Abstract: To represent an image on a stepped surface, an eyepoint on the axis of sight in front of partial surfaces of the stepped surface is selected. The image is divided into partial images that are assigned to the partial surfaces. Each partial image is projected from the eyepoint onto the partial surface to which it has been assigned. Alternatively, the image is divided into partial images that are assigned to the partial surfaces so that the first partial image, which is assigned to the first partial surface closest to the eyepoint, is modified by a specified factor. Each additional partial image is enlarged relative to the first partial image based on the distance from the eyepoint of the partial surface to which it is assigned and is then represented on its respective partial surface.

Abstract: A portable safety traffic controller station is provided having a base unit having a rear base support, a front base support, and at least one transverse brace joining the rear base support and the front base support; a seat secured to a seat mounting frame, the seat mounting frame secured to the base unit; a rotationally movable sign pole supported by the base unit; a shading pole releasably mounted to the base unit; and means for shading releasably secured to the shading pole.

Abstract: The present invention provides a collection holder which allows a plurality of collection pieces of given shapes to be attached thereto for display. The collection holder is for mounting thereto the collection pieces of given shapes, being formed in a polyhedron with mounting faces for the pieces being connected together in a shell.

Abstract: A holder for displaying a thin advertising placard on a fixture exhibiting merchandise for sale, has an elongated shank shaped at one end for detachable fixation to the fixture, and carrying at the other end a three-dimensional head for holding the placard. The head has at least one, preferably more, substantially linear slot extending across a portion of its periphery and inwardly into its interior for receiving a marginal portion of the placard. Each such slot on its interior is shaped for gripping the placard portion.

Abstract: The application discloses a friction coated label and labeling sheet for use in labeling a label holder of a merchandiser unit that supports merchandise in which the label holder has means for supporting one or more labels without an adhesive bond. The labeling sheet comprises a plurality of friction coated labels removably secured to the release liner. The friction-coated labels include a face stock and a friction coating integrally connected to the face stock. The face stock has printed indicia thereon relating to the merchandise. The friction coating may comprise a weak adhesive that is adapted to inhibit migration of the friction coated labels but is not strong enough to provide a self supporting reliable adhesive bond for retail applications.

Abstract: Labeling constructions are provided for use in facilitating the preparation of shipping containers. The labeling constructions are also reusable so that packages can be conveniently shipped between senders and recipients numerous times. Container constructions and methodologies which employ such labeling constructions are also provided.

Abstract: Firearms protected from unauthorized use. A disclosed firearm comprises a housing having a handle; a safety located in the housing to selectively prevent firing; and a module removably attachable to the handle and containing an electronic identification device to identify an authorized user. The electronic identification device controls the safety to prevent firing by unauthorized persons and to permit firing by the authorized user.

Abstract: A firearm integral locking system includes a cocking piece lock in a housing slot. The lock has a blade and a key aperture. The slot allows rotational movement. The cocking piece and lock each have an aperture. A plunger is slidably received in the cocking piece aperture. A spring urges the plunger towards the lock. The spring abuts the plunger and the cocking piece aperture. A key is insertable into the lock aperture and abuts the plunger to urge the plunger into the cocking piece. When the plunger is inserted, the lock is free to rotate. When the key is removed and the plunger is urged into the lock aperture, the lock is secured. The cocking piece has a groove to receive the blade of the lock and allows the blade and cocking piece to move rotationally. Longitudinal movement of the cocking piece is precluded when the lock is locked.

Abstract: An assault rifle with a hand and forearm guard for protection of the user's hand and forearm. The assault rifle may be aimed from the side or on top of a barrier using an optical sensing system.

Abstract: A trotline leader system for fishing including a trotline, with a plurality of clips, hangers, drop lines, and fishing hooks, each clip including a head portion, a neck and a base and each hanger includes a head, a shank and an eyelet. The head portion is connected to the neck which extends from the base which is adapted to receive the hanger head. The hanger head is connected to the shank which connects and seperates the eyelet from the head. The head portion includes a tab, a channel, a slot and an apeture, the tab extending from the head and forming the channel with the base, the channel leading to the slot which guides the trotline into the apeture. Each drop line is connected to and extends from the hanger eyelet to each fishing hook. In addition, the trotline may optionally include plastic beads or spherical weights to separate and secure each clip to the trotline.

Abstract: A fishing box for easily and conveniently carrying several different items therein including a cooler and a tackle box. The cooler includes a main compartment and a secondary compartment. The main compartment, having wheels and a retractable handle, has a first lid which doubles as a seat back. A foldable and bendable seat fits within the main compartment. The secondary compartment has two shelving units underneath a tray. A lunch box and a cut bait box fit within the two shelving units. A tackle box fits within the tray. A second lid covers the secondary compartment and has a retractable rim for hold an additional tackle box therein. A plurality of fishing rod holders extend within the second lid and secondary compartment.

Abstract: An umbrella mountable flower pot apparatus includes a container that has a bottom wall and a perimeter wall that is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. The container has a hemispherical shape. A dividing wall is attached to and extends across the container. An aperture extends upwardly through the bottom wall and through the dividing wall. The container has a break therein so that the first portion is separable from the second portion and a pair of dividing walls is defined. A coupling apparatus is attached to the first and second portions and is configured to secure the first and second portions together and to a post extending through the aperture.

Abstract: A top-supported sliding door system or a vertically sliding door system achieves an enhanced air seal with a lateral keeper mechanism on either or both of the trailing and leading edges. On an outward lateral edge of a door panel, a keeper projects inwardly toward the door frame to engage a door frame camming surface such as a pin. The bracket may advantageously disengage under a force indicative of impact in order to minimize damage resulting therefrom. Application of the lateral keeper mechanism may further be used on vertically sliding doors and on multi-panel horizontal sliding doors. In addition, a rail may extend from the angled pin to engage the keeper throughout the full travel of the door panel.

Abstract: A closure panel assembly (10) includes a fixed panel (12) defining an opening (14), a pair of guide rails (16,18) disposed on opposite sides of the opening, and a sliding panel (26) supported by the guide rails for movement between a closed position over the opening and an open position. Cooperating surface features (46,48) on at least one guide rail and the sliding panel engage one another when the sliding panel is moved to the closed position, to laterally displace the sliding panel toward the fixed panel and thereby compress a seal (44) disposed therebetween. Additional surface features (54) on the guide rail similarly engage the sliding panel's surface features to displace the sliding panel toward the fixed panel when the sliding panel is in a partially-open position, to thereby at least partially compress the seal and create a frictional drag on the sliding panel resisting further movement.

Abstract: A window structure which may be used as a rear window in a pick-up truck or the like. In certain example embodiments, the window structure includes a slidable window panel or sheet located between a pair of fixed window panels or sheets. The slidable window panel may be approximately flush with the fixed panels when in the closed position, but not in the opened position. A seal carrier may be supported by the sliding window, and a bulb seal may be supported by at least the seal carrier so as to cover gap(s) adjacent an edge of the sliding window panel. A latch assembly is provided including spring biased pins adapted to laterally slide in the tracks of upper and lower frame members, respectively, during opening and closing of the slidable window panel.

Abstract: A liquid dispersing device includes a relatively rigid thin perforated plate having a plurality of closely spaced minute openings or holes in the form of a fine mesh. A plurality of plates are mounted on brackets secured along a side wall of a structure in the path of liquid flowing over and downward from the upper end of the wall. The liquid passing through the holes is dispersed into fine droplets with minimum agglomeration. The angle of the plate and holes determine the direction in which the droplets are dispersed. Use of the perforated plates can eliminate the usual gutter and leader structures which remove rainwater from roofs of houses and can also provide more effective cooling when mounted along internal cooling tower walls.

Abstract: A housing structure includes a first plurality of wall panels which form a lower course and a second plurality of wall panels which form an upper course. Each of the wall portions is generally rectangular and includes integrally formed interlocking portions which facilitate attachment of adjacent lateral edges of the wall portions of the first plurality to each other. Integrally formed interlocking portions facilitate attachment of the panels in the lower course to the panels in the upper course. In addition, rectangular roof panels are provided to enclose the housing structure. The interlocking portions enable the panels to slide into an interlocked engagement configuration thereby forming a rigid structure without the need for tools.

Abstract: The present invention provides exterior building products, such as roofing and siding, shake, shingles, siding, sheathing, panels, planks, vertical siding, soffit panels, fencing, decking, fascia, corner posts, column corners and trim boards in which a plurality of cementitious layers are provided with an improved interlaminar bond by employing a resinous bond promoter, a rheological agent, mechanical means to distribute fibers in a direction which is perpendicular to the machine direction so as to bridge between layers in the product, or a combination thereof. These techniques help to increase interlaminar bond strength to improve the mechanical properties of the product. When certain resinous bond promoters are used, the additional benefits of water absorption resistance and pigmentation throughout the product can be provided with minimal expense. Improvements in interlaminar bond strength of about 10–46% were observed with a percent elongation improvement of about 7%.

Abstract: An anchor assembly for supporting a post and a base plate for the assembly. The assembly includes a tubular anchor body with an arcuate interior area. The anchor body is configured to receive a post having an arcuate exterior profile and a hollow lower end. The base plate is for connection with the anchor body. The base plate has an arcuate portion shaped congruently to the anchor body. The base plate has an arcuate conical portion that has a cross-sectional area that is complementary to the hollow lower end of the post and that has a greatest radial dimension at a base of the conical portion. The greatest radial dimension is greater than a complementary dimension of an interior surface of the post to cause the interior surface to slide over the conical portion and the conical portion to frictionally engage the post to prevent lateral movement of the post.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are caulkless panelized wall systems and methods for their construction, wherein the wall systems have elastomeric joints that are resistant to cracking. Building panels are fastened to a frame with the edges adjacent to each other. No caulk is applied to the seam between the building panels. A backing material is applied over the seam between the panels and the wall is then finished with an elastomeric finish.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fixing element for maintaining a composite glass pane. Glass components are assembled and a fixing element is provided for fixing by force or positive engagement to a support structure. The safety elements form a receiving plane.

Abstract: A shingle system, mountable to a support surface, includes overlapping shingle assemblies. Each shingle assembly comprises a support bracket, having upper and lower ends, secured to a shingle body. The upper end has an upper support portion, extending away from the shingle body, and an upper support-surface-engaging part, engageable with a support surface so that the upper edge of the shingle body is positionable at a first distance from the support surface to create a first gap therebetween. The lower end has a lower support portion extending away from the lower surface. The support brackets create: (1) a second gap between shingle bodies of the first and second shingle assemblies, and (2) an open region beneath the first shingle assembly fluidly coupling the first and second gaps.

Abstract: The floor plank is a laminate of two layers of flexible plastic sheet material laminated together in offset relationship to define an offset marginal portion for each of the layers. Each of the offset marginal portions have oppositely facing adhesive coated surfaces. A foam layer and/or a fiberglass sheet can also be included in the laminate structure of the floor plank. The floor plank can conform to surface contours of a floor base. The bottom layer of the floor plank, whether it is plastic sheet or foam, is conformable to surface irregularities of the floor base. A one piece releasable packaging device covers the oppositely facing adhesive coated surfaces of the offset marginal portions.

Abstract: Open frames are disclosed by which structural support is provided, each frame comprising an array of slender members formed into a plurality of zig zag frame elements defining apexes, where the slender members of different zig zag frame elements integrally intersect each other at non-midpoint locations. A linear member bridges between and is integrated with some or all of the asymmetrical points of intersection, in some embodiments. The apexes so formed may comprise two slender members in some cases and four in others.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting sections of a drilling rig substructure is disclosed. The disclosed invention is a unique structural connector in which sections of a drilling rig substructure can be connected together without the use of pins or pin-type connectors. The structural connector of the present invention utilizes specially-shaped fixed members connected to, and extending through, support plates that are attached to sections of a drilling rig substructure that mate with specially-shaped mating lugs that are mounted on mating lug plates that are attached to separate sections of the drilling rig substructure. When the sections of the drilling rig substructure to be connected are positioned together, the specially-shaped mating lugs engage the specially-shaped fixed members and form a high strength structural connection between the sections of the drilling rig substructure.

Abstract: This invention relates to an elongated hollow non-deformable structure that can be used as beams and pillars of modular building structures. The structure includes first and second elongated C-shaped channels (20) with inwardly bent flanges (25) and means for holding the two channels (20) together so that the flanges (25) contact each other. The first and second C-shaped channels (20) may be formed without flanges (25). L-shaped (42) and T-shaped (40) and H-shaped flanges of appropriate design are provided with holes in the flanges at predetermined locations to correspond to the holes in the end portions of the beams and pillars. There are plugable holes (21) provided in the end portions of the beams and pillars so that workers can easily access inside the hollow space to use nuts (72), washers, and bolts (70) to couple the elongated hollow structures together. Instead of the C-shaped channel (20) structure two identical L-shaped channels (20b) may be used.

Abstract: A perimeter weighted foundation has a central pier pedestal and an enlarged base spaced outwardly and extending below the pedestal. The enlarged base includes an outer concentric perimeter wall section with a radially extending, disk-shaped spread section interconnecting the bottom of the pedestal section and the top of the perimeter wall section. The pedestal section includes vertically extending post-tensioning anchor bolts sleeved through substantially the entire height of the cylindrical pedestal in accordance with earlier U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,586,417 and 5,826,387 and the spread section includes two layers of similarly sleeved post-tensioning bolts which extend through the bottom of the pedestal section and into or through the top of the perimeter wall section, thus tying together the enlarged base to the pier pedestal.

Abstract: A heat tunnel for applying heated air to articles enclosed in shrink-wrap film includes at least one air supply unit; a conveyor; and a heat shroud spaced from the conveyor. Tha air supply unit includes a source of heated air, a fan, a heated air plenum, air ducts, and a return air plenum. Multiple air supply units can be provided along the conveyor to create a heat tunnel of desired length.

Abstract: A transfer system (10) is comprised of an air conveyor (11), a servo conveyor (12), and a fan feeder (13). In a typical configuration, the air conveyor is located at a first location where it receives packaged articles from a bagger system (9). The servo conveyor (12) abuts the air conveyor (11) and extends to a second location adjacent to a destination point. The fan feeder (13) is located adjacent to the servo conveyor at an end opposite the air conveyor. The fan feeder lies over a bucket conveyor for a cartoner system.

Abstract: An envelope insertion station having a plurality of actuating arms affixed to a rotatable shaft and a plurality of fingers pivotably mounted on the actuating arms for opening the throat of an envelope placed at an insertion area. The actuating arms are movable from a first position to a second position and then to a third position. When the actuating arms are in the first position, the fingers are freely pivotable so as to allow the envelope to be moved into the insertion area. When the actuating arms are in the second position, the fingers are caused to move along a defined path into the throat of the envelope placed at the insertion area. When the actuating arms are in the third position, the fingers are freely pivotable so as to allow enclosure material to move into the envelope through the throat.

Abstract: A wrap having a wrap opening formed through a portion thereof for wrapping a floral grouping having a bloom end and a stem end. The stem end of the floral grouping is inserted through the wrap opening in the wrap and the wrap is formed about the floral grouping and encompasses a substantial portion of the floral grouping while a portion of the stem end of the floral grouping remains extended through the wrap opening in the wrap.

Abstract: A protective cover for use on one or more saw blades. An insert can be positioned on the saw blade(s). The cover is formed from a heat shrinking material that is shrunk around the saw blade(s) to provide a thin close fitting cover that protects teeth on the saw blade(s). A tag can be attached to the cover and/or saw blade(s) and/or an insert. The tag has a security device disposed thereon. The tag can be used to hang the saw blade(s) from a display device.

Abstract: A valuable securing tote bag assembly and method includes a housing that has a bottom wall and a peripheral wall that is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. Each of the bottom and peripheral walls is flexible. The peripheral wall has an upper edge that forms a plurality of outer flaps. An inner flap is attached to an inner surface of the peripheral wall and divides the housing into an upper portion and a lower portion. A fastener is removably extendable through the outer flaps so that the outer flaps are secured together to define a closed position of the housing. The lower portion of the housing is filled with sand and valuables are positioned in the upper portion of the housing. The outer flaps are then secured together with the fastener.

Abstract: A method of producing a wallet packet with a hinged lid, whereby a blank, having a first portion defining a body and a second portion defining a hinged lid of a relative wallet packet, is fed into a respective pocket, having a respective pair of side by side seats, of a packing wheel, so that the relative first portion defines two adjacent receptacles separated by a central rib; and wherein the pocket is fed through a loading station, where the two receptacles simultaneously receive respective wrapped groups of cigarettes; one of the two receptacles then being turned over onto the other to define the body of the relative wallet packet.

Abstract: A packaging machine has a wrapping device for forming a tubular wrapping from a continuous web of heat-seal material, and for feeding products successively into the tubular wrapping; each product being located between two free tubular portions of the tubular wrapping, which are folded substantially onto the relative products, and are stabilized by at least one pair of sealing devices, each of which has a sealing surface heated electrically by a heating device, operation of which is controlled by a control device carried by the sealing device and for determining an actual temperature of the sealing surface.

Abstract: A stretching device for a stretch wrap machine includes a support structure and a film support for rotatably holding a roll of stretchable film. First and second rollers are rotatably mounted to the support structure. The stretching device includes a take-off device for supporting film as it is fed from the stretching device. A power drive assembly includes a motor, and the power drive assembly is configured to rotate the first and second rollers to stretch a film between the rollers. The stretching device further includes an elongated flexible member forming a loop and having a connector adapted for securing stretchable film. A guide assembly adjacent first ends of the first and second rollers movably supports the elongated flexible member to guide stretchable film through the stretching device. A disengagable drive is operably coupled to the elongated flexible member to provide powered movement of the elongated flexible member.

Abstract: A small profile strapping tool includes a body defining a cylinder housing, a piston disposed within a cylinder in the cylinder housing, a pneumatic weld motor operably connected to the piston for actuation during a weld cycle, a pneumatic tensioning motor for actuation during a tensioning cycle, and a pneumatic module removably mounted to the cylinder housing. Within the module, a pilot valve controls a flow of gas into the module, a tensioning motor valve controls gas flow to the tensioning motor to draw tension in the strap, a weld cycle valve controls gas flow to the weld motor and piston, a timer and an accumulator are configured to isolate gas flow to the weld motor upon reaching a predetermined pressure in the accumulator following actuation, and a pneumatic signal circuit disposed between the cylinder and a bleed valve includes a signal valve that controls actuation of the bleed valve to route gas to the tension motor to maintain tension in the strap following the weld cycle.

Abstract: Adjustable Dee ring embodiments are disclosed that allow the saddle and/or the billet or Latigo to be located in an optimum position on the horse. The adjustable Dee ring is light weight and a billet or Latigo can be easily and quickly adjusted laterally within a frame of the Dee ring by moving a billet holder or Latigo holder generally vertically a very small distance to unlock it for lateral movement, then moving it laterally and lowering it into the desired position to engage one or more locking features on the frame. Methods of using the adjustable Dee ring and of making a saddle comprising the adjustable Dee ring are also disclosed.

Abstract: A saddle cloth for equestrian use to be applied to a horse prior to application of the saddle has zones adapted to lie beneath the saddle panels at respective sides of the horse. Each zone includes within a pocket, a separate air bag at least in a forward and a rearward part of the zone such that each air bag serves to apply a relatively even pressure to the back of the horse. Each air bag is substantially flat and is filled within its interior with a resiliently compressible open cell foam and air sealed within the bag is substantially at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A self-propelled agricultural machine having a position-finding system including a position-finding device for detecting positions of guide variables relative to the machine and at least one adjusting device for adjusting the orientation of the region of coverage of the position-finding device relative to the machine. The position of the crop edge detected by the position-finding device is used for adjustment of the orientation of the region of coverage of the position-finding device relative to the machine. The position-finding system provides reliable control of the machine along the path of the crop edge. At least one adjusting device orientates the positioning-finding device relative to the machine for tracking the machine along the detected crop edge. In addition, the signals of a further position-finding device in a feed region of a cutterbar is taken into consideration.

Abstract: A modularized lawnmower replacement blade which can be can be attached to a standard lawnmower shaft. The modularized blade includes a central mounting hub with four recessed seats. In the preferred embodiment, a cutting blade is attached to each recessed seat so that the blades are positioned at a right-angled orientation with respect to each other.

Abstract: A production device and production method for carbon fibers of the present invention is utilized to reliably obtain a connecting portion having a high process passing property with a simple mechanism so as to achieve a continuous operation and improve a firing process operability for achieving a low cost. A pair of yarn gripping devices for overlaying precursor fiber yarns to be connected one upon another and gripping the overlaid ends is provided, and a fluid processing unit for applying an entangling process by jetting a plurality of rows of fluid in along a yarn length direction is provided between the pair of yarn gripping devices. A plurality of discontinuous thread handling areas of the precursor fiber yarns in a fluid jet area of the fluid processing unit having fluid jet holes are disposed at predetermined intervals.

Abstract: A substantially torqueless composite dual core-spun yarn (10) has a substantially inelastic central hard core (20) covered with a dual-spun fiber covering (30). The central hard core (20) has an elongation at break less than 50% and a Z or S twist, and the fiber covering (30) comprises fibers twisted on the core (20) with an S or Z twist opposite to that of the core. The opposite twists of the core (20) and of the covering (30) exert opposite and substantially equal torques. This yarn is produced by introducing two slivers (30A,30B) forming the covering (30) and a central core in a spinning triangle (40). The core (20) is fed overtwisted S or Z and the slivers (30A,30B) have an opposite Z or S twist corresponding to about 30% to 70% of the twist of the fed overtwisted core (20) that detwists during spinning.

Abstract: A gland packing including strip-like expanded graphite is disposed on one face of a sheet-like reinforcing member configured by a fibrous material to form a strip-like base member. The base member is stranded to be formed as a cord-like member. The outside of the cord-like member is covered by a portion of the strip-like expanded graphite, and the whole reinforcing member and the remaining portion of the strip-like expanded graphite are involved in the cord-like member. A large number of openings are formed in the reinforcing member. The strip-like expanded graphite faces the openings. The strip-like expanded graphite is engaged with the openings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a heat-resistant crimped yarn comprising: twisting yarn of a heat-resistant high functional fiber; twist-setting this twisted yarn by heat treatment; and untwisting this twist-set yarn, wherein a snarl value of the twist-set yarn is not more than 6.5.

Abstract: The invention relates to a receiving element for receiving an interchangeable yarn drawing nozzle that can be magnetically locked. According to the invention, the receiving element is configured as an adapter (26), which can be screwed into a central threaded bore (37) of a thread channel plate (12) in an open-ended rotor spinning device (1), the latter being designed to receive a conventional yarn drawing nozzle that is equipped with an external thread. The adapter (26) comprises centring bores (27) for receiving ferromagnetic centring lugs (28) of a yarn drawing nozzle (13) in addition to a continuous bore (33), whose internal diameter (d) is adapter to the external diameter (D) of the shaft (39) of the yarn drawing nozzle (13). The adapter is also equipped with permanent magnetic pins (30), which correspond with the ferromagnetic centring lugs (28) of the yarn drawing nozzle (13).

Abstract: A coupling link for connecting chain includes a generally C-shaped link member, a lock member, and a securing member. The C-shaped link member defines an interior opening and has first and second opposing ends that are spaced from each other by a gap. The lock member is shaped to couple the first and second ends together. The securing member is operable to secure the lock member to the link member and to urge the first and second ends of the link member closer together.

Abstract: A system for draining fuel from the combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine in the event of a false start includes associated passageways and a straight through flow pilot air actuated poppet valve. The valve is normally open and actuated by the pilot air to close off the combustion chamber from the drain. A return spring biases the valve to open upon release of pilot air pressure acting on the valve. The valve housing has a piston section with a pilot air chamber and a section defining the passageways for the drain. The drain passageway extends along a straight path at an oblique angle to a piston axis along which a piston actuator moves in response to the return spring and/or the pilot air pressure. The valve also includes a position feedback system for detecting the state of the valve.

Abstract: A combustion temperature high speed detection device is provided with a phase lead processing portion, thereby canceling out a detection lag of a temperature detector, and detecting the combustion gas temperature of a combustor at a high speed. The combustion temperature high speed detection device is also provided with a first-order lag filtering portion with a time constant of 0.25 second, a phase lag processing portion with a time constant of 10 seconds, a temperature change filtering portion with a cutoff frequency of 2 to 3 Hz, and a disturbance filtering portion including first-order lag filtering portions with different time constants and a high value selecting portion. Thus, high speed detection of the combustion gas temperature more suitable for a gas turbine system can be performed.

Abstract: A thrust vector control system for a plug nozzle rocket engine for propelling and maneuvering a vehicle is disclosed. The plug nozzle rocket engine includes a housing having a nozzle throat, a plug disposed within the housing and positioned within the nozzle throat to define a space between the plug and the nozzle throat, and a thrust diverter moveably disposed relative to the housing to define an asymmetric pressure distribution along the plug for thrust-vectoring. In one embodiment, the thrust diverter is normally biased to a non-thrust-vectoring position, but is moveable in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis extending longitudinally through the plug.