosed for use with vehicles having radios. A irst vehicle has a controller attached to the radio for use in sending signals to a second vehicle. The second, remotely controlled, vehicle has a receiver connected to the vehicle radio which receives commands from the first radio to effect the desired motion and action of the second vehicle. The receiver and controller have circuitry which allows them to be reprogrammed to function on various military vehicles and also be attached to the different radio systes in use by the U.S. Military.

Abstract: A reactive armor structure is disclosed for protecting a vehicle. A housing ncloses a chamber attached to the vehicle. A reactive armor sandwich with two rigid plates is mounted transversely across the chamber. The reactive armor sandwich is designed so the explosion of an explosive layer in the reactive armor sandwich causes the rigid plates to rotate so as to strike the penetrator.

Abstract: A hydraulic safety valve adapted to cut or divert the flow of pressurized fluid A hydrau/sudden rupture occurs in the hydraulic system. The valve has a valve body with an inlet port, first and second outlet ports and a sump port. A first valve member controls the inlet port and directs fluid to one of the out let ports and a second valve member disposed within the valve which blocks the sump port when the valve is in operating position and directs the flow of pressurized fluid into the sump when the system pressure fails.

Abstract: An eye protection device for protection against a broad spectrum of incid high intensity radiation includes a beam splitter which transmits the radiation to a first focusing lens which in turn focuses the radiation on a first mirror. The first mirror has a sacrificial surface which desorbs if the radiation has a predetermined minimum intensity. A second lens receives radiation reflected from the first mirror and directs the beam orthogonally onto a second mirror. The beam reflects off the second mirror and is directed back through the second lens which refocuses the beam onto the surface of the first mirror at the original area. When the initial beam was above the minimum, reflectivity at this location will have been destroyed and the beam will pass harmlessly through the mirror. If the initial beam does not destroy the surface, the beam will be reflected back to the beam splitter and then to a receiving device.

Abstract: A braking mechanism linkage for use in a braking system can be applied by ther a service brake actuator or a parking brake actuator to brake a tracked vehicle. Each actuator when applied to the linkage results in a different type of linkage motion to apply a single brake. The parking brake mode has a locking mechanism associated therewith to keep the brake applied until released to prevent motion of the vehicle until the parking brake is released. The service braking mode returns to an unengaged position upon release of the actuator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a test and repair test kit for auxiliary power units for military vehicles. The test and repair test kit allows the easy diagnosis of problems and the ability to verify their repair on a mobile platform without the need of the vehicle. The test and repair test kit is self contained and provides the auxiliarry power unit with fuel and power allowing the complete operation of the auxiliary power unit. Repairs of the auxiliary power unit are facilitated because the operator is allowed easy access to major components while attached to the test and repair stand.