Abstract: Vehicle parking assist apparatus includes a hollow mounting base, an elongated signaling device, such as an upright pole having a signal light mounted thereto, supported on the base for pivotal movement from a normal upright non-signaling position to a tilted signaling position upon being contacted by an advancing vehicle, and an electrical circuit connected to the signal light of the elongated signaling device and capable of being switched from an open circuit condition to a closed circuit condition for electrically actuating the signal light to provide a visible alerting signal for a driver of the advancing vehicle. A coupling device supports the pole upright on the base and also couples the signal light to the electrical circuit. The coupling device is capable of retaining the electrical circuit in an open circuit condition so long as the signaling device is disposed in the upright non-signaling position.

Abstract: A sensor for seat belt systems comprises a casing, an inertia body having at least a portion received in the casing for displacement axially thereof, and an output member received in the casing for displacement axially thereof and having a portion extending out of the casing so that displacement of the output member is transmitted to the outside of the casing. A set spring engaged between the casing and the inertia body biases the inertia body to a set position in the casing, and an actuator spring engaged between the casing and the output member biases the output member in a direction to displace it along the casing. A latch mechanism composed of two pairs of levers arranged in series and engaged between the output member and the inertia body prevents displacement of the output member in the absence of displacement of the inertia body in response to acceleration in excess of a predetermined acceleration.

Abstract: A warning device for use with tanks of compressed air which device will automatically generate an audible warning signal that can be heard under water or in other noxious gas or in oxygen-depleted environments when the air pressure in the tank reaches a predetermined low pressure level.

Abstract: The detector has two disc shaped magnets that are magnetized through their respective thicknesses. One magnet is fixedly coupled to a container, and the other magnet is left free to slide transversely with respect to the fixed magnet. The magnets are oriented so that the opposite poles of the magnets are adjacent to each other. In the absence of a shock acting on the container, the free magnet remains in a centered position with respect to the fixed magnet. Indicating apparatus is provided to indicate when the free magnet is moved to an off-center position due to an accelerational force, and the direction of the accelerational force. In one embodiment, the indicating apparatus includes a marking device coupled to the free magnet and a recording surface coupled to the container. In another embodiment, the indicating apparatus includes a transparent cover and tabs for retaining the off-center free magnet.

Abstract: A safety belt assembly of the present invention measures the amount of force exerted on the assembly and also the point in time when a force was exerted on the assembly. The assembly includes a first and second member associated with one another, mechanism associated with the first and second members for resiliently restraining relative movement and movably retaining said members with respect to one another; a mechanism responsive to relative movement of the first and second members for enabing a measurement of force and indicating a point in time when a force was exerted on the assembly; and a mechanism for securing the assembly to a safety belt and/or a buckle or anchor. A chemical timer for measuring the elapsed time since a force was exerted on the assembly.

Abstract: A safety belt or harness warning system generally having a laminate-like structure and positioned on the safety belt to expose an underlying one of the lamina indicative of a belt-applied stress above a predetermined stress, and further indicating a belt replacement. The preferred laminate has an underlying adhesive layer, which may be easily adhered to the belt for ease of application, and an interior layer indicating that a high stress force has been applied to the belt.

Abstract: A deceleration sensor for detecting a threshold level of deceleration indicative of a vehicle collision, comprising a pair of sensor masses in the form of pendulums, a spring-loaded firing pin, a pair of trigger levers which individually hold the firing pin in a dormant state as long as they are held by the sensor masses in their neutral states but can be individually disengaged from the sensor masses by the motion of the sensor masses as a result of detecting a deceleration level greater than the threshold level. Since the firing pin is released only when both the trigger levers are released from their neutral states, the reliability of the dormant state of the firing pin is assured. To the end of improving the reliability of the activation of the firing pin, the firing pin may be spring-loaded by a pair of springs in such a manner that either spring is sufficient for the activation of the firing pin.

Abstract: An empty and load air brake control apparatus is disclosed, which is especially adapted for use on a unitized railroad train. Such a train includes a plurality of railroad car body segments articulated together in end-to-end array, and each car body segment can be loaded with coal or other material independently of the other car body segments. A plurality of railroad car trucks are provided to support the car body segments, and are arranged so that a single truck supports two adjacent car body ends. The air brake control apparatus includes a control valve, and a plurality of brake modulator valves are each connected to the control valve by compressed air piping. Each brake actuator is associated with a single truck and a single corresponding modulator valve. The modulator valves each have a sensor for sensing whether an associated truck is supporting loaded car body segments or empty car body segments.

Abstract: A safety belt assembly of the present invention measures the amount of force exerted on the assembly and also the point in time when a force was exerted on the assembly. The assembly includes a first and second member associated with one another, mechanism associated with the first and second members for resiliently restraining relative movement and movably retaining said members with respect to one another; a mechanism responsive to relative movement of the first and second members for enabling a measurement of force and indicating a point in time when a force was exerted on the assembly; and a mechanism for securing the assembly to a safety belt and/or a buckle or anchor.

Abstract: The present safety belt assembly measures the amount of force exerted on the assembly and, also, the point in time when a force was exerted on the assembly. The assembly comprises a first and second member; a mechanism coupled with the first and second members which provides incremental movement of the members; a resilient biasing member in communication with the members for maintaining the members in a first relaxed position; the resilient biasing member enabling the measurement of an amount of force exerted on the assembly; a mechanism for indicating when a force is exerted on the assembly and a mechanism for securing the assembly to a belt and buckle.

Abstract: An indicator which is carried by a participant capable of delivering an offensive blow in a combat sport. The indicator in a preferred embodiment utilizes a hook and loop fastener to maintain its position on the glove or foot of the participant until contact has been made with an opponent. The opponent has a portion of a hook and pile fastening system located on his person which is compatible with the external portion of the indicator when mounted on the participant's equipment. When a blow is struck, a greater amount of retaining force is developed between the indicator and the opponent's hook and loop fastening system then is present between the indicator and the participant's hook and loop fastening system, causing the indicator to be transferred to the opponent at the point of contact. In one embodiment, a small streamer can be attached to the indicator and sandwiched between the indicator substrate and the participant's equipment.

Abstract: An indicating shipping accelerometer having a transparent tube within which an inertial mass moves indicators relative to a scale affixed to the transparent tube to give an indication of the maximum shock incurred in either direction of its longitudinal axis. Springs on either side of the inertial mass maintain the inertial mass in its initial position. The unit may be reset for reuse by inserting a wire through the endcaps and repositioning the indicators.

Abstract: Apparatus to indicate the load on a restraining device subject to tensile loading, especially for a safety belt, the restraining device having an opening for communication with a restraining element, such as a seat belt, and being formed of two parts having different tensile strengths. The parts are displaceable with respect to each other upon loading of the restraining device in tension above a predetermined amount and one of the parts is provided with an indicator sign which becomes visible upon such displacement.

Abstract: A tampering indicator for medicine bottles which changes color upon pressure applied to the bottle during opening.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement which is adapted to be triggered by deceleration forces. The sensor arrangement forms a component of a vehicle safety belt system and includes a mass deflectable from an initial position to a deflected position upon exceeding a predetermined deceleration and an indicator which responds if the belt of the safety belt system has been deployed during the occurrence of the predetermined deceleration. The mass is associated with the indicator and has such a mounting and/or includes a track of such an ascending slope, that the full deflection of the mass is attained only beginning at a deceleration of about 2 g. An arrangement is provided for preventing the deflected mass from returning to the initial position.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for providing a non-resettable visual indication of a shock above a predetermined value which is sustained by an object carrying the device, comprising a dome-like housing, at least part of which is transparent; a flange means secured to and extending radially outward from the dome-like housing; a plate-like biasing means secured to the dome-like housing, the plate-like biasing means and the interior surface of the top portion of the dome-like housing being spaced apart and defining a chamber therein; and an indicating body within the chamber positioned between the biasing means and the interior surface of the top portion of the housing. Prior to being subjected to a force above the predetermined value, the indicating body is maintained in a first position and when subjected to a force above the predetermined value is irreversibly released to a second position.

Abstract: A fatigue cycle sensor can integrate force with respect to time. The sensor has a body with a bore. A plunger is mounted in the bore for relative motion therethrough in response to force applied behind the plunger. The plunger is sized for an interference fit in the bore. This interference fit results in deformation in response to relative motion between the plunger and body. The foregoing sensor has many applications including estimating fatigue in weapons.

Abstract: A device for detecting a hard landing of an aircraft. The aircraft is equipped with a detector for determining the vertical acceleration produced by the impact of the airplane with the ground. The device is equipped with a threshold trigger for indicating when acceleration exceeds a predetermined level corresponding to a hard landing.

Abstract: A baseball bat has its handle, shaped to be grasped by the hand of a user, extending on into an enlarged hitting portion that continues away from the handle. Included in that hitting portion is a velocity meter situated in a cavity that extends longitudinally inward toward the handle from the outer end. A plunger is slidably received within that cavity and is resiliently held in place. Also included is an indicator which informs as to the amount of movement of the plunger outwardly from within the cavity as a result of the swinging of the bat by the user.

Abstract: An apparatus which responds to a predetermined acceleration wherein a droplet of liquid is suspended by a holding means which prevents the droplet from escaping, except that when an acceleration of the holding means occurs which is greater than a predetermined acceleration, then at least a portion of the droplet escapes from the holding means.

Abstract: A computerized vending machine for dispensing a large number of varied products has a frame wherein is housed a plurality of dispensing racks each of which is loaded with a product. Each of the dispensing racks has a dispensing mechanism. A coin sensing mechanism senses the coins deposited by a purchaser to pay for a desired product. A keyboard enables a purchaser to select a specific product. A microcomputer connected to the keyboard and the coin sensing mechanism compares the price of the selected product with the accumulated credit which the purchaser has established. An output buffer settable by the control computer controls the actuation of a solenoid associated with the dispensing mechanism of each member of the plurality of trays. The solenoid rotates a mechanical dispenser which permits one of a selected product to be dispensed to the purchaser. A transducer in the cabinet of the vending machine senses the delivery of a selected product and provides a feed-back signal to the control computer.

Abstract: A device for affording an indication when a predetermined mechanical shock has been received, characterized by a base, or means for attaching to a container to be monitored; structure for measuring when a predetermined acceleration has been received by the container and the device; and an indicator for indicating to an observer that the shock has been received. Disclosed are devices having (1) a mechanical structure with a breaking point; (2) a mechanical structure with a biasing means; and (3) a structure employing an interfacial tension phenomenon. The devices may be of the "go-no go" type or may afford an indication and history of the shock, or acceleration forces, received. Also disclosed are the specific details of the respective embodiments.

Abstract: An acceleration indicator including an anti-tampering arrangement adapted to be secured to a railway freight car for detecting pre-selected destructive impacts on the the car. The indicator includes a generally hat-shaped casing having a normally obscured movable plate or flag carried therewithin by a spring biased pendulum supported on a vertical plate secured within the casing. The vertical plate also supports the anti-tampering arrangement such that when the indicator is subjected to a preselected impact, the pendulum swings clear of the flag and drops by gravity into a position where it can be observed whereat it is entrapped by the anti-tampering arrangement.

Abstract: A reusable tilt or inversion indicator comprising a clear, plastic vial having two chambers and a funnel. The lower chamber of the vial is filled with a granular material such as sand. The funnel is inverted and retained between the two chambers of the vial. When an article to which the indicator is attached is tilted or inverted, the material will spill through the opening in the funnel and become trapped between the funnel and the walls of the upper chamber of the vial to provide a permanent indication of the tilt of the article.