Abstract: An expandable void filler which includes a plurality of expandable hollow, elongated, box-like tubes which can be stacked one on the other and joined together along their common surfaces. Separate interface panels can be sandwiched between the individual tubular members to provide additional lateral compressive strength. The individual tubes are held in the expanded position by individual folding panels which extend inwardly across the interior opening within and have sufficient size to wedge against the opposite sidewall as well as the top and bottom of the structure. These panels alternate from one side of the tube to the other and are staggered so as to not be vertically aligned between the stacked tubular members. A flange member can be attached to the uppermost tube to support the void filler in proper position between the cargo loaded within a transporting vehicle.

Abstract: A fibre optic connector for use under water is described. Each of the two connector parts (1a, 1b) in the device contains a greasy or visco-elastic filling compound (4) which protects the ferrules (2a, 2b) and the centering unit (5), and which is displaced during mating so that light is allowed to pass. When the connector is disconnected, the filling compound (4) is drawn back across the ferrules and centering unit to provide protection again. The compound (4) is chosen so that it can remain exposed to seawater without changing its characteristics or be dissolved or washed away.

Abstract: In an identification system based on reflection of radar signals from a bit-coded transponder, the received signals are processed to remove unwanted signals and noise from the required, reflected and received signals that have a recurrent cycle. The reflected signals are extremely weak in relation to the unwanted signals and noise. A random bit sequencer and a time slot generator are used to generate a single phase modulated pulse train which is transmitted by an RF transmitter. The pulse train signal is received and reflected from a coded passive transponder back to a comparable receiver. The receiver demodulates the incoming reflected signal and directs the demodulated signal to an integrator array. An inverted signal from the receiver is also utilized. Synchronization of the transmitted and received signals is performed through a shift register while the bit sequencer controls a second integrator array.

Abstract: A device for drilling and lining holes in earth bores wherein a casing is intended to be lowered into the bore along with the drilling unit. The drilling unit is mounted on a rotating drill. The drilling unit includes a plurality of cutters which can be arranged in the extended active position or can be retracted to a passive position arranged within the casing of the drilling unit. Drilling fluid through an activating piston repositions the cutters between the passive and the active position. The drilling unit includes a gripping device which contacts a groove in the casing which carries the casing down the bore with the drilling unit. Threaded ribs within the drilling unit act as a pump to maintain down hole drilling fluid pressure. A valve is provided in conjunction with the cutters whereby when the cutters are moved to the active position the valve will open allowing flow of the drilling fluid.

Abstract: A telephone line bridging sensor circuit is provided which provides a variable output frequency signal to a microprocessor for measuring and storing the frequency count on a periodic basis. The circuit includes an isolation transformer to isolate the audio component of the telephone line from the sensing circuit. The loop current present in the telephone line is rectified through a full wave diode rectifier and the output of the rectifier is filtered and regulated to provide an input voltage to an astable, voltage controlled oscillator. As the current on the telephone line varies, the input voltage to the oscillator also varies a proportionate amount causing the output frequency of the oscillator to change accordingly.

Abstract: An expandable void filler which includes a plurality of expandable hollow, elongated, box-like tubes which can be stacked one on the other and joined together along their common surfaces. Separate interface panels can be sandwiched between the individual tubular members to provide additional lateral compressive strength. The individual tubes are held in the expanded position by individual folding panels which extend inwardly across the interior opening within and have sufficient size to wedge against the opposite sidewall as well as the top and bottom of the structure. These panels alternate from one side of the tube to the other and are staggered so as to not be vertically aligned between the stacked tubular members. A flange member can be attached to the uppermost tube to support the void filler in proper position between the cargo loaded within a transporting vehicle.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for duplicating biomechanical action of the human body is disclosed. The device is mountable on a prosthetic appendage such as a prosthetic arm and is particularly suited for use in vigorous activities such as athletics and the like. Various embodiments of the device including a flexible prosthetic hand, a flexible prosthetic joint module and a prosthetic shock absorber device as well as various modifications and combinations thereof are described.

Abstract: A flexible reinforced concrete form line is provided which includes a plurality of elongated cuttable strips which are sized and embedded within the textured surface of the flexible form liner. The cross-sectional shape of the strips is substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the textured surface of the liner except smaller so that the thickness of the elastomeric material making up the liner is substantially constant throughout resulting in consistent expansion and contraction of the liner during setting of the concrete. The strips can be suspended within the liner during the elastomeric molding process or the strips can be directly attached to the plywood form backing sheet prior to the molding process. The total quantity of elastomeric material making up the liner can be greatly reduced which, in turn, reduces the weight of the overall form.

Abstract: A kit or assemble is provided which can be used in the manufacture of a new wheelchair or to retrofit an existing wheelchair. The basic wheelchair structure includes a base portion having a pair of cross members mounted in the rear half of the upper portion of the wheelchair base structure. A pair of parallel guide rails are mounted between the cross members with a seat support bar attached to a pair of pillow blocks mounted on the guide rails. A linear actuator is centrally positioned within the wheelchair base structure to longitudinally move the seat support bar forwardly or rearwardly within the wheel base of the wheelchair. A rear edge of a wheelchair seat unit is pivotally attached to the upper surface of the seat support bar. Cam plates, each having a curved cam slot, are provided on each side of the seat unit with the cam slots engaging cam followers mounted on a pair of stanchions provided on each side of the rear portion of the base structure.

Abstract: A surface coating with heater cable, for the heating of surface structures such as ships' decks, or floors. The coating consists of a foundation layer of a plastic material which forms a base for the heater cable (2), a conducting layer (4) of a plastic material where particles of metal or similar thermically-conducting particles (5) are sealed inside, and a covering layer (6) of a material with significantly lower thermic conductivity, than the conducting layer.

Abstract: A floating structure (11) with completely or partially submersible pontoons that provide the buoyancy for an offshore drilling platform, with a deck that is located on columns (13) attached to the pontoons. A separate, submerged ballast unit (15) is attached to the pontoons to help stabilize the floating structure and improve its motion in waves. The ballast unit (15) is approximately the same size in the horizontal plane as the extent of the pontoons (14) and is attached to the floating structure at each corner by at least three vertical struts (16) that extend through and below the pontoons. The struts being attached so that they can be connected or removed from a locking device on the top side of the pontoons. At the upper end of the struts (16) there is an attachment head (24) which can be connected and removed from a lifting device such as a wire (25) driven by a winch mounted on the platform.

Abstract: A retainer device for holding objects within recesses provided on form liners which are attached to the inside surface of substantially upright concrete structural forms. The retainer device is attached to the form liner to hold the object against the liner so that after the concrete has been poured and set and the forms stripped, the objects will be exposed in the finished surface of the structure. Various retaining devices such as clips having enlarged heads and elongated stems with friction enhancing devices intended to be inserted or attached to the form liner so as to hold the clip in a secure relationship with respect to the objects. Another embodiment of the retainer device is a spring-biased clamp having a body encased within the form liner so that the clamp ends grip the sides of the object. In another embodiment, an elastic band is secured to the form liner ridge provided between recesses.

Abstract: A reflector antenna with a dish-shaped main reflector (10), and a self-supporting feed (11) for the transmission or reception of polarized electromagnetic waves. The feed (11) consists of a tube (12) which is attached to the middle of the main reflector (10) and is terminated by a subreflector (13) so that an intermediate space (14) is formed between the subreflector and the end of the tube. The part of the tube that is nearest the intermediate space (14) contains a cylindrical waveguide (15), or is the waveguide itself, and has an approximately circular or quadradic cross-section. Externally, the intermediate space (14) is bonded by a circular, cylindrical surface (16) with the same diameter as the outer diameter of the tube (12) this being called the aperture surface.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for use under water, particularly for cleaning vertical surfaces which are fouled by marine organisms. One or more nozzles (19a-c) for spraying water at high pressure at a surface to be cleaned are arranged on a rotary disc-shaped unit (14)where the rotation axis is intended to be generally perpendicular to the surface which is to be cleaned. The nozzles are obliquely located in a circular plane so that the rotating unit (14) can rotate. Beyond the periphery of the rotating unit (14) there is a casing (12) which forms an annular chamber (13) with an outlet which is at least partly directed away from the surface which is to be cleaned. The annular chamber (13) is formed from two generally cylindrical or truncated conical casing units (20, 30) which are positioned at a radial distance from each other with their internal ends concentric with respect to the nozzle holder (11).

Abstract: A self-righting upright rolling toy figure is provided which can be molded in half sections and assembled into a body forming the figure. Weights are mounted in the lowermost portion of the sides of the halves in precise location to form the necessary righting and stabilizing forces. A wheel having a relatively wide rim and hollow interior portion is pivotally mounted within the halves with the lower portion of the wheel exposed below the body surface for rolling contact on a support surface. The mounted counterbalancing weights are positioned within the rim of the wheel in symmetrical configuration and spaced slightly inward from the inner surface of the rim which is in contact with the support surface. A circular cap can be attached to the upper portion of the assembled body halves to seal and secure the halves. Suitable sockets are provided on each side of the figure in a position coaxial with the axle rotatably supporting the internal wheel.

Abstract: The invention refers to a lifeline device which is designed to lower persons from a burning building, after evacuation through a window, distinguished by the lifeline (A) having a length which corresponds to the mounting height of the equipment above the ground over a friction pulley (B) having a circumferential groove (C), which will cause braking said lifeline is threaded to occur under the weight of the person being lowered. The friction pulley of the pulley and lifeline (B) has a centered over-dimensioned axle hub (D) and runs between two bolts (E,E') attached to the sideplates (F) forming a pulley housing, which is fastened with a bracket (G) to a window sill or other structure. Under loading, the line (A) locks the friction pulley (B) against the bolts (E,E') so that the line is pulled through the friction pulley's groove (C) and the line passes between two bolts (H) placed in the lower end of the housing (F) to hold the line within the groove (C).