Abstract: A pressurized fluid control module is provided for a tractor-trailer brake system to effect the appropriate braking function.

Abstract: A translucent and variegated resin impregnated decorative paper laminate having the visual three-dimensional effect of depth and to a method of manufacturing the same which comprises laminating a plurality of highly absorbent, transparent paper sheets impregnated with a resin under heat and pressure sufficient to form a unified and stratified laminate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cluster office work station system having an equilateral polygonal shaped central core having five or more vertical side panels. The individual work stations are defined by wall panels connected to common lateral edges of the side panels and extending from the side panels at substantially right angles. Work surfaces and other accessories, like cabinets and shelves, are attached to the wall panels to complete the work stations and the central core functions as a common raceway for electrical, power and communication cabling. In addition, the connector for interconnecting the lateral edges of two adjacent side panels and a wall panel is adjustable to accommodate work stations having four or more side panels.

Abstract: A control system for flushing fluid flow in an EDM machine provides independent control of flow characteristics at the upper and lower nozzle outlets. The control system operates in a flow control mode and a pressure control mode. In the pressure control mode, pressure transducers are utilized to provide a feed-back signal.

Abstract: A multiple color illuminated button to control a device or functions of a device. The button has a first color for the letters and a second color for the graphics when the button is not illuminated and a third color for the letters and a fourth color for the graphics when the button is illuminated. In one embodiment of this invention, the button includes a transparent light pipe and a cap. The upper surface of the light pipe is painted or decorated with a paint or other material. The upper exterior surface of the cap is painted or decorated with a paint or other material. The exterior of the cap is then painted with a second layer of paint. After the second layer has cured, the letters and graphics are laser etched onto the upper surface of the cap. The laser removes preselected portions of the paint layer to expose the surface below the second layer. In another embodiment, the button includes a chassis and a cap.

Abstract: An agricultural implement guidance control system has a counterbalanced sensing wand assembly. The wand position sensing assembly is designed to compensate for the adverse effects of operations on a field which has a side slope, i.e., slopes to the left or right of the implement as it travels in the field. Without the counterbalanced wand position sensing assembly, the wands would pivot toward the downhill side of the implement as a result of gravity acting upon the wands. Specifically, the wand position sensing assembly is designed so that the weight of the wand bracket assembly counterbalances the weight of the wands on the pivot point which is established by the rotating shaft. The wand position sensing assembly can also include a variable compensation assembly which permits the operator to adjust the counterbalance effect. The variable compensation assembly includes a shaft, a counterweight and a retention unit. The shaft is attached to the center of the U-shaped rod support.

Abstract: A dock leveler assembly is provided having an automatic barrier actuated in response to movement of the lip for preventing accidental runoff of material handling vehicles from the loading dock. The assembly includes a ramp for pivotal movement between a stored first position wherein an exposed surface thereof is coplanar with the loading dock platform surface, an upwardly inclined second position, and a declining third position. The lip is operatively connected to a front edge portion of the ramp for movement from a depending position to an outwardly extended cantilevered position. The assembly also includes a barrier unit movable between operative and inoperative modes. When in the operative mode, a segment of the barrier unit automatically projects above the ramp exposed surface and forms a vehicle safety barrier of optimum height.

Abstract: The use of divalent fluoride dopants in scintillator materials comprising cerium fluoride is disclosed. The preferred divalent fluoride dopants are calcium fluoride, strontium fluoride, and barium fluoride. The preferred amount of divalent fluoride dopant is less than about two percent by weight of the total scintillator. Cerium fluoride scintillator crystals grown with the addition of a divalent fluoride have exhibited better transmissions and higher light outputs than crystals grown without the addition of such dopants. These scintillators are useful in radiation detection and monitoring applications, and are particularly well suited for high-rate applications such as positron emission tomography (PET).

Abstract: An apparatus for decelerating and shingling a stream of fast-moving, regularly spaced apart sheets is disclosed for use in connection with a sheet processing system. In a first portion, the sheet is subjected to a first snubbing apparatus which decelerates the sheets, thereby reducing the gap between each next subsequent sheet. In a second portion, the sheet is subjected to a second snubbing apparatus which further decelerates each sheet and allows each next subsequent sheet to overlap the previous sheet before being similarly decelerated. The speed of the sheet processing system may thereby be greatly increased.

Abstract: An articulated railroad car, which includes an articulated connector, rail truck and car body units, has at least one standard short-travel railroad car side bearing which is designed to permit down travel of the car body unit of at least 5/8 inch. In a preferred embodiment, one rail truck portion includes a long-travel railroad car side bearing. The long-travel side bearing includes a top cap member and a bottom member with a resilient member interposed therebetween. The long-travel side bearing permits roll axis movement of one car body unit relative to another car body unit to reduce forces on the rail truck which would tend to prevent its successful negotiation of curves.

Abstract: A machine for vending greeting cards or other personalized or customized products includes audio and video presentations of available products and options available to a customer, provisions for payment and apparatus for automatic delivery of products. Base products such as preprinted forms are stored for selective transfer by a robot device to modifying apparatus such as a printer, modified products being delivered to a delivery receptacle, all operations being under computer control and being changeable as desired for adding or substituting new forms of products.

Abstract: A vertical angle adjustable quick-attaching coupler for attaching an implement to the three point hitch of a vehicle. The coupler comprises a coupler frame, attachment means for pivotally mounting the coupler to the three point hitch of the vehicle, hook members for attaching the coupler to the implement, and angle adjustment means which includes a lever arm and a hydraulic cylinder for adjusting the vertical angle of the plane defined by the three attachment points of the three point hitch relative to the plane defined by the hook members of the coupler.

Abstract: A mobile customer service station includes a console on a wheeled chassis. The console carries and houses a number of components which are used in merchandising operations to conclude customer purchase transactions. The items supported externally on the console are a printer for printing purchase receipts, customer credit charge agreements and records of transactions, and a magnetic card reader for reading information from a magnetic stripe of a customer's credit card. The console further includes a cash drawer. The operation of the printer, credit card reader and the cash drawer is controlled by a multi-function control unit located within an enclosure of the console. The control unit is electrically powdered by a self-contained power source which is preferably a deep cycle rechargeable battery. The console also houses a transceiver unit which under the control of the control unit is capable of interactive communication with a radio communication system.

Abstract: An automatic meter reader includes a microprocessor connected through digital logic circuitry and a telephone interface to a metering transducer and a telephone line, to develop modulated signals for reporting of registered meter data and for sampling of received signals to detect a carrier and to effect demodulation and develop control data. A count-down arrangement is used for developing the modulated signals. In sampling received signals, a sample count is developed which is proportional to the duration of one cycle of a received signal and which is compared with stored counts for detection of a carrier and for demodulation. A debounce arrangement is included in the logic circuitry.

Abstract: An improved disposable cooking utensil is provided having a preformed thin gauge pan and a skeletal handle assembly. The pan has a bottom panel, a side wall extending upwardly therefrom, a rim having an inner portion connected to the upper edge of the side wall, an intermediate portion extending laterally outwardly therefrom, and a reinforcing bead connected to an outer portion of the rim. The handle assembly includes a first section and an angularly disposed second section connected thereto. The first section is provided with an elongate base subtending and supporting the pan bottom panel and side segments extending upwardly from opposite ends of the base. Each side segment is provided with an exposed handle extending from the pan reinforcing bead. The handle assembly second section includes an elongate first member connected to the base and subtending and supporting the pan bottom panel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for attaching a sign element to a base with a frameless magnetically attractive support system.

Abstract: Methodology and apparatus for in-drive defect testing of recording media, including recording a special defect detection signal in each recording media block from the end of its header to the end of the block, and detecting the recorded defect detection signal in each block from the end of its header to the end of the block.