Abstract: A coupling for removably affixing a brush to a rotatable drive shaft includes a drive hub affixed to the drive shaft, in which an axial projection having a cam surface is disposed on either the drive hub or the brush. The other of the hub and the brush defines a recess for accepting the projection and has a spring retainer affixed thereto. The projection and recess have an interfitting spline connection for preventing relative rotation between the drive hub and the brush. The cam surface is adapted to elastically spread the retainer to allow-the projection to be inserted within the recess. The retainer thereafter engages the shelf surface to prevent removal of the projection from the recess. The spring retainer is provided with tabs for elastically spreading the retainer to disengage the shelf surface and allow the brush to be easily removed from the drive hub.

Abstract: A modular roller mat for providing rolling movement of cargo units over the floor of a cargo deck. The roller mat comprises a plurality of interconnected roller tray assemblies. Each roller tray assembly comprises a tray and a plurality of modular roller assemblies including a housing and a roller unit. The tray includes a floor, a first side wall, a second side wall and a flange extending inwardly from each side wall. The housing includes a plate and a downwardly extending collar. The plate extends between the side walls of the tray and is removably attached to the flanges of the tray. The collar includes an annular sleeve through which the roller unit is inserted. The roller unit includes a rotatable retainer member. Once inserted, the roller unit retainer is rotated such that retaining lugs on the roller unit retainer engage the sleeve to retain the roller unit in the housing. The roller assemblies are easily removed and replaced in the tray and are interchangeable with one another.

Abstract: A sweeper vehicle having a unique engine/motor mounting arrangement whereby the engine/motor and accessories may be rotated out of the vehicle into a more accessible position for maintenance and the like, as well as a novel apparatus for clamping the engine/motor in its normal operating position and a safety interlock mechanism.

Abstract: A cargo restraint for use with a cargo carrying deck in an aircraft, the deck having an upper support surface. The restraint includes a base adapted for attachment to the deck and a guide member pivotally attached to the base. The guide member is adapted to overlie the side edge of a cargo carrying unit to vertically and laterally restrain a cargo carrying unit. The guide member also forms a vertical and lateral guide during movement of a cargo carrying unit within the aircraft. The guide member is pivotal between an upright operating position and a retracted position wherein the guide member is located below the support surface of the cargo deck and is additionally pivotal to a latched position. A spring biases the guide member from the retracted and latched positions to the upright position. A latch releasably retains the guide member in the latched position.

Abstract: A floor scrubbing vehicle having scrub brushes mounted at the rear of the vehicle by a mechanism which allows both the brushes and squeegee to extend and retract transversely with respect to the vehicle. The mechanism is resilient, and allows the scrub brushes and squeegee to automatically retract inward upon contact with an immovable obstacle, and also causes automatic extension of the brushes and squeegee following passage of the obstacle. The scrub brushes and squeegee are mounted in a scrubbing pod frame which can rotate about a vertical axis with respect to the vehicle to prevent damage, or to facilitate access for repair and maintenance.

Abstract: A method of forming a neutron-absorbing tube or a section of such tube, and the resulting tube. An elongate, generally rectangular metal ingot having a hollow interior is formed with at least one elongate metal divider in the interior forming chambers. The chambers are filled with a uniformly dispersed mixture of finely divided boron and particles of a finely divided metal, the ingot is then soaked to an elevated temperature and hot rolled to form a thin, rigid neutron-absorbing sheet having opposite metal edge portions and an elongated metal spacer portion at each metal divider. The sheet is then longitudinally bent at each spacer portion. A tube is formed by welding one or more bent sheet along the side edge portions.

Abstract: A digital barometric altimeter has an electrical pressure transducer juxtaposed with a pitostatic port, and has a processor located remotely from the port, interconnected with the transducer by an analog-to-digital converter. The processor filters the pressure-responsive data, linearizes it, and converts it to altitude-representative data, using a "jump-and-converge" procedure. The altitude-representative output may be supplied to a display or other utilization device.

Abstract: A punch type release lock intended for use primarily in retaining load supports such as pallets in locked position in an aircraft. The lock comprises a detent mechanism which is inserted into a recess preferably at the side of the load support. A preferred form of detent mechanism comprises a pair of relatively movable elements, at least one of which is pivoted. The elements include abutments which are movable apart as the elements are inserted into the recess. When a load is applied to the pivoted detent, as for example, by a parachute extracting system, movement of the element in a direction to withdraw the element to release the load support is prevented by a load cell comprising a fuse plate and punch, in which the punch is prevented from movement by the fuse plate until attainment of a predetermined load on the pivoted detent element.

Abstract: A storage rack in which a plurality of tubular shrouds are assembled together in a checkerboard arrangement, each shroud having side walls arranged to absorb subatomic particles such as neutrons. With this arrangement, spent atomic fuel rods may be assembled in the shrouds and also in the spaces which are surrounded by shrouds, so that each adjacent grouping of fuel rods has interposed therebetween an emission absorbing wall.