Abstract: An asynchronous interface between a data input system (computer) and the keyboard multiplexer of an electronic musical instrument (digital organ) includes a pair of RAMs. The interface synthesizes the multiplexed keyboard data stream of the digital organ by swapping read and write operations between the two RAMs. Predetermined key data (WRITE DATA) provided by the computer is written into one RAM during a WRITE interval while key data (READ DATA) previously written into the other RAM is sequentially read out of the latter RAM. The WRITE DATA designates those keys on the organ keyboard which are to be simulated as being active. The read and write operations are alternately applied to each RAM. If the READ DATA matches the key code assigned to a key on the keyboard, the appropriate note is sounded by the organ. The two RAMs can actually be two segregated portions of a single memory.

Abstract: A monorail driverless vehicle for use on an assembly line includes a vertically disposed frame having a drive wheel on the upper end of the frame and biased downwardly for contact with a drive shaft. Aligned support wheels on the frame are adapted for contact with a track therebelow. A fixture may be mounted on either side face of the vehicle for removably supporting the workpiece to be worked on by persons or apparatus along the assembly line.

Abstract: All four corners of a single rectangular piece of quilted material are notched to form a mattress shield blank. The blank has a rectangular center portion substantially the same size as the top of the mattress to be covered, two side portions substantially the same size as the sides of the mattress and two end portions which are larger than the ends of the mattress. Each of the side and end portions are folded downwardly to form the sides and ends of the mattress shield and each pair of abutting side and end portions are secured together to form four vertical corners. The end flaps or the remaining parts of the end portions are then folded inwardly so as to be parallel to the top portion. These flaps are adapted to cover a portion of the bottom of the mattress and are secured to the side portions adjacent the edges of the flaps. In a second embodiment, the side portions are also provided with flaps which are secured at their edges to the edges of the end flaps.

Abstract: A rotatable cloth scrubbing rush for cleaning the exterior of a vehicle comprises a rotatable shaft or hub, a plurality of cloth wiping members for contacting the surface to be cleaned, and means for limiting the penetration of the portion of the vehicle being cleaned with the brush. One such means for limiting penetration of the portion of the vehicle being cleaned comprises a disk wheel of a predetermined diameter mounted around said shaft or hub and interposed between said cloth wiping members. Another means for limiting penetration comprises sets of bristles connected at one end to said shaft or hub and interleaved between rows of cloth wiping members.

Abstract: Ethylene bridged benzylamine trifunctional silanes are provided having the general formula:Z--CH.sub.2 --Ph--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --SiX.sub.3wherein Ph is a phenyl group, at least one X is a hydrolyzable group and Z is a non-hydrolyzable amine functional group. At least one X group is that which is displaced by hydrolysis during the well known reactions of silanes with siliceous substrates, and is preferably methoxy, ethoxy or methoxyethoxy. The Z group is intended to react and bond with polymers in the formation of polymer composites reinforced with siliceous substrates such as glass fibers. The Z group is preferably an amine or alkyl diamine group. The silanes of the invention have excellent thermal stability so that they may be used as coupling agents for composites in which the polymers are processed at temperatures in excess of 350.degree. C. and/or are subject to temperatures in excess of 150.degree. C. for extended periods of time.

Abstract: A plaster frame has a breakaway zone which extends between a hole in the frame and a periphery of the frame. When the breakaway zone is removed, the frame may now be inserted through a hole in a ceiling which is approximately the same size as the hole in the plaster frame. An open bottom lighting housing is removably mounted on said plaster frame coaxial with the frame hole and prewired to a junction box on the plaster frame.

Abstract: Barrel handling apparatus which includes a cradle having handles, a pair of side rails, and wheels for supporting the side rails is structurally interrelated so as to facilitate knock down of the apparatus to minimize the volume needed in order to package and ship the apparatus. The wheels are removably connected to the side rails. The side rails are removably connected to the cradle. A cross brace is removably connected to the cradle and side rails.

Abstract: A suspension band musical drum system is provided allowing for the free vibration of the shell in response to vibrations from the drum head. A suspension band encircling the drum shell connects the hoops holding the drum heads in place without necessitating any piercing of the drum shell. The suspension band has a spacer ring attached to its inner surface. The spacer ring engages a slotted channel in the drum shell.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing a spray of atomized and electrostatically charged particles of liquid to remove oppositely charged pollutants from the atmosphere. The apparatus is particularly suited for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere. The apparatus includes a nozzle which receives liquid and compressed air and produces a high pressure spray of atomized liquid particles. A ring electrode coaxially surrounds the spray near the nozzle. The electrode is chargeable to a high electrostatic potential relative to the nozzle, whereby the liquid particles of the spray are inductively charged by passing the ring. The electrode is fully encased in a ring of insulating material. A grounded metal housing surrounds the ring of insulating material on all sides except the radially interior side thereof. The metal housing and ring of insulating material are coated on all exposed surfaces by a dip coating of insulating material.

Abstract: A garment hanger is constructed so that its width adjacent to its hook is adjustable whereby coats or other garments on the hanger cannot be squashed together and the number of garments hanging on a rack can be ascertained without counting. The adjustability enables the same number of hangers to be on a rack regardless of the thickness of the material from which the garment is made. The adjustable member may be an integral part of a new hanger or may be a separate attachment to an existing hanger.

Abstract: A combination fork has a handle at one end of an elongated shaft, and tines are provided at the other end of the shaft for cooking food morsels over an open source of heat. The handle of the cooking fork includes at the butt end thereof an open bore. A smaller fork is adapted to be force-fit into the bore. The smaller fork may be extracted from the bore to remove the cooked food morsels from the tines of the larger fork.In a preferred embodiment, the bore in the larger fork is generally cylindrical and extends substantially the length of the handle. The smaller fork is inserted into the bore with the tines first, and the handle of the smaller fork has a small conical taper enlarging toward the butt end, whereby the force-fit inside of the bore of the larger fork is accomplished by pushing the small fork into the bore to a point where the diameter of the tapered handle equals or slightly exceeds the diameter of the mouth of the bore.

Abstract: A field replaceable silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) heat sink with reliable thermal and electrical connection to the SCR or other electronic device for an electronic circuit forming part of a vehicle control. The SCR heat sink includes two discrete heat sink blocks having opposed parallel faces between which an SCR or other electronic device may be properly clamped. At least one insulator hold down bar and an associated spring overlie a flange on the lowr end of each block and facilitate clamping the blocks to a base plate. The blocks are clamped to the SCR by a force distributing spring and bolts for properly applying a clamping force to the SCR or other electronic device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a gear-changer for a cycle comprising a support transversely movable with respect to a free wheel of the cycle, and a yoke which is pivotally movable on an axle of the support, this yoke rotatably supporting two rollers, one called "a chain tension roller" and the other "a chain guide roller".

Abstract: The invention is directed to filament yarns made from synthetic polymers and having false-twist texture, comprising a core filament group and a sheath filament group wrapped around and partially covering the core. The sheath filament group comprises at least two filament groups 4 and 5 with different cross-sections, the smaller component of the sheath filament group including fibrils with the coarsest denier, and the larger component of the sheath filament group containing fibrils with the finer fibril denier, the finer fibrils in the filament group having a lesser fibril denier than the fibrils 3 of the core group 1.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical digital feed apparatus is provided with an optical encoder control unit. The control unit comprises a system of photocells and LED light sources, separated by program discs having precisely spaced holes therein. The discs are mounted on rotating shafts which are linked to a shaft of the processing machine, so that the disc shafts rotate at a constant fraction of the rotational speed of the processing machine shaft. As a disc hole passes between an LED and a photocell, the photocell produces a pulse of electrical energy which is amplified to provide input power for an electrical stepping motor. Means are provided for selectively varying the number of pulses generated per revolution of the processing machine shaft. The discs are provided with a plurality of programs in the form of concentric circular bands containing different numbers of holes. Some of the discs are mounted on shafts that run at higher speeds than others and have a uniform zero position where no holes are contained.

Abstract: A toy racing game accessory comprising a tachometer and fuel gauge. The tachometer includes a rack and pinion assembly which is driven by a linear actuator. A tachometer needle is coupled to the rack and pinion assembly. The action of the linear actuator is proportioned to the amplitude of current passing through the track rails and toy car motor as determined by a speed throttle. The fuel gauge includes a ratchet wheel. The rack and pinion assembly includes a pawl which advances the ratchet wheel if the tachometer needle is made to advance beyond a predetermined threshold speed. The ratchet pawl advances the ratchet wheel so as to cause the fuel gauge needle to advance towards "empty". The amount of advance of the fuel gauge needle depends on the swing of the tachometer. When the fuel gauge reads "empty" a cammed microswitch opens to cut off all power to the track rails and bring the racing car to a halt.

Abstract: A system is provided for holding two gears in positive mesh. The gears are used in toy vehicles, wherein the first gear is mounted on a drive shaft and the second gear is mounted on the rear axle of the vehicle. A crown and pinion gear are preferably used. The improvement comprises a pair of spaced elements, such as discs, mounted on the axle and spaced apart to receive between them an extension of the drive shaft. The drive shaft extension lying between the spaced apart elements constrains the rear axle from moving laterally and causing the gears to come out of mesh.

Abstract: The band-pass filter portion of a coaxial cable includes filter elements in the form of a laminate of dielectric material having a conductive layer on opposite faces. Attached to each conductive layer is a mass which is the electrical equivalent of a shunt capacitor. Each such mass is joined to a center conductor. A sleeve of dielectric material surrounds each center conductor except in the area of the filter. A seamless tube of dielectric material surrounds the filter elements and the dielectric sleeves. A monolithic jacket of electrically conductive metal surrounds said seamless tube.

Abstract: An electrical test switch having a pair of spaced conductive rotors provided with matching cut-outs, the rotors being movable between a "normal" position and a "test" position. At least two spaced conductive contacts extend within a region between the rotors. The cut-outs and the conductive contacts are arranged so that the contacts wipe against the rotors when the rotors are in the "normal" position and at least one of the spaced contacts is aligned with the cut-outs when the rotors are in the "test" position. A shaft locks the switch in the "normal" position until manually released.