Abstract: A switch circuit for selectively driving a LED display at either a dim or bright intensity in response to varying input voltages is provided. The switch circuit includes a current regulator device which is responsive to a reference voltage and is coupled to a LED display device for supplying a first level of constant current therethrough so as to illuminate the display device at a dim intensity and for supplying a second level of constant current therethrough so as to illuminate the display device at a bright intensity. A controllable switching device is responsive to input voltages of a wide varying range for being selectively turned on and off and for generating the reference voltage.

Abstract: A screw and grommet fastener assembly for securing two mating panels together where the grommet absorbs variations in the relative positions of the panels and allows for expansion of a body portion thereof during insertion of the screw to withstand higher torques from screws of different sizes and dimensions without causing damage to the grommet.

Abstract: In a machine for strapping a skid and a supported load by the use of a strap passing through aligned openings in the skid runners, a conveyor is provided for conveying the skid through a feeding zone. A turntable including powered rollers is provided for receiving the skid and the supported load from the conveyor, for positioning same within a strapping zone, and for rotating same within. A vertical scanner comprising a vertical array of photoelectric transmitters spaced from one another, on one side of the feeding zone, and a vertical array of photoelectric receivers spaced from one another, on the other side of the feeding zone, is provided for scanning the skid being conveyed. Two horizontal scanners, each comprising a single photoelectric transmitter and a single photoelectric receiver on each side of the strapping zone, are provided for scanning the skid being conveyed after it has been scanned by the vertical arrays.

Abstract: A strap-guiding mechanism is disclosed for guiding a strap through aligned openings in spaced stringers of a shipping pallet. A supporting beam defines a longitudinal track, along which a carriage is arranged to be longitudinally moved. An elongate channel is supported by the carriage, from the proximal end of the channel, as a cantilever. The channel has a base and two upstanding sides. Each side has an upper, generally tubular portion defining an axis. Two tensioning members are employed, preferably steel bars. Each member extends through the generally tubular portion of the upper side of the channel and is tensioned so as to impart axial compression to the generally tubular portion thereof, and so to counteract tendencies of the distal end of the channel to be downwardly deflected by gravity when the channel is supported as a cantilever. A motor is arranged to drive the carriage along the track via a chain and sprocket drive. Two longitudinal series of strap gates in side-by-side relation are employed.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for converting oscillatory rotation of an input shaft to unidirectional rotation of an output shaft. An input shaft journalled to a frame is rotatable about an input axis, over a range of rotational positions, between a forward limit and a reverse limit. An output shaft journalled to the frame is rotatable about an output axis, which is normal to the input axis. Three bevel gears are employed, namely a first gear coupled to the input shaft, a second gear coupled to the input shaft and spaced axially from the first gear, and a third gear coupled to the output shaft.

Abstract: A voltage divider which can be manipulated so as to vary the output voltage thereof, prevents mechanical wear of the voltage divider element, provides continuous contact, and can be sealed so as to prevent interaction with the ambient atmosphere including first and second non-conductive substrates with a predetermined spaced portion therebetween. A first conductive strip on the second substrate is depressed across the spaced portion so as to contact at least one of a plurality of conductive taps on the first substrate, each of which are in contact with a voltage divider element so as to complete a desired circuit. By sliding while depressing the second substrate along its surface where the conductive strip is positioned, one or more successive taps are contacted so as to vary the voltage supplied to the circuit.

Abstract: An adjustable high torque damper device is provided which can be easily and rapidly adjusted so as to produce variable amounts of torque over a predetermined range. The damper device includes a plurality of co-mating concentric rings formed on a stator housing and a rotor. As a cap is screwed into or out of the housing, the distances between the rotor concentric rings and the stator concentric rings are selectively and gradually increased and decreased to thereby decrease or increase the amount of torque.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for engagement with an aperture in an article including a fastener having at least a shank, a head at a first end of the shank and a resilient retaining member along the shank for releasably retaining the fastener to the article after insertion of at least a portion of the retaining member within the aperture, and an engagement member for compressing the retaining member prior to insertion within the aperture and contact of the retaining member with the article, and for preventing compression of the retaining member by the article about the aperture.

Abstract: In a straps machine comprising strap-advancing rollers, a sensor for sensing whether a leading end of an advancing strap has reached a predetermined location within a predetermined time, and strap-retracting rollers, a severing and ejecting mechanism comprises a die and an anvil for severing the strap into a leading portion including the leading end and a trailing portion if the sensor has not sensed that the leading end has reached the predetermined location within the predetermined time. The mechanism also comprises a drivable roller, a motor for driving it, and two idle rollers on a pivotable yoke. The drivable roller and one of the idle rollers are operative for ejecting the leading portion after the strap has been severed. The drivable roller and the other idle roller are operative for feeding the trailing portion through the mechanism after the leading portion has been ejected.

Abstract: A movable strap-engaging member is provided for being connected at a first pivot axis to a vibrator arm for accommodating pivot movement of the vibrator arm about the pivot axis while the movable strap-engaging member is pressing a first length of flexible thermoplastic strap against a second length such strap in an elongate strap-receiving path. The movable strap-engaging member is reciprocated generally transversely of the path to effect a friction-fusion weld of the strap lengths. The movable strap-engaging member has a configuration in which first and second centers of mass are spaced apart on a line that passes through the pivot axis and that is oriented generally perpendicular to the path. The product of the square of the distance along the line between the pivot axis and the mass of the first center of mass is substantially equal to the product of the square of the distance along the line between the pivot axis and the mass of the second center of mass.