Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning beaches including a conveyor that will pick up foreign objects from a beach, elevate such objects together with accumulated sand, a tumbler which receives the material and rotates to separate the material from sand, a brush to unclog openings in the tumbler, and a conveyor that will move the large objects to a desired storage location.

Abstract: An automatic system for classifying photographic negatives containing snow or beach scenes measures the red, green, and blue densities of the negative to be printed. Signals indicative of red, green, and blue exposure times are derived from these measured densities, and the signal indicative of the blue exposure time is compared to the signals indicative of the red and green exposure times. The results of this comparison indicate whether a snow or beach scene is present. To determine the amount of density correction, if any, the densities of the negative at a plurality of points are measured. The extent of the density correction is determined by the number of points whose density is within a predetermined interval of the maximum density measured from any one of the points.

Abstract: An automatic photographic printer includes a sensor system for providing density signals indicative of measured optical density of a photographic film at a plurality of defined areas of the film. Photographic films containing landscape type scenes, snow/beach type scenes, and other scenes which might be incorrectly identified as subject density failures, are identified. The identified films are excluded from receiving a subject density failure exposure correction, while the remaining films are subjected to an automatic subject density failure exposure correction which is derived from the density signals.

Abstract: A photographic printer includes an automatic film measurement system which provides measurements of a film negative at defined discrete or continuous areas. The measurement system includes a light source on one side of the film, an array of light sensors on the opposite side of the film, and a plurality of interchangeable first light-guiding modules. The interchangeable modules are used with different size film and are interposed between the film and the array of light sensors. Each module has a plurality of light-conducting channels which have their first ends exposed at the first surface proximate the film and have their second ends exposed at a second surface proximate the array. The pattern at the second surface corresponds to the array of light sensors so that the light sensors receive light from different portions of the film through the light-conducting channels. In preferred embodiments, a plurality of interchangeable second light-guiding modules are also provided for use with different size films.

Abstract: An automatic photographic paper cutter cuts photographic prints from a strip of photographic paper which bears cut indicia indicating the locations of desired paper cuts. An indicia sensor is positioned in fixed relationship with respect to the paper cutter knife assembly at a distance less than the shortest length of print to be cut. The paper cutter derives and stores a feed-after-sense signal, which represents the length the paper strip must be fed after a cut indicium is sensed in order for the strip to be cut at the desired cut location represented by that cut indicium. During automatic operation of the paper cutter, the photographic paper strip is advanced until a cut indicium is sensed, is advanced by an additional distance determined by the feed-after-sense signal, is stopped, and is cut at the desired cut location.

Abstract: A dirty filter indicator for use with an air filter for an internal combustion engine, the filter comprising a replacement for an ordinary wingnut used to hold the outer cover of the air cleaner in position. The replacement nut has a bypass passage through it which communicates with the interior of the filter so that if the filter becomes dirty and clogged, a lightweight ball which is located in this passage and is normally biased to one position moves to a second position to indicate that the filter is dirty.

Abstract: An automatic photographic paper cutter cuts photographic prints from a strip of photographic paper which bears cut marks indicating the locations of desired paper cuts. An automatic paper feed control allows a predetermined number of cut marks to be missing without halting the operation of the paper cutter. A total feed length for the last previous paper feed-and-cut cycle in which cut marks were sensed at both ends of the cycle is stored and continuously updated with each paper feed-and-cut cycle. If a cut mark is not sensed within a predetermined length or "window", the automatic paper feed control causes the paper to be driven the stored total feed length, stopped, and cut.

Abstract: An antenna mount for an antenna, such as the antenna of a citizen band (CB) radio, is adapted to be rapidly clamped to an outwardly extending member such as a rear view mirror support bar of a truck. The mount includes first and second metal plates having clamping portions for holding the support bar therebetween. The first and second plates are connected together at one end by a hinge, and the clamping screw is used for clamping the first and second plates together. The antenna and an antenna connection cable are connected together at a receiving portion or aperture of the first plate so that the ground conductor of the cable is in electrical contact with the first plate. An electrically conductive member is connected to one of the plates and engages the support bar when the plates are clamped together.

Abstract: The neghold assembly of the present invention is used in photographic printers which do not have an automatic film advance system. The neghold assembly includes a transport base, a top insert holder, first and second aperture insert plates which are held in the transport base and the top insert holder, and a handle which is connected to the top insert holder. The first and second aperture insert plates are a set which have mating apertures which correspond to the desired film size. When a different size film is to be used, another set of first and second aperture insert plates having the appropriate size apertures are inserted.

Abstract: The firewood making machine of the present invention automatically produces firewood from larger logs. The larger logs are loaded into a first trough and are advanced by a predetermined length past a shearing-type cutter. The predetermined length log sections are cut off and are lowered into a second trough. A hydraulic ram drives the logs in the second trough against fixed splitting blades to split the logs into split firewood logs of the predetermined length.

Abstract: A system having two heaters, such as a photographic processor with a solution heater and a dryer heater, has proportional controllers for each of the heaters. A priority control co-ordinates operation of the two controllers to give full priority to one of the two heaters during warm up, and a reduced percentage for running conditions. The other heater is allowed to share the remaining available input power.

Abstract: A folding step for vehicles, and specifically for use on the front bumpers of large semitrailer tractors. The step is used for servicing the vehicles, for example, cleaning the windshield and the like and yet will permit the step to be folded up very quickly for transport position. It also may be used as an entrance step for vehicles. The step automatically locks under spring pressure in either its usable or stored positions, and thus minimum time is utilized in operating the step, and safety is enhanced.

Abstract: A microprocessor controls the operation of a stepper motor. A look-up table containing a sequence of numbers is used to generate up ramp or down ramp speed control of the stepper motor. The microprocessor supplies numbers from the look-up table to a stepper motor speed control, which causes the stepper motor to step at rates determined by the numbers supplied by the microprocessor.

Abstract: A cabinet assembly which is particularly useful in storing small hardware items such as nuts, bolts, screws, and washers, includes a plurality of drawers and a unitary molded plastic cabinet. The unitary molded plastic cabinet has an open back, a front formed of a grid of horizontal and vertical cross bar defining openings for the drawers, slides extending rearwardly from the grid for receiving and supporting the drawers, and a flange in each of the openings which extends downward from a horizontal cross bar and acts as a stop for both inward and outward travel of the drawer.

Abstract: A paint applicator has a handle and a pad supporting base. A paint applying pad is attached to a first face of the base. First and second flanges, a groove, and a ramp are provided on a second face of the base for receiving and holding the handle. The handle includes a plate with side walls and a lip extending below a front edge of the plate, and a gripping portion. To assemble the paint applicator, the plate is inserted into and slid rearwardly in the first and second flanges. The lip is guided up the ramp and into the groove, where the plate is held in a locking position by the first and second flanges engaging the side walls and the groove, where the plate is held in a locking position by the first and second flanges engaging the side walls and the groove engaging the lip.

Abstract: A drying chamber wherein photographic film is dried by non-turbulent recirculating conditioned air passing therethrough while the film is suspended from a conveyor system and foreign material is prevented from entering thereinto by an air curtain.

Abstract: The photographic printer of the present invention automatically derives and stores slope compensation factors which are used in subsequent printing to compensate for exposure. Reference or slope center values are stored for a reference negative and prints of various negatives are made. A print which requires correction is selected from the test prints which have been made, and the desired density corrections for that print are supplied to the printer. The density values of the negative from which the print was made are measured, and slope compensation factors are derived from the slope center values, the desired density corrections, and the measured density values. Exposures in subsequent printings are compensated based upon these derived slope compensation factors.

Abstract: A variable working distance photographic printer receives paper from a supply magazine through a first fixed opening and supplies the exposed print paper through a second fixed opening to a take-up magazine. The variable working distance is achieved with a movable paper deck within the photographic printer. Variable guides are provided between the first and second fixed openings and the movable paper deck in order to accommodate variations in the position of the movable paper deck. Variable working distances are provided, therefore, without requiring that the supply and take-up magazines be movable.

Abstract: An automatic photographic paper cutter cuts photographic prints from a roll of photographic paper which bears indicia indicating the location of desired cuts. The automatic photographic paper cutter has an improved indicia sensing system which includes a plurality of indicia sensors, each positioned to sense indicia on a different portion of the photographic paper. Prior to automatic operation of the paper cutter, an indicia bearing portion of the photographic paper is oscillated back and forth past the plurality of the indicia sensors. One of the sensors which provides an acceptable output signal is selected, and subsequent operation of the photographic paper cutter is controlled in response to signals from the selected sensor.

Abstract: A photographic packaging system includes a monitoring system which permits the operator to compare frames of the film negative with prints which are being cut so as to assure that the proper prints will be packaged with the corresponding film negatives. The monitoring system includes a television camera and display and a view splitter which is positioned between the television camera and the film negatives. The view splitter splits the field of view of the television camera so that the camera views two separate frames.