Abstract: A life buoy equipped with a radar responder adapted to transmit waves in response to radar waves from a searcher, the life buoy comprising a hull member of a rigid plastic hollow construction, the hull member water-tightly accommodating a receiving antenna, a receiver, a transmitting antenna, a transmitter and a battery in a vertical manner such that the center of gravity is located at a distance from and below the center of buoyancy, and the hull member having a downwardly converging shape from under the level of water at least up to the center of buoyancy.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjustably mounting an ejection seat (16) in an aircraft in which outer catapult cylinders (58, 60) support inner catapult cylinders (62, 64) and supply force to the inner cylinders to eject the inner cylinders and the seat from the aircraft, the inner cylinders being connected to an upper rear end of the seat (66, 68). The seat (16) is supported in the aircraft by the inner and outer catapult cylinders (62, 64, 58, 60), by adjusting actuators (40) to raise and lower and to tilt the seat forwardly and rearwardly, by lower anchor links (30) pivotally connected to the aircraft and to lower end (26, 28) of the outer catapult cylinders and to the actuators (40), and by upper links (50). The seat is connected to the catapult cylinders (58, 60) by slipper blocks 82. The slipper blocks (82) are pivotally connected to the seat by pins (84) and are slidably engaged with the outer catapult cylinders.

Abstract: A deployable space panel structure for use in connection with space vehicles such as satellites and the like. The deployable space panel structure includes a first series of interconnected substantially flat panel members and a second series of interconnected substantially flat members. Pivotal connectors that allow substantially free rotational movement interconnect the edges of certain of the flat panel members of the first and second series of interconnected panel members and a deployment mechanism is provided that permit the first series of interconnected panel members to be in a separate plane from the second series of interconnected panel members. This permits the first and second series of interconnected panel members to have greater strength and rigidity than if they were both located in the same plane.

Abstract: A vertically elongated resilient fender for deployment between a floating vessel and a dock or an adjacent floating vessel, defined by a flat rear wall and a convexly arched front wall integrally joined along their peripheral edges, together enclosing a hollow interior chamber, and having lateral wing flanges extending sidewise from the upper side edges of the rear base panel with securing eyes formed therein to receive a securing line employed to anchor the fender with its wing flanges flexibly bent backward behind the rear base panel. When this fender is cleated near the edge of a boat deck, its backwardly bent wing flanges rest on the deck, suspending the fender directly in front of the sheer line deck edge, firmly retaining the fender against dislodgement.

Abstract: In order to reduce the risk of an offshore vessel capsizing in the event of a collision resulting in damage to its columns, a strengthening member is arranged in front of at least one of the columns, between the work platform of the vessel and the supporting hull. The strengthening member comprises a watertight box structure rigidly connected to the platform, and a tubular, also displacing part, extending between the box structure and the hull. The box structure has considerable volume and is situated so high that it will not be damaged in the event of a collision.

Abstract: A delta-wing and a tapered-wing planform are combined and result in an airplane which does not require a tail assembly or a fuselage and which provides a means to resolve the conflicting requirements for large circular aperture payload space and low drag, high endurance flight. The invention consists of a flying machine with a moveable disk structure which enables a suitable circular aperture phased array antenna system to be operated either within the wing envelope or in a vertical position so that multiple narrow pencil beams can be electronically steered in opposite directions from the airplane. The location of the antenna with respect to the wing structure is such that it can operate with a corporate-fed array in the horizontal position and/or a space-fed array in the vertical position.

Abstract: A food supply system is adapted for installation in an aircraft having an upper and a lower deck. A pantry is located on the upper deck. A food supply carts carrying platform is arranged on the lower deck for cooperation with the pantry on the upper deck. A lifting mechanism is arranged for cooperation with the platform for lifting or lowering selectively any one of a plurality of food supply carts whereby the space requirements on each deck are optimally reduced.

Abstract: An autonomous and semi-submerged station for cleaning the hulls of pleasure craft, comprising a floating ballasted pontoon or a wharf and principally a mobile cabin, ballasted, in unbreakable transparent material, with an open roof, having on its forward wall (40) two openings provided with sealed rotary bearings (1) by which enter and exit, while sweeping, tubes (2) for water under pressure fed with fresh or salt water through an autonomous pump. The work is performed under visual surveillance. Secured to the cabin, a mechanism of pulley and externally grooved wheels, controlled from the interior of the cabin permits the longitudinal displacement on the tubes secured to the floating pontoon or to the wharf. The externally grooved wheels enclose the tubes that mate the cabin to the floating pontoon or to the wharf.

Abstract: A target bag to be towed has on its periphery arranged a plurality of pressure sensitive transducers for monitoring the trajectory of passing projectiles. The transducers are arranged to obtain overall omnidirectional response characteristics in relation to the center of the target.

Abstract: In the mooring of ships, boats and barges to a dock or oil well platform it is necessary to have a line run from the ship or boat or barge to the dock or platform. The line running from the dock or platform to the ship or boat or barge is under tension. This invention is directed to a RELEASEABLE HOOK which, automatically, trips and releases the line when the tension on the line exceeds a predetermined tension. The ship or boat or barge at that time is free to move. The increase in the tension in the line maybe be brought about by rough water or by a wind or other causes. This RELEASEABLE HOOK is a design to trip and release the line without an operator. The tension in the line, when it exceeds a predetermined tension or pressure on the hook, will cause the hook to automatically trip.

Abstract: A drive motor system is coupled to the landing gear wheels of an air craft via a free wheeling clutch assembly. The drive motor system is energized when the landing gear is extended preparatory for landing either manually or automatically. The drive motor system is controlled to rotate the wheels to have the linear velocity of the periphery of a wheel the same as the ground speed of the aircraft at touchdown. A touchdown sensor stops the drive motor system at touchdown causing the clutch assembly to disengage the wheels when the rpm of the wheel is greater than the drive system rpm. An automatic control system is described.

Abstract: A method for stretching and folding an extension jib in a wheeled type crane including a telescopic boom, and a suspension-rod-supported compression column type extension jib to be supported in a flat posture at the fore end of the boom in stretched state through right and left jib foot portions rotatably engaged with horizontal boom point pins extending transversely of the boom at the fore end thereof, the method including the steps of (a) providing on opposite sides of the extension jib right and left jib foot portions disengageably engageable with the boom point pins, one of the jib foot portions being rotatable relative to the boom about an axis extending in the axial direction of the jib; (b) stretching the jib from a folded position in which the top and bottom sides of the jib are disposed in an upright posture along one side of the boom, by engaging the one jib foot portion with the boom point pin on the folding side and turning the boom into an inclined position from a horizontal position, rotating th

Abstract: A ducted propeller aircraft from which visibility is excellent and which is capable of operating quietly and efficiently has a propeller shroud which serves as a primary load path to pass bending and torsional stresses to which the mainplane is subject in use between the portions of the mainplane either side of the shroud, the shroud defining a duct which is unimpinged upon by any portion of the turbulent airflow emanating from the mainplane.

Abstract: An airfoil (10) having improved life capability and having airfoil curves including a camber divided into three regions I, II and III. Region I has a starting point aft and adjacent a leading edge (12) and encompasses the airfoil stagnation point. Region I has a high curvature around the leading edge and decreases aft along the chord to a first local minimum value of less than 3 for K times C, where C is the length of the chord and K is the reciprocal of the local radius of curvature. The curvature region II starts at the after end of region I within 10% of the chord length and the curvature in region II first increases from the first local minimum at the aft end of region I and then decreases to a second local minimum within 40% of the chord length.

Abstract: Sailboard comprising a sail assembly and a floatboard (2) supporting the sail assembly. The sail assembly comprises two wings (4, 5) in relatively displaced relation to each other, the two wings having substantially parallel leading edges (6, 7), the two wings being connected together by a rigid supporting frame ensuring a constant relative positioning of the wings. One (7) of those leading edges has an end (7a) which is removably and pivotably laid upon the floatboard (2), thus permitting the user to move the sail assembly during navigation between a position where the end (7a) of that one leading edge is pivotably laid upon the floatboard and a position where the sail assembly is dissociated from the floatboard and maintained by the user in a substantially horizontal position to produce a sustentation effect.

Abstract: A safety system for overhead hoisting cranes is provided which incorporates a overload release coupling in the high speed drive shaft between the prime mover and the gear reducers driving one or more hoist drums with a dual reeving and a safety brake acting on the high speed drive shaft at the gear reducers and controlled by an overrunning clutch and a control means.

Abstract: An improved autogyro including a main airframe having a main engine and pusher propeller as customarily applied in autogyros, and a lifting rotor having an auxiliary drive for the lifting rotor for tapping a minor portion of power from the main propulsive engine and transmitting it to the rotor, including a three-stage compound mechanical-hydraulic transmission for transferring power from the main engine to the lift rotor, wherein the hydraulic portion of the transmission serves functions of providing continuously variable transmission speed ratio, torque converter type of inverse speed-torque relationship, a one-way check valve allowing the rotor to free-wheel, an overpressure relief valve to prevent overtorquing of the lift rotor, a bypass valve acting as a clutch to engage and disengage the power, and a manual shut-off valve acting as a rotor brake and rotor parking lock.

Abstract: A load lifting crane for raising the load at a site and moving the load in a substantially horizontal direction to a remote site where the load is lowered. The crane includes a base support member which has a pivotally supported vertically extending mast carried thereon. A substantially horizontally extending boom is carried by the upper end of the mast for pendulous movement. An actuator strut is connected between the upper end of the mast and the base support member so that by selectively varying the length of the actuator strut, the mast is pivoted for shifting the boom. As the boom is shifted, it is shifted in a substantially pendulous movement relative to the mast thereby moving the load-carrying end of the boom substantially horizontally after lifting the load off of a site.

Abstract: In order to achieve fine control of the velocity of an aircraft flying a predetermined flight path at a predetermined nominal speed in the presence of such perturbations as wind gusts, a low inertia, fast acting device is extended or deployed into the aircraft dragstream and is rapidly position-modulated in response to sensed acceleration/deceleration to instantaneously slightly alter the total system drag to an amount which causes the aircraft to maintain the predetermined velocity. Among the exemplary alternative low inertia devices disclosed are: fuselage and wing mounted flaps which are rapidly more or less extended, a trailing cable which is rapidly reeled in or out, and a trailing inflatable member whose degree of inflation is rapidly changed, all in response to sensed acceleration/deceleration from an on-board system.

Abstract: A pickup truck derrick assembly includes a base frame, a derrick A-frame pivotally mounted on the base frame, a derrick frame erection subassembly, a frame support and locking subassembly and a cable compensation system. In one form, the frame erection subassembly includes an elongated track. A roller or carriage subassembly rides on the track and engages the A-frame. Movement of the carriage along the track raises and lowers the A-frame. The A-frame is held in an erected position by support braces pivotally connected at one end to the base frame. Each brace slidably engages a sleeve mounted on the A-frame. A locking mechanism automatically secures the braces to the sleeves when the A-frame is erected. In another form, the erection subassembly includes lead screw actuators combined with the support braces to raise and lower the A-frame and lock the frame in position.