Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus (26) for forming a box blank from a generally-rectangular sheet of material. The apparatus has a frame (28) for supporting and guiding the sheet; and endless advancement belt (31) for controllably moving the sheet relative to the frame through the apparatus; guide rails (32) extending generally across the sheet; a carriage (34) mounted on the guide rails for horizontal movement relative thereto; a cutting blade (35) mounted for horizontal movement with the carriage and operatively arranged to be rotated about an axis; a blade actuator (36) for selectively causing the blade to have a vertical component of movement relative to the carriage; a punch (38) mounted on the carriage and selectively operable to punch a hole in the sheet; a transverse creasing roller (39) mounted on the carriage; and a pair of adjustable longitudinal creasing rollers (40) mounted on the platform.

Abstract: An actively-controlled resonant-type force generator (20) is adapted to be attached to a structure (21), and includes a mass (23) mounted for movement relative to the structure and a plurality of springs (22, 24) operatively arranged between the mass and the structure. A servoactuator (26) is arranged to controllably excite the mass-spring system. The actual force (F.sub.a) transmitted from the mass to the structure is compared with a commanded force (F.sub.c) to produce a force error signal (F.sub.e). The actuator is caused to produce a velocity as a function of the error signal. The gain of the closed force loop is selected so that the resonance of the mass-spring system has an effective damping ratio (.zeta.) greater than about 0.5, and preferably about 0.7. Thus, the mass-spring system will not be substantially resonantly excited by vibrations of the structure near its resonant frequency (.omega..sub.n).

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved current spike limiting circuit (49) for a DC brushless motor controller (21) arranged to operate in six-step mode. The controller has three electrically-controllable first switches (A.sub.U, B.sub.U, C.sub.U) arranged between a supply voltage (22) and a terminal (26, 28, 29) of a respective one of the field coils (A, B, C), and has three electrically-controllable second switches (A.sub.L, B.sub.L, C.sub.L) severally arranged between a ground (23) and the field coils. The improved circuit broadly comprises a regeneration polarity comparator (50) for sensing regenerative operation of the motor; a tachometer (58) for sensing motor speed; and an adjustable pulse generator (55) from momentarily opening a conducting one of the first switches for a predetermined time interval (t.sub.p) after a predetermined delay (t.sub.d) following a point in time (t.sub.s) when one of the second switches is closed and another of the second switches is opened.

Abstract: An improved bangle closing mechanism (26) is adapted to releasably join two tubular arcuate bangle halves (11, 12). The improved closing mechanism has a keeper bar (28) provided with a proximal portion (29) adapted to be operatively engaged with the first bangle half (11), an intermediate portion (30) extending between the bangle halves and penetrating a narrowed opening (23) in the second bangle half (12), and an enlarged ball-like head portion (31) operatively arranged within the second bangle half. The projected diameter (d.sub.1) of the head portion is greater than the projected diameter (d.sub.2) of the narrowed opening. The head portion prevents the keeper bar from being withdrawn from the second bangle half, and facilitates sliding movement within the second bangle half as to the bangle halves are moved relatively toward or away from one another.

Abstract: A rotary valve (10) is adapted to be associated with a fluid source (P) and a fluid return (R), and is adapted to control the flows of fluid (via control ports C.sub.1 and C.sub.2) with respect to the opposed chambers of a fluid-powered load. The valve has a body (11) provided with an elongated bore (12). The body has a plurality of passageways (23, 24, 25, 26) communicating spaced locations along the bore with the source, return and load control ports, respectively. A spool member (28) is rotatably mounted in the bore. The spool member has a passage adapted to cooperate with a body passageway so as to define at least one flow-metering port therebetween. The area of this flow-metering port or orifice (34) is a function of the angular displacement of the spool member relative to the body from a null position. The improvement comprises each of the upstream approach walls (32, 35) adjacent the orifice being relieved at an angle (.beta.) of at least 21.degree.

Abstract: An improved drive shaft assembly (11) for a paint brush and roller cover cleaning machine (10) providing a blank clutch disk (40) having an opening (41) which does not substantially increase in size with use of the paint brush or roller cover cleaning machine. Because the opening does not wear with use, a flange (42) mounted to the lower marginal end portion of a drive rod (16) is less likely to be pulled past the blank clutch disk.

Abstract: A precision adjustable saw table adapted for use with a radial arm saw includes a cutting table slidably mounted to the base table of the radial arm saw. Adjusters are mounted to the base table and are adapted to precisely and accurately position the cutting table in relation to the base table, and thus, the saw blade of the radial arm saw. A measurer is adapted to precisely and accurately measure the position of the cutting table in relation to the base table, and thus, the saw blade are mounted to the base table.

Abstract: An improved wallpaper applicator (10) includes a shaft (11); a cup-shaped member (12) mounted on the shaft and having a reservoir (33); a spindle (13) also mounted on shaft (11) and having a tubular portion (35) and a flange portion (36); and a resilient ring (14) mounted on the shaft below the cup-shaped member. A wallpaper border roll (53) is mounted on the flange portion and is wrapped about the tubular portion. An end of the roll (54) is inserted through a slit (46) in the tubular portion. As more wallpaper is desired from the roll, spindle (13) freely rotates about shaft releasing wallpaper.

Abstract: An improved reflex gun (21) is adapted to measure certain parameters of a stimulus supplied to a tendon, and the patient's response thereto. The gun has a trigger (29) which, when squeezed, supplies a signal to a computer (24). The computer then causes a waveform generator (32) to provide current pulses of desired magnitude, shape and duration to a solenoid (50) in the gun. Such energization of the solenoid coil, causes a plunger (52) to impact against one end of a force sensor (22). The other end of the force sensor is held against the patient's skin with a preload force sufficient to measure the patient's response to a force stimulus. The force sensor has a transducer (132) for measuring the certain parameters of the impact force and the patient's response. The improved device may be used to determine quantitatively certain parameters of the stimulus and response, and provides a diagnostic tool for a physician.

Abstract: A storm monitoring apparatus and method is described wherein two H-field antennas are oriented with respect to the heading axis of an aircraft or the like at an angle of 45.degree.. The signals developed by these two antennas are picked-up by small R-F transformers which serve the inherent function of integrating the signals and extracting the H-field current component. A printed circuit board structuring of the two antennas provides for consistency of fabrication and reliability as well as compactness. The monitoring apparatus exhibits broad band frequency response to evaluate lightning strike rate to determine storm range and intensity. A computer control test utilizing diagnostic coils at the antenna carries out periodic testing of the performance of the device and a component such as a gravity switch provides an indication to the control system as to the orientation of mounting of the antenna on an aircraft.

Abstract: An improved motion simulator (10) includes a base (11), a capsule (14) having an at least partially-spherical smooth outer surface (15). The capsule is capable of roll, pitch and yaw angular motions about a pivot point (16) at the center of the spherical surface, and is also capable for upward and downward heave motion of the pivot point along a vertical axis (z--z) relative to the base. Actuators (33, 34, 35) are operatively arranged to selectively move the capsule relative to the base in any of four degrees of freedom. The capsule outer surface is configured such that no possible motion of the capsule in any of the permissible four degrees of freedom will cause any portion of the capsule to move outside of a motion envelope formed by an imaginary vertical cylinder (41 ) having a diameter (d) substantially equal to that of the spherical surface.

Abstract: A novel system for mounting a die on a base is provided. Such a die/die mounting system combination includes a die, the die having a fixed countersunk aperture adjacent one lateral edge thereof, and having a countersunk aperture longitudinally-locatable within a longitudinally-extending slot adjacent an opposite lateral edge thereof. It also includes a pair of indexing nuts, each indexing nut including (i) a nut element provided with a geometrically-shaped head and a depending stub, at least the stub being pierced by an internally-threaded hole, and (ii) an indexing element having an upper externally-threaded shaft, a geometrically-shaped waist and a depending indexing portion, the depending indexing portion including an upper cylindrical end and a lower frusto-conical end. One such indexing nut is secured within the die with the stub of the nut element within the countersunk fixed aperture and with the indexing element firmly threaded into the internally-threaded hole.

Abstract: The present invention is a surgical drape 10 specifically designed for surgery on extremities (e.g. arm, hand, leg, foot). The drape 10 comprises a base sheet 11, a work surface 14, a dam 21 having an adjustable opening 22 and cord stays 25-32. The patient 18 lies under the drape while a subject extremity 23 is placed through the adjustable opening. The dam is made of an elastomeric material which forms a tight engagement around the subject extremity. The work area completely surrounds the dam and is substantially stronger than the base sheet to reduce accidental tearing and prevent instruments from slipping off from the drape. The work area extends a substantial distance around the dam to provide adequate protection from accidentally tearing the drape when surgery is conducted near the dam. The cord stays prevent cords from interfering with surgery or becoming contaminated as a result of falling to the operating room floor.

Abstract: A storm monitoring apparatus and method is described wherein two H-field antennas are oriented with respect to the heading axis of an aircraft or the like at an angle of 45.degree.. The signals developed by these two antennas are picked-up by small R-F transformers which serve the inherent function of integrating the signals and extracting the H-field current component. A printed circuit board structuring of the two antennas provides for consistency of fabrication and reliability as well as compactness. The monitoring apparatus exhibits broad band frequency response to evaluate lightning strike rate to determine storm range and intensity. A computer control test utilizing diagnostic coils at the antenna carries out periodic testing of the performance of the device and a component such as a gravity switch provides an indication to the control system as to the orientation of mounting of the antenna on an aircraft.

Abstract: A storm monitoring apparatus and method is described wherein two H-field antennas are oriented with respect to the heading axis of an aircraft or the like at an angle of 45.degree.. The signals developed by these two antennas are picked-up by small R-F transformers which serve the inherent function of integrating the signals and extracting the H-field current component. A printed circuit board structuring of the two antennas provides for consistency of fabrication and reliability as well as compactness. The monitoring apparatus exhibits broad band frequency response to evaluate lightning strike rate to determine storm range and intensity. A computer control test utilizing diagnostic coils at the antenna carries out periodic testing of the performance of the device and a component such as a gravity switch provides an indication to the control system as to the orientation of mounting of the antenna on an aircraft.