Abstract: A fixed-wing cargo aircraft having a kinked fuselage is disclosed. The fuselage contains a continuous interior cargo bay, and includes a forward portion, an aft portion, and a kinked portion forming a junction in the fuselage between the forward and aft portions. The kinked portion contains a transition region of the cargo bay and defines a bend between a forward centerline and an aft centerline. The kinked portion is formed with a forward transverse frame section, a separate aft transverse frame section, and a plurality of longitudinal frame elements extending between the forward and aft frame sections, the forward frame being coupled to an aft end of the forward portion and the aft frame section being coupled to a forward end of the aft portion such that the aft frame section is angled with respect to the forward frame section about a lateral axis of the cargo aircraft.

Abstract: A fixed-wing cargo aircraft having a kinked fuselage to extend the useable length of a continuous interior cargo bay while still meeting a tailstrike requirement is disclosed. The fuselage defines a continuous interior cargo bay along a majority of its length and a pitch axis about which the cargo aircraft rotates during takeoff while still on the ground. The fuselage includes a forward portion defining longitudinal-lateral plane of the cargo aircraft an aft portion extending aft from the pitch axis to the aft end and containing an aft region of the continuous interior cargo bay that extends along a majority of a length of the aft portion. The aft portion has a centerline extending above the forward upper surface of the aircraft.

Abstract: A threshing machine and an improved thresher rotor (10) therefor, the rotor having a central rotor tube (12), a plurality of radially extending annular collars (14) spaced therealong, and peripheral reinforcing bars (16) extending along the collars (14). Apertures (26) positioned adjacent the periphery (22) and similarly adjacent the reinforcing bars (16) receive elongate rods (28) therethrough along the length of the rotor (10). The elongate rods (28) retain a desired number of blades (32) in a pivotal manner, within annular channels (34) formed between the annular collars (14). The reinforcing bars (16) are positioned forward in rotation with respect to the elongate rods (28) in a manner allowing the reinforcing bars (16) to function as a heel for the blades (32).

Abstract: Clutch arrangement which includes a movable actuating device and a pivotally mounted idler device. The idler device includes a guide wheel and an idler wheel. The idler wheel is arranged to engage a mechanism which transfers drive between at least two drive mechanisms. The guide wheel is arranged to engage or abut the actuating device. The idler device experiences pivotal motion when the actuating device is moved into engagement with the guide wheel.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for wheels (18) of elongate equipment such as a thresher (10), the wheels (18) being mountable distally in either trailing configuration or an in-line configuration when the thresher (10) is deployed, the wheels (18) also being mountable proximally to make the thresher (10) a narrower for transport through gates and along roads. A mounting arrangement is provided for one of the wheels (18) to rotate it to align with the required direction of travel, while a further mounting arrangement is provided to allow the other wheel (18) to be moved to or near an adjacent corner, to achieve conversion between the distal and proximal arrangements. There is provision for height adjustment of the thresher (10) relative to the ground, provided in the mounting arrangements.