Abstract: A portable electric spice mill is configured to be easily carried in a pocket or purse, having a grating wheel turning with a drive shaft extending perpendicularly to a motor shaft extending from a motor powered by a battery. These shafts are connected by a pair of gears. The grating wheel turns within a hopper supplying spices for grating, being disposed above a plate including a number of holes through which grated spices flow. A rear cover forms a battery compartment and a portion of the walls of the hopper, while an intermediate plate forms the remaining portion of these walls. A front cover extends around the motor and an electric switch, which is closed by the depression of a button to begin and maintain operation of the motor.

Abstract: A voltage regulator, providing a constant-voltage output through an output terminal, includes an operational amplifier and an output stage driven by an output of the amplifier. A voltage reference is applied to a negative input terminal of the amplifier, and an input voltage, which is greater in magnitude than the output voltage, is applied to the output stage. A first feedback loop returns a signal proportional to the output voltage to the positive input of the amplifier. A second feedback loop extends between the output and input of the amplifier, including resistive and capacitative elements to stabilize the voltage regulator. In a version producing a positive output, the voltage reference applies a positive voltage to the amplifier, and the output stage includes a p-channel power MOSFET device. In a version producing a negative output, the voltage reference applies a negative voltage to the amplifier, and the output stage includes an n-channel power MOSFET device.

Abstract: A disk texturing tool is used, for example, to provide textured spots in an annular portion of both sides of a hardfile disk. Disks are moved into and out of the texturing process in cassettes, through two disk-handling stations. In each disk-handling station, a lifter raises each individual disk from the cassette. The individual disk is then transferred to a pick-and-place mechanism, which moves it to a spindle. The spindle spins and translates the disk, so that both sides of the disk are exposed to beams derived from a pulsed laser. The pick-and-place mechanism then returns the disk to the lifter, which lowers it into the cassette pocket from which it was taken. The pick-and-place mechanism simultaneously moves one disk from the lifter to the spindle and another from the spindle to the lifter. While disks are moved by the pick-and-place mechanism of one disk-handling station, a disk in the spindle of the other disk-handling station is exposed to the laser beams.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Probe Positioning Actuator which is low in cost and mass, capable of high accelerations, relatively long stroke and compact packaging, as well as high in efficiency. The actuator assembly comprises a frame, and at least one pair of spaced apart, laterally extending, conductor carrying, flexible beams attached to the frame. A non-magnetic armature, substantially U-shaped in cross section, is attached adjacent or approximate the extended terminal ends of the beams, and a probe is attached to the base of the "U" of the armature for contacting selected points in the electrical circuit associated with the device being tested. The heart of the actuator includes a coil mounted on the upstanding legs of the U-shaped armature and arranged so that the axis of the coil is perpendicular to the base of the armature but substantially parallel to the probe tip.

Abstract: The sequential order of movements of a number of probes within a circuit test fixture is optimized through the use of an algorithm which sequentially orders test configurations provided in an input list. Each test configuration corresponds to the locations of probes within the fixture as a particular test is performed. In a first pass of the algorithm, for each test configuration, every other test configuration is considered as a next move candidate for which a weighted distance is calculated from the test configuration. Weighting factors reflect the degree of difficulty in moving one direction instead of another. A need to move one probe before another or to move in one direction before another, in order to prevent a collision within the test fixture, is also considered. A predetermined number of next move candidates having the lowest weighted distances are placed in an intermediate list for the test configuration.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wirebonding assembly, consisting of an actuator producing vibrations at an ultrasonic frequency and a tip transmitting such vibrations to a bonding wire atop a terminal to which the wire is to be bonded, is moved among positions on a circuit chip where wirebonding operations are to occur by means of a linkage. The linkage consists of first and second drive arms, each of which is pivoted on a single stationary shaft, a drive link pivoted on the second drive arm, and a connecting link extending between the drive link and the first drive arm, being pivoted at each end. Each arm is independently driven using a motor having a coil moving over an arcuate permanent magnet. The wirebonding assembly is driven vertically, downward in a direction of engagement with the workpiece and upward in a direction of disengagement with the workpiece, on the drive link by means of a linear motor.

Abstract: A personal computer includes a frame unit and a top cover mounted to pivot upward and outward to the rear of the system, or alternately, upward to the side. One or more DASD storage devices may be mounted to extend downward from the top cover. A planar board is attached atop the lower side of the frame unit, where flexible mounting hardware allows the attachment of one of several types of planar boards. A central support structure includes a riser card plugged into a connector of the planar board, and a number of card connectors into which option cards can be plugged for electrical connection with the planar board. The central support structure also includes a bracket extending along the rear of the computer, having slots through which port connectors of the option cards can extend. The central support structure is held in engagement with the connector of the planar board by the top cover when this cover is closed.

Abstract: A PLL (phase-locked loop) circuit is used in apparatus for testing individual circuits in circuit devices. The PLL circuit operates at an input frequency provided by the output of an input oscillator when this oscillator is connected to one of the inputs of a phase comparator within the PLL circuit. When this connection is not made, the PLL circuit operates at a freerunning frequency, which is varied by connecting a circuit under test with a frequency controlling node present within a voltage-controlled oscillator in the PLL circuit. In a first mode of operation, the circuit under test is initially connected to the frequency controlling node, but the input oscillator is not connected to the phase comparator. When the input oscillator is so connected, the frequency of oscillations moves from a freerunning frequency associated with the circuit under test to the input frequency.

Abstract: A shutter is provided for attachment to window opening surfaces extending inward from a wall surface of a building. Mechanisms are provided to allow both the installation and removal of the shutter from outside the building. In a first version, a clamping mechanism feeds a bar into engagement with a surface of the window opening. The bar remains in engagement with this surface until a release mechanism is operated. In another version, a drive screw moves a compressible foot into and out of contact with the window opening surface. In yet another version, a toggle mechanism operates in such a way that increased engagement of an engagement surface increases the resistance to disengagement as the shutter is pulled away from the window.

Abstract: A vibrating massager includes a housing and an elastic strap, which is fastened into a loop to hold a protrusion extending from a surface of the housing against a pressure point of the human body. Mechanical vibrations, produced by a small electric motor spinning an eccentrically mounted weight, are transmitted to the protrusion. The motor is driven according to a pattern of pulses, between which the vibrations are interrupted. The length of time between vibrating pulses is adjusted with a first know on the device. The speed of the motor is adjusted using a second knob on the device, varying the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations. An extension strap is used to facilitate attachment of the strap around larger body members such as the head, as well as around smaller body members, such as the wrist.

Abstract: A system for probing both sides of a high density printed circuit board includes an open frame extending around the circuit board when it is held in a test position by a circuit board carrier. The frame includes two parallel rail structures extending above, and at opposite ends of, the circuit board in the test position. The frame also includes another two parallel rail structures extending below, and at opposite ends of, the circuit board. The upper and lower rail structures extend perpendicularly to one another, and are fastened together at the corners of the frame by means of compression bolt assemblies. Two gantry structures are moved in a first direction between the upper rail structures, while two other gantry structures are moved in a direction perpendicular to the first direction between the lower rail structures. A carriage moves along each gantry structure, and a probe is mounted on each carriage to be moved toward and away from the adjacent surface of the circuit board.

Abstract: A station for testing fiber optic jumper cables includes four indexing plugboard stations. A single cable to be tested is typically attached to extend between two of the plugboard stations. Each plugboard station includes three columns of plug positions, corresponding to three styles of connecters which may be used at the ends of the cable to be tested. An upper row, and a central row, of plug positions correspond to the contact types (PC or APC) which may be used. An indexing mechanism is provided to align one of the plug positions in the central row with a reference cable extending from the plugboard station. Reference jumpers extend from the upper row, being docked in a lower row of plug positions if the cable to be tested is connected to the central row, or being plugged into the central row if the cable to be tested is connected to the upper row.

Abstract: A personal computer includes a frame unit and a top cover mounted to pivot upward and outward to the rear of the system, or alternately, upward to the side. One or more DASD storage devices may be mounted to extend downward from the top cover. A planar board is attached atop the lower side of the frame unit, where flexible mounting hardware allows the attachment of one of several types of planar boards. A central support structure includes a riser card plugged into a connector of the planar board, and a number of card connectors into which option cards can be plugged for electrical connection with the planar board. The central support structure also includes a bracket extending along the rear of the computer, having slots through which port connectors of the option cards can extend. The central support structure is held in engagement with the connector of the planar board by the top cover when this cover is closed.

Abstract: An extension bracket is provided to vary the distance between the upper guide of a vehicle seat belt system and the upper anchor to which this guide is attached. Variation of this distance changes the angle at which the shoulder restraint portion of the seat belt system pulls across the driver or passenger in the vehicle. The extension bracket preferably provides adjustment by allowing the upper guide to be attached in one of a number of positions. A decorative cover is provided for attachment to the extension bracket.

Abstract: An inteferometer is provided with a light source forming a first collimated beam shaped to illuminate an area and a second collimated beam shaped to illuminate a narrow line. Both of these beams are split into orthogonally-polarized sub-beams, which are diverted outward and inward within a compound Wollastom prism. The images of these beams are focussed on a test surface through an objective lens, with a real splitting point being projected to the rear focal plane of the objective lens. With light reflected off the test surface and projected back through the compound Wollastom prism, interference patterns are generated on the surface of a line sensor, which is typically used with illuminated narrow lines split by the compound prism and projected onto a moving test surface, and on the surface of an area sensor, which is typically used with area illumination projected onto a stationary test surface. Autofocus and automatic phase angle correction servomechanisms are also provided within the interferometer.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for testing circuit traces extending along a flexible substrate, which is fed in a longitudinal direction between an upper plate and a lower plate. The upper plate includes a number of upper apertures extending across the flexible substrate and a number of upper segments, also extending across the flexible substrate, between adjacent apertures. The lower plate includes lower segments extending under the upper apertures and lower apertures extending under the upper segments. Two upper test probes are moved above the flexible substrate, while two lower test probes are moved under the flexible substrate. Tests are applied to both sides of the flexible substrate as the probes are brought into contact with test points in the areas accessible through the upper and lower apertures, with segments extending along the apertures on the opposite sides of the flexible substrate providing a backing surface for probe contact.

Abstract: A fixture is provided for locating open conditions within circuits and short conditions between adjacent circuits on a flexible substrate having circuits extending along each side, as well as individual circuits extending along both sides. In one station of the fixture, the flexible circuit extends against a conductive backing plate, and conductivity measurements, to detect open conditions, are made between two probes moving among test points on the first side of the substrate, which is opposite the backing plate, and between one of these probes and the conductive backing plate. The latter type of measurement is used particularly to detect an open condition in a via extending through the substrate.

Abstract: A torsional tester includes test stations for one or more circuit cards. In each test station, one end of the circuit card under test is held stationary while the opposite end is twisted in a card holder mounted to pivot about an axis, being alternately driven by each of a pair of weights extending downward on a flexible member from opposite sides of a pulley. A rocker providing a platform extending under each of these weights is driven in a reciprocating pivoting motion in which the weights are alternately lifted and allowed to fall. The weight which is allowed to fall provides a torque to the pulley, while the weight being lifted does not provide such a torque. A pair of setscrews limits the angular motion of the card holder to a predetermined level in each direction.

Abstract: An electrical connector for removably receiving a daughter card includes a first group of contact springs, which extend in their free, undeflected state into a card-receiving slot, and a second group of contact springs, which are displaced from this slot in their undeflected state. This connector also includes an actuator, which can be moved to engage the second group of contact springs so that they are moved into the card-receiving slot. The actuator can be left in a position in which it is not so engaged when a first type of daughter card is inserted in the connector, with slotted portions of the daughter card passing over surfaces of the actuator. The actuator is moved into this engagement with the insertion of a second type of daughter card as surfaces on the daughter card push on surfaces of the actuator. The actuator also includes means by which it is locked to this second type of daughter card so that it is restored to its unengaged position as the daughter card is withdrawn from the connector.

Abstract: A daughter card is provided with an insertion portion, including a row of contact pads on each side of an edge prepared for insertion into the slot of card edge connector, and a contact structure extending from one or both sides of the card. Contact terminals of the contact structure extend parallel to the insertion portion of the card, being electrically connected to circuits within the card. On a mother board, a connector is provided with a first slot for removably receiving the insertion portion of the daughter card, and with one or two slots for removably receiving the contact terminals. The mother board and the daughter card include essential circuits, which are connected through the contact pads, and non-essential circuits, which are connected through the contact terminals. The daughter card may be plugged into a standard type of card edge connector, having only a single, central card-receiving slot, with the contact terminals extending outside the outer surfaces of the connector.