Abstract: An aircraft control locking apparatus for a control yoke on a control shaft extending from an instrument panel in an aircraft is provided. The aircraft control locking apparatus utilizing a pair of elastic shock cords, a first mechanism for connecting an upper end of each of the elastic shock cords in a spaced apart relationship to the control yoke and a second mechanism for connecting a lower end of each of the elastic shock cords in a spaced apart relationship to a fixed point on the instrument panel below the control shaft. The control lock retains the control yoke in a neutral position, keeping the control surfaces of the aircraft from moving freely, thereby preventing damage to the aircraft stored outdoors during periods of strong gusty winds in severe weather.

Abstract: An electric steering apparatus which effects position adjustment by electric drive has a screw shaft parallel to upper and lower columns. A nut member rotatably supported by a housing fixed to a bracket is fixed against movement in the axial direction of the screw shaft and threadably engaged with a screw portion provided at one end of the screw shaft. In a preferred embodiment the other end of the screw shaft is pivotally connected to the upper column for pivotal movement relative to the bracket in the direction of tilt. The nut member is self-aligning in the housing, and the nut member is rotatively driven by an electric motor to move the screw shaft in the axial direction and thereby move the upper column, whereby position adjustment can be accomplished. The apparatus is provided with a back-lash preventing device in which the screw shaft is pressed against the nut member in a radial direction and the threadably engaged portions of the screw shaft and the nut member are urged against each other.

Abstract: An electric steering apparatus which effects position adjustment by electric drive has a screw shaft parallel to upper and lower columns. A nut member rotatably supported by a housing fixed to a bracket is fixed against movement in the axial direction of the screw shaft and threadably engaged with a screw portion provided at one end of the screw shaft. In a preferred embodiments, the other end of the screw shaft is pivotally connected to the upper column for pivotal movement relative to the bracket in the direction of tilt, the nut member is self-aligning in the housing, and the nut member is rotatively driven by an electric motor to move the screw shaft in the axial direction and thereby move the upper column, whereby position adjustment can be accomplished. The apparatus is provided with a back-lash preventing device in which the screw shaft is pressed against the nut member in a radial direction and the threadably engaged portions of the screw shaft and the nut member are urged against each other.

Abstract: Several embodiments of steering devices for outboard motors that are operative to hold the outboard motor in a steered position but which will release upon emergency application due to fracturing of a frangible member. In each embodiment, the steering device comprises a pin that is movable into and out of engagement with an opening formed in the other of the members. In some of the embodiments, the member in which the opening is formed is frangible and, in another, the pin is frangible.

Abstract: Computer-augmented electromechanical system is provided for controlling the tongs of a servomanipulator. The mechanical tongs are motor-driven through the remote slave arm of the manipulator, and the motor control current is supplied by a position sensor which senses the position of a spring-loaded trigger in the master arm handle on the manipulator. The actuator for the tongs provides the operator with artificial force reflection in a unilateral force-force control loop.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrostatic steering device having a servomotor connectable to wheels to be steered. The travel limits of the servomotor are sensed with position sensors which function to operate a locking apparatus which mechanically prevents further turning of the steering wheel upon a travel limit being reached in either direction.

Abstract: A steering device for an outboard motor that releasably restrains the motor in a predetermined position and which can be automatically released upon the exertion of more than a predetermined force to the motor to steer it in the event of an emergency. The releasable restraining device is also automatically engageable upon return of the motor to its first position and can be manually released.

Abstract: A tiller control device is provided for controlling the position of a tiller on a watercraft and includes an attachment shaft adapted to be attached to either the tiller or the watercraft, and a variable pressure brake adapted to engage the attachment shaft and adapted to be attached to the other of the tiller or the watercraft. A handle is attached to the variable pressure brake for variably adjusting the amount of the pressure exerted on the attachment shaft, whereby the attachment shaft may remain fixed relative to the brake when unattended but may be moved relative to the brake when desired without further adjustment of the handle.

Abstract: A sewer rod turning machine safety device for machines which drive sewer cleaning rods. These machines are comprised of a motor driving a transmission which in turn drives a rod coupling drive shaft through a gear box. The motor transmission and gear box are all mounted on a wheeled cart. The rod turning machine has a shift lever attached to the transmission which will rotate the rods in forward or reverse direction. The shift lever has a center neutral position and the forward and reverse rotation positions are to either side of neutral. The safety device is comprised of a spring steel bendable rod engaging the shift lever which is designed to return the shift lever to center neutral position whenever it is released by an operator. A collar and bolt arrangement, securely fastening the safety bar to the gear box and the free end of the safety bar, has a loop wrapping around the shaft of the shift lever when securely mounted.

Abstract: Means for inter-locking the two control wheels of an airplane to prevent movement or vibration of the ailerons and horizontal stabilizer when the plane is parked. Such means is in the form of a loop of cord which is looped snugly about each inboard upright arm of the two control wheels to prevent movement of the ailerons. An integral straight cord portion pulls the control wheels rearwardly sufficiently so as to raise the horizontal stabilizer and prevent it also from moving. The straight cord is anchored on the floor of the aircraft between the seats of the pilot and co-pilot.

Abstract: An accessory for use on vessels, particularly sail boats, to maintain the tiller selectively in different positions. This accessory, or tiller minder, has an elongated portion connected at one end by a turnbuckle. The other end of the turnbuckle is articulated to a gunwale of the boat and the other end of the elongated portion is adjustably connected to the tiller.

Abstract: A combined tiller extension, holding and controlling device for watercraft embodying an elongated tubular member removably attached at opposing ends to a vessel coaming and tiller, and including spring loaded telescoping and detent retained sections whereby the tiller is extensibly operable and is retained on a predetermined course, but permitting of limited lateral deviations therefrom. In addition, manual rotational control of the tubular sections enables finer course rudder adjustment within such a course.

Abstract: A return device for a hydraulic steering mechanism of a vehicle includes an pparatus for automatically returning the wheels of the vehicle to a straight-ahead position after they are laterally pivoted by a steering wheel acting through a line of shafts. A hairpin spring is stressed by the rotation of a drum mounted on one of the shafts to create a resistance to further lateral pivoting of the vehicle wheels away from a straight-ahead position and a return force to return the vehicle wheels to a straight-ahead position. After the hairpin spring is stressed, a coil spring is tensioned by the rotation of the drum to create an additional resistance to further lateral pivoting of the vehicle wheels away from a straight-ahead position and an additional return force to return the vehicle wheels to a straight-ahead position.

Abstract: A positioning device for motor vehicle adjustable steering columns which includes antifriction strips disposed between slideably engaged inner and outer sleeve members and a locking cam member to allow locking at infinitely variable axial positions of the sleeve members.

Abstract: An electric steering apparatus which effects position adjustment by electric drive has a screw shaft parallel to upper and lower columns. A nut member rotatably supported by a housing fixed to a bracket is fixed against movement in the axial direction of the screw shaft and threadably engaged with a screw portion provided at one end of the screw shaft. In a preferred embodiment the other end of the screw shaft is pivotally connected to the upper column for pivotal movement relative to the bracket in the direction of tilt. The nut member is self-aligning in the housing, and the nut member is rotatively driven by an electric motor to move the screw shaft in the axial direction and thereby move the upper column, whereby position adjustment can be accomplished. The apparatus is provided with a back-lash preventing device in which the screw shaft is pressed against the nut member in a radial direction and the threadably engaged portions of the screw shaft and the nut member are urged against each other.