Abstract: Trim compensation for a hovercraft having two engines (2,3) with flow outlet apertures. The two engines (2,3) are arranged laterally at the stern of the hovercraft to generate air jets for forward motion. The hovercraft also includes a compressor to generate an air cushion beneath the hovercraft. The trim compensation includes a tail plane arrangement located in the air jets in the two engines for directional control of the hovercraft by deflection of the air jets. The tail plane arrangement consists of a negatively arranged V-plane (7) with a middle upper section from which extends stabilizer surfaces (9,10) at both sides in a downward direction. The stabilizer surfaces (9, 10) are provided with rudder elements (11, 12) which are swingable in the same or opposite direction to deflect the air jets. The stabilizer surfaces (9, 10) and the rudder elements (11, 12) run centrally across the flow outlet apertures of the engines (2, 3).

Abstract: A hand ball game includes a horizontal deck which extends between two standards. The lateral width of the deck is determined by the standards, while the longitudinal width of the deck separates the players. The deck is configured as an imperforate barrier to any ball seeking to fall through or penetrate the deck. The lateral width of the deck is adjustable as is the height of the deck, and the deck and standards knock down to a compact size for storage.

Abstract: A method and system (10) for controlling radial movement of a machine tool, such as a turning machine, relative to a workpiece (11), is characterized by a digital filter (70, 72, 74) which produces a filtered final control signal which is a function of both radial position and velocity of a cutting tool (24) of the turning machine. The method and system (10) utilizes a tool position feedback signal which is compared with an initial control signal to produce a signal which is then digitally filtered to, in turn, provide the resulting final control signal. The surface geometry of the workpiece (11), such as a piston, is determined by a data matrix of angular, axial and radial position coordinants of the tool. An angular position signal representative of the angular position of the workpiece (11) and an axial position signal representative of the axial position of the cutting tool (24) relative to the workpiece (11) are both generated.

Abstract: Axis correction or machine charateristic data is stored (108) in memory (110) within a control or measurement processor (36) of a CMM (10) (FIG. 8). The axis correction data includes error data representing 21 different geometry errors (FIG. 4A through 4C) of the CMM. As position information is required, the measurement processor captures the actual position signal from each machine axis sensor and uses this position signal to locate (112) a set of the axis correction data which describes the machine characteristics at that position. The measurement processor then mathematically combines (114) (FIG. 9) the position signal with the subset of axis correction data to obtain a corrected position signal having a corrected set of cooridinate values which describe the probe position in a true Cartesian coordinate system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finishing pistons (10) and the like from foundry-turned castings during one clamping operation to provide enhanced manufacturing productivity. Separate boring and turning modules (34, 24) of the apparatus are mounted on a primary base (18) and a grooving module (54) is mounted on a secondary base (72). The modules automatically groove the ring grooves (11), turn the complex shape of the skirt (15) and bore the wrist pin bore (13) through an ordered sequence of manufacturing steps. The piston stock is mounted for rotation on headstock and tailstock assemblies (82, 84). These assemblies are carried on the secondary base (72) which is slidably mounted on the primary base for movement into operative position with respect to the boring and turning modules according to the ordered sequence. The method and system improve piston quality while reducing manufacturing costs including saving factory floor space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and clamping a piston (10, 110) between headstock and tailstock assemblies (18, 118 and 20, 120) before rotating same about a rotary axis (22, 122) in a machining operation is characterized by an equalizing mechanism or member (50, 150) for equalizing the axial force between a pair of equalizing pins (48, 148) of a first set of axially extending locating pins (46, 48; 146, 148) to thereby create a locating plane on a first surface of the workpiece. The first set of axially extending pins coacts with a second set of axially extending equalizing pins (30, 130) to clamp the workpiece therebetween. The first set of locating pins are located in a housing member (38, 138). The first set of pins also includes two fixed locating pins (48, 148) which contact the outer surface of the piston.

Abstract: Method (FIGS. 4A through 4C) and system (FIG. 3) are disclosed for automatically calibrating a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) (10). The system guides an operator through instrument set-up and data collection procedures. The system automatically converts the collected data into error compensation or axis correction data which represents 21 different geometry errors (i.e. pitch, yaw, roll etc.) of the CMM (10). The error compensation data is then transferred to a CMM measurement processor (36) for subsequent use by the CMM (10) during operation thereof to thereby compensate the CMM (10) for its entire measuring volume (102).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finishing pistons (10) and the like from foundry-turned castings during one clamping operation provide enhanced manufacturing productivity. Separate boring and turning modules (34, 24) of the apparatus are mounted on a primary base (18) and a grooving module (54) is mounted on a secondary base (72). The modules automatically groove the ring grooves (11), turn the complex shape of the skirt (15) and bore the wrist pin bore (13) through an ordered sequence of manufacturing steps. The piston stock is mounted for rotation on headstock and tailstock assemblies (82, 84). These assemblies are carried on the secondary base (72) which is slidably mounted on the primary base for movement into operative position with respect to the boring and turning modules according to the ordered sequence. The method and system improve piston quality while reducing manufacturing costs including saving factory floor space.

Abstract: An improved electrical connector assembly (10) is disclosed. The assembly is especially adapted for engagement with a printed circuit board (76) having electrical circuits formed on both sides thereof. The assembly includes a body (12) of molded dielectric material having four spaced rows of passages (24) extending therethrough from a front face (26) to a rear face (28) of the body. The assembly also includes brush wire electrical contacts (14) each received in its respective passage. Each of the contacts has a cylindrical body portion (62) and an elongated tail (64) attached to one end of its body portion. The ends (72) of the termination portions extend beyond the rear face and form two spaced straight line rows adapted to receive the printed circuit board therebetween. The ends (63) of the body portions opposite their respective termination portions comprise four spaced apart, straight line rows of body portion ends.

Abstract: A method of making a releasable electrical connector assembly having a brush-type contact including the steps of: positioning an elongated electrical conductor having an axial passage extending therethrough; sliding over the conductor an elongated body having a flanged end portion extending radially outwardly; inserting several straight wires of electrically conductive material into one end of the conductor; securing together the wires, the conductor and the elongated body, the wires forming a brush for releasably mating with a like bunch of wires; inserting an exposed electrically conducting end portion of a cable into the opposite end of the conductor and into engagement with the ends of the wires; securing the end portion of the cable and the conductor together, thereby establishing an electrical circuit relationship between the cable, the straight wires and the conductor and thereby providing the brush-type contact.

Abstract: An improved electrical connector assembly (10) is disclosed. The assembly is especially adapted for engagement with a printed circuit board (76) having electrical circuits formed on both sides thereof. The assembly includes a body (12) of molded dielectric material having four spaced rows of passages (24) extending therethrough from a front face (26) to a rear face (28) of the body. The assembly also includes brush wire electrical contacts (14) each received in its respective passage. Each of the contacts has a cylindrical body portion (62) and an elongated tail (64) attached to one end of its body portion. The ends (72) of the termination portions extend beyond the rear face and form two spaced straight line rows adapted to receive the printed circuit board therebetween. The ends (63) of the body portions opposite their respective termination portions comprise four spaced apart, straight line rows of body portion ends.

Abstract: Two embodiments of apparatus and method for automatically inserting electrical contacts into an electrical connector (31) are disclosed. Each electrical contact (14) is of the type having a retaining shoulder (21) and the electrical connector is of the type adapted to retain the contacts in cavities (62) formed in the connector. The apparatus includes a vibrating bowl (12, 112) which orients the contacts by vibrating and releases the oriented contacts one at a time. In the first embodiment, a rotary indexer (26), having a plurality of contact receiving passages (40) formed about its outer periphery, receives the oriented contacts, rotates about its axis (27) and releases the reoriented contacts into a plastic transfer tube (52). A slide unit (28) allows the contacts one at a time into a lower part (55) of the tube and into an air chamber (29) at a loading position.

Abstract: An integral electrical contact (10, 110, 210) and a method for making the electrical contact is disclosed. The contact includes an elongated electrical conducting base portion (19, 119, 219) which has an axial passage (29, 129, 229) extending therethrough and also includes several axially aligned electrical wires (20, 120, 220) integrally formed with the base portion. The wires are axially aligned with the passage of the base portion and extend beyond a first end (18, 118, 218) of the base portion. Each of the wires which extends beyond the first end of the base portion includes an end portion (24, 124, 224) that terminates in an acutely angled surface. The electrical contact is made by coining an electrically conductive flat sheet of material (12) to form a plurality of elongated raised design portions (14, 16, 114, 116, 214, 216) which are axially aligned and extend inwardly from one end surface (13) of the sheet.

Abstract: An improved electrical contact (10) for an electrical connector is disclosed. A first version of the contact comprises an elongated deep-drawn holder (11) having an axial holder passage (14) and an enlarged shoulder (12). The contact also includes a plurality of axially aligned electrical conducting fine wires (50) assembled together in a brush wire bundle. An elongated deep-drawn sleeve member (40) having an axial passage (46) extending therethrough is positioned over the holder to transform the first version into a second version of the contact. An intermediate flange (20) of the holder disposed rearward the shoulder is bent radially inwardly from the inner surface (22) of the holder passage to a position immediately adjacent the opposite inner surface (24) of the holder passage to provide an aperture (30) rearward the flange. The wire bundle, the sleeve and the holder are crimped together at a position forward the shoulder by four dies (64, 66, 68, 70) spaced apart in a circular arrangement.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (10) having an improved electrical contact (12) that includes an inner drawn holder (22) and an outer drawn sleeve (20) and a method of making the assembly (10) is disclosed. A bunch of electrical conducting fine wires (24) are axially aligned and crimped within an end portion (27) of a passage (25) which extends completely through the holder (22) such that the wires (24) extend beyond one end (26) of the holder (22). The opposite end (48) of the holder (22) is adapted to receive a wire (54) stripped of insulation (55) so that the end (56) of the wire (54) engages the opposite end (52) of the wires (24) in electric circuit relationship therebetween. The outer sleeve (20) also has an axially extending passage (21) extending completely therethrough.

Abstract: An improved insulation displacing electrical contact (14) and method of making the contact (14) is disclosed. The contact (14) comprises a holder (16), a retention sleeve (18) and brush wires (22). The holder includes a body portion (20) having an axial passage (24) extending therethrough and a head portion (28) connected to the body portion (20) by a curved interconnecting neck portion (30). The head portion (28) includes a pair of angled legs (38, 40) and an interconnecting bent portion (42). A slot (32) extends through the bent portion (42) and through the legs (38, 40). Each leg has a pair of opposing stripping surfaces (48, 50) for stripping insulation (13) from a wire cable (12) inserted through the slot (32) and each leg has a pair of opposing gripping surfaces (52, 54) for holding the stripped wire cable (12) in the slot (32).

Abstract: An assembly for housing microfilm is provided. The assembly includes a first cartridge, a second cartridge, and a connector assembly for detachably connecting the first cartridge to the second cartridge along an offset axis of the assembly. The first and second cartridges have a base plate and a cover plate secured together by a second connector assembly. The first connector assembly pivotally connects the two base plates together at a pivot point to allow each of the cartridges to rotate about the offset axis. The offset axis extends through the pivot point and is perpendicular to the plane formed by the junction of the first cartridge and the second cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus forming an incremental motion system is described for controllably moving a load from a first position to a second position in a forward mode to track a moving object field in response to an external reference signal. The apparatus moves the load from the second position back to the first position in a reverse mode. A motor having a rotatable shaft supplies the moving force to the lens shuttle. An optical tachometer having a rotating apertured element fixedly secured to the shaft to rotate therewith generates a signal, upon serving each aperture, in each of the forward and return modes. The signals corresponding to served apertures define feedback signals having corresponding frequencies. A forward control circuit is responsive to the frequency of the reference signal and the frequency of the feedback signal in the forward mode to provide a forward control signal to an amplifier which energizes or drives the motor.

Abstract: An endorser for use in document processing apparatus is provided with a matrix wire printer for printing variable information on documents as they are transported at a controlled speed along a transport path forming part of an endorsing station, and with a rotatable ink stamp driven by a controlled speed motor for printing fixed information on the documents in predetermined relationship with the variable information. A rotatably mounted endorser head assembly comprised of a velocity control member and an interrupted curvilinear platen, in addition to the ink stamp, is drivably rotated by the controlled speed motor to initially intercept and decelerate a document entering the endorsing station, and to thereafter print the fixed and variable information on the document. Deceleration of the document is accomplished by the velocity control member of the endorser head assembly in cooperation with a first biased back-up roller.

Abstract: An automotive air bag cover including a horn switch device incorporated therein, is provided. The air bag cover includes substantially rigid front and side panels which are adapted to enclose an uninflated automotive air bag. The front panel has inner and outer surfaces and is connected to the side panels at seams to permit the inflating air bag to leave the cover as the inflating air bag exerts a force at the inner surface of the front panel sufficient to cause the front panel to separate from the side panels along the seams. The horn switch device includes a flexible, manually operable diaphragm at the outer surface of the front panel. The diaphragm has a first electrically conductive inner surface for making a circuit with a corresponding second electrically conductive inner surface of the front panel upon manual actuation of the diaphragm.