Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to sequentially opening and/or closing a plurality of switches. A rotational securing assembly sequentially secures and releases a plurality of indexing members evenly distributed along a circular path centered on an axis of rotation of the rotatable disk, thereby sequentially securing and releasing the rotatable disk to and from a sequence of rotational positions. A ratcheting assembly sequentially engages a plurality of advancing members of the rotatable disk, thereby sequentially rotating the rotatable disk to a next one of the sequence of rotatable positions. A cam coupled to the rotatable disk sequentially either opens or closes a plurality of switches attached to an annular frame and distributed along a second circular path centered on the axis of rotation. Operations of the rotational securing assembly are coordinated with those of the ratcheting assembly so as to advance rotation of the rotatable disk in a stepwise fashion.

Abstract: A method of automatically jettisoning cargo suspended from a suspension system coupled to an auto jettison system, includes receiving an initial load value from at least one attachment point of the suspension system, the receiving of the initial load value in response to attaching the cargo to the suspension system; receiving an instantaneous load value of the cargo suspended on an attachment point, the attachment point being coupled to the cargo; predicting a rate of change of the instantaneous load value at a predetermined future time period; combining the predicted rate of change of the instantaneous load value with the initial load value to create a predicted load value; comparing the predicted load value to a threshold value for the attachment point; and jettisoning the cargo from the attachment point if the predicted value is greater than the threshold value.

Abstract: A method of automatically jettisoning cargo suspended from a suspension system coupled to an auto jettison system, includes receiving an initial load value from at least one attachment point of the suspension system, the receiving of the initial load value in response to attaching the cargo to the suspension system; receiving an instantaneous load value of the cargo suspended on an attachment point, the attachment point being coupled to the cargo; predicting a rate of change of the instantaneous load value at a predetermined future time period; combining the predicted rate of change of the instantaneous load value with the initial load value to create a predicted load value; comparing the predicted load value to a threshold value for the attachment point; and jettisoning the cargo from the attachment point if the predicted value is greater than the threshold value.

Abstract: A cube puzzle is provided utilizing a group of 27 smaller cubes which are adapted to be assembled into a larger cube having a 3 by 3 by 3 configuration. The 27 cubes have at least first and second different sets of identifying indicia on each face thereof. The first set of identifying indicia include up to nine different numbers, some of which may be duplicated on different faces of any one cube and which are also oriented differently on different faces. A preferred embodiment of the assembled cube utilizes the numbers one to nine for the first set of indicia. The second set of identifying indicia include up to six different colors which also may be duplicated on different faces of the same cube. The cube puzzle also includes a transparent case having at least one removable face which may be used not only to package the puzzle but also for its assembly.