Abstract: A macro-photography varifocal lens assembly is provided for attachment to a camera body. The lens assembly can include a first lens group of negative refractive power and a second lens group of positive refractive power further supplemented by a master or auxiliary lens group of positive refractive power. One of the first and second lens groups are mounted for relative movement to vary the overall focal length of the lens assembly as the lens group moves across a predetermined range of movement. The image plane of the refracted image is continuously shifted from an initial predetermined position at one end of the range of movement towards the object and then away from the object to return to the initial predetermined position at the other end of the range of movement. This relative movement or shift of the image plane towards the object being sufficient to focus an image of an object in a macro-photography range.

Abstract: A brake testing apparatus and method are disclosed which utilize a hydraulic subsystem as a stroke-limiting memory unit and as a position-holding means during the brake test sequence. The hydraulic subsystem is designed for inclusion in a brake testing means which performs a series of analyzable brake tests using a controlled force application system which applies the brakes under different, but predetermined, conditions in a series of successive brake applications. The stroke measuring memory unit uses the hydraulic subsystem to measure the distance of one brake application stroke and limits the next brake application stroke to that distance. The position-holding means utilizes the hydraulic subsystem to retain a given brake-applying position of the testing apparatus for the length of time desired in certain brake applications in the testing series.

Abstract: Wheel-contact rollers for a vehicle test-bed have helical grooves formed in their outer surfaces to improve start-up friction by providing fast removal of water and other foreign materials from tire surfaces. The grooves are preferably formed by a thread-cutting or thread-forming process. The helical grooves should be equally-sloped left-hand and right-hand threads, in order to provide balanced side-to-side forces on the tire; however, the opposing left and right hand slopes may be formed on separate rollers, i.e., one slope on the left wheel roller and the opposite slope on the right wheel roller.

Abstract: A portable vehicle testing unit which can be placed on the floor of the driver's compartment of any vehicle to be tested and which can be adjusted to the toeboard of the vehicle in such a way that a fluid pressure actuator mounted on the testing unit is almost in engagement with a vehicle control member, such as the brake pedal or accelerator treadle, so that the fluid pressure actuator will immediately move the control member upon build up of fluid pressure in the actuator. A feature of the design permits measuring the reaction force of the pedal (or treadle) against the fluid pressure actuator during the actuating stroke of the vehicle control member.

Abstract: A rate control system is disclosed for use in a brake testing apparatus which applies an automatically controlld force to the vehicle braking system being tested. The rate control system varies the rate of flow of hydraulic fluid displaced as the brake pedal moves on its brake application stroke, in response to the rate of increase of a feedback signal which represents the vehicle stopping force, or brake effort, measured at a vehicle wheel. Varying the rate of flow of hydraulic fluid controls the rate of application of the vehicle braking system during the test.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing the performance of wheeled, land vehicle brake systems is described wherein means are provided for driving the vehicle wheels at a predetermined speed and the operator or computer controlled brake actuator selectively applies the brakes in a series of simple successive steps comprising the test sequence. The pedal force, or other actuating force, the brake effort exerted by each wheel, and the imbalance between the braking effort of opposite wheels is measured and recorded on a strip chart or fed to a computer, to determine if the measured values fall outside of a predetermined range of values representing acceptable deviations from standard values. Any deviation of the brake effort from the acceptable values, or excessive imbalance between opposite wheels at any point in the test sequence, may be used as a basis for diagnosing and identifying a specific brake malfunction. The system can be enlarged to simultaneously test the brakes on all wheels of a land vehicle.

Abstract: A conveyor belt fluid nozzle system includes apparatus for directing pressurized fluid such as air across the width of the conveyor belt to remove debris from the belt surface or from objects on the belt. The source of pressurized fluid such as an air compressor is attached to a plenum member. At least one elongated nozzle extends along the length of the plenum member substantially across the width of the conveyor belt. Auxiliary nozzles may be positioned on each side of the belt. The orifice of the nozzle member has a pair of resiliently biased blades that are adjustable to control the flow of the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a terminal or contact strip for providing electrical contact in a connector shell assembly. The terminal connector strip is pressed from a flat metal blank such as, a copper alloy. The body of the terminal connector strip or pin is bent into a Z-shape or serpentine configuration to enable it to be wedged into an appropriate bore in the shell assembly. The contact head of the connector pin can have a spherical configuration to provide either a mating or point contact with an identical terminal connector pin.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing the performance of wheeled, land vehicle brake systems is described wherein means are provided for driving the vehicle wheels at a predetermined speed and the operator or computer controlled brake actuator selectively applies the brakes in a series of simple successive steps comprising the test sequence. The pedal force, or other actuating force, the brake effort exerted by each wheel, and the imbalance between the braking effort of opposite wheels is measured and recorded on a strip chart or fed to a computer, to determine if the measured values fall outside of a predetermined range of values representing acceptable deviations from standard values. Any deviation of the brake effort from the acceptable values, or excessive imbalance between opposite wheels at any point in the test sequence, may be used as a basis for diagnosing and identifying a specific brake malfunction. The system can be enlarged to simultaneously test the brakes on all wheels of a land vehicle.

Abstract: A roller type brake testing device is disclosed which incudes two pairs of cradling rollers for supporting and applying a driving torque to two wheels of a vehicle such as an automobile. The testing device includes a pneumatic lift mechanism for selectively raising and lowering the rollers which engage the rear portion of the wheels and through which driving torque is applied to the wheels. The brake tester may further include an indicator such as a pressure gauge for displaying a measure of the weight of the axle supporting the vehicle wheels to guide the operator in applying the brakes to achieve a braking effort correlated with axle weight.

Abstract: Transfer of an incoming call on a first telephone line for a first subscriber set to a second, independent telephone line for a second subscriber set is accomplished without permitting a party at the first subscriber set to listen to the transferred call. An adjustable time delay circuit causes the tip and ring leads of the first central office telephone line to be switched to the second subscriber set, after a predetermined amount of ringing at the first subscriber set. If the second subscriber set is in use or is being rung at the time a transfer is to take place, no switching occurs. If the first subscriber set is answered before the preset time delay is elapsed, no switching occurs. The line transfer circuit may operate from either a -24 or -48 volt DC supply.

Abstract: An improved line card circuit usable with key telephone systems is adapted to permit a message to be automatically transmitted from a subscriber key telephone station when operated to place a telephone line in a hold condition. A coupling circuit interfacing the message source and the telephone line during the hold condition of the line provides a high degree of cross-talk isolation. The coupling circuit also has the feature of automatically limiting to a predetermined level the power of the output signal supplied to the telephone line. A strappable option is provided by the coupling circuit to permit its operation with a standard eight ohm high fidelity amplifier source as well as with a 70 volt intercom systems. The line card circuit, besides these features, includes circuitry to allow full supervisory control of a telephone line to be exercised by a user of the subscriber key telephone when such unit is not in the hold condition.

Abstract: A plastic molding member is designed to snap or slide onto key hole tongues of either cabinet panel edges or door frames member. The molding permits section blanks of a cabinet panel to be removed and the perimeter of the blank to be covered with the molding which thereby permits it to be utilized as a cabinet door or a decorative panel without any loss of material. In addition, hollow doors can be easily fabricated with the molding member of the present invention. In the preferred cabinet embodiment, the molding consists of a rear flat surface designed to interface with the back of the panel and a front and top surface designed to provide a decorative finish and to overlap the interface of the panel key hole tongue and surface. In an alternative embodiment the upper portion of the molding is hollow and adapted to receive a spring clip to secure two sections of the molding to a panel or door frame.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and heating and spraying apparatus utilized for regulating the temperature of highly viscous cold process coating material tht is sprayed by a single pump on a surface, such as a roof and the like. The heating apparatus includes a vat designed to hold a quantity of a heat transfer medium, such as oil. A burner provides a source of heat to the bottom, sides and ends of the tank or vat holding the heat transfer oil. Mounted within the vat is a serpentine configuration of serrated finned tubing. The serrated finned tubing provides the maximum heat transfer while maintaining a compact and portable size. The loops of the serrated finned coils are mounted unconstrained within the vat to permit any relative movement, such as that produced by thermal or pressure expansions. A thermostatically controlled fuel supply system automatically monitors the temperature of the oil transfer bath to regulate the temperature of the coating material.

Abstract: A solid state interrupter is described for controlling the visual and audible indicators in telephone systems and more particularly to control the line selection lamps and electromechanical ringers in key telephone sets. The interrupter includes switching means individually connected between a pair of lamp wink terminals, a pair of lamp flash terminals and a pair of ring signal terminals. Each of the switching means includes a control circuit for alternately enabling and blocking the flow of current in the circuit between the associated terminals in response to the application of a predetermined control signal to the control circuit thereof. An oscillator is provided for generating an a.c. reference signal. Suitable dividers and gates are connected between the oscillator and the control circuits of the switching means to control the duty cycle and frequency at which a circuit path is made between the associated terminals.

Abstract: A temperature compensated pressure indicator adapted to be mounted within a pressure container includes a reservoir housing and housing member welded together to form a secondary pressure chamber. A bellows member is hermetically mounted within the secondary pressure chamber and communicates with the exterior pressure of the container. Mounted on the bellows member is a movable magnetic member adapted to slide on a hollow guide post as a result of any pressure differentials. A reed switch assembly is held stationary in the guide post by a pair of band springs. The switch assembly is electrically connected to a source of power and an external indicator such as a light. When the bellows member moves the magnetic member close to the switch assembly due to a pressure differential, the magnetic field closes the switch assembly to activate the light. The indicator is substantially non-responsive to wide variations in the ambient temperature.

Abstract: A data modem that operates to permit the concurrent high speed transmission/reception of digital data over two independent data links or systems, is disclosed. Data bits concurrently applied to a transmitting modem from two independent data sources are interlaced to form a stream of data bits that are effectively grouped as data words to be differentially phase modulated. Modulated data may be transmitted over ordinary voice grade telephone lines to a distant receiver modem at effectively twice the bit rate of the individual data sources. Successive groups of six interlaced data bits are divided into two groups of three bits which are uniquely identified by having a selected phase angle added to or subtracted from the differential phase angle for alternate groups of three bits.

Abstract: A message waiting transfer circuit for use in a telephone system is described. An attendant telephone set is arranged to monitor the calls received by a plurality of principal telephone sets. The attendant set includes a receiver (and transmitter) and a separate line or principal set selection key associated with each principal set in the system. Actuation of a selected line selection key and the removal of the receiver from its cradle or switch hooks at the attendant set seizes the telephone line conductors (pair) associated with the selected principal set to enable the operator at the attendant set to answer an incoming call, etc.. The attendant set includes a message control key for providing a message waiting signal to any selected principal set. A separate message waiting transfer circuit is connected between each principal set and the attendant set.