Abstract: A constant velocity joint (10) is provided specifically for connecting a yoke (14) to a mast (12) in a helicopter and more generally (200) for interconnecting a first shaft (202) to a second shaft (204) for bidirectional drive. The constant velocity joint employs a carrier (40, 218) which is formed with a series of apertures for receiving elastomeric bearing assemblies (42, 80, 220). The elastomeric bearing assemblies are provided with a spherical elastomeric bearing (60) and a cylindrical elastomeric bearing (48). Certain of the elastomeric bearing assemblies connect the carrier to one of the rotating members while the remaining elastomeric bearing assemblies connect the other rotating member to the carrier. The axis of symmetry (67) of the carrier always bisects the angle of misalignment between the two rotating shafts or members to assure that a constant velocity joint is achieved.

Abstract: An improved propeller blade for use in an environment subjecting the blade to particulate impacts tending to erode the dynamic profile of the blade, and which is carried by a rotatable hub and extends radially therefrom, whereby the blade bends in cantilever fashion and twists axially of its length during operation. The blade may be either of the aluminum alloy type or of a resinous molded matrix type with reinforcing inclusions, and is cut away along its leading edge to accommodate therein a plurality of serially aligned but separate erosion resistant implants. The implants are formed of a silicon based ceramic material and are externally shaped to complement in profile continuity the prescribed efficient dynamic profile of the blade, and there is employed a novel system for restraining the implants against dislodgements during operation of the propeller.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cover assembly for the discharge opening of a lawn mower, which cover assembly serves the unique triple function of (i) mulching, (ii) side-discharging with a fail-safe anti-damage feature, and (iii) enabling the attachment needed for rear bagging to be mounted without removing the cover assembly. The cover assembly also includes transition means for dispersing the cuttings over a wide area as the cuttings are discharged from the discharge opening.

Abstract: A lawn thatcher assembly including a shaft and a plurality of blades and spacers extending therealong. The shaft has a helical surface thereon, and the blades have a matching helical opening, all of which permits the blades to be slid onto the shaft and present a final helical pattern of blade tips along the length of the shaft. The method of making the assembly is also achieved in this invention.

Abstract: This invention involves an expansible band construction which allows a wide latitude in the design of outer decorative shells, thereby permitting the simulation of chain link type bracelets and other popular styles not available before in an expansion band. This is accomplished by constructing the outer links of the band with a smaller width than the width of the inner link. The band in its contracted state will therefore have significant gaps between adjacent outer links.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel high temperature coating system comprised of two successively deposited layers of different respective materials which may be applied to turbine engine components to provide improved oxidation and corrosion resistance. The second applied layer is a composition having the general formula MCrAlY wherein M is a solid solution of molybdenum in nickel, cobalt or nickel plus cobalt. The first applied layer or interlayer, which is applied directly to the turbine engine component, is an aluminum coating.

Abstract: A novel exhaust system for both conducting engine exhaust gases away from and aft of the personnel occupied portion of a marine vessel and protecting the sides of the hull of the vessel from damages thereto during docking or other "working" maneuvers of the vessel is provided.

Abstract: An adjusting mechanism for a headlamp or the like, comprises a first housing piece and a second housing piece defining first and second orthogonally disposed gear-receiving bores when assembled. The bores intersect at a peripheral location with respect to each other so as to receive respectively a drive gear member and an adjusting gear member disposed with the gear members being engageable at the locations where the bores intersect. The housing pieces receive and guide a drive shaft for engagement with the drive gear and extending outwardly from the housing. The second housing piece receives an adjusting shaft for engagement with the adjusting gear and extending from the housing for engagement with a headlamp or the like, such that by rotation of the drive gear members, rotational movement will be imparted to the adjusting shaft to effect adjustment of a headlamp assembly or the like.

Abstract: A plastic object is manufactured by a process including vacuum metallizing with a corrosion prone metal, namely indium, a dielectric substrate to form "islands" of the indium top coated with a clear resinous layer which encapsulates and insulates the islands, one from another. The indium islands are less than one thousand angstroms thick and have an average diameter of less than three thousand angstroms. The island structure is etched following the growth of the metal as it is deposited between the nucleation stage and the stage of channelization of formation of an electrically conductive film. The etchant is selected to clear channels between island structures to improve adhesion of a dielectric resinous top coat to the dielectric substrate by order of magnitude to adhesion to the islands.A preferred application of this invention is the manufacture of exterior automobile trim components the base structure of which is a flexible elastomer such as a thermoplastic urethane.

Abstract: An overspeed protection system is provided for a turboprop engine. The engine includes a governor pump and a constant speed governor both of which are driven by the turbine through a gear reduction assembly. The constant speed governor is in communication with the pitch adjustment means of the propeller and is operative to effect adjustments in the propeller pitch. The system further includes a pressure sensitive switch that is operative to sense a decrease in pressure of the fluid flow produced by the governor pump and thereby sensing a system failure. A solenoid is provided and is operative to prevent pitch adjustments after a system failure sensed by the pressure sensitive switch.

Abstract: An undercut, sealing threaded fastener for engagement with an internally threaded workpiece, and a method of forming the same as provided. The fastener comprises a driver head and a shank extending axially from an undersurface of the driver head. The shank includes an intermediate unthreaded portion and a threaded portion defining a given thread form having a crest diameter and a given root diameter. An undercut groove is provided in the undersurface of the driver head, this undercut groove having an inner diameter no greater tha the crest diameter of the internal or female thread, and preferably also no greater than the root diameter of the external thread, and an outer diameter greater tha the crest diameter. An unthreaded shank portion is formed intermediate the threaded shank portion and the driver head and extends continuous with the inner diameter of the undercut groove.

Abstract: An electronic voltage regulator for an ac electric generator precisely controls the generator output voltage and enhances motor starting ability. A filtered dc representation of the output voltage of the generator is produced by circuitry sensing the output voltage of the generator and rectifying to dc and filtering the voltage sense to obtain a relatively smooth dc voltage which is directly proportional to the output voltage of the generator and has on it a small amount of ripple voltage. A dc voltage which is proportional to the frequency of the generator is also produced by circuitry means which senses the frequency of the generator and produces a dc voltage proportional to the frequency of the generator up to a predetermined maximum frequency, not increasing above that maximum, and for amplifying the voltage produced. A comparator circuit compares the dc voltages.

Abstract: A rivet installation method creates a preload on the workpieces being joined. The rivet shank is urged to resist compression during installation while a ring on the end of the shank is compressed against the workpieces. Withdrawing the compression releases the shank to provide the preload.

Abstract: A voltage regulator is presented which is useful in controlling the recharging of the battery of a walk-behind lawn mower. The battery is used as an energizing source for cranking the piston engine of the mower. Once the engine is running it drives a small alternator whose rectified output is a low power capacity pulsating DC voltage capable of recharging the battery. To prevent overcharging of the battery, a voltage regulator module is introduced between the alternator output and the input to the battery. The voltage regulator includes a ripple smoothing capacitor shunted across the output of the alternator, a 3-terminal positive voltage regulator packaged in integrated circuit form having a voltage input terminal, a voltage output terminal and an output voltage adjustment terminal. A solid state diode placed in series between the voltage output terminal of the regulator and the positive input terminal of the battery prevents battery discharge through the regulator module when the engine is stopped.

Abstract: A flexible bracelet construction comprises at least one longitudinally extending row of transversely extending tubular link elements and a plurality of staple elements which extend inwardly into the link elements from the side edge portions of the bracelet for flexibly interconnecting the link elements in aligned side-by-side relation. The staple elements each comprise a head portion and a pair of leg portions which extend in spaced, substantially parallel relation from the head portion thereof. The head portions of the staple elements are positioned adjacent and end edges of the tubular link elements when the staple elements are assembled in the bracelet and the head portions are formed in enlarged dimensions to conceal the end edges of the link elements and to better retain the link elements on the bracelet when the bracelet is constructed with a plurality of rows of link elements.

Abstract: A frequency agile radar system allows tracking of noncooperative targets with high accuracy. The system is particularly useful in an automatic landing system aboard an aircraft carrier. The radar employs an electronically steered planar array antenna system in which a symmetrical pencil beam of 1.degree. beamwidth is steered in 1/2.degree. steps in a raster scan. A space-stabilized acquisition window allows target acquisition, and target scanning modes are chosen as a function of target range. At far range, target scan is effected by those four beam raster positions which bracket the target whereas when the target is at near range where its cross section is larger than a single beamwidth, the raster is "ballooned" to paint or cover the target fully. The computed track of the target provides a continuing update of autopilot command signals radioed to the target to bring it to and hold it on a selected glideslope which effects the automatic landing.

Abstract: There is disclosed several forms of adjusting mechanisms for a headlamp, or the like. Basically, the mechanism includes a one-piece molded housing member defining gear receiving chambers disposed transversely to each other with said chambers intersecting at a peripheral location. A first drive gear member is disposed in a first one of said gear receiving chambers, and a second adjusting gear member is disposed in the other chamber, with said gear member being engaged at the location where said chambers intersect. A drive member is coupled with the first, drive gear and extends from the housing. An adjusting screw is coupled with said second, adjusting gear for linear movement and extends from the housing for engagement with a headlamp. Accordingly, upon rotation of the drive gear linear movement will be imparted to the adjusting screw by the gear members, which linear movement produces adjustment of a headlamp assembly relative to the automobile frame.

Abstract: A stapler device of the type including an anvil for forming elongated preforms into U-shaped staples and a spring pressed feeder for engaging the legs of the formed staple to advance the supply. The device includes a mounting for the anvil, the feeder and the feeder spring as a self-contained assembly on the stapler housing for movement from an operative position in a lateral direction away from the drive track into a staple clearing position and from the staple clearing position in a lateral direction toward the drive track into the operative position. A manually operable assembly is provided for effecting movement of the anvil, the feeder and the feeder spring from the operating position into the staple clearing position.