Abstract: A system is provided for the detection of an unsuitable water condition in which either large globules of solid material or bait fish suspended in the water beneath a vessel adjacent the hull of the vessel are detected and the associated depth sounding device is inhibited from providing a depth output. This eliminates the display or annunciation of erratic depth data, or the use of erratic data for closed or open loop control systems. In one embodiment, the unsuitable water condition is sensed through the detection of returns in a short water column adjacent the hull. In a further embodiment, returns from the water column coupled with receiver gain being open above a predetermined threshold provide the indication of the presence of the unsuitable water condition.

Abstract: A pure titanium implant having tightly captured bone therethrough is provided to dramatically reduce the nuturing period prior to the time that an implant may be utilized, by providing osteointegration or bone growth guided through the implant, in addition to any osseointegration or bone to titanium adhesion. In one embodiment, rings of compacted lyophylised or freeze-dried bone are secured between dove tailed, pure-titanium rings to a central implant shaft to guide bone growth through the implant from one side to the other for improved implant anchoring, without infection or rejection. In another embodiment, the implant includes a pure-titanium body having lateral channels completely through the implant, with bone rigidly secured in the channels to guide bone growth completely through the implant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automatic connection of battery cables to eliminate spark or other undesirable effects from misconnection includes apparatus for sensing the polarity of the batteries to which the cables are attached and for automatically switching the connection cables so that the polarities are matched. Other portions of the circuit inhibit charging if one of the clamps becomes disconnected from a battery post or if a battery is below a predetermined small voltage indicating either an unchargeable battery or a disconnected cable condition. A specialized battery cable clamp is provided in which one set of jaws is insulated from the other, with a standoff preventing the jaws from touching each other. Once predetermined conditions have been met and the sense of the terminals on each of the batteries has been periodically ascertained, the main switching relays are activated so as to connect the appropriate main battery cables from one battery to another.

Abstract: An improved machine programming and control system includes the utilization of a continuous, multiple-block, flow chart or charts, all or a portion of which is displayed. Each entered flow chart is executed without conversion to other languages, such that machines are controlled in accordance with the flow charts that are displayed. Multiple flow charts may be entered each to separately control different machines or different parts of the same machine. The flow charts are displayed in a multiple-block presentation and a block numbering system permits rapid on-screen generation of flow charts, editing of the flow charts, and debugging of the flow charts through the utilization of an interrupt. A uniquely improved debugging system, active on an execution interrupt, permits rapid value changing for selected displayed flow chart blocks and permits a single-scan program rerun for verification.

Abstract: A boat fender is provided with circumferential rings to prevent the fender from popping up from between the side of a boat and a corresponding dock or other structure to which the boat is tied off, with the circumferential exteriorally projecting rings providing for a rolling and tracking motion of the fender over the side of the boat to limit fender swing which maintains the fender in place and in a generally vertical orientation. This tracking prevents the non-tethered end of the fender from popping up and therefore provides security not available from other fenders, whether plain or having longitudinal ribs.

Abstract: An omega, loran or satellite navigation receiver is provided with a speech synthesizer coupled to its latitude/longitude output which is in turn coupled to a transmitter which transmits the latitude and longitude along with a "mayday" indication on an emergency channel when an emergency button is depressed on the unit. The emergency button turns the power on for the navigation unit and bypasses all functions except those relating to the production of a lat./lon. signal. The emergency button also activates the synthesizer after determining that the navigation unit has obtained lock. Upon the obtaining of lock a repeat timer produces repeated dump pulses to the speech synthesizer which modulates the transmitter to transmit the "mayday" indication plus an indication of the latitude and longitude of the vessel. As an option, the vessel name, type and color may be entered into a memory for the speech synthesizer so that the identity of the vessel and its type and color may be ascertained.

Abstract: A terrorist vehicle arresting system includes a rigid immovable crash barrier positioned at one side of a driveway and a turnstile having a circular sector positioned at the other side of the driveway in such a manner that upon entrance of an unauthorized vehicle through a corresponding gate across the entrance of the driveway, means are provided to rotate the turnstile such that the turnstile deflects the vehicle into the crash barrier. In a further embodiment, two opposing turnstiles are used to wedge an oncoming vehicle therebetween. In one embodiment, the terrorist vehicle arresting system includes a rope-barrier attached to an elevating and lowering mechanism on one side of the driveway and is attached at its other end to the turnstile, such that upon the unauthorized attempted entrance and the striking of the rope-barrier, the turnstile is rotated by the rope-barrier into the driveway, diverting the vehicle into the crash-barrier.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant vessel which contains a liquid is provided with a non-adherent multi-walled construction having, in one embodiment, at least two adjacent non-adherent layers for providing a void in between to enable tamper indication by discoloration indicative of gross spoilage. In one embodiment, the container or vessel has an opaque inner wall and a closely spaced transparent outer wall, with a void in between. Puncture from the outside through the two walls provides seepage of the interiorly-carried liquid between the multiple walls to provide the look of spoilage.

Abstract: A braided mechanical compression packing including relatively low and high-strength yarns is provided with greater mechanical strength along a given diagonal direction to provide a reinforced corner by providing the higher strength yarn along only one diagonal track of the braider. This reduces extrusion of the packing from the confines of the stuffing box in which it has been sequentially installed; produces a packing with rectilinear non-symmetry having directionally different friction, for instance, to facilitate gravity return of a hydraulic ram; and lowers operating friction by reducing the overall amount of high-strength yarn in the packing braid.

Abstract: A batch processing system and unit for testing electrical components in a sub-zero environment includes an isothermal chamber which mates easily with the test heads associated with conventional automatic testing equipment and which eliminates thermal gradients and variable test conditions as well as eliminating frost contamination of test heads, costly fixturing for the various types of semiconductor chip packages or passive components and static charge. The utilization of a single isothermal soak chamber provides that all devices under test and a test socket mounted on a card secured to a fixture at the bottom of the chamber are cooled to the same temperature by moisture-free gas introduced into the chamber. It is a feature of the subject invention that the test head, located outside the chamber, is well insulated from the chamber. The chamber, with all internal parts and devices, is cooled down until all parts are at the same temperature.

Abstract: A vari-gap drive system for controlling the speed of the drive system used in the fabrication of corrugated boxes which varies the drive rate for a folder vis-a-vis that of the printer/slotter to which it is attached to vary the box blank gap through the folder and thus permit a throughout two to three times faster than that attainable when the drive for the two units are driven at the same speed. The reliability and speed of the subject Vari-Gap Drive System is in part derived from a unique cage roll assembly.

Abstract: A terrorist vehicle arresting system includes a crash barrier positioned at a side of a driveway instead of across the driveway; a gate across the entranceway which is dislodged by a vehicle coming through the closed gate; a net pulled out by the dislodged gate which captures the vehicle; a capstan to pivot a captured vehicle into the barrier; and cables from the net looped around the capstan, such that the netted vehicle is swung into the barrier where it comes to rest blocking the driveway. The impact-force is therefore redirected from the direction of the driveway, and the kinetic energy is dissipated upon impact with the offset, rigid barrier, thereby permitting the gate structure to be made light, aesthetically attractive, and quickly closed since the gate does not have to bear any substantial load.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant vessel which contains a liquid is provided with a non-adherent multi-walled construction having, in one embodiment, at least two adjacent non-adherent layers for providing a void in between to enable tamper indication by discoloration indicative of gross spoliage. In one embodiment, the container or vessel has an opaque inner wall and a closely spaced transparent outer wall, with a void in between. Puncture from the outside through the two walls provides seepage of the interiorly-carried liquid between the multiple walls to provide the look of spoilage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automatic connection of battery cables to eliminate spark or other undesirable effects from misconnection includes apparatus for sensing the polarity of the batteries to which the cables are attached and for automatically switching the connection cables so that the polarities are matched. Other portions of the circuit inhibit charging if one of the clamps becomes disconnected from a battery post or if a battery is below a predetermined small voltage indicating either an unchargeable battery or a disconnected cable condition. A specialized battery cable clamp is provided in which one set of jaws is insulated from the other, with a standoff preventing the jaws from touching each other. Once predetermined conditions have been met and the sense of the terminals on each of the batteries has been periodically ascertained, the main switching relays are activated so as to connect the appropriate main battery cables from one battery to another.

Abstract: An improved wire terminal is provided in which an internal coiled spring wire clamping member is opened with the usual clockwise twist of the wire terminal when wires are inserted into the wire terminal, with an intermediate portion of the spring initially contacting the wires as they are inserted into the wire terminal such that the clockwise rotation opens an upper spring portion anchored at its end to the wire terminal. Release of the wire terminal causes the spring to collapse on itself to squeeze the wires together, thereby preventing dislodging of the wire terminal as by vibration.

Abstract: A non-symmetrical construction of braided mechanical compression packing which does not undergo undesired deformation when placed in use. This non-symmetry of construction results in longer packing life and reduced shaft wear when used to prevent leakage about rotating shafts.

Abstract: A neutral or a demilitarized zone (DMZ) is provided for a matrix-type "detente" piece-capture board game in which only one piece at a time can occupy a given square or point, with the neutral zone providing a safe haven for all elements utilized in playing the game. The neutral zone can take the form of an offset cruciform arrangement of spaces or a square outline of spaces. The neutral zone can be differentiated from the other spaces on the board by color differentiating the spaces within and outside the zone. Alternatively, the neutral zone can be differentiated by a line that circumscribes the zone.

Abstract: An anti-toggling, constant-contact cage roll assembly is provided for movement of corrugated box blanks along a belt. In one embodiment, the cage roll assembly includes a series of four rollers that are mounted to a bar spring-biased away from a frame, in which the bar is pivotally mounted at each end to an associated lever arm, each of which is in turn pivotally mounted to the frame to form a modified four-bar linkage, with a compliant mount for one lever arm, the mount for the other lever arm being fixed to the frame to permit limited canting of the roller-carrying bar to accommodate multiple folded layers of corrugated material. The subject cage roll assembly prevents the prior art type of toggling of pairs of rollers into an almost vertical position as the box blank moves between the rollers and the belt and thus prevents jamming. In one embodiment, each of the lever arms carries an adjustable stop at the free end for positioning the bar above the belt which carries the box blank.

Abstract: In an amplitude-modulated or frequency modulated audio signal transmission system, a system for eliminating breakup of transmissions of photographs, negatives or any rapidly changing audio signal transmitted from one remote location to another over standard telephone lines and networks includes superimposing an audio carrier signal on the signal from the picture or information transmitting unit, in which the superimposed carrier is of a frequency different from that of the operating frequency of the transmitter yet within the telephone network bandwidth.

Abstract: An improved wire terminal is provided in which an internal coiled spring wire clamping member is opened with the usual clockwise twist of the wire terminal when wires are inserted into the wire terminal, with an intermediate portion of the spring initially contacting the wires as they are inserted into the wire terminal such that the clockwise rotation opens an upper spring portion anchored at its end to the wire terminal. In one embodiment, the portion of the spring contacting the inserted wires is open at the top and has a parallel running portion, such that with the wires held in position manually, the rotation in the clockwise direction permits further insertion of the wires up through the parallel portion of the spring and into a cavity at the top of the wire terminal. Release of the wire terminal causes the spring to collapse on itself to squeeze the wires together, thereby preventing dislodging of the wire terminal as by vibration.