Abstract: A switch circuit for selectively driving a LED display at either a dim or bright intensity in response to varying input voltages is provided. The switch circuit includes a current regulator device which is responsive to a reference voltage and is coupled to a LED display device for supplying a first level of constant current therethrough so as to illuminate the display device at a dim intensity and for supplying a second level of constant current therethrough so as to illuminate the display device at a bright intensity. A controllable switching device is responsive to input voltages of a wide varying range for being selectively turned on and off and for generating the reference voltage.

Abstract: In a machine for strapping a skid and a supported load by the use of a strap passing through aligned openings in the skid runners, a conveyor is provided for conveying the skid through a feeding zone. A turntable including powered rollers is provided for receiving the skid and the supported load from the conveyor, for positioning same within a strapping zone, and for rotating same within. A vertical scanner comprising a vertical array of photoelectric transmitters spaced from one another, on one side of the feeding zone, and a vertical array of photoelectric receivers spaced from one another, on the other side of the feeding zone, is provided for scanning the skid being conveyed. Two horizontal scanners, each comprising a single photoelectric transmitter and a single photoelectric receiver on each side of the strapping zone, are provided for scanning the skid being conveyed after it has been scanned by the vertical arrays.

Abstract: A strap-guiding mechanism is disclosed for guiding a strap through aligned openings in spaced stringers of a shipping pallet. A supporting beam defines a longitudinal track, along which a carriage is arranged to be longitudinally moved. An elongate channel is supported by the carriage, from the proximal end of the channel, as a cantilever. The channel has a base and two upstanding sides. Each side has an upper, generally tubular portion defining an axis. Two tensioning members are employed, preferably steel bars. Each member extends through the generally tubular portion of the upper side of the channel and is tensioned so as to impart axial compression to the generally tubular portion thereof, and so to counteract tendencies of the distal end of the channel to be downwardly deflected by gravity when the channel is supported as a cantilever. A motor is arranged to drive the carriage along the track via a chain and sprocket drive. Two longitudinal series of strap gates in side-by-side relation are employed.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for converting oscillatory rotation of an input shaft to unidirectional rotation of an output shaft. An input shaft journalled to a frame is rotatable about an input axis, over a range of rotational positions, between a forward limit and a reverse limit. An output shaft journalled to the frame is rotatable about an output axis, which is normal to the input axis. Three bevel gears are employed, namely a first gear coupled to the input shaft, a second gear coupled to the input shaft and spaced axially from the first gear, and a third gear coupled to the output shaft.

Abstract: In a straps machine comprising strap-advancing rollers, a sensor for sensing whether a leading end of an advancing strap has reached a predetermined location within a predetermined time, and strap-retracting rollers, a severing and ejecting mechanism comprises a die and an anvil for severing the strap into a leading portion including the leading end and a trailing portion if the sensor has not sensed that the leading end has reached the predetermined location within the predetermined time. The mechanism also comprises a drivable roller, a motor for driving it, and two idle rollers on a pivotable yoke. The drivable roller and one of the idle rollers are operative for ejecting the leading portion after the strap has been severed. The drivable roller and the other idle roller are operative for feeding the trailing portion through the mechanism after the leading portion has been ejected.

Abstract: A movable strap-engaging member is provided for being connected at a first pivot axis to a vibrator arm for accommodating pivot movement of the vibrator arm about the pivot axis while the movable strap-engaging member is pressing a first length of flexible thermoplastic strap against a second length such strap in an elongate strap-receiving path. The movable strap-engaging member is reciprocated generally transversely of the path to effect a friction-fusion weld of the strap lengths. The movable strap-engaging member has a configuration in which first and second centers of mass are spaced apart on a line that passes through the pivot axis and that is oriented generally perpendicular to the path. The product of the square of the distance along the line between the pivot axis and the mass of the first center of mass is substantially equal to the product of the square of the distance along the line between the pivot axis and the mass of the second center of mass.

Abstract: A capacitor having opposed first and second metallic films separated by a dielectric. The first metallic film includes a first relatively narrow metal-free zone spaced from an edge thereof so as to form a first marginal metal film band at an edge which is spaced by the first metal-free zone from the remainder of the first metallic film. The first metallic film further includes a first metal-free margin lane arranged between the metal-free zone and an edge thereof to separate the first metallic film into first and second segments. The second metallic film includes a second relatively narrow metal-free zone spaced from an edge thereof so as to form a second marginal metal film band at an edge which is spaced by the second metal-free zone from the remainder of the second metallic film. The second metallic film further includes a second metal-free margin lane arranged between the second metal-free zone and an edge thereof to separate the second metallic film into third and fourth segments.

Abstract: A motion translation mechanism is adapted for use in a vehicle seat-operated switch and is selectively responsive to the presence or absence of a downward vertical force. The motion translation mechanism includes a switch assembly having a plunger, a leaf spring, and coil spring. The coil spring is used to resiliently bias a first end portion of the leaf spring against a first stop. The second end portion of the leaf spring is operatively connected between a second stop and the plunger for moving laterally the plunger to a retracted position in response to the downward movement of an upwardly convexed central portion of the leaf spring so as to electrically actuate the switch assembly.

Abstract: In a mechanism for converting oscillatory rotation of an input shaft to unidirectional rotation of an output shaft, two bevel gears are mounted around the input shaft and a bevel gear intermeshed therewith is coupled to the output shaft. Each bevel gear mounted around the input shaft can be alternately coupled to and uncoupled from the input shaft via an associated pawl disposed in a socket in the input shaft and biased toward an operative position wherein such pawl is extended into a single recess in a bearing surface of such bevel gear. Paired pawls and paired recesses may be optionally employed where high torque is encountered. Oscillatory rotation of the input shaft is limited to a range of approximately 180.degree. between two limiting positions. Camming surfaces on the pawls and the gears respectively provide for movement of each pawl from its operative position.

Abstract: A strap, which can be a strip of metal, is provided for forming a tight loop about an object and for forming a sealless strap connection between overlapping strap portions. The strap has first and second oppositely facing surfaces and two connecting regions spaced apart lengthwise on the strap. Each connecting region has at least one joint element for engaging a corresponding joint element on the other connecting region to connect the regions together upon displacement of the connecting regions lengthwise in opposite directions tending to increase the loop size. An engaging member projects from the strap first surface at one of the connecting regions. A cavity is defined in the strap at the other of the connecting regions and opens to the strap second surface for receiving the engaging member. The cavity is defined at one end by an abutment surface for being engaged by the engaging member.

Abstract: A seal is provided for joining a pair of overlapping plastic strap portions. The seal includes a body of sheet material having a strap engaging surface which engages the strap portions when the seal is closed about the strap portions. The body has a plurality of teeth projecting from the strap-engaging surface. Each tooth is formed of material displaced outwardly from the strap-engaging surface to define a recess therein. Each tooth has a solid configuration defined by converging side surfaces and truncated along a top surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for wrapping a pallet load with a wrapping film applied selectively as a film rope or as a film sheet. The load is supported in an elevated position. A rotary arm supported above the load is arranged to be rotatably driven. An upright member depending from the rotary arm is spaced outwardly from the load in any rotary arm position. A carriage is arranged to be upwardly and downwardly driven along such member. A dispenser on the carriage dispenses the wrapper as a rope or as a sheet. A guide, which comprises a lever and a hook on the lever, is moveable among extended, partly retracted, and fully retracted positions. In the extended position, the guide guides the rope across the respective corners of the load. In the partly retracted position, the guide does not interfere with driving the carriage along the upright member.

Abstract: In a strapping head, slitting dies and a slitting punch on a punch holder cooperate to make a sealless connection in two overlapped layers of a tensioned loop of steel strap. A sealing yoke moves the punch holder via a connection allowing lost motion between the sealing yoke and the punch holder. A strap cutter on a cutter holder and an anvil cooperate to cut an outer layer of the tensioned loop. The sealing yoke moves the cutter holder via a connection allowing lost motion between the sealing yoke and the cutter holder. A spring member biases the strap cutter in a forward direction, via a plunger engaging the strap cutter upon forward motion of the sealing yoke for a sufficient distance to take up lost motion between the sealing yoke and the cutter holder, whereby overtravel of the strap cutter flattens the strap tail.

Abstract: A heat seal assembly and method for securing stretch-film wrapped about a package, which assembly grasps and aligns two strips of roped film wraps, heats adjacent faces of the roped film sections and thereafter compresses these heated faces to weld them to each other and secure the film wrap about the package.

Abstract: An improved joint and method for providing the improved joint structure in joined or fused thermoplastic strap positioned about a package or article is disclosed. The improved joint includes means for increasing the peel separation resistance of overlapping portions of the joint above the peel separation resistance provided by a weldment between the overlapping portions providing for a joint strength that approaches the tensile strength of the strap material or weldment.