Abstract: A machine tool comprises a work table arranged for being displaced in at least one coordinate direction relative to a spindle stock. Longitudinal drive means arranged beneath the work table are covered on both sides of the work table by means of a cover composed of telescoping elements. One of the said elements is provided in stationary arrangement adjacent one side wall of a trough enclosing the cover.In order to prevent the chips from forming into balls in front of the overlapping elements, when the extreme end position of the work table is reached, at least one opening giving access to the trough is provided on the upside of the one element, at the edge facing the side wall.

Abstract: In a laser, the laser gain member is optically pumped by a semiconductive source of pumping radiation having an elongated output beam aperture such as that provided by a single-wide stripe diode or diode array. The elongated beam of optical pumping radiation is twice reflected from a concave surface at non-normal angles of incidence and then focused onto the laser gain material for pumping same. The reflections serve to differentially focus rays diverging in the vertical plane from rays diverging in the horizontal plane to shape the pumping beam for improved pumping efficiency in the pumped mode volume of the laser gain material. In a preferred embodiment, a magnifying lens is disposed inbetween the source and the reflectors for decreasing the divergence of the pumping beam.

Abstract: A hemi-laminectomy retractor attachment device adapted for use with prior art retractors. In a preferred embodiment the device includes two hook-shaped members that are joined together by a length of strong, flexible cord. The hook-shaped members are narrow enough to fit between spinal bones to brace against the spinal ligaments, and the cord is engaged with the retractor arm.

Abstract: A machine tool comprises a spindle stock (12), a tool magazine (20) in which a plurality of grippers equipped with tool holders are arranged to travel along an endless track, and two gripper arms (25, 26; 28, 29) arranged for moving the tool holders between a common pick-up and/or mounting position at the tool magazine and a spindle position at the spindle nose of the spindle stock (12), which has a vertical spindle axis (23, 24). In order to achieve the narrowest possible arrangement for the transfer movement between the pick-up and mounting position and the spindle position, it is provided that both gripper arms (25, 26; 28, 29) operate simultaneously and in opposite directions between their spindle positions and their pick-up and/or mounting positions, which are located on one side of the spindle stock (12), moving along geographical curves evading each other.

Abstract: A disengageable electrical connector structure in which a flexible contact finger is attached to a stationary base and dielectrically isolated from a stationary ground shield attached to the base to facilitate controlling the impedance of the contact finger when in a contact position connecting an electrical circuit to a lead of an electronic device.

Abstract: An air valve for a baby bottle that fits in the side of the baby bottle. A valve is disposed interior of an air pressure-sensitive diaphragm to permit air to enter the bottle when liquid is removed.

Abstract: An automatic inspection system including an illuminator for illuminating a reticle or photomask to be inspected, while optically projecting a magnified image of the reticle or photomask onto a plurality of detector elements. A carriage assembly moves the object at a constant velocity to allow the detector elements to sequentially view the entire surface to be inspected. The detector elements are responsive to the intensity of light incident thereupon and are periodically scanned to obtain a two-dimensional measured representation of the object. A database adaptor formulates a two-dimensional representation from the design database description corresponding to the scanned object simultaneously and in synchronism with the scanning of the photomask or reticle. The measured and database adapted representation of the scanned object are input to a signal processor for alignment and defect detection.

Abstract: In an inductive communication system (11) in which transmit (16) and receive (18) aerials are in communication with a transponder (40), one of the aerials, e.g. the receive aerial (18), is arranged in two parts (61,62), one of the parts (61) being closely mutually-inductively coupled to the transmit aerial, and the other part being remote from the transmit aerial, so that the interference signal received by the receive aerial from the transmit aerial is substantially cancelled by the mutually inductive coupling. The two parts (61,62) are preferably parts of a single continuous conductor. Alternatively one of the parts may form a tapped coil with the other aerials. The aerials may be coaxial and/or coplanar.

Abstract: An improved method and circuit for processing sensory input signals of the type obtained from Coriolis mass flow rate sensors and the like including differencing circuitry responsive to inputs received from two motion pick-up devices and operative to generate a "different" signal which is directly proportional to the difference therebetween, integrator circuitry for reducing the frequency dependency by one order and shifting the phase of the difference signal by 90 degrees, summing circuitry responsive to the signals generated by the two pick-ups and operative to develop a "sum" signal which is proportional to the sum thereof, and dividing circuitry for dividing the integrated difference signal by the sum signal to develop an output signal which is directly proportional to the rate of mass flowing through a conduit to which the two pick-up devices are attached.

Abstract: Spectral filter means in which filter elements have elongated planar surface areas covered with patterns of filtering material. Filter elements are independently movable parallel to their respective surface planes to positions where a given density pattern of filtering material is intersected by a beam of light and filters a given component of the light. Separate filter elements for each of the primary colors and an additional element for dimming all colors are used to control the color and intensity of a beam of light.

Abstract: A toolholder is provided for a machine tool where a plurality of standardized toolholders, in particular steeptaper toolholders, can be picked up from a tool magazine by means of grippers and can be introduced into a spindle of a spindle stock. The toolholder comprises an annular flange having an upwardly converging outer conical surface. The gripper can be provided with an inner conical surface widening towards the top. The two surfaces come into frictional engagement with each other under the action of the own weight of the toolholder, during introduction of the toolholder into the spindle, while the surfaces are lifted off from each other when the toolholder occupies its fully engaged position in the spindle.

Abstract: A machine for measuring the size of objects that are in motion in single file includes in one embodiment a collimated light beam that as a narrow horizontal width and a long vertical width. The light beam is pulsed ON and OFF at a 10 kilohertz rate but with the light being turned on only 30 percent of the time. The maximum shadow is cast by the maximum height of the object, and causes a minimum oputput voltage amplitude from a photodetector. This minimum output voltage is compared with a reference voltage to determine the object size. A direct digital readout may be obtained. Also, the size information may be passed to a microprocessor or similar device for use in sorting operations. In another embodiment a pair of collimated light beams are positioned about an aperture such that the beams are othogonal. An object passing through the aperture causes a loss of light to each photodetector. The voltage output of each photodetector is combined and averaged.

Abstract: An optical Faraday isolator includes a slab of Faraday rotator medium coated to define input and output faces and internal reflective surfaces for causing the beam to travel between the input and output faces along a zig-zag path. Permanent magnets polarized in a direction normal to the plane defined by the zig-zag beam path are disposed on opposite sides of the beam path. The magnets are paired on each side with serially alternating polarity and the like poles are in transverse registration on opposite sides of the beam path to produce an intense, unidirectional magnetic field parallel to the beam path within the rotator slab. A quarterwave plate introduces a compensating amount of elliptical polarization to cancel unwanted elliptical polarization effects of the slab and its coatings. A beam shaving aperture at the exit of the slab shaves off divergent backward travelling rays.

Abstract: A torsion transducer for providing electrical position and angular velocity signals for a device driven in a bidirectional partial rotational mode, such as commonly found in the rotary actuator arm of a disc drive for rotating computer memories. The torsion transducer comprises a torsion bar in the form of a wire, with one end attached to the rotating element of the actuator arm and the other to a piezoelectric transducer operating in the shear mode, which is anchored to the stationary frame of the device. As the torsion bar is twisted by the angular motion of the rotary element, torque is applied to the piezoelectric transducer, which then generates an electrical signal that can be processed to represent position and angular velocity of the rotary elements of the actuator arm.

Abstract: An aerodynamically streamlined bicycle racing helmet has a molded, plastic helmet body having an exterior shape which is streamlined to provide minimum resistance to frontal airflow. Downwardly extending ribs are formed in the interior surface to define channels for airflow to pass through the interior of the helmet. The rearward portions of the ribs of the helmet are extended downward beneath the lower edge of the helmet to insure that such airflow is not blocked by the back of the user. A pair of strap loops are also attached to the front and upper rear portions of the helmet and form a chin strap which is used to retain the helmet snugly in place upon the head of the user. The attachment points of the straps are specifically selected so that the sides of the strap engage the user's head and prevent tilting of the helmet when it is in use. The helmet may also be provided with a stretch cap with an airflow opening, which allows selection of exterior color, striping or other ornamentation.

Abstract: A fluid control valve with leak detection and containment features for use in a fluid handling system incorporating one or more flow controlling devices each including: an actuator; a weir valve and associated valve housing; and a pair of spaced apart diaphragms, one of which serves as the closure member for the weir valve and the other providing a secondary seal defining the limits of a containment chamber for at once preventing contamination of the controlled fluid, protecting the actuating mechanism and allowing immediate detection of valve closure failure. A piston member disposed within the chamber is coupled to the two diaphragms, and a fluid detection device is disposed in communication with a sealed containment chamber formed between the two diaphragms. The system includes electronic control apparatus responsive to the detection device and is operative to instantaneously shut down the system in the event of a detected failure.

Abstract: A clip composed of a resilient material such as steel wine or a plastic that is formed for attachment to the fabric surface of a modular wall unit, and which will hold papers thereto.

Abstract: The modular gas cylinder storage system of the present invention includes several gas cylinder holding devices which are incorporated into an overall cylinder holding system 10 which holds different-sized cylinders. It includes a rack structure 12 that is modular and designed to hold large tanks 14. A plurality of smaller cylinders 74, 76 are held in several differing basket configurations 50, 80, 100, 130, which basket configurations are formed to mate with the modular rack structure 12. Barriers 40 for dividing cylinders holding incompatible chemicals are held in place by brackets 42 attaching the barriers to the rack structure 12. Secure fastening of large cylinders is achieved utilizing a gas cylinder gas storage bracket 210, which is bolted to other structural members having a concave face 212 which mates with the curved surface of the gas cylinder 214.