Abstract: A housing construction for a POS type bar code scanner with multiple apparent source scan geometry includes only two main housing components. Each a casting to which one or a number of routing mirrors are bonded so as to precisely locate the plane of each mirror. The routing mirrors are bonded to the castings preferably on spherical ball type locaters integral with the castings, and their positions are non-adjustable. Other mirrors and collection optics are also retained on the lower and the upper casting. For precisely locating the two castings with respect to each other upon assembly, the castings have three-point contact, coupled with casting bores and removable fasteners with shoulders of precise diameter, so that the relative casting positions are accurately located as to both tilt and lateral shifting. The spherical ball locating devices for the mirrors are positioned, on each of the two castings, with reference to the precision-located connection bores and contact points on that housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining a more uniform output signal strength among various scan lines of a multiple scan line laser bar code reader involves switching of the gain level in the return signal amplifier of the bar code reader apparatus, in accordance with the position of the laser beam in the scanning sequence and in accordance with known information relating to the relative response that can be expected from each different scan line. This enables a better uniformity in signals from the reading of bar codes, regardless of which scan line was used to read the code, by compensating for inevitable variations in return signal strength on different scan lines, particularly in a shallow-profile slot scanner.

Abstract: A gas laser such as an argon or krypton laser has an annular gas reservoir surrounding a laser bore. A series of heat-dissipating fins are connected to the laser bore and extend between the exterior of the laser bore and the interior of the coaxial gas reservoir, arranged so as to allow air to pass over the fins as it travels lengthwise in the annular space between the bore and the gas reservoir. The gas reservoir, which communicates directly with the interior of the bore via one or more tubes, can be supported in position by the fins. The gas reservoir supplies additional makeup gas for the laser bore, as the gas in the bore is slowly consumed over the life of the laser, thereby prolonging the life of the laser without gas recharge. In addition to its storage function, the coaxial annular reservoir also serves to duct cooling air, drawn by a blower, directly over the exterior of the bore and over the cooling fins, greatly improving the cooling efficiency of the laser.

Abstract: A display shelf dividing and labeling assembly includes a plurality of divider strips which extend back to divide the display space on a shelf, connected to a front base member overhanging the front edge of the shelf. The divider strips are slidably received in the front base member to lock them in position. Labels may be inserted into the front base member, which may be retained on the shelf with adhesive pads.

Abstract: A regulating closure for a dispenser of toilet bowl cleaner includes an annular band which snaps onto a cap portion and has generally semicircular openings which can be placed in registry with similar openings in the cap portion, or which can be adjusted to cover all or part of the cap openings by rotation of the annular band. The band, which is snapped into place on the cap portion, is retained thereon by a series of nipples protruding inwardly from the interior side of the annular band, engaged beneath a pronounced annular ridge on the exterior of the cap portion.

Abstract: A wafer transfer mechanism used for transferring wafers between cassettes and a boat uses sensors to detect and to measure any offset of the actual center of each wafer being transferred with respect to the expected or precalibrated center of that wafer. An appropriate adjustment is made to effectively eliminate such offset so that each wafer can be transferred throughout the system without any edge contact between a wafer and the boat or the cassette. The system also includes a boat exchange unit having a rotatable turntable which is used in association with two boats. The boat exchange unit permits a continuous mode operation in which one boat can be undergoing a loading or unloading of wafers at one station on the turntable while another boat is at or is moving to or from a heating chamber loading or unloading station on the turntable.

Abstract: A hand worn laser bar code reader scanner device is of compact design and adapted to be worn comfortably on the back of the hand of the user. A switch associated with the laser is attached to a hand strap such that the bar code reader is switched on and off by deliberate flexure of muscles in the user's hand. This enables the user to point his hand in a natural manner toward the bar code subject matter to be read, and, through the automatic switch, frees the fingers of his hand for use on other operations without removal of the laser device from the hand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the simultaneous transmission of analog speech and modulated data, such apparatus and method being optimized for use over impaired and bandwidth restricted analog channels, or digital representations of such channels. In each instance of use, an evaluation is made of the available channel bandwidth, with a frequency division multiplex scheme allocating a voice sub-band, with data transmission allocated to sub-bands above, below, or around, this selected voice sub-band. The speech and data sub-band allocations are made by the multiplexor in response to user input of either a requested speech quality, a requested data rate, or a value indicating the relative user weighting of speech quality and data rate.

Abstract: A pulse compressor compresses a relatively long width optical pulse (of the kind which may be transform limited) to a short width pulse. The compressor includes a color generator which broadens the bandwidth of the long pulse to include any additional colors required for compression to the short pulse. The compressor also includes a grating which has a groove spacing and which is aligned with the output of the color generator at a grazing incidence angle effective for producing a compact grating structure, reduced ellipticity of the beam output from the compressor and high efficiency of light transmission through the device.

Abstract: A tent and folding tent framework which enable quick and easy setup and taking down of the tent include a central hub member about which six ribs are pivotable. The hub member or fixed disk is made of plastic material and includes openings which enable the ribs to be easily assembled into the hub. Each rib includes two joints which pivot through 180 degrees. The joints are biased by springs toward the open position and include locking sleeves which are biased toward the locking position. The six ribs are loosely attached to the tent fabric via fabric loops, so that the entire framework is on the outside of the tent. A single user can easily open and set up the tent, or take down and store the tent, without assembling components and assistance.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for a gas laser has primary circuitry and secondary circuitry supplied by the primary circuitry. A transformer is positioned between the primary circuitry and a secondary circuitry. Within the secondary circuitry is a spark gap and associated circuitry for creating a voltage buildup to achieve a high ionization voltage required for the laser and for releasing the high ionization voltage in pulses for starting the laser. The circuit further includes laser operating supply circuitry associated with the secondary circuitry and the primary circuitry for supplying the laser at a normal operating voltage much lower than the ionization voltage after the laser has started.

Abstract: A baseplate for a carpet seaming iron of the kind used for making a face seam with hot melt adhesive tape has the underside of the base plate formed with a forward, flat surface and a rearward, ribbed surface. The underside also has a longitudinally extending center groove shaped to form a raised bead of molten adhesive at the outlet end of the iron for coating the side edges of the carpet backings with hot melt adhesive. The forward, flat surface provides maximum contact for heating of the hot melt adhesive; and the rearward, ribbed surface meters the molten adhesive evenly over the full width of the tape. The forward ends of the ribs are longitudinally offset so as to form a V shape which helps to funnel molten adhesive both into the channels between the ribs and into the center groove at the apex of the V as the iron is moved along the tape.

Abstract: A beam scanner system particularly for use with laser scanners employs the back EMF signal from a scanner driving motor for a tachometer signal indicating motor speed. The tachometer signal goes into a phase lock loop for causing the motor at startup to quickly obtain operating speed, and for controlling speed while the motor is in operation. Using the phase lock loop, a clock signal is compared to the tachometer signal from the motor, and power to the motor is increased or decreased whenever and so long as the tachometer signal is not equal to the desired speed. The system therefore provides a very quickly starting scanner, as for use in hand held bar code scanners, without requiring the scanner to be kept energized on standby power when the laser is not active.

Abstract: A gas laser construction includes a second anode in the vicinity of the cathode, so that current can be directed through the second anode when the laser is at low current levels, thereby assuring an adequate supply of electrons around the cathode to avoid flicker in the laser output. Current flow can be controlled between the main anode at the anode end and this second anode, so that the second anode is used only when and to the extent needed. In this way, the power output of the gas laser is more dependably controlled by controlling the current level, even at low current levels, without output flicker which would ordinarily occur.

Abstract: A laser scanner having a rotating mirror, such as a POS scanner as used in supermarkets, uses a closed-loop velocity controlled DC brushless motor for rotating the mirror. In addition to providing a hall effect motor speed signal which is used for monitoring and safety features in association with the scanner, the DC brushless motor provides the advantages of greatly reduced power consumption, decreased temperature rise, less electrical noise in the analog scanner circuitry, reduced cost, and greatly reduced size, sometimes over 80%. The use of the inherent motor speed signal from the DC brushless motor also enables elimination of costly mechanical windswitches as typically used in prior scanners.

Abstract: A power control system for controlling the power output of a modulated laser diode receives current pulses of a signal to be evaluated and establishes a DC voltage which represents the peak value of the light pulses out of the laser diode. An integrator feedback loop compares the desired power with the established DC voltage representing the peak value and causes the laser diode to make light pulses at the correct value. The control system includes a sample and hold which is constructed to act in association with the integrator feedback loop to perform at a rate in all substantial respects as if the modulated, chopped light output of the laser diode were continuously on and to produce in a symmetric manner effective control in real time both for an increase and for a decrease in the signal to be evaluated.

Abstract: A communications system interconnects local Area Networks (LAN's) across broadcast simplex channels. The LAN's are connected independently and transparently of protocols above the data link layer so that the system appears to the user at a station in one Local Area Network as one large single network. A bridge interconnects the LAN's across simplex channels. The bridge is constructed to permit more than two local area networks to be interconnected across simplex channels to the bridge and to provide communication between stations.

Abstract: A wafer processing spin station includes a movable jaw chuck which is adjustable in position at the clamping position to accommodate offset of the center of the wafer with respect to the axis of rotation. A balancing apparatus and method are used with the movable jaw chuck to maintain the gripping force exerted on the wafer by the movable jaw chuck substantially unaffected by the centrifugal forces developed by the movable jaw chuck at all speeds of rotation produced during the spinning operation and within the range of the clamping positions of the movable jaw chuck.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the simultaneous application of a multiplicity of liquid samples to an object stage (2), more especially of sera to an object stage overgrown with cell cultures. In this connection, according to the invention the liquid samples are pressed with the aid of a multipipette (3) through a funnel plate (4), which rests immovably on the object stage (2) and which has a multiplicity of funnel-shaped containers (5) disposed side by side in a plane. The funnel plate (4) is then preferably left on the object stage (2) overgrown with cell cultures, until such time as incubation of the applied serum has taken place. By means of the process according to the invention, running of the sera is avoided and handling in a simple and reliable manner for the purposes of the laboratory investigation is guaranteed.

Abstract: An optical scanner apparatus particularly suited for use in a laser bar code reader includes a series of mirrors mounted in a basket-like array about the optical beam axis. A mirror is mounted obliquely across the beam axis, directly on the path of the beam, to fold the beam generally radially outwardly toward the array of mirrors. In one embodiment of the invention the oblique first mirror is rotated about the beam axis, while in another embodiment the oblique first mirror is held stationary and the array of mirrors is rotated, to reflect the beam forwardly, generally in the direction the beam axis is pointing. If the oblique first mirror rotates, a plurality of scan lines, including non-parallel scan lines, are formed on a surface to be scanned; if the array of mirrors is rotated instead of the single mirror, a series of parallel scan lines will be produced. The mirrors can be oriented at desired angles to produce virtually any desired scan pattern.