Abstract: An apparatus for securing cargo to a vehicle, and to tie-downs or sliders receivable in rails mounted to a bed, load deck, or other storage area of a vehicle, such as a pickup, sport utility vehicle, or trailer is described. A user may easily change, adjust or customize the tie-down locations to suit a desired application. The cargo securing system has a rail with a generally C-shaped cross section, the open end of the C-shape defining a slot which may run along the entire length of the rail. The C-shaped rail also defines a channel which may run along the entire length of the rail. A slider member may reside in the channel and include a foot or base portion and an integral elongate portion which may protrude through the slot in the rail. The slider member may include an integral tie-down location on the elongate portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing cargo to a vehicle, and to tie-downs or sliders receivable in rails mounted to a bed, load deck, or other storage area of a vehicle, such as a pickup, sport utility vehicle, or trailer is described. A user may easily change, adjust or customize the tie-down locations to suit a desired application. The cargo securing system has a rail with a generally C-shaped cross section, the open end of the C-shape defining a slot which may run along the entire length of the rail. The C-shaped rail also defines a channel which may run along the entire length of the rail. A slider member may reside in the channel and include a foot or base portion and an integral elongate portion which may protrude through the slot in the rail. The slider member may include an integral tie-down location on the elongate portion.

Abstract: A two-axis robot includes a vertical tubular post mounted for rotation about its vertical axis, with a vertically slidable shaft extending through the post. An arm on the upper end of the post projects radially outward and has a gripper assembly thereon with operable jaws for gripping a specimen tube. The robot is positioned between two reference locations, for retrieving a specimen tube from one reference location and transferring it to the other. The reference locations are located along a circle circumscribed by a central vertical axis of the gripper jaws as they swing about the rotational axis of the post.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus includes a shuttle depending from an overhead support with a pair of arms for receiving and shifting a specimen carrier from one conveyor to a second conveyor of a dual-conveyor track. The shuttle is operable to retain a specimen carrier along either the first or second conveyor and to release a specimen carrier along either the first or second conveyor. Sensors are located to detect the presence of a specimen carrier at each of the retention locations, and to confirm the release of a specimen carrier from the shuttle along each of the conveyors. A drive motor for moving the shuttle between the retention and release positions is electrically connected to a command module with a processor, for receiving instructions as to the position of the shuttle. The sensors are also connected to the processor to transmit detection data to the processor. A queue is positioned upstream of the shuttle and is electrically connected to the processor.

Abstract: A two-axis robot includes a vertical tubular post mounted for rotation about its vertical axis, with a vertically slidable shaft extending through the post. An arm on the upper end of the post projects radially outward and has a gripper assembly thereon with operable jaws for gripping a specimen tube. The robot is positioned between two reference locations, for retrieving a specimen tube from one reference location and transferring it to the other. The reference locations are located along a circle circumscribed by a central vertical axis of the gripper jaws as they swing about the rotational axis of the post.

Abstract: An improved solar panel for a spacecraft. The solar panel has a rigid base, at least one row of solar cells, and at least one elongated, collapsible, self-deploying reflector. Preferably, a plurality of rows and the reflectors are mounted on the face of the base and are generally parallel to each other in an alternating fashion. The deployed reflector forms a triangular shape having a first and second reflecting side that reflects radiation onto adjacent rows of solar cells. The collapsible reflector has a reflector sheet and an erector that deploys the sheet to form the triangular shape. The sheet is mounted to the base along its two lengthwise edges. The erector is mounted to the base beneath the sheet and adjacent to one of the sheet's lengthwise edges. The erector has a rigid erector arm that tilts upwardly to engage the underside of the sheet and to deploy the sheet into the triangular shape.