Abstract: A retractable LCD monitor for use in aircraft and the like is supplied with power from a power supply that is secured in a fixed off-monitor location on the monitor's housing. The power supply also provides power for a motor assembly that controls a pivoting of the monitor between open and retracted positions. This configuration allows for a compact monitor assembly that can be stowed screen up within a restricted space housing, thus protecting the display from damage by passengers and presenting a pleasing appearance, while still pivoting the monitor by more than 90.degree. to its open position. The motor that is used to pivot the monitor to the open position remains coupled to the monitor pivot mechanism during the retraction cycle, providing a back-emf that resists a spring force used to retract the monitor, and thereby cushion its retraction.

Abstract: A mechanism for releasably retracting and storing a length of electrical cord (96,98,100,102,104) is formed of first and second pairs of cord pulleys (60,62,82,84) mounted at opposite ends of an elongated retractor frame (18). An intermediate section of a cord is stored in the frame and has one end (92) of the stored section fixed to the frame, with the other end (106) extending from the frame. The stored cord section is wound around the two pairs of cord pulleys (60,62,82,84), and one pair of pulleys (60,62) is slidably mounted for motion toward the other pair of pulleys (82,84) with a detachable latch (126) to lock the movable pulleys in position adjacent the fixed pulleys in a cord extended position. Springs (70,72) entrained around force direction changing spring pulleys (66,68) constantly urge the slidable pulleys (60,62) to an initial position wherein the cord is retracted.

Abstract: A removable passenger control unit (20) is detachably latched in position in a recess in the arm (12) of a passenger seat by means of a rotatable C-shaped pawl (40) that is mounted on a support arm (54) that projects into a recess (48,50,52) in an end of the passenger control unit. The legs (70,72) of the pawl straddle the support arm, and one leg (72) is threadedly engaged with a cap screw (60) that is rotatable and slidable in an aperture at the end of the support arm. The other leg (70) of the C-shaped pawl (40) has an aperture that receives an enlarged head (62) of the cap screw. The arrangement allows the pawl to be rotated between latched and unlatched positions and to be shifted axially of the cap screw by rotation of the cap screw. The capture of an upper leg (70) of the C-shaped pawl by the enlarged head (62) of the cap screw resists tilting moments exerted by engagement of the pawl with a panel edge ( 18) of the passenger seat.

Abstract: An upright wall mountable or portable computer terminal (10) includes a keyboard (16) which can be moved to a number of locked positions, including stowed (flat) for fingerpoking, extended out in a typing position, lowered, angled and flipped over with the keyboard (16) inside. The keyboard (16) is supported by a mechanism (20) which extends from a frame (22) of the terminal (10) and includes a shaft (40) which rotatably supports an upper edge portion of the keyboard (16). Rack and pinion units (24) rotatably support the ends (40a) of the shaft (40) and enable rotation and up and down movement of the shaft (40) and thereby the keyboard (16) without skewing. A spring loaded latch (70) enables the keyboard (16) to be locked in a desired position with overforce breakaway.

Abstract: A video player module (16) is detachably mounted in a housing (12a) of an airline passenger seat console (12), and has a cavity (16c) which opens in the forwardly facing direction (14) of the seat (10). A video monitor (22) is pivotally attached to the end of an arm (26) which extends from the console (12), and is movable between a viewing position above the console (12) and a stowed position inside the cavity (16c). The monitor (22) is positively prevented for moving rearwardly past the viewing position and possibly striking a passenger sitting in the seat (10) in response to inertial forces resulting from abrupt motion of the aircraft. The arm (26) is pivotally attached to the console (12) by a durable disc clutch (34) which is capable of securely holding the arm (26) and monitor (22) in the viewing position, and allowing the arm (26) and monitor (22) to be moved between the viewing and stowed positions against a constant and optimal value of resisting torque.

Abstract: The system includes containers for storing articles to be distributed, and a computer-controlled locking system for controlling access to the articles. The initial inventory of articles stored in the container is bar-coded, and the bar code data provide a digital data record of articles stored and locked in the container. A central computing unit (CCU) includes a housing with locked compartments for receiving and storing a plurality of hand-held portable transaction monitoring units (PTMUs) used to record transaction data from the sale of articles in the container. Each PTMU contains a microprocessor and data storage for communicating with the CCU and with memory in the cart. A security door in the CCU is selectively unlocked for obtaining a selected PTMU only in response to a coded ID input identifying the particular user of the PTMU. The PTMU is then mounted on the article container to off-load a digital data record of the inventory of articles stored in the container.

Abstract: A transaction monitoring and security system records data from the sale of articles and provides security for inventor and sales receipts. The system includes container for storing articles to be distributed, and computer-controlled locking system for controlling access to the articles. The initial inventory of articles stored in the container is bar-coded, and the bar code data provide a digital data record of articles stored and locked in the container. A central computing unit (CCU) includes a housing with locked compartments for receiving and storing a plurality of hand-held portable transaction monitoring units (PTMU's) used to record transaction data from the sale of articles in the container. Each PTMU contains a microprocessor and data storage for communicating with the CCU and with memory in the cart. The PTMU off-loads a digital data record of the inventory of articles stored in the container.

Abstract: A method of calibrating the addresses of messages on a copy record duplicated from a master record of such messages having known addresses. Prior to duplication of the master record, first and second cues are recorded on the master record, which cues are separated by a known or determined distance along a track of the master record. After the copy record has been duplicated from the master record and installed in the message retrieval system, the system determines the distance between the duplicated cues on the copy record and derives a correction factor from the distance so determined and the known distance between the recorded cues on the master record. When a message is selected for being reproduced by the message retrieval system, the correction factor is applied to the address of the selected message on the master record to obtain a corrected address of the selected message on the copy record.

Abstract: An over-the-head style headset to be used in the airline industry and supplied to passengers in flight to provide audio reception of one or more programs. The headset is designed to be snap-assembled from economically manufactured parts, and is capable of being easily converted between acoustic and electromagnetic operation.

Abstract: A controlled access storage system provides for selectively permitting custodial access to valuable items that can be stored in a safe within the system. The system provides an item-removal mode of operation during which a record member is used to gain access to stored valuable items and is captured until an ensuing item-replacement mode of operation.