Abstract: A composite roof membrane for use in air supported and/or tensioned roof structures comprises an interior vapor barrier formed of a scrim reinforced thin film material, an intermediate layer of translucent flexible insulation, and an outer layer of liquid impervious but vapor porous fabric.

Abstract: A structural joint for a space frame having connecting members or nodes and tubular structural member is provided in which the shank of a connecting bolt, whose head is located within the hollow end portion of the tube, extends through an aperture in the tube end for engagement with a threaded opening in the node. The tube shank has a longitudinally extending keyway formed therein in which a key is slidably received. A nut or sleeve having an unthreaded inner bore receives the bolt shank and has an internal keyway which receives a portion of the key to rotatably lock the nut and bolt together so that the nut may be rotated to rotate the bolt and engage its shank in the threaded opening of the connecting member.

Abstract: A folding bed mechanism, such as, for example, a convertible ottoman, has a plurality of pivotally connected bed sections, including a base section supported on rollers or the like. The bed sections are adapted to unfold into a straight line and to fold into a compact configuration. The improvement of the present invention comprises at least one anti-roll foot mounted in the base section for movement toward and away from the surface on which the base section is supported and a control mechanism responsive to the initiation of unfolding pivotal movement of one of the bed sections relative to the base section for urging the foot into contact with the support surface to resist rolling of the base frame during unfolding of the bed sections.

Abstract: A method for erecting the supporting wall of a domed structure is disclosed in which a peripheral foundation for the wall is formed conforming in plan generally to the periphery of the structure and has hollow box columns positioned thereon at predetermined points. The lower ends of the columns are secured to the foundation at a plurality of points with temporary moment connections for the purpose of resisting load moments during the erection procedure. Wall panels are secured to the columns to close the sides of the structure and a supporting ring formed of a plurality of pre-cast segments is secured to the top of the columns. After the ring is completed and supported the temporary moment connections at the lower ends of the columns are released to leave only pin connections at the column bases whereby the entire wall structure acts as a complete structural unit. The dome, typically an air-supported fabric dome, is erected on the ring with its structural elements, namely cables, secured to the ring.

Abstract: Telephone answering apparatus adapted to be coupled to a telephone line and having a first storage medium, such as a first magnetic tape, for storing announcement information and remote telephone number information, and a second storage medium, such as a second magnetic tape, upon which are recorded messages which are received via the telephone line. In response to an incoming telephone call, the first tape is driven so as to transmit the prerecorded announcement, and at the conclusion of this announcement the first tape is stopped and the second tape is driven so as to record an incoming message. A timing circuit is actuated for the duration of the incoming message so as to determine whether it exceeds a minimum duration. At the conclusion of the incoming message, a calling circuit is actuated to resume driving the first tape so that the remote telephone number information is transmitted, thereby dialing a remote telephone station.

Abstract: A working fluid such as a liquifiable gas is rotated in a rotor having a thermodynamic compressor, a condenser chamber and an evaporation chamber. The high pressure zone in the condenser chamber is separated from the low pressure zone of the evaporator by a column of liquid. In several embodiments, a forepump is actuated by the thermodynamic compressor in order to vary the thermodynamic operating points of the device.

Abstract: A working fluid such as a liquifiable gas is rotated in a rotor having a thermodynamic compressor, a condenser chamber and an evaporation chamber. The high pressure zone in the condenser chamber is separated from the low pressure zone of the evaporator by a column of liquid. In several embodiments, a forepump is actuated by the thermodynamic compressor in order to vary the thermodynamic operating points of the device.

Abstract: A working fluid such as a liquifiable gas is rotated in a rotor having a thermodynamic compressor, a condenser chamber and an evaporation chamber. The high pressure zone in the condenser chamber is separated from the low pressure zone of the evaporator by a column of liquid. In several embodiments, a fore-pump is actuated by the thermodynamic compressor in order to vary the thermodynamic operating points of the device.

Abstract: An electronic control system for controlling the sequential operations in a multiple cassette record and/or playback apparatus of the type having a supply of tape cassettes, a motor-driven conveyor for conveying individual cassettes from the supply to a record/playback station and thence to an output store, the record/playback station having a motor-driven deck for loading and unloading a cassette, and the output store having a motor-driven elevator for loading a recorded cassette into the output store. Monitors are provided for monitoring the operation of each of the motor-driven conveyor, deck and elevator to sense when a cassette has been conveyed to the record/playback station, when a cassette has been loaded onto the deck and when a cassette has been loaded into the output store. Logic circuitry is responsive to the monitors for energizing motor-drive circuitry in accordance with a predetermined sequential cycle of operation.

Abstract: A working fluid such as a liquifiable gas is rotated in a rotor having a thermodynamic compressor, a condenser chamber and an evaporation chamber. The high pressure zone in the condenser chamber is separated from the low pressure zone of the evaporator by a column of liquid. In several embodiments, a forepump is actuated by the thermodynamic compressor in order to vary the thermodynamic operating points of the device.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the farthest advance position of a bi-directionally movable medium is provided with a pulse generator mechanically coupled to the medium to generate pulses corresponding to incremental movements of the medium in either a first or second direction. The actual direction in which the medium moves is represented by respective first and second signals. A counter incrementally changes its count in response to each generated pulse when the medium moves in, for example, the second direction, and the counter reverses the direction in which it counts when the medium moves in the first direction following medium movement in the second direction so that the counter incrementally is restored to an initial count. Once the initial count of the counter is restored, an output farthest advance signal is produced indicating that the medium has reached its farthest advance position. In one embodiment, the apparatus is used to indicte the farthest advance of a movable web.

Abstract: A cassette changer apparatus for use in a multiple cassette record and/or playback system. An input supply of magnetic tape cassettes is spaced from an output store, with a record/playback station disposed intermediate the input supply and output store. A fresh cassette is conveyed from the input supply to the record/playback station, and thence to the output store whereat an elevator normally loads the cassette into the output store. A cassette eject mechanism comprised of a discharge chute is positioned beneath the elevator. The chute is adapted to receive a conveyed cassette but the elevator is normally conditioned to intercept such a cassette and prevent it from reaching the chute. Priority control circuitry selectively displaces the elevator before a conveyed cassette is intercepted thereby, whereby the cassette is received by the chute, slides therealong and is ejected.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use in a recording system wherein messages are recorded on a recording medium of fixed length, to variably select the recording capacity of the medium. Signals, which are produced when messages are recorded, are counted to accumulate an indication of the amount of recording medium that has messages recorded thereon. In one embodiment, the signals that are counted are representative of incremental lengths of the recording medium so that the accumulated indication represents the total length of recorded messages. A comparator compares the accumulated indication a preselected capacity and, when the preselected capacity has been attained, a corresponding output signal is generated. This output signal may be used to produce a perceptible indication and, in a preferred embodiment, may be used to replace the recording medium with a fresh recording medium.

Abstract: Braking apparatus for a web transport system to move a web between rotary members wherein at least one motor is provided for moving the rotary members to drive the web. One of the rotary members is coupled to and drives a first mechanism; and another movable member is coupled to and drives a second mechanism which mechanisms exert retarding forces on the respective rotary members such that when the driving force from the motor is removed and the rotary members are no longer driven, the retarding forces exerted thereon act to brake the rotary members.In an embodiment wherein the shoeless braking apparatus is used in a tape recording and/or playback device, one motor drives a take-up reel rotary member. In addition, a second motor may be provided to selectively drive the take-up reel rotary member in a "fast-forward" direction and to selectively drive the supply reel rotary member in a "rewind" direction.