Abstract: An improved weft yarn control for shuttleless looms in which, as the loom reed beats the inserted weft yarn toward the fabric fell, the trailing portion of the weft yarn is caused to first move forwardly and upwardly into engagement with a stationary clamping device operated in accordance with a prescribed timed sequence. As the trailing weft yarn portion continues its forward movement, it engages a stationary yarn severing device which severs the trailing weft yarn portion from the inserted portion at or near the edge of the fabric fell. The severed trailing portion is then maintained in the path of the yarn insertion device as it moves inwardly on its next pick, whereupon it is seated therein and the timed clamping device released.

Abstract: A square frame surrounds and extends upwardly from a planar cutting surface to define a dough compartment. A plurality of vertical slots in each side wall extend from the top edge thereof down to the cutting surface to provide a guide for a cutting blade inserted therein. The slots are arranged in such a pattern that three, four, or six equal width slices may be formed in each direction depending on the slots selected for use. The cutter blade is accurately shaped along the bottom from end to end to ensure good contact with the cutting surface. An enlarged end portion at each end of the cutting blade prevents inadvertent dislodgement of the cutting blade during usage. A flour trough is provided on one side wall to facilitate the maintenance of a floured cutting blade during usage.

Abstract: An air distribution system for air tables of the type in which modular table sections each have a plurality of holes in the surface thereof leading to or from a plenum underneath. A plurality of manifolds each receives a supply of air from a central blower from which the air is delivered through separate air feed lines to the plenums of a corresponding set or group of sections. The air from the blower to each manifold is selectively controlled by an on-off valve so that a selected set of modular sections may obtain its air supply separately from the other sets.

Abstract: An embroidery hoop fixture for releasably retaining a fabric swatch between a base member having an opening with a beveled edge on which a fabric swatch is supported in cooperation with a pair of clamping sectors positioned on the base member and fabric swatch for releasably retaining the fabric swatch with the sectors forming a coincident opening with the base member opening. The sectors are provided with depending base member beveled lugs for cooperative releasable engagement with the base member beveled edge. The pair of sectors is yieldably connected together for releasable clamping engagement of the sectors to the base member by means of the depending lugs.

Abstract: A collapsable flat comprising a corner post (6) pivotally mounted to a stub post (23) provided at the corner of a loading platform (1) of the flat so that the corner post is pivotable out of an upright operational position into a collapsed stowed position and vice versa, interengaging latching means (28,51,52) provided by the stub post and the corner post remote from the pivotal connection (13) therebetween for holding the corner post relative to the platform in its upright operational position, resilient biasing means (35) interconnecting the corner post and the stub post partially to counterbalance the mass of the corner post during the pivotal movement and locking means (27) housed by the stub post for locking the collapsed flat to a similar flat said locking means being extendible from the stub post into an operative position, when the corner post is pivoted into its stowed position.

Abstract: Electrical signal mixing apparatus for recording studio or live performance comprising a plurality of input channels having means for conditioning input signals applied thereto, a plurality of sub-group channels to which the signals from input channels can be selectively assigned, and a pair of output channels which may receive signals directly from the input channels or via the sub-group channels. Routing interconnections between the input, sub-group and output channels are controlled by a microprocessor in dependence on operator selections effected via a single manually operable switch control on each channel. The microprocessor detects destination assignments indicated by operation of the switch on a sub-group or output channel, and act to complete analogue interconnections between input channels and the identified sub-group or output channels upon subsequent actuation of the input channel selector switches.

Abstract: A wheeled skid jack is pivotally and releasably connected to a wheeled electric power pack in which the skid jack is provided with a lever handle to manipulate the skid jack into engagement with the skid or pallet using the skid jack wheels as a fulcrum. The wheeled electric power pack supplies current to a gear motor mounted on the skid jack. Electrical controls are provided for controlling the direction of displacement of the skid jack and power pack by driving the gear motor in the desired direction.

Abstract: The catch-cord selvage of a shuttleless or fluid jet loom is drawn between a pair of mating rollers having smooth surfaces under a prescribed tension that is matched to the fabric tension as it comes from the loom. The mating rollers include an idler roller which is driven by a drive roller, with the drive roller being positively driven without slippage by the fabric take-up roll. The surface speed of the drive roller is the same as the surface speed of the fabric take-up roll so that the catch-cord and the fabric are drawn from the loom at the same speed.

Abstract: A hydropneumatic spring in which a casing filled with fluid under pressure is selectively movable with respect to a piston contained within the casing and mounted on a stationary hollow support rod. The piston divides the casing into an upper and lower chamber. When the fluid path is unlocked or opened and the casing is subjected to axial pressure, fluid passes from one chamber to the other through the hollow support rod and axially through the piston.

Abstract: A positive harness drive mechanism raises and lowers the harnesses of a weaving loom responsive to a control cam that engages the followers of a pair of actuators at all times, regardless of the stroke direction, resulting in a smoother, more controlled stroke than is available in previous devices. The cam utilized herein is a double-landed or split cam mounted on the cam shaft by a pair of clamping collars. The actuators are adjustably connected to a pair of corresponding treadles that in turn lift and lower corresponding harnesses.

Abstract: An adjustable support column for chairs, stools, tables or other furniture items in which a support tube telescopically receives a mounting cylinder. The mounting cylinder is seated on a diamond threaded support rod in the support tube by means of one or more drive nuts and a locking nut. A clutch selectively releases the locking nut to permit longitudinal adjustment of the mounting cylinder relative to the support tube. The diamond threaded support rod is connected to a power spring which stores energy as the support rod is rotated in one direction to cause a return of the support rod to its initial position when the locking nut is released.

Abstract: A counterweight is attached to the rocker shaft of a short sword loom diametrically opposite the lay, reed, and weft directing components to shift the center of gravity of the oscillatory elements to a position subtantially coincident with the center of gravity with a minimum of structural changes to the conventional loom configuration.

Abstract: A transducer formed of one or more electrode arrays is positioned in confronting relation and parallel to the plane of rotation of one or more rotating members. A plurality of phase modulated, two-phase, square wave drive signals of the same amplitude and frequency are applied to each electrode. The signals are combined at a central node or electrode to form, as a result of the signal, the superposition of the algebraic sum of all drive signal pairs. Samples of the resultant signal taken at the same frequency and of a duration of less than one-half the duration of the drive signal period provide a multi-step, synchronously detected signal. The detected signal is a multi-step approximation to a sine wave, the phase angle thereof relative to a timing point being proportional to the angular position of the rotating member.

Abstract: A generally conventional air washer is modified by dividing the water delivered to a bank of sprays into a first portion that is directed to a header at the top of the bank and a second portion that is directed to a header at the bottom of the bank. A throttling valve is placed in the line upstream of the upper header. When the air washer is being used as a dehumidifying apparatus, as in summertime use, and during situations of minimum use as a dehumidifier, the water supply to the upper headers may be throttled or even cut off completely without affecting the water pressure to the lower header. Water from the lower nozzles in such situations continues to be emitted into the air stream as an atomizing spray.