Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed for making an evanescent wave coupler. Two optical waveguides have a portion of the cladding material removed until the core is exposed. The two optical waveguides are placed in juxtaposition with an interleaf film between them. The interleaf film insures an accurate and constant spatial relation between the two optical waveguides to have reliable evanescent coupling therebetween.

Abstract: This disclosure depicts a novel environmentally sealed and manually controlled swivel unit for use in an adjustable lighting fixture. The swivel unit comprises a base for establishing electrical and mechanical connection with a source of electrical power and is attached to a housing having a central housing bore. The swivel unit further comprises a swivel ball device having a spherical body and a tube extending from the spherical body with a means for sealing the swivel ball device within the housing. A lamp-holder is attached to the end of the tube. The swivel unit also comprises a minimum friction swivel ball controller and circular plate and a tension means for forcing the swivel ball controller against the swivel ball device, and, in turn, for forcing the swivel ball device against a shoulder of the housing. This defines a predetermined lamp-holding force.

Abstract: An interferometer is disclosed for optically sensing displacements in a surface. A first fiber optic waveguide receives light from a laser in one end and transports it to the other end where a portion is back reflected and a portion is projected upon the surface. The reflected light from the surface re-enters the fiber optic at the projecting end and combines with the back reflected signal to derive an optical information wave. This optical information wave is evanescently coupled to a second fiber optic waveguide which transports this wave to a detector. A specific amount of reflective matter is attached to the end of the first fiber optic waveguide to enhance reflection therefrom, and an optical energy absorber is fixedly attached to the other end of the second fiber optic waveguide to prevent internal back reflection within the second fiber optic waveguide.

Abstract: This disclosure depicts a novel sidecar for use with a bicycle. The sidecar comprises a sidecar frame having at least three attachment ends, a sidecar wheel and axle attached to one of the attachment ends of the sidecar frame, a holding means attached to the sidecar frame, and first and second securing means for attaching the sidecar frame to the bicycle. The first and second securing means are in alignment with each other such that the sidecar wheel remains in contact with the ground when the bicycle is tilted from side to side.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled micro-stepping chart drive circuit is disclosed. The invention comprises a step clock system, a micro-processor controller and a motor drive circuit. A speed selector establishes a numerical constant within the controller. This numerical constant is decremented down with each pulse of the step clock. When the counter reaches zero, the motor drive circuit is updated. Therefore, the time between updates of the motor drive circuit is a function of the value of the numerical constant.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making capillary glass liners for use in ink jet writing devices. The capillary glass blanks are suspended within a heating coil which melts the glass locally so that the blank stretches to form two well defined jet liner nozzles. Liners with inlet and outlet orifices and with bent or angled outlet nozzles are also made.

Abstract: A medical power service column for use in a hospital room for supplying electrical power, lighting and gases and also for providing a centralized support for medical equipment. The medical column comprises a base, a wall enclosure and a top cover all having a unique flat-cornered cross-sectional shape. The flat-cornered triangular shape of the medical column allows free access to a patient in a hospital bed while supporting medical equipment in close proximity to the patient.

Abstract: This disclosure depicts a novel method and system for crimping an elongated malleable metal connector onto two cables or the like and deforming the connector so that in its final crimped condition it is of generally a semi-cruciform/semi-circular shape in transverse cross-section with offset tap cable lodgment.

Abstract: This disclosure depicts a novel apparatus for securing an electrical cable in an electrical outlet box having one or more openings in the walls or bottom of the electrical outlet box. In particular, this apparatus, a cable locking device, comprises: a base portion; a flexing member having a first end of the flexing member attached to a first end of the base, the flexing member also having an aperture for receiving an electrical cable; a locking section attached to a second end of the flexing member; a cable engaging portion extending from the locking section towards the base; and a cable contact section on a second end of the base. The cable locking device fits into the opening in the electrical outlet box and locks the electrical cable into position.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for use with adjustable rotary controls such as potentiometers to provide a means for locking the control knob and to provide varying amounts of drag force to aid in fine adjustments. A locking shoe assembly having integral locking shoes with cam surfaces is attached to the control panel with the rotary control shaft extending through its center. A locking knob with internal cams fits over the locking shoe assembly. A control knob with an integral land surface is attached to the rotary shaft, holds the locking knob in place and extends into the locking shoe assembly. Rotation of the locking knob engages the various cam surfaces thus binding the land surface and the control knob.

Abstract: An automatic line segment generator is disclosed primarily for use with linear array display devices. Converted analog data is received from a single slope analog to digital converter. This received digital data is synchronized with a system clock and is positioned and stored as line segment data during one measurement period of the analog to digital converter. New data is received during the next measurement period and is then synchronized, positioned and compared against the previously stored line segment data. The length of the line segment in storage will remain the same or increase based on the position and length of the newly received data, i.e. if the new data position is within the stored data position, the stored data remains the same and if the new data position is outside of the stored data position, the stored data length will increase to the new data position.

Abstract: This disclosure depicts a novel environmentally sealed and manually controlled swivel unit for use in an adjustable lighting fixture. The swivel unit comprises a base, a housing, a swivel ball device and a swivel ball controller. The swivel unit further comprises a tension means for forcing the swivel ball controller against the swivel ball device, and, in turn, for forcing the swivel ball device against a shoulder of the housing. This defines a predetermined lamp-holding force. The swivel ball controller allows the swivel ball device to rotate about a first axis and also to rotate about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The swivel ball device and the shoulder on the housing form an environmentally sealed juncture. The predetermined lamp-holding force retains the swivel ball device at any selected position while allowing easy manual movement of the swivel ball device.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided an electrographic recording apparatus for recording on an electrostatic charge retentive record medium and a driver circuit suitable for use therein. The apparatus comprises a plurality of recording electrodes mounted in close proximity to the record medium. A plurality of complementary electrodes are mounted in electrical cooperative relationship with the recording electrodes. Improved driver circuits are provided for applying a voltage to the electrodes. The driver comprises a current branch to which the electrode is connected. A current control is provided for supplying a current through the current branch, which current biases diodes to force the electrode to a reference potential. The current further charges an electrical storage element. To apply a high voltage to an electrode, the current control blocks the current flow. The potential stored in the storage element which causes a base-emitter current flow to forward bias the transistor.

Abstract: An electric receptacle for trade size outlet boxes having a ground fault circuit interrupting machanism incorporated therein. A receptacle housing includes contact jaws seated therein to receive the plug of a conductor leading to a load, electronic components to detect a ground fault and grounded neutral condition on the load side of the receptacle, plus a coil and trip mechanism to open the receptacle circuit on occurrence of a ground fault or grounded neutral condition. The complete receptacle assembly is approximately the same depth as conventional household receptacles which do not have ground fault circuit interrupting means included therein. Means to periodically test the ground fault interrupting mechanism is also included in the receptacle assembly, as well as means to indicate the circuit has been interrupted and means to reset.

Abstract: This disclosure depicts a novel improved electrically conductive double action pressure lock terminal assembly for use with an electrical wiring device capable of holding various diameter sized conductors. The pressure lock terminal assembly comprises: an electrically non-conductive base having a cavity stop means; an electrically conductive contact strip supported by the base, the contact strip having a main section with at least one jaw section extending from the end of the main section; and an electrically conductive double action pressure lock attached to and extending at a right angle from the main section such that the double action pressure lock is positioned a predetermined distance beneath the jaw section of the contact strip.

Abstract: This disclosure depicts a novel improved thin wall correlative case for use with an electrical multiple outlet. The correlative case comprises: a bottom section and a top section, each of the top and bottom sections having; a floor, first and second side walls, and first and second end walls, and first and second substantially rectangular apertures in the floor of the bottom section, the apertures being positioned parallel to each other and parallel to the end walls, and a substantially circular aperture in the floor of the bottom section, the circular aperture being located near the first side wall.When the top and bottom sections of the case are assembled, each of the end walls forms a surface having two rectangular apertures parallel to each other and a D-shaped aperture.

Abstract: A cable lock assembly includes first and second members pivotally interconnected and defining a cable receiving slot. The members have interlocking means defining a closed position to securely grip the cable between the members. In one version, the second member has a locking cleat pivoted thereon and the locking cleat has sharp edges that bite into the cable. In another version, the interlocking means includes a pair of projections on one member and two spaced pairs of recesses on the other member that define two locked positions for the members.

Abstract: A cable lock assembly for an electrical outlet box includes first and second members that cooperate with each other to define a cable receiving opening. The first member is generally U-shaped and has a locking member extending from the base thereof, which is received into an aperture in the bottom wall of the box. The second member straddles the first member and includes a base and first and second pairs of spaced legs extending from opposite ends. Each leg of the second member is received into an opening in the bottom wall and has spaced ledges that engage the bottom surface of the bottom wall to define different sized openings between the bases.

Abstract: A retaining clip for retaining a threaded screw on a wall of an outlet box has a pair of legs extending generally parallel from a bite portion and which are received in slots in the wall extending across an elongated screw receiving passage. Each leg has an opening having a diameter substantially equal to the major diameter of the thread and each opening has a projection having an inner arcuate edge having a radius of about one-half the minor or root diameter. At least one of the openings has its center axially offset from the axis of the passage so that a line through the two centers is inclined with respect to the axis of the passage.

Abstract: This disclosure depicts a ductile metallic electrical and mechanical connector for attachment to one or more electrical cables and formable by a compressible process. The connector comprises at least one bifurcated body member having first and second leg portions initially connected by a reduced cross-sectional thickness portion of the body member to provide a plastically flowable hinge connection. The first and second leg portions define an initial predetermined angle such that the body member can laterally engage an uninsulated section of an electrical cable. The first leg has on the end opposite the reduced thickness portion an axially extending rib member and axially extending inner and outer ridges disposed on either side of the rib member. The second leg has on the end opposite the reduced thickness portion axially extending inner and outer fingers.