Abstract: A machine for feeding a plurality of tubes (18) to a station at which articles in the tube, such as DIPs (10), are released into a discharge chute (46). The device includes a platen (56) which is inclined with respect to each of the two mutually-perpendicular horizontal axes. The tubes (18) are placed on the platen (56) The platen (56) has a wall (50) which occludes lower open ends of the tubes (18) when they are placed on the platen (56). The tubes (18) pass downwardly on the platen (56) along this wall (50). A second lower edge with respect to the other of the mutually-perpendicular horizontal axes, defines a releasing station, and when a tube (18) is in that station, its lower end is not occluded by the wall (50). Devices within the tube (18) are, thereby, permitted to pass outwardly into the discharge chute (46). Stops (80) are disposed proximate this lower edge of the platen (56) in order to arrest downward movement of the tubes (18) beyond the releasing station.

Abstract: An apparatus for mating a structural element to a pair of frame members. The mating apparatus includes a stud carried by the element, a pin carried by each of the frame members, a brace positioned, during mating, so that inwardly turned portions formed at each lateral end of the brace engage a corresponding pin carried by the frame members. Structure is provided to urge the brace progressively closer to the structural element. As this urging occurs, the pins carried by the frame members are driven toward the structural element by the corresponding associated inwardly turned portions of the braces until the pins can be urged no farther. As this occurs, tightening of the frame members to the structural element occurs.

Abstract: An apparatus for decoupling one contact (40) of an integrated circuit device (12) from a primary power source provided by a tester. The apparatus includes a rack mount (58) applied over each of two pluralities of probe fingers (16) which, together with other structure, provide electronic communication between the contacts (40) of the device (12) being tested and the primary power soruce. Each of the mounts (58) has a plurality of recesses (60) formed therein for receipt of various chip capacitors (92) and shorting elements (94). The recesses (60) pass fully through their respective rack mounts (58), and a contact strip (78) is positioned in an overlying relationship to a corresponding rack mount (58) to secure the chip capacitors (92) and shorting elements (94), selectively inserted into the various recesses (60), in operative electronic engagement with probe fingers (16) corresponding to the recesses (60) in which the various capacitors (92) and shorting elements (94) are received.

Abstract: A machine (20) forming of pallets by affixing deck boards (52) to two or more stringers (50). The apparatus includes a base (22) defining a bed which has input and output sections. An inverter (28) is pivotally mounted to the base (22) for pivotal movement between a first position, overlying the input section, and a second position, overlying the output section. With the inverter (28) in its first position, a pallet is partially formed by affixing a plurality of deck boards (52) to first sides of two or more stringers (50) while those pallet components (50, 52) are held within fittings (56, 62, 64, 66, 68) carried by the inverter (28). Affixation is effected by a tower (86), having a plurality of nailer guns (100), moving across the inverter (28).

Abstract: The invention of the present document is an improved disc singulator (10) for use in singulating and delivering to a test site (12) an integrated circuit device (14) to be tested by a tester mechanism. The singulator (10) includes structure to positively hold the device (14) within slots (64) formed in the periphery (52) of the disc (10) as it is rotated. A main body portion (16) of the device (14) is, thereby, held so that a plane defined by the main body (16) is oriented generally orthogonal to a plane defined by the disc (10). Additionally, the device (14) is held at an appropriate radial location with respect to the disc (14) so that, as the disc (10) rotates the device (14) carried thereby through a slit (40) in a printed circuit board (36) at the test site (12), contacts (26) of the device (14) will engage corresponding probes (38) at the test site (12).

Abstract: A shuttle-actuated singulation apparatus (10) for use in handling integrated circuit devices (16). A shuttle (39), acting to isolate or singulate an individual integrated circuit device (16) for transfer to a test apparatus, is included. A shuttle assembly (30) is carried by a splined shaft (34) for rotational movement of shuttle (39) carried thereby. The assembly (30), additionally, is moved laterally by means of a drive cable (36). Rotation of a shuttle barrel (32) and associated upward pivoting of shuttle projectiles (42) carried by barrel (32) effects engagement of a bell crank (70) which, in turn, engages a belt drive mount (82) carrying a drive belt (80). The drive belt (80), thereafter, is engaged with an integrated circuit device (16) to impel the device (16) out of a track (12) in which it is received.

Abstract: An improved self-cleaning fluid filter (10) having a housing (12) with spaced inlet and outlet ports (14, 16) formed in a common wall (18) of the housing (12). The filter (10) further includes a first sleeve (48) extending from the housing's common wall (18) in which the outlet port (16) is formed. An interior chamber within the first sleeve (48) communicates with the outlet port (16), and the first sleeve (48) has a narrowed portion (52) proximate the outlet port (16). The narrowed portion (52) of the first sleeve (48) has at least one orifice (102) formed therein. The filter (10) further includes a second sleeve (60) extending from the common wall (18) and generally concentrically encircling an axial portion of the narrowed portion (52) of the first sleeve (48). A generally annular space (72) is, thereby, defined between the first and second sleeves (48, 60).

Abstract: An apparatus for housing a plurality of remote control units wherein the units are consolidated at a common location and wherein the units are protected from damage which may be occasioned upon them. Each housing is defined by a wall having a window formed therein and a drawer for mounting a unit therewithin whereby an infrared emitter of a remote control unit is disposed so that it will project an infrared signal through the window. Further, the housings include hook and notch arrangements for mating the plurality of housings together whereby each transmission path from a remote control through the corresponding window to electronic equipment is rendered unobstructed.

Abstract: Apparatus for ascending scaffolding (10). The apparatus includes a ladder (24) having an inner upright (26) which is pivotally mounted with respect to an upright (20) of an end frame (12) of the scaffolding (10). The ladder (24) is disposed for pivoting between a retracted position, wherein the latter (24) overlies the end frame (12) of the scaffolding (10) to which it is attached, and an extended position, wherein the ladder (24) is pivoted, typically, 180.degree. relative to the retracted position.

Abstract: A kit for assembling a portable display system. The kit includes a plurality of H-shaped members which can be assembled one on top of the other, a flexible panel attachable to the assembled H-members and a tensioning device for tensioning the flexible panel.

Abstract: A device for anesthetizing a patient (12) during normally painful medical procedures, such as various dental treatments, performed in the area of the patient's jaw and mouth regions. A TENS apparatus (10) having a hand control device (34) comprises the apparatus invention and is employed in practicing the method. The apparatus includes a slide control bar (36) which can be operated by the patient (12) to vary the amount of current being generated by the TENS apparatus (10). The attending dentist can utilize adjustable stops (38) for regulating the range of current flow which the patient (12) can induce. Further, the apparatus (10) employs uniquely designed electrodes (18, 18') for attachment to the hand (20) and face (22), respectively, of the patient (12). The facially applied electrode (18') is affixed externally to afford an accessible work path to the attending dentist.

Abstract: A pressure transducer is provided, in a preferred embodiment, with a pair of diaphragms (29, 28), each with a strain gauge, and with a rubber-like intermediate layer (33) therebetween. The layer (33) supports the first diaphragm (29) without interfering with its flexing up to a point where the layer (33) becomes non-resilient and transmits further flexing of the first diaphragm to the second diaphragm (28). The diameter of each diaphragm has to be about 2.75-3.75 times greater than that of its central flexing portion forming the bottom of a cavity (30) which, in the shown embodiment, is conical. The overall thickness of the diaphragm is preferably about 5 times greater than the thickness of the flexing portion to eliminate or at least substantially reduce the influence of parasitic stresses introduced by clamping forces holding the diaphragm in place.

Abstract: An equipment (10) designed to engage and stop each of a plurality of items (16) passing down a track (12). The equipment (10) includes a mount (28) which carries a plurality of stops (30). The stops (30) are disposed such that, when the mount (28) which is spaced laterally from the track (12) is moved toward the track (12), stops (30) will successively obstruct the track (12) in sequence, consecutively in a direction upwardly along an axis along which the stops (30) are spaced.

Abstract: A book support having a pillar with a facing surface against which the binding of a book to be supported rests. The angle of said facing surface can be oriented at a desired angle relative to a surface on which the support rests. The binding rest also comprises variable angle wings which are disposed for pivoting about generally vertical axes.

Abstract: Distilling equipment comprising evaporation apparatus (2) including a boiling chamber (6) and equipment and conduits (46-59, 62, 63, 65-71) for supplying raw liquid to the boiling chamber at a predetermined level (43), a plurality of serial condensation stages (10, 20, 30), the first stage (10) connected to the top (7) of the boiling chamber (6) to receive gas therefrom and condense the gas by contact with cold recycled distillate from the final condensation stage (30), each stage having vertical vacuum producing bubble tubes (15, 25, 35) through which distillate and gas bubble (17) pass downward to a collection vessel (16, 26), gas carrier tubes (19, 29) which carry gas from each collection vessel (16, 26) to the condensation chamber (21, 31) of the following stage, and pump (41, 42) in cooperating conduits (18, 22, 28, 32) for pumping distillate free of gas from each collection chamber (16, 26) to the condensation chamber (21, 31) of the following stage.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved extractor (10) for removing a liquid from a solid carrier medium in which the liquid is entrained. The extraction process is accomplished by utilizing both percolation and immersion removal methods. The extractor (10) includes a plurality of pools (12, 12') through which the solid entraining the liquid therein is moved in a direction counter-flow to that in which a solvent passes through the extractor (10). Percolation removal is effected at the overflow (48, 48') of each pool (12, 12') as solvent washes through the solids being processed. Immersion is effected at the lower end of a sloped floor (22, 22') of each pool (12, 12') where the solids are soaked in the solvent. A final percolation bath (14) can be provided as a last stage of the extractor (10).

Abstract: A soft-handling drop shuttle for use in an integrated circuit device handler. The invention includes a shuttle assembly (10) which pivots from a first position, in registration with an intake chute (36), and a second position, in registration with a discharge chute (50). The shuttle assembly (10) includes a shuttle lower jaw (14) for supporting an integrated circuit device (38) during its transfer, and a shuttle upper jaw (22), which is pivotally attached by an upper jaw pivot shaft (32) to the shuttle assembly (10). Upper jaw (22) retains the integrated circuit device (38) within the shuttle assembly (10) during the movement of the shuttle. The shuttle upper jaw (22) includes a stop portion (54) and an associated leaf spring (28) for retaining and clamping the integrated circuit device (38) within the shuttle assembly (10). Interchangeable shuttle lower jaws (14, 14') enable adaptation of assembly (10) to accommodate integrated circuit devices (38) of varying sizes and types.