Abstract: A mortar munition includes a mortar tube; an opening in the wall of the mortar tube; a spring loaded valve assembly disposed in the opening in the wall of the mortar tube; a solenoid having a plunger, the plunger being disposed to open the spring loaded valve assembly; and a vacuum source connected to the spring loaded valve assembly.

Abstract: A mortar munition includes a mortar tube; first and second openings in the wall of the mortar tube, the first opening being closer to a breech end of the mortar tube than the second opening; a spring loaded valve assembly disposed in the first opening in the wall of the mortar tube; and a shoe assembly disposed in the second opening in the wall of the mortar tube. The spring loaded valve assembly is connected to a vacuum source. The vacuum source pulls the mortar bomb rearward in the tube. The shoe assembly includes a shoe that bears on the mortar bomb to hold it in place when the tube is in an elevated position.

Abstract: A mortar bomb retention apparatus for retaining a mortar bomb in a mortar tube includes a lever arm; a lever positioner in which the lever arm is rotatably mounted; a generally cylindrical housing having a central opening therethrough, the central opening comprising a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, the lever positioner being fixed to the housing; a shoe disposed in the central opening in the housing; a compression spring disposed around the shoe in the large diameter portion of the central opening; and a shoe cap attached to an end of the shoe, one end of the compression spring bearing against the shoe cap, a portion of the lever arm contacting the shoe cap wherein rotation of the lever arm is operable to force the shoe downward.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manner in which a lock bolt can be engaged and secured in locked and unlocked positions with respect to a steering column. In some preferred embodiments, a pawl is movable into and out of engagement with the lock bolt in two different locations on the lock bolt corresponding to two different positions of the lock bolt relative to the steering column: a position in which the lock bolt is extended to lock the steering column and a position in which the lock bolt is retracted to unlock the steering column. The pawl can be movable into and out of engagement with the lock bolt in a number of different manners, but preferably is pivotable about a pivot pin. Preferably, the pawl is connected to an actuator for actuating the pawl into and out of engagement with the lock bolt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manner in which a lock bolt can be engaged and secured in locked and unlocked positions with respect to a steering column. In some preferred embodiments, a pawl is movable into and out of engagement with the lock bolt in two different locations on the lock bolt corresponding to two different positions of the lock bolt relative to the steering column: a position in which the lock bolt is extended to lock the steering column and a position in which the lock bolt is retracted to unlock the steering column. The pawl can be movable into and out of engagement with the lock bolt in a number of different manners, but preferably is pivotable about a pivot pin. Preferably, the pawl is connected to an actuator for actuating the pawl into and out of engagement with the lock bolt.

Abstract: A track supported mobile ladder-scaffolding system with self-adjusting lateral supporting structure at the top for engaging a roof by means of a vehicle which engages track structure attachable to a roof by clamping: safety hook structure prevents support failure at the top at roof-engaging and ladder engaging points of the mobile portion of the system.