Abstract: A flatbed railcar is provided which may be utilized for the transport of relatively lightweight bulky articles, as well as relatively heavy articles such as steel beams. The railcar includes a number of components which cooperate to allow such diversity of uses. A rectangular base structure is provided. A substantially planar deck is secured to the upper surface of the rectangular base structure. A plurality of rail wheel assemblies are coupled to the lower surface of the base structure. The rail wheel assemblies are adapted for engaging a railroad. A first bulkhead member is coupled to a first end of the base structure. A second bulkhead member is coupled to the second end of the base structure. A vertical center partition member is also provided. The vertical center partition member is substantially perpendicular to the base structure. It is located along a longitudinal centerline relative to the base structure.

Abstract: A panel insert for use with a structural panel and a fastener having a hold out mechanism. The panel insert comprises a body portion disposed within the structural panel. The body portion includes a first surface, an opposing second surface, and an aperture passing therethrough for receiving the fastener. A recessed portion opening to the second surface is provided to receive the hold out mechanism and secure the fastener to the structural panel.

Abstract: A monitoring and control system for use in curing composite materials includes a model for a workpiece being cured. The model calculates current internal states of the workpiece and predicts, based upon past and current states of the workpiece, future states of the cure process. These future states are represented as virtual inputs to the controller, which controls operation of the cure process based upon both real and virtual inputs. Cure rates are affected by both external temperatures and internal heat generated by the curing process itself. The internally generated heat is considered by the model when calculating current states and predicting future states. By projecting the cure state into the future, problems caused by high cure rates can be avoided. In addition, pressure can be optimally controlled in response to estimated internal material state.

Abstract: A removable hoisting apparatus for use on an aircraft to hoist cargo and people into the aircraft. The removable hoisting apparatus comprises a base member, a telescoping mast member, a boom member, and a hoist assembly carried by the boom member. The base member is of negligible weight and is adapted for attachment to the floor of the aircraft. The telescoping mast has a bottom portion and a top portion. The bottom portion is releasably connected to the base member, and the top portion is releasably connected to the bottom portion. The top portion extends through an opening in the aircraft. A shoulder member is connected to the top portion, and a boom member is connected to the shoulder member. A rigid link member connects the boom member to the aircraft. The removable hoisting apparatus can be quickly removed from the aircraft by releasing only three quick-release fasteners, leaving only the base member attached to the aircraft.

Abstract: An improved vehicle glareshield having a structural body having a predetermined size and shape adapted to protect an instrument panel in a vehicle from glare; and a plurality of controlled strength members carried in said structural body which collapse in a controlled manner upon high force impact by an occupant in order to reduce a deceleration force experienced by an occupant upon impact with said instrument panel.

Abstract: Massage and relief bandage device for persons vulnerable to bedsores (decuibitus ulcer), having a bag device of a flexible material, particularly cloth, which is filled with foamed plastic beads. The cloth material is a porous material, permeable to air, and the bag device has a plurality of chambers divided by non-filled parts that extend to the edges of the bandage device. The amount of filling material in the chambers is low to allow displacement of the granular material without particular outside pressure.

Abstract: A lighter clip for use with a cigarette pack is inexpensively manufactured from a material such as injection-molded plastic. A generally three-sided clip is sized and shaped to fit across the width and depth of the pack, and contains an arcuate portion, suitable for holding a lighter, on one end. The clip is manufactured from a resilient material, and shaped in a manner that causes it to be lightly biased against the pack, thereby holding the clip in position. The two longer clip arms are sized to have a large enough surface area to be suitable for promotional use, and the clip arms and ends are shaped to securely grip the cigarette pack.

Abstract: A skid landing gear for a helicopter, in which the directional stiffnesses of the cross members of the skid landing gear have been de-coupled from one another, such that optimization of the longitudinal stiffniess of the cross members may be performed independently of the optimization of the vertical stiffniess and fatigue life of the cross members. In order to de-couple the stiffnesses in the skid type landing gear, two approaches are employed. In the first approach, the skid landing gear has non-symmetric-section cross members and/or distribution of different materials within the cross-section for de-coupling the vertical stiffness of the cross members from the longitudinal stiffness, such that placement of the ground resonance frequency may be optimized, while retaining the vertical stiffness properties essential for optimizing vertical energy attenuation and fatigue life.