Abstract: Apparatus for lifting and storing a dinghy or similar watercraft on the transom or swim platform of a larger boat includes a substantially U-shaped cradle secured to the swim platform by means of pivoting arms providing an over-center arrangement in which the cradle may be swung from a deployed position behind the swim platform to an over-center, storage position in which essentially the entire weight of the cradle and the dinghy is transferred to the swim platform while the dinghy remains in essentially a horizontal position.

Abstract: An aircraft seat convertible in situ for economy class and business class usage is described herein. In the case of a two-seater convertible seat, arm dividers are movably mounted on a seat frame for positioning thereon according to required widths of seating positions and to eliminate a middle seating position for business usage. Seat backs of two outer seating positions may be provided with mechanisms, such as slidable panels, which operate to vary the widths of the seat backs in the business class position. Alternatively, the seat backs are bodily movable on the seat frame and provided with hinge-mounted side bolsters of a compressible foam material which can be opened outwardly to increase the widths of the backs of the two outer seats with those backs moved to the two-seater business class configuration on the seat frame and the middle seating position eliminated.

Abstract: A system for arresting movement of an aircraft traveling off the end of a runway at high speeds. Rigid, friable, fire resistant foam boards, preferably phenolic foam, are connected to form a panel, and a plurality of layers comprised of stacked panels are adhered to a base surface. The panels are formed from unfaced foam boards, the compressive strength of the stack of boards being less than the force exerted by the landing gear of the aircraft to allow the boards to be crushed by the landing gear.

Abstract: A vibration absorbing steering device for an outboard motor having a swivel bracket constructed and arranged for mounting to a transom bracket of a boat and defining a vertical passageway includes a tubular pivot shaft being pivotally engaged in the passageway, an engine mount bracket designed to mount the engine for rotation with the pivot shaft, and a vibration absorbing torque tube for absorbing vibration generated by the engine. The torque tube is vertically disposed within the tubular pivot shaft and is secured at one end to the pivot shaft. A tiller arm has a pivot end attached to the upper end of the torque tube so that the tiller arm is connected to the engine mount bracket through the torque tube, and the torque tube absorbs vibration from the engine which would normally be transmitted through the tiller arm to the operator. In addition to absorbing engine vibration, the present device also permits positive steering control of the motor by manipulation of the tiller arm.

Abstract: A device for eliminating fire risk due to hot particles (12) in the form of burning or glowing material passing within a pipeline (10). The device includes a valve (18) which can be controlled to block the pipeline when a risk of fire is indicated in the pipeline and/or connected parts, and a container (16) with an extinguishing agent. The extinguishing agent intended to be fed into the pipeline (10) as the pipeline is blocked by the valve preferably consists of a gas or liquid. The container (16) is connected to the valve (18) via a line (10) for the extinguishing agent. In this way, an extinguishing agent passing out of the container (16) will initiate the release of the valve (18).

Abstract: A hydroplane hull according to the present invention comprises a forebottom surface and an afterbottom surface connected by a step. The afterbottom surface has an aft portion formed with a positive trim angle and a forward portion with a non-negative trim angle which is of lesser angle than that of the aft portion.

Abstract: A lubricant delivery system for an outboard motor that includes a lubricant storage tank positioned in the hull of an associated watercraft and a lubricant delivery tank carried by the outboard motor. A switching arrangement supplies lubricant to the delivery tank when its level falls below a predetermined amount and shuts it off when the lubricant level reaches a predetermined amount. The outboard motor is mounted for trim adjustment and a trim sensing arrangement is incorporated for sensing when a change in the trim of the outboard motor might effect needless actuation of the lubricant pump and cause overfilling of the lubricant delivery tank.

Abstract: A device for the adjustment of the maneuver forces of movable members of an aircraft.

Abstract: An inflatable swimming support adapted to be worn upon the upper arm of a user, the support comprising a major continuous and closed, torus-shaped air chamber formed of fluid-impervious, flexible material, the major air chamber forming a tubular central arm opening therethrough; a minor continuous and closed, torus-shaped air chamber formed of a strip of fluid-impervious, flexible material, the strip being heat sealed to the material of the major air chamber interiorly along two concentric circular lines and forming a central arm opening therethrough; a first valve means in fluid communication with the major air chamber for the selective inflation and deflation thereof; and a second valve means in fluid communication with the minor air chamber independent of the major air chamber for the selective inflation and deflation of the minor air chamber, the first and second valve means being located in spaced relationship along the length of the central arm opening.

Abstract: An avionic tray for supporting an avionic equipment box including a flat bottom section having an opening for communicating with an air plenum chamber and a pair of side rails, of unitary construction with the bottom section, extending upwardly at right angles to and at the lateral edges of the bottom section. A pair of vertically spaced and inwardly projecting back plate support tabs are formed in each side rail, the tabs defining flat surface lying in a plane perpendicular to the bottom section and the side rails. A back plate, having an opening for receiving a connector, is rivited to the support tabs and the bottom section to position the back plate and its associated connector precisely at right angles to the side rails and the bottom section.

Abstract: An autonomous, heliborne-mobile construction/emergency pod (AHP) system that is structurally and functionally designed and configured to efficiently and expeditiously deploy independently operable, self-contained equipment pods utilizing the operational capabilities provided by helicopters. The AHP system is configured for integration in combination with a helicopter external stores support station. The AHP system includes a dual cable winch and rack (DCWR) assembly and an equipment pod that is configured for provisioning remote and/or inaccessible locations with a full complement of mission specific power actuated equipment and a self-contained power source to facilitate extended mission operations without external support.

Abstract: An elongate helicopter body including an orthogonally mounted rotatable and pivotally positionable rotor shaft fixedly mounting a solid, annular, convex blade member defined by a parabolic convex curve and terminating in an annular rim, wherein the rim is aligned generally orthogonal to the rotor shaft. Propulsion is provided by an enclosed CO2 cartridge, or alternatively a propulsion propeller in alignment with the body of the helicopter. Modifications of the instant invention include a lift propeller mounted underlying or overlying the solid blade and is of a generally equal diameter to that defined by the blade.

Abstract: The suspension device is interposed between the rotor and the fuselage of the helicopter for filtering the vibration exciting forces and moments coming from the rotor. In this helicopter, a speed reducer (1) is provided in a housing mounted on the fuselage (22) by rigid oblique bars (28). According to the invention, there are disposed around the housing of the speed reducer, in a number equal to the number of rigid oblique bars (28), monodirectional antiresonant means (20,21,23,23a,23b,25) connecting the upper ends of the rigid oblique bars (28) to the speed reducer (1).

Abstract: An improved shuttle with variable internal volume is provided by the present invention. Space shuttle orbiter 10 includes a telescoping main propulsion unit 20. This main propulsion unit 20 contains the main rocket engines 22 and fuel tanks 21 and telescopes into the shuttle. A variable cavity 30 is located between this unit 20 and the crew compartment 25. Accordingly, the positioning of the telescoping main propulsion unit 20 determines the volume of the variable cavity 30. Thus, the volume of the variable length of the entire shuttle 10 may be increased or decreased to achieve desired configurations for optimal storage. In one embodiment of the present invention, paylod 35 also telescopes within variable cavity 30.

Abstract: A method for converting a single-hull tanker to a mid-deck configuration is disclosed. The midship cargo section of the tanker is cut longitudinally along a horizontal plane well below the normal laden water line. A spacer member including a new transverse mid-deck is interposed between the lower and upper portions of the midship cargo section. The port and starboard outer sections of the midship cargo section of the vessel are cut longitudinally away from the central portions of the midship sections of the vessel, and new longitudinal bulkheads are added. In this way the vessel is provided with port and starboard wing ballast tanks between the hull plating and the port and starboard wing cargo tanks. The center cargo tank is also divided the upper and lower sections, such that the lower section can be converted to ballast in the event double-hulled tankers become mandatory for oil transport.

Abstract: The throttle of an aircraft can be alternatively controlled either by a flight control computer or by the manual control of the pilot. A clutch is installed between the throttle control lever and a control input to the flight control computer which in the autothrottle mode of operation is engaged to enable control of the throttle by the flight control computer with the control lever being positioned in accordance with such control. When manual takeover of the throttle control is desired, a switch is actuated by the pilot which operates to disengage the clutch and thereby disconnects the control output of the computer from the lever so that only manual control is provided. A unique clutch mechanism is employed which utilizes a pair of locking wedges which operate in conjunction with a pair of rollers. The wedges and rollers are driven into engagement with each other by a solenoid, the opposing plates of the clutch being held in locking engagement through the intermediary provided by the wedges and rollers.

Abstract: The present invention features a safety device that activates the air-brake system immediately upon the detection and/or occurrence of a railroad car derailment condition. The safety device includes a bar entension disposed beneath each car of a train. The extension bar is disposed transverse to the parallel rails and is positioned a few (approximately four) inches above them. When any one of the cars is caused to derail, the extension bar contacts the rail, causing a trip valve in the air-brake line to open. The opening of the trip valve gradually releases the air pressure in the line, thus automatically and instantaneously actuating the air-brake system throughout the train. The gradual release of the air pressure in the air-brake system provides more time for the engineer of the train to bring the train under control and reduces the possibility of damage and injury caused by the derailment.

Abstract: A submunition unit provided with a rotary parachute (3) as the sole parachute. The parachute, after release, initially is unable to be fully deployed due to reef loops (16) provided on the rigging lines (15) and held by a releasable holding device arrangement (4, 5, 6) and therefore acts as a deceleration and stabilization parachute at high flight velocities. The reef loops (16) are released after a predetermined period of time to permit the rigging lines (15) to fully extend and parachute (3) to become fully deployed or opened.

Abstract: The recoverable airborne instrument module is implemented using an aerodynamic housing which has at least one moveable control surface thereon. In operation, the recoverable instrument module is carried aloft by balloon to enable its instrument package payload to perform a series of meteorological measurements. The exterior housing of the recoverable instrument package has an aerodynamic shape, such as a delta wing airframe with a controllable rudder. A navigation circuit contained within the housing references the radio frequency transmissions of a plurality of beacons to determine the altitude and geographic position of the instrument package. This information, as well as data identifying the location of at least one predetermined landing site is used to dynamically calculate a flight path to controllably descend the instrument module to a selected one of these landing sites.

Abstract: A passive sway arrest system for dockside cargo container handling cranes which includes mounting on the load-carrying trolley a pivotable platform which oscillates when a load being carried by the trolley sways with pendulum motion when the trolley is moved along the boom and girder of the crane, the oscillation of the platform providing a means to arrest sway.