Abstract: An elongated flooring member includes an array of pyramid-shaped tread members to form an anti-skid surface. Longitudinally extending features of the flooring member are formed by an extrusion process which is followed by an embossing process to cut extruded flutes into the pyramid-shaped tread members. A first version of the flooring member includes a pair of channels extending downward from an upper web on which the tread is formed, for attachment to a substrate. A second version of the flooring member has an adhesive layer fastened under the upper web for attachment to a single plank.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing, mixing, and dispensing a two-component bone cement includes a first component supply section, a mixing section, and a drive base. One or more ampules of the first (liquid) component, provided within the first component supply section, are broken or cut when a lever is rotted. The second (powder) component is provided within the mixing section. During the mixing process, a vacuum is applied within the mixing section, assisting in the delivery of the first component through a filter while preventing the passage of broken glass or plastic from the ampules. Mixing is done by a pair of paddles and a helical wire spring rotating within the mixing station, being driven in one direction, or in alternating opposite directions of rotation, by the drive base.

Abstract: A test system for applying electrical tests to circuits on flexible substrates includes a first transport system moving frames, each of which is configured for holding a single such flexible substrate, a loading station in which the substrates are individually loaded onto the frames, a testing station in which the electrical tests are applied, and an unloading station in which the substrates are removed from the frames. Within the testing station, each frame is disengaged from the first transport system and fastened to a second transport system, which moves the frame in a pattern causing a number of segments of the substrate within the frame to be placed between probe arrays adjacent each of the opposite sides of the substrate. These arrays are each aligned with visual markings on the adjacent side of the substrate, and the arrays are then moved into engagement with the substrate for the testing process.

Abstract: A dual contact probe tip is provided within a flying probe circuit tester to make separate electrical contacts with a circuit under test at two closely-spaced test points. The tip includes a mounting block having an attachment section attached to a carriage of the tester and a pair of flexible cantilever sections, with a probe pin extending from a distal end of each of these cantilever sections to make contact with the circuit. One electrical path is established through the conductive mounting block and one of the probe pins. The other probe pin is coated with an insulating material except for its point and for a surface to which a wire is soldered, so that the other electrical path is established through this other probe pin and the attached wire. Each probe pin is tapered toward its point, and the probe pins extend from the mounting block at an oblique angle toward one another.

Abstract: An elongated flooring member includes an array of pyramid-shaped tread members to form an anti-skid surface. Longitudinally extending features of the flooring member are formed by an extrusion process which is followed by an embossing process to cut extruded flutes into the pyramid-shaped tread members. A first version of the flooring member includes a pair of channels extending downward from an upper web on which the tread is formed, for attachment to a substrate. A second version of the flooring member has an adhesive layer fastened under the upper web for attachment to a single plank.

Abstract: A first version of a multilayer slat for horizontal or vertical blind assemblies includes a translucent inside layer, a first transparent base layer, and a translucent outside layer. This slat may also include a second base layer, which is either transparent or translucent depending on the percentage of light to be transmitted through the slat. The base layer may be of a different color than the inside layer, so that light transmitted through the slat is viewed as being differently colored than light reflected from the surface of the slat. The inside layer of the slat may include a foaming agent producing a matte surface texture. Another version of the multilayer slat includes a laminated inside layer, with a foaming agent in a base layer causing a matte surface texture of the laminated layer.

Abstract: Accuracy of capacitance measurements taken with flying probes--probes that are movable relative to each other and surfaces of an object containing circuits being tested (e.g. a printed circuit board)--is improved by dynamically applying corrections for stray capacitance as individual probes are selected for measurements. Measuring circuitry to which the probes are linked includes multiplexor circuitry. The latter stray capacitance encompassing the stray capacitance between the one movable probe and the other movable probes as well as the cabling between the latter probes and the multiplexor circuitry. For these measurements, the reference point is contacted either by a fixed conductor or another one of the movable probes (other than the probe aligned with the test point) that is currently usable for that purpose.

Abstract: Extruded material for forming blind slats has at least one textured surface with raised areas and adjacent lower areas. After extrusion and texturing processes, the slat material is passed through a spray painting process applying a substantially thicker coating of paint to the raised areas than to the adjacent lower areas.

Abstract: A flexible sheet to which manufacturing processes are to be applied is tensioned within a carrying fixture having tacky surfaces to which the flexible sheet is fastened. One version of the fixture includes an "L"-shaped attachment surface on a frame member and two tensioning members deflected toward the frame member in mutually perpendicular directions. When the flexible sheet has been fastened to the carrying fixture, the tensioning members are allowed to return toward their undeflected positions while applying tensioning forces to the flexible sheet. Another version of the fixture includes "L"-shaped attachment surfaces on both a frame member and a tensioning member. A loading station includes a stack of unprocessed flexible sheets, a fixture for deflecting tensioning member(s) within the carrying fixture, and a robot arm moving a transport fixture capable of carrying a flexible sheet and a carrying fixture.

Abstract: A television style channel (program) changer switch is electrically coupled to the central processing unit of a computer system. A user defined lookup table assigns switch positions to programs available for execution in the system. Program controlled means initiates execution of each program and switches between programs in accordance with the positioning of the switch by a system user.

Abstract: An improved actuation structure for a vehicle horn switch is formed as a block adhesively attached to extend outward from the surface, such as a button flush with surrounding surfaces, or a flexible cover, otherwise used to actuate the horn switch.

Abstract: A disk texturing tool is used, for example, to provide textured spots in an annular portion of both sides of a hardfile disk. An optical system includes a laser directed at a beamsplitter to split the laser beam into two beams having approximately equal power, which are directed along parallel paths through a power control optics block to expose simultaneously opposite sides of a disk to be textured. A visible laser beam is also directed along this optical system to an inspection spot on each side of the disk, by which a central portion of each textured spots passes. A beam angle detector detects deflection of a reflection of the inspection beam from this spot in the direction of motion of the disk at this spot. This deflection provides a measure of the topography of the spot.

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. Control of the tool is achieved using a right-side disk handling and processing controller, a right-side cassette handling controller, a left-side disk handling and processing controller, and a left side cassette handling controller. The two disk handling and processing controllers share hardware resources performing the texturing process.

Abstract: A device is provided for determining the height and/or tilt of local features on the surface of a sample. The device includes a laser projecting a collimated beam at an oblique angle at a reflection point on the sample surface and a converging lens having an optical axis extending at an angle of reflection equal to the angle of incidence from the reflection point. The focusing characteristics of the lens are used to separate the deflection of the reflected collimated beam due to tilt of the surface from such deflection due to linear displacement of the surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting the surface of a sample includes a wide scanning interferometer, which is used to locate defects, or anomalies in the surface, and a narrow scanning interferometer, which is used to develop profiles of individual defects found by the narrow scanning interferometer. The sample may be driven in rotation about an axis, while the interferometers are independently moved radially to the axis.

Abstract: An electronic device fastened to a baggage item includes a microprocessor, data storage, radio circuits, and a radio antenna. When the baggage item is checked by a traveler at an airport, identification information corresponding to a code printed on the traveler's boarding pass is transmitted to the electronic device and recorded in its data storage. The traveler then proceeds to the gate of his flight, where the code printed on his boarding pass is read. The electronic device transmits stored identification information, so that the baggage item is loaded onto the aircraft only when the code printed on the boarding pass has been read at the gate.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope is used as an atomic force microscope during a first pass of a vibrating probe tip along a line extending along a sample surface, with data representing topographical features occurring along the line being stored. In a second pass along the line, the topographical data is used to allow movement of the vibrating probe tip with the center of vibration at a fixed distance above the sample surface, as the resulting amplitude or phase angle of probe vibration provides an indication of the level of a magnetic or electric field. In the second pass, the amplitude of probe tip vibrations is substantially less that the amplitude of such vibrations in the first pass, so that the probe operates out of contact with the sample surface, even if the center of such vibrations occurs at the same level during both passes, or if this center is brought closer to the sample surface during the second pass.

Abstract: An elongated flooring member includes an array of pyramid-shaped tread members to form an anti-skid tread surface. Longitudinally extending features of the flooring member are formed by an extrusion process which is followed by an embossing process to cut extruded flutes into the pyramid-shaped tread members. A first version of the flooring member includes a pair of channels extending downward from an upper web on which the tread is formed, for attachment to a substrate. A second version of the flooring member has an adhesive layer fastened under the upper web for attachment to a single plank.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope includes a segmented piezoelectric actuator having a course segment and a fine segment, the outputs of which are combined to determine the movement of a distal end of the actuator, to which the probe is mechanically coupled. Movement of the probe tip, or a change in the level of its engagement with a sample surface is sensed by a detector, which generates a feedback signal. A correction signal, which is used to determine how the actuator should be moved to maintain a constant level of such engagement, is generated in a comparison circuit, which compares the feedback signal with a control signal. The correction signal is used to drive the fine segment of the actuator, while an integral of the correction signal is used to drive the coarse segment.