Abstract: An electronic control system (9) controls the movement of a distributer (19) as the distributor guides strand (11) alternately onto reels (12 and 13). Digital signals are generated representing the instantaneous position of the distributor (19) and end-points of travel of the distributor. A controller (38) generates a signal when a coincidence of the instantaneous position of the distributor (19) and alternate ones of the end-points of travel of the distributor occur. The signal is used to reverse the direction of travel of the distributor (19) thus resulting in a uniform distribution of the strand (11) onto the reels (12 and 13). As each of the reels (12 and 13) become full, a signal is generated which causes the distributor (19) to proceed at a high rate of speed toward the back flange of the reel regardless of the direction of travel at that time. This facilitates the cutover of the strand (11) from a full reel to an empty reel.

Abstract: A spunlaced fabric composed of random-arrayed polyester fibers is formed into a single-layer or double-layer fabric arrangement which is used to make an undergarment. The undergarment is worn by an individual and fits snugly about a selected portion of the body. For example, the undergarment could be designed to fit around the torso of the body from beneath the armpits to the hips. A rigid or semirigid outergarment, such as an orthepedic brace, is worn about the same body area, and over the undergarment, to correct a body-growth deficiency such as curvature of the spine. Relatively large beads of perspiration moisture generated beneath the brace by the individual wearing the brace are absorbed into the undergarment. The random-arrayed nature of the fibers of the fabric causes the relatively large beads of perspiration to form into mirco-droplets which migrate over the fibers and facilitate removal of the bulk of the moisture from beneath the brace.

Abstract: Selected, relatively inaccessible, areas of surfaces (28) which define openings (21) that extend through a strip, which is being advanced at a relatively high velocity along a path through a closed plating cell, are electroplated with a minimum required thickness of metal. The strip (11) is cathodically charged and is masked along a portion of a path to expose at least the surfaces which define the openings. A flow passage for an electroplating electrolyte (41) is established from a source (42) past a charged anode (101) in a direction through the openings (21) and includes a linear portion extending substantially normal to the strip on each side thereof. The anode extends along the portion of the path, parallel to and spaced from the strip (11), and focused on the areas to be plated. The charged anode (101) and the exposed areas of surfaces of the strip (11) are contacted with the electrolyte (41) to charge the electrolyte and pass an electric current therethrough to plate the exposed areas of the surfaces.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus (100) includes a frame (102) and a conveyor (104). The conveyor (104) includes a plurality of spaced article-support members (132) having planar undersurfaces (138). The article-support members (132) are supported on the frame (102) by a plurality of spaced supporting surfaces such as roller bearings (116). Connecting links (154), which connect adjacent pairs of article-support members (132), have planar undersurfaces (164) which are in planar alignment with the undersurface (138) of the article-support members (132) to provide a continuous planar undersurface for the conveyor (104) at least when the article-support members are being supported on the roller bearings (116) of the frame (102). The conveying apparatus (100) is used as an element of a cable-fleeting drum (10) for facilitating an oceanographic cable laying operation.

Abstract: A pin-insertion tool 30 for inserting a replacement pin 12a into a vacant aperture 26a of a wiring board 10 includes a guide member 32 having alignment slots 74 for aligning the tool with a row of in-board pins 12. A pin-insertion member 36 is slidably mounted adjacent to the guide member 32 and includes a pin-retaining means 50 for releasably retaining portion of the replacement pin 12a. The pin-retaining means 50 is positionable in the plane of the alignment slots 74 of the guide member 32 to facilitate insertion of the replacement pin 12a at a uniform orientation with the row of in-board pins 12.

Abstract: In the assembly of a plurality of connectors with a supporting back plate, the plate is positioned to permit movement of a plurality of connector-receiving nests through openings in the plate. The connectors are then fed from a supply and into a diverging track system to space the connectors in alignment with and to feed them into the nests. The nests are then moved through the plate opening to deposit extended end portions of the connectors onto the plate adjacent to bendable clasps formed integrally with the plate. The clasps are then bent to secure the connectors with the plate.

Abstract: A continuous flexible web includes a flat flexible insulation substrate, copper cladding on at least one major surface of the substrate and a film of photoresist material adhesively bonded longitudinally to the copper cladding. Prepunched holes are formed in and through the web to ultimately provide through-hole connections between printed circuits formed on opposite sides of the substrate.Successive sections of the web are indexed through an apparatus where the sections are positioned adjacent to a circuit pattern master and exposed to resist-developing ultraviolet rays. A photocell system cooperates with through-slots formed selectively in the web to precisely align the web sections with the circuit pattern master prior to exposure to the ultraviolet rays.

Abstract: A switchable attenuator includes a split housing assembly formed of interlocking cover and support members. A plurality of rocker arms are mounted for pivotable movement between the cover and the support members and each rocker arm has lugs formed on opposite ends thereof which receive respective ones of a pair of shorting bars. Electrical circuit connectors, coupled to an attenuator circuit mounted adjacent to the support member, are aligned in pairs with each pair being positioned to receive a respective one of the pair of shorting bars associated with each rocker arm. The rocker arms are selectively pivoted to cause the shorting bars to move into and out of engagement with the electrical circuit connectors aligned therewith to selectively provide attenuation of different magnitudes to an external circuit.

Abstract: An integral connector includes first and second electrical clips and a conductive stem extending from the clips. A pair of laterally spaced resilient fingers formed at one end of the stem cooperate with a central finger aligned with and opposite to a space between the pair of reslient fingers to form the first electrical clip. Another resilient finger extends laterally from an intermediate portion of the stem and cooperates with the underside of laterally extending portions of the pair of resilient fingers to form the second electrical clip. An interconnection can be established between two electrical devices by inserting the devices into the first and second electrical clips, respectively. The interconnected electrical devices can be coupled to external circuitry by connection to the opposite end of the conductive stem.

Abstract: A switchable attenuator assembly includes a housing, a plurality of rocker arms mounted for pivotable movement within the housing, and a pair of shorting bars associated with each rocker arm. Each shorting bar of the pair of shorting bars associated with each rocker arm is coupled to a respective end of the rocker arm and is aligned with electrical connectors which extend from an attenuator circuit aligned with and adjacent to the housing. The rocker arms are selectively pivoted to cause the shorting bars coupled thereto to move into and out of engagement with their respective electrical connectors to provide attenuation of selected magnitudes to an external circuit.

Abstract: An attenuator, which can readily provide balanced as well as unbalanced attenuation in a plurality of external circuits, includes first and second circuit substrate devices and an actuating device associated with the circuit substrate devices. The first and second circuit substrate devices each provide variable magnitudes of attenuation to respective ones of the external circuits such as, for example, signal transmission lines. The actuating device couples the first in the alternative, and second circuit substrate devices simultaneously or the first and second circuit substrate devices separately to their respective external circuits so as to produce desired magnitudes of balanced or unbalanced attenuation in the external circuits.

Abstract: A component lead forming tool, having inside and outside lead formers, is provided with resilient "O" ring assemblies which permit horizontal lateral movement of the inside formers relative to the outside formers to allow leads of different lead diameters to be accurately formed. Each of the outside formers is formed with a longitudinal slot the depth of which equals the diameter of the smallest lead to be formed and received in the slot during a forming operation. The outside formers are movable vertically adjacent to the inside formers to bend and form the component lead over the inside formers. Horizontal lateral movement of the inside formers by virtue of the resiliency of the "O" rings permits a temporary increase in the distance between cooperating outside and inside formers when the diameter of the component lead to be formed is greater than the depth of the slot in each of the outside formers.

Abstract: A keying contact assembly, for providing a valid indication of contact closure after effectuating the closure of a contact pair, includes a resilient bulb coupled to one end thereof adjacent to the contact pair. The resilient bulb has negative force displacement characteristics. Upon actuation of the keying contact assembly, the resilient bulb is moved to engage and close the contact pair. After the contact pair has been closed and a subsequent predetermined key force is reached, the resilient bulb utilizes its negative force displacement characteristics to provide tactile feedback through the keying contact assembly to indicate contact closure. The resilient bulb also damps the closed contact pair to prevent bounce and premature opening of the contact pair.

Abstract: A continuous length, flexible, polymeric substrate has thin layers of copper clad to opposite sides thereof. Patterns of dry photopolymer material are applied to and mask selected portions of the copper to leave exposed other selected portions of the copper. The copper clad substrate is guided by a series of cathodic electrode rollers exterior of a copper plating bath into successive passes through the bath. Portions of the exposed copper contact the electrode rollers and couple the cathodic potential thereof to the bath to effect the plating of copper from the bath onto the exposed selected portions of the copper.Prior to initial engagement with the cathodic rollers, a series of protrusions are formed in portions of the exposed copper at a height relative to the thickness of the photoresist material sufficient to insure that the copper, by virtue of the protrusions, contacts the electrode rollers to facilitate the plating operation notwithstanding the intervening photoresist material.

Abstract: A high energy pulse having a very narrow pulse width is generated utilizing a wave guide pulse generator. A first pulse having a pulse width greater than the desired pulse is modified to have a well-defined leading edge and is then coupled to a first quadrature hybrid. A second pulse, shifted in phase relative to the modified first pulse, is generated in the first hybrid from, and in addition to, the modified first pulse. The phase-shifted second pulse travels the length of a conventional wave guide so that the pulse is delayed before entering a second quadrature hybrid. The second quadrature hybrid receives the modified first and phase-shifted second pulses andd phase shifts the second pulse so that the phase thereof is opposed to the phase of the modified first pulse. The modified first pulse is then combined with the opposed phase-shifted second pulse.