Abstract: A metal sandwich structural body and manufacture thereof is provided in such a manner that a core body composed of a pair of core members is provided between surface plates made of superplastic metallic materials, these core members are bonded to the surface plates, free end parts of these core members are made integral to each other and following evagination of the surface plates the core members are raised and thus a three-dimensional core body is formed and, when the surface plates are evaginated, the free end parts of the core members are slightly moved while no movement occurs in bonded portions between the core members and the surface plates and thus a metal sandwich structural body having an optional form can be formed by preventing unfavorable deformation and irrespective of forms.

Abstract: A connecting mechanism has a reversely tapered fit portion, an elastically expandable collet chuck fitted on the fit portion, a locking sleeve surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the fit portion and axially slidably mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the collet chuck, and a spring for biasing the locking sleeve in its advancing direction. The locking sleeve advances with the collet chuck being fitted on the fit portion and locks the collet chuck such that the collet chuck cannot be expanded in the fit portion.

Abstract: An extendable mast of the joint type constructed by freely swingably connecting essentially-rigid members to one another. It includes a plurality of battens extending in the traverse direction of the mast, a plurality of longerons extending in the longitudinal direction of the mast to connect battens adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the mask, and diagonals arranged along the diagonal lines of a rectangle which is formed by the two battens adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the mast and by the two longerons adjacent in the traverse direction thereof. Each of the longerons consists of a pair of beam members freely swingably connected to each other and when these beam members are folded, the mast is also folded compact. The diagonal comprises plural slider members slidable relative to each other and it can be extended to a full length. When these diagonals are extended to their full length, the beam members are locked under overcenter condition.

Abstract: A structure comprising a pair of end plates, plural longerons arranged parallel to one another and elastically buckled, a plurality of radial spacers for holding these longerons at a certain interval and a pair of diagonal cords stretched between two adjacent radial spacers, between one of the end plates and the uppermost radial spacer and between the other of the end plates and the lowest radial spacer, respectively, wherein a means is attached to one of the paired diagonal cords stretched between one of the end plates and the uppermost or lowest radial spacer to apply a predetermined tension to this diagonal cord. The transforming of the longerons or radial spacer located at one end of the structure can be restrained by the tension applying means while the structure is being deployed or collapsed.

Abstract: A structure comprising a pair of end plates, plural longerons arranged parallel to one another and elastically buckled, a plurality of radial spacers for holding these longerons at a certain interval and a pair of diagonal cords stretched between two adjacent radial spacers, between one of the end plates and the uppermost radial spacer and between the other of the end plates and the lowest radial spacer, respectively, wherein a means is attached to one of the paired diagonal cords stretched between one of the end plates and the uppermost or lowest radial spacer to apply a predetermined tension to this diagonal cord. The transforming of the longerons or radial spacer located at one end of the structure can be restrained by the tension applying means while the structure is being deployed or collapsed.

Abstract: An extensible structure comprising five or more longerons which can be resiliently deformed like a coil, a plurality of batten members arranged at certain intervals in the axial direction of the longerons to connect the longerons to one another, and two chords diagonally stretched on a plane formed a four connected points where the two longerons with at least one longeron interposed between them are connected by the two batten members adjacent in the axial direction of the longerons.

Abstract: A spring apparatus has a spring body including a plurality of elastic longitudinal beam members and a coupling beam member for holding the elastic longitudinal beam members at a predetermined interval. The apparatus further has a pair of spring retaining members for supporting the both ends of the spring body, and a rotary member rotatable provided around the central axis of the spring body as a center at least one one spring retaining member. At least one of the elastic longitudinal beam member is provided at one end of the rotary member. This spring apparatus is a tightly wound coil and made of the elastic longitudinal beam members in fully compressed state. When extended, each elastic longitudinal beam member is sequentially spirally deformed at larger pitch from the end. The twisting deformation of the elastic longitudinal beam member is released by rotation of the rotary member.

Abstract: A truss structure for use in outer space comprises a plurality of module units and can be deployed into a structure having a flat surface or a curved surface. Each module unit comprises members, two pairs of flexible chords and four diagonal members. The members are arranged along the edges of an imaginary rectangular parallelepiped. The flexible chords of the first pair are stretched in that face of the imaginary parallelepiped which defines the flat or curved face, along the diagonals of this face. The flexible chords of the second pair are stretched in that face of the imaginary parallelepiped which opposes said face, along the diagonals of this face. Each diagonal member is provided in the corresponding one of the other four faces of the imaginary parallelepiped, along one diagonal of this face, extending at right angles to the diagonal member provided in the opposite parallel face.

Abstract: An extendible structure includes at least three extendible longerons and a plurality of integrated radial spacers. Each spacer includes a plurality of legs integrally formed therewith to radially extend from the central part thereof. The distal end of each of the spacers is connected to a corresponding one of the extendible longerons. In the extended state of the extendible structure, at least three longerons are deployed in parallel with one another with space intervals among them in the lateral direction which intersect with the direction of extension of the longerons, and the spacers support the longerons with the horizontally spaced interval within a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the longerons. In the collapsed condition of the extendible structure, each of the longerons is collapsed in a loop form, and the spacers are laid one upon another inside the loop formed by the longerons while the legs of the spacers are twisted.

Abstract: A plurality of beams or triangular plates members and beam members form a tetrahedral unit. These units are coupled at their common planes to adjacent facing units to form a foldable, extendible truss beam. Some of the beams are extendible or bendable. By extending or bending, each beam or plate member folds into a flat or bar shape.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water-surface target towed by a mother ship which comprises a towed member running underwater with a ballast weight suspended therefrom, a target pole set up on the top of the towed member, and a stabilizing plate attached to a position above the waterline of the target pole at an angle of incidence. The water-surface target can be used even under bad conditions and towed at a high speed, e.g. 30 knots, due to the towed member being capable of continually maintaining stability underwater.

Abstract: A target ship includes a hull travelling at a predetermined depth below the water level, and a pair of poles between which a target is attached, the target being disposed above the water level.