Abstract: In a card reader, the transducer head is supported at one end of the guide path by a spring-loaded, pivoting arm. The spring is located adjacent the head and urges the head against the card as it passes under the head. The pivoted arm forces the head to follow a slightly arcuate path as it moves in a direction transverse to the card. With this head-support system, the guide path need only extend from approximately the pivot point of the arm to a point a short distance beyond the head and the card can be inserted laterally into the guide just behind the head. The card is read by moving the card longitudinally past the head a distance approximately equal to the length of the card so that it exits the guide just after it passes under the head.

Abstract: A telephone device with a handset that fits in a cradle cavity so that the outer surface of the handset is approximately flush with the surface of the cradle. A spring-loaded ejector in the cradle urges the handset against a movable tab on the cradle, that engages a lip on the handset and secures the handset in the cradle. When the tab is moved clear of the lip, the spring-loaded ejector forces the handset out of the cradle so that the handset may be grasped easily by a user, to prevent unexpected complete ejection of the handset. A tongue on the ejector engages a lip on the handset as it is ejected, so that the user must exert a small amount of additional force to remove the handset from the cradle.

Abstract: A one-piece, molded subassembly with a near-field acoustic chamber and a far-field acoustic chamber on either side of a centrally disposed microphone. A slightly-flared passage through the subassembly couples the far-field acoustic chamber to an exterior port in order to provide noise cancellation. A cord passage in the subassembly is directed in three mutually orthogonal directions so that a strain on the cord is not transmitted beyond the subassembly where it initially enters the handset.

Abstract: A combined air gap and dispensing device is adapted to be mounted on a sink, and comprises an internal air gap between inlet and outlet waste tubes. A liquid carrying pipe, such as a hot water pipe, also extends through the device to a faucet for being dispensed. A pair of fiber optic cables have exposed ends at the upper end of the device, and are coupled to a control system for valving liquid to the dispensing pipe. The control circuit may include a light source directed to one of the fiber optic cables, a photo sensor connected to the fiber optic cable to receive reflected light, and amplifying and demodulating circuitry, as well as a logic circuit responsive to determined conditions at the upper ends of the fiber optic cables for controlling the flow of liquid to the dispensing pipe. A pneumatic tube and pneumatic actuator may be provided instead of the optic cables and associated optic devices.