Abstract: A photographic developing apparatus comprising a rectangular easel with upper and lower edges, opposed first and second side edges and opposed top and bottom surfaces, the easel including sidewalls that form the top surface into a paper support surface capable of supporting a sheet of photographic print paper, a plurality of covers arranged in first and second parallel columns in a covering relationship on the paper support surface and hinged to the sidewalls such that the covers are capable of being selectively opened and closed and a plurality of lateral grooves formed in the bottom surface, and an easel support including a planar surface having a central area corresponding to a predetermined location, four rectangular elements each including an inner locating surface so as to provide opposed first and second side surfaces and opposed upper and lower surfaces, the side surfaces and the upper and lower surfaces having a dimension such that when the easel is positioned on the planar surface with its lower edg

Abstract: An improved broccoli bunching apparatus for expediting the bunching, tying and trimming of broccoli and including a plurality of buckets, which are driven around a first endless loop, each bucket having a head supporting portion for supporting the heads of a bunch of broccoli and a U-shaped stalk support for supporting the broccoli stalks and for carrying a tie band, a plurality of U-shaped clamps which are driven in synchronization with the buckets around a second endless loop disposed above and behind the stalk supports, each clamp for compressingly holding a bunch of broccoli stalks against a corresponding stalk support and a saw disposed to trim the stalks of broccoli clamped between a stalk support and a corresponding clamp.

Abstract: A power management system for controlling the power usage by a plurality of loads in a facility and including a system control unit for monitoring the power consumption of the loads and for generating a control signal when the consumption falls below a low level and when the consumption exceeds a high level, and a load control unit and a plurality of switching modules for receiving the control signal, and based upon eligibility and a preassigned priority ranking, selecting and shutting down one or more of the loads for a first predetermined time period followed by a second predetermined time period during which the load is allowed to run, any shutdown load being designated as ineligible for further shutdowns during the cycle including both of the first and second time periods.

Abstract: A latch retainer device for preventing the accidental opening of a quick-release gas cap and including a clip for fitting over and engaging the gas cap hinge, a loop for fitting over and engaging the gas cap release handle, a stud attached to the loop and passing through a hole in the clip, and a wing nut threaded onto the stud for securing the release handle in its locked position.

Abstract: A portable public address system for use in motor buses which can also be used inside buildings or out-of-doors including a first case and a second case. Within the first case, which is approximately the size of a pack of cigarettes, is an amplifier circuit with a Darlington configuration transistor pre-amplifier, a three-position switch, a volume control and a microphone. Within the second case is a loudspeaker and battery supply which are electrically connected to the amplifier circuit in the first case through the switch.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning and re-inking a fibrous printer ribbon carried on first and second reels and having foreign matter thereon comprising a frame, first and second pairs of rotatable spindles mounted in the frame so as to define parallel axes and capable of holding the first and second reels, first and second motors for rotating the first and second pairs of spindles, an elongated inking roller rotatably mounted in the frame between and parallel to the axes for contacting and applying ink to the printer ribbon, a metering roller rotatably mounted in the frame parallel to the inking roller for metering ink onto the inking roller, a trough disposed beneath the inking roller for containing ink and providing such ink to the inking roller, a reservoir capable of holding ink for supplying ink to the trough, an elongated brush rotatably mounted in the frame intermediate the second pair of spindles and the metering roller for contacting, forcibly removing the foreign matter and opening the fibers of the ribbon,

Abstract: An apparatus and method wherein speech or other signals are sampled during a time slice of approximately 1/30 second and spectrum analysis is performed on the samples, producing measures of amplitude in several frequency bands with each frequency band being characterized by a binary digit indicating the presence or absence of significant amplitude. The binary digits are collectively referred to as a sonogram. Sonograms for several time slices are then concatenated, randomized and decoded using an n-tuple technique to produce a pattern corresponding to the current speech signal. This pattern is learned by superimposing it on an existing vocabulary entry and is subsequently recognized if it is sufficiently similar to one vocabulary entry and different from all others.

Abstract: An electronic half-tone generating circuit for enabling a black and white facsimile transmission system to accurately and efficiently transmit and reproduce images including shades of grey as well as black and white and including an integrator responsive to a first data signal and operative to integrate the difference between an input analog signal and a first reference potential to develop a first integral signal commensurate therewith, and responsive to a second data signal and operative to integrate the difference between the input analog signal and a second reference signal to develop a second integral signal commensurate therewith, a comparator responsive to the first and second integral signals and operative to develop a comparison signal when the first and second integral signals exceed a predetermined threshold value, and a signal generator responsive to the comparison signal and operative to develop the first data signal upon each odd numbered occurrence of the comparison signal and to develop the se

Abstract: A switching element is mounted on a substrate covered by an envelope, and a fluorescent film is formed on the switching element. A cathode electrode is provided to face the fluorescent film, and a grid electrode is disposed therebetween.

Abstract: In an electronic device such as a fluorescent display tube which comprises an evacuated envelope, a plurality of cathode electrodes and an anode electrode, auxiliary electrodes are arranged between the cathode electrodes and the anode electrode. Each auxiliary electrode is impressed with AC potential superposed on DC potential and acts to disperse the electron flux emitted by the cathode electrodes in the lateral direction thus uniformly distributing the electron flux on the anode electrode.

Abstract: An electrical power system safety monitor for monitoring the continuity of an electrical power distribution system and including signal generators for generating a monitoring signal and a simulated fault signal; an impedance bridge; a three-phase coupler connected between the impedance bridge and the system's three-phase electrical conductors for impedance coupling the bridge to the conductors; a second three-phase coupler connected between the three-phase electrical conductors and the ground connector for impedance coupling the three-phase electrical conductors to the ground conductor; a reactor in series with the ground conductor for impedance isolating the ground conductor; and a signal comparator for developing a control signal whenever the relationship between the simulated fault signal and the monitoring signal indicates the occurrence of an electrical fault in the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping and driving a flexible disc for use with a rotatable spindle having a generally conical portion forming a camming surface, and a general cylindrical portion forming a first disc clamping surface and a disc registration surface, the apparatus comprising a generally annular hub having a plurality of stops and being rotatable about and movable along an axis, a plurality of fingers hingedly connected to the outer periphery of the hub, each of the fingers including a second disc clamping surface and a registration engaging surface, a circular spring for biasing the fingers radially inwardly against the stops such that the second disc clamping surfaces form a ring that contacts the camming surface when the hub is moved into engagement with the spindle, and a lifter for carrying the hub assembly and for moving it along the axis, whereby when the disc is loaded between the spindle and the hub and the lifter moves the hub along the axis such that the ring contacts the spindle, continued axial

Abstract: A threshold detector for use with a video signal including a first level representative of a white surface, a second level representative of a true black mark on the white surface, and a third level intermediate the first and second levels representative of a false black mark, the threshold detector comprising a DC restoring circuit for clamping the video signal such that the first level is clamped to a base level, a peak detector circuit responsive to the restored signal and operative to provide a peak detected signal having a magnitude that corresponds generally to the peaks of the restored second level, a voltage divider circuit for reducing the magnitude of the peak detected signal by a predetermined amount, a comparator responsive to the restored signal and the reduced peak detected signal and operative to produce a first bistate signal having a high level when the restored signal exceeds the reduced peak detected signal, a pulse generator for generating a sequence of pulses, one of which occurs when the

Abstract: A tool for clamping the ends of two guard rail sections including a fixed jaw rigidly attached to a first handle, a second handle pivotally attached to the first handle and a pivoting jaw pivotally attached to the first handle and pivotally connected to the second handle by means of an overcenter linkage.

Abstract: A vehicle towing apparatus comprised of a rigid metal plate having an elongated midportion, a leading end portion which is bent upwardly relative to the midportion and a trailing end portion which is bent downwardly relative to the midportion, and stiffening webs extending longitudinally along the midportion and the trailing end portion. Apertures are provided in the two end portions to facilitate fastening the towing apparatus to suitable coupling structures on a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle. An alternative embodiment includes a pair of spaced apart upstanding plates or flanges which are secured to the top of the trailing end portion to provide a coupling unit for mating with a similar structure carried by the vehicle to be towed.

Abstract: A computer graphics display system including random access raster memory for storing data to be displayed, a raster memory control unit for writing data into the raster memory, a video control unit for causing such information to be displayed on a CRT display screen, a micro control unit for controlling the function and timing of the raster memory control unit and the video control unit, and a computer adapter for facilitating data exchange between the micro control unit and a host computer. The displayed image can have extremely high complexity with essentially no problem of display flicker. Zoom and pan features allow the use of a very complex stored image in a flexible manner, and a split-screen technique enables an operator to work on a very complex picture at a detail level while still having an overview of the total picture, or any portion thereof, simultaneously presented before him.

Abstract: An optical instrument for use in examining the internal wall of an aperture in a work material comprising a generally tubular housing formed from a material that is opaque to light and having a central axis and first and second ends, the first end having an annular surface that lies in a plane substantially normal to the central axis, a light directing member formed from a transparent material and having a shape in the form of an elongated frustum of a right rectangular pyramid, the member having a longitudinal axis that is coincident with the central axis, a third end having a first rectangular dimension, a fourth end having a second rectangular dimension that is larger than the first dimension, and four faces extending between the third and fourth ends, each face being capable of internally reflecting light passing through the member and incident on the face, the member being mounted within the housing intermediate the first and second ends such that the third end terminates within the housing proximate the

Abstract: A new variety of chrysanthemum plant originating as a sport of Horim (unpatented) characterized by its satiny pure white blooms, vigorous growth, 12 week response, permanence and distinguished from the parent cultivar, Horim, by larger and purer white blooms.

Abstract: A new variety of chrysanthemum plant originating as a sport of Horim (unpatented) and characterized by satiny golden blooms, vigorous growth, 12 week response and permanence.

Abstract: A new variety of chrysanthemum plant originating as a sport of Horim (unpatented) and characterized by satiny pure white blooms, vigorous growth, nine week response, permanence, and distinguished from the parent cultivar, Horim, by larger and purer white blooms.