Abstract: A contact is attached to a carrier and the carrier-contact assembly encapsulated in a chamber in a light guide, the chamber having an open end closed by a circuit board having traces on it. A lever fitting into a lever housing in the carrier passes through a slot in the light guide permitting the carrier to be manually slid within the chamber parallel to the circuit board, thereby moving the contact over the traces. The carrier contacts the light guide wholly along narrow ribs which are greased with a viscous grease. An opaque cover, having a slot through which the lever extends, encloses the light guide. An opaque tape located between the cover and the light guide and having an opening through which the lever extends, slides with the lever to prevent light from escaping through the slot in the cover as the lever is moved. A rim on the lever housing prevents light from escaping around the opening in the tape.

Abstract: Glassware inspection apparatus comprises a first light emitting diode position to illuminate a first region of the ware, a first driver for driving the first light emitting diode in a first modulated mode, a first photodetector positioned for receiving light of the first light emitting diode which illuminates the first region of the container, and a first demodulator for the output of the first photodetector. The apparatus also comprises a second light emitting diode positioned to illuminate a second region of the container, a driver for driving the second light emitting diode in a second modulated mode, a second photodetector positioned for receiving light of the second light emitting diode which illuminates the second region of the container, and a second demodulator for the output of the second photodetector. The two modulation modes minimize cross-talk between the first and second light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A selected number of data samples is taken around the periphery of the wall of a container to determine the voltages corresponding to the thinnest and thickest wall locations. These two voltages are then converted to dimensions and a minimum to maximum ratio is calculated using these two dimensions. Where this ratio is lower than a minimum settable value, the bottle will be rejected.

Abstract: A housing has flat terminals, such as traces on a circuit board, along a flat side. A contact carrier having first and second contacts mounted on it is slidable in the housing so that the contacts may slide along the traces in a first direction. First spring blades bias the first contacts against the traces while a second spring blade biases a pivotable member holding the second contacts away from the traces. A plunger mounted on and slidable with the carrier includes a ramp which forces the pivotable member towards the traces when the plunger is depressed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to cause the second contacts to contact the traces. The carrier comprises two body portions which are held together with a tongue in groove, snap-in latch system.

Abstract: An electromechanical switch includes a lever movable between neutral and activate positions, a first cam comprising a cylinder having oppositely disposed flat sides, a pair of elongated leaf springs, and a housing supporting the first cam sandwiched between the leaf springs, with the leaf springs bent a first non-zero amount when the lever is in neutral position and a second amount larger than the first amount when the lever is in the activate position, the leaf spring thereby acting to return the lever to neutral position whenever it is moved to activate position. There is also a detent which includes a second cam and a stop integrally formed with the second cam which is located between the lever and the first cam.

Abstract: There is a controller connected to a plurality of probes via a transmission line. Each probe includes sensors which provide voltage signals related to the fluid status in the probe environment. The voltage signals are applied to a voltage controlled oscillator which in turn provides an oscillating signal for transmission to the controller. A counter in the controller is controlled by a timer to count the number of oscillations of the transmitted signal over a predetermined time period. The count is represented by a digital signal which is processed to provide an indication of the fluid status of the probes. Probe circuit temperature is also transmitted to the controller for use in correcting the received oscillator frequency.

Abstract: The invention adapts to an electronic lock comprising a housing, and a plug supported for rotation within the housing and having a keyway to receive the blade of a key which rotates the plug during operation of the locking apparatus. A locking member is movable into engagement with the plug to prevent the movement of the plug and the operation of the locking apparatus and movable out of engagement with the plug to allow the rotation of the plug and the operation of the locking apparatus. A solenoid having a core coupled to the locking member moves the locking member into and out of engagement with the plug. A permanent magnet is movable between a first position to receive and hold the solenoid core to maintain the locking member out of engagement with the plug, and a second position to release the solenoid core, and a driving means moves the magnet in at least one direction between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A management apparatus for a locking system includes a computer memory, first computer means for listing in the computer memory the doors having the locks of the system, and second computer means for entering data in the computer memory defining the interrelationships of the doors, which data including the doors of the system which are accessed by other of the doors. A third computer means lists in the computer memory selected ones of the locks of the doors to be operated by each of the keys, and a fourth computer means determines if a path exists according to said data from an outer limit of the locking system to each of the doors selected for operation by the key either directly or via other of the doors selected for operation by the key. Another means determines if an external door or external doors of the system provide access via a path either directly to each of the internal doors or via other of the internal doors of the system to each internal door of the system.

Abstract: A cam follower is pivotally mounted on an electrical contact blade. The cam follower provides a ramp surface when engaging a step of the cam and a sharp drop off when dropping from a step. The ramp surface provides a smooth transition from a lower surface while the sharp drop off provides for a quick make and break of electrical contacts.

Abstract: An appliance timer includes a motor driven cam carried in a housing. A switch blade carried in the housing is responsive to the cam to selectively activate one of a pair of switch circuits, each of which provide a different operating level for an appliance function, e.g. several different heat levels in an automatic dryer. Each switch circuit includes a contact, a contact support spring, and an electrical feed-through which connects to a terminal strap on the exterior of the housing. A resistor that is an integral part of one of the switch circuits provides the level differentiation between the circuits. In one embodiment a carbonaceous organic resistor chip replaces the circuit contact. In another embodiment an inorganic ceramic resistor slug replaces the circuit feed-through.

Abstract: A sealing surface finish leak detector comprises a test fitting, a source of pressure regulated gas, means for coupling the source of gas to an aperture in the test fitting to deliver the gas to the container at an inspection site, and means for limiting the rate of flow of the gas from the source into the container. The pressure in the container is sampled a predetermined time after the gas begins to flow into the container. The predetermined time is short enough and the rate of flow of the gas into the container low enough so that the pressure in the container at the predetermined time is well below the source pressure even if the container is properly sealed. An average size leak between the sealing surface and the test fitting results in a significantly reduced pressure or rate of pressure rise in the container at the predetermined time.

Abstract: There is an ice tray, an ejector for ejecting ice from the tray, an ice storage bin, a mechanism for delivering ice to the tray, a bail mechanism, and a motor for driving the ejector, water delivery mechanism, and bail mechanism. The bail mechanism includes a bail and a bail switch. The motor, via the bail mechanism, raises the bail from a lower position in which the switch energizes the icemaker to an upper position in which the switch opens and the icemaker is de-energized, then permits the bail to return to the lower position if the ice bin is not full. The bail is also manually raisable to a latch-up position to manually de-energize the icemaker. A compound spring provides a bias force to return the bail to the energizing position. The spring provides a weak return force over the range in which the motor drives the bail, a strong force in the range just prior to latch-up, and an intermediate force in the intermediate range.

Abstract: There is a controller connected to a plurality of probes via a transmission line. The controller provides a command signal including a probe identifier signal and a probe data signal. Each probe includes a plurality of different sensors, each providing one or more status signals on a plurality of probe data channels. Each probe also includes a comparator for comparing the probe identifier signal to a local probe address, a multiplexer responsive to the data signal for selecting one of the data channels, and a switch responsive to the comparator to provide the selected data signal to the controller when the identifier signal correlates with the local probe address.

Abstract: A pressure transducer, a microprocessor, and associated electronics are enclosed in a probe housing which may be attached to a liquid conduit with the pressure transducer responsive to the pressure of the liquid in the conduit to provide an electrical signal representative of the pressure. A temperature sensor is mounted in a cavity in the base of the housing to provide an electrical signal representative of the temperature of the liquid in the conduit. Decision criteria related to conditions of the liquid storage and dispensing system to which the probe is attached are stored in the microprocessor memory. The microprocessor logic processes the electrical signals using the stored decision criteria and provides a signal indicative of conditions in the storage and dispensing system.

Abstract: A controller including a digital processor is connected to flow meters and overfill gauges suitable for placement in the fill ports of underground storage tanks at, for example, a gasoline service station. The station dispenser pumps are also connected to the controller. In addition, probes, including tank liquid level probes, line pressure probes, and leak probes capable of detecting small quantities of liquid leaking from the system, are also connected to the controller. Processor software programs use stored decision criteria relating liquid conditions external of the storage tank system and liquid conditions internal of the storage tank system and its contents to provide audio and visual indications of the status of the liquid storage system and its contents.

Abstract: An inflatable, cone-shaped mask is attached to one end of a hollow housing and a mouthpiece is attached to the other. A valve in the housing is switchable between two positions. In one position it directs breath from an active breather blowing in the mouthpiece into the mask to inflate it. In the second position it directs the breath through the mask, which may be sealably engaged about the nose and mouth of a passive breather to be resuscitated. A second valve in the housing prevents fluid from passing from the mask to the mouthpiece. A spin separator trap separates moisture from the breath of the active breather as it passes through the housing. A second spin separator trap prevents moisture that may leak from the first trap from falling into the breathing organs of the passive breather. A screen in the housing prevents regurgitation from the passive breather from entering the second valve chamber. When not inflated, the mask is foldable back over the housing.

Abstract: There is a controller having an identifier signal output and a status signal input, and a plurality of probes, each having an identifier signal input and output and a status signal input and output. The probes are connected in series with the inputs of one probe connected to the outputs of the next, with the identifier signal output of the controller connected to the identifier signal input of the first probe, and with the status signal input of the controller connected to the status signal output of the first probe. Each probe includes a decrementer which decrements the identifier signal received from the previous probe by one and retransmits it to the next probe. Each probe also includes a comparator and a switch configured so that when the comparator receives an identifier signal equal to zero, the switch switches the status signal output of the probe from its status signal input to a source of a local probe status signal.

Abstract: The hub of a camstack is in the shape of a cone. There are ribs carried on the cone surface with the ribs having cam surfaces that are substantially parallel to the cone surface. The camstack is particularly adaptable for actuating a plurality of individual switches in a direction at an angle to the central axis and to the lines normal to the central axis. The individual switches are carried by a single common support member. The camstack permits the building of less expensive, smaller and more reliable appliance timers.

Abstract: An electronic locking system comprises an electronic lock for an external door of a building, and a plurality of electronic locks associated respectively with internal doors of a building accessed via the external door. The lock of each internal door includes means for storing at least one unique lock combination code and the lock of the external door including means for storing a plurality of the unique lock combination codes of a plurality of the internal doors and/or a common combination code. Key cards operate the locks. A first control means operable if the number of internal doors accessed through the external door is less than a predetermined number designates a unique lock combination for each internal door and encodes the associated key card with the unique lock combination. A second control means operable if the number of internal doors exceeds the predetermined number provides an overload signal recognizable by an operator.

Abstract: A timer includes a cam driven by a motor and a clutch for permitting the cam to be turned independently of the motor. The clutch includes a clutch plate having a toothed rim, the plate sandwiched between a pair of spring washers, and a tubular eyelet passing through openings in the plate and washers. The clutch assembly is placed on a mandrel and the washers are spun while the teeth on the plate engage a force gauge. The end of the eyelet is flared to fasten the clutch assembly together with a force which provides a predetermined torque between the plate and washer as measured by the force gauge.