Abstract: The invention is a mounting bracket for securing a portable hand holdable appliance to a window extending vertically from a window sill. In detail, the bracket includes a plate having first and second side and top, bottom and side edges, and additionally, an attachment device to mount the appliance. A pair of suction cups are mounted on the first side of the plate horizontally spaced from each other in proximity to the top thereof. The bottom portion of the plate extends from the plane of the plate at an acute angle outwardly from the first side and terminates in a pointed edge. Thus the bracket can be secured to the surface by wedging the pointed edge between the window and sill and rotated thereabout so that the suction cups engage the window.

Abstract: The invention is a walker for an invalid. In detail, the invention includes a first U shaped member having a center portion and two parallel arm portions extending downward at an acute angle and terminating in vertically extending front supports for contacting the ground. A sleeve is movably mounted on each of said arms. A detente system is included to releasably lock each of the sleeves in an intermediate position on the arm portions. A pair of generally vertical extending rear support members have first ends for contacting the ground, providing rear support, and second ends pivotally connected to the arm portions of the first U shaped member in proximity to the center portion. A pair of first links are pivotally connected by their first ends to the rear support members intermediate the ends thereof and by their second ends to the sleeves.

Abstract: The invention is a system for determining the physical characteristics of an incident fluid flow stream over a surface of a vehicle relative to an axis thereof, the apparatus. In detail, the invention includes at least one first pressure sensor mounted on the surface, the at least one first pressure sensor for receiving dynamic pressure signals generated by the convected boundary layer of the fluid flow stream and providing an output signal representative thereof. At least one array of second pressure sensors (pressure transducers) is positioned down stream of the at least one first pressure sensors, the second sensors of the at least one array each of said second pressure sensors providing a second output signal representative of the above pressure signals received thereby. A computer system is adapted to receive the first and second signals and to calculate the angular direction of the fluid flow relative to the axis and the velocity thereof.

Abstract: A foreign object deflector for installation on the lower fuselage of an aircraft forward of equipment, such as antennas and radomes, which are to be protected by the deflector. During takeoff and landing, aircraft landing gear kick up various foreign objects, such as rocks, dirt and debris, which can damage or destroy the relatively fragile equipment. However, the foreign object deflector of the present invention deflects these foreign objects away from the equipment. Then, once the takeoff or landing is completed, the foreign object deflector is retracted and latched in place to minimize drag.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for forming fiber reinforced resin structures In detail, invention includes a fluid impervious outer first sheet. A mold surface is includes upon which can be supported a lay-up of at least one layer of fibrous material, and over which can be placed the first fluid impervious outer sheet and its edges marginally sealed upon the mold surface to form a chamber. A first vacuum port for drawing a vacuum upon the chamber is located in proximity to the lay-up. A first distribution medium is positioned between the fabric lay-up and the fluid impervious outer sheet for distributing resin into the lay-up. A second fluid impervious sheet is located between the first distribution medium and the first impervious sheet. A resin inlet port extends from the exterior of the chamber through the first and second impervious sheets an is in communication with the first distribution medium.

Abstract: The invention is a vacuum cleaner attachment. In detail, the invention includes a nozzle body having a hollow tubular member for connecting to the vacuum pipe of a vacuum cleaner. The side of the body turned away from the member includes front and rear openings. The rear opening includes front, rear and side walls and is in communication with the hollow tubular member. The front opening includes a semi-flexible front wall and side walls and the front wall of the rear opening as the rear wall thereof. Each of the side walls of the front opening include one half of a detent thereon. A cleaning pad support is removably mountable in the front opening of the body. The pad support includes upstanding front, side and rear walls, a top surface and a pad of plush-like slanted filaments mounted on the bottom surface. Each of the side walls of the support includes a second half of the detent thereon.

Abstract: The invention is a radar absorbing material and a process for making same. In detail, the invention includes a binder material containing a mixture of two groups of spheres made of a magnetic material, The first group of spheres have an average diameter and the second group have an average diameter generally 0.73 times the average diameter of the spheres of the first group. The first and second group contain generally equal numbers of spheres. The amount of the binder material incorporated is sufficient to both bind mixture together while maintaining the individual spheres separated from each other. The process involves the steps of: providing a first group of spheres made of a magnetic material; providing a second group of spheres made of a magnetic material containing a number of spheres equal to the number of spheres of the first group with an average diameter of generally 0.

Abstract: The invention is a ballonet system for a lighter-than-air-vehicle, the vehicle having a lift producing gas bag and a longitudinal, vertical and lateral axis. In detail, the ballonet system includes a plurality of ballonets located within the gas bag positioned along the longitudinal axis and on each side of the vertical axis of the vehicle. Each of the ballonets include a flexible sheet joined at its periphery thereof to a portion of the wall of the gas bag. A ballonet pressurization system is coupled to each ballonet for pressurizing them with air that includes the portion of the wall of the gas bag forming the ballonet having a plurality of holes therethrough. A manifold having an inlet port is joined to the wall covering the holes therein and is adapted to diffuse the pressurized air entering therein.

Abstract: The invention is vacuum cleaner attachment for cleaning a surface within a confined space. In detail, the vacuum cleaner attachment fitting includes a first thin hollow rectangular member having a closed off first end and an open second end. A hollow tubular fitting is coupled to the second end for attaching to the vacuum hose of a vacuum cleaner. A second thin hollow rectangular member having open first and second ends, and top, bottom and side walls, is slidably engaged by its first end with the first end of the first member in a telescoping manner. The second end of the second member includes a plurality of vertical walls extending from the top wall to the bottom wall forming channels therebetween. The bottom wall is slotted between the vertical walls. Magnets are mounted on the side walls of the second member in proximity to the channels.

Abstract: The invention is a shroud for a reversible thrust fan, the shroud having a inlet duct and an exhaust nozzle with the fan located there between. In general terms, the shroud includes a system for increasing the efficiency of the exhaust nozzle when acting as an inlet duct when the fan is providing reverse thrust. The system comprising a plurality of auxiliary inlet duct systems spaced about the circumference of the exhaust nozzle in proximity to the rear end thereof, the auxiliary inlet duct systems extending from the exterior surface of the exhaust nozzle to the interior surface thereof. The auxiliary inlet duct systems are movable from a closed position to an open position wherein air can be drawn from the exterior surface of the exhaust nozzle to the interior thereof when the fan is providing reversed thrust.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for measuring the attenuation of electromagnetic radiation between cells of honeycomb core. In detail, the apparatus includes at least two antennas in a spaced relationship. A positioning system is used for positioning the at least two antennas within individual cells of the core. An analysis system is coupled to the antennas for measuring the attenuation of the radiated electromagnetic radiation between one of the antennas operating in a radiating mode and a second operating in a receiving mode and providing a graphical representation of the attenuation as a function of frequency, depth, length or width.

Abstract: The invention is a mooring tower for a for a lighter-than-vehicle. In detail the invention includes a vertical tower having a vertical and lateral axis. A first support member is mounted on the top of said tower, which is rotatable in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis aligned with the vertical axis of the tower. A second support member is mounted by its first end mounted to the first support member and includes a telescoping second end. The second support member is rotatable in a vertical plane about its first end. The second support member includes an aperture extending therethrough from the first end to the second. A winch is mounted to the vertical tower having a mooring line extending through the aperture in the second member from the first end to and out the second end thereof. Thus a vehicle having the end of the mooring line attached to the nose thereof can be winched to the vertical tower.

Abstract: The invention is a crane system for a building for the assembly of a gas bag for a lighter-than-air vehicle, the building having a floor and a roof thereover with a longitudinal, vertical and lateral axis. In detail, the crane assembly includes a plurality of crane carriage rail assemblies in the form of arches aligned with the lateral axis of and mounted within the building. The carriage rail assemblies are in a spaced relationship along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of crane carriages are movably mounted on each of the crane rail assemblies with each carriage including a winch mounted thereon having an extendible and retractable cable. A control system is provided for moving the crane carriages by rows aligned with the longitudinal axis of the building along the crane carriage rail assemblies to specific locations along the lateral axis and for adjusting the length of the cables of the winches in each of the rows as a function of the distance of each of the rows along the lateral axis of the building.

Abstract: The invention is an automatic door locking system that provides for unlocking of the door to a room from a remote location. In detail, the system includes a door lock that is manually operable by a lever mounted on the room side of the door when the door is locked. An electrical circuit is provided for unlocking the door lock from the remote location such that door can be opened from the opposite side of the door and to reset the door lock to the locked position when the door is closed upon the door being opened. In addition, the electrical circuitry provides visual indication of the status of the door at the remote location.

Abstract: The invention is an attachment fitting for use on the flexible wall of a structure. In detail, the fitting includes a slot in the wall of the structure. A first flexible member is included having a center portion folded over its self forming a loop extending through the slot from a first side of the wall and out from the second side, and outer fan shaped portions on each end of the center portion bonded to the first side of the wall of the structure adjacent to the slot. The first flexible member further includes a plurality unidirectional reinforcing filaments in a matrix material with the filaments being parallel to each other in the center portion and fanning out from each other in each of the outer portions. A second flexible member having a periphery extending about the slot and the outer portions of the first flexible member is bonded thereto and to the first side of the flexible wall of the structure.

Abstract: The invention is a combination docking and cargo handling system for a lighter-than-air vehicle. In detail, the invention includes a cargo carrying structure mounted to the bottom of the vehicle extending along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis having a plurality of open ended passageways aligned with the lateral axis of the vehicle and extending completely through the structure. The passageways are adapted to simultaneously off-load cargo containers from one end of the passageway and to on-load cargo containers from the opposite end. A platform, is included, having a longitudinal axis, and is rotatable about an axis of rotation.