Abstract: The inner end of a hollow shaft (12) is releasably attached to a flight vehicle (2) by a ball-plunger type quick release mechanism. A rod (22) is axially slidable in the shaft (12) to release the shaft (12) from the vehicle (2). A plate (34) extends radially from the outer end (16) of the shaft (12) and abuts an outwardly facing surface of an external store (4) through which the shaft (12) and the rod (22) extend. The rim (48) of a cup-shaped retainer (42) interlocks with plate (34) to rotatably secure retainer (42) to plate (34). A solenoid (52) engages an arm (44) on retainer (42) to rotate retainer (42), release the interlocking engagement, and allow a spring (68) to move the retainer (42) axially outwardly. Retainer (42) contacts a shoulder (74) on rod (22) to move rod (22) axially outwardly. This releases shaft (12) from vehicle (2) and allows shaft (12) and store (4) to be separated from vehicle (2).

Abstract: Three motors (9, 13, 17) are operated independently to extend telescopically first, second, and third coaxial stages (30, 38, 52). Each motor (9, 13, 17) has an axial extension (28, 36, 48) on its rotor (12, 16, 20) that threadedly engages the respective stage (30, 38, 52). Extension (28) is fixed to rotor (12). Extensions (36, 48) are spline connected to rotors (16, 20). First stage (30) is attached to extension (36) by a bearing (62). Second stage (38) is attached to extension (48) by a bearing (64). When first stage (30) extends or retracts, it carries with it second and third stages (38, 52) and extensions (36, 48). When second stage (38) extends or retracts, it carries with it third stage (52) and extension (48). Stages (30, 38, 52) are fixed against rotation relative to a housing (4).

Abstract: A tape (100) is transported by a continuous strip of backing paper (102) along a tape guide (22) into position for the tape (100) to be cut by a blade (12). The tape guide (22) has an essentially flat center portion (24) and opposite side portions (28) that are inclined toward blade (12) relative to center portion (24). Side portions (28) are preferably smoothly curved. Side portions (28) guide the lateral edges of the tape (100) and paper (102) to bend toward blade (12) when a lateral cut is being made. This allows a cut of essentially constant depth to completely sever tape (100), including any fibers (106) that have come loose from the edges of paper (102), without severing paper (102).

Abstract: Liquid hydrogen stored aboard a space vehicle, and constituting a fuel for use in the vehicle's main rocket motor, is introduced, in a gaseous state, into an inflatable aerodynamic braking member, for moving it from a collapsed stored position outwardly into an inflated operational position. Such member provides a large area braking surface which extends generally laterally outwardly from the space vehicle. During reentry the space vehicle is oriented to reenter nozzle end first. Fuel is consumed within the rocket motor to produce gases which are discharged out through the rocket nozzle to provide a cooling layer of gases forwardly of the large area braking surface. A space vehicle equipped with such an aerodynamic braking system is operated to reenter into the atmosphere. The drag produced by the braking member slows the space vehicle down and then the space vehicle is set into a low earth orbit.

Abstract: Tape (100) being laid by a tape laying machine (2) is transported by a continuous strip of backing paper (102). A rotary cutter (12) is mounted on one arm (36) of a C-shaped frame (34). An anvil (20) is mounted on the other arm (38). Frame (34) moves laterally to move cutter (12) and anvil (20) laterally across tape (100) with tape (100) and paper (102) therebetween. A single point on anvil (20) supports the portion of tape (100) being cut throughout the length of the cut. Therefore, an essentially constant distance between cutter (12) and anvil (20) is maintained to completely sever tape (100) without severing paper (102).

Abstract: A cover (6) for a towel (4) comprises a sheet of water-resistant or waterproof material. Carrying means are provided for carrying the accessory (2) with the towel (4) inside the cover (6) and substantially surrounded by the cover (6) except at the underside of the accessory (2). Connecting means are also provided for detachably connecting a localized portion of the towel (4) to the cover (6). The carrying and connecting functions may be performed by the same member or members. For example, in a preferred embodiment an openable loop (14) passes through first and second holes (12) in the cover (6) and first and second openings (16) in the towel (4). A loop (14) so attached to the towel (4) and cover (6) also provides the preferred feature of reversing means for carrying the accessory (2) with the cover (6) inside the towel (4) and at least an upper portion of the cover (6) substantially surrounded by the towel (4). Reversing means may also be separately provided.

Abstract: Two main pieces (3, 4) each include a leg encircling portion (6) and an upper portion (12, 16). Each leg portion (6) has a side zipper (8) with a cover flap (10). The front of the leg portion (6) is a downward continuation of the upper portion (12, 16). Upper portion (16) has a front edge (18) that overlaps a front flap (14) on upper portion (12). Flap (14) and edge (18) slide with respect to each other in response to movements of the wearer. The overlap is sufficient to maintain coverage for the abdomen of the wearer. Alternatively, flap (14') may overlap edge (18'). Flap (14') is held in position by being received into a laterally opening patch pocket (20'). A belt (32) is secured to upper portions (12, 16) and has a front buckle (40) for adjusting the amount of overlap of flap (14) and edge (18) and a rear buckle (44) for adjusting the overall fit of the chaps (2).

Abstract: A space vehicle 10 is steered from outer space toward the earth's atmosphere main rocket nozzle end first. An inflatable braking member 28 is deployed around the vehicle 10 by introducing gas into it. The main rocket motor 16 is ignited to produce a substantially throttled stream of gases. This stream provides a cooling layer forwardly of the braking member 28 to protect the member 28 from heating by friction with the atmosphere. The reduction of the velocity of the vehicle 10 is controlled by directly varying the drag of the vehicle 10 to compensate for variations in the density of the atmosphere. The drag is varied by varying the thrust of the motor 16 and/or varying the shape of the member 28. A backup method is to deflate the member 28 in the atmosphere. The member 28 may be jettisoned after the vehicle 10 leaves the atmosphere to enter a low earth orbit.

Abstract: A jet engine noise suppressor particularly adapted for supersonic aircraft. The nozzle (10) has an internal wall surface (70) around a generally centrally positioned body (50) and an annular area (62) extending between the wall and the body. In this area there are separate gas and air flow ducts (64, 66) having entrance ends (82, 80) and exit ends (76, 78), the entrance ends of the gas ducts extending annularly around the body (50) to receive gas exhaust from the engine and the air ducts have entrance ends annularly outwardly of the gas ducts along the wall (70). There are openings (26) in a wall (14) upstream of the ducts to supply ambient air to the entrance ends (80) of the air ducts. There are doors (20) and actuators (24) operable to open and close the openings (26).

Abstract: Parallel restraint rails (20, 22) each include a hinged vertical restraint lip (32) that pivots between a vertically-extending retracted position and a horizontally-extending cargo-restraining position. Each lip (32) is hinged by pins (34) carried by spaced lugs (33) attached in openings (30) in the rail (20, 22). A torsion spring (36) surrounds each pin (34) to urge the lip (32) into the retracted position. Stop blocks (35) on each lip (32) are each free to rotate past a pawl (41) when the pawl (41) is pivoted and held by a foot pedal (44) by the interconnection of a pin (47) extending from the pawl (41) and a cam surface (45) on the pedal (44). The pedal (44) and pawl (41) are carried by pivot pins (38, 37) and biased by springs (40, 39) within a housing (31) positioned in opening (30). The pawl (41) locks the lip (32) into its restraint position and latches the lip (32) into its retracted position.

Abstract: A container (4) is restrained from movement in a given direction out from a set position. A restraint member (32) is located at one side of the path of the container (4) and is pivoted by the container (4) when the container (4) is moved into and out from the set position. The restraint member (32) is biased in an unlocked center position. After the container (4) is moved into its set position, the resistraint member (32) is prevented from returning all the way to its unlocked center position and is held in a blocking position by contact between a reciprocating detent (62) and a shoulder (54), one of which is carried by the member (32). The apparatus (2) is unlocked by manually retracting the detent (62) away from the shoulder (54). This allows the restraint member (32) to return to its unlocked center position.

Abstract: A snubber (12) includes a fixed member (14) and a movable member (16). A variable volume chamber (20) is defined between these two members (14, 16). The chamber (20) includes an orifice (22). A body of extrusible material (26) substantially fills the chamber (20). A rotary actuator (6) carries a lug (28) that contacts the movable member (16) when the actuator (6) moves beyond a predetermined position. This contact pushes the movable member (16) against the extrusible material (26) to decrease the volume of the chamber (20) and to cause the extrusible material (26) to be extruded through the orifice (22). This stops the rotation of the actuator (6) and absorbs its kinetic energy. The snubber (12) is supported by a frame member (10). Preferably, the frame member (10) has a cavity (40) into which material extruded through the orifice (22) is received.

Abstract: A tool (15) to be ground is mounted in a vertical position to the upper end of a vertically oriented piston (21). The lower end of the piston (21) is received into the open end of a cylinder (22). Radial fluid bearings (28, 29) are pressurized to permit rotational and longitudinal movement of the piston (21) with respect to the cylinder (22). Pressurized fluid is delivered to the piston (21) to exert a force on the piston (21) that nearly counterbalances the combined weight of the piston (21) and the tool (15). Additional fluid pressure or some other suitable force is applied to move the piston (21) and the tool (15) axially upwardly. At the end of the upward stroke, the additional force on the piston (21) is removed to allow said combined weight to move the piston (21) and the tool (15) downwardly. During the upward stroke, the downward stroke, or both the upward and the downward strokes, a grinding wheel (13) is held in a fixed position to contact a side surface of tool (15).

Abstract: A support leg (24) is attached to a rear portion (12) of the frame (10) of a motorcycle (2) on the same side of the frame (10) as the kickstand (8), between the kickstand (8) and the rear wheel (6). A pair of laterally spaced ears (42) project upwardly from the upper end of the leg (24). A screw (46) extends through coaxial holes (44) in the ears (42) and a preexisting hole (14) in the frame (10) to attach the leg (24). The lift stand (22) has a support position in which the leg (24) extends downwardly and forwardly from the frame (10) to the ground and the motorcycle is supported on its front wheel (4), the kickstand (8) and the lift stand (22), with the rear wheel (6) being elevated from the ground. A support surface (38) between the ears (42) contacts a bottom surface of the frame (10). To move the lift stand (22) into its support position, the motorcycle (2) is tilted to lean toward the kickstand (8) and the leg (24) until the leg (24) contacts the ground.

Abstract: The conical tip of a load applying member (42) acts against one side (136) of a movable plate (120). A spring (84) urges the conical tip of a biasing member (88) against the other side (138). In response to a relatively small movement of member (42) against plate (120), plate (120) pivots about a first axis a.sub.1 to depress the operator (102) of a first snap-action switch (98). In response to a relatively large movement of member (42), plate (120) pivots away from contact with operator (102), first about auxiliary axis a.sub.4 and then about third axis a.sub.3. In response to an intermediate movement, plate (120) pivots to depress the operator (103) of a second snap-action switch (99), first about second axis a.sub.2 and then about auxiliary axis a.sub.4. Axis a.sub.4 is defined by first and second fulcrums (71, 134). Axis a.sub.2 is defined by second fulcrum (134 ) and operator (102); axis a.sub.3 is defined by first fulcrum (71) and operator (103). Axis a.sub.

Abstract: First (12) and second (42,62) body portions are each attached to a structural member. The first body portion (12) includes trunnions (18) that are slidably received in corresponding channels in the second body portion (42,62). The second body portion (42,62) includes a base member (62) and a pivot member (42), which cooperate to form the channels. The pivot member (42) has an open position and a closed position. A spring (82) biases the pivot member (42) in its closed position. A lever (44) moves the pivot member (42) against the force of the spring (82) into its open position. When the pivot member (42) is in its closed position, it blocks portions of the channels, thereby locking the trunnions (18) into one of two lock positions in the channels. When the pivot member (42) is in its open position, the trunnions (18) may slide in the channels from one lock position to another or out of the channels to disengage the two body portions.

Abstract: If necessary, initial cleaning of the plastic and masking of areas not to be plated are carried out. Contact points for cathode leads are chosen spaced from the area to be plated. Said area and the contact points are cleaned with a solvent. The contact points are prepared for a brush plating operation. If necessary, this preparation includes an initial abrading of the contact points with fine grit sandpaper. Preferably, the preparation comprises making a cathode lead contact in the area to be plated and brush plating the contact points to about 0.1 mil at a low current density, using an alkaline plating solution. The cathode lead contact is disconnected and the contact points are rinsed. A cathode lead is then connected to each contact point and brush plating of the area to be plated is carried out at a current density sufficiently low to prevent overheating of the plastic, using an alkaline plating solution.

Abstract: A rotatable support mounts a plurality of missile carrying missile launchers for rotation about a center axis. Each launcher mounts a plurality of missiles for rotation about an axis. The rotatable support is rotated to successively bring each missile launcher into a launch position. Each such launcher is rotated to successively bring each missile carried by it into a launch position.

Abstract: A ply (100) of fiber reinforced composite material is laid onto a mandrel (30) having a vacuum ported upper surface with a generally U-shaped cross section. Ply (100) is laid onto the top web (32) of mandrel (30), with its side edges being laid in a cantilevered fashion. A flexible bag (20) is inflated into a stretched condition and lowered over mandrel (30). Bag (20) rolls over mandrel (30) to form play (100) down over mandrel (30). As bag (20) rolls over mandrel (30), it folds ply (100) along two contoured bend lines between the web (32) and flanges (34, 36) of mandrel (30) and simultaneously restrains ply (100) from folding along a straight line. Bag (20) engages a seal (38) carried by mandrel (30). A vacuum is applied through mandrel (30) to evacuate the area between bag (20) and mandrel (30) within seal (38), to compact ply ( 100). Each ply of composite material is formed and compacted before laying another ply.

Abstract: Fluid introduced into an actuator moves the piston, against the force of a return spring, to extend the actuator. After the actuator has extended a sufficient amount to perform its intended function, the piston contacts and moves a sleeve type closure for an outlet port. The additional extension of the actuator moves the sleeve to open the outlet port. This allows fluid from the source to flow through the actuator and out through the outlet port to an expansible chamber in a second actuator. In a preferred system, the second actuator is also a single acting linear motor and it includes a return spring. At the conclusion of the function of both actuators, a bypass valve in a return line is opened to allow fluid to flow out from the expansible chambers of both actuators back to a reservoir. The fluid from the second actuator flows back to the outlet port of the first actuator and from such port through a passageway which connects such port with the inlet-outlet port of the first actuator.