Abstract: Method and apparatus for obtaining alternate delivery instructions to enable reliable delivery of a fax document. A set of delivery instructions (DI) are maintained for each of a plurality of destinations. When a fax has been successfully sent to a destination, it is determined whether the DI are complete for the destination. If not, a DI fax is prepared requesting an alternate fax number or confirmation that no alternate fax number exists. Then, the DI fax is sent to the destination, and upon receipt of a response to the DI fax from the destination, the DI for the destination are updated.

Abstract: The invention is a ventilation sleeve for reducing skin irritation and odor associated with broken limbs which are immobilized for significant periods of time by casts or the like. The ventilation sleeve is an elongated flexible bag which is positioned between the cast and skin. One side of the bag has a plurality of ventilation openings through which pressurized air aerates the cast.

Abstract: The invention disclosed and claimed here is a padded inflatable game ball. The ball is a seamed ball consisting of a spherical rubber bladder, a layer of winding surrounding the bladder, a cellular sponge layer surrounding the winding, and seams and external skin panel sections surrounding the cellular sponge layer. The sponge layer provides padding under the skin panel sections. The seams are made of narrow strips of high density rubber which cover a relatively small section of the overall surface area of the sponge layer. This allows outgassing of the sponge layer as it is foamed during the ball manufacturing process.

Abstract: The invention disclosed and claimed here is a multiple-merchant credit card authorization terminal ("CAT"). The CAT enables more than one merchant to input and obtain credit card authorization from a single CAT device. Likewise, transaction settlements may be handled for a single merchant or all of the merchants collectively at the same time. In the past, individual merchants had to use their own dedicated devices.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here is an improvement to a fisherman's float ring whose flotation is normally provided by a donut-shaped inflatable rubber tube. The invention provides the float ring with redundant flotation. This is accomplished by placing a normally deflated secondary tube underneath a seat-supporting fabric which covers the tube. A pressurized gas bottle provides inflating gas for the secondary tube in the event the primary tube is accidentally punctured or deflates. In such case, the secondary tube prevents the float ring from losing its buoyant capability.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a wire reel that is designed to be used in connection with an automated wire handling system. The reel has a generally planar stiffback, and a circular flange that is releasably connected to the stiffback. The stiffback and flange together define a circular winding space for coiling a wire onto the reel. The stiffback also carries two, spaced-apart clamps which are positioned outwardly with respect to the outer perimeter of the flange. These clamps hold the opposite ends of the coiled wire. The stiffback is shaped so that it is suitable for gripping and handling by a robotic arm or the like.

Abstract: An automated wire stripper has a forward wire-gripping assembly, a rearward insulation-pulling assembly, and a rotatable knife hub assembly positioned intermediate of the forward and rearward assemblies. The knife hub assembly includes a pair of thermal knife elements which are spring-biased to normally close upon the end of a wire. Pneumatic actuators open the knife elements against the bias of the springs. The rearward assembly is operable to clamp and pull a section of outer jacket or insulation covering from the wire after the knife hub has cut around the its circumference of the jacket.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant air data and inertial navigation reference system utilizes skewed axis inertial sensors and fault-tolerant redundant electronics to provide higher redundancy with fewer parts. Parallelly operating processor circuits each receive the individual outputs of six skewed-axis gyros and six skewed-axis accelerometers. Each processor independently processes parity equations using the outputs to identify malfunctioning sensors. Further, the output of each processor is transmitted to three parallelly operating voter circuits. The voters are operable to discard a processor if its output does not agree with the majority. The voter outputs are similarly fed back to the processor circuits, which compare these outputs, and discard any voter whose output disagrees with the majority, thus providing a completely integrated system.

Abstract: An improved convertible aircraft seating arrangement that is adapted to convert a row of seven economy class seats into a row of six business class seats, and vice versa. A pair of outboard seats (12, 20) are positioned on opposite sides of the passenger cabin (16), and a central set of seats (18) is positioned in between. In the economy class configuration, the central set consists of three seats (36, 38, 48), but is converted to two seats for the business class configuration. When making the conversion, the outboard pairs (12, 20) are slid inwardly a certain distance, and their inboard armrests (32) are extended further into the aisleway (22, 24) on each side of the central set (18). The outer, aisle seats (36, 38) against the centermost seat (48). There, they are joined to lateral sections of the centermost seat (78a, 78b), which are split apart from such seat to form wider, business class seats.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a dashboard accessory item in the form of an add-on housing that enables the repositioning of certain instrument panels closer to the driver, thereby making the instruments on such panels more accessible. In use, the instrument panels are first detached from a stock dashboard, and the housing is mounted to the dashboard over the location where the panels were originally located. The add-on housing projects forwardly of the dashboard, and the panels are remounted to its forward or frontal face. Such face angles toward the driver as it extends along the dashboard from the steering wheel toward the right-hand side of the cab. This repositions the panels much closer to the driver than they were when originally mounted to the stock dashboard.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a process or system for treating the effluent from a BCTMP pulp mill. The effluent is evaporated to produce a water condensate and a remaining waste product concentrate. The condensate is recycled for use in the BCTMP mill, or is dumped into the environment. The concentrate is incinerated in a recovery boiler. Incineration results in the recovery of certain reusable chemicals. At least some of such chemicals are fed back into the effluent while it is being evaporated, to buffer it, and thereby prevent the carryover of undesirable organic acids into the condensate. This ensures sufficient condensate purity for recycling it in the BCTMP process, or for otherwise dumping it into the environment.

Abstract: An exception processing system for use in conjunction with manufacturing facilities, and automated manufacturing cells in particular is provided. The exception processor is adapted to receive alarms from a cell controller indicating that an unplanned event or exception has occurred in cell operation. The exception processor implements an automated recovery procedure that responds to the alarm, corrects the exception, and returns the cell to normal operation. The exception processor also statistically monitors cell operation in order to avoid exceptions before they occur, and to provide better control over cell processes.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a method for forming and curing an intricate structure of criss-crossing composite stringers and frames that are bonded to a skin panel. A structure constructed in accordance with the invention would be well-suited for use as a portion of an aircraft fuselage, a boat hull, or the like. The method is preferably practiced by applying uncured composite stringers to an uncured composite sheet panel. This is followed by placing cured frames crosswise over the stringers. The frames have openings at the locations where they intersect with the stringers which enables the frames to come into direct contact with the skin along most of their length. During the forming and curing process, the stringers are covered with a plurality of cauls, and the entire assembly of skin panel, stringers, frames and cauls is subjected to a vacuum bagging and curing process. The cauls serve to maintain both part shape and to control the flow of resin within the stringers as they are cured.

Abstract: An anti-cycling device for high pressure sodium lamps detects an abnormal cycling condition by using a fiber-optic cable that extends between an anti-cycling controller board and the lamp itself. An outer end of the cable is arranged so that light emitted by the lamp will be transmitted to the controller board. A photocell mounted on the controller board, at the other end of the cable, transmits a variable magnitude electrical signal to the circuitry on the controller board. The signal varies in accordance with light being transmitted or not transmitted through the cable, as the case may be, corresponding to a cycling condition. In this manner, the controller board is able to detect a cycling condition, and thereby cause the power supply to the lamp to be cut off.

Abstract: The invention is an improved cutting blade for use in connection with a rotary wire stripper. The blade is notched in a manner so as to define one or more chipping points along the blade's edge. The notches are interconnected by sharp sections of the blade's edge. This configuration permits cutting through both hard and soft forms of wiring insulation. If the insulation is hard, the corners provided by the notches chip through it. If the insulation is soft, the sharp edges cut through it in conventional fashion.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a methodology device for use in picking gaming numbers and telling fortunes. The device consists of a board surface and a pointer device. The board surface has a plurality of mystic symbols surrounded by a first circular field of numbers that is further surrounded by a ring field of I-Ching hexagrams. The I-Ching field is still further surrounded by a second number field made up of alternating odd and even numbers displayed on an alternating color pattern. Placement of the pointer device on the board surface causes it to indicate certain numbers in the first or second number fields, and certain hexagrams of the I-Ching. The user may use such items in the selection of lottery or other gaming numbers, or for fortune-telling purposes.

Abstract: A latch pin and locking system for use in connection with an aircraft having folding wings or wing tips. The system includes a plurality of individual latch pin units, each of which has a pin that is hydraulically driven in extension and retraction. When extended, the pins cooperatively lock wing tip hinge structure which prevents wing tip folding movement. Each latch pin unit has a locking body that prevents pin retraction of its respective pin after extension thereof for wing tip locking. The locking bodies of all of the latch pin units are drivingly interlinked, so that all lock and/or unlock as a single network. The network is driven by a single power drive unit. In the event any one locking body in the network fails, the network is broken, and thereby provides an indication that maintenance is required.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a candy tablet dispenser shaped to simulate a beverage can, or the like. What would normally be the pop-top region of the can slides laterally outwardly and, at the same time, ejects a tablet from the top of a stack of tablets that is stored internally. The ejector portion is finger-driven back and forth.