Abstract: A system enables selective control of instantaneous motor armature position and, thus, the corresponding position of one or more elements driven by the motor. As utilized in a high speed printer, the system governs positioning of a printhead, enabling high speed movement of the latter from one location to the next and yet bringing it to a complete stop exactly at a selected or desired location. Additionally, the system enables position control with respect to movement over different predetermined distances such as, in the printing embodiment, of character or word spacings, carriage returns, tab sets and vertical indexing. Operationally, armature position-representative pulses are counted and analyzed to determine during acceleration when one desired position has been reached and, during subsequent deceleration, to determine when zero movement has been reached.

Abstract: In electromagnetically reading or writing information on a flexible recording medium, commonly referred to as a "floppy" disc, a read/write head is permanently secured for translational movement with respect to each of a succession of discs which are brought into position beneath the head, the disc being rotated until its recording surface is raised into close proximity to the head for reading and writing information thereon. An airflow pattern is established between the disc and a flat reference plate to form an air bearing interface therebetween which will maintain the disc in a flat plane of rotation directly beneath the head. A second air bearing is formed between the head and the disc to maintain a slight, precise separation therebetween so as to prevent direct contact in close proximity between the head and disc to facilitate electromagnetic recording.

Abstract: The ventral surface of a penis between the base and the glans is supported by a semi-cylindrical splint or frame of a firm but bendable material, and the front end of the split is shaped to conform to and to lie directly behind the coronal ridge of the glans. A thin rubber cover encloses the remainder of the penis between the base and the glans and has its edges secured to the edges of the splint, or may be wrapped around the splint so that only one of its edges is secured to one of the edges of the splint with its other edge secured to a wrapped-around portion of the cover.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing toothpicks or the like comprises a receptacle having a lower surface that slopes downwardly from the rear wall of the receptacle toward the front wall and is spaced slightly from the front wall to define a discharge opening through which toothpicks may pass one at a time. A slide member is reciprocally mounted beneath the inclined lower surface and held in place by a bottom plate which is secured to the receptacle by fastening screws that pass through guide slots in the slide member to guide movement of the slide. The slide member is spring biased forwardly and includes a delivery channel that is alternately positionable between a receiving position in alignment with the discharge opening and a removal position forwardly of the front wall of the receptacle.