Abstract: An improved latch assembly adapted particularly for use in the electronics or communications industry to retain a plug member in electrical engagement with a receptacle and prevent relative movement therebetween in a latching direction. The latch assembly includes a first latch member adapted for limited movement in a direction generally parallel to the latching direction between first and second positions and for limited movement in a direction generally perpendicular to the latching direction between engaged and disengaged positions. The latch assembly further includes a spring member for biasing the first latch member toward an engaged position, a stop member for limiting the movement of the first latch member in a direction opposite the latching direction and a guide member for causing movement of and guiding the first latch member toward its second position during movement of the latch member toward its disengaged position.

Abstract: A dry lettering printing apparatus comprising a printing station, a means for providing a color carrying ribbon and image carrying tape at the printing station, a means for providing a raised character in printing alignment at the printing station, an improved force generating means for exerting a printing force at the printing station and an improved means for advancing the tape and ribbon into printing alignment at the printing station. The improved advancement means includes a cartridge carrier movable reciprocally toward and away from the printing station for advancing the tape into printing alignment.

Abstract: A dam assembly for preventing the build up of thermal insulation around a recessed lighting fixture in the attic space of a building which includes a plurality of fire-proof, pre-cut panels which may be joined together at the site by clips so as to surround the portion of the fixture extending into the attic space and allow free circulation of air thereabouts so that excessive heat build up is avoided. The dimensions of the pre-cut panels are such that joist spacings of 16 and 24 inch on centers can be accommodated.

Abstract: A dynamic new circuit is disclosed which permits an extremely high resolution cathode ray tube display. Utilizing this circuit, horizontal drive operating frequency may be increased by a factor of approximately four and video drive operating frequency may be increased by a factor of approximately ten. Improved circuits for horizontal drive, vertical drive, video drive and associated circuitry are disclosed which cooperate to produce a high frequency display which has unparalleled clarity and resolution.

Abstract: In a paged, virtual memory computer system an apparatus is provided for enabling I/O device adapters to request the CPU to allocate or resolve virtual pages into main storage pages as required for I/O data transfers. The I/O adapter provides the channel virtual address information specifying the requested page and channel function information which indicates whether the requested page is to be transferred from secondary storage into main storage or merely allocated as a page in main storage. The channel forms the virtual address information and the channel function information into a page request function event which is stored in an I/O event stack in main storage for retrieval and processing by the CPU.

Abstract: In a paged, virtual memory computer system, apparatus is provided for enabling I/O adapters to use virtual addresses. After each I/O data transfer, the main memory address involved in the transfer is incremented. This address is maintained in an I/O register associated with the I/O adapter performing the transfer. If a page boundary is crossed in the process of incrementing, the channel forms an I/O event indicating the page crossing and calling for translation of the incremented address. When the I/O adapter involved in the page crossing attempts a further data transfer, the channel disconnects the I/O adapter. The channel holds the I/O adapter disconnected until the page crossing denoted by the I/O event has been resolved by translating the incremented address and providing a new main memory address for continuing the data transfer.

Abstract: A printing cartridge for supplying tape and ribbon in a printing apparatus in which the tape and ribbon is advanced by reciprocal movement of the cartridge carrier toward and away from the printing station. The printing cartridge includes a cartridge housing, a spool of image carrying tape and a spool of printing ribbon, both rotatably supported within the housing, a guide means for guiding the tape and ribbon from the cartridge toward the printing station and a means for creating a braking action with respect to the tape and the ribbon for resisting free movement thereof from said tape cartridge.

Abstract: In a computer system having: an addressable storage for storing instructions, data and input-output (I/O) commands; a central processing unit (CPU) which fetches and executes instructions; and channel means connecting I/O adapters to the storage and the CPU, an apparatus transfers I/O commands to the I/O adapters whereby the I/O command is either accepted immediately or is queued by the I/O adapter. A queued command is taken up by the I/O adapter when no other data transfer operation is pending. To take up a queued command, the I/O adapter initiates a fetch of the pending command by invoking a standard data-transfer-from-storage sequence. The channel means responds to the fetch initiated by the I/O adapter to send the pending command to the I/O adapter.

Abstract: A sheet feeding, registering and printing apparatus has one or more printing units for printing desired characters on a sheet, and means for feeding such a sheet positively to and from a printing position with respect to each printing unit. The feeding means includes a feed band having gripping devices for gripping engagement with each sheet to hold the sheet in a predetermined position on the band, with no longitudinal slippage. The band is driven intermittently in equal incremental movements to and beyond the printing position. The apparatus includes initial sheet supply mechanism for feeding successive sheets to the band, and registration means for sequentially positioning a leading edge of each sheet in accurate registration with the band and for engaging the gripping devices with the sheet before the sheet is moved intermittently to the printing position.

Abstract: The portable, self-unloading fertilizer tender comprises a frame suitable for mounting on a truck or trailer for road and ground travel, a hopper mounted on the frame with a discharge opening at its bottom, a longitudinally extending auger tube in communication with the hopper, an auger mounted in the tube and support means for the tube. The discharge opening of the hopper is spaced longitudinally from at least one end of the frame, and the hopper end wall on that end of the frame slopes downwardly and inwardly toward the discharge opening. The entire auger tube is pivoted at its intake end about a transverse, horizontal axis adjacent the discharge opening of the hopper. The intake end has an opening in registration with the hopper discharge opening. The discharge end of the auger tube can be selectively adjusted in vertical elevation between a lowered, traveling position and at least one elevated, discharge position by support and retention means.

Abstract: An apparatus used in a dairy barn that facilitates access to the dairy animals for milking, which comprises a fixed platform on which the animals stand during milking, a fixed support surface adjacent and lower than the platform, a floor adjacent the platform and above the support surface that is selectively elevatable between a raised position and a lowered position, means for raising and lowering the floor, and means for restraining the animals on the platform so that they may be milked by the operator. The platform has a configuration that, when the floor is in its lowered position, allows the operator to milk the animals while he is standing substantially upright. The animals are able to approach or leave the platform when the floor is in its raised position.

Abstract: A pocket-size, adjustable exerciser used for performing tension exercises, the invention comprising a freestanding, elongated member and adjustable looped end means for gripping the exerciser. The length of the end means is selectively adjustable, depending on the exercise to be performed and on the size of the person using the exerciser.

Abstract: A patching module having an improved switching and monitor feature for use in a patch unit assembly. The monitor feature includes a monitor plug with monitor elements capable of directly monitoring selected leads of the circuit within the module without drawing any power from such circuit. Each module is provided with appropriate connections for an independent power source.

Abstract: A cover assembly for an air conditioning unit of the type which projects outwardly from a chamber wall opening includes a cover member with an imperforate outer end wall, and imperforate top, bottom and side walls, and a cover-supporting flange at its open inner end, in combination with an intermediate adapter frame having inner and outer support surfaces and a central opening dimensioned to surround the air conditioning unit. The inner adapter support surface can be fitted in relatively fixed and sealed engagement against a chamber wall surrounding such a wall opening with the aid of a wall-sealing gasket and first fastening means, while the cover member can be selectively and removably assembled in sealing engagement with the outer support surface of the adapter frame with the aid of a cover-sealing gasket and cooperating manually-operable fastening means on the cover member and adapter frame.

Abstract: A vent and baffle used to provide an air passage between the soffit and the attic of a house to insure the flow of air through the attic. The vent is an elongated arcuate member having outwardly directed flanges adapted to be secured to the roof boards of a structure with suitable fasteners. A first baffle is a block having a semi-circular recess to accommodate and support the one end of the vent against the roof boards. The baffle is located in a tight fit or wedged relationship with the roof boards, adjacent roof rafters, and top plate of the structure to block the passage below the vent between the attic and the soffit and insulate the area above the top plate of the side wall of the structure. A second baffle is used without the vent to block the entire space above the top plate between adjacent roof rafters. The vent and baffles are made from a foamed plastic having flame resistant additives.

Abstract: A self-propelled irrigation apparatus has a main pressurized irrigation liquid distribution pipe with its inner end pivotally supported at a central supply pipe and a plurality of radially extending distribution pipe sections which have swinging connections with each other, a mobile support at the outer end of a section, a liquid reaction spray motor for driving each mobile support, a diaphragm-operated "on-off" motor control valve connecting the motor to the distribution pipe, and a pilot valve selectively connecting a pressure control chamber at one side of the control valve diaphragm with either the pressurized irrigation liquid in the pipe or with a pressure relief opening in response to predetermined relative swinging movement of the pipe sections.

Abstract: An encapsulated Hall effect device is constructed on a thin substrate with an aperture. A semi-conductor chip having a plurality of connection leads and including a Hall effect element having a sensing surface is disposed in registration with the aperture. Encapsulation material surrounds the chip and aperture. The encapsulation material comprises a nonmagnetic portion which surrounds the sensing surface of the chip and a magnetically active portion which surrounds the surface of the chip opposite the sensing surface, with both portions together fully enclosing the chip.

Abstract: An improved animal trap of the snare type includes a snare housing having a connection for the snare end of the snare cable and adapted to slide on the main anchor portion of the snare cable. The self-tightening action of the snare, once an animal is caught in the snare loop, is supplemented by a settable and releasable spring member carried by the snare housing in combination with mechanism for operatively connecting the spring member to the snare cable for quick final tightening of the snare loop in response to release of the spring member. The trap includes a trigger device operatively connected to the spring member for releasing the spring and providing a quick final tightening of the snare loop as it finally closes on an animal. The snare housing may include an injection needle for injecting the animal with a lethal or other fluid.

Abstract: A method of preparing fire retardant cellulosic fiber insulation which includes the steps of reacting borax with a source of hydrogen ions such as sulfuric acid or various other acids or acid salts in an amount sufficient to convert at least about 20% of the borax into boric acid and a sodium salt and then mixing the resulting composition with a cellulosic fiber base.

Abstract: An electrical jack suitable for direct connection to a printed circuit board which has an elongated nonconductive housing with a cylindrical opening for insertion of a plug and at least two wrap-around contact assemblies extending generally transverse to the cylindrical opening. Each contact assembly including a first cantilevered contact member having a free end movable between a first and second position in response to insertion and removal of the plug. Each contact assembly further includes a second cantilevered contact member having a free end adapted for electrical engagement with the free end of the first contact member. The respective contact portions of the free ends of the first and second contact members are disposed at an angle with respect to the direction of movement of the contact portions into and out of electrical engagement with each other to increase the wiping action therebetween.