Abstract: Apparatus for continuously manufacturing surgical sponges from a web of gauze is disclosed. The apparatus cuts the web into discrete pieces, and thereafter folds, irons, stacks and counts the pads as an integrated and automated operation at a high rate of speed.

Abstract: A portable spot welder includes a hand-held electrode clamp assembly. The hand-held clamp has a fixed electrode and a movable electrode adapted to be moved toward and away from the fixed electrode. A spring loaded toggle is used to pivot the movable electrode to clamp a workpiece between the electrodes to exert a predetermined and repeatable pressure. The invention includes an air cooling system. Air is forced through the electrical cables connecting the hand-held electrode clamp to the welder transformer. At the hand-held clamp, the air escapes to the atmosphere through passageways near the electrodes, thereby enabling heat generated within the cables and at the electrodes to be transferred to the flowing air.

Abstract: A compact electrical buzzer is provided with an adjustment cap which is threadably positioned from the end of the bobbin sleeve which contains the buzzer plunger. The cap has a peripheral skirt which frictionally engages the buzzer housing. The mounting bracket is provided with a saddle-shaped rib on the lower mounting surface which, together with a spaced protrusion, provides a three point mounting on the supporting surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a teat cup assembly for use with a silicone liner. The one piece shell for the teat cup assembly has an integral peripheral protecting wall which projects beyond the end of the cylindrical shell wall and forms a recess for receiving the cuff of the liner. The flange protects the end of the inflation from damage caused by impact with the floor or other articles in the milking parlor. No mechanical parts are required to maintain the liner and assembly in the shell.

Abstract: A control system for vertical storage equipment requires only two sensing devices, in combination with a microprocessor controller, for positioning a selected article carrier at a specified work station. One sensor senses a reference mark having a direct speed and position relation with the carriers. The second sensor senses at least one reference mark mounted to a high speed member in the drive mechanism used to move the carriers. By sensing the high speed member, the resolution of the control system is greatly increased, thereby providing the control system with increased accuracy and versatility. A flywheel having a relative inertia greater than the total of the remaining moving parts is preferably employed to negate the influence of carrier loading conditions on control system smoothness and accuracy.

Abstract: A cam lock suitable for use in a wide variety of rope and belt tightening apparatus including boat anchor systems and tree seats and climbing aids including a cam wheel with various spring and bushing arrangements and a lever for remote control.

Abstract: A spring clip is sized to fit in the gap between the rotor and housing of an automobile ventilation duct to secure the louvers in a fixed position. Outturned handles on the spring clip facilitate manipulation.

Abstract: A multiple channel parallel transfer digital disk recorder is used to record digitized circular video images at the video frame rate. The digital pixel values for each image frame are written onto successive pages of a disk buffer memory (DBM) under video frame timing and are read from memory and written on disk under disk timing. When the last page image of the DBM is reached readout is switched back to the first page which is now filled with a frame of image data. Reading image data from disk and writing into successive pages of the DBM is done similarly. Only DBM locations containing pixels representative of actual image data within the circular boundaries of the image are addressed when reading from DBM and writing on disk and when reading from disk and writing onto DBM. Adjacent pixels in the image having predetermined bit lengths are written on disk with their bits in series.

Abstract: A document carrier envelope is particularly useful for protectively transporting checks being returned from an institution on which the check was written to the institution at which the check was deposited. The envelope is of opaque stock, thereby preserving confidentiality of the return check. The envelope is imprinted with coded indicia indicating specific financial data suitable for high speed processing. The envelope front and back panels are joined in facing contact along the margins of three edges, thereby reducing entry of air into the envelope and eliminating fouling the processing machinery. The envelope flap is notched to receive a letter opener, and the flap fold line is perforated, thereby contributing to high speed handling.

Abstract: A scaffold system has self standing towers and brackets that are guided and supported by the towers. The towers include three legged support bases that are collapsible to make the base convenient to store and transport. The brackets includes safety latches that engage the tower in a fail safe manner to stop a bracket that may fall uncontrollably because of other equipment failure. Some of the safety latches may be rendered inoperable as the bracket is raised and lowered under power, but one safety latch remains operable at all times.

Abstract: A body guard is especially useful for protecting the front end of a Corvette automobile. The guard is comprised of an appropriately shaped and padded angle iron that covers the front end. The guard is held in place by a pair of brackets that extend downwardly in front of the grille to an elbow and then upwardly from the elbow to a location on the automobile frame under the automobile body having pre-existing holes for attaching the brackets to the frame. The bracket elbows lie closer to the pavement than designated body parts. Thus, the elbows will contact a parking curb and warn the driver thereof before the designated strike and are damaged by the obstruction.

Abstract: A soft-serve freezer operates in a first mode, with both the auger and compressor operating, and a second energy saving mode in which only the refrigeration compressor operates. The control circuit monitors the power level to the auger to control the consistency of the mix. When the mix achieves a selected consistency, the auger discontinues its mixing function. Signal lights are provided to indicate when it is necessary to actuate the auger to obtain the desired consistency prior to dispensing the product and indicate that the mix has achieved the desired consistency.