Abstract: A collapsible container has a substantially rectangular base and four substantially trapezoidal walls. The short parallel sides of the trapezoidal walls are foldably joined to a perimeter of the base and the non-parallel sides are foldably joined end-to-end. The lengthwise walls are foldably divided into three segments along lines extending from approximately a corner of the base at approximately a 45 degree angle toward approximately a center of their long parallel sides. The long parallel sides of the walls form an open mouth of the container larger than the base when the container is in an expanded condition. The base, the widthwise walls and the segments of the lengthwise walls are substantially parallel when the container is in a collapsed condition.

Abstract: An emergency telecommunication system for the hearing or speech impaired includes an interface electrically connecting the emergency system to a telephone communication system, a programmable gate array, a keyboard connected to the programmable gate array, a register connected to the programmable gate array for storing at least one telephone number of the telephone communication system, and a graphic display device connected to the programmable gate array and to the register. The system also includes devices for receiving and transmitting signals in ASCII format, Baudot format, and DTMF signals, and for receiving and transmitting normal voice communications simultaneously with one of the ASCII and Baudot format and DTMF signals. Switches selectively connect each of the receiving and transmitting devices in independent receiving and transmitting modes between the interface and the programmable gate array.

Abstract: A method for rebuilding a bearing system for automotive alternators, including: removing the old bearing from the alternator shaft; pressing a cylindrical bearing journal or spacer onto the shaft; obtaining a bearing sleeve; inserting the bearing sleeve into the support hole of the alternator housing; inserting a draw cup needle bearing having a larger diameter than the old bearing into the bearing sleeve, and; inserting the bearing journal into the draw cup needle bearing.

Abstract: An artificial bait is provided for use with a typical fishing hook or jig in which the hook or jig has an average density greater than the average density of water while the artificial bait has an average density less than the average density of water so that the hook tends to sink and the bait tends to float. The volume of the bait is proportioned to the volume of the hook so that their average density taken together slightly exceeds the average density of the water so that the hook and the bait together sink relatively slowly in the water. The bait is shaped to simulate a natural bait and is slidably engaged on the hook in a fashion similar to that in which a natural bait would be secured to the hook. As the hook and bait slowly sink, free portions of the bait extend upwardly toward the water surface and continue to respond to water currents and motion to maintain the tantalizing quality of the bait.

Abstract: A fishing rod case formed from an elongated, cylindrical tube with opposed open ends is divided into longitudinal segments, by a continuous hinge and a cut offset therefrom. The cut has a tongue and a groove extending fully along opposing edges thereof for mating when the tube is closed about the hinge. Straps mounted on an exterior surface of the tube hold the tube in this closed condition. When so mated, the tongue and groove cannot disengage even if pressure is placed on the tube surface. Resiliently compressible retainers are arranged in spaced apart opposing pairs within the tube. Each of the retainers is contoured to fit snugly in its respective tube segment. An upper portion of the retainer extends beyond the diametric dividing plane. Each retainer has several slits therein longitudinally aligned with the tube and with corresponding ones of the slits in corresponding ones of the pairs of segments.

Abstract: A hybrid eccentric wedge anchor includes a cylindrical anchor body, an eccentric wedge unit, and cylindrical leading end. The eccentric wedge unit includes a tapered body, a shoulder between the tapered body and the anchor body, and a crescent shaped clip rotatably positioned around the tapered body. The longitudinal axis of the tapered body is different from the longitudinal axis of the anchor body. The shoulder varies in width around the circumference of the anchor body. As the crescent shaped clip rotates around the tapered body, its outer circumference varies from being flush with the outer circumference of the cylindrical anchor body to extending beyond the outer circumference of the cylindrical anchor body.The hybrid eccentric wedge anchor can be configured in many useful anchor forms having the eccentric wedge unit. Examples include, but are not limited to, expansion bolt or drop-in configurations.

Abstract: An automatic charge or recharge refrigerant transfer system, increases the percentage of refrigerant transferred from a container to the air conditioning unit to be charged. The suction line of the compressor of the air conditioning unit is connected to the discharge of the transfer unit and the discharge of the recovery system is connected to the intake of the transfer unit. The intake of the recovery system is connected to the refrigerant source. The transfer system has an automatic flow path, a manual flow path and a return flow path. The automatic flow path automatically controls the flow of refrigerant from the source through the recovery system to the air conditioning unit at a predetermined maximum pressure level. The parallel manual flow path permits use of a hand valve to control the flow of refrigerant from the source through the recovery system to the air conditioning unit.

Abstract: A circuit automatically adjusts in response to an input audio signal to provide a dc control signal having the release characteristics of the input audio signal. The circuit has an input reference node for receiving a reference signal which is a function of the input signal, an output reference node for providing the dc control signal and an intermediate reference node between the input and output reference nodes. One or more diodes connected between the input and intermediate nodes permit forward conduction from the input node to the intermediate node. Components of a first signal path connected between the intermediate and output nodes provide a slow release time when the reference signal has a slow decay envelope.

Abstract: A device for use with a machine, such as a vending machine, automatic teller machine, change machine, cash register, game machine, personal or business machine or the like, having a cabinet containing machine electrical circuits and a door and at least one possible point of entry through the cabinet and door by foreign substances into contact with the machine electrical circuits to cause their operation in violation of machine protocol, minimizes the damage caused by such protocol violations. The device interrupts the AC power to the machine electrical circuits in response to sensors disposed as close to the points of entry as possible. Thus, all machine circuits are shut down before damage can occur. At least one sensor proximate each of the points of entry detect the penetration of the foreign substances and initiate generation of an electrical control signal for operating the interrupt to disconnect the machine circuits from the AC power source.

Abstract: In a front mounted lift for watercraft, the torque exerted by the lift on the dock is limited by a combination of a first buoyant force, being air trapped within the lift tanks, and a second buoyant force, being flotation devices connected to the rear of the lift. In a preferred embodiment, the primary buoyant force is achieved by the extension of an air supply and exhaust hose into each tank compartment to a level below the uppermost level of the tank chamber. When the water level in each tank compartment covers the hose opening, the air trapped in the tank provides a buoyant force to counter most of the submerged lift weight. The depth of the hose is selected so that the weight of the lift slightly exceeds the primary/buoyant force. This permits the lift to sink but significantly minimizes the torque exerted on the connection of the lift to the dock. The secondary buoyant force preferably consists of a pair of buoyant guides which prevent the rear of the lift from sinking to an undesirable depth.

Abstract: A bow sight mount includes a mounting plate, a sliding bar and a lock. The bar is adapted at one of its ends to be fixed to the bow sight and the plate is adapted to be permanently fastened to the lock. At least one threaded aperture extends transversely through the bar. The plate, which has a channel extending through its length contoured to snugly, reciprocally, slidably receive the bar, has a smooth locking aperture of diameter less than the threaded aperture in the bar and positioned so as to be alignable with the threaded aperture as the bar slides in the channel. A frusto-conical sink extends into and is aligned with the locking aperture. The lock includes a knob with a threaded shaft rotationally engagable in the threaded aperture. The end of the shaft has a frusto-conical taper to complement the frusto-conical sink in the plate and a cylindrical tip snugly insertable into the locking aperture.

Abstract: A pipelayer machine including a tractor with rubber mounted tracks and a boom supported by the tractor for lifting and lowering the pipe to be laid. The boom is pivoted on one side of the tractor, and the boom line winch is supported on the other side. The boom line crosses in front of the windshield of the tractor and there are specially designed boom line cable fairleads at each front corner of the cab to prevent damage to the windshield and to the driver within the cab.

Abstract: A noise reduction system compresses an input signal at a constant ratio in response to a control signal derived from the compressed signal. Added to the derived control signal is a counterfeit control signal which causes the compressor to mistrack when the compressed signal falls below a preselected threshold level. Thus, low level compressor output signals are increasingly deemphasized. A constant counterfeit control signal produces a logarithmic decrease in compressor output signal levels below the threshold point. The resulting compressed signal is used to enhance system noise reduction. The input signal is fed to a filter having a variable bandwidth controlled by a signal derived from the compressed signal and responsive to compressed signal frequency and amplitude so that the filter is desensitized to input signal amplitude changes. A multistage filter control signal arrangement may be employed to provide variable cutoffs in more than one bandwidth.

Abstract: A system for the high gain amplification of musical audio signals uses a control signal derived from the audio signal to automatically vary the current in the gain control circuit of the amplifier in response to audio signal level changes. A distortion circuit in the feedback path of the amplifier provides controlled distortion. The system may also provide for a variable control signal threshold level and for variation in control signal decay characteristics. The system may further provide a user variable maximum gain control.

Abstract: DC signals for controlling variably controlled filters for input audio frequency signals are derived by filtering the input signal to reduce its level in response to variations in intensity and frequency and then logarithmically compressing the filtered signal. An absolute value signal proportionately corresponding to the compressed signal is then derived and combined with an externally generated reference signal of variably selectable level. The combined signal is then converted to a dc variable filter control signal which is blocked when its level falls below the level corresponding to the preselected reference signal level.

Abstract: A flat frequency response compansion noise reduction system employs both input signal and control signal preemphasis and deemphasis in its encoder and decoder networks respectively. The linear range of the frequency response curve of the input signal deemphasis is selected to approximate the frequency range within the audio spectrum at which the human ear is most sensitive, typically having a high frequency end of 3.617 kHz. The frequency response curve of the input signal preemphasis is a mirror image of the frequency response curve of the input signal deemphasis. The linear range of the frequency response curve of the control signal preemphasis is selected to provide an encoder output signal having a substantially flat response. The frequency response curve of the control signal deemphasis is a mirror image of the frequency response curve of the control signal preemphasis. The amount of preemphasis is maximized to the limits of the recording medium, typically ranging from 0 db to 20 db.