Abstract: A lifting device operated by a hand crank is described to hoist a weighted container, such as a bottle of drinking water, to the upper level of a water dispenser. When a container of water is placed on the device for upward movement, the device will prevent the weighted container from slipping downwardly against movement of the hand crank.

Abstract: A timed, rotating coil device is provided to advance documents, letters, and the like which are positioned between adjacent coil elements. The coil is flexible to accommodate for different sized documents, letters, etc., between each coil element, and is supported at one end by a timer and at the other end by a coil clamp. This support arrangement eliminates the need for a central support, and together with the coil flexibility, enables the coil to accommodate both for letter size and document thickness. The number of coil element spacings is calculated to coincide with a given time period, typically twenty-four hours. The last coil element is provided with a bent portion to eject the document when it arrives at the end of the coil spacings. Thus, the presence of an ejected document indicates it is ready to be acted upon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for limiting the acceleration applied to a body which is to be protected from damage. In one arrangement, the limiting device is mounted on a helicopter seat which is vertically slidable so as to permit limited downward movement of the seat relative to its supporting structure in a crash situation. The limiting device having strap mounted on a reel is mounted to the seat, with one end of the strap being connected to a support. A capstan spring wound on the reel prevents rotation of the reel and unwinding of the strap until a predetermined acceleration is reached, as sensed by an inertia element within the reel. The sensor applies an unwinding force to the capstan spring sufficient to permit braked rotary movement of the reel. In this fashion, the acceleration applied to the seat occupant's body is limited to a safe level.

Abstract: A pressurized gas spring having an extended useful operating life is provided. The cylinder is pressurized with a gas that exists in a gas-liquid phase equilibrium at the operating temperatures and pressures of the gas spring. The liquid within the cylinder promptly converts to the gaseous form upon any reduction in pressure within the cylinder. The equilibrium pressure between the liquid and gas phases assures constant cylinder pressure regardless of the gradual, normal leakage of gas from the cylinder, and the cylical changes in volume within the cylinder due to the reciprocating action of the piston rod during operation of the gas spring.

Abstract: A stretchable tube-like sleeve surrounds and frictionally grips an inner rod or tube. A coil spring surrounds the sleeve in position to resist movement of one end of the sleeve against the spring force. Moving the rod axially relative to the spring in a direction against the spring force on the sleeve decreases the inner diameter of the sleeve to produce a drag on the inner member. Movement of the opposite end of the sleeve is limited by a stop. This causes the sleeve to expand and allows the rod to slip with a constant drag which is determined by the strength of the spring. With the spring force in position to be applied to only one end of the sleeve, movement of the inner member in the opposite direction provides only a minimal drag as determined by the initial frictional interference between the sleeve and the inner member. Positioning the spring to resist movement of either end of the sleeve, provides a constant drag on the inner member with either direction of movement of the rod relative to the sleeve.

Abstract: An energy absorber strut includes a pair of elongated drive nuts threaded internally to mate with a drive screw having high lead threads on opposite ends so that outward movement of the nuts on the screw rotates the screw in one direction and inward movement rotates the screw in the opposite direction. A mandrel mounted to rotate with the screw is restrained from rotation by a capstan spring which surrounds and grips it. Prestressed torsion springs connected to the ends of the capstan spring permit it to unwind slightly and drag with respect to the mandrel when the torsion springs are subjected to a predetermined torque.

Abstract: Relative axial motion of a pair of strut members is converted into rotation of an escapement mechanism, which in turn oscillates a balance wheel. If the rotational velocity exceeds a predetermined minimum, the balance wheel inertia initiates a momentary motion snubbing action.The device used to convert reciprocation of the strut members into rotary motion is releasable so as to permit the operational testing of the motion snubbing mechanism while the strut is mounted in its operational environment.

Abstract: Relative axial motion of a pair of strut members is converted into rotation of a shaft which drives a rotatably mounted inertia element. Rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction drives a second rotatably mounted inertia element. The inertia elements are interconnected by a coil spring with the result that the inertia element driven directly by the shaft drives the other inertia element. At a predetermined acceleration, the inertia element driven by the spring will lag, and this lagging motion is used to actuate a braking action to limit the acceleration.

Abstract: A shoulder strap retractor mechanism employs a gear system and clutch that connects a rewinding spring to the strap to shift from a direct high tension mode to an indirect drive reduced tension mode for a limited range of strap movement to improve the user's comfort, while maintaining the strap lightly against the user's shoulder.

Abstract: An adjustable locking strut is connected to a pair of relatively movable mechanical elements and permits relative motion between these elements below a predetermined motion threshold. Above this predetermined motion threshold relative movement between mechanical elements is prohibited through the engagement of nonoverhauling threaded members connected to the mechanical elements. These nonoverhauling threaded members are specially designed so that when synchronized they do not engage one another. One of the nonoverhauling threaded members which is internally threaded forms a relatively large tubular inertia mass for sensing accelerated movement between the relatively movable mechanical elements.