Abstract: A multi-user telephone system composed of a plurality of user networks installed at the same general location. Each user network has a different telephone number and a plurality of VOIP extensions each having a different extension number. A server, upon confirming the address of an outgoing VOIP signal as an address of an intended recipient of the outgoing VOIP signal, permits the outgoing VOIP to be conducted to the internet. The VOIP extensions also can develop outgoing PSTN signals for transmission via a public switched telephone network. The server, upon detecting a PSTN outgoing signal, permits the outgoing PSTN signal to be conducted to a public switched telephone network. The server also confirms that the address of an incoming signal, from the internet or from a public switched telephone network, is an address of an extension in one of the user networks.

Abstract: Gas detection and identification apparatus that receives a flow of a mixture of a carrier gas and an analyte gas and detects and identifies the components of the flowing gas mixture by Penning Ionization Electron Spectroscopy (PIES).

Abstract: A decorative animal article, such as a collar or a leash, having a plurality of decorative components adhesively attached to a flexible band with lengths of thread extending through the decorative components from one end of the flexible band to the opposite end of the flexible band to provide added protection against the decorative components falling off the flexible band when, for example, the adhesive fails.

Abstract: An electronic timer system includes a first unit. The first unit includes a memory device configured to store predetermined parking rule data, a timer device configured to determine at least one of a day, a date and a time of day, and an alert device configured to emit an alert in accordance with the predetermined parking rule data and based on at least one of the day, the date and the time of day determined by the timer device. A method includes storing predetermined parking rule data in a memory device, determining at least one of a day, a date and a time of day, and emitting an alert in accordance with the predetermined parking rule data stored in the storing step and at least one of the day, the date and the time of day determined in the determining step.

Abstract: A horse browband having a plurality of decorative components adhesively attached to a flexible band with lengths of thread extending through the decorative components from one end of the flexible band to the opposite end of the flexible band to provide added protection against the decorative components falling off the flexible band when, for example, the adhesive fails.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for compensating for distortion of the substrate of a printed circuit workpiece that involves performing two tasks. First, a mask that carries functional circuit features and alignment features is positioned rotatably so that the mask alignment features, when projected onto a table that holds the printed circuit workpiece, will be on a line extending parallel to one of two orthogonal axes of the table. Second, the spacing of alignment features on the printed circuit workpiece is determined and this determination is a measure of the distortion of the printed circuit workpiece substrate. A lens through which the mask image is projected is moved to adjust the magnification of the image in accordance with the measured distortion of the substrate of the printed circuit workpiece.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter comprising a non-conductive body having a central channel, first and second diametrically opposed cavities extending from the channel, and third and fourth cavities positioned, relative to liquid flow through the central channel, upstream and downstream of the first and second cavities, respectively. First and second self-sealing measuring electrodes are respectively positioned in the first and second cavities, and third and fourth self-sealing grounding electrodes are respectively positioned in the third and fourth cavities. Each of the electrodes has a tip and a multiplicity of saw-tooth edges extending outwardly from the periphery of the electrode. Each of the saw-tooth edges has a crest, a face normal to a longitudinal axis of the electrode and extending from the crest to the periphery, and a face at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the electrode and extending from the crest to the periphery closer to the tip than where the normal face reaches the periphery.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electromagnetic flowmeter and an electromagnetic flowmeter wherein the measuring electrodes do not protrude into the flow channel and instead form part of the flow channel wall. The method for manufacturing the flowmeter includes the steps of forming the flowmeter body with a central channel smaller than that which is desired for final flowmeter use, inserting into the body electrodes with tapered tips which extend into the central channel, and reaming the central channel whereby the central channel is enlarged to its final diameter and the electrode tips are cut. The cut tips form concave cross sectional areas which are continuous and flush with the central channel wall. The resultant flowmeter has measuring electrodes which do not protrude into the channel. This substantially reduces turbulent flow of the measured liquid as it passes through the measuring region of the flowmeter, and a more accurate reading results.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter comprising a body having a central channel having a measuring region, an inlet region and an outlet region. Relative to liquid flow through the central channel, the inlet region is upstream of the measuring region, and the outlet region is downstream of the measuring region. The inlet region and outlet region have diameters substantially greater than the diameter of the measuring region. A transition region extends between the inlet region and the measuring region, and a transition region extends between the measuring region and the outlet region. First and second cavities are respectively positioned in the inlet region and the outlet region, and third and fourth diametrically opposed cavities extend from the measuring region of the central channel. First and second grounding electrodes are respectively positioned in the first and second cavities, and third and fourth measuring electrodes are respectively positioned in the third and fourth cavities.

Abstract: An impact wrench having an adaptive control system for determining the yield point or some similarly significant point of a fastener assembly by detecting a signal representative of the peak deceleration of the hammer, one embodiment of which is the peak recoil value of the hammer after impacting with the anvil of the wrench, and a signal representative of the angular displacement of the output shaft of the wrench. Yield of the fastener is determined when the respective magnitudes of successive deceleration signals do not exceed the magnitude of a previously stored maximum deceleration signal by a predetermined fixed amount. Upon attaining the yield point or other similarly significant point, the wrench may be allowed to rotate the fastener an additional preselected number of degrees before shutting off.

Abstract: A blind fastener assembly includes, in one embodiment a pin, an expander and a sleeve. The pin and expander may include, in one configuration, mating threads for drawing the sleeve axially over the expander toward the blind side of a workpiece, or the pin may be a pull-type wherein the portion of the pin opposite from the blind side end has pull grooves which are adapted to be gripped by a conventional pull gun. The sleeve is a tubular member with a portion of its length having a normal radial thickness and a portion having reduced radial thickness comprising a reduced outer diameter over a portion of its axial length and a counter-bore along the same axial length adjacent one end of the sleeve. The expander extends through aligned holes in the workpieces and has a tapered nose surface proximate the reduced thickness portion of the sleeve.

Abstract: A quick-acting fastener assembly for securing a hinged cover to a storage box wherein the components of the fastener assembly are retained on the box and cover respectively when the fastener is not secured. The fastener assembly is self-actuatable without the need for any external tool, and the component parts are not loose and free to rattle in an unsecured position. The assembly includes a hollow stud member which has screw threads at both ends thereof, a securing nut assembly on one end, an adjusting nut assembly on the other end and a spring. The stud member is slidingly mounted through an opening in the box and includes a tab member carried thereon which restricts rotation of the stud relative to the box and also restricts axial movement of the stud in one direction. One end of the stud includes multiple lead threads which cooperate with the securing nut assembly to fasten the cover.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein a lift apparatus includes a load carriage movable along a mast member by a hoist means including a cable supporting the load carriage and connected to a drive means. Also included is a safety brake including brake means operative to apply a braking force between the load carriage and the mast member and for supporting the load carriage on the mast member when the brake means is in its operative condition. In accordance with the invention, the brake means is controlled through an operating member which is actuated by either a first or second actuating means, each of which is independent of the other. The first actuating means is arranged to operate the brake means if the cable supporting the load carriage fails and the second actuating means is arranged to operate the brake means in response to an over-speed condition created by other failures in the hoist means.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a fastener assembly and method of using same to preload a joint including a plurality of adjacent workpieces having aligned openings formed therein. The fastener assembly includes a pin member having an enlarged head and a shank located within the aligned openings in the workpieces and further includes a collar member having a deformable outer portion and a relatively hard inner portion located about a portion of the shank such that the inner portion is directly adjacent the shank portion. Also formed on the shank is a thread configuration adapted to cooperate with a complimentary thread configuration for snugging the workpieces together with a relatively light preload. After the joint has been snugged together, the collar member is crimped causing axial flow of material in the outer portion which reacts to stretch the pin member and induce a desired preload in the joint.

Abstract: A method of attaching a support member formed with a hook member and a bendable tab member to a support post formed with a plurality of slots is disclosed and comprises the steps of engaging the hook member in a slot on the post member such that a portion of the hook member underlies the outer surface of the post member, rotating the support member so that the tab member is inserted in another slot on the post member and applying a bending force to the tab member to bend the tab member toward the hook member such that the tab member also underlies the outer surface of the post member. Simultaneous with applying the bending force a reaction surface is provided in the slot in which the hook member is engaged so that the bending force reacts through the reaction surface and the post member.A tool usable in the above described method comprises a handle portion having an arcuate bending finger at one end and which is pivotally connected to a reaction finger having planar bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A storage system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention includes a support member formed with a first leg providing a track surface and a second leg extending at a generally right angle thereto and providing a guide surface. The second leg member is formed with a plurality of connecting means, one at each end of the support member, for securing the support member to adjacent support posts. The connecting means includes a hook member formed on the second leg and a tab member also formed on the second leg and forming an angle greater than 90.degree. with the portion of the second leg located between the hook member and the tab member. To assemble the storage system, the hook members are first engaged with slots in an adjacent pair of posts and the support member is then rotated so that the tab members pass into other slots in the post members. Thereafter, each of the tab members is bent toward the hook member so that it forms an angle less than 90.degree.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a tightening system for tightening an assembly including a threaded fastener including a wrench for applying torque and imparting rotation to the fastener. Associated with the wrench is a control system including measuring means for developing a first signal representative of the angular displacement of the fastener. A second signal representative of a constant incremental time is introduced along with the first signal to gradient calculating means which develops a signal representative of the slope or gradient of an angular speed vs. angular displacement curve which could be plotted for the particular assembly being tightened. When the gradient signal falls to a predetermined percentage of a maximum previously stored gradient signal, at the yield point of the assembly or some similarly significant point characterized by a significant change in slope on the angular speed vs.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a tightening system including a wrench for applying torque to a fastener system. Associated with the wrench is a control system including measuring means for developing a first signal representative of the torque applied to the fastener. A second signal representative of a constant incremental time is introduced along with the torque signal into gradient calculating means which develops a signal representative of the slope of a torque-time curve which can be plotted for the particular fastener system being tightened. When the gradient signal falls to a predetermined percentage of the maximum previously stored gradient signal, at the yield point of the fastener system or some similarly significant point on the torque-time curve, a control signal is generated stopping the tightening of the fastener.

Abstract: A method and fastener assembly for preloading a joint wherein a pin having a shank and a head at one end is disposed with the shank portion passing through aligned apertures of a plurality of workpieces to be joined. The shank portion of the pin extends beyond the surface of the workpiece and is provided with an irregular surface configuration. A deformable collar having an initially smooth surfaced internal bore is disposed about the pin and snugged against the adjacent workpiece by a removably positioned means placed in abutting relationship against the free surface of the collar to lightly clamp the joint assembly together to remove free play in the joint.