Abstract: A collapsible canopy for vehicles having cargo beds and for pickup trucks, in particular. The canopy includes a pair of channel members suitable for mounting on the top side walls of a pickup box; slide members mounted within each channel member; a plurality of arch-shaped rigid stays, extending across the box and mounted adjacent and parallel with one another from the front toward the rear of the box, each stay affixed to respective slide members for reciprocal movement therewith; a flexible canopy cover engaging the stays; and latches for holding the stays in a spaced apart, extended mode so that the cover extends over the box. Elastic bands engaging the cover in parallel relationship between adjacent rigid stays draw the rigid stays together when the latch is released so as to collapse the cover for storage adjacent the back of the pickup cab.

Abstract: An aircraft comprising an aerodynamic annulus and a fuselage coupled to the annulus by electromagnetic means to permit rotation of the annulus relative to the fuselage without mechanical engagement upon a "frictionless" bearing. Jets mounted on the annulus rotate the annulus to produce a gyroscopic precession. One or more jets or driven propeller units mounted on the fuselage drive the craft in a selected direction. Direction of the fuselage, and hence the aircraft, may be provided by computer control of the fuselage jets or jets or by means of a rudder. Pivotal jets mounted on the annulus and/or fuselage together with retractable flaps on the annulus provide lift for vertical take-off and hovering.

Abstract: A solar power plant having a means for collecting solar heat and a means for applying the heat so collected to a selected portion of a plurality of expansile-contractile members movably mounted between two wheels set at a desired angle on to the other, said wheels being rotatably mounted upon a frame. Heating or cooling a member causes either expansion or contraction of the member with a resultant linear force being developed between corresponding points on said wheels; said linear force being translated into rotational force as the wheels rotate in such direction as to relieve the linear force. Successive heating and cooling of said members enables continuous rotation of the wheels and a resultant work output. A power take-off unit is provided.