Abstract: A passive ball capture joint has a sleeve with a plurality of bores distributed about a circumference thereof and formed therethrough at an acute angle relative to the sleeve's longitudinal axis. A spring-loaded retainer is slidingly fitted in each bore and is biased such that, if allowed, will extend at least partially into the sleeve to retain a ball therein. A ring, rotatably mounted about the bores, has an interior wall defining a plurality of shaped races that bear against the spring-loaded retainers. A mechanized rotational force producer is coupled to the ring. The ring can be rotated from a first position (that presses the retainers into the sleeve to lock the ball in place) to a second position (that allows the retainers to spring back out of the sleeve to release the ball).

Abstract: A passive ball capture joint has a sleeve defining a first open end and a second open end with a plurality of bores being distributed about a circumference thereof and formed therethrough at an acute angle relative to the sleeve's longitudinal axis. The acute angle is such that it diverges outward from the sleeve's longitudinal axis in a direction defined by the sleeve's first open end to its second open end. A spring-loaded retainer is slidingly fitted in each bore and is biased such that, if allowed, will extend at least partially into the sleeve. A cupped receiver slides in the sleeve's second open end. A ring is rotatably mounted about the sleeve and intersects the bores. The ring has an interior wall defining a plurality of shaped races that bear against the spring-loaded retainers. At a first rotational position of the ring, each race permits its respective spring-loaded retainer to achieve a first position defined by at least partial extension into the sleeve.

Abstract: A passive capture joint with three degrees of freedom is presented wherein two structural elements are joined together solely by moving the two elements into position, and which when joined together have rotation in all three axes. The inventive apparatus is comprised of two halves: 1) a joint ball mounted on a stem as in a common trailer hitch, and; 2) a socket. The socket consists of a base having an exterior wall and forming an interior chamber, the chamber having a top end and a bottom end, and an interior wall. The chamber is open at the top end, and forms a spherical cup at the bottom end. The socket base's interior chamber is sized to accept the joint ball. The base also forms at least one bore at an acute angle away from the interior chamber's open end. The bores have a first opening in the interior wall of the chamber, and a second opening in the exterior wall of the base.

Abstract: A self-latching jaw assembly is illustrated which includes a pair of latching jaws (A) and (B) for latching a fitting of an associated structure such as the keel fitting (50) of a space telescope. The jaw assembly automatically locates the fitting received on a positioning pedestal (52) and latches it in its original location on the pedestal without need of precision alignment. The first jaw (A) is actuated and moved to the right whereupon a reciprocating plunger (62) will have been extended from the nose (64) of the jaw and will sense the hub (50b) of the spool (50a). A jaw position responsive switch (72) is then actuated to terminate the drive motor (E) of the jaw (A). The astronaut will then actuate the drive motor (F) of the jaw (B) and the jaw will move to the left whereupon standoff (82) will engage the face (64a) of the jaw (A) in a latching position. In the latching position, the noses (64) and (83) of the jaws (A) and (B) will be under the flanges of the spool (50a).

Abstract: An ejection apparatus (19) for spinning and propelling objects (17) for ejection from a spacecraft (11) at a desired velocity and rotational speed. The apparatus includes a launch cradle (23) on which the space object (17) to be ejected rests. The cradle (23) is rotatably supported by a central hub (37) secured to upper end of pneumatic cylinder piston shaft (25). Release mechanisms (29) consisting of a retractable pin (75) and locking lug (72) is utilized to hold the cradle and object to be ejected. The release mechanism (29) has a fixed barrier member (76) which holds the retractable pin (75) in engagement with the locking lug (72) until release by upward movement of the launch cradle (23) beyond the barrier height.