Abstract: A fastener for holding items to a perforated wall, including fasteners for consumer and commercial uses and in displaying collector items or goods for sale, or for supporting heavy items, or for supporting shelves, platforms, wire frames and similar items on a perforated wall, the item holder having a base member with a fastener insertable into the perforated wall. The fastener has a projection with an axis preferably, but not necessarily, perpendicular to the wall and an axially extending passageway, at least a portion of the projection being displaceable laterally of its axis. An elongated pin, plunger, or cam member is insertable into the passageway in an insertion direction and is effective to displace the projection portion laterally of the projection axis for mounting the item holder to the wall. The locking mechanism may be operated by movement of the pin, plunger, or cam member axially or radially of the fastener. No tools are needed to lock or release the item holder from the perforated wall.

Abstract: A controller operates to start an electric power generator, for example a gasoline engine electric power generator, when a demand is made for electric power when the user turns on an electric powered device, such as a circular saw, that is to be used. The generator runs as long as there is a demand for power, and when the demand ends, the generator stops after a predetermined adjustable delay period. Additionally, in the event the engine is to be started under cold start-up conditions, the starter is operated to avoid cyclical starting/stalling of the generator engine. The engine driving the generator will stop after a predetermined delay after the power demand is removed. If the demand for power stops for a time longer than the timeout period, the generator is stopped, and it will automatically start again when power is demanded. Alarm circuits are provided in the event of malfunction, and automatic/manual functions enhance the flexibility of the system.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus having a base, a first arm pivotable at one end thereof to the base, a second arm pivoted along its length to the other end of the first arm, and resilient means between the first and second arms, whereby relative movement of the arms is effected by the application of force reacting against the resistance of the resilient means. By the selection of the pivot points and simplified construction of the present invention, and the pivotal nature of the first arm relative to the base, the apparatus is easily foldable to a collapsed condition for easy storage and transportation. In operation, the first arm may be prevented from pivoting by the insertion of a pin through mating holes between the first arm and the base, and when the pin is removed, the first arm is pivotable to a position adjacent the base, so that the entire unit has a thickness, in its folded state, of approximately the thickness of the two arms and base member.

Abstract: An implement for holding objects to a perforated wall having at least one hole passing therethrough from a front wall surface to a rear wall surface, the implement comprising a base member, a tool holding member fixed or fixable to the front of the base member, a fastener fixed or fixable to and projecting from the rear of the base member, and, optionally, a hook-like member fixed to and projecting from the rear of the base member. The hook-like member is spaced from the fastener for engaging the wall behind a second, spaced hole in the wall.

Abstract: A controller operates to start an electric power generator, for example a gasoline engine electric power generator, when a demand is made for electric power when the user turns on an electric powered device, such as a circular saw, that is to be used. The generator runs as long as there is a demand for power, and when the demand ends, the generator stops after a predetermined adjustable delay period. Additionally, in the event the engine is to be started under cold start-up conditions, the starter is operated to avoid cyclical starting/stalling of the generator engine. When a demand is made on the generator for power, the controller senses a circuit closure, turns on the starter of the generator, and, after the generator cranks, the power is applied to the saw and it starts to operate. The starter is controllably disabled after the generator is operational. The engine driving the generator will stop after a predetermined delay after the power demand is removed.

Abstract: Methods and electronic apparatus for recovering relatively high-resolution information from a partial wave representation of an information signal. According to the invention, there is provided a method of operating on a given partial wave function, or of producing a partial wave representation of an information signal as part of the method. Portions of the partial wave representation of the information signal are synchronously selected as by signal sampling under control of an interpolated high frequency clock. An inverse partial wave representation of the selected portions of the transformed signal is then performed, and the inverse partial wave representation is linearly deconvolved to produce a high resolution equivalent of high-resolution information signal. The invention may include an analytic converter for removing the effects of any dispersion of the partial wave representation.

Abstract: A chip tester for testing microelectronic circuit chips. The tester is capable of testing a variety of chip types in a single socket, including chips having different circuit functions, different pin configurations, and different number of pins. Tests are performed without any preliminary tester setup steps other than placing the chip to be tested into the test socket. The tester applies input voltages and output loads and monitors input and output signals for a first possible chip type, and upon failing to meet expected input/output measurement conditions, applies input voltages and output loads and monitors input and output signals for a second possible chip type. The process is repeated and continues until the monitored inputs/outputs for the chip under test meet the expected input/output measurement conditions, at which time a display device indicates that the chip under test is operational and, preferably, displays the chip type.

Abstract: A doll with fastening means attached to its hands and back to enable the doll to hold objects or to hold on to a mating fastening means attached to another doll. Dolls of the prior art that are capable of holding objects usually have hands that are shaped to hold a rounded object or a rounded portion of an object between the thumb and index finger by means of a resilient clamping action between the thumb and index fingers or by merely creating an interference fit with the object to be held. This type of construction is severely limiting as to the types of objects the doll can grasp and hold onto, and with age and wear, the dolls hand members attain a permanently stretched apart condition after which the ability to hold objects is greatly diminished or entirely lost. The doll constructed according to the invention has a doll body including a head, a torso poriton, a pair of arms with hands, and a pair of legs with feet, as well as doll clothing.

Abstract: A method and means for measuring and/or determining characteristics of a material by analyzing the characteristics of an energy beam incident upon and affected by the sample. Polarized radiant energy reflected and/or transmitted by the material sample is analyzed to infer optical properties such as index of refraction, and physical properties such as material thickness. The invention is not subject to the disadvantages of prior art measuring systems, in that absolute detected light values are not used, measurement of varying wavelengths of light are not necessary, surface defects contribute a balanced effect in the calculations so as to effectively cancel out, highly accurate angular measuring devices are not needed, precision nulling instruments are avoided, system parameter drift effects upon the measurement is avoided, inter alia.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for priority masking of video enhancement areas of a video picture. A first enhancement conversion formula is generated for enhancing a first segment of the video picture according to the first generated enhancement conversion formula. Similarly, a second enhancement formula for enhancing a second segment of the video picture according to the second enhancement conversion formula is generated. Priority of one conversion formula over the other in the area of overlap of the two segments is established by combining the first and second enhancement conversion formulas in a manner to produce the composite enhancement conversion formula in which one of the first and second enhancement conversion formulas has a degree of priority over the other enhancement conversion formula in the area of the video picture in which the overlapping occurs. The video picture is thus modified according to the composite enhancement conversion formula.

Abstract: Communication control apparatus for interconnecting one or more digital devices to one or more other digital devices, or more specifically for interconnecting a moderate to large number of user terminals, main frame computer systems, minicomputers, remote digital devices, and the like, using some of the concepts inherent in statistical multiplexers, intelligent switches, and local area network devices, all implemented in a compact configuration to produce a flexible and cost effective approach to data communication interfaces. The communication control apparatus replaces and simplifies the actual terminal connections from the computer interface(s) and then adds substantial system enhancements for the manager while retaining software and protocol transparency. A local communication bus is provided for routing of data and control signals internally of the control apparatus.