Abstract: Laser altimeter/profilometer apparatus utilizing a CW CO.sub.2 laser transmitter mounted on an aircraft so as to transmit a narrow laser beam towards the terrain below the aircraft. The scattered laser signals are received in a receiver mounted on the aircraft, some distance along the fuselage from the transmitter, and the doppler shift in frequency of the received signal is determined. That doppler shifted frequency is utilized to calculate the altitude of the aircraft above the ground over which it is flying.

Abstract: An air cushion shoe base has a thick sole and a thick vertical rim across which are formed air tight partitions and an insole. Each partition has a small valving orifice for flowing fluid between sections on opposite sides of a partition. A valve is provided within the rim, and the valve has a central body with a long valve orifice and lateral extensions for joining the body to an inside of the rim. A T-shaped welt extends around an upper peripheral area of the rim and insole for joining the cushion base to a shoe upper.

Abstract: A longwall mining machine is provided with a roller resiliently urged into engagement with a track extending along the longwall face. Sensor means are provided to sense rotation of the roller and derive a signal indicative of the machine's position along the longwall face.

Abstract: A fiber optic seal having a block with similar fiber spreading inserts and similar fiber combining inserts which terminate in rectangular facial fiber openings. The block is placed on alignment lugs and a rectangular reticle is precisely moved by a micrometer in front of the light source to illuminate the one group of fiber ends. The second group of ends in the block is observed through an observing device mounted in an angle in the housing parallel to a handle which includes a power source.

Abstract: A fabric cleaning device having a container for cleaning solution, a movable tank for waste water and a cleaning head removably attached to the tank by a vacuum hose for cleaning the fabric requires external connections to a source of electricity and a source of pressurized water. A portion of the hose is formed rigidly to provide a handle. A vacuum pump mounted on a removable tank-sealing cover for creating a vacuum within the tank has an air outlet operatively connected to a spray gun by a detachable hose. A filter connected to the pump cleans air discharged through the outlet. The spray gun is mounted on the container and has a normally closed valve for selectively discharging cleaning fluid onto the fabric. Water directed through a hose and tank mounted coupling from the source to a discharge nozzle with a normally closed valve mounted in the cleaning head selectively rinses dirt and cleaning fluid from the fabric.

Abstract: A control means for automatic or semi-automatic transmissions and other devices which includes an integral lock-out means, an integrally movable control lever seal, and a direct reading indicator system. The control comprises a housing having an opening therein and a control lever movable between a selectable number of placements or control positions. The movable control lever includes a lever arm which extends through the opening above the housing and a lever actuator within the housing. The lever control is pivotally mounted within the housing by a pivot means located between the lever arm and actuator. The actuator includes at least one means adapted to mount or receive means for transferring motion, such as a push-pull cable rod from the lever control to the device such as a transmission to be controlled and preferably includes mounting means for slidably mounting a detent pin. A quadrant plate, mounted to the housing, is provided which includes a substantially arcuate opening having at least one detent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for supporting an underground mine roadway or tunnel having a series of spaced rigid support members installed along the roadway or tunnel, the rigid support members being erected in turn adjacent to newly exposed mine or rock surface as the roadway or tunnel is extended. Deformable bags are arranged between the rigid support members and the adjacent mine or rock surface. In addition deformable limbs extend from the last installed support towards the next support to be erected, the bags and the containers being filled with flowable material including cement and a conveying medium.

Abstract: A knife has a generally flat blade with a sharp curved lower cutting edge which terminates forwardly and rearwardly in sharp cutting ends; an upper surface of the blade opposite the cutting edge is extended upwardly and forms a stem, and a curved cross section outwardly pointed handle is connected to the stem so that maximum cutting force occurs on portions of the cutting edge nearest the rearward end of the blade. A food chopper is constructed with an upward and forward curving handle and a distal forward pointed end and a rearward proximal curved sharp end on the blade and with decreasing radii of curvature toward the rearward proximal end. A cutting knife is formed with a cutting edge of uniform radius of curvature terminating forwardly and rearwardly in distal and proximal pointed ends, with a central portion of an upper surface of the blade curving upward and rearwardly and integrally forming a stem.

Abstract: A trailer coupling comprising a housing, an extensible linkage, one end of which is pivotally mounted on the housing for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, a trailer coupling element or component mounted on the other end of said extensible linkage and means for locking said extensible linkage to the housing when in the fully retracted position whereby substantially the whole of the load is borne by the housing.

Abstract: The strain in a member is sensed by a strain sensitive device mounted on mounting block means which when fixedly secured to the member include a removable template.

Abstract: A signal derived from means, e.g. a gyroscope, mounted on the machine is used to guide a shearer drum along a straight path, the shearer being mounted on an underframe including two pivotally connected parts.

Abstract: A lute for coke ovens and the like is of clay-like consistency and contains a blowing agent which produces gas at least within the temperature range 160.degree. to 290.degree. C, and can appreciably cut pollution.

Abstract: A bearing liner adapted for extreme temperature applications comprising polybutadiene resin matrix having included therein a random dispersion of polytetrafluoroethylene particles, the resin matrix adhered to a backing material.

Abstract: A foot massager consists of a single plastic element shaped into a longitudinal inner cylinder having a plurality of rows of evenly spaced rounded projections arranged in staggered relationship annularly about the outer surface of the cylinder. Ends of the cylinder are formed into toroidal wheel-like supports. The massager is operated by pressing the bottom of the foot onto the projections and moving the foot at right angles to the cylinder, thereby allowing the device to roll on the floor on the wheel-like end supports.

Abstract: A fiber optic bundle is placed through an object to be sealed. Ends of the fibers are spread and threaded through one another in a random dispersion, disorienting the fibers. Randomly reoriented ends are regathered and clamped. A moveable reticle at a light input termini of the fibers creates unique identifiable patterns at the output end of the fibers.

Abstract: A two-way filter bypass valve seat has several holes, in this case four. Two similar valve plates with two holes each are arranged at 90.degree. to each other on opposite sides of the seat so that two holes in each plate align with two of the holes in the seat. A single spring or a spring for each pin is compressed by a keeper which joins the rivets or individual keepers on ends of the rivets in the case of individual springs. The large single keeper is square; rivets extend through opposite corners of the square and remaining corners are bent inward to retain a large spring from lateral displacement. The seat is mounted in a conventional cartridge-type oil filter with a two-way valve across the central screen cylinder so that excessive pressure differential from either side of the valve opens the valve to permit flow, bypassing the filter. The seat extends across the inner screen cylinder to seal the inner cylinder permitting flow only through the valve.

Abstract: An elongated frame provides a track over a mining machine for a carriage which is hauled along by an endless chain. The carriage carries assembled crown roof support sections to adjacent the newly exposed rock boundary.

Abstract: A long, bent hook and a set of detachable wheels are used to transport luggage. The housing for the wheels is attached to a suitcase by means of a self-adhesive plate. The wheel axles are spring loaded so they can be taken off. The hook incorporates a metal rod bent 270.degree. at one end to form a handle and a perpendicularly bent J-shaped hook at the other end that is used for holding one or more bags. Furthermore, the metal rod is again bent about a third of the way from the handle to the hook.

Abstract: Helicopter fire fighting apparatus includes a large quick-connect and disconnect fire-fighting fluid tank, a pump mounted near the engine, a fire fighting control station on the rear of the helicopter and a nozzle broom swiveled near the control station. A helicopter lands, quickly drops an empty tank and hooks up a full tank before rising to the proper location to fight a fire, such as in an office building. The boom breaks windows for access to the fire, and a hardened water-driven projectile may be propelled from the nozzle boom to break a window.

Abstract: A longwall mining machine traverses to and fro along an articulated track assembly which includes an armoured face conveyor and which is engaged by a driven pinion on the machine body to haul the machine along its path.