Abstract: A pivotal joint in which a first member having a wheel-shaped end is pivotally connected to a second member having a forked end enveloping the wheel-shaped end and including a primary pivot bolt arrangement extending through the first and second members at the center of the wheel-shaped end to pivotally join the parts, as the primary pivotal connection therebetween and wherein the forked end of the second member presents a circumferential array of three friction surfaces which will cooperate with the periphery of the wheel-shaped end of the first member to pivotally join the two parts as the secondary pivotal connection therebetween if the primary pivot connection fails.

Abstract: A three-wire control system for a tethered engine-powered model aircraft. The system features a special linkage arrangement which assures evenly distributed tension in all of the control lines under all operating circumstances. The system further features a construction which, through using a special organization of multiple pivot connections, greatly minimizes friction between moving parts, and promotes exceptionally smooth precision control of such an aircraft.

Abstract: An aircraft control system component, such as a bellcrank, having sideplate members of three-ply laminates bonded together with an elastomer-modified epoxy, with the thickness of the central ply twice the thickness of the end plies, and with the outboard end ply being of selected thickness and yield strength so that when petalling occurs therein due to the passage of a projectile therethrough, the petals are deformable under control loads when they come in contact thereafter with associated parts to thereby permit the control system to continue to perform its function due to the improved ballistic tolerance of the component.

Abstract: A circular or polygonal diffuser for ventilating systems, comprising an annular outer diffuser cone or pyramid adapted to be fixedly mounted in a ceiling of a room to be ventilated, and an inner diffuser cone or pyramid assembly which includes at least one diffuser cone or pyramid of smaller dimensions than the outer diffuser cone or pyramid and which is connected to the outer cone or pyramid for axial adjustment relative thereto by means of parallelogram linkage devices having friction inducing means serving to retain the inner cone or pyramid assembly in the adjusted position.

Abstract: This invention relates to controls for helicopters and more particularly to an improved collective pitch lever system in which the pilot, lever and pivot orientation is such that the possibility of pilot-induced oscillations is greatly reduced. In a further aspect, a collective pitch lever is provided in which the operative elements are so located as to be logically related to the elements controlled thereby in their respective mountings on the airframe. Further, the collective lever is provided in which the pilot-input motion for given command is harmonious or compatible with corresponding pilot inputs in fixed-wing aircraft.

Abstract: In this telephone answering device, each of the mechanical control arms is pivotally mounted in simplified fashion to a molded plastic chassis. Overcenter springs provide bistable mechanical positioning of each control arm. The answer-playback control arm functions to position an erase head against the incoming message recording tape, to engage or disengage the outgoing announcement tape loop drive, and to actuate a switch that connects power to the device during rewind and playback operations. A forward-rewind control arm shifts the magnetic tape drive motor to the forward or rewind position, and is linked to the answer-playback control arm by a lost motion linkage so as to ensure the correct relative settings of the two control arms.

Abstract: A multi-position throttle mechanism is comprised of a link body having first and second servo devices secured thereto with the free end of the servo arm of one servo device connected to the engine frame and the free end of the arm of the other servo device connected to the throttle lever pivotally mounted on the engine whereby selective actuation of one or the other or both or neither of said servo devices results in at least three selectively different pre-set throttle positions.

Abstract: A solar tracking device constructed in accordance with the present invention includes an azimuthal drive mechanism which utilizes the variable angular velocity of the driven member of a universal joint as the source of power for driving a carriage about a fixed axis at a variable angular velocity corresponding to the variable angular velocity of the sun about the fixed axis. The driving element of the universal joint is mounted on a driving shaft which extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the earth. The altitude control mechanism includes a driving element mounted on the driving shaft which rotates about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the earth. The driving element rotates in an equitorial plane whereby its angle of inclination varies in accordance with the variation in altitude of the sun as it rotates in azimuth.

Abstract: A joint mechanism of a manipulator, according to the present invention, consists of a first joint having its rotating shaft aligned with the Z-axis in the X-Y-Z Cartesian coordinate system established at a desired position in a working space, a second joint connected to the rotating shaft of the first joint and having its rotating shaft positioned within the X-Y coordinate plane, a third joint, connected to the rotating shaft of the second joint and having its rotating shaft aligned with the vector passing through the origin of the Cartesian coordinate system, and an arm assembly connected to the rotating shaft of the third joint and comprising a link mechanism which is driven so that a wrist connected to said arm assembly may be always moved on the prolongation line of the vector, to thereby provide a simplified joint mechanism of a manipulator having a redundant degree of freedom of the posture completely independent to the position of the wrist.

Abstract: A group operated circuit disconnect apparatus for overhead electric power lines has a base in the form of a box-like housing which mounts on a pole, an upright shaft extends through the housing, and a transverse shaft also extends through the housing. A linkage is mounted on the shafts in the housing so that axial rotation of the upright shaft axially rotates the transverse shaft, and this causes three circuit disconnect switches mounted on the housing to be moved simultaneously between closed positions and open positions, or vice versa, as the upright shaft is manually rotated. An end of the housing has a removable closure plate for access to the linkage.

Abstract: A linkage is disclosed which is especially adapted for use in articulated rail vehicles to ensure proper transmission of handbrake actuating force from car section to car section regardless of relative movement therebetween. Parallel bar linkages extending between car sections adjust the position of a fulcrum point to prevent changes in the location of vital linkage points, thereby avoiding unwanted brake application or release as the car sections undergo relative movement.

Abstract: In a two-wheel vehicle, a compensating mechanism allowing the mounting of a driving sprocket and a cantilevered driven sprocket as to each other such that the driven sprocket is held at a desired degree of constant tensioned relationship with respect to the driving sprocket during normal operation and/or moments of subnormal operation wherein the suspension is momentarily directed vertically upwardly or downwardly due to uneven terrain or other circumstance.

Abstract: A pushrod-to-bellcrank attachment includes a primary pivot connection and two secondary pin and slot connections so arranged relative to each other that there is a continuing operative connection of the pushrod to the bellcrank in the event the primary connection is lost by small arms fire. When the primary pivot is lost, the pins of the secondary connections act in conjunction with the slots, which are arcuate, as a large bearing struck about the primary pivot to maintain the rod and the bellcrank in their original relative positions about the primary pivot with no introduction of lost motion between bellcrank and rod.

Abstract: A crankshaft which is composed of a plurality of individual elements. Each of said elements comprises a crankshaft section with an end face and bearing surface means and also comprises a main shaft journal section with an end face and with bearing surface means. The end faces of pin sections to be connected to each other are electron beam welded together after centering pins have been inserted in bores arranged in, and perpendicular to the end faces to be welded together.

Abstract: An article of furniture or mobile trolley is provided with a two lever system mounted on the frame of the article having a pivotal liftable member which is the seat cushion or trolley base. The liftable member is movable to an inclined position in response to selective actuation of the lever system to assist a person to move from the chair or to remove goods from the trolley.