Abstract: A fiber placement head for a fiber placement machine of the type in which a number of individual resin-impregnated fiber tows or "towpregs" are fed at independent rates from a creel assembly for application as a fiber band onto the surface of a mandrel includes cooling chutes for each fiber tow which reduces their temperature to reduce the tack of the tows. A cut, clamp and restart mechanism is provided wherein the cutting and clamping operations are performed by a unitary knife blade and clamping block, and the restart or rethreading of cut tows is obtained by the engagement of a pinch roller with a continuously rotating rethread shaft which are operative independently of the movement of the fiber placement head relative to the mandrel. The tows are pressed or compacted onto the mandrel by a compaction shoe, and feed and rewind rollers are provided to interpose a protective film between the compaction shoe and fiber band to avoid damage to the tows.

Abstract: A fiber placement machine includes a carriage assembly movable in an X direction along a base support adapted to rest on the floor, a cross slide pivotally mounted on the carriage having a multi-axis manipulator device at one end carrying a fiber placement head and a creel assembly mounted at the other end which supplies a number of individual fiber tows to the fiber placement head. Mechanisms associated with the carriage and cross slide, in addition to the multi-axis manipulator, are effective to move the fiber placement head along a number of axes with respect to the surface of a mandrel such that the individual fiber tows are pressed onto the mandrel by a compaction roller or shoe mounted to the fiber placement head which is maintained substantially perpendicular to the surface of the mandrel.

Abstract: A cab tilt assist mechanism is provided for use with a suspension system in a cab-over-engine truck, which is mounted between the cab and frame on either side of the front of the truck and is operable to provide a fixed pivot point about which the cab may rotate during a tilting operation. The tilt assist mechanism herein carries all of the loads imposed by the weight of the cab during a complete cab tilt operation without affecting the stiffness and damping responses provided by the suspension system between the cab and frame.

Abstract: An acoustic enclosure is provided having top, bottom, front, side and back panels formed to receive and enclose the face plate and chute of a crowner machine. Acoustically absorbant and cleanable material is disposed on the interior surfaces of the side portions to absorb sound produced at the crowner face plate and chute, and the edges of the enclosure abutting the crowner machine include a material for creating a seal therebetween to further reduce the sound level in the immediate area.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a segmented pultruded shape is provided in which a continuous length of fiber reinforcements are impregnated with a matrix material and then formed into a continuous series of alternating rigid segments and flexible segments by curing the matrix material impregnating the rigid sections and removing the matrix material impregnating the flexible sections.

Abstract: A plurality of parallel and laterally spaced impermeable walls define an array of side-by-side elongate fluid filled cavities. Adjacent open ends of the cavities provide a sound-receiving or admittance end for the sound waves into the cavities. An acoustically reflective, preferably impermeable, barrier is disposed adjacent the ends of the cavities remote from their sound-receiving end and terminates the cavities. The cavities are uniquely configured to provide an effective geometrical sound absorbing structure while minimizing the structural elements required and, thus, the cost of manufacture.

Abstract: A link-type insertion compliance device is provided to accommodate misalignment between mating parts to be assembled in which a series of aligning links attached to pivot means are concentrically disposed within an envelope mounted to a machine operable to vertically translate one mating part into engagement with another in an assembly operation. Adjustment means is provided in at least one of the pivot means to permit adjustment of the center of compliance of the device to a point at or near the insertion end of a part to be assembled. Parts of varying lengths may thus be accommodated by the subject insertion compliance device with minimal wedging and jamming during the insertion operation.

Abstract: A laterally adjustable rail clip fastening means is provided by the present invention for securing a resilient rail clip such as a Pandrol clip to a direct fixation rail mounting assembly, and, in turn, into engagement with a rail. The rail clip fastening means includes a pair of sections formed of rigid material having a curved section at one end to receive and securely hold a resilient rail clip in engagement with a rail. The sections of rigid material are laterally moveable along the top plate of the rail mounting assembly and include cam locking means to independently lock such sections into position against the rail for preventing lateral movement thereof in cooperation with the resilient rail clips.

Abstract: A laterally adjustable rail clip fastening means is provided by the present invention for securing a resilient rail clip such as a Pandrol clip to a direct fixation rail mounting assembly, and, in turn, into engagement with a rail. The rail clip fastening means includes a pair of sections of rigid material formed with a curved portion at one end which receive and securely hold a resilient rail clip in engagement with the rail. Each of the sections are engageable with a disc means rotatably disposed within the top plate of the rail mounting assembly on opposite sides of the rail. The disc means are rotatable to move the sections laterally along the top plate, and include locking means to independently lock such sections into a position against the rail for preventing lateral movement thereof in cooperation with the resilient rail clips.

Abstract: An improved hip joint prosthesis is provided by the present invention in which the stem portion of the femoral head prosthesis includes at least one layer of elastomeric material disposed between and attaching to at least two sections of rigid material to reduce necrosis and resorption of the adjacent bone. The stem portion may also be formed of a solid section of essentially rigid material having a plurality of circumferential elastomeric rings disposed at selected intervals along the length thereof, with at least three sections of rigid material attaching at spaced intervals to each elastomeric ring and extending outwardly to contact the bone within the medullary canal. Joint means may be provided between either of the stem portions herein and the head of the femoral head prosthesis, to provide a complete range of natural hip movement thus eliminating the need for a separate acetabulum prosthesis.

Abstract: A laterally adjustable rail clip fastening means is provided by the present invention for securing a resilient rail clip such as a Pandrol clip to a direct fixation rail mounting assembly, and, in turn, into engagement with a rail. The rail clip fastening means includes a pair of U-shaped sections which are laterally moveable along the top plate of the rail mounting assembly on opposite sides of the rail, and are formed to receive and securely hold a resilient rail clip in position against the rail.

Abstract: A textile spindle mount is provided by the subject invention in which a layer of elastomeric material is disposed between and attaches to a flat washer along its bottom surface and a cupped washer along its top surface. The cupped washer includes end sections which extend downwardly and attach to the outer edge of the elastomer layer for limiting the bulging thereof under compression loads. The bulging of the elastomer layer is further controlled by removing a generally curved section of elastomeric material adjacent the outer edge of the elastomer layer. As a result, a high compression to shear springrate ratio is obtained with the spindle mount herein which is capable of good noise and vibration isolation and can accommodate high compression loads without bond failure.

Abstract: A means of anchoring the stem or other portion of a joint prosthesis inserted within the medullary canal of a bone adjacent a diseased or damaged joint is provided by the present invention, wherein a continuous jacket or a plurality of circumferential rings of elastomeric material are attached to the prosthesis stem. A series of arrays of at least three section of biocompatible rigid material are secured to the elastomeric material at selected intervals along the length of the stem and extend radially outwardly therefrom, such that upon insertion of the prosthesis stem within the medullary canal the elastomeric material is compressed and urges the rigid sections outwardly into secure contact with the adjacent bone to resist dislocation of the prosthesis within the medullary canal.

Abstract: An improved stem portion of a joint prosthesis for replacing a damaged or diseased skeletal joint is provided by the subject invention, wherein a series of sections of elastomeric material attached to a rigid material are disposed one on top of the other in a staggered or offset configuration to form the stem. The offset is such that alternate sections of elastomer and rigid material contact selected locations of the bone within the medullary canal to firmly secure the prosthesis therewithin for resisting dislocation particularly during the early stages of postoperative rehabilitation.

Abstract: An insertion compliance device is provided by the present invention in which compliance means, acting in cooperation with an intermediate member, permit a pin or other mating part to translate and rotate relative to a corresponding mating part in each and every plane passing through the insertion axis of the pin to avoid binding or jamming of the parts during an automated assembly operation.

Abstract: A fishing lure is provided, which is particularly adapted for fresh water game fish such as bass, including a plug having flexible wings, tail feathers and feet formed to resemble those of a bird for simulating the flapping and fluttering motion of a non-aquatic bird which has fallen into the water.

Abstract: A connector fitting for securing vehicles on transporters is provided by the present invention, including outwardly extending projections or ears which receive a bolt for carrying the end links of a pair of tensioning chains in a manner greatly reducing the wear and stress on both the fitting and chains, caused by movement of the vehicles during transit.

Abstract: A machine is provided by the present invention for the improved handling, transfer, cutting and stacking of distinct sheets of diaphanous plastic material from a continuous roll or web, each separate sheet being perforated with an expansible slit pattern for packaging articles of produce requiring ventilation.

Abstract: A foot operated percussion musical instrument is provided by the present invention in which two pairs of cymbals are mounted in an adjustable framework one above the other, and are movable in unison by operation of a single foot pedal.

Abstract: A multi-station pinball game is provided by the present invention having a rotatable playfield controlled by a programmable microprocessor which selectively indexes the playfield to each individual station, in a desired order, for sequential play of the game by several players seated around the playfield at their individual playing stations.