Abstract: A machine and process for making an ultraviolet cured block for an ophthalmic lens are provided in which a lens is placed at an input port to the machine by an operator. Data related to the lens is fed to or stored in the machine from either a keyboard or a data base. The lens is then collected from the input port for processing and transported, preferably by means of pneumatics, to a block molding point within the confines of the machine. A special adhesive is administered to the surface of a mold unit and the mold unit is then positioned to receive the lens. Pressure is applied to squeeze the lens against the adhesive and the mold. After molding the adhesive onto the lens, the lens and mold are transported via servo slide to a UV station where curing takes place from above the lens. After preliminary curing, the lens and mold unit are taken to a removal station and the lens, together with the adhesive cured to its front surface, is removed from the mold unit, again preferably by means of pneumatics.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an infant-bearing device includes a microprocessor responsive to a resident program. A first circuit connected to the microprocessor and to a sensor automatically activates operation of the microprocessor to a "monitor" mode upon detection of the infant's presence, maintains operation of the microprocessor for a predetermined time period at least equal to a running time of the program and terminates operation of the microprocessor at the expiration of the predetermined time period if termination of the patient's presence occurs prior to expiration of the predetermined time period. A second circuit operates the system in response to signals received from a remote control device to deactivate the system from the "monitor" mode. The microprocessor is further responsive to the first circuit to activate the system to the "monitor" mode after deactivation if the sensor subsequently detects termination and resumption of the infant's presence on the device.

Abstract: An expandable multi-dimensional sound system has two modes of operation. Prior to the detection of a 20 kHz tone, the system is configured such that input audio panned hard to the left or right will result in the center and surround channels steering down so that the signal is only passed through the left front and right front channels, respectively. Mono information is fed only through the center channel, as the left and right front channels cancel any center channel or mono information. Material panned hard to the surround position steers down the front left and right channels and is only fed to the rear surround channels. No information is fed to the front center channel due to the fact that the signal contains only difference information. Directional steering to the rear channels is still provided in the absence of any hard broadband left or right panning. Upon the detection of a 20 kHz tone, the system is re-configured such that the left and right front channels and the center channel become disabled.

Abstract: A system connectible to an electrical power source for monitoring a short term care device having a sensor thereon for detecting the presence of a patient on the device includes a microprocessor and a plurality of circuits connected to the microprocessor. A first circuit connected to the microprocessor and to the sensor automatically initiates operation of the microprocessor upon detection by the sensor of the patient's presence on the device. A second circuit connected to the microprocessor provides an alarm upon demand by the microprocessor. A third circuit connected to the microprocessor is adapted to be interfaced with a nurse call station for generating signals to the station upon demand by the microprocessor. A fourth circuit connected to the microprocessor programs the system in response to commands manually applied to the fourth circuit.

Abstract: A machine for pressing earth into blocks has a rectangular breech and a press foot vertically reciprocally drivable in the breech. A bucking block is horizontally reciprocally drivable into and out of registration with an open upper end of the breech. Portions of the upper surface of the bucking block are tapered upwardly from front to rear and a horizontal bucking bar extends across the breech and bears downwardly against the tapered upper portions of the bucking block when the bucking block is in registration with the breech. The bucking bar can be supported at selectively variable levels above the breech and assures a firm positioning of the block against the force of the earth being compacted by the press foot. A rod extending vertically from and movable with the press foot cooperates with a sight line device fixed to the machine to facilitate visual determination of the elevation of the press foot within the breech.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive switch has upper, middle and lower laminar elongated members, the middle member having an opening therethrough defining a cavity between the upper and lower members. A first array of substantially parallel, spaced-apart electrically conductive bands is fixed to a lower surface of the upper member and traverses the cavity. A second array of substantially parallel, spaced-apart electrically conductive bands is fixed to an upper surface of the lower member and traverses the cavity and the upper member bands, selected lower member bands being discretely connected to an electrical input lead and other lower member bands being discretely connected to an electrical output lead.

Abstract: In a linear feedback servo control system, the motion profile for each axis is pre-filtered before it is introduced to the servo loop for that axis. The motion profile is pre-filtered by a filter having an inverse amplitude response to the amplitude response of the servo loop. Therefore, the composite amplitude response of the filter/servo loop combination is approximately ideal for all relevant frequencies. The pre-filtering is done using constant delay filters, whether high pass, low pass or hybrid, that exhibit a phase lag corresponding to a time delay that is essentially constant at all relevant frequencies. Each axis of synchronized motion is pre-filtered with constant delay filters having the same time delay constant, but selected so that the motion of each axis provides sufficient accuracy within the intended bandwidth of that particular axis. Consequently, while phase lag is not zero, there is essentially constant delay for all axes at all relevant frequencies.

Abstract: A locking assembly secures sliding windows disposed in a common track in the closed condition. One substantially inelastic strap is permanently fixed at at one end to one sliding window and has one component of a coupling device connected at its other end. Another substantially inelastic strap is permanently fixed at one end to the other sliding window and has another component of the coupling device connected at its other end. The components of the coupling device are selectively matable and separable for respectively connecting and disconnecting the straps. The straps have a combined length such that, when the windows are in the closed condition and the coupling components are mated, the straps are tautly extended between the windows.

Abstract: A latching device secures a pallet against vertical motion relative to a truck chassis. A C-shaped bracket has its web secured to the chassis in a vertical plane transverse to the direction of motion of the tines of the fork truck used to load the pallet on the chassis. A shaft journalled through the sides of the bracket rotates axially about a horizontal axis parallel to the web. A radial arm is fixed to an extension of the shaft. A latch extending perpendicularly from the arm reciprocally angularly moves into and out of overlying abutment with a segment of the pallet being loaded onto the truck chassis. A radial paddle fixed to the shaft rotates with the shaft in response to the physical presence of one of the fork lift tines when the pallet is loaded onto the truck chassis. A pair of torsion springs are wound about the shaft, one on each side of the paddle and between the bracket sides.

Abstract: A method of speed optimization of a spindle component of a machine having multiple synchronized components moving along multiple axes over a motion profile.

Abstract: An enclosure is provided for mounting a bed monitoring docking module on a bed frame structure. The enclosure has an elongated sleeve-like housing with an interior cross-section substantially complimentary to the outer cross-section of the docking module. The docking module is slidably insertable into and removable from a supported position within the sleeve-like housing through an open forward end of the housing. A connector housing mounted within a back end of the sleeve-like housing contains enclosure power, control and sensor connectors which are matable with respective externally accessible docking module and sensor mat connectors.

Abstract: A support for a plant has a rod with at least two spaced apart brackets, the uppermost bracket being proximate the upper end of the rod. One or more cages has means thereon adapted to cooperate with the brackets to connect the cage substantially concentrically about the rod. The depth of the uppermost cage from its top to its connecting means is greater than the distance from the uppermost bracket to the upper end of the rod, so that the top of the uppermost portion of the cage extends significantly above the top of the rod.Preferably, each of the cages has a plurality of substantially horizontal loops fixed in spaced-apart relationship by a plurality of substantially vertical legs. The loops of each cage are substantially circular and each sequentially higher loop preferably has a diameter greater than an immediately preceding loop of the cage.

Abstract: An analog tape saturation simulator produces the same results as analog tape saturation in a controllable environment which can be user adjusted to the desirable level of saturation effect. A log-based audio detector receives the audio signal in front of a circuit limiting the maximum range over which a dynamic filter will operate to control the high frequency bandwidth via a voltage-controlled low pass filter which follows a soft-clipping distortion circuit also receiving the audio signal. The simulator provides dynamic changes to the signal based on the level of simulated saturation taking place. The simulator produces the nonlinear, soft clipping characteristics of overdriving analog tape and dynamically reduces the high frequency information in response to the input amplitude of the audio signal.

Abstract: A valve has a first set of passages for simultaneously connecting an inlet of a first chamber hydraulically to a source of fluid under pressure and an outlet of a second chamber hydraulically to a venting tank and a second set of passages for simultaneously connecting an inlet of the second chamber hydraulically to the source of fluid under pressure and an outlet of the first chamber hydraulically to the venting tank. The sets of passages are sequentially repositioned to alternately cyclically connect and interrupt hydraulic communication through them. The first and second sets of passages are so configured in relationship to the inlets and outlets that flow through one set is completely terminated only after flow in the other set is initiated.

Abstract: A machine wraps pipe as it travels along a substantially linear path between a feeder reel from which the pipe is unwound to a take up reel onto which the pipe is rewound. A pipe wrap assembly for wrapping one or more layers of tape about the pipe is rotatably mounted on a carriage. A mechanism mounted on the carriage and engaged with the pipe drives the carriage along the pipe as the pipe travels from reel-to-reel. As the carriage is driven along the pipe, the tape is spirally applied to the pipe by the pipe wrap assembly. The carriage is supported for lateral horizontal movement in response to variation in the unwind and rewind points on the feeder and take-up reels. The carriage is also supported for longitudinal horizontal movement in response to changes in the rate of travel of the pipe relative to the rate of travel of the carriage.

Abstract: A rake for moving an air bubble entrapped between the surface of the water in and the underside of the top of a waterbed mattress to a vent through the top of the mattress is provided consisting of an elongated member and a handle. The elongated member has a lower surface lying in substantially a single plane and spaced apart beginning and end points. A straight line connecting the beginning and end points defines a geometric area for surrounding the bubble. The handle has one end connected to the member and another end extending above the plane defined by the lower surface of the member. The handle is used for manually urging the member downwardly against an upper side of the top of the mattress to trap the bubble within the geometric area. The handle is also used for guiding the geometric area with the bubble trapped therein into communication with the vent so that the air can be released to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A dynamic infeed control is used to segment swarf produced in a lathing operation into short manageable segments. The preferred dynamic method for segmenting the swarf is to add a sine wave motion to the nominal infeed motion. The amplitude of the sine wave is 0.5 times the nominal infeed, although this may vary somewhat due to the properties of the specific material being machined. The frequency of the sine wave is a non-zero integral multiple of the rotational frequency of the lens plus 0.5. Thus the minimum sine wave frequency will be 1.5 times the rotational frequency of the lens and this factor may increase by increments of 1. In equation form, W.sub.SW =(n+0.5).times.W.sub.RL where W.sub.SW is the frequency of the sine wave, W.sub.RL is the rotational frequency of the lens and n is an integer equal to or greater than 1. Thus relative minima and maxima are created during one lens rotation that correspond to the relative maxima and minima on the next lens rotation, respectively.

Abstract: A golf swing trainer employs a solid steel shaft homogeneously weighted throughout its entire length. One end of the shaft is fitted with a standard golf club grip and the other end of the shaft is fitted with a rubber tip to afford some protection for walls, floors and furnishings should the golfer elect to use the device indoors. A golf club head can be used instead of this tip for visual or psychological reasons. The top of the shaft bears a straight line indicia as a club face reference. The homogeneously weighted shaft so closely positions the center of gravity of the training device to the center of gravity of an actual golf club on a correct swing path as to break down incorrect muscle memory and simultaneously develop the muscle memory appropriate to the correct golf swing.

Abstract: In a linear actuator, a cylinder is separated into forward and reverse chambers by a piston. A lead screw is threadedly engaged in the piston and a piston rod connects to the load. A turbine applies torque to the screw to urge the screw toward clockwise or counterclockwise rotation depending on the direction of the piston movement. The tangent of the lead screw helix angle is so substantially equal to the coefficient of friction between the piston and the screw that the torque generated by the turbine does not significantly vary the force exerted on the load and the force on the load does not significantly vary the speed of movement of the load. Variations between the static and dynamic coefficients of friction between the lead screw and the piston can be offset by selection of an appropriate lead angle and friction coefficient in the turbine driven system.

Abstract: A tool for fining/polishing an opthalmic lens has a spindle and a pliant casing containing a conformable filler connected to the spindle for rotation therewith. A pliant pad adhered to the casing has a plurality of slots extending from its perimeter toward its center defining a plurality of fingers which are contoured to the surface of the lens by the filler.Preferably, the lens is rotated about a vertical fixed axis substantially transverse to the lens and the tool is rotated about a fixed axis intersecting the lens and substantially normal to a surface of the lens to be fined/polished with the tool disposed above the lens. The axis of the horizontal displacement of the tool can be selectively varied in relation to the lens axis. The angular disposition of the tool axis in relation to the lens axis can be selectively varied.