Abstract: A liquid herbicide container having a closed end connected to a long handle and an open end coterminous with an externally threaded outlet conduit includes a spring biased pump inserted within the conduit into communication with the container body. A threaded cap is held rotatably captive with an open flange end of the pump and sealingly engages the flange with the threaded outlet conduit. Reciprocally captive within the pump, a discharge tube extending from the open flange end actuates the pump to withdraw the herbicide. A hollow coupler connected to an applicator pad has an open end adapted to slidably receive the cap and flange over an incursive distance adjustably limited by an annular ledge within the coupler, functioning alone or in combination with at least one resilient washer overlying the ledge.

Abstract: A portable oven easily assembled without tools or fasteners from interfitted modular components is adapted to function in a convection mode. The components include a pair of electrical strip heaters disposed within a base frame that supports a plurality of upstanding wall panels which circumscribe a close having corners. A receiver mounted on the frame proximate each corner is recessed to releasably receive a free end of an upstanding stanchion. Each stanchion is formed with a pair of open channel members positioned orthogonally on the stanchion to face corresponding ones of channel members of opposite stanchions for slidably receiving a wall panel between the members in releasably captive relation. A removable cover is positioned in registry with the upstanding stanchions and wall panels to define a closed heating chamber. Heated air is circulated within the oven via apertures in a floor panel of the frame and a blower assembly mounted upon the cover in communication with the chamber.

Abstract: Enhanced signaling and call routing is provided in a telephone communications network that includes a local telephone central office having a POTS line connection between a subscriber station and an access junction of the office. A voice path interfaces the access junction with a circuit switch for conventional dial-up voice call placement. Modem data calls, however, follow an access path from the junction as a physical switched connection terminated in layer 1 of a network data-switching matrix. The access path continues therefrom to a data switch which interfaces an Internet service provider. Interfacing the data and circuit switches, a network controller functions to selectively configure communications paths within the central office and between the office and network in response to commands originating at the subscriber station or incoming from other networks.

Abstract: A multi-line key telephone system not having a key service unit includes three analog telephone lines to which up to eight, three-line telephones may be connected to provide enhanced service features with cost-effectiveness. System reliability is maintained, notwithstanding a power dependency of the telephones, by including POTS telephones to provide uninterrupted essential telephone service in the event of a power outage. Both data and voice communications between two or more of the three-line telephones is achieved by converting an input digital bit stream from either a digital or analog source into a corresponding out-of-band binary FSK radio frequency output signal that is transceivingly communicated between the three-line telephones as data packets within a TDM frame. The out-of-band signal thus permits analog voice communications on the same line to proceed without interference.

Abstract: A multi-line key telephone system not having a key service unit includes three analog telephone lines to which up to eight, three-line telephones may be connected to provide enhanced service features with cost-effectiveness. System reliability is maintained, notwithstanding the power dependency of the telephones, by including POTS telephones to provide uninterrupted essential telephone service in the event of a power outage. Both data and voice communications between two or more of the three-line telephones is achieved by converting an input digital bit stream from either a digital or analog source into a corresponding out-of-band binary FSK radio frequency output signal that is transceivingly communicated between the three-line telephones as data packets within a TDM frame. The out-of-band signal thus permits analog voice communications on the same line to proceed without interference.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking selected layers of products on a pallet comprises an upstanding frame having two side walls, a back wall forming a close with the side walls, an open entry side and an open uppermost end defined by peripheral frame members. Clamp means circumscribe the uppermost end in unobstructive overhead relation within the close and surrounding frame members to provide an inwardly directed clamping pressure between the side walls and between the back wall and frame members positioned above the entry side. Clamping pressure is generated by inflatable air bags positioned between the peripheral frame members and pressure plates facing inwardly of the close. Layers of products from successive pallet loads are placed by a forklift truck into the apparatus through the open side. A selected layer is raised and supportively clamped. The remaining pallet load is lowered and withdrawn.

Abstract: A multi-line key telephone system not having a key service unit includes three analog telephone lines to which multiple telephone stations may be connected for enhanced communications between stations. Each station is connected by a modem to a single telephone line and includes a Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART) communicating with the modem, a microprocessor and a digital signal processor for effecting voice and data transfers and communicating time division multiplex protocol control to another telephone station on the same line. The UART includes a synchronizer with a master clock for defining positions of voice and data packets within a TDM frame having a predetermined data bit structure, and a receiver for acquiring a first valid packet header and start bit and issuing a sync pulse to adjust the master clock to conform to the timing of a new communication session.

Abstract: An alphanumeric, and graphics liquid crystal display having utility in portable devices used in communications, measurement, and data display systems generally, is disclosed in the environment of a wireless telephone handset. The display includes a transparent viewing screen having a reflective substrate adapted to display thereon transitory opaque symbols in response to data signals received during a telephone call or generated at a keypad of the handset when a call is placed. Positioned under the substrate, an illumination screen has selectable elements which are illuminated in response to control signals generated in correspondence with the data signals. Being in registry with portions of the substrate on which the symbols are displayed, the selected elements of the illumination screen provide backlighting for viewing the symbols under low ambient light levels without illuminating the entire viewing screen, thereby conserving power in an on-board battery.

Abstract: A multi-line key telephone system not having a key service unit includes three analog telephone lines to which up to eight, three-line telephones may be connected to provide enhanced service features with cost-effectiveness. System reliability is maintained, notwithstanding the power dependency of the telephones, by including POTS telephones to provide uninterrupted essential telephone service in the event of a power outage. Both data and voice communications between two or more of the three-line telephones is achieved by converting an input digital bit stream from either a digital or analog source into a corresponding out-of-band binary FSK radio frequency output signal that is transceivingly communicated between the three-line telephones as data packets within a TDM frame. The out-of-band signal thus permits analog voice communications on the same line to proceed without interference.

Abstract: An interactive cordless telephone handset having an alphanumeric data display system is in radio communication with an associated base station to which voice and data signals are conducted over a telephone line. Received caller identification data is tested for validity and is stored in a limited storage Callers List memory of the base station if found valid. Subsequently, the data is transmitted to the handset over a radio link of limited range, with the received data being formatted and conducted to a display screen for identifying the caller by name and telephone number prior to answering the call. Although caller identification is erased from the display after the call, it is retained in the Callers List memory of the base station where it may be accessed by the handset via softkeys and dedicated dialpad keys for subsequent display and editing and optional transfer to a general directory for long term storage in a non-volatile memory of the base station.

Abstract: Apparatus for fashioning a pointed end on a stake includes a base on which is mounted a rotatably driven slotted circular disk having secured to one side thereof a plurality of cutting blades co-disposed in a radially outward arrangement within a cutting plane of the disk. A feed table is displaceably mounted on the base adjacent the cutting plane of the disk and supports a hollow cylinder having open ends for receiving a wooden stake and retaining a free end thereof in a predetermined angular cutting engagement with the cutting plane. Forward travel of the stake through the cylinder is limited by a stop member and lateral displacement of the stake relative to the cutting plane is provided by a handle operated cam that controllably moves the feed table to establish a predetermined depth of cut. The stake is rotated within the cylinder either manually or by a motor driven rotator which results in pinpointing the extended end of the stake.

Abstract: A container for storing and dispensing rolled bandages comprises a pair of attached half shells that are separable for cleaning and disinfection purposes. Strips of flexible material are formed into rolls by a hand crank having a slotted shaft rotatably journalled in opposing front and back walls at one end of the container. In registry with the shaft, a slot disposed in an adjacent side wall admits and guides the flexible strips into engagement with the shaft. A guide member is slidably positionable within the side wall slot to accommodate flexible strips of different widths. The side wall slot also includes a sweep member to brush off any foreign matter clinging to the strips as they are rolled. Withdrawal of the hand crank when a roll is complete disengages the shaft from the roll which then drops from the slot end of the container to the opposite end thereof from which it may be dispensed.

Abstract: The spatial separation of an object from a reference location is monitored utilizing a proximity alarm system which comprises a transceiver station mounted on the object and a repeater station at the reference location. Both stations function to generate and transmit an encoded rf signal in a half-duplex manner, with the transceiver station initiating the process. In one embodiment of the system, a phase delay is measured between a remote signal originating at the transceiver station and a corresponding decoded timing signal received from the repeater station. Correlation of the phase delay with a reference value ascertains the distance between the stations and an alarm at the transceiver station is actuated when the distance exceeds a predetermined value. A second embodiment of the system employs a clock driven counter that is stopped when a predetermined multiple of decoded timing signals is received at the transceiver station in response to iterative transmissions therefrom.

Abstract: An interactive cordless telephone handset having an alphanumeric data display system is in radio communication with an associated base station to which voice and data signals are conducted over a telephone line. Received caller identification data is tested for validity and is stored in a limited storage Callers List memory of the base station if found valid. Subsequently, the data is transmitted to the handset over a radio link of limited range, with the received data being formatted and conducted to a display screen for identifying the caller by name and telephone number prior to answering the call. Although caller identification is erased from the display after the call, it is retained in the Callers List memory of the base station where it may be accessed by the handset via softkeys and dedicated dialpad keys for subsequent display and editing and optional transfer to a general directory for long term storage in a nonvolatile memory of the base station.

Abstract: Sidetone in a four-wire telephone station set that is coupled to a two-wire telephone line through a four-to-two wire hybrid circuit is automatically and cancel the phase "to a predetermined value", set by incrementally adjusting a balancing impedance connected to the circuit until an optimum impedance match between the telephone set and line is achieved. Under software control, during idle intervals between dialed digits when a call is initiated, a microcontroller mutes the telephone transmitter and receiver on the telephone side of the circuit and substitutes for these components a tone signal generator to produce a sidetone signal that is applied to a full-wave rectifier and therefrom to a peak voltage detector to generate a sidetone envelope. Individual ones of several impedance balancing networks are then sequentially connected to the telephone side of the circuit and the sidetone envelope for each balancing impedance is digitally encoded and stored.

Abstract: An arrowhead for use in a ballistic arrow having a radio locating transmitter comprises a composite structure of a dielectric shank having a plurality of electrically conductive blades that function as a counterpoise for a primary antenna of the transmitter. The blades are disposed symmetrically about a long axis of the shank in respective, uniformly spaced planes that extend radially outwardly from the outer surface of the shank. Another embodiment of the composite arrowhead comprises a unitary dielectric shank and blades wherein the counterpoise is formed by deposition of a thin metal layer on at least a portion of the shank and blade surfaces. The combination of the dielectric shank which is of low density and the electrically conductive counterpoise that is of small mass, effects an overall weight reduction in the arrow to achieve a flatter trajectory and increased flight range.

Abstract: A key telephone system which is operably responsive to digitally encoded service orders and instructions stored in a ROM of a switching facility in a local ISDN telephone exchange achieves enhanced connectivity by using a dedicated line that provides a digital signaling and supervision communications path which is exclusively an ISDN basic rate 0B+D teleservice channel. A key switch unit of the system is connected to the exchange by POTS lines to provide conventional voice analog services to a plurality of its subscriber stations. Interfacing the key switch unit with the teleservice channel, a personal computer translates data downloaded from the switching facility into instructions recognized by the unit and enables individual subscriber stations with enhanced service connectivity features while displaying such features on a display unit of each station.

Abstract: Mounted on a circuit board in close proximity to nearby circuit components, a novel heat sink is configured to provide unobstructed tool access to one or more heat producing devices attached thereto. The heat sink includes a massive body member fastened to the circuit board, a support member upstanding from the body member and a radiator member formed integrally with both the support and body members for releasing heat to the environment. One or more mounting surfaces form part of the body member and are provided for mechanically attaching the heat producing devices to the heat sink with good thermal contact. Each mounting surface is inclined with respect to the circuit board such that any device attached to a mounting surface is accessible through an open space between the radiator member and the nearest component on the circuit board.

Abstract: A saw tooth, of which a number are removably mounted on a tree-felling saw head, includes a body portion having a lead cutter and a trailing primary cutter separated by a throat. The combined lead cutters function to cut a narrow side wall kerf on each side of a larger principal kerf together with corresponding inside corners of the larger kerf. The remainder of the larger kerf is then cut out by the following primary cutters, forming a square cut end. As the cut progresses, the combined primary cutters separate the longitudinal fibers of the tree at the square cut end without double cutting the fibers, thereby improving cutting efficiency and reducing energy requirements in felling a tree.

Abstract: Blocks cast from concrete into various shapes that include interlocking mortise and tenon corner blocks, cylindrical blocks stackable on a foundation course of base blocks formed with semi-cylindrical channels in which the cylindrical blocks fit, semi-cylindrical blocks and interlocking edging blocks of various forms function as basic modules from which retaining walls and the like may be assembled in the absence of mortar, building forms or poured concrete.