Abstract: A sprocket arrangement which provides increased contact surface area for driving conveyor belts is disclosed. The sprocket is particularly suitable for abrasive applications and/or use with modular plastic belts. The sprocket is formed by stacking and aligning a multiplicity of thin substantially disk shaped sprocket lamina together and then joining the stacked and aligned lamina by simply bolting or welding. Each of the sprocket lamina includes a central aperture for fitting onto a drive shaft. Teeth or other driving surfaces are also formed around the perimeter of each of the lamina. The lamina may be stacked in contact with each other, or for some applications may use spaces to separate selected ones of the stacked lamina so as to cooperate with the structure of the belt being driven.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for quickly and accurately cutting conveyor belt modules is disclosed. A guide track supports and provides a path past a cutting location for the modules that are to be cut. The modules are stopped after a selected amount of width of the module to be cut has passed the cutting location. A cutting blade which has a length extending orthogonal to the direction of travel of the modules is aligned by a die which provides a guide for the cutting blade and also accurately positions the modules prior to cutting. The blade is moved or activated by a means such as a hydraulic damped pneumatic cylinder at a controlled speed so as to cut through the modules. A cylindrical shaped anvil is located substantially across the length of the module being cut such that it provides support to the modules along a line directly opposite the length of the blade as the blade cuts through the modules.

Abstract: Particularly in hand held alphameric keyboard actuated computers, available room dictates a need to limit the number of keys without sacrificing computer performance. Further, for portable computers reference to an instruction manual is not feasible. Thus usefulness critically depends upon integrated operating instructions. Formerly there is neither room or facilities for instructions, nor room on the keyboard for enough keys. Herein, a computer keyboard of a few keys controlled by a computer multi-mode processing system to have a plurality of roles permits a very large number of computer functions to be entered and controlled. Further in combination with these roles, a computer organized temporary display panel displays keystroke selection indicia for the different keyboard operating roles. This expands instructional notation otherwise possible on the keys and adjacent keyboard locations.

Abstract: A data processing keyboard system is provided wherein data and command signals from the keyboard are entered by two or more successive keystrokes. At least two operation modes serve to change the entry command assignments to the keys, thereby affording a large number of selections from a few keys. This makes available from the comprehensive capability of present day computers large numbers of keyboard accessible commands. Also surprisingly then this invention can replace a normal QWERTY typewriter keyboard with most of its functions by a set of only three, four, seven or nine keys. Thereby alphabetic characters, decimal digits and a store of computer command entries may be processed with each entry requiring two or more strokes of the computer keyboard keys. Functional commands such as spacing return or shift can be intermixed with the choice of data characters. Means for shifting from a computation mode to an alpha mode of computer operation may be provided.

Abstract: The conventional keyboard is replaced by a virtual keyboard pattern on the computer screen by this invention. Selection of keystrokes is made by a mouse, or the like, positioning a cursor at a desired key for keyswitch selection. This manner of selection of pre-formed patterns available from the computer, such as alphanumeric characters and computer commands is particularly advantageous in a computer aided drafting and design system. Thus, notations and lettering need not be formulated by analog movement of the mouse, but can be selected digitally from the computer store by keyswitching. The resulting equipment therefor eliminates the conventional keyboard but not its operational advantages thereby permitting full computer operation with a mouse or the equivalent.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving hydroacoustic pulses used to determine the spatial separations between pairs of such apparatus. According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus transmits hydroacoustic pulses having a selected shape and frequency at specific times and also determines the time of arrival of received hydroacoustic pulses having a known shape and carrier frequency. Included is a transducer for converting the hydroacoustic energy received from a body of water into electrical energy and for converting electric pulses into hydroacoustic pulses which are then coupled into the body of water. Electric pulses having a selected shape and carrier frequency are digitally synthesized in response to a count comparator.