Abstract: An apparatus for switching a write-protect tab of a computer disk includes a supply hopper for storing a plurality of disks and includes a mechanism for delivering the disks in a one-by-one manner to a switching area. At the switching area, a tungsten carbide tip is caused to move vertically into contact with a major surface of the tab, and then horizontally to slide the tab into the desired position. The tungsten carbide tip includes teeth that are arranged in mirror-imaged first and second sets, so that the apparatus operates equally well in either switching direction. After the tab has been moved to the desired position, the disk is delivered to the disk-receiving hopper and elevated to accommodate delivery of the next disk.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially releasing computer disks from a stack includes a hopper and a pusher member for sliding a lowermost disk from beneath the stack. A next lowermost disk is held at an angle to the lowermost disk to limit contact of the disks to rearward disk edges, so that sliding contact is minimized. The front edge of the next lowermost disk is supported by a sloped surface to achieve the desired angle and to allow gravitational feed of the disks as the pusher plate is unloaded by a forward disk delivery and a rearward return. At the rearward end of the next lowest disk, an inwardly sloped surface provides space for the disk to slide down the outwardly sloped surface into the loaded position. Preferably, the hopper is one of a number of hoppers used in collating computer disks.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for sequentially releasing floppy disks includes a hopper for holding the stack of the disks and a mechanism for sliding the lowermost disk in the stack from beneath the remainder of the stack. A plunger device enters the area between the lowermost disk and a next lowest disk to provide some separation at an area of concern, while leaving sufficient contact between the two disks to ensure that the stack and a load member atop the stack provide the gravitational force necessary to properly position the lowermost disk for release. In a preferred embodiment, the stacks of disks are floppy disks and the plunger device is aligned to provide separation at write-protect notches of the disk. The plunger device may be a fluid-actuated device.

Abstract: A portable precision measuring gage device for permitting rapid measurement of multiple dimensions of a work piece. The device includes a base, a plurality of guides held in an aligned position and a plurality of slides at least one of which is associated with each guide. Each slide includes upper and lower precision ground pads that are mounted on the top and bottom, respectively, of an outward extension of the slide so as to permit easy access for transfer measurement or for direct measurement of a selected dimension of a part. Each slide can be moved relative to its guide so that a dimension can be precisely transferred from a measuring standard to set the precise location of a pad, either upper or lower. The slide is then locked in position and the device can be readily hand carried to an inspection station, usually in a production area, where in-process and/or final precision inspections may be performed.