Abstract: An interface for synchronizing the output of standard asynchronous terminals with a PABX allows all terminals to operate asynchronously with respect to each other. The output from the I/O terminal, which comprises a binary data stream in an asynchronous code, is sampled at a rate of at least three times greater than the output bit rate of the terminal. A clock signal to effect the sampling is generated within the PABX. The sampled data appears to the PABX as a bit stream synchronized with the PABX clock, allowing direct application of the sampled data to the PABX. The receiving terminal, upon reception of a start bit, waits one-half time (of its own clock) and samples the received data to reconstruct the received bits into corresponding alphanumeric characters. The frequency of the clocks internal to each terminal may vary within one percent of each other before requiring each terminal to be synchronized with each other.

Abstract: A rail fastener includes a rail plate, a pad of elastomeric material between the plate and a support structure, a pair of clips for resiliently clamping the rail to the rail plate. The rail plate includes a pair of channels in which the clips occupy a first portion. The pad of elastomeric material preferably includes a pair of bosses dimensioned to be received within the unoccupied portion of the channel. The pad of elastomeric material is constrained from creeping out from underneath the rail plate whenever the bosses contact the end portions of the clips or the walls of the channel. The bosses are preferably noncompressable elastomeric material.

Abstract: A foot retaining strap for a swim fin having a pocket for receiving a wearer's foot. The strap includes a spring laced through a molded neoprene heel pad for comfort. The ends of the springs are secured to opposite sides of the foot pocket opening of the swim fin. The wearer's foot is held in the pocket under tension of the spring which holds the foot pad against the wearer's heel. Overstretching of the spring is prevented by a nonstretchable cord strung inside the spring, with the ends of the cord also affixed to the sides of the fin. The length of the cord is such that it prevents the spring from being stretched beyond its elastic limit.

Abstract: A portable device for accurately metering a liquid for intravenous or enteric infusion into a patient's body in which the pressure from a pressure source is utilized to pressurize the liquid and the pressurized liquid becomes the sole driving force to meter and to infuse the liquid into the body. The pressurized liquid is applied alternately to one of a pair of flexible liquid bladders the other one being connected to a discharge device, such as a tube, so that, as one liquid bladder is filled with pressurized liquid, the other bladder is emptied into the patient. The expanding liquid bladder and the contracting liquid bladder cooperate with a teeter totter type control which applies pressure to the contracting liquid bladder and is damped to control the rate of expansion and contraction. The position of the teeter totter controls the valving for applying pressurized fluid from one side to the opposite by alternatively selecting channels of fluid flow to each liquid bladder.

Abstract: Apparatus for communicating between a number of remote use terminals and a central computer. The apparatus initially answers an incoming call under concentrator control, and transmits an answer tone to the calling terminal. The terminal user places the modem at the terminal in data mode. The apparatus detects which modem type called, conditions the concentrator port interface and connects an answering modem of the same type into the circuit between the telephone line and the concentrator port. The port automatically detects speed and code, and conditions the computer adapter clock and software appropriately to be compatible. The user experiences no change in existing connection sequences and only one telephone number is necessary for servicing a number of different modem types having common access to the computer.

Abstract: A Linear-Feeback-Shift-Register produces a pseudorandom sequence of bits that are used to produce a stationary random pattern of dots on a standard raster scan video display. The density of dots is adjustable as is their intensity. This dot pattern may be combined with other video sources and thus may serve as a background for the playing of TV video games, especially those of the "space war" variety. The dot pattern may also be moved as a whole under player control and thus form the basis for a novel type of video game to be described.

Abstract: An optical concentration measuring apparatus and method which provides an output signal which is a substantially linear function of the concentration. The apparatus includes a chamber for containing a fluid sample and a source of optical radiation which develops a beam which is transmitted through the chamber and the sample. A first photoelectric cell is disposed to receive the transmitted beam for generating an electrical signal commensurate with the intensity of the beam after passage through the chamber and the fluid sample, and a second photoelectric cell which is disposed at a selected angle with respect to the direct beam for providing an electrical signal commensurate with the light scattered in a direction corresponding to the selected signal. The signal commensurate with the scattered beam and the signal commensurate with the direct beam are applied to a signal processor which develops a ratio of these signals, one of the signals being multiplied by a constant.

Abstract: A data handling system for converting an analog signal into binary form for storage or transmission to a remote receiver and subsequent reconstruction back into a facsimile of the original analog signal. The encoder portion of the system, which is a synthetic equivalent of an adaptive inverse filter, includes a signal comparator, an adaptive function generator and a binary pulse generating means. The signal comparator provides a signal responsive to the difference between the input analog signal and the output of the function generator, and the pulse generating means converts the difference signal into the encoded binary form for storage or transmission to a receiver. The decoder portion of the system includes an adaptive RC filter means which is controlled by the encoded data so as to reconstruct the original analog signal.

Abstract: An electronic game in which a standard television receiver may be a terminal is fed by an interface device which is in turn interconnected to first and second controllers, the first controller interacts with a matrix or display memory, which may be a read-only-memory (ROM) which is controlled by a matrix selector register. The first controller also has a matrix address register which feeds it. The second controller is fed by a dot address register. The matrix memory stores the digital data to control the matrix image desired to be displayed. The controller contains X and Y display address counters which indicate the position of the video beam on a grid at any given time. When the addresses of the beam coincide with the addresses of the positions stored in the memory as determined by a comparator the matrix will be displayed.

Abstract: A consistency measuring apparatus and a method for determining fiber concentration of a pulp suspension, which utilizes a flow cell having a pair of parallel, light transparent side walls to allow the sample to be monitored to flow therethrough. A plane polarized beam of light is transmitted through the cell and received by a pair of detectors which have overlying plane polarized light analyzers, one having its axis of transmission crossed with and the other having its axis of transmission parallel to the plane of polarization of the transmitted light beam. The detectors provide electrical signals which are processed to give the consistency of the pulp suspension sample.

Abstract: A collector and concentrator of the nonimaging type for radiant energy, and particularly for solar energy, which includes a plurality of longitudinally-extending, generally trough-shaped channels having curved facing, reflective walls. The upper extremity of the channel defines an entrance aperture and the lower extremity defines an exit aperture. The walls are constructed of rectangular, flexible and deformable sheets or vanes attached along one edge to a longitudinal frame member having surfaces which are sloped to reflect a selected collector angle at the exit aperture and which are deformed by being urged against one another along the edge opposite to the attached edge. A radiant energy utilization means is disposed in the exit aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus for the measurement of particulate scattering in fluids which is particularly suitable for low particulate concentration. The apparatus includes a housing with a cuvette for confining the fluid containing the particulate to be measured placed substantially at the center of the housing. A collimated light source provides a beam directed along an axis for illuminating the contents of the cuvette, and a light sensitive detector for receiving light scattered due to particulates along a selected axis. Surrounding the detector are a pair of equidistantly spaced baffles, of cylindrical or spherical configuration, which have a pair of aligned apertures centered about the scattering axis, and nonreflective facing surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining pulp quality by monitoring the rate of descent of the pulp-water interface of a uniformly intermixed stationary sample of pulp suspension, at a selected consistency, while it settles out.

Abstract: A rail fastener includes a rail plate, a pad of elastomeric material between the plate and a support structure, and a pair of posts for laterally and longitudinally restraining the rail plate with an insulator bushing mounted between the posts and cooperating peripheral surfaces of the openings in the rail plate. Each of these posts is preferably formed of two parts, one of which is embedded in the support structure, and the other of which is an eccentric which is releaseably attached thereto. Rotation of the eccentrics provides lateral and longitudinal adjustment of the rail plate with respect to the support structures, thereby providing lateral adjustment of the rail with respect to the support structure.

Abstract: A self-sealing cap for squeeze-type containers formed from a moldable material which includes a body portion defining an opening therethrough. One end of the body portion is securable to the squeeze-type container and the other end of the body portion is extended into side walls and end walls which are connected together to form an extension of the opening. The side walls terminate into resilient lip portions which, in turn, terminate into sharp biting edges which are abutting to define a narrow slit. Upon the application of the squeeze pressure to the container, the contents move the lip portions away from one another to form an outlet and upon cessation of squeeze pressure on the container the lip portions return under normal permanent set to close the fit while biting off the contents.

Abstract: A winding tool for engaging the sprocket of a magnetic tape cassette which is of unitary construction. It has an elongated body which includes a handle portion and a blade portion. The blade portion is tapered downwardly to the end of the winding tool and has a pair of diametrically opposed keys or flutes which fit into the space between adjacent sprocket teeth, and which is dimensioned to bear against the end surface of the sprocket teeth and the interior surface of the sprocket when the blade portion is inserted into the sprocket about one-half of its length.

Abstract: A beam lead rod assembly for incorporation into an electromagnetic wave coaxial transmission line structure. The rod assembly comprises a beam lead holder and a beam lead device. The holder includes a cylindrical body of a dielectric material and a conductive coating surrounding each end portion of the body for conductively connecting each side of the body to a different portion of the transmission line. The conductive regions are separated by a circumferential gap so that there is no conduction between the two conductive regions. The beam lead device is disposed across the gap with opposite beam leads being conductively connected to opposite conductive regions.

Abstract: An orthopedic traction harness which engages the skin around the limb to be put in traction. The traction harness comprises an inner, circumferentially adjustable, laminated traction band having an outer layer of a compressible sponge material, a central layer of a flexible unidirectional stretch mesh and an inner layer of another compressible sponge material, and an outer, variable pneumatic pressure cuff including a flexible air bladder inside an adjustable containment cuff having a squeeze bulb and a pressure indicator.

Abstract: A tweezers for use in the movement of semiconductor wafers can be constructed utilizing upper and lower arms connected to one another in an established manner so that the free or holding ends on such arms may be moved towards one another. In a tweezers as disclosed the holding end of the lower arm includes a flat plate and a shoulder connected to the plate to the remainder of the lower arm and the holding end on the upper arm includes a plurality of separate resilient fingers extending from a support securing these fingers to the remainder of the upper arm. When the plate is inserted beneath an object such as a semiconductor wafer by appropriate manipulation of the arms the fingers can be brought against such an object so as to hold it against the plate. The resilient fingers are not apt to break such an object as it is held on the plate and will accommodate any variation in the height of such an object.

Abstract: An exposure system is described employing a lamp and means for controlling the exposure time period during which light from the lamp at a preselected level is passed through a light path to an exposure plane. Light is detected in the light path and the brightness of the lamp is adjusted according to the sensed light to provide the preselected level of light output from the lamp during the exposure period. Also described is a method for operating such a system.