Abstract: A support for a bicycle type seat provides a pair of brackets depending from the seat structure and clamped to opposite sides of a rigid block having a post receiving hole therethrough for freely receiving a seat supporting post. A sidewall of the post receiving hole is recessed to provide a pair of impact ridges extending parallel to the axis of the hole. Post clamping bolts are provided to screw through the block against a seat supporting post in the hole to force the post against the ridges and embed the same into the post, whereby a post within a wide range of diameters can be positively secured against rotation within the hole. A tubular reinforcement having an axially extending expansion slit may be forced axially into a tubular seat supporting post to prevent a collapse of the latter when forced against the impact ridges.

Abstract: An electrical drive system is controlled by a microprocessor-based, electronic control unit which is coupled to operator-generated input signals and various feedback signals to individually control the major components of the drive system including a turbine engine, a three-phase alternator, power control units and their respective synchronous AC motors and gearboxes. A combat vehicle which utilizes the drive system includes a vehicle bed on which right and left sets of three wheels are mounted on opposite sides of the centerline of the vehicle in driving engagement with their respective gearboxes. Each of the wheels includes a hollow hub in which its gearbox and its synchronous AC motor is mounted. A torsilastic suspension system supports the wheels on the vehicle bed. The turbine engine drives the alternator which comprises a brushless, synchronous device having a variable three-phase power output.

Abstract: A lightweight military vehicle is provided with an unmanned turret for interchangeably supporting large weapon stations. Elastomer filled stanchions connected to a turret platform serve to isolate weapon impulse forces from the vehicle frame. Driver, commander and gunner seats are located externally to the turret and provided with said doors to enable quick exiting. Both powered and manual backup drives are external to the rotating turret disk and are accessible from the gunner's seat. The elevation drive employs a ball and socket joint connecting an upper yoke mounted to the weapon with a fixed lower portion controlling vertical movement of the yoke and thereby the elevation of the gun.

Abstract: A lightweight military vehicle is provided with an unmanned turret for interchangeably supporting large weapon stations. Elastomer filled stanchions connected to a turret platform serve to isolate weapon impulse forces from the vehicle frame. Driver, commander and gunner seats are located externally to the turret and provided with side doors to enable quick exiting. Both powered and manual backup drives are external to the rotating turret disk and are accessible from the gunner's seat. The elevation drive employs a ball and socket joint connecting an upper yoke mounted to the weapon with a fixed lower portion controlling vertical movement of the yoke and thereby the elevation of the gun.

Abstract: A seat adapted for use on a bicycle has a major rump supporting portion and a central sagittal portion adapted to underlie the perineum of the occupant. A cantilevered portion extends forwardly from the sagittal portion and has sides parallel to and spaced by the sagittal plane to facilitate orientation by the occupant of his position on the seat and to provide leverage for the thighs to facilitate readjustment of his position and balancing of himself and the vehicle. The major rump supporting portion terminates forwardly along a pair of complex curves extending laterally from the sagittal portion to the opposite forward edges of the major rump supporting portion, each curve conforming to the overlying physiological curve of the occupant between the buttock and the posterior portion of the thigh to provide uninterrupted support for the major forward portion of the buttock.

Abstract: A TOW (Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided) missile system is mted on a combat vehicle turret for greater combat effectiveness. Before the missile is launched, the gunner keeps the target in his sights in azimuth by powering the turret through a movable sight to which the turret is slaved by a lock mechanism. Missile launch energizes certain electrical devices which unlock the mechanism to make sight movement independent of the turret, open the turret drive motor power switch, and set a brake on the motor which locks the turret against movement to provide a stable platform for tracking the target during missile flight. After a preset time to allow for on-target impact, the devices are automatically reset and the turret drive is again slaved to the sight in azimuth.

Abstract: A precision power gear train assembly particularly adaptable for use with vehicles having a 360.degree. rotatable turret mounted thereon. The assembly embodies novel spring and stop means to minimize backlash and to limit gear tooth disengagement of the enmeshed output pinion and ring gears of such an assembly. More specifically a pinion-ring gear assembly mounts a gear box to oscillate about an axis parallel to the pinion axis of rotation such that the tooth pressure between pinion and ring gear biases the teeth apart, increasing backlash. A preloaded spring biases the gear teeth into tight mesh to eliminate backlash until the tooth pressure force exceeds a predetermined maximum. Thereafter, further increases in the tooth pressure force separates the teeth by compression of the spring beyond its preloaded compression. A stop limits tooth separation.