Abstract: An apron assembly comprising an apron mounted to the crusher and adapted to be moved between an operating position and an open position, a tension rod operatively attached to and disposed between the shock absorber mount and the apron, a spring seat mounted to the crusher and adapted to be moved between a raised position and a lowered position, a spring operatively disposed between the tension rod base and the spring seat, an actuator mounted to the crusher and the spring seat and adapted to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position, a shock absorber operatively attached to and disposed between the spring seat and a shock absorber mount. The shock absorber reduces the pressure applied to the actuator. A method for controlling the opening in a crusher comprising providing an apron assembly and moving the shock absorber between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: An apron assembly comprising an apron mounted to the crusher and adapted to be moved between an operating position and an open position, a tension rod operatively attached to and disposed between the shock absorber mount and the apron, a spring seat mounted to the crusher and adapted to be moved between a raised position and a lowered position, a spring operatively disposed between the tension rod base and the spring seat, an actuator mounted to the crusher and the spring seat and adapted to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position, a shock absorber operatively attached to and disposed between the spring seat and a shock absorber mount. The shock absorber reduces the pressure applied to the actuator. A method for controlling the opening in a crusher comprising providing an apron assembly and moving the shock absorber between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: A computerized system for vehicle management and purchase. The system may include a database including information regarding vehicles in a set of vehicles, wherein a plurality of the vehicles in the set of vehicles are in arrangements wherein third parties use the vehicles, wherein the information includes configuration of respective vehicles. The system may also include a computer interface that provides access to the description of the vehicles in the database and provides for setting price of respective vehicles; an option on the user interface to search; an option on the user interface to indicate intent to purchase a vehicle; a computer interface that receives information regarding a vehicle returned; and a computer interface to facilitate a purchase of the returned vehicle. Also described are an Internet-based system including a web server; a method for vehicle management and purchase; and a vehicle management and purchase system.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for computer network-based sale of vehicles. An access group data structure is created. The access group data structure includes structure that defines association of web sites, users and vehicles associated with an access group. Whether vehicles are visible on respective web sites is controlled based on the access group, and access by the user is allowed to respective items in the access group based on whether a user is associated with the access group. Another embodiment includes providing an access group object, wherein the access group object includes properties that define association of web sites, users and vehicles associated with an access group. Another embodiment is directed to a computerized system for vehicle sale including a web server.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for computer network-based sale of vehicles. An access group data structure is created. The access group data structure includes structure that defines association of web sites, users and vehicles associated with an access group. Whether vehicles are visible on respective web sites is controlled based on the access group, and access by the user is allowed to respective items in the access group based on whether a user is associated with the access group. Another embodiment includes providing an access group object, wherein the access group object includes properties that define association of web sites, users and vehicles associated with an access group. Another embodiment is directed to a computerized system for vehicle sale including a web server.

Abstract: A computerized system for vehicle management includes a database comprising information regarding vehicles in a set of vehicles and customer accounts. The information regarding the vehicles includes configuration of respective vehicles. The information regarding customer accounts includes links to vehicles in the set of vehicles owned by respective customers and status of customer accounts. The system may also include a server coupled to the database that serves user interface pages; a protected system login mechanism; logic implementing rules regarding a relationship between system users on the one hand and information regarding vehicles and customer accounts on the other hand; a search mechanism and a search results interface; and logic that serves a customer account interface, the customer account interface displaying information regarding customer accounts to the extent allowed by rules regarding the relationship between system users and information regarding vehicles and customer accounts.

Abstract: A computerized system for vehicle management. The system may include a database including information regarding vehicles in a set of vehicles and customer accounts. The system may also include a server coupled to the database that serves user interface pages; a login mechanism; logic implementing rules regarding a relationship between system users on the one hand and information regarding vehicles and customer accounts on the other hand; a search mechanism and a search results interface; and logic that serves a customer account interface, the customer account interface displaying information regarding customer accounts to the extent allowed by rules regarding the relationship between system users and information regarding vehicles and customer accounts. The information regarding customer accounts may include information regarding payments and time remaining in leases in respective customer accounts, or other information.

Abstract: A computerized system for vehicle management and purchase. The system may include a database including information regarding vehicles in a set of vehicles, wherein a plurality of the vehicles in the set of vehicles are in arrangements wherein third parties use the vehicles, wherein the information includes configuration of respective vehicles. The system may also include a computer interface that provides access to the description of the vehicles in the database and provides for setting price of respective vehicles; an option on the user interface to search; an option on the user interface to indicate intent to purchase a vehicle; a computer interface that receives information regarding a vehicle returned; and a computer interface to facilitate a purchase of the returned vehicle. Also described are an Internet-based system including a web server; a method for vehicle management and purchase; and a vehicle management and purchase system.

Abstract: The invention concerns an interconnection board for connecting electronic, electro-optical and/or optical devices and methods of manufacturing such boards. The interconnections are formed by scribing electrially or optically conductive filaments to form a signal conductor layer. The interconnection board comprises a base as a support member, a signal conductor layer laminated to the base and a surface conductor layer laminated to the signal conductor layer. The interlayer connections between the signal conductor layer and the surface conductor layer are formed by segments of the conductive filaments of the signal conductor layer displaced from the signal conductor layer to the vicinity of surface of the interconnection board to form part of or connect with the surface conductive pattern.

Abstract: An improved dynamic seal for the longitudinal slot in a pressurized cylin of an aircraft catapult system having a shuttle adapted to travel at high speed through the slot. The seal includes a flexible, elongated sealing strip extended along the slot in sealing relation therewith to close the cylinder, and a series of ball detents mounted along the length of the slot on each side thereof for urging inwardly against the sides of the sealing strip thereby providing support for the strip throughout the length of the cylinder. When the shuttle, adapted to guide the strip internally of the cylinder as it passes therethrough, travels through the slot, the ball detents maintain the strip in sealing relation with the slot thereby preventing whipping of the strip forwardly of the moving shuttle.

Abstract: A pneumatic system for launching aircraft wherein an elongated frame having pressurized interior chamber is volumetrically related and communicatively connected to a longitudinally-slotted cylinder supported within the frame so that expansion of air into the cylinder produces a desired thrust pressure therein that is equalized by the residual pressure external of the cylinder within the chamber. A piston member slidably contained within the cylinder is adapted to receive the compressed air and is connected to a shuttle for accelerating the aircraft to be launched. The shuttle is releasably restrained at the rearward end of the cylinder and is adapted to travel longitudinally through the slot which is dynamically sealed by a flexible strip as the shuttle passes through the slot to preserve thrust pressure within the cylinder.

Abstract: A launching system for lightweight aircraft includes a shuttle adapted to rry the aircraft and slidingly mounted to a launching frame along a track that guides launch direction. A piston rod is concentrically mounted within a launch tube parallel to the track and is adapted to receive pneumatic pressure at the inward end thereof for driving the rod longitudinally outward of the tube during the launch stroke of the system. A crosshead having a pair of rotatable sheaves mounted thereon is rigidly connected to the outward end of the piston rod and slidingly connected to the track so that the crosshead moves along the track in conjunction with the longitudinal movement of the rod.