Abstract: A flag pole mounted unfurling device is installed on a flagpole and rotates to minimize the unwanted furling of the flag. The device includes a lower swivel, an upper swivel, and a baton that extends between the lower swivel and the upper swivel to retain the two swivels in alignment and properly separated. The upper swivel and lower swivel are free to rotate around the axis of the pole while the baton serves to couple the upper and lower swivels together, both rotationally and longitudinally. The entire assembly is longitudinally retained on the pole by an upper collar and a lower collar and minimizes the unwanted furling of a flag through ‘dynamic instability.

Abstract: A flag pole mounted unfurling device is installed on a flagpole and rotates to minimize the unwanted furling of the flag. The device includes a lower swivel, an upper swivel, and a baton that extends between the lower swivel and the upper swivel to retain the two swivels in alignment and properly separated. The upper swivel and lower swivel are free to rotate around the axis of the pole while the baton serves to couple the upper and lower swivels together, both rotationally and longitudinally. The entire assembly is longitudinally retained on the pole by an upper collar and a lower collar and minimizes the unwanted furling of a flag through ‘dynamic instability.

Abstract: A polymer formulation of the kind including a polymer such as PVC or thermosetting polyester acrylic or epoxy and generally soft filler materials in an amount of 50-300 parts per 100 of resin, contains 0.05-5% of an abrasion-resistant additive which is silicon carbide or an &agr;-alumina selected from calcined unground alumina having a median crystallite size of at least 5.5 &mgr;m, and calcined and ground alumina having a median particle size of at least 3.0 &mgr;m, and tabular alumina. Shaped products and coating films formed from such formulations are also included.

Abstract: An improved vertical pin probing device is constructed with a housing spaced upper and lower dies of Invar.RTM., which substantially matches the coefficient of thermal expansion of the silicon wafer being probed. Spaced slots in the top and bottom dies of the housing contain inserts of Vespel.RTM.. The inserts are provided with matching patterns of holes supporting probe pins and insulating the probe pins from the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the photofinishing of a roll of photosensitive material in accordance with the customer usage of the film. The film having a magnetic layer on which an instructional code is placed either by the manufacturer and/or user of the film. The instructional code is indicative of the preferential subject matter to be photographed. The system may include a camera for use in reading the predetermined code and adjusting the camera settings in accordance with the instructional code. The photofinisher can use the instructional code so as to properly manipulate the image during processing and/or printing in accordance with the instructional code.

Abstract: A probe assembly adapted to test an integrated circuit (IC) device whose contact pads are deployed in a predetermined pattern in a common plane. The assembly includes a film membrane having a planar dielectric contactor zone and an array of suspension wings radiating from this zone. The wings are clamped at their ends by a mounting ring surrounding a port in a printed circuit board which exposes the contactor zone suspended below the board to the IC device to be tested, the ring being secured to the board. Deployed in a matching pattern on the exposed face of the contactor zone and cantilevered therefrom to assume an angle with respect thereto are spring contact fingers that are extensions of traces running along the wings of the membrane to leads on the printed circuit board. These leads extend to respective test terminals on the board which are connectable to electronic instrumentation for conducting tests on the IC device.

Abstract: An air conditioning system having a fan that moves air over the outside heat exchanger of the system. The fan is of the bladed axial flow type. A winglet projects curvilinearly both radially outward from the trailing end of the tip of each blade of the fan and perpendicularly upward from the blade pressure surface. A conduit directs condensate formed on and dripping from the system inside heat exchanger to a collector located under the fan. The blade winglets scoop condensate from the collector and draw the water inward toward the center of rotation of the fan, where air moving through the fan slings the water on to the outside heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an electric resistance heating coil of desired resistance that involves forming a straight helical coil and centering the formed coil for transfer to a first folding station for holding the straight helical coil into a U-shaped helical coil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an electric resistance heating coil of desired resistance that involves forming a helical coil and supporting the helical coil during forming in a vibrating through to prevent compression of the forming coil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an electric resistance heating coil of desired resistance that involves forming a straight end or pigtail at the ends of the coil whereby electrical connectors can be connected to the aligned pigtails and end insulators can separate the electrical connectors.

Abstract: A test probe assembly for testing an integrated circuit (IC) device having contact pads deployed in a predetermined pattern in a common plane. The assembly includes a contactor formed by a flexible film of dielectric material having a rectangular planar central zone from whose corners extend radial slots to define suspension quadrants. Probe contacts formed on the undersurface of the central zone in a matching pattern are connected to probe terminals on the margins of the quadrants. The quadrants are marginally supported on corresponding branches of a mounting frame whereby the central zone sags below the frame which surrounds a central port in a printed circuit board, the port exposing the central zone to the IC device to be tested.

Abstract: A multi-level test probe assembly for checking an integrated circuit chip before terminal leads are applied to the contact pads thereof which are deployed on the chip on a common plane, some pads being inwardly displaced relative to other pads. The assembly includes a planar insulation card provided with a port and having a printed circuit thereon whose traces are connected to a plurality of test terminals connectable to external testing equipment. Surrounding the port and bonded to the card is a mounting ring of dielectric material having a flat face on which is supported a first radial array of fine wires lying in a horizontal plane, the trailing end of each wire being connected to a respective trace.

Abstract: A test probe assembly for checking an integrated circuit chip before terminal leads are applied to the contacts thereof which are deployed on the chip in a common plane. The assembly includes a planar insulation card provided with a port and having a printed circuit thereon whose traces are connected to a plurality of test terminals connectable to external testing equipment. Surrounding the port and bonded to the card is a mounting ring of dielectric material having a flat face on which is supported a radial array of fine wires lying in a horizontal plane. These are maintained in their assigned positions by a layer of dielectric material adherent to the face, the wires being embedded in the layer. The wires cantilever across the port and converge toward the central region thereof below which is disposed the chip to be tested, the tapered leading end of each wire being double bent to define a needle having a shank section and a tip section terminating in a tip which engages a respective contact on the chip.

Abstract: A wing leading edge slat actuation and positioning system, wherein a slat panel is connected to one end of an extensible track member which is supported and guided at its other end, by rollers mounted to fixed structure in the leading edge section of the wing. The actuation and positioning system comprises a unified drive and a programming mechanism which is connected to the slat panel and functions to combine an aerodynamic slot opening or closure operation with a slat extension drive mechanism. The unified drive and programming mechanism comprises a contoured camtrack somewhat in the shape of an S-camtrack and having a roller follower which is connected to a link and drive arm; and this combination allows synchronization of slat actuation with programming control of slat angle-of-deflection and aerodynamic slot opening or closure.

Abstract: Probes for a probe card adapted to test integrated circuit patterns having contacts deployed thereon, the card including an opening providing access to a pattern and a ring of spaced conductive pads surrounding the opening. The probes are adapted to be anchored on selected pads of the card, each probe being constituted by a rigid, blade-like needle-holder having a deflectable needle extending therefrom to engage a respective contact in the pattern being tested.

Abstract: A patio door or sliding window security bar which is of the type that is normally stored parallel to a frame member of the opening and movable to a horizontal position braced against the sliding panel frame or jamb so that the sliding panel cannot be moved to give access through the opening. A bolt is fully contained within the hollow bar end and capable of being reciprocated through the medium of a barrel or cylinder that is installed into the lateral wall of the bar to enable the bolt to be moved into a socket formed in the sliding panel frame to lock the bar against being swung upward or downward. A locking arrangement including a keyway enables the bar to be locked in horizontal position by means of a removable key to prevent unauthorized opening of the patio door even from the interior of the building having the opening.

Abstract: A rail-car positioner comprises a carriage on a track running alongside and parallel to the train track and an elongate arm on the carriage is transversely displaceable to enter between a pair of coupled rail-cars of the train and connect the positioner drivingly to the train. The arm is extended substantially axially, from a retracted position on the carriage, in a preferably generally horizontal first direction to introduce an end of the arm between the pair of rail-cars, and said end is then engaged with the rail-cars' coupling by displacing it in a second direction transverse to the first direction.

Abstract: A rail wheel gripper for holding or retarding a rail vehicle has opposed gripper mechanisms that engage a wheel between them. Each mechanism comprises a carrier arm for a gripper member and upper and lower pivot arms connected to the carrier arm controlling the path of movement of the gripper member. Each mechanism is so arranged, and a drive device co-operates with it, as to exhibit a mechanical advantage with increased gripping force when the opposed gripper members reach their operative positions, and a mechanical disadvantage with magnified displacement of the members when they are remote from their operative position.