Self-orienting device
First Claim
1. A self-orienting device comprising:
- an elongated body,first, second and third arms each pivotally connected with said body adjacent one end thereof for pivotal motion between a stowed position parallel to said body and an erect position perpendicular to said body,said first and second arms being disposed on opposite sides of said body and said third arm being disposed between said first and second arms,first means for pivoting said first and second arms from said stowed position to said erect position,and second means for pivoting said third arm from said stowed position to said erect position after said first and second arms have reached said erect position,whereby said pivoting of said third arm when said body is resting on the ground causes said body to be oriented with said first and second arms on the ground and with said third arm pointing up.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-orienting device is disclosed for a transducer adapted to be dropped from an aircraft or other vehicle. An elongated body is provided with first, second and third arms each of which is pivotally connected with the body for pivotal motion between a stowed position parallel to the body and an erect position perpendicular to the body. The first and second arms are disposed on opposite sides of the body and the third arm is disposed therebetween. An actuator spring is provided on each arm urging it from the stowed position to the erect position and a tubular housing over the arms and body retains the arms in the stowed position. The third arm is also retained in the stowed position by a separate releasable retainer. After the transducer comes to rest on the ground, an ejector spring is released to separate the housing from the arms and the body whereby the first and second arms move to the erect position. After a predetermined time delay, the retainer on the third arm is released; if the body is lying right-side-up, i.e. with the third arm on the upper side of the body, the third arm will move to its erect position so that it is oriented perpendicular to the ground. If the body is in the wrong-side-up position before release of the third arm, the pivotal motion of the third arm will flip the body over to the right-side-up position and the third arm will be perpendicular to the ground.
11 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A self-orienting device comprising:
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an elongated body, first, second and third arms each pivotally connected with said body adjacent one end thereof for pivotal motion between a stowed position parallel to said body and an erect position perpendicular to said body, said first and second arms being disposed on opposite sides of said body and said third arm being disposed between said first and second arms, first means for pivoting said first and second arms from said stowed position to said erect position, and second means for pivoting said third arm from said stowed position to said erect position after said first and second arms have reached said erect position, whereby said pivoting of said third arm when said body is resting on the ground causes said body to be oriented with said first and second arms on the ground and with said third arm pointing up. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification