Abstract: In a synchronous fixed frame boundary system with variable data rates, a transmitter inserts into a current frame an indication of the data rate of the next frame. After the first frame is received and processed at a receiver, the data rates of subsequent frames are known before processing, thereby reducing processing load. Furthermore, because the rate indication is inserted into the frame to be error protected along with the rest of the frame information, reliability is high, while additional data overhead and complexity are very low. As an example, North American code division multiple access digital cellular telephone systems utilize variable data rate transmissions. As a station modem (SM) assembles a current frame for convolutional encoding and further processing, the SM inserts a rate indication for the subsequent frame in accordance with information from a vocoder and CPU of the appropriate data rate for the subsequent frame.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for heat treating metal castings with sand cores provides for removal of the sand core and recovery of the sand core material for reuse. The method and apparatus eliminate the need for removing the sand core from the casting prior to heat treatment and thus eliminate the labor, expense, and possible damage to the casting incidental to conventional core removal techniques such as chiseling and shaking. The method involves heating the casting with sand core therein to a temperature sufficient to burn off the binder component of the sand core. The sand comprising the sand core is then blown out of the casting by directing a flow of air over the workpiece. The sand thus dislodged is then collected for reuse. According to the disclosed apparatus, the castings are heated in a furnace having fans for directing a flow of air over the workpieces.

Abstract: A torque multiplying assist tool engages and pivots about a fulcrum to assist a conventional wrench in operating upon a work-piece. The assist tool functions as a secondary lever by receiving an applied force, pivoting about the fulcrum, and exerting a multiplied force upon the wrench. The wrench includes a grip element that is engaged to the work-piece and a handle extending from the grip element. The multiplied force is applied by way of a linkage assembly to the handle of the wrench causing the wrench to pivot such that torque is applied to the work-piece. In accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the assist tool is constructed and arranged to cooperate with the wrench to aid in the removal of a lug nut from a vehicle wheel. The work-piece is a lug nut (i.e., a primary lug nut) on the wheel and the fulcrum is another lug nut (i.e., a secondary lug nut) on the same wheel.

Abstract: Provided is a composite building panel including, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, a planar concrete slab portion at the front and a plurality of elongated frame members at the rear. Each frame member includes a first end and an opposite second end that define a length therebetween, and a front side and a rear side which define a width therebetween which is less than the length. The front side of each frame member is imbedded in the concrete slab portion along the entire length of the frame member, and the rear side of each frame member is oriented opposite from the concrete slab portion. The frame members are, in accordance with preferred embodiments, all oriented on one side of the concrete slab portion and function to reinforce the concrete slab portion; to define cavities therebetween for the installation of plumbing, electrical wiring, and insulation; and to provide for the attachment of wallboard.

Abstract: A purge supplement includes a vessel that attaches to a gas discharge line of a purge system. Adsorbent material is disposed within the vessel. In a Vent Mode the purge system vents into the vessel and the vessel vents to the atmosphere, whereby the purge system effectively vents through the vessel and the adsorbent material in the vessel adsorbs refrigerant. The purge supplement senses, by employing a weight scale or a refrigerant detection monitor, when the adsorbent material has adsorbed a certain amount of refrigerant, and at that time operation of the purge supplement switches from the Vent Mode to a Recycle Mode. When the transition is made to the Recycle Mode the vessel is isolated from the purge system and, after a slight delay, the atmosphere. After the slight time delay, the vessel is placed in fluid communication with an evaporator of a refrigeration system that the purge supplement is associated with. Refrigerant is drawn out of the adsorbent material and into the evaporator.

Abstract: Provided is an improved corrugated containerboard that includes a corrugated medium sandwiched between and secured to a top liner and a bottom liner. The corrugated medium, top liner, and bottom liner each include fibers that are oriented in a machine direction, and the corrugated medium defines a plurality of flutes that are oriented in the machine direction. The improved corrugated containerboard is constructed from conventional paperboard which is drawn through a corrugation system in the machine direction. A first piece of paperboard is drawn between a pair of dies to form the corrugated medium with flutes oriented in the machine direction. A second and third piece of paperboard are glued to either side of the corrugated medium to form the corrugated containerboard. Each die includes an engaging surface with ridges thereon, and the engaging surfaces are opposed and define a forming zone therebetween which the first piece of paperboard is drawn through.

Abstract: An automatic, poultry wing portioning system that employs a linear path throughout the entire portioning process. The system portions the wings into their constituent parts by moving the wings, supported by uniquely designed carriers, via conveyor into engagement with a series of adjustably mounted, stationary knives that depend from an overhead support frame into the linear path of the wings. The knives are displaced laterally and longitudinally from one another and are oriented with their sharp edges facing upward to slice through the soft tissues of each wing joint. By virtue of their adjustable mounting and the interplay of the knives with the other components of the system, the knives are capable of being independently positioned in numerous vertical planes and at various depths of penetration in relation to a plurality of grooves defined by each carrier.

Abstract: A primary outer shell includes, in its most preferred embodiment, a base and a wall which includes at least one embedded foreign object and defines openings into an inner cavity containing a burnable candle member which causes the outer shell to glow and cast shadows without melting. The outer shell is constructed according to a unique molding method which includes at least partially immersing a swollen distensible mold, such as a water-filled balloon, into a reservoir of molding material, such as wax, to allow the molding material to form a molded shell around the distensible mold. After the distensible mold with the attached molded shell is removed from the reservoir of molding material, it is placed upon a flat surface to form a flat bottom into the molded shell.

Abstract: A variable-offset, poultry deboning system having a conveyor fitted with variable-offset, poultry support arms that bend toward the sides of the conveyor and create a two-sided, poultry deboning-conveyor. The support arms are installed so that successive arms turn toward opposite sides of the conveyor. Poultry support fittings, including, but certainly not limited to, deboning cones and half-pads are mounted on the top of each support arm. Support arms that bend toward the same side of the conveyor are fitted alternately with deboning cones and half-pads. However, in one alternative configuration, all support arms are fitted with deboning cones, while in another alternative configuration, all support arms are fitted with deboning half-pads. Additionally, in still other alternative configurations, products-conveyors may be mounted above the conveyor bed or on each side of the conveyor bed.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-functional tool that includes two elongated bars. When the tool is in a push configuration, the bars are pivotally connected by a collar mechanism to define an obtuse angle between the bars, with each bar having a foot end extending from the obtuse angle. A force properly applied to the pivot point, for example, increases the magnitude of the obtuse angle thereby forcing the foot ends away from each other, whereby mechanical objects engaged by the foot ends are moved away from each other. When the tool is in a pull configuration, the two elongated bars are connected by the collar mechanism such that they are generally parallel and such that the foot ends thereof extend from the collar in the same general direction, with one foot end extending further from the collar than the other foot end.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop (PLL) frequency synthesizer is connected in reverse to a reference signal and a controlled oscillator loop including a low pass filter and a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). Rather than receiving a reference signal through a reference oscillator input and a VCO output signal through a VCO input, the PLL frequency synthesizer receives a reference signal through the VCO input and receives the VCO output signal through the reference oscillator input. Additionally, the output of the PLL is taken from the buffered reference output, thereby eliminating the need for an external buffer. Accordingly, the data loaded into the PLL frequency synthesizer accommodates the reversed input scheme by altering the divide ratios and inverting the phase detector output signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to provide enhanced wide area audio response services through an enhanced wide area studio response network which includes a central controller and a plurality of audio peripherals distributed over a wide area, each audio peripheral being connected to telephone lines for receiving and originating telephone calls, converting received analog audio signals into digital representations, recording and storing digital representations, converting stored digital representations into analog audio signals, playing audio signals over connected telephone lines, and communicating with, including receiving commands from, the central controller over a Packet Switched Public Data Network (PSPDN), which controller is a highly reliable general purpose controller which offers utility grade service to each audio peripheral and utilizes Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS) tables for various applications, including voice messaging, audio text, remote information provider accessing, and testing to provi

Abstract: Provided is a flexible, water impervious flash strip for forming a substantially permanent watertight seal between an awning assembly and the building structure to which the awning assembly is attached. The flash strip includes a lip protrusion extending from the rear of the flash strip and biased to extend rearward and slightly upward from the flash strip, a leg protrusion depending from the rear of the flash strip, and a tab protrusion depending from the bottom of the flash strip between the front and rear of the flash strip. The tab protrusion is mated to the elongated stapling channel of a framing tube that is at the upper edge of the awning assembly and that is to be attached to the wall of the building.

Abstract: An equalizer assembly that integrates into the die cutting station of a press and comprises two hydraulic actuators, each of which interacts with one of the jackscrews of the press to create an internal hydraulic pressure. The internal pressure of a first of the hydraulic actuators corresponds to a loading force that is imparted upon the rotary cutting die proximate to a first end of the rotary cutting die, and the internal pressure of a second of the hydraulic actuators corresponds to a loading force that is imparted upon the rotary cutting die proximate to a second end of the rotary cutting die. The hydraulic actuators are in fluid communication with one another such that the hydraulic pressures therein are maintained substantially equal to define an overall system hydraulic pressure, and the hydraulic actuators are designed and arranged so that the loading forces generated thereby are substantially equal.