Abstract: A windsurfer mast base collar which has a a collar supporting a pair of spring loaded detents that are self-releasing upon application of modest upward manual forces and self-engaging upon application of downward mast securing forces upon an upper load bearing surface of the collar. The relative positions of the force bearing elements of the collar and the mast base to which it is attached results in the detents being subjected primarily to compressive loads.

Abstract: A vascular catheter apparatus for penetration through tissue and for cardiac stimulation, and a methods thereof, are disclosed. The apparatus includes a tubular member having a lumen, and a blunt-end stylet within the lumen. An actuation mechanism causes axial movement of the stylet relative to the catheter tube such that the blunt end of the stylet separate tissue for passage of the catheter through the bored tissue. The stylet itself, or an additional stylet, includes a proximal electrode adapted to be oriented in a cardiac chamber and a distal electrode adapted to be oriented adjacent to the epicardium of the heart to cause cardiac stimulation.

Abstract: Device for detecting and identifying call progress tones on telephone lines. The application discloses a device for converting auditory call progress tones to visual indications and a novel circuit for identifying and distinguishing call progress tones based on their on-off cadence, if any, along with various alternative embodiments including: (1) a device which converts call progress tones to visual indications as for use by the deaf, (2) a device which is programmed to automatically go off-hook at certain times, detect a tone such as a stuttered dial tone indicating a message waiting, and activate a visual indicator, and (3) the use of a capacitor or rechargeable battery which is periodically refreshed by the device automatically going off-hook and which, while the device is on-hook, provides power required by the device.

Abstract: A down remaining apparatus has an upper stabilizer which supports the down reaming apparatus in the bored hole. A plurality of wheel assemblies are radially attached to the hub of the upper stabilizer. Each of the wheel assemblies has rotatable tires oriented against the bored hole wall, and a rotatable overload wheel which contacts the tunnel wall upon compression of the tires. A weight assembly comprising a plurality of stacked plates is secured to the frame of the down reaming apparatus and has manways therethrough which allow passage of workers. A lower stabilizer provides additional support for the down reaming apparatus. A plurality of wheel assemblies are radially attached to the hub of the lower stabilizer. Each of the wheel assemblies has a rotatable wheel pivotally attached to the lower stabilizer hub and spaced therefrom by a compressible bumper which reacts against the bored hole wall to stabilize the down reaming apparatus.

Abstract: A reciprocating floor construction having a plurality of base sections, each of the base sections having a bottom with an interior, a central rib on the bottom interior, and a pair of sides substantially perpendicular to the bottom. Bearings are located on the central rib and on the sides of each of the base sections. The reciprocating floor construction also includes a plurality of slats, with two of the slats located on each of the base sections. Each of the slats has a load bearing portion with an interior and pair of bearing guide channels on the interior. One of the bearing guide channels of each slat contains the bearing on the base section central rib and the other bearing guide channel of the slat contains the bearing on one of the sides of the base section.

Abstract: A liquid spillage control apparatus is disclosed having a liquid holding chamber divided by a partition into a liquid transfer portion and a liquid retaining portion. A liquid spill transfer pipe connects the fuel holding chamber with a liquid tank. Overflow liquid passe through the liquid spill transfer pipe and the liquid transfer portion, over the partition and into the liquid retaining portion of the liquid holding chamber. An opening in the liquid holding chamber is connected by a line to an opening in a liquid fill nozzle. Liquid in the liquid holding chamber of a predetermined amount passes from the liquid holding chamber, through the line, and into the liquid fill nozzle to actuate the liquid sensor of the automatic liquid shut-off mechanism of the nozzle in order to terminate liquid flow from the nozzle into the liquid tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling weft inserting enables the calculation of accurate pressures suitable to an actual weft and weft inserting device. One or more definite weaving conditions determined by one or more manufacturer's textile and weaving machine specifications and one or more indefinite weaving conditions determined by human senses are inputted to a fuzzy inference circuit in which the pressure value of fluid supplied to a weft inserting nozzle is calculated by fuzzy inference on the basis of the definite and indefinite weaving conditions thus inputted. The weft inserting pressure of the fluid delivered to the weft inserting device is adjusted on the basis of the inferred value.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling weft inserting without depending on any operation skill, such control being on the basis of at least two kinds of information having mutually different frequencies for correcting weft inserting. A plurality of control rules prepared according to control algorithms, a plurality of data tables for weft inserting prepared according to the control algorithms or approximate expressions are used for calculating the control conditions of an actuator for weft inserting, and the weft inserting actuator is controlled on the basis of the calculated control conditions.

Abstract: The reciprocating floor conveyor of the present invention includes a supporting frame, a plurality of base members on the supporting frame, a plurality of elongate, slidable slats mounted on the base members, and a drive mechanism for causing longitudinal reciprocative movement of the plurality of slats. The plurality of slats are divided in at least a first and second interleaved groups. Each slat is connected to the slats adjacent thereto through slidable engagement of the sides of the slats, and are supported by the base members such that the first group of slats is elevated a greater distance from the supporting frame than the second group of slats. Each slat group includes a timing slat having a surface area greater than the surface area of each of the remaining slats in the group. The timing slat coordinates reciprocation of the slats within that group.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a full cloth roll loaded on a pair of rollers of a weaving machine with an empty cloth roll, which apparatus includes a pair of oscillating members supported by the weaving machine to oscillate about an axis of a rod supported by the weaving machine and cylinders for having both the oscillating members to produce oscillating movement. Each oscillating member includes a contact portion exerting a pressing force to the full cloth roll to roll the full cloth roll while both the oscillating members are oscillating in one direction. Each oscillating member further includes a guide wall disposed behind the contact portion for catching the empty cloth roll in cooperation with the peripheral surface of the textile of the full cloth roll, and for directing, during the oscillating movement of both the oscillating members, the empty cloth roll to the upper position right above both the rollers in cooperation with the peripheral surface of the textile of the full cloth roll.

Abstract: Mining apparatus is disclosed in which a cutting wheel supporting a plurality of roller-cutters rotates about a horizontal axis and is supported on a slewing boom for cutting a tunnel with a flat floor and roof and elliptical walls as it slews across a mining face. The slewing boom is supported on a main beam assembly, the front end of which rests on powered crawler tracks and the rear end of which passes through a gripper assembly which may be clamped between the floor and roof of the tunnel, and against which the main beam assembly may be urged forward for engaging the roller-cutters with the mining face. A preload crawler is urged against the roof of the tunnel above the powered crawler tracks to locate the main beam assembly rigidly relative to the tunnel such that the roller-cutters may cut the rock in the mining face with minimal loss of cutting force due to vibration.

Abstract: A down reaming apparatus including a cutterhead body and a plurality of arms radially disposed on the cutterhead body with cutter assemblies on each arm. A first arm has a given length and additional arms each are of different length. Arm extenders having cutter assemblies are attached to each arm such that the combined length of each of the arms and attached arm extender is substantially equal. Spacers are attached to at least one of the arms to increase the diameter of the cutterhead in conjunction with the relocation of each of the arm extenders.

Abstract: Mining apparatus is disclosed in which a cutting wheel supporting a plurality of roller-cutters rotates about a horizontal axis and is supported on a slewing boom for cutting a tunnel with a flat floor and roof and elliptical walls as it slews across a mining face. The slewing boom is supported on a main beam assembly, the front end of which rests on powered crawler tracks and the rear end of which passes through a gripper assembly which may be clamped between the floor and roof of the tunnel, and against which the main beam assembly may be urged forward for engaging the roller-cutters with the mining face. A preload crawler is urged against the roof of the tunnel above the powered crawler tracks to locate the main beam assembly rigidly relative to the tunnel such that the roller-cutters may cut the rock in the mining face with minimal loss of cutting force due to vibration.

Abstract: A constant flow rate controller valve includes a piston spring biased towards the top of the valve. Fluid flowing into the valve increases the forces in the chamber above the piston, forcing the piston toward a valve seat. The piston is thus seated in the valve seat, blocking fluid flow to the outlet port. The forces on the piston in the chamber below the piston builds as flow goes through the piston until the forces in this chamber including the piston spring force is greater than the forces in the chamber above the piston. The piston then is lifted from the valve seat, and the pathway to the outlet orifice is opened. Fluid flows through the piston via the calibrated orifice. An equilibrium flow rate is reached by variation in the piston position based on the location of the movable seat which sets and maintains a constant differential pressure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for use in a mobile telephone rental system in which credit card information is communicated between the mobile telephone unit 100 and a Voice Response System 302 for customer registration and remote programming of mobile telephone unit 100 features and NAM settings; communicating data between the Voice Response System 302 and a Registration System 304 for customer credit card validation; communicating data between the Registration System 304 and a credit card clearinghouse 306 for credit card approval or decline; communicating data between the Registration System 304 and a plurality of Collector Systems 307 for call rating and billing; communicating data between the Registration System 304 and an Administration System 309 for providing rated call information to the reseller; and communicating data between the mobile telephone unit 100 and an Indirect System 303 for establishing service in cellular areas without Collector System 307 service.

Abstract: An ac-coupled differential amplifier having a high common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) and input impedance is disclosed. The ac-coupled amplifier includes a bootstrapped input stage and first and second operational amplifiers, each having a first input, a second input, and an output. The bootstrapped input-stage has a pair of RC high-pass filters, each of which is comprised of a capacitor connected to the first input of each of the operational amplifiers and a pair of resistors connected in series between ground and the first input of each of the operational amplifiers. A pair of bootstrap capacitors connect between each of the series connected resistor pairs of each of the two RC high-pass filters and the second input of each of the operational amplifiers.

Abstract: An electronic percussion system having the look, feel and response of an acoustic drum is provided by a combination of a drum body shell, conventional drum heads held at adjustable tension across open ends of the shell, and within the interior drum cavity a sound-to-electrical transducer is embedded in layers of rubber foam filler material. The sound energy attenuating characteristics of the foam filler material prevent the transducer from being falsely triggered by ambient sound exterior to the drum, by sympathetic vibrations of the drum, and resists false triggering due to lightly, inadvertently hitting the drum stand.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for encoding information and recording same as sets of spaced and variably phased marks stored on the optical record wherein the encoded information is read by illuminating each set of such recorded marks with a coherent read light to cause an optical interference pattern consisting of a varying interval and amplitude distribution of lobe maxima separated by amplitude nulls (or minimas) that change in accordance with the encoded information. This read interference pattern is detected by photosensing diode arrays and after decoding, the system outputs an information signal representing the original information. Alternative embodiments store data as variable phase encoded information only in multi-mark sets, and both phase encoded and spatial encoded data in single, variable width, variable phased marks along a record track.

Abstract: An ambiance channel produces an ambiance audio signal as a reference threshold such as from a noise microphone located away from the program microphones. Variable gain amplifiers in a plurality of program channels selectively gate open those program channels that have audio present exceeding the ambiance threshold. When the program channels are below the noise threshold and hence inactive, they are gated off and the background noise in the ambiance channel is shunted around the program channel to the output. A control function circuit adjusts the gain of each of the program channels that have been opened as an inverse function of the number of open mics (called NOM). In another disclosed embodiment, a programmed microcomputer receives as inputs the status signals that represent the gated open or gated off conditions of the program channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aiding a landing aircraft. Three differently-colored beams of laser light are produced and transmitted, one of the beams of laser light being transmitted in a plane containing the direction from which the aircraft is approaching. Another of the beams of light is transmitted on one side of the plane, and the third of the beams of light is transmit on the other side of the plane. The pilot of the aircraft can determine whether the aircraft is on the plane or to the one side or the other by the color of the light the pilot receives. If desired, at least one of the colored laser beams that is transmitted toward one side of the plane can be broken into a plurality of adjacent fan-shaped beams, the light in at least one of the fan-shaped beams being interrupted intermittently.