Abstract: Trailing wire ends of a cable supply on a pay-off reel initially are connected to respective matrix points of a controller in a preselected numerical order. The cable then is fed from the reel, and a leading end portion is desheathed, using heat. The desheathed portions of the cable wires then are pressed or "ironed" from a twisted-pair bundle configuration into an individual-wire common plane configuration. As the desheathed portions of the wires next are fanned out of the common plane configuration in random order, they are sorted into two groups, depending on the side of a connector plug on which they are to be located, in response to signals from the controller, which also identifies each wire and stores information as to its random numerical position in its respective group. The cable then is cut to length adjacent the supply reel and a new sequence of operations is initiated.

Abstract: A twisted pair of wires is produced by drawing two insulated wires from two supply reels while rotating one wire supply reel about the other. A capstan and tachometer measure the linear rate at which the twisted pair is being drawn. The output of the tachometer is controllably and variably divided and used to control a power inverter that drives a motor which rotates the one wire supply reel about the other. The variable ratio between the linear wire movement and the rotary or twisting movement is controlled by a random generator producing a series of numbers representing length per twist of the twisted pair, between fixed limits.

Abstract: Several methods and apparatus are disclosed for successively loading a predetermined number of elongated paramagnetic articles out of a temporarily stored mass thereof, initially confined within a magnetic field-defined storage area in parallel relationship, into precisely spaced arrays, with each array thereafter being transferred to an unloading station whereat the articles are simultaneously released to fall by gravity into respectively aligned receiving areas of an associated workpiece positioned therebelow. As a common, reciprocally mounted, article handling mechanism is employed to carry out the loading, transferring and unloading operations, and as no inversion of the articles is required to effect the unloading thereof, the composite apparatus advantageously is of simplified, reliable and rugged construction.

Abstract: A probe for sensing the strength of the magnetic field that surrounds a current-carrying conductor has a square-loop magnetic material wrapped about a conductor which is placed in the magnetic field to be sensed. An alternating signal is applied to the conductor, of sufficient intensity to cause successive reversals of the polarity of the magnetic material. A sense winding around the magnetic material issues a switch signal every time the magnetic material reverses polarity. The switch signal is used to sample the alternating drive signal current in order to store the amplitude of the drive signal at the instant at which the magnetic material reverses polarity. The sampled signal amplitude is averaged over a period of time, and the resultant amplitude is a linear function of the strength of the magnetic field. A second conductor, magnetic material and sense winding are arranged in a position remote from the magnetic field in order to sense the effect of the Earth's magnetic field.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a circuit protective device are disclosed that rely on a unique, spring-biased housing that cooperates with a leaded fusible element to effect a reliable open-circuit condition in response to a predetermined overload condition. The leads not only provide the means for interconnecting the device with associated circuitry, but are specially configured to provide a simplified, inexpensive and reliable way of holding the assembled device together, in opposition to a predetermined closed-circuit tensional biasing force applied thereagainst by the housing, during normal operation. The leads may also advantageously be configured during the assembly of the device to provide the means for directly mounting the device on, and optionally (with pre-formed stops) in spaced relationship with, a circuit board.

Abstract: A method for use in the on-line monitoring of a geometrical parameter of a continuously advancing elongated article and, more particularly, the measuring and controlling of a geometrical dimension of such articles. The method utilizes fluidics to selectively perform such operating functions as signal responsive measuring, comparing, averaging, sensing and controlling, with the apparatus requiring a minimum of circuit interfaces and moving elements. One preferred application of the method is in measuring and controlling the coating thickness of a plurality of pulp insulated wires during manufacture.

Abstract: Two protective molded plastic hood embodiments are disclosed that are particularly adapted for use in securing multi-conductor cables to connector plugs of the type typically having one or more arrays of terminals of either the soldered or solderless type associated therewith. Each plastic hood, by having a pressure pad integrally connected to a pressure pad-receiving hood extension formed as an integral rearward portion of the main body of the hood, advantageously allows the composite hood not only to be of one-piece construction, but allows the pressure pad to be key-way guided in a telescopic manner into the hood extension. This insures that reliable, diametrically opposed clamping forces, provided by a cable tie, will always be imparted against a section of cable when positioned between the pad and hood extension, regardless of the diameter of the cable (or cables).

Abstract: A wiring head housing, particularly adapted for use in an automatic cable harness forming machine, incorporates a uniquely mounted, resiliently locked and resettable guide tube assembly that allows a guide tube, while being moved horizontally in accordance with a programmed pattern along an X-Y coordinate plane, for example, to be tilted up to a predetermined maximum degree of inclination, upon hitting an obstruction, in any direction from the predetermined resiliently locked position, while remaining secured to the wiring head. The spring means for resiliently locking the guide tube assembly continuously engages a rotatable member thereof in such a way, and is of such a type, that it is expanded in response to the guide tube being tilted in any direction. Such spring expansion (or displacement) is optionally employed to actuate a machine turn-off switch positioned adjacent thereto.

Abstract: Telephone dial mounting assemblies are disclosed wherein a uniquely constructed pair of resilient mounting elements, such as in the form of spring clips with bifurcated U-shaped leg sections, are secured to and interposed between the dial and associated support structure, permanently secured within a telephone housing, and having suitably dimensioned and positioned spring clip-receiving openings formed therein. Such a modular mounting assembly is not only of simplified, inexpensive and reliable construction, but advantageously allows dials of the same or different types to be rapidly and simply mounted within or removed from a telephone housing regardless of any differences either in the overall structural dimensions, or in the spacing or location of the attachment brackets or tabs, that may exist between alternative dials.

Abstract: Article surface defect detection methods and closed-circuit video systems for use therewith are disclosed for discriminating between different types of light-reflective surface areas on articles. Such methods and systems are particularly adapted to ascertain the presence and absence of, as well as condition of, circuit paths and satisfactory versus unsatisfactory soldered connections on printed circuit boards. In order to optimize the contrast between such two-dimensional and three-dimensional light-reflective surface areas, a specially oriented and polarized screen is interposed between the light source and article surface to be examined, and a rotatably adjustable polarized filter is preferably mounted on the camera, with the axis of the lens system thereof being oriented substantially perpendicularly to both the polarized light rays and the exposed article surface to be examined.

Abstract: To test certain structural characteristics of a weld formed between two dissimilar metals in order to test the quality, or structural integrity, of the weld, the emf generated at the weld bond interface during welding, as a result of the Seebeck effect (thermocouple), is monitored. As the weld cools, the emf decreases at a first essentially rapid rate with respect to time until the weld begins to recrystallize, or fuse, at which point the emf decreases at a second and slower rate since the latent heat of fusion of the metals decreases the cooling rate of the weld. When recrystallization is complete, the emf decreases at an essentially exponential rate. It has been discovered the rate of change of the emf with respect to time during recrystallization is an indication of the quantity of the metal involved in the weld where the weld is exposed to a constant heat sink, such as the atmosphere, since the more metal that is involved in the weld the slower the weld will cool during fusion, and vice versa.

Abstract: A cable block particularly adapted for use in the installation of aerial cable comprises a main frame member formed at its upper end with an inverted V-shaped strand engaging hanger section, at its lower end with a U-shaped pulley support section, and with a spring-biased, wedging cam locking mechanism supported on the upper hanger section. The cam locking mechanism comprises a uniquely dimensioned and configured pair of wedging cams that are intercoupled and spring-biased through respectively associated, and mating spur gears. The cams are symmetrically disposed relative to, and grip, the interposed strand in such a manner that the cable block remains substantially vertically oriented on the strand at all times, and positively locked against movement selectively in either direction along the strand, regardless of the position of the open side of the cable block relative to the strand.

Abstract: An open-ended, B-wire type of deformable connector has a thin, perforable insulative liner secured to the inner surface of the inner one of a pair of telescopically coaxially disposed metallic sleeves in accordance with several preferred liner assembly methods. The liner is positioned so as to overlie the distal ends of an array of insulation-piercing protuberances formed in the inner sleeve, and to extend continuously in both the circumferential and longitudinal directions at least to the perimeter of the array. During assembly, while the inner sleeve is being fabricated out of strip stock in a progressive manner, each liner in the form of a section of thin, plastic film stock is positioned on and firmly secured (such as by pressure bonding) to the partially fabricated planar sleeve section along at least the solid wall border regions thereof (surrounding the array of protuberances).

Abstract: An elongated energy absorbing bumper assembly, particularly adapted for use in absorbing the kinetic energy induced print hammer forces produced in impact printers and the like, is comprised of an outer resilient body portion, and an axially disposed stabilizing rod. The stabilizing rod is employed to substantially minimize the troublesome "kneading" or stretching effects that have otherwise often been encountered heretofore with conventional one-piece elongated bumpers made out of materials exhibiting the requisite resiliency and viscous damping characteristics. Such detrimental effects have developed heretofore both during the assembly of the bumper in the hammer mechanism, and during use thereafter. As a result of the stabilizing rod minimizing dimensional changes in the outer resilient body portion of the bumper assembly along its axial length, the energy absorbing (or damping) characteristics thereof will permanently remain substantially uniform therealong.

Abstract: A method of precisely aligning a pattern on one side of an opaque substrate with a pattern on the opposite side thereof through the use of pattern-defining masks, wherein at least certain pattern areas previously not formed on the substrate, as defined selectively through the masks, are formed while the masks are aligned. The first mask is releasably secured to a first side of the substrate so as to define a particular orientation of a desired pattern therethrough, and is dimensioned such that at least one, but preferably several spaced peripheral areas thereof extend beyond adjacent peripheral edge portions of the wafer, with the extended mask areas including alignment indicia. A second mask is then positioned against a second side of the substrate, and is constructed with one or more outwardly extending peripheral areas and respectively associated alignment indicia corresponding in number, and spatial relationship, with those in the first mask.

Abstract: A specially constructed drive nut with both threaded and unthreaded axial bores, and a unique resilient mounting assembly therefor, are employed to couple a rotationally driven lead screw to a linearly driven carriage. The mounting assembly includes a specially constructed resilient O-ring which is coaxially positioned on the drive nut near the unthreaded end thereof and, in combination with a pair of adjustable O-ring clamping plates, resiliently mounts the drive nut in a cantilevered manner on an apertured carriage side wall through which the lead screw passes. As constructed and mounted, the drive nut is allowed to become slightly skewed relative to the axis of the lead screw, if required, in order to minimize frictional forces which can develop, for example, because of tolerance variations, bow in the lead screw, or axial misalignment of the latter with the carriage guide rods.

Abstract: A method of effecting time-linear travel of a lead screw-driven, carriage-mounted print head during the print cycle encompassed within a predetermined period of each motor-initiated advancement thereof. This is accomplished by incorporating a predetermined maximum possible amount of built-in backlash between the threaded coupling member and the lead screw, and by utilizing a predetermined time delay before printing commences so as to compensate for the backlash. The latter is employed to minimize friction and wear due selectively to any tolerance variations in the lead screw-drive nut threads, bow in the lead screw, or misalignment thereof relative to the carriage guide rods. As a result, wear of the moving parts that produce the friction is minimized.