Abstract: A novel plastic anchor design allows for the use of a wide range of thread-cutting screw lengths without exceeding the recommended engagement length. In accordance with the principles disclosed herein, an anchor comprises an engagement area and a relief chamber. The anchor is configured to be secured into a surrounding material. The engagement area is configured to engage with a screw to secure the screw when fastening an object in place. The relief chamber receives any excess length of the screw that extends beyond the engagement area. This allows the length of engagement between the screw and the anchor to be controlled for various lengths of screws or thicknesses of objects to be fastened.

Abstract: An electrically activated locking device is provided for use with an article of furniture of the type comprising a cabinet with an interior surface, at least one drawer in the cabinet moveable between an open position and a closed position, and a locking bar slideably mounted adjacent the interior surface for vertical movement and having at least one locking pin extending therefrom into locking engagement with the drawer and at least one lifting pin extending therefrom. The device includes an electrically powered actuator, an electronic module for controlling power to the actuator, a rotatable cam operatively connected to the actuator, and a lifting pin carrier in the path of and vertically moveable by rotation of the cam. The lifting pin carrier has an opening for receiving the lifting pin, whereby the locking bar is moveable into either an unlocked or locked position responsive to rotation of the cam.

Abstract: An electrically activated locking device is provided for use with an article of furniture of the type comprising a cabinet with an interior surface, at least one drawer in the cabinet moveable between an open position and a closed position, and a locking bar slideably mounted adjacent the interior surface for vertical movement and having at least one locking pin extending therefrom into locking engagement with the drawer and at least one lifting pin extending therefrom. The device includes an electrically powered actuator, an electronic module for controlling power to the actuator, a rotatable cam operatively connected to the actuator, and a lifting pin carrier in the path of and vertically moveable by rotation of the cam. The lifting pin carrier has an opening for receiving the lifting pin, whereby the locking bar is moveable into either an unlocked or locked position responsive to rotation of the cam.

Abstract: A vehicle access control device having vertically-disposed tire-piercing spears. An upwardly spring-biased tent-like covering over the spears protects pedestrians, the covering being movable between a lower position in which the spears are exposed and an upper position in which the spears are covered. The weight of a pedestrian is insufficient to force the covering from the upper position to the lower position but the weight of a car is sufficient to do so. A remotely-controlled horizontally-movable plate selectively enables and disables the tent-like covering to lower under the weight of a car. The plate and the covering both have windows to allow the spears to pass therethrough when the covering is lowered, the plate blocking the windows in the covering when the lowering of the covering is disabled. The device is surface-mountable on a roadway without the need for digging into the roadway.

Abstract: A barrier for the control of access of vehicles through a roadway, which uses stored mechanical energy to place the barrier in one of three states, one a blocking position and two non-blocking positions. The mechanical energy is derived from the weight of the vehicle as it passes over the apparatus. The activation of the barrier can be controlled by remote control at will, time-independent from the passing of the vehicle over the apparatus.

Abstract: A barrier for the control of access of vehicles through a roadway, which uses stored mechanical energy to place the barrier in one of three states, one a blocking position and two non-blocking positions. The mechanical energy is derived from the weight of the vehicle as it passes over the apparatus. The activation of the barrier can be controlled by remote control at will, time-independent from the passing of the vehicle over the apparatus.

Abstract: A simple, secure and cost effective method to program authorized transmitters into the memory of a controller, such as that in a garage door opener, which does not require a learn switch. An already-authorized transmitter is used to prime the receiver to add a new transmitter identification code to its list. The sequence is to press the button of any transmitter that is already recognized by the controller, within a short time window (e.g., 3 seconds) to press the button of the new transmitter that is to be added, and within another short time window (e.g., 3 seconds) press again the button of the transmitter used in the first step.

Abstract: A system to prevent the accidental learning by a garage door opener (GDO) when it is the learn mode of the identification of a nearby “wrong” transmitter that happens to be operated. The receiver differentiates between two code types of a transmitter—an operate code and a teach code. An ID will be added to the GDO's authorization list only if the GDO is in the learn mode, and if it receives a teach code from an operated transmitter.

Abstract: A system for effectively removing an ID code from the authorized list of a garage door opener (GDO), without having to flush all codes from the list as has been typically required in the prior art. The ID code of the transmitter is changed as part of the procedure to teach the code to a new GDO. There is no need to access the old GDO because, while it still has the old code on its list, now there is no transmitter that uses that code. This procedure works even if a new GDO is in fact not having a new ID code added to its list. Simply operating the transmitter as though it is programming a new GDO causes its code to change, effectively disabling the transmitter from operating the GDO with which it previously worked.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the operation of a mechanical safety switch in a moving barrier. A typical application is the verification that the edge sensor of a garage door correctly senses an obstruction. A trouble indication is generated if the sensor switch does not operate when the door has reached its fully closed position, at which point the safety switch should be engaged by the floor against which the door presses. In those systems in which a signal representative of the door position is not available, a trouble indication is generated if the sensor switch does not operate at least once during a predetermined number of door close activations.

Abstract: A self-synchronizing infra-red communication system. The coding scheme involves transmitting a series of pulses, the separations between successive pulses representing the same data. Even though the separations between successive pulses all represent the same data, the separations are all different; it is this feature which allows for self-synchronization. Arrival times of successive pulses are recorded; the arrival times represent the receipt not only of transmitted pulses, but also of detected noise. The time differences between all arrival times (not only successive arrival times) are checked for consistency with predetermined allowable time-interval ranges which can separate successively transmitted pulses in a data sequence. When a sufficient number of such checks have been made, representing a sufficient degree of redundancy, it is possible to derive the data value represented by all of the pulse separations.

Abstract: An infrared remote control system for allowing a console to control the operation of a plurality of remote devices all situated in the same substantially enclosed space, for example, a hotel room. The console includes several simultaneously-operated infrared transmitters, the transmitters being aimed in different directions. Remote devices respond to respective codes, but some also retransmit received radiation so that the console can gain access even to remote devices which are not along a line of sight.

Abstract: A parallel bus alarm system in which address signals are represented by successive voltage steps, and responses are represented by current increments. Each alarm element, in response to its addressing, controls a variable current increment to flow in the bus, the magnitude of the current increment being a function of an associated analog measurement to be reported. Each alarm element also causes a predetermined current increment to flow in the bus in response to a condition arising which requires reporting, the total current change thus being directly proportional to the number of alarm indications.

Abstract: A single-wire loop alarm system in which an identification module is placed across each alarm switch. Any module which is across an open switch is powered by the loop current and, in response to a pulse count in the loop representing its address, changes the loop impedance in order to report on its status. The loop current may alternate in direction so that oppositely poled modules may be used, thus allowing a larger number of powered modules to accommodated at the same time.

Abstract: A single-wire loop alarm system in which the status of each alarm switch can be determined and which is relatively immune to the effects of noise. False alarms are avoided by incorporating an integrator in the loop potential test circuit; during polling, however, the integrator is switched out. Low-frequency noise is discriminated against by verifying the existence of an alarm condition; the loop current is doubled and, if the alarm condition is being caused by an impedance-introducing open alarm switch, the loop voltage change should double. Polling is made more reliable by relying on a "window" test, rather than a simple threshold test.

Abstract: An intercom system which requires neither a common control nor specially-designed telephone instruments. A station module is connected to a two-line telephone outlet wherever an intercom station is desired, and a conventional telephone instrument is plugged into the module. The module includes a single push-button for setting up or joining an intercom call. Dialing is accomplished using the tone pad of the telephone instrument, with a DIP switch being provided in each station module for assigning an address to the module. When the handset of a telephone instrument is first placed off-hook, the instrument is automatically connected to the telephone line. To switch back from an intercom call (after the intercom button has been operated so that the instrument is connected to the intercom line), all that the user must do is momentarily depress the switch-hook of his telephone instrument.

Abstract: There is disclosed an emergency lighting system which is capable of distinguishing between a loss of power due to the opening of a line switch, and a loss of power resulting from a line failure when the switch is closed. A secondary power source powers the light in the event of a line failure. Thus when the line switch is open, i.e., when emergency lighting is not necessary, the light is not powered by the secondary source.

Abstract: A vehicle warning system is automatically armed via the ignition switch each time the ignition is turned off and the key removed so that no positive action of the driver is required. The system may be disabled between authorized uses of the vehicle through the ignition switch by turning to the accessory position. However, the arming circuit is so designed that the procedure may be reversed merely by reversing a lead connection at the time of installation.The system is equipped with two sensing circuits one of which is adapted to sense the energization of a resistive load device and the other of which directly senses the opening of the hood and/or the tampering with selected areas of the vehicle protected by a closed loop circuit.