Abstract:
A method and apparatus are disclosed for the measurement of tension in a stretched elastic surface. The apparatus includes a rigid housing having at least two diametrically opposed sides and a spring device contained therein with a contact member connected to the spring device which protrudes a predetermined distance outwardly beyond the ends of the housing sides when the spring device is in a resting state. Measuring and display devices are connected to the spring device for measuring the spring deflection when the housing is pressed against an elastsic surface. The housing is placed adjacent the elastic surface to be measured with the contact member in contact with the elastsic surface such that a fixed distance exists between the ends of the housing sides and the surface prior to application of a pressing force. The housing is then pressed against the elastic surface until the ends of the housing sides come into contact with the surface such that the spring device is deflected. The deflection is measured and displayed as an indication of the tension in the elastic surface. In one embodiment the spring device is a cantilever beam with the measuring device being at least one strain gauge mounted thereon. In another embodiment, the spring device is a coil spring with the measuring device being a linear variable differential transformer.
Abstract:
An opening is formed through the roof of a van. A sealed airtight air chamber is affixed to the roof inside the van and completely covers an area surrounding the opening. A watertight container is mounted in the air chamber beneath the opening in the roof for collecting rain falling through the opening. Air exhaust hosing extends from the air chamber to the roof and floor inside the van.
Abstract:
A feed disengage mechanism for a weapon with a sprocket-type feed system may include a sprocket rotatably fixed to the receiver. A forward pawl may be selectably engageable with a forward end of the sprocket. The forward pawl may include a flange and be biased for engagement with the sprocket. An anti-backup pawl may be selectably engageable with a rear end of the sprocket. The anti-backup pawl may include a cam path and be biased for engagement with the sprocket. A feed cover may include a feed slide assembly that may be translatable in a slot in the feed cover. The feed slide assembly may include a front pin engageable with the flange of the forward pawl and a rear pin engageable with the cam path of the anti-backup pawl.
Abstract:
An ammunition feed mechanism for a machine gun includes a sprocket having rtridge feeding and positioning splines. This sprocket rotates in a feed direction to move a belt of linked cartridges into position for chambering and firing. An anti-backup pawl prevents counterrotation and maintains the sprocket in position while a cartridge is chambered. A ratchet release permits bidirectional rotation of the sprocket in loading and unloading of the ammunition belt. The rotation of the sprocket for feeding is done with a cam tube actuator making a ratchet connection with the sprocket. The reciprocating movement of the bolt carrier causes rotary movement of the actuator by means of a pin on the bolt carrier riding in the cam of the actuator. The bolt carrier has a depressible rammer for chambering the cartridges. This permits the bolt carrier to override a subsequently positioned cartridge during carrier recoil instead of the conventional recoiling of the carrier before subsequent moving of the next cartridge to its feed position.
Abstract:
An electrochemical elapsed time meter indicator with round counter circui for a gun to indicate past usage whereby maintenance and repair or replacement procedures will insure greater reliability in critical field use. The meter, working on an electroplating principle as a function of current and time, may be activated by gun use such as by a switch on the gun trigger, an inductance or piezoelectric transducer in the buffer, a recoil operated microswitch or as part of the circuit in externally powered guns. The meter preferably is color coded to indicate weapon condition, area of use, and replacement or maintenance required.
Abstract:
The apparatus and method of this invention pertain to the sharpening of the blades of a reel mower having a framework about the reel. The apparatus comprises a belt having protuberances thereon, an assembly of pulleys and a drive motor for driving the belt and guiding the belt and protuberances to engage with the blades of the reel mower. The method of the invention is to use the apparatus of this invention and place it in a position so that, when the belt is revolved about the pulleys, the protuberances engage the blades of the reel mower thereby causing the reel to rotate in an opposite direction from the belt movement.
Abstract:
A non-lethal projectile includes a projectile body; a fuze disposed in a rear of the projectile body; an expelling charge disposed adjacent the fuze; a wad disposed adjacent the expelling charge; a dense powder ballast disposed adjacent the wad; a non-lethal payload disposed adjacent the dense powder ballast; and an end cap disposed on a front end of the projectile body; wherein the expelling charge expels the dense powder ballast and non-lethal payload and reduces the forward kinetic energy of the projectile body and the fuze to one of a near non-lethal or non-lethal level such that as the projectile body and the fuze travel from a burst point to a target impact a residual kinetic energy of the projectile body and the fuze is non-lethal.
Abstract:
A patient detection system having a plurality of optical sensors associated with a corresponding plurality of file receptacles at a health care facility. The optical sensors are interfaced with one or more visual display devices. Insertion of a patient's file into a file receptacle automatically generates an output signal that activates remotely located corresponding visual indicators that notifies health care personnel that a patient is waiting.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a gas operated, fully automatic weapon system with a d feed mechanism having a long recoil, soft cycle operation. The automatic weapon system consists of six groups or sub-assemblies. These are the backplate (rear end cap/fire control assembly), the dust cover unit, the dual selective rotary feed unit, the operating group unit, the receiver unit, and the barrel unit. These sub-assemblies combine to provide a weapon characterized by lightness of weight, relatively slight recoil force, relatively slow gunfire rate, excellent manual control resulting in good burst fire accuracy in hitting targets, and safety during operation and disassembly.
Abstract:
An easily employed, reliable, rapid response and simple multiple feed sys for selectively feeding various belts of varied types of ammunition through the same gun. A round selector cam pivots the rammer on the bolt carrier to a position for chambering cartridges from the selected belt. A dual feed mechanism advances the cartridges from the selected belt while those from the non-selected belt are held ready but not advanced.