Robert E Crawford

US Patent:

45570973, Dec 10, 1985

Filed:

Sep 8, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/530339

Inventors:

Martin M. Mikulas - Williamsburg VA
Robert F. Crawford - Santa Barbara CA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

E04H 1218

US Classification:

52646

Abstract:

The invention relates to a tetrahedral beam that can be compactly stowed, sequentially deployed, and widely manipulated to provide a structurally sound yet highly maneuverable truss structure. The present beam is comprised of a plurality of repeating units comprised of tandem tetrahedra sharing common sides. Tetrahedra are comprised of fixed length battens 12 joined by joint 14 into equilateral triangles called batten frames. Apexes of adjacent triangles are interconnected by longerons 16 having mid-point folding hinges 20. Joints 14 are comprised of gussets 24,34 pivotably connected by links 25. Joints 14 permit two independent degrees of rotational freedom between joined adjacent batten frames, and provide a stable structure throughout all stages of beam deployment, from packaged configuration to complete deployment. The longerons and joints can be actuated in any sequence, independently of one another. The present beam is well suited to remote actuation.

US Patent:

20200065744, Feb 27, 2020

Filed:

Aug 21, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/106844

Inventors:

Robert Allen Crawford - Whittier CA, US

International Classification:

G06Q 10/08

Abstract:

In embodiments, the invention includes an open frame with two uprights and a crossbar. An optical detector senses when tires are rolled through the frame. A controller receives the sense signal from the detector and updates a tire count on a display.