Abstract: A box, particularly for holding floppy discs, has an outer sleeve enclosing a drawer. The drawer can be withdrawn partially from the sleeve to a position where pins moulded inside the sleeve and sliding in grooves in the sleeve limit the withdrawal. The drawer and sleeve can then be swung with respect to each other and the drawer moved back on itself. The open box is self-supporting in this invert-V configuration.

Abstract: A locking device for securing at least two screw-action connectors comprises a locking clip or element made from a good quality spring steel wire having a round or square section. The locking clip or element has a diagonal interconnecting part which extends tangentially between a pair of locking elements one at each end of the part. The locking elements (for example, coils) are wrapped round or placed over a portion of a wheel nut. The interference/friction fit between the wheel nut and the clip or element prevents axial movement of the clip relative to the nut. The part serves as restraining means positively linking tangentially adjacent wheel nuts and thereby prevents relative rotation thereof.

Abstract: A concentric shaft mobile base for robots and the like is disclosed incorporating three wheels which can be simultaneously driven and steered so as to allow the mobile base to change direction without rotation of the mobile base. Concentric shafts transfer power from drive sources to the wheel assemblies and wheel axles. In an additional embodiment, each wheel is located on an extensible leg assembly which can be pivoted to project outwardly from the mobile base and thereby provide additional stability to the base. Concentric shafts are used in this embodiment to transfer steering and drive power to the wheel assemblies and wheels. Planetary gear assemblies are optionally associated with each extensible leg assembly so as to provide controlled retraction and extension of the leg assemblies without wheel slippage or pirouetting.

Abstract: A load handling trolley of the type that normally run in channels tracks comprises an elongate load engager raisable and lowerable relative to at least one bogie assembly via a ramp-and-roller when the engager and the bogie assembly are caused to move longitudinally relative to each other, and a positive retention mechanism positioned between the engager and bogie assembly.

Abstract: A parallel process controller capable of expandable, parallel operating multi-function control of processes without degradation of performance. The process controller comprises up to N (where N is a positive integer) programmable command memory modules, and also comprises data memory modules, an input/output system, a high speed data bus (N-bus) and a general timing and control unit. Each command memory module performs the functional equivalent of a central processing unit with storage of instruction lines designatable by a user via a programming panel. Each command memory module operates autonomously, without regard to the other command memory modules and cyclically solves each of the user instruction lines in a short, fixed length of time. Each data memory module supplements data storage in the command memory modules.

Abstract: A pressure modifying valve for anaesthetic gas scavenging systems for connection between a high vacuum source such as a hospital building service and the outlet from a patient or anaesthetic machine. The valve comprises a housing divided by a partition into two chambers having inlet and outlet ports respectively. The partition has a flow restricting orifice controlled by a valve member which is supported on a diaphragm to be self adjusting in response to pressure in the chamber. On the patient side, the pressure in chamber is controlled by pressure relief valves which are similar and interchangeable. The valve is made inexpensively of plastics and is disposable before the plastics deteriorates or undesirable matter accumulates and affects the functioning of the valve.

Abstract: A box, particularly for holding floppy discs, has an outer sleeve enclosing a drawer. The drawer can be withdrawn partially from the sleeve to a position where pins moulded inside the sleeve and sliding in grooves in the sleeve limit the withdrawal. The drawer and sleeve can then be swung with respect to each other and the drawer moved back on itself. The open box is self-supporting in this invert-V configuration.

Abstract: A valve closure is disclosed which comprises a bifurcated arm 14 pivotally coupled to a sleeve 34 by a connector 28 and a pivot pin 26. The sleeve 34 receives a rod 44 coupled to a base plate 46 for receiving a spring 42. The sleeve 34 also has a support plate 38 coupled thereto which receives the spring 42. When the valve element is in an open position the arm 14, sleeve 34 and rod 44 are a generally straight line so that the spring does not exert any torque on the valve element. However, when the valve element commences to close the arm 14 is moved relative to the sleeve 34 and the rod 44 so that the spring 42 causes torque to be exerted through the arm to assist closure of the valve element. In a second embodiment a tension spring 104 is provided which acts on lever 106 pivotally connected to a closure arm 108.

Abstract: An improved system for precisely measuring temperatures at remote locations using a microprocessor and resistance temperature detectors is achieved by providing means for pre-selecting a particular temperature range and using this temperature range information to generate a comparison level for determining the measured temperature. By employing the present invention, the fixed number of bits used to produce the temperature information output is concentrated over a limited range of temperatures, thereby achieving greater precision, since each information bit represents a much smaller number.

Abstract: A mobile base for robots or other devices requiring a transport mechanism is disclosed incorporating a plurality of wheels which are simultaneously driven and steered by separate drive sources so as to allow the mobile base to change direction without rotation of the mobile base. In an additional embodiment, each wheel is located on an extensible leg assembly which can be rotated to project outwardly from the mobile base and thereby provide additional stability to the base. This adaptive, retractable leg synchro-drive mobile base uses a third drive source to perform the extension and retraction of the leg assemblies and provides that the wheels maintain their orientation while extension or retraction occurs while the mobile base is in translation and that the wheel orientation returns to its previous state if retraction or extension occurs while the base is not in translation.

Abstract: A flying spot scanner system uses a beam splitting mirror to produce adjacent flying spot images on a material to be analyzed, typically a moving web. The images from the flying spots are split by this beam mirror and sensed by separate photodetectors. The outputs from the photodetectors are algebraically combined on a real time basis, the resultant output signal indicative of web conditions, such as web edges, dirt spots, streaks, scratches and holes. The algebraic output signal amplitude is immune from rapid changes in the web illumination such as caused by changes in external ambient light levels. This signal is also highly immune to variations in the illumination level of the web along the path of the flying spots. The algebraic output signal, by not utilizing differentiation of the received information, has an amplitude independent of the flying spot speeds. The shape of the flying spots can be varied to enhance detection of particular types of defects.

Abstract: A man-machine interface for use with industrial processes is disclosed having the capability of design and configuration of the interrelationship of components forming an overall industrial process. The man-machine interface further provides operator use, including process monitoring and control, as well as alarm annunciation. Most user interaction with the man-machine interface is performed through a color CRT monitor having a touch panel on the surface of the CRT screen. Operator use may be limited to touch panel interaction while configurer and designer use normally further includes use of a keyboard.The man-machine interface utilizes distributed processing and incorporates a high level graphic language. The graphic language facilitates real time graphic display implementation through use of dynamic and static variables. Variable types are dynamically associated with variable values so that variables can undergo type changes without detrimental effect.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the vibration of a power driven cutting tool during machining first produces a signal proportional to the vibration spectrum of the tool over a preselected band width. This is passed through a digitally controlled attenuator which is adjusted to provide an output signal at a preselected level. The degree of attenuation is stored, as is a reference value which is generated as a function of the attenuated signal. Then, during subsequent machining operations under the same machining conditions the attenuator is controlled to provide the same degree of attenuation and the reference value, which is in the form of a digital signal, is compared with the rectified and digitized output of the attenuator. When the latter exceeds the reference value a control signal is generated which either provides an audible or visual warning that the cutting tool is worn and therefore due for replacement or initiates an automatic tool changing operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to store and aid in the dispensing of calendar-oriented drugs is disclosed in which the apparatus comprises a package containing a plurality of pill-containing enclosures, the enclosures arranged in rows, each enclosure having a numerical indicia associated therewith corresponding to a day in a calendar month with corresponding indicia on the reverse side of the enclosure to aid in the determination of which pill enclosure to open. In this way the user can easily determine and verify that the proper enclosure has been opened. The package also provides a visual indication of calendar days for which pills have not been used by the patient and in this way provides patient compliance information to the physician prescribing such drugs. The dispensing apparatus is particularly suited to the administration of calendar-oriented prescription drugs for the treatment of menopausal symptoms.

Abstract: A modelling method comprises building up walls 10 or like structures of individual wooden blocks 11 representing bricks and cardboard strips representing bed joints 12 and cross joints 13.A model kit comprises such blocks and strips.

Abstract: A flue gas heat recovery system comprises an exhaust gas to air heat exchanger, a hot air to water heat exchanger, a fan, a circulating pump, and a control system which senses the temperature of the exiting air from the air heat exchanger and the temperature of the water leaving the water heat exchanger in combination with the thermostatic sensed temperature of the hot water heating system in order to operate the system in a desired manner. The system may also be used for space heating purposes. The control system in conjunction with the air heat exchanger provides a fail safe system which can be used with solid fueled stoves and fireplace inserts as well as furnaces and hot water boilers without danger of water overheating even during electrical power outages.

Abstract: A wire fishing line for deep water trolling comprises a length of stainless steel or Monel wire, with a first tough, substantially non-porous Formvar polyvinyl formal polymer coating layer adherently bonded to the peripheral surface of the wire, and a second, low-friction Nylon linear polyamide coating layer bonded to the peripheral surface of the first coating layer, whereby a polymer-coated wire is achieved which has high lubricity, is capable of smooth closely packed coiling in even helical layers on the spool of a fishing reel, and which is substantially impervious to salt water and fresh water immersion and capable of repeated immersions without significant loss of tensile strength.

Abstract: A unitary insertable self-anchoring poke-thru wiring device for building construction includes a tombstone outlet box dimensioned to overlie and conceal a standard floor aperture opening into an occupied space, hollow elongated conduit means extending through the aperture, a narrow elongated junction box dimensioned to pass lengthwise through the aperture and anchored to the conduit means, fire-retardant means centrally anchored to the hollow conduit means positioned inside the aperture, and a conically-dished resilient spring washer encircling and anchored to the hollow conduit means adjacent to the fire retardant means and having its conical surface concavely diverging toward the outlet box, with its periphery notched and dimensioned for wedging engagement in the standard aperture, the poke-thru wiring device thus being adapted for unitary insertion from the occupied space into the aperture, with the resilient spring washer wedgingly engaging the internal wall of the standard aperture retaining the wiring d