Abstract: A patient litter basket spin control assembly for use on a patient litter basket is provided. The assembly comprises thruster unit for discharging an air stream and is mounted on the patient litter basket. At least one sensor is associated with the thruster unit for sensing rotational movement or spin of the patient litter basket, and a power source is provided for powering the thruster unit and the sensor. A clamp member mounts on the patient litter basket and releasably receives the thruster unit. The sensors modulate the force of the air stream from the thruster unit so that the air stream counters the rotational movement of the patient litter basket to stabilize the patient litter basket by preventing the spin.

Abstract: A patient litter basket spin control assembly for use on a patient litter basket is provided. The assembly comprises thruster unit for discharging an air stream and is mounted on the patient litter basket. At least one sensor is associated with the thruster unit for sensing rotational movement or spin of the patient litter basket, and a power source is provided for powering the thruster unit and the sensor. A clamp member mounts on the patient litter basket and releasably receives the thruster unit. The sensors modulate the force of the air stream from the thruster unit so that the air stream counters the rotational movement of the patient litter basket to stabilize the patient litter basket by preventing the spin.

Abstract: A patient litter basket spin control assembly for use on a patient litter basket is provided. The assembly comprises thruster unit for discharging an air stream and is mounted on the patient litter basket. At least one sensor is associated with the thruster unit for sensing rotational movement or spin of the patient litter basket, and a power source is provided for powering the thruster unit and the sensor. A clamp member mounts on the patient litter basket and releasably receives the thruster unit. The sensors modulate the force of the air stream from the thruster unit so that the air stream counters the rotational movement of the patient litter basket to stabilize the patient litter basket by preventing the spin.

Abstract: A patient litter basket spin control assembly for use on a patient litter basket is provided. The assembly comprises thruster unit for discharging an air stream and is mounted on the patient litter basket. At least one sensor is associated with the thruster unit for sensing rotational movement or spin of the patient litter basket, and a power source is provided for powering the thruster unit and the sensor. A clamp member mounts on the patient litter basket and releasably receives the thruster unit. The sensors modulate the force of the air stream from the thruster unit so that the air stream counters the rotational movement of the patient litter basket to stabilize the patient litter basket by preventing the spin.

Abstract: A back mounted flight machine comprises a frame comprising a connecting bracket, a pair of lateral arms extending from the connector bracket, and an engine mounted on each of the lateral arms in a selected position. A harness is mounted on the connecting bracket of the frame between the pair of lateral arms. Further, a fastening mechanism is provided for connecting the harness to the connecting bracket to permit relative movement between the harness and the frame in a plurality of orientations.

Abstract: A back mounted flight machine comprises a frame comprising a connecting bracket, a pair of lateral arms extending from the connector bracket, and an engine mounted on each of the lateral arms in a selected position. A harness is mounted on the connecting bracket of the frame between the pair of lateral arms. Further, a fastening mechanism is provided for connecting the harness to the connecting bracket to permit relative movement between the harness and the frame in a plurality of orientations.

Abstract: A back mounted flight machine comprises a frame comprising a connecting bracket, a pair of lateral arms extending from the connector bracket, and an engine mounted on each of the lateral arms in a selected position. A harness is mounted on the connecting bracket of the frame between the pair of lateral arms. Further, a fastening mechanism is provided for connecting the harness to the connecting bracket to permit relative movement between the harness and the frame in a plurality of orientations.

Abstract: A tilting platform assembly comprises a base member having a dome shaped upper surface portion, and a platform member having an upper playing surface and a concave shaped lower surface portion, the concave shaped lower surface portion corresponding substantially with the dome shape upper surface portion of the base member and being movable relative thereto. A mechanism is provided for selectively fixing and releasing the dome shaped upper surface portion of the base member relative to the concave shaped lower surface portion of the platform member to permit the top playing surface to be disposed at a plurality of different orientations.

Abstract: A harness with mounted engine frame comprises a harness to be worn by a user. An engine support arm is mounted on the harness and a pair of lateral arms extend from the engine support arm. At least one engine is associated with each lateral arm. A connector attaches directly or indirectly to the harness for receiving the engine support arm, so that the engine support arm is movable relative to the harness in response to engine output and other flight conditions.

Abstract: A steering and transmission mechanism interconnects the front and rear wheels of an in-line vehicle which includes rigid steering members or links operable by manual control for selectively determining rear wheel positioning from a normal turn or straight position to a crab position. Each member has adjacent ends selectively coupled together by a lock-arm movable in response to a manual control to change rear wheel positions. The steering members are slidably carried on a shifter housing and a resilient device is employed for returning steering from the crab position to the normal steering position.

Abstract: A bowling ball having an internal weight whose position along a spin axis is adjustable by operation of a drive means which in turn is operative to rotate a threaded nut sleeve that supports the weight. The rotation is about a threaded, non-rotatable weight shaft that extends along the spin axis. This threadably advances the nut sleeve and the weight along the length of the weight shaft, thereby altering the center of gravity and path of the ball after it is released by the bowler.

Abstract: A bowling ball having an internal weight whose position is adjustable by a remote controller for altering the path of the ball after it is released by the player.

Abstract: Stabilization apparatus for aiming an instrument such as a camera at a target object. Rotational rate sensors mounted on the camera platform detect rotation of the platform from an initial position about roll, tilt and pan axes. The sensor output signals are applied to torque motors for rotating the platform back to its initial position. A hub assembly supports the camera platform for rotation about roll and tilt axes, and a yoke supports the hub assembly for rotation about a pan axis. The yoke is adapted for suspension from a support vehicle such as a helicopter, and it supports the platform for unimpaired rotation within windowed outer and inner domes. The outer dome is rotatable about a pan axis and the inner dome is rotatable about an inclined tilt axis. The arrangement reduces the size of the window opening from the camera to the exterior, which correspondingly reduces wind loads acting against the interior of the domes.

Abstract: An enclosure for housing and protecting a device adapted to be continuously aimed at an external target object. The enclosure includes inner and outer windowed portions which are movable relative to one another in response to movements of the device. The outer window is elongated and oriented around the tilt axis of the device to provide a line of sight to the target object at all times in response to tilting rotation of the device. The inner window is smaller and extends transversely of the outer window. Because the outer enclosure portion or dome overlies the inner enclosure portion or dome it blocks the line of sight to the target object except when the inner window is in registry with the outer window. When this occurs a relatively small opening affords a clear line of sight. The opening is small enough to limit wind loads to an acceptable level, so the opening is preferably left uncovered.

Abstract: An attachment frame for mounting camera equipment to an aircraft such as a helicopter. The frame is adapted to be readily detachably mounted to attach points located adjacent the rear seat support within the rear passenger compartment. For added strength, the frame can also be mounted to the helicopter skid. The frame is adapted to rest upon the seat support and is elongated for projection through the compartment and out its opposite sides for mounting a camera pod and an accessories package at its opposite extremities, respectively. The frame includes extensible elements such as turnbuckles which are pivotally mounted to the frame and to bearing pads adapted to rest against the rear bulkhead of the rear passenger compartment. Extension of the extension elements urges the frame against the seat support and urges the bearing pads against the rear bulkhead to snugly hold the frame in position.

Abstract: A film magazine having a case adapted to be mounted in fixed position adjacent a motion picture camera that is adjustably movable along a fore and aft axis. The magazine includes a film slot and a film guide assembly movable along the length of the film slot for guiding the film in light tight relation through the film slot regardless of the position of the camera. The arrangement does not require rethreading of the film following each change in camera position.

Abstract: A gyroscopically stabilized apparatus for aiming an instrument at a target object. An external yoke is attached to the ends of a hub assembly which supports the gyro and camera platforms for rotation about pan, tilt and roll axes. The yoke is associated with an externally located vibration damping system interposed between the yoke and the support arm attached to the helicopter or other transporting vehicle. This makes possible a greater degree of helicopter pitch and roll without having any support structure impact the gyro and camera. In one embodiment the platforms are associated with separately rotatable hemispheres joined to provide a spherical fairing. In another embodiment the hemispheres are attached together for common rotation about pan and tilt axes.

Abstract: Water directing apparatus for the jet pump inlet of a watercraft having a planing surface within which the inlet is formed. The apparatus is carried by the planing surface and includes a pair of laterally spaced apart, longitudinally extending side fins projecting downwardly of the planing surface. Curvilinear, transversely disposed upstream and downstream vanes are oriented to direct water into the inlet, the angles of attack of the vanes being established to direct boundary layer water into the inlet without separation. The vane combination achieves water flow directional change with minimum drag and flow separation. An embodiment is disclosed employing a vane movable in response to inlet passage pressure.

Abstract: A water ski particularly adapted to function as the front ski of a twin ski, jet-driven water vehicle which is steered by turning of the front ski. Sections of the water ski define a planing surface and a pair of inclined, laterally spaced side surfaces extending downwardly and laterally of the planing surface. The portions of the side surfaces lying in or cut by a horizontal plane are equidistant from each other when the planing surface is upwardly tipped at a predetermined angle. At this angle the pair of juncture lines formed between the pair of inner surfaces and the planing surface are laterally divergent in a downstream direction when viewed from above. Reduced frontal drag results.