Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved cable lashing machine for securing a fiber optic cable to a supporting strand. The cable lashing machine, which is movable along the supporting strand, has an elongated housing which has a central through bore extending the length of the housing for reception of the fiber optic cable and the supporting strand. A spinning head mounted on the elongated housing carries a coil of lashing line on a rotatable spool and pays out the line to wrap helically around the fiber optic cable and the supporting strand as the elongated housing is advanced along the supporting strand. A tension loading device places tension on the fiber optic cable as it passes through the central bore and as it is lashed to the supporting strand, with the amount of tension supplied being sufficient to maintain the fiber optic cable coextensive relative to the supporting strand.

Abstract: Safety apparatus for use on press machines of the type including a barrier guard. The apparatus isolates the kinetic energy source from the point of operation by removing a section of the ram whenever the barrier guard opens to provide access to the die area. The ram section is replaced when the barrier guard is closed. The removal and replacement of the removable ram section occurs concurrently with the opening and the closing of the barrier guard.

Abstract: An improved walking mechanism for supporting and moving heavy equipment such as a strip mining drag line. The mechanism has a frame with a base pad attached to the frame for supporting the equipment on the ground. To move the equipment, a pair of conventional side pads are actuated with a crank arrangement to engage the ground and lift the base pad and frame off of the ground for stepping movement of the equipment horizontally with respect to the ground. The improvement comprises a cross pad positioned adjacent the forward or loaded end of the frame which is simultaneously actuated to engage the ground and provide partial support for the weight of the equipment when the side pads are actuated. The cross pad is pivotally connected to a force actuator, which in turn is pivotally connected to the frame. The force actuator is operated to extend and retract the cross pad horizontally and vertically between the frame and the ground.

Abstract: The condition of a storage battery of an internal combustion engine powered vehicle is tested automatically, and an indication of battery condition is provided to the service technician. The battery testing apparatus is connected to the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals of the battery to measure battery voltage under several different conditions. In particular, the battery testing apparatus measures battery voltage under open circuit conditions, while subjecting the battery to a predetermined AC load, and while subjecting the battery to a predetermined DC load. The battery testing apparatus also includes a temperature probe which measures the temperature of the battery.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled camera system for exposing film with a photographic subject, a field of bar code data relevant to the subject and a field of data taken from a written card. The camera system includes an elevator assembly for raising and lowering the camera in response to a control actuator and a fixed aperture dual zoom lens system for framing the subject under control of the control actuator. A flash control system utilizes reflected light from the flashtube to indicate the amount of additional light needed on the subject and commands additional energy storage capacitors to be discharged through the flashtube to increase the subject illumination to a desired level.

Abstract: A windmill electric heater converts wind energy to heat energy. A windmill drives a rotor of an eddy current heater. Magnetic fields are provided at an air gap between the rotor and a stator of the eddy current heater. Rotation of the rotor with respect to the stator causes eddy currents, and therefore heat, to be generated in the rotor. The heat generated in the rotor is drawn off for beneficial use such as in heating a house or other building. Excitation of the magnetic fields (and therefore the amount of heat generated) is controlled as a function of sensed parameters such as wind velocity, ambient temperature of the surroundings to be heated and temperature of the eddy current heater.

Abstract: An overhead instrument console for use in a tractor includes a panel spanning the driver's compartment. A hinge pivotally connects the panel to the ceiling such that the panel pivots to a down position permitting full access to the rear of instruments mounted on the panel and to such devices as windshield wiper motors, and pivots to an up position hiding from view the rear of the instruments mounted thereon. A latching mechanism is provided to keep the panel in the up position.

Abstract: A processor of photosensitive material includes an automatic control system for providing anti-oxidation replenishment, as a function of a stored anti-oxidation replenishment rate and anti-oxidation replenishment provided by exhaustion replenishment. A time interval is initiated during which the anti-oxidation replenishment required due to expired time is compared to the amount of anti-oxidation replenishment provided by the exhaustion replenishment in that time interval. When the difference by which the amount of needed anti-oxidation replenishment exceeds the anti-oxidation replenishment provided by exhaustion replenishment reaches a preset value, a fixed amount of replenisher is added to the developer tank.

Abstract: A housing for forming a vehicle light assembly comprising a body for a light having the general shape of the rounded nose of a bullet on the back end as viewed from the side and top, a generally rectangular front end as viewed from the front and a generally arcuate lens on the front end, and a mounting base integrally formed with and on the bottom of said body whereby said body and mounting base form a housing of unitary construction which may be mounted on a vehicle.

Abstract: A key device carries an integrated circuit chip or dual in-line package (DIP) and permits connecting the chip into a circuit board such as a logic circuit board of a computer terminal, from an exterior opening of the housing or cabinet carrying such circuit board. The key device connects any desired chip electrically to spring contacts of a socket located in alignment with the exterior opening. The socket in turn is connected through a ribbon cable for example to a connector on the circuit board at some desired location within the housing. The chip carrying key device is rotated 90.degree. after insertion to insure good electrical contact. When the key is to be removed, the key device is rotated 90.degree. to a position where it is electrically disconnected from the socket leads and can be removed from the housing. The chip can be reprogrammed if desired.

Abstract: A wind propelled sailing device, such as a wind surfer, having a hull and a mast pivotally attached thereto with a substantially lateral boom extending from the mast and a sail for receiving wind is controlled in an improved manner through an apparatus that aids a sailor in counterbalancing the force generated by the wind. The apparatus includes a substantially rigid control member preferably including a pair of spaced-apart rigid rods pivotally connected at one end to the boom in an angular direction and rigidly connected to each other at a second end with a handle member. A connecting mechanism connects the rigid rods to the boom in an angular direction while preventing movement of the control member along the boom's axis. The apparatus allows the sailor to increase his counterbalancing force by allowing the sailor to lean further into the wind while minimizing reduction in effective sail area.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling matching dowel holes in at least two companion workpieces includes a frame with a top surface and a drilling mechanism driven by a motor. The drilling mechanism is slidably attached to the top surface of the frame and movable along a first drilling axis substantially parallel to the top surface. A centering mechanism automatically centers the workpieces with respect to the first axis by movement along a second axis. A positioning mechanism is rigidly attached to the centering mechanism and positions the centering mechanism such that each of the workpieces is positioned in at least two dowel hole drilling positions along the first drilling axis. The positioning mechanism includes spaced-apart first and second stop members which define first and second dowel hole drilling positions. A stop engaging member is positioned movably between the first and second stop members and rigidly connects the positioning mechanism with the centering mechanism.

Abstract: A device for planting seed and applying fertilizer including a frame adapted to be moved over the ground and a furrow opener shank carried on the frame. A first delivery tube is provided in the shank for fertilizer and has a lower end disposed to a first predetermined level below the ground. A second delivery tube for seed is also provided and has a lower end disposed at a second predetermined shallower level. The second tube is positioned behind the first tube with respect to the direction of travel. Earth tends to fill in around the fertilizer as the shank moves along. This provides an earth seed bed which separates the seed from the fertilizer. A packer wheel is attached to the frame and trails the second tube of each shank. The packer wheel compacts the ground after delivery of the material to the ground and also regulates the depth of the shank.

Abstract: A wind powered generator for generating electrical energy comprising a generator which has no slip rings between its field and armature, and which when mounted on a tower is controlled through suitable control mechanism to adjust the power output to a level compatible with the load and storage equipment, as well as the existing wind conditions.The armature is fixedly mounted on the support (which can turn about an upright axis) and a housing carrying permanent magnets rotates around the armature. Bearing means stably support the housing and the armature and the propeller is easily mounted on the housing.The device is made to be relatively maintenance free and capable of unattended generation of electricity over extended periods of time.

Abstract: A ceramic molding machine is used for hot molding ceramic parts under low pressures for small part production molding and includes a heated tank that is generally conical in shape and has an internal mixer that is driven from the exterior of the tank through a slip clutch arrangement to avoid overloading of the drive motor. The conical tank insures that the ceramic slurry will flow toward the bottom outlet from the tank and also permit use of small amounts of slurry for small runs of parts if the material is expensive. The mixer blade or paddle is driven from the bottom and removable from the top and thus the tank can easily be serviced. Additionally, air pressure is utilized for holding the molds in position over the feeder pipe and also for transferring the slurry to the mold in a timed sequence that can be controlled to provide the desired time for filling of the mold.

Abstract: An optical shaft angle encoder which provides sensor output voltages having waveform characteristics modified for use with "multiplication type" tachometer converter circuits to provide improved servo control system performance by reducing step changes in the tachometer output voltage due to phase error and reducing tachometer output voltage ripple. The geometry of the encoder mask combination provides a non-sinusoidal sensor output voltage comprised of linear and parabolic segments having a trapezoidal derivative.

Abstract: A data printer prints alphanumeric information on photographic slide mounts. Data printer includes a platform and a pair of parallel guide rails which define a slide track along which slide mounts are advanced. The platform has a printing aperture through which a print head prints alphanumeric characters onto a bottom surface of the slide mount positioned at the printing station. A pair of generally parallel conveyor belts are positioned above the platform and extend along the slide track so that a slide mount at the print station is held between the lower runs of the belt and the platform. An eject motor is actuated when the final slide mount of a customer order has been printed. The eject motor drives the conveyor belt and drives the slide mount out of the printing station and into a slide mount collecting basket. An adjustable platen is also positioned above the slide track over the printing aperture to limit upward deflection of the slide mount during printing on the bottom surfaces of the slide mount.

Abstract: An automatic anti-oxidation fluid replenisher system for processors of photosensitive material has an improved, digital electronic control system. The control system includes a digital binary counter which is counted down if use-related chemical replenishment is not occurring in the processor, and is counted up (generally at a different rate) if use-related chemical replenishment is occurring in the processor. When the counter reaches a predetermined value (e.g. zero), a detection circuit triggers anti-oxidation replenishment and resets the counter to its original value for further operation. A special circuit protects against counter roll-over should the counter reach its maximum capacity due to frequent chemical replenishment activity.