Abstract: A sensor for the seat of a motor vehicle includes a compressible, preferably foam layer disposed between two conductive sheets. In one embodiment, the capacitance between the conductive sheets is measured to determine what and whether an object is disposed on the sensor, while in another application, apertures are formed through the compressible layer to allow the conductive sheets to contact one another through the apertures. One embodiment having relatively low resistivity to produce a short circuit, and another embodiment has higher resistivity in which the magnitude of the change and resistance may be used to determine the nature of an object.

Abstract: A zero draft cargo vessel with high speed open sea operational capabilities, a catamaran type design with hovercraft systems capable of lifting the craft slightly out of the water and air lubricating the planing pontoon bottoms for greatly reduced water drag at all speeds. A surface effect ship (SES, twin hard sidewalls), design with flat bottom planning pontoons, (SEPPS). The soft Hovercraft air pad being contained and stabilized by the twin high speed surface planing pontoon reactions. A high speed cargo vessel capable of operating at two to three times the speeds of conventional cargo vessels having the same horse power to weight ratios. A high speed cargo vessel design of greatly increased fuel efficiency per ton mile due to its greatly reduced water drag. A fast cargo vessel traveling at near three times the speed with the same hourly fuel consumption of large conventional cargo ships. This equates to getting there in 1/3 the time and 1/3 the fuel.

Abstract: Mobile system apparatus for accurately determining the location of a designated object, spaced apart from the apparatus, without having to approach the designated object. The invention uses a Satellite Positioning System (SATPS), such as GPS or GLONASS, to determine the SATPS location of a first reference SATPS station, whose location is known with high accuracy, and of a second mobile SATPS station. The second mobile SATPS station uses two SATPS signal antennas, spaced apart a known distance but arbitrarily oriented. SATPS antennas at the first and second SATPS stations each receive SATPS signals from a plurality of SATPS satellites that can be used to determine the location of each antenna. The location of each SATPS antenna may be determined using differential corrections for the location of the first SATPS station antenna. The locations of the two SATPS signal antennas at the second SATPS station define a baseline for purposes of determination angular orientation.

Abstract: Visors, for a cap or headpiece. Particularly, a focus vision visor in the form of one or more blinders which depend vertically from the visor, so as to limit peripheral vision. The blinders in the non-use storage mode may be secured to the underside of the visor.

Abstract: A unique double acting piston and cylinder assembly is disclosed wherein the assembly can be moved to any one of three positively determined positions by application of fluid pressure to any one of three ports.

Abstract: A gear changing system is disclosed for changing the gears in one or more automotive or truck transmissions of the mechanical type. Each rail or equivalent linkage for supporting and moving the gear changing fork is connected to the operating shaft of a fluid actuated cylinder assembly which has fluid ports connected to a plurality of control valves. The valves are connected, on one side, to a source of fluid under pressure, preferably pneumatic, and on the other side are vented to a reservoir or the atmosphere. An electrical or electropneumatic control system controls the operation of the valves, the control system including a push button selector which chooses a shift gear ratio to be attained. The push button assembly first operates a "neutral" valve which causes the cylinder means to move each shift rail to neutral.