Abstract: A sash lock apparatus which includes a keeper disposable on a first window sash and having a keeper aperture therein for lockingly receiving therein a selectively retractable element from a sash lock and the sash lock having the selectively retractable element disposable on a second window sash wherein the first and second window sashes are disposed for movement in a direction parallel to each other. The sash lock includes a rotatable lever having a tab extending therefrom and a spring slide deformable by rotation of the rotatable lever and movement of the tab against the spring slide for selectively causing a portion of the spring slide to enter and retract from the aperture to cause locking and unlocking of the first and second window sashes relative to each other.

Abstract: A guitar amplifier having an input terminal, an audio output and an audio level controller connected between the input terminal and the audio output. The audio level controller includes a first attenuation path, a second attenuation path having a fixed attenuation and a switch connecting only one of the first or second attenuation paths between the input and the audio output. The switch is preferably controlled remote from the amplifier and preferably by a foot-controlled switch. The first attenuation path is preferably variable. The audio level controller can include a first variable resistor coupled to the input terminal and having a wiper coupled to the audio output, the first variable resistor being coupled to a source of reference voltage through a second resistor to form the first attenuation path, the switch being coupled between the junction of the first and second resistors and the source of reference voltage to provide the second attenuation path.

Abstract: A system for adaptive and reconfigurable control of aircraft and other complex objects and processes, herein referred to collectively as controlled “plants.” A modified form of sequential least-squares estimation is used to obtain near-real-time estimates of the values of plant parameters. The parameter estimates are used in a novel piecewise-linear optimal receding-horizon sampled-data controller in which internal controller parameters, known in the art as Riccati gains, are propagated from their current values using the most recent plant parameter estimates. This method of updating Riccati gains is a major departure from the prior art in receding-horizon control, where the Riccati gains (or equivalent) are re-initialized at each control update using terminal boundary conditions. The present invention provides improved robustness of control, lessened need for re-tuning control-effort penalties when operating conditions change, and significantly reduced computational burden.

Abstract: An improvement in the translating cowl of a cascade type thrust reverser for a high bypass aircraft jet engine that provides a novel blocker door frame arrangement for the inner panel of such cowl. A plurality of forwardly opening spaced circumferentially arranged apertures are provided in the inner panel of the translating cowl and an outer edge portion of a one piece imperforate blocker door frame is sealingly inserted in each such opening by extending the edge portion between the facing sheets of the inner panel for bonding thereto. Each blocker door frame is configured to receive a blocker door that is hinged to such frame at the forward portion of the frame and which is connected by a drag link to a core cowl of the aircraft engine. An annular reinforcing section is secured to the inner surfaces of the blocker door frames and to an end slider portion of the translating cowl for longitudinal reciprocal motion.

Abstract: Simulation of a complex system begins by generating a plurality of system objects (12) describing items within the system through structural information within the system object (12). Each system object (12) corresponds to a plurality of parameter group objects (18, 20, 22), and a plurality of state objects (24, 26, 28) associated therewith. Each system object (12) also corresponds to a plurality of simulation objects (30, 32, 34) representing specific simulations of the complex system. Each simulation object (30) associates with a parameter group object (18) and a state object (24). Each object is indexed by an object identifier (OID) and parameter group and state objects are further indexed by their corresponding simulation object identifier. Structural, parameter, and state information are separated within their own individual objects allowing multiple threads of system configuration to be run through the simulation objects simultaneously for parallel comparison of simulation results.

Abstract: A synchronization detection circuit quickly detects resynchronization to a new input signal quickly when the input signal changes, etc. A frame synchronization detection circuit 3 synchronizes the frame pattern contained in, for example, the MUSE signal, etc., and a frame synchronizing signal (signal (IFP1)) formed in the MUSE decoder, pattern detection circuits 30, an integrating circuit 32, and a slicing circuit 36 function in concert to detect and output the frame pattern to a phase comparator 36 as a signal (SS).

Abstract: An electronic amplifying apparatus for sound reproduction and musical instrument amplification including at least two pairs of power output devices which are independently switchable between triode and pentode operation. The amplifier further contains a switch apparatus to select the amount of negative feedback within the amplifier.

Abstract: A bale manger which includes a bed and rear wall extending substantially normal to the bed. A front wall is opposed to and spaced from the rear wall. The front wall is pivotally connected about a pivot to an end portion of the bed and has a bend therein to permit a first portion of the front wall remote from the bed to lie in a plane parallel to and below the bed when the front wall is appropriately pivoted. A second portion of the front wall between the bed and the first portion of the front wall makes an obtuse angle with the first portion. The bed is elevated. A pair of side walls which are preferably secured to the bed make an enclosure with the bed, front wall and rear wall when the front wall is pivoted in a direction toward the rear wall. The front wall is pivoted by a structure which causes the front wall to rotate about the pivot toward the rear wall. A preferred such structure is a pulley secured to the rear wall and a cable securable to the front wall and rotatable by the pulley.

Abstract: A method of adjusting an adjustable self closing hinge and the hinge which comprises providing an adjustable, self closing hinge. The hinge includes a tube with a hollow interior portion of circular cross section, a first end portion and a second end portion. A spring is disposed in the tube along its axis and has a spring end extending toward the first end portion and a second secured spring end extending toward the second end portion. A depression is provided at the first end portion of the tube extending into the hollow portion and a rotatable member is disposed within the hollow portion at the first end portion thereof and rotatable therein for adjusting the torque of the spring. The rotatable member is secured to the first spring end and has a flat wall portion at the end portion of the rotatable member opposing the spring and parallel to the axis, the wall and the rotatable member together forming a seat in the rotatable member.

Abstract: A container for enclosing particulate matter for use as an animal toy constructed or sewn fabric being provided with hook and loop sealing wherein an extension of the container body forms a protection for the Velcro sealer before the hook and loop forms the seal, thereby protecting the Velcro from the particulate contents of the toy. The contents of the toy preferably comprise catnip. The toy can take any shape and/or color combination, such as that of fruit, a vegetable or an animal, preferably a rodent.

Abstract: A method of identifying an object and determining in which of at least two areas the object is located is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: focusing a first directional antenna (18) on a first area (28a), focusing a second directional antenna on a second area (28b), transmitting a first field strength pulse (44) from said first directional antenna (18), transmitting a second field strength pulse (46) from said second directional antenna (18), and comparing in a transponder (14) the first field strength pulse (44) to the second field strength pulse (46) to determine in which of the two areas (28a,28b) the transponder (14) is located. Other devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making an assemblable fence and the fence which includes a plurality of spaced apart pickets, each picket having an aperture therein facing in the same direction, an insert having an edge with a single or plurality of spaced apart fingers disposed along the edge, the spacing between the fingers being the same as the spacing between the center portions of the pickets and a substantially U-shaped rail having an intermediate portion and a pair of spaced apart portions extending from the intermediate portion. The insert is placed between the rail and the pickets so that the fingers are aligned with the apertures and above the apertures in the pickets. The rail and fingers are then moved toward the apertures until the fingers enter and are locked in the apertures. In one embodiment, the step of moving the rail and the fingers further includes continuing to move the rail and the fingers in the same direction after entry of the fingers into the apertures to provide the locking.

Abstract: A method of making a microelectronic circuit and the connection pattern therefor including the steps of providing a substrate (3), preferably silicon and preferably including a layer of nickel (38) under a layer of gold (36) thereon. Regions are formed on the substrate for connection of electrical components to the substrate using a first metallurgy, preferably gold and a pattern of bumps (5, 7) is formed of a second metallurgy different from the first metallurgy, preferably lead/tin solder. An interconnection pattern is formed on the substrate contacting at least one bump and at least one pad. The pattern of solder bumps is formed by providing a coupon (31) and patterning the bumps on the coupon and applied to the substrate while attached to the coupon, then heated to cause flow of the bumps onto the substrate. The coupon is then removed from the bumps with the bumps remaining on the substrate.

Abstract: A protective guard for attachment to conventional lift trucks to prevent damage to transported materials caused by the hard surfaces and edges of lift forks is provided which comprises a flexible sheet having cushioning characteristics and having a width sufficient in length to span and cover the lift forks. The protective guard further comprises hook and loop type fasteners for attaching the flexible sheet to the lift truck such that the sheet covers the potentially damaging lift forks and allows for lateral movement of the lift forks.

Abstract: A method of removing B.sub.2 O.sub.3 encapsulant from a structure which includes providing a structure having a melting temperature and having a layer of B.sub.2 O.sub.3 thereon. This structure with the layer of B.sub.2 O.sub.3 thereon is placed in a chamber at a temperature in excess of 400.degree. C. and below the melting temperature of the structure and at some pressure and the pressure in the chamber is decreased, preferably to about -14.7 psig, until the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 foams. Then the temperature in the chamber is lowered to below 400.degree. C. and preferably to about ambient temperature external of the chamber. The structure with the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 thereon is washed in an alcohol, preferably one of methanol and isopropanol, after the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 has foamed and the structure is then washed with the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 thereon after the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 has foamed in a liquid non-reactive with the structure to remove the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 from the structure, preferably water.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of binder removal from a green body before sintering or the like wherein the green body is initially heated to a temperature above the melting or flow point of the binder to liquify the binder and, at the elevated temperature, a small portion of the green body is brought into intimate contact with a non-supporting porous body of lower capillarity potential for the liquid binder. The liquid is drawn from all parts of the green body to the region of contact between the porous body and the green body and enters the body of lower capillarity potential preferentially, removing liquid from the green body through the surface of the green body only at said region of contact. The draining is continued with or without further increase in temperature until the green body is opened or becomes permeable.