Abstract: A tool adapted to be manipulated single-handed for providing a direct reading of the size of small objects, particularly nuts and bolt heads. The tool includes a pair of tongs which are activated by a thumb slide. The latter is disposed in a slot formed in a planar surface of the tool. Scales, such as SAE and metric, are placed on opposite sides of the slot in operative side-by-side relation. The thumb slide includes a pair of index projections on opposite sides thereof which overlie the scales. Movement of the thumb slide to the point of contact of the extremities of the tongs with the object to be measured, provides a direct reading of the size of the object via the projections and scale markings. The tool includes a lubrication chamber and applicator for use in lubricating couplings and fasteners.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a portable bench which finds particular application in the automotive field. The bench is comprised of a main body for supporting a pair of opposed drawers in sliding relationship to one another. When the drawers are in a closed position, they are concealed within the main body. A support assembly is removably attached to the front of each of the drawers. In use, the bench is oriented at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The drawers are slid outward from the main body to permit the support assemblies to engage the respective opposite fenders of the vehicle. Tools, parts and related materials may be rested upon the main body which can be slid from one extremity of the bench to the other. Items placed in the drawers during use of the bench may be temporarily stored therein when the bench is removed from the vehicle and the drawers closed.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a shielding assembly which finds particular application in the suppression of electromagnetic emissions from the face of a CRT mounted in a metal chassis. The assembly effects an emissions seal with two electrical terminations. A filter window with two contiguous but non-coextensive glass plates which provide a ledge around the window periphery is provided. An O-ring disposed on said ledge and wrapped with a sleeve of the fine metallic mesh laminated between the glass plates is compressed against a metallic bezel for a first termination. An EMI/RFI shielding gasket assembly is interposed between the bezel and the chassis to provide a second termination.

Abstract: A power supply circuit including A.C. input of either 110 volts or 220 volts coupled to a full diode bridge, across the output of which are provided series connected capacitors across which the desired system operating voltage appears. A voltage-controlled current generator for driving a diac and triac is connected between the input supply and the bridge capacitors. At 110 volt input, the current generator closes the triac and the circuitry operates as a voltage doubler to provide the desired system voltage. At 220 volt input, the triac remains open, and the full bridge and capacitors provide the same desired system voltage.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an assembly which has particular application in the testing of printed circuit boards. More specifically, the assembly is comprised of an apertured holding plate which is registered with the board under test, and a probe subassembly. The latter includes a body member having a spring-actuated plunger type probe and a hook-like member. In operation, the body member is advanced toward the plate and the probe and hook-like member enter respective plate apertures. As electrical contact is made by the probe with a desired test location on the board, the hook-like member locks the body onto the plate. The body member is so formed that subsequent pressure applied thereto will release it from its locked condition.

Abstract: A disk drive having a slot for receiving a disk and a knob for causing a leading head to engage the disk in which the knob includes means for holding the disk securely inserted in the disk drive.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a connector system for making electrical connections between connectors disposed at opposite extremities of a logic board to conductors in a respective pair of parallel, spaced-apart backplanes. Movable pin headers containing respective pluralities of pins are disposed on the outer surfaces of the backplanes. The pin headers are capable of assuming either a retracted or an extended position. In the former, the pins offer no interference to the insertion or removal of the logic board between the backplanes. In the latter, the pins traverse both feed-through holes in the backplanes and feed-through socket affixed to the opposed interior surfaces of the respective backplanes to electrically engage the connectors of the logic board, thereby completing circuit paths between the respective backplanes and the logic board.

Abstract: A circuit for monitoring the status of electrical signals, such as those present on the control and data lines of an RS-232 interface, includes a single operational amplifier and a dual-color LED indicator. The electrical characteristics of the LED's form a significant part of the circuit parameters. The monitor design provides a predetermined circuit input impedance and positive/negative switching thresholds to effect the selective illumination of the LED's.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an elongated, articulated gasket assembly which finds particular application in the EMI/RFI shielding of the gaps between adjacent panels of a metal cabinet, such as that used in a mainframe computer. The gasket assembly is characterized by its double-action capability, that is, it may be wiped in either direction under a compressive force, without sustaining any damage. Likewise, the gasket assembly exhibits excellent durability during the routine handling of the panels. Finally, since installation of the present gasket assembly does not restrict movement of the panels, a desired panel may be removed during service procedures without affecting any other panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a mechanism for positioning a pair of members in slip-free, adjustable, angular relationships. In accomplishing the foregoing, an assembly is provided which comprises a sphere and a pair of pivotally mounted jaw-like sections for engaging the latter. The inner surfaces of the sections have substantially the same radius of curvature as the sphere surface. Additionally, the sphere surface and the inner surfaces of the jaw-like sections are configured in respective interlocking patterns. Manipulation of the jaw-like sections allows the members to be placed in the desired angular position with respect to each other--which position is maintained by virtue of the aforementioned interlocking nature of the contiguous surfaces.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a tool having a pliers-like configuration for separating the wires of a twisted pair. The tool employs a pair of rotatable, tubular jaws for effecting the separation of the wires as the twisted pair is drawn therethrough. More than one pair of twisted wires may be separated simultaneously if desired. The rotating action of the tubular jaws minimizes operator fatigue, eliminates stretch damage to the wire insulation and reduces wear of the jaw surfaces, which are preferably formed of a resilient material.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an air sampling system which is particularly effective in detecting minute quantities of smoke caused by electrical short circuits in equipment housed in an air cooled cabinet. More, specifically, the system is useful where large number of rack-mounted printed circuit cards are employed. The system employs air sampling cylinders mounted in proximity to the cards, and through the establishment of a pressure differential, causes an air sample to be drawn into the tubes and through a detector box which includes a smoke detection unit. The presence of smoke is conveyed to a control box which responds by removing electrical power to the cards, thereby averting further damage to the cards or surrounding structures.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a dry air breather assembly adapted to be readily mountable over the breather ports of devices which are intolerant of intake air having high relative humidities in excess of a predetermined level. Such devices include the Winchester Hard Disk Unit in which the deposition of excess moisture on the read/write heads and magnetic disk media is particularly detrimental. The present assembly includes a unique elongated, low-profile enclosure for the efficient and effective use of a desiccant having a high moisture removal capability at relative humidities above the predetermined level, and low moisture removal capability, below the level.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a tool for correcting an otherwise rejectable pigtail in the last turn of a wrapped wire connection--the latter turn being oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the wrapping post but being displaced therefrom by a distance in excess of that permitted by quality control standards. The present tool is adapted to be inserted over the post and includes a cylindrical finger-like projection. Rotation of the tool by an operator causes the projection to engage the pigtail and to wipe it down toward the surface of the wiring post, thereby bringing it within acceptable tolerances.

Abstract: A printer system is configured as a kit for retrofitting the input consoles of existing letter sorting machines of the type used by the U.S. Postal Service. Such machines require that an operator, stationed at a console, enter sorting information for each mail piece, by way of a manually actuated keyboard. The present invention expands the processing capabilities of the machines by imprinting machine-readable, coded information on the respective faces of the mail pieces simultaneously with the sorting thereof. At the same time, the printing function does not impair or modify the usual operator-controlled console when mail is processed which does not require such coding.

Abstract: The present invention describes a tester for determining the value of unknown delay lines in the nanosecond and subnanosecond range. The unknown delay line is introduced into the circuit loop of a free-running square wave oscillator previously calibrated to a predetermined frequency. A change in oscillator frequency occurs which is a measure of the value of the delay introduced into the loop by the unknown line. Such delay may be calculated as a function of the calibration and delay line-measured frequencies. The present tester provides measurements with increased accuracy and rapidity over previous measuring techniques.

Abstract: A single-ended transformer drive circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding and a switching transistor connected to the primary winding of the transformer and adapted to turn on and drive the transformer in the forward direction along its hysteresis curve, whereby an output voltage is generated in the secondary circuit of the transformer. An auxiliary transistor circuit is coupled to the transformer for driving it in the reverse direction along its hysteresis curve when the switching transistor turns off, whereby the transformer is reset and prepared for the next cycle of operation when the switching transistor turns on again.