Abstract: A snap fit cable retainer is illustrated for accommodating multiple diameter cables in a snug fit configuration by having the bit portion between adjacent side legs being closer to the extremities of the legs than is the main bit portion of the overall connector. In this way, large diameter cables can be run lengthwise through the retainer and smaller diameter cables can be run crosswise through the retainer. The retainer can also accommodate a layer of cables in each direction simultaneously by placing the lower level in the crosswise direction through the retainer and the second layer on top in the lengthwise direction.

Abstract: A connector retainer is illustrated for use with at least two inline sets of right angle electrical connector pins whereby the connector retainer flexibly partially encloses and interlocks with the connector and has an extension thereof inserted in the right angle portion of the electrical pins wherein the inserted portion is of a larger diameter than the distance between the inline sets of pins. Such a portion can fit in the right angle portion between the sets of the pins and provide a hinge-type function without being able to move either horizontally or vertically thereby retaining the connector in contact with the electrical pins.

Abstract: A snap fit cable holder in a U-shape with two legs is shown with snap fit projections on both the inside and outside of the legs of the holder and at different relative heights with respect to the bit portion of the device. In this manner, the legs can be inserted through first and second openings to be held by their inside edges of the openings or can be inserted in first and third openings to be held by the outermost edges of the first and third openings. This allows a single cable connector to be used with at least two different size cables. Further variations may be obtained by adjusting the thickness of the support base containing the openings.

Abstract: A bandpass filter is used, which closely matches the characteristics of a closed phase lock loop (PLL) so as to provide an acquisition detector output in a PLL being swept. This detector is not activated by noise generated in the loop due to data or other perturbations. This filter includes a differentiator to exacerbate the filtered output and thus, more clearly define the condition being detected. The phase lock acquisition sweep is disabled when the detector output exceeds a predetermined absolute value. The detection scheme works equally well in approaching the lock frequency from above or below actual lock and a latch circuit ensures that the sweep approach always alternates to compensate for an erratic phase detector in the PLL.

Abstract: The present invention provides an approach to reconnect a communications network such as a DS3 telephone-type network when a span of DS3 channels is rendered inoperative, such as by cutting, within the 1.5 second time frame necessary to prevent disablement of local offices. This is accomplished by preplanning a restoration connection for each possible operating link failure in each span using spare capacity. A dedicated (DS3) communication loop is used to inform all nodes in the network substantially simultaneously to implement their portion of a plan associated with the failed span. After the restoration occurs for a given failed span, the concept can be extended to start planning for further failures or can be designed to restore further failures on a real time basis.

Abstract: A method is shown, along with apparatus for accomplishing same, for minimizing power required to keep an enclosed electronic module from overheating in a high temperature environment, while still operating to maintain the module at greater than a given minimum temperature when the environmental temperatures are far below the sensed minimum temperature for the module. This is accomplished by placing a thin sheet of heating material between the module to be temperature maintained and a heat sink which is exposed to the environment exterior the enclosure. Energy applied to the sandwiched heater prevents transfer of heat from the electronic module to the environment in such a way as to drastically reduce the heat (power consuming) requirements as compared to prior art heater approaches.

Abstract: Two pulse-width modulated power supplies are synchronized to operate at 180.degree. of phase shift to reduce the peak amplitude of the instantaneous current drawn from the DC input bus. The circuit includes means for disabling the synchronization upon detection of an undervoltage fault condition on the output of either supply. This feature allows frequency programming techniques to be used to provide foldback current limiting for either supply without affecting the operation of the other supply.

Abstract: Overvoltage and component failure protection for redundant current-mode controlled power supplies operating in parallel takes a supply off line when the supply drives the output bus to an overvoltage condition, without removing properly functioning supplies from the bus. The supply is also taken off line when either the error amplifier or the PWM fails.

Abstract: A low inductance shielded cable connector to printed circuit interface with an isolated chassis ground can be obtained by a multilayer printed circuit board and plated-through holes. Two or more layers of the printed circuit board are used to provide a capacitive connection to chassis ground and other layers are used to provide connections for signal ground (cable ground) and signal connector leads. The direct contact of the shielded cable connector to a multiplicity of points on the exterior layer of the printed circuit board, wherein the contact points completely encircle the signal conductor, substantially eliminates both radiation of signal and pickup of signals by the signal conductor.

Abstract: An algorithm is presented along with circuitry for implementing same to accomplish the interface of a pair of synchronized data lines with a pair of non-synchronized data lines using data buffers where there can be as few as three cells of data buffers to accomplish reading data out and writing data in without interfering one with the other. This algorithm is accomplished by measuring the time skew between overhead bits of the two non-syncrhonized data streams and writing to the frame most recently read by the synchronized data stream based on an algorithm formulated in view of or based on a function of the time skew.

Abstract: A business card is formed as a laminate comprising an information-carrying face sheet and a protective backing sheet which enhances the rigidity of the face sheet. The face sheet has a contact adhesive at its back surface which bonds the face sheet and backing sheet together, and is provided with a score cut about its edge portions which defines a lift-out panel whereon the information is printed and margin portions at the edges of the card. The backing sheet has a release surface engaging the lift-out panel permitting the lift-out panel to be removed and be affixed to other surfaces such as a file card while the marginal surfaces of the backing sheet engage the margin portions of the face sheet and are tightly and permanently adhered thereto. In the preferred embodiment, the release surface extends a short distance beyond the score cut to facilitate removal of the lift-out panel. The panel may be proportioned to properly fit the surface of file cards of standard sizes.

Abstract: An improved line connector, of synthetic resin such as nylon, for a fishhook. The connector is a rod-like member having one end affixed to the shank of a fishhook. The improvement resides in the construction of the axial passageway and the knot pocket at the other end of the connector to hold the knotted end of a fishline. The improvement is to enhance the reliability and holding strength of both the connector and the line by providing a greater resilience of the connector to reduce the possibility of shock failure of either the connector or the knotted end of the line. A deep cone-shaped entrance of the passageway, at the end of the connector combined with a slotted side opening, forming a knot pocket, facilitates flexing of the seat within the pocket against which the knot is held and flexing of the sides of the connector against which the knot is pressed. This is especially important in avoiding undesirable stress concentration.

Abstract: A beverage can end of drawn metal is provided with a lipped opening upstanding from the expansion panel of the end. The expansion panel may be convex, flat or concave. The lipped opening is proportioned to facilitate drinking and pouring from a can. A height of the lip of 0.25 inches is sufficient for this purpose. The lip is formed as a circular wall with a pushdown gate positioned within the lip, the gate being mounted on a seating and hinging means which preferably is a triplefold of drawn metal. The hinging and seating means within the lip is of a smaller diameter than the lip wall, and is supported by a bridging means connecting with the top of the lip wall. The bridging means includes a circular panel and may include an inner wall portion. In a first embodiment, the circular panel is the top of the lipped opening and the seating and hinging means is at the base of an inner wall, whose top is at the inner edge of the circular panel to space the inner wall from the outer wall.

Abstract: A technique by which business or calling cards of standard dimensions can be retained and displayed in conventional file or address card systems of the type which utilize a file card that has an available and usable surface area which, in at least one dimension, is smaller than that of the business card. The business card has a contact adhesive back surface normally covered by a release sheet which is adapted to be removed when the card is to be mounted on a file card. The card itself is score-cut about its edge portion to provide a rectangular lift-out panel whch carries all of the printed information, which lift-out panel is smaller than the original business card and is proportioned to properly fit the available usable surface area of the file card upon which the panel is thereafter adhesively affixed.

Abstract: A multi-purpose fly fishing implement or device is disclosed for the preparation of artificial flies and leaders to which artificial flies are attached. The device is formed as a cylindrical container about the size of a fountain pen and is adapted to be carried in the pocket of a garment worn by a fisherman. The device has several interconnected, separable segments which perform different functions. One segment contains a fly-treatment fluid and an applicator to apply a thin coating of such fluid onto an artificial fly to treat the same. A second segment serves to both straighten and to remove the shine from a leader. A third segment incorporates a holding clip which holds the device in a garment pocket when the segments are connected together and which further carries a leader cutting means. A method of conditioning artificial flies and leaders using such device is also described.

Abstract: A file-index card system for retaining and displaying conventional business cards is disclosed. The system includes a frame in which is held a multiplicity of file cards in the form of planar sheets. Each file card has an area of adhesive covering a portion thereof, with a protective peel-off covering placed over the area of adhesive. Registration markings are provided on each file card to at least one side of the area of adhesive, the registration markings serving to delimit the edge of a conventional business card to be affixed to the file card. In use, the protective peel-off covering is removed to expose the adhesive. A conventional business card is then aligned with the registration markings and is affixed to the file card to thereby be displayed.

Abstract: A conical can end wherein the central expansion panel of the end is drawn to form a conical frustum with a panel at the apex end thereof, an aperture in the apex panel, a push-down gate beneath this aperture and a short hinge means interconnecting the gate with the apex panel.

Abstract: A safety landing hook for landing fish is disclosed, the hook has an elongate member having a handle at one end and a comparatively large hook at the opposite end. A hinge permits the hook to swing from an extended position towards the handle and to a retracted position where the point of the hook contacts the handle. A lock normally locks the hinge with the hook at its extended position but can release the hinge to permit the hook to swing to its retracted position, and a holding arrangement holds the point of the hook in its retracted position when the landing hook is not being used.

Abstract: An improved housing construction for electrical apparatus is disclosed, the housing having particular utility as a housing suitable for an ionization detector array of a tomographic X-ray scanner. The housing comprises at least two mating sections which, upon assembly and juxtaposition one to another, form a closed interior chamber adapted to receive the detector array, or other electrical apparatus. A gasket means preferably comprising a so called "flexible" printed circuit constructed of a suitable polymer plastic is provided between the assembled mating sections of the housing to effect a sealing of the interior chamber. Electrical conductors, such as a metallic printed circuit foil, are disposed within the polymer material and extend between the interior chamber and the exterior of the housing. The conductors define means by which electrical connections can be made to electrical apparatus within the chamber, such as the detector array, and external circuitry.

Abstract: A can end having a push-down gate for opening a can to which the end is affixed and having a push-down gate vent in the primary gate adapted to be opened before the gate is opened to relieve gas pressure from within the can.