Abstract: A truck-train system that provides for the mounting and dismounting of a truck-trailer on/from a railway dolly at any stretch of train rails which is paved or gravelled level to the height of the rail head, and employing a moment arm reaction locking mechanism that automatically centers and engages the truck-trailer thereby locking it into place. The dolly includes a steering rod assembly that permits it to steer into curves in either direction of operation. Also included on the dolly, is a truck assembly that utilizes a floating pedestal. The moment arm reaction locking mechanism coupled with the steering rod assembly and the floating pedestal affords greater lateral stability and greatly increased operating speeds of the truck-train system.

Abstract: A safety alertness monitoring system for a vehicle which requires the operator to match a randomly generated alpha-numeric character pattern, consisting of a set of characters, presented at random intervals during normal operation of the vehicle. Failure to input the displayed characters via keyboard leads to an audible alarm. If the operator fails to respond to the audible alarm or an unacceptable number of consecutive alarms occur, the vehicle throttle is disabled and the braking system engaged. The system receives input from the vehicle speedometer and is capable of bringing the vehicle to a smooth controlled stop. The system also receives input from sensors that indicate when the vehicle is being remotely operated. The system is disabled when the vehicle is remotely operated.

Abstract: A truck-train system uses a first ("A") railway dolly or bogie to support the front or fifth-wheel hitch end of roadable truck-trailer. It uses a second ("B") railway dolly to support the rear or roadable wheel end of the same truck-trailer. The first ("A") and second ("B") railway dollies are connected to each other by a longitudinal support member having a telescoping central sill. The central sill is adapted to be detachably connected to the first ("A") railway dolly. The longitudinal support member is connected to the second ("B") railway dolly and also supports a raised platform having a deployable ramp for receiving the wheels of a roadable truck-trailer. The telescoping central sill and longitudinal support member can be locked in any fixed position to take up the train draw-bar tension and to provide for truck-trailers of various lengths.

Abstract: A timing mechanism has cams operating switches which control the functions of an appliance and another cam operating another switch supplying short pulses to a separate function such as a warning buzzer. A PTC thermistor is in series with the switch supplying the short pulses which when applied to the buzzer electrical circuit provides a short controlled "on" time to the buzzer even though power is applied to the complete switching system for an extended period of time by the timing mechanism.

Abstract: A tranverse body is positioned underwater forward of the bow for reducing the surface wave caused by the bow and for increasing the fluid velocity at the forward surface of the bow. The body may be a cylinder, or a lifting body foil, the axis of which is generally parallel to the water surface, bow interface and may be supplied with winglets extending upwardly and inwardly at the edges thereof to form a body similar to a manta ray. The thickness of the body may vary transversely along it so as to counteract the transversely varying surface wave at the bow of the skimmer.

Abstract: The instrumentation package is transportable to remote sites solely by a light helicopter. Accordingly, three skids are provided, each of which weighs less than 1,200 pounds. An instrument skid comprises a generally, horizontally disposed frame having jacks mounted on it for leveling. Instruments and control elements are also mounted to the frame, preconnected at the factory, and protected from weather. A separate battery skid is provided which is mounted on the instrument skid at the site. A solar array skid, the sloping roof of which comprises solar cells is separately transportable by helicopter to the site and is lowered onto and fastened to the instrument skid. The instrument skid preferably has a self-contained generator mounted thereon when it is transported to the site. An instrument and antenna mounting tower for telemetry, if desired, is broken down and carried within the solar array skid to the site and then mounted on the rear of the instrument skid and tied to the solar array skid.

Abstract: A timing mechanism has cams operating switches which control the functions of an appliance and another cam operating another switch supplying short pulses to a separate function such as a warning buzzer. A PTC thermistor is in series with the switch supplying the short pulses.

Abstract: A truck-train system uses a railway dolly or bogie to support the front end of one truck-trailer and the rear end of another truck-trailer. A pair of truck-trailer support members are pivotally connected to the railway dolly. They are provided with a fixed incline ramp to raise and guide the truck-trailer onto the respective support member. The railway dolly is provided with a standard railway compressed air braking system with an air hose retrieving device to store the air hose. The railway dolly is also provided with standard railway couplers at each end. These couplers are adapted to retract or vertically rotate to a position below the surface of the incline planes.

Abstract: An appliance timer includes a motor driven cam carried in a housing. A switch blade carried in the housing is responsive to the cam to selectively activate one of a pair of switch circuits, each of which provide a different operating level for an appliance function, e.g. several different heat levels in an automatic dryer. Each switch circuit includes a contact, a contact support spring, and an electrical feed-through which connects to a terminal strap on the exterior of the housing. A resistor that is an integral part of one of the switch circuits provides the level differentiation between the circuits. In one embodiment a carbonaceous organic resistor chip replaces the circuit contact. In another embodiment an inorganic ceramic resistor slug replaces the circuit feed-through.

Abstract: A township, city and regional land arrangement for accommodating a predetermined number of residents. The township land arrangement is circular in configuration having a plurality of concentric circular roadways intersected by a plurality of radially extending roadways. The city land arrangement is comprised of a plurality of township land arrangements located in spaced apart relationship with each other and substantially equidistant from a central circular university complex. A regional land arrangement is comprised of a predetermined plurality of the city land arrangements connected together by regional highways, monorails and railway lines.

Abstract: A control system provides slow and fast defrost cycles for a heat pump by providing an auxiliary manual switch to select different cams of a timing means for cycle operation. Selective ones of the cam switches are connected in parallel to permit two different defrost time cycles utilizing four cams rotating at the same speed.

Abstract: A timer assembly is trapped against a motor and gear box assembly by a bracket. The bracket is U-shaped to cradle the timer assembly in the bracket. It includes ears with apertures therein that mate with apertures in ears extending from the motor assembly. Rivets extend through the apertures to connect the ears together.

Abstract: A timing mechanism is started by pushing a plunger against a cam assembly to disengage a cam from a switch to allow the switch to close. The cam assembly is axially spring biased against a wall of the timing mechanism to stop its movement after the switch closes. The plunger is axially spring biased against the cam assembly to permit it to proceed and override the cam assembly to prevent jamming of the plunger or other elements of the timing mechanism until a stop prevents continued movement of the plunger.

Abstract: The electrical connections illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,727,015 have been improved by providing a means of holding the combination electrical terminals and electrical blades in a housing wall to provide more positive electrical connections and by providing a means to connect electrical leads to the combination within the wall.

Abstract: Upon insertion of a coin into a receiver of a timing mechanism, an actuator rotates a ratchet which in turn rotates a cam. The cam and a disc each have a tab extending therefrom. When the ratchet and cam are rotated, the tabs separate from each other providing a desired timing cycle and the cam is set to close electrical switches. When the timer is operative, the disc rotates causing its tab to engage the tab of the cam to rotate the cam and open the electrical switches.

Abstract: A circuit controller which in addition to providing a program for actuating functions of a clothes dryer also includes a means to provide an additional program to prevent wrinkling of the clothes after the normal drying program is completed. The additional program is provided in a gear train of a motor and follower means are provided to be actuated by the additional program to open and close electrical switches.