Abstract: At least three private branch exchange program-controlled telephone equipments (PBX's) in different countries form a system in which the PBX's are interconnectible by direct tie lines, tandem lines or direct distance dialing lines. Each PBX is equipped with the feature of Automatic Route Selection ("ARS") which, when a subscriber at an extension of a one such PBX in one country dials the full string of digits used for an international call to a remote station in another country, selects, out of the tie lines, tandem lines and direct distance dialing lines outgoing from such PBX, an idle one of such lines providing for such call a transmission route yielding the least cost for completing that call. Each such PBX includes the improvement feature of modification of the code signals produced by the dialing of such string of digits to cause outpulsing from such PBX of only those of such signals which are necessary for completion of the call over the transmission route selected therefor by ARS.

Abstract: Line relay contacts (LR1.sub.1, LR1.sub.2) are protected from power surges appearing on a telephone line (L1) during connect or disconnect of a station set (S1) from the line, by operating a hold relay (HR1) to place a hold bridge (HB1) across the line (L1) before energizing the line relay (LR1) to connect or disconnect the station set.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a timed sequence of different recorded announcements to an incoming caller to hold the caller's attention in a telephone system when no operator is available to answer the incoming call. During intervals in the timed sequence when no announcement is connected to the incoming caller, music is transmitted. When an operator becomes available to answer the call, the incoming caller is disconnected from the recorded announcement or music, whichever is applicable, and connected to the idle operator.

Abstract: Apparatus 30, FIG. 2 for severing an article 12 from a carrier strip 10 and for positioning the severed article is disclosed. The apparatus includes a die 33 having an aperture 32 exiting therethrough from an entrance end 35 to an exit end 36. A ramped shaped wall 37 is located on one surface of the aperture to taper the aperature as it extends from the entrance end to the exit end such that the exit end has a rectangular block "C" shaped opening. A punch 31 in axial alignment with the aperture for entering into and extending through the aperture, has a cavity 43 on one surface to accept ramped shaped wall 37 as punch 31 extends into aperture 32 and to form a block "C" shaped surface on the bottom face 42 of punch 31. When an article 12 is placed between punch 31 and aperture 32 and punch 31 is moved into the aperture, article 12 is severed from carrier strip 10 and is pushed by face 42 into the aperture.

Abstract: A process for recovering copper and copper oxide for spent ammoniacal etchant, electroless and copper persulfate bath fluids used in the manufacture of copper printed wiring boards such that the treated baths contain no ammonia. The spent solutions are placed in a cooking vessel having its inner surface made of titanium and the formaldehyde is added. The ingredients are then stirred while air is bubbled through the ingredients until thoroughly mixed after which the pH of the mixture is adjusted to between 12.0 and 14.0. The adjusted mixture is now heated to a temperature within the range of 200.degree.-210.degree. F. and air is bubbled through the heated mixture until copper and copper oxide precipitates form in the mixture. After the precipitates form the mixture is allowed to cool to permit the precipitates to settle to the bottom of the vessel and the mixture is decanted from the vessel. The copper and copper oxide precipitates are washed and then collected.

Abstract: In the manufacture of electrical coils (10), particularly large transformer coils, an insulated wire (11) is wound on a rotatable winding arbor (12) so as to form a succession of turns of the insulated wire. Particularly when large gauge enamelled copper wire is wound, the insulation (14) has a tendency to crack or chip during the winding process, causing shorted turns and producing a defective coil. This application relates to systems for testing such a coil to detect a short as it is wound so as to permit interruption of the winding process and repair of the insulation fault on the spot. The test equipment includes a pair of test windings (41, 42) positioned at opposite ends of the winding arbor (12) and magnetically coupled by flux paths (50, 51) to each other and to the coil being wound so that an A.C. input signal (V.sub.1) applied to the first winding (41) induces an A.C. output signal (V.sub.

Abstract: A PBX system (20) receives a predetermined number of dialing digits from a central office which represents a subscriber station interconnected within the system. The system (20) adds a pseudo digit to the dialing digits to facilitate: (1) the use of a full compliment of dialing digits; and (2) the establishment of a switching connection with the subscriber station. The pseudo digit is then removed and the remaining dialing digits are translated into an equipment location for the subscriber station. Thereafter the switching connection is established with the subscriber station.

Abstract: A second-incoming call appears at an attendant facility (34) within a PBX system (20) while the attendant is awaiting a response on a first-incoming call. The attendant activates an overlap button (35) to facilitate the conversion of the first-incoming call into a listen-only connection. The attendant then establishes a two-way connection between the attendant and the second-incoming call to be served by the PBX system (20). Thereafter, the attendant monitors the first-incoming call on a listen-only basis while simultaneously serving the second-incoming call associated with the two-way connection.

Abstract: A predetermined sequence of multifrequency signals are fed to a multifrequency dialing board (24) and are separated into their component signals by high and low filter circuits (50 and 52). The component signals are converted into (1) square wave signals by zero crossing detectors (54 and 56) and (2) d.c. signals having amplitudes proportional to their respective frequencies by converters (72 and 74). The d.c. signals are then converted by analog-to-digital converters (80 and 82) into digital signals having values equivalent to the amplitude of the d.c. signals. A microprocessor circuit (60) monitors the digital signals to determine the amplitude of the signals. The microprocessor circuit (60) determines the frequency of the component signals by monitoring the time required for eight cycles of the respective square wave signals.

Abstract: A row of connectors 14 is assembled on a printed circuit board 11 by inserting a leg section 41 of each terminal 14 into a mounting aperture 32 and bending a flat contact portion 42 of each terminal 14 to fit into a pocket 47 formed in the surface of the board. Printed circuit conductors 13 are next screened onto the board 11 with a portion of the conductors positioned over some of the contact portions 42 of terminals 14 to provide edge connections for the printed circuits 12. Metal strips conductors 13 are then fastened to the board 11 and end portions thereof are welded to the contact portions 42 of other terminals 14 to provide edge connections for the metal strips conductors 13.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for imparting stepwise movement to a strip (10) having pilot holes (12) comprising, a frame (27), a carriage (26) mounted by said frame to be longitudinally movable in relation thereto, a pin (22) coupled with said carriage movable therewith and laterally movable in relation to said path between positions at which pin is adapted to enter into and to be retracted from a pilot hole in said strip. A link (30) is adapted to undergo alternate forward and reverse strokes and is coupled to said carriage by a lost motion coupling (46, 57, 56, 57) so that, during a first interval of each such stroke, the carriage and link are uncoupled with the carriage remaining stationary and, during a second interval of each of such strokes, the carriage and link are coupled to move together.

Abstract: The walls 41 (FIG. 4) of thru holes 11 in a printed wiring board substrate 12 are coated with a liquid 24 by inserting fingers 22 into the thru holes. Each of the fingers has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the associated thru hole and has a length no greater than the thickness of the substrate 12. After ink 24 has been applied to the top surface of the substrate, the inserted fingers 22 are withdrawn, thereby drawing the ink down into the thru holes and coating the walls 41. In another embodiment, fingers 62 are aligned with selected portions 52 of an edge 55 of the substrate 50 to coat the portions of the edge as the fingers are moved by the edge after the heads of the fingers have been coated with the ink 24.

Abstract: A breakaway registration pin (11, FIG. 2) comprises two sections, a first section (21) embedded in a glass art master (10) and a second section (22) bonded by a bonding agent to a top face (33) of the embedded first section (21). The bonding agent has a strength substantially less than the strength of the glass such that the registration pin (11) will break before the glass in art master (10) cracks when a force is applied to second section (22).

Abstract: A hood (10) is arranged for partially enclosing a terminal plug (14) onto which a plurality of electrical conductors have been terminated, which hood can be assembled onto the plug without the use of screws or other mounting apparatus even after the electrical conductors have been terminated. The hood comprises two half-shells (11-12) which are arranged to securely mount the plug-in channels (25, 45) located on the inside surfaces of walls of the half-shells. As the two half-shells are mounted on the plug, fastening means (51, 61, 81, 82) located on each of the half-shells mate with each other to securely lock the half-shells together to form hood 10 with terminal plug (14) seated within the assembled hood. Cable tie means (90, 92) are also disclosed for tieing the plurality of conductors (15) to one of the half-shells.

Abstract: A surface of a substrate 11 (FIG. 2) is uniformly coated with a liquid L by wetting the surface with the liquid and compressibly contacting the wetted surface with an applicator member 10 having an outer layer 14 of a compressible liquid absorbing material with inverse sponge characteristics and an inner layer 13 of compliant material. Preferably the member is a roller 10 having a silicone rubber or polyurethane inner layer and a chamois outer layer. A plurality of the rollers 10 are arranged to be in compressive contact with the surfaces of a plurality of substrates 11 as the substrates are being removed from the liquid L (arrow A), the movement of the substrates 11 causing rotation (arrow F) of the rollers to apply a uniform coating of the liquid on the contacted surfaces.

Abstract: Spray flux apparatus (10) of a soldering system is automatically cleaned by delivery of a predetermined amount of solvent to the apparatus. A control system (50) transmits signals for controlling the delivery of air or solvent through holes (33) in an air manifold (32) located in a flux tank (21). After a predetermined amount of solvent is delivered to the tank (21), the control system (50) signals a solenoid valve (62) to close to stop the flow of solvent to the tank (21) and then signals another solenoid valve (52) to open to allow compressed air to enter the tank (21) to aid in the cleaning of the apparatus (10).

Abstract: In an improved method for depositing a metal on a substrate of the type in which a dielectric coated substrate is coated with a sensitizing solution containing a reductible metal salt, a primary reducing agent comprising 2,7 anthraquinone disulfonic acid and a secondary reducing agent, the substrate is exposed to ultraviolet light in an atmosphere having a temperature of at least 117.degree. F. (42.degree. C.) and a mass of water vapor of at least 3.8 mg of water per liter of dry air for at least 15 seconds. In an embodiment of the method the substrate is aerated in a moisture controlled atmosphere at room temperature for at least 30 minutes prior to exposing the substrate to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: The walls 41 (FIG. 4) of thru holes 11 in a printed wiring board substrate 12 are coated with a liquid 24 by inserting fingers 22 into the thru holes. Each of the fingers has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the associated thru hole and has a length no greater than the thickness of the substrate 12. After ink 24 has been applied to the top surface of the substrate, the inserted fingers 22 are withdrawn, thereby drawing the ink down into the thru holes and coating the walls 41. In another embodiment, fingers 62 are aligned with selected portions 52 of an edge 55 of the substrate 50 to coat the portions of the edge as the fingers are moved by the edge after the heads of the fingers have been coated with the ink 24.