Abstract: A multi-purpose miniature pocket flashlight having a flexible case that contains a cartridge and lamp assembly. The cartridge is capable of holding a pair of batteries in association with a spring switch arm operable by squeezing the flexible casing to complete the electrical circuit and illuminate the lamp. The lamp and batteries are removable and replaceable by the provision of a removable cap means at either of the ends of said casing. The flashlight further includes a mounting magnet arranged within the case adjacent the cartridge whereby the flashlight may be magnetically secured against a metallic wall, for example. The invention also includes a bottom cap for said flexible casing that is designed to provide a watch chamber below said cartridge. The cap has a centrally open bottom wall that opens to said chamber.

Abstract: A printed circuit board which facilitates the removal and replacement of components. The circuit board (1) has unplated holes (8) extending therethrough for receiving connection pins (3) of components (2) mounted on one face of the circuit board (1). The pins (3) protrude from the opposite face of the circuit board (1) and are soldered to conductive pads (9) on this face which are connected by surface conductors (10) to plated through-holes (4) linking conductive tracks (6,7) at different layers of the circuit board (1).

Abstract: Data processing apparatus is described, comprising an array of data processing elements in rows and columns. Each element has a data register for input/output. Each column of data registers can be interconnected to form a serial shift path containing either (a) the even-numbered registers, (b) the odd-numbered registers or (c) all the registers. This allows data to be shifted out of the array, one row at a time, either from the even rows, the odd rows, or all the rows. Data can be shifted into the array in a similar way. The facility for selecting the even or odd rows is useful for handling interlaced image data.

Abstract: In a data storage apparatus, memory chips are arranged in groups, each group having an address bus which is connected to the address inputs of all the chips in that group. Each address bus is terminated at both ends by circuits which perform the dual function of suppressing reflections and checking the addresses.Because reflections are suppressed, the time taken to address the store is reduced. One of the termination circuits in each group is arranged to compare the address on the bus with that on the bus in the adjacent group; the other circuit compares the address with a predetermined value.

Abstract: Communications networks are interconnected by a bridge which allows the stations on each network to communicate with those on the other netowrk. Each station has an identifying address unique in the system. Data is transmitted in the form of packets each containing a source address and a destination address. The bridge includes a table holding addresses of stations in the first network. Whenever the bridge receives a packet from the first network, it compares its destination address with the contents of the table, and if no match is found, transmits the packet on to the second netowrk. The bridge also compares the source address of the packet with the contents of the table and if no match is found, enters that source address into the table. Thus, the contents of the table can be built up by the bridge by a learning process. The bridge handles transmission of packets in the opposite direction by a similar method, using a second table, holding the addresses of stations in the second network.

Abstract: A satellite coffee brewing system (10) includes a central brewing unit (11) cooperative with a plurality of like satellite receptacle units (12) for the storage and dispensing of hot coffee while positioned with the central brewing unit or at remote stations in a restaurant. The central brewing unit (11) comprises a siphon-type hot water system that directs the hot brewing water to an adjustable brew chamber (14) which is capable of discharging coffee in at least two different orientations whereby to alternately fill satellite units (12) arranged at any of said filling orientation. The central brewing unit includes a by-pass valve (44) capable of directing a portion of the hot water to by-pass the coffee grounds held inside a filter (50) in the brew chamber (14) by a basket (49) and spacers (47) so that the by-pass water flows around the filter (50) and into the satellite receptacle whereby the coffee grounds are prevented from being overextracted.

Abstract: In a ring network (1) messages sent from any one of a group of stations (3) to all the remainder include an acknowledgement field (ACK) holding a count preset to equal the number of expected destination stations. Each destination station that successfully receives the message acknowledges by decreasing the count by 1; acknowledgement is withheld if an error is detected in the message or the station cannot accept it. Acknowledgement is performed by a circuit (17) in a loop-through path (15) in an interface unit (4) connecting the station to the network (1). The originating station checks in a circuit (28) if the final value of the count on its return is zero. If so, the originating station is assured that each expected destination has made a positive acknowledgement of successful receipt.

Abstract: A pistol grip spray gun for the incremental control of sprayed liquids. The gun has a handle, an actuating member movable with respect to the handle in the manner of a trigger, and a barrel with an outlet for delivering a spray of the liquid. The actuating member is movable from a closed position thereof, corresponding to a closed condition of the nozzle, through a range of open positions with differing spray characteristics. A retention system is provided for retaining the actuating member in a selected position in the range of open positions. A release button is employed for releasing the retention system to permit the actuating member to return to or toward its closed position. In this manner, the spray characteristics of the gun can be varied, and retained in any chosen characteristic, by control of the trigger without the necessity of a separate adjustment of the nozzle.

Abstract: A connection arrangement (6) located on the side of a screened sleeve (2) housing electrical cables (1) for connecting the sleeve (2) to a unit of electrical or electronic equipment. The arrangement comprises a frame (17,18,19,20) of conductive material secured to flaps (13,14,15,16) cut in the wall of the screened sleeve (2) so as to form an electrical connection between the frame and the screen of the sleeve. The frame is received into a corresponding aperture (23) in a connection plate (22) on the unit of equipment allowing electrical cables housed in the sleeve to enter the unit through the frame and the connection plate aperture while maintaining the screening at the connection.

Abstract: The present invention is comprised of an electrosurgical pencil of the type where current is provided from an electrosurgical generator to the blade of the pencil through a hot lead whenever a switching circuit is activated by interconnecting the hot lead with a switching lead which also runs from the pencil to the generator. The pencil isolates the hot lead from the blade at all times when the switching circuit is not also activated by that pencil. Accordingly, when the generator is caused to transmit current by the activation of one pencil, the current will not reach the blade of other pencils connected to the same generator.

Abstract: The coating apparatus disclosed in this application is for a printing press having a recessed printing cylinder. The mechanism comprises a frame, a tray mounted on the frame for holding a supply of the coating material and roller means carried by the frame for transferring the liquid coating material from the tray to the printing cylinder. A pair of track members extend upwardly and rearwardly from the press and the frame is mounted on these tracks for movement toward and away from the printing press cylinder. Means is provided for moving the frame between its remote position and its position adjacent the printing press cylinder. The roller means and the tray are preferably mounted on a subframe which is pivotally mounted on the frame and means is provided for pivoting the subframe so that the roller means will move into position for engagement with the printing press cylinder after the frame has been moved into its position adjacent the cylinder.

Abstract: The thermal emission characteristics of a camouflage material are predetermined to match closely the known thermal emission characteristics of the natural environment in which the particular camouflage material is intended to be used. This control is accomplished by the combination of a reflecting thin metallic layer covered on at least the exposed side by a layer of plastic comprising at least two different plastic materials each having respectively different emissivity properties. The reflecting layer both minimizes the heating of the camouflage material from sources covered by the material and reflects incident heat from meteorological sources such as solar warming. The plastic layer controls and determines the radiation of heat from all parts of the exposed surface of the camouflage in order to present to surveillance equipment a thermal-picture closely simulating that of the surrounding terrain.

Abstract: In a dry tuned gyro, two pairs of coils 44 having ferromagnetic cores 46 are provided as torquers, which act on a ferromagnetic gyro rotor 36. The coils 44 are each angularly offset by 90.degree.. Opposite coils 44 are energized in opposite directions by a direct-current signal and provide a torque. Due to the core 46 only low currents are required for that. The coils 44 are supported on sensors 48, which respond to forces of reaction. The sensors 48 include crystal oscillators and supply a torque signal in the form of a frequency. Simultaneously alternating currents are applied to the pairs of coils 44 and act as position pick-offs as well due to the variation of the inductivities. The pick-off signal from one of the pairs of coils 44 controls the direct-current signal for the other pair, and vice versa.

Abstract: A low current, high voltage power supply for gas discharge devices, such as neon tubes. The power supply has a free-running oscillator which generates a high frequency voltage signal which drives a light-weight, compact transformer. The oscillator has a power transistor drive, and a second transistor is used to remove the base drive of the power transistor to render it non-conductive. The second transistor also provides a path for rapid evacuation of the charge carriers stored in the base-emitter junction of the power transistor to rapidly render it non-conductive when the second transistor is energized. A safety bypass circuit is provided should a fault occur with the gas discharge device.

Abstract: The system displays linear features on a gray-scale or other multiple-intensity display device with greater apparent smoothness by selecting the intensities of picture elements in the neighbourhood of the feature in dependence on their closest distances to the feature. Straight lines are generated by a vector generator (4) which conducts scans across the line. The closest distance from the picture element currently reached by the scan to the center of the line is held in an accumulator (18), which at each step of the scan is incremented or decremented from a register (20 or 21) holding the change in the distance. Each scan is terminated when a comparator (26) indicates that the intensity has reached that of the background. This scanning technique allows lines of varying width to be displayed easily. The position of the picture element along the line is held in an accumulator 19, used to address a table (22) holding the width at that point. A similar scanning technique is used in a circle generator.

Abstract: When cooling hot metal strip, it is known to employ headers which apply continuous curtains of water across the width of the strip. The headers above the strip are inclined to each other so that the curtains extend across the width of the strip and are spaced apart horizontally by a greater distance at one edge of the strip than at the other edge.

Abstract: A device for automatically controlling the water level in a basin, such as a bathtub. Air pressure in a tube is used to halt water flow into the basin when a desired water level is reached. Various water levels can be selected by opening pressure relief openings in the tube.