Abstract: A telescoping member comprising an inner tubular member nested in an outer tubular member and movable between a retracted position and an extended position in telescoping relation, in which the inner tubular member is releasably lockable to the outer tubular member in the extended position by a resilient ledge cooperating with a fixed ledge, the resilient ledge being disposed within a longitudinal channel defined between an inner surface of the outer tubular member and an outer surface of the inner tubular member. An enlarged lower portion of the inner tubular member engages against an inwardly directed lip at the top of the outer tubular member such that the inner tubular member is prevented from being pulled out of the outer tubular member. Upon the application of axial force to the inner tubular member the resilient ledge is depressed, allowing the resilient ledge to travel past the fixed ledge so that the inner tubular member can move to the retracted position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing unrelated reference signals originating from two or more sources at different locations, which signals may be in different signal formats and/or subject to different delays at the receiving station. A master generator having an absolute time input from a highly stable time source generates a master reference signal having a frequency that is a common multiple of the frequencies of the unrelated reference signals. A counter is implemented from an arbitrary initial time point and the time elapsed from the initial time point to a synchronizing event is periodically encoded into the master reference signal as time code data. A slave generator associated with each information signal is genlocked to the master reference signal, and the time code data is encoded into the slave reference outputs.

Abstract: A mechanical lifting jack with a locking mechanism that arrests upward motion of the handle if the handle is suddenly released by the operator while raising or lowering a load. A latch on the pivot attachment of the handle to the lifting assembly is actuated by a lever disposed at the distal end of the handle, and engages into a toothed safety link when the lever is released. In the event that the operator suddenly releases the handle accidentally, the latch engages the safety link to arrest the upward motion of the handle. The invention can also be used to lock the handle into an upright position alongside the vertical support for compact storage.

Abstract: A system and method for recycling a waste glass cullet includes a first screening station for separating large glass shards of approximately one inch in diameter from smaller glass shards in the cullet, a crusher to reduce the large glass shards to smaller glass shards smaller than approximately one inch in diameter, a second screening station to separate remaining large contaminants having a diameter of approximately one inch or greater from the cullet, a series of vacuum inlets disposed along a conveyor to remove light contaminants, a presoaking apparatus comprising a holding tank partly filled with a presoaking solution, a rotary washing apparatus comprising a drum with vanes disposed along an inner wall of the drum to toss the cullet in the washing solution, the vanes being oriented so that the cullet is tossed progressively forwardly toward a discharge outlet of the drum, to remove buoyant contaminants from the cullet, a dewatering apparatus to remove excess water from the cullet, and a dryer for reducin

Abstract: A harmonic mitigating device connected between the power distribution system and the load provides a flux shifting multiple-winding reactor with a capacitor bank connected between the reactor windings. At least one line winding is oriented in a first polarity on a core, and at least one compensating winding oriented in the opposite polarity on the core and connected between the output of the first winding and the load. The opposing fluxes generated by the line winding and the compensating winding cancel and thus reduce the through-reactance of the device between the load and the power supply. The input of a cross-link circuit comprising a capacitor is connected between the line winding and the compensating winding. The reactance through the cross-link circuit to the neutral (or another phase) is lower than the reactance through the line winding. Harmonic currents thus flow through the cross-link circuit, and are largely prevented from penetrating the power distribution system.

Abstract: An articulating connector for a mandibular repositioning appliance comprises upper and lower housings each pivotally mounted on a pin and rotatable about the axis of the pin, to selectively permit movement of the mandible in the lateral direction. The pins are hingedly connected respectively to threaded adjusting screws to selectively permit movement of the mandible in the vertical direction. The adjusting screws have opposite thread directions and are engaged within a collar, rotation of which sets a desired spacing between the adjusting screws to fix the position of the mandible in the anterior/posterior directions. Optionally the lateral and/or vertical hinges can be locked to restrain lateral and/or vertical movement of the mandible.

Abstract: The invention provides a floodlight in which the lamp axis is offset from the axis of a reflector. In the preferred embodiment an arc lamp is oriented vertically when the reflector axis is oriented at an oblique downward angle. The reflector includes a back reflector having a parabolic reflecting surface and a front reflector having at least one ellipsoidal reflecting surface disposed symmetrically about the reflector axis. In a preferred embodiment the front reflector is hinged to the back reflector and can be pivoted away from the back reflector to expose the lamp to facilitate cleaning and maintenance.

Abstract: A coin mechanism capable of accepting two coins simultaneously is provided with generally opposed coin slots with mechanisms for measuring each of the two coins immediately adjacent thereto. The measuring mechanisms includes detente cooperating with front and rear portions of a notched wheel, the detents being mounted so that only one detent cooperates with each portion of the notched wheel. The invention further provides a member for blocking access to the first coin slot as the second coin passes, to prevent removal of the coin therefrom.

Abstract: A method and device for transcoding a digital signal first oversamples the input signal, converts the sampling rate to an oversampled output signal, filters the signal to reduce unwanted bands and decimates the oversampled output signal to produce a transcoded signal having the target sampling rate. This allows the conversion to be implemented in the composite domain, requiring a single sampling rate converter, and significantly reduces the complexity of the filter required to filter the output signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a recessed lighting fixture having an outwardly extending housing flange about a lower end of the fixture housing and retaining clips mounted to the housing wall. The retaining clips have enlarged ends trapped within the housing and extending through axial slots so as to permit axial movement along the housing wall. Each retaining clip includes a spring arm biased to an open position in which the spring arm extends radially from the housing, part of the upper portion being flexible such that the spring arm can be depressed toward the housing wall. The fixture can thus be installed through a ceiling opening barely larger than the diameter of the housing. An adjusting screw is provided for adjusting the position of the retaining clip axially along the housing wall, which secures the housing in place by clamping the ceiling between the housing flange and the retaining clips.

Abstract: A coin mechanism for a bulk vendor or the like is provided with a magnetic discriminating device, for selectively accepting coins having a magnetic component and rejecting coins or slugs which have no magnetic component. A magnet is lodged in the coin conveyor flush with the seating surface for a coin, and a resilient urging member such as a spring projects above the seating surface. The attractive force of the magnet on a coin having a magnetic component is greater than the repelling force of the spring, so a coin having a magnetic component is retained in the coin carrier while a coin or slug having no magnetic component is unseated by the spring and ejected into a coin rejection chute.