Abstract: A straight sided injection molded plastic container and lid combination wherein the cylindrical sidewall of the container exhibits a neck section of reduced interior diameter and structure in said neck section for reinforcement thereof in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container.

Abstract: The amount of previously applied torque to a fastener is measured by analyzing a series of digital torque values generated during a test of the fastener.

Abstract: A dual purpose integrated circuit device which can be utilized both as an encoder for providing digital signals according to a preselected code and as a decoder for comparing a received signal with an internally generated digitally coded signal. The device includes a plurality of input/output ports for making an electrical connection between external circuitry and functional portions of the device. The device includes a pulse generator for providing digital signals at its output according to a preselected code. The output of the generator is coupled to an output port for supplying the digital signals to a transmitter when used in the encoding mode, and provides the internally generated comparison code in the decoder mode. Improved circuitry is provided for selectively adjusting the level of security for a system utilizing the device in a transmitter-receiver system for activating a load such as a garage door opener, as well as for accommodating noise levels which may be encountered in authorized use.

Abstract: A machine for performing double exposure, interferometric analysis of the changes in an object surface that result from changes in the ambient pressure on the object, as by holography, includes a pressure chamber partially formed by a horizontal base operative to support the test object and interferometric camera on its upper surface. A semispherical pressure dome is placed on the base over the test object and camera. A manifold volume bounded by a thin resilient steel disc supported beneath the base plate on a rubber gasket has its pressure equalized with the area beneath the dome by passages formed beneath the base plate. When the pressure is changed beneath the dome a similar pressure change occurs in the manifold volume beneath the base so that no net pressure forces are exerted on the base plate and no deformation of the camera or test object occurs.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for drilling wells in earth formations is produced by a casting technique using a plastic foam, combustible casting form. The bit includes a tapered drill body having a plurality of passageways therein which form jets for introducing liquid between the earth and a plurality of selectively arranged, cutting members extending outwardly from the drill body. The combustible form is molded in a shape substantially identical to that of the drill body. The cutting members are mounted on the form in the selective arrangement thereof, and the assembly of the form and cutting members are then coated with a mold material to form a mold body. A cavity is created in the form for receiving a molding mandrel which defines the longitudinal passageway of the completed bit. Molding pins are introduced through the mold body into the mandrel to precisely hold the mandrel relative to the mold body. The cutting members are precisely held by the mold body after the form is removed by combustion.

Abstract: A tapered tap suitable for producing tapered pipe threads includes a body provided with a helical thread form having a tapered cross-sectional shape. The thread form is defined by a pair of converging flanks which form a thread crest and thread root respectively lying along inner and outer converging axes. In one embodiment, a portion of the thread crest is radially offset from the outer axis and generates a tapped female thread in which a portion of the tapped thread root is of reduced diameter; the thread root of reduced diameter firmly engages and deforms the crest of a standard male tapered thread to assure that at least a portion of the helical tunnel between the male and female threads is completely sealed to prevent fluid leaks therethrough. In another embodiment, a portion of the thread root of the tap is also radially offset from the inner axis to generate a tapped thread crest of reduced diameter which deforms upon engagement with a standard male tapered thread, thereby improving the seal.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for bulk erasing magnetic tapes spirally wound on a carrier. A pair of magnetic structures are spaced apart by an air gap of sufficient width to receive the tape carrier. Circuitry is provided for producing a rotating magnetic field in the air gap substantially parallel with the tape. Preferably, the magnetic structures take the form of multi-legged iron cores. The cores are mounted so that corresponding legs on opposing cores have the same magnetic polarity. A phase shifter circuit is adapted to supply currents 90.degree. out of phase with one another to selected pairs of legs in the cores to create a rotating magnetic field in the air gap.

Abstract: An automatic vent damper control mechanism for use on furnaces or the like having a spring loaded open position and an electric motor which drives it to a closed position, against the spring bias, via a gear train. A unique over-travel mechanism is provided which prevents damage to the gear train from occurring when the damper reaches the end of its travel towards its open condition.

Abstract: A digital communications system includes a plurality of master stations communicating with a plurality of terminals over a single communication line which carries a plurality of duplex communication channels, each corresponding to a particular master station. A frequency translator coupling each terminal with the communication line permits the remote station to selectively communicate over any of the channels by translating the frequency of a selected channel to that of the terminal's receiver and by translating the frequency of the terminal's transmitter to that of the selected channel. Upon selection of a particular channel, the terminal's transmitter is disabled for a duration sufficient to allow its receiver to pick up a resynchronization signal periodically sent out by the master station whose channel has been selected. The receiver then enables the transmitter in synchronism with any other terminals using the same channel.

Abstract: In a dynamic balancing machine for measuring amount and angular location of unbalance of a rotor piece during rotating the rotor piece by a drive motor, in order to position automatically the unbalance angular location to a predetermined angular position on bearings at a time of detection of the unbalance, a preset counter is used for providing a signal to stop the drive motor. Angular pulses each of which indicates rotation of the test rotor piece over a unit angular extent are generated by a rotary encoder, and phase indicating pulses are formed from the vibration signal from a vibration velocity pickup. After constant rotation of the drive motor, motor speed is reduced by a motor speed reduction signal, and, thereafter, the preset counter begins to count the angular pulses in response to presence of one pulse of the phase indicating pulses.

Abstract: A cable connector includes at least two electrically conductive slip ring members with freely rotatable contact surfaces which are mutually frictionally engaged with one another. Provision is made for selectively forcing the contact surfaces into highly pressurized engagement so as to lock them together during application of current through the cable. The present invention finds particular utility as a rotary joint cable connector for a pneumatically operated spot welding gun.

Abstract: An automatic tire inflation system for a vehicle (10) includes a plurality of wheel assemblies (14). Each wheel assembly includes a rotatable portion (30) connected to its associated tire (16) and a non-rotatable portion (24) connected to the vehicle chassis (28). A sealed air passageway is provided between an inlet (62) in the non-rotatable portion and an outlet (64) in the rotatable portion of the wheel assembly which is connected to the tire. The sealed air passageway is provided in part by way of a longitudinally extending bore (66) in the spindle (24) which communicates with a chamber (60) defined by a sleeve (42) and a pair of air seals (52, 54) between the sleeve and spindle. A manually actuable selector device (102) in the vehicle is provided to permit the user to select one of a plurality of preset air pressure settings for the tires.

Abstract: A pannier adapted to be mounted on the rear carrier rack of cycle vehicles includes a rectangular bag mounted on a flat, rigid frame and a U-shaped bar pivotally mounted on the frame and within the bag to permit collapsing of the bag. The pannier is mounted on the rack by an elongated rod extending across the upper edge of the frame and adapted to be slidably received within a channel section of the rack. A pair of snaps carried by a pannier flap secure and position the pannier, fore and aft, against shifting movement with respect to the channel section. The lower end of the pannier is secured by means of a webbing loop mating with a wire form which is bolted to a portion of the carrier rack support and which has a rear-projecting section. The rear-projecting section slides into the webbing loop simultaneously with movement of the rod element into the channel section.

Abstract: Bonded aggregate structures, processes for their production, improved wall, floor and ceiling panel structures laminated with bonded aggregate and methods for their production are provided. The structures are made using a workable quick-setting non-toxic non-ammoniacal mixture of magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide, aggregate and mono aluminum phosphate acidic solution. The panel structures, especially for building purposes and the like, can be made in various forms ranging from low density to load-bearing forms which may be refractory, insulative, heat reflective, light weight, labor and energy conserving, etc.

Abstract: An optical computer based on the residue number system employs a plurality of computational modules which may be programmed using electronic pulses to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division operations. Each module comprises an array of optical switches in the form of directional wave guide couplers interconnected by optical transmission paths to form a series of maps corresponding to a given modulus. The optical switches are arranged in rows and groups of rows may be selectively activated to adapt the module to perform various arithmetic operations. One residue is input to the module in the form of light pulses and is spatially arranged to automatically select the proper map to perform a desired function. The optical switches in each row thereof are electrically interconnected to a bi-stable electrical switch that simultaneously switches all of the logical switches in that row in accordance with a programming input pulse delivered to one of the bi-stable switches.

Abstract: An auxiliary support device for a workpiece is connected to a bracket mounted on a side face plate of a steady rest. The support device includes a member extending from the end of the steady rest for abutting the workpiece diametrically opposite the machine tool to provide additional backup forces during machining operations. Preferably, provision is made for adjusting the angle of the support device relative to the workpiece and for moving the abutment member in unison with the fingers of the steady rest.

Abstract: An interface for biphase data communication systems utilizing serial transmissions between a central control unit and a peripheral device. A ROM-latch network serving as a sequencer is utilized as a bi-directional biphase serial/TTL parallel translator. In the receiver mode the ROM-latch will step through a specific operational sequence for detecting an appropriate header and controlling a TTL parallel translation of the serial biphase data. In the transmitter mode the ROM-latch is used to reconstruct the header sequence prior to retranslating and transmitting the TTL parallel data in serial biphase format. A receiver clock generator circuit is provided for generating clock pulses for the ROM-latch in synchronism with the incoming biphase transmissions. A transmitter level converter defines the waveforms for the biphase data transmitted from the interface and is designed to provide a predistortion pulse at each voltage level transition.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for producing high purity metal powders of precisely controlled particle size. The apparatus employs a system for atomizing a stream of molten metal by a swirling fluid. After initial system set up, different particle sizes may be produced merely by interchanging atomization fluid inserts. Each replaceable atomization fluid insert includes an inlet for receiving a single gas supply at a fixed pressure. A spiral channel in the insert of decreasing cross-sectional dimension extends from the inlet to an outlet surrounding the streams of molten metal. The channel configuration of each of the replaceable inserts is designed so that a preselected atomization fluid velocity and/or spiral rate is provided for atomizing the molten metal to the desired particle size. Gas jets in a depending cooling tank are used to rapidly cool the particles while keeping them from impinging against the wall of the tank.

Abstract: A molded synthetic rubber muffler or exhaust component hanger having a molded-in nylon reinforcing loop around the circumferential surface thereof and manufactured according to a method which involves at least the steps of preparing a preform of uncured synthetic rubber which approximates the shape of the finished article, preparing a wrapping loop of synthetic rubber coated nylon the circumferential size of which accurately conforms to the circumferential dimension of the finished article but is slightly greater than the same circumferential dimension of the preform, placing the loop on the preform and compression molding the combination to unite the rubber constituents of each and to expand the preform as to fully fill out the nylon loop.