Abstract: A rotatable shaft supports supply spools having new fishing line thereon and a take-up spool for receiving worn-out line. An electric motor is provided to rotate the shaft in a take-off direction. The motor by being energized applies tension to line as it is taken from a supply spool to a fishing reel on a fishing rod. Ballast resistors in the power line leading to the motor act as an overload current absorber.

Abstract: A system for determining the bend in a section of pipe which is being bent by a bending machine which includes a stiffback and a pinup shoe. The pipe to be bent is placed in the stiffback and extends out the end at the pinup shoe and its angle S.sub.i is obtained of the pipe with respect to the horizontal. An outboard and an inboard cylinder force the pipe and the stiffback against a die to obtain a bend. This system is especially good for determining the angle of bend when the bending machine is on a non-level surface. After such bending, the angle of the pipe S.sub.h at the pinup shoe with respect to the horizon is made, and then subtracting S.sub.i from S.sub.n to obtain the angle of bend of the pipe. In another embodiment the angle detector is calibrated to read zero when the angle detector is measuring the actual angle the pipe makes with the horizontal before the pipe is bent.

Abstract: This includes a condiment, such as mustard, catsup, etc. dispensing unit. The condiment is in a container such as a bottle with a neck portion which is attached to a novel plastic dispenser cap. When the device is hanging upside down, the condiment in the container flows into the dispensing tip which has a valve mechanism such that no fluid flows out the end of the tip until pressure is applied by squeezing the plastic tip. A push rod with two spaced apart arms has a roller at the end of each arm. The rollers are a lesser distance apart than the diameter of the dispensing nipple. When the rod pushes the arm, the rollers roll against the dispensing nipple, squeezing and compressing it, and forcing its condiments out the lower end.

Abstract: A remote video transmission system for digitizing and compressing an audio/visual signal, transmitting that signal over low band width lines, such as land telephone lines, cellular telephone lines, or radio frequencies, decompressing the digitized data and converting it to an audio/visual signal for broadcast. Components of this system include: A remote unit, a host unit, and a playback unit. The remote unit is capable of digitizing and compressing the audio/visual signal as well as transmitting the compressed, digitized data. Data may be divided and sent to multiple ports for output. Data may also be edited prior to transmission. The host unit is automated to receive data transmitted from the remote unit and reassemble the data if it has been divided. The playback unit stores and automatically catalogs transmitted data files. The player unit also decompresses the digitized data files and converts them to an audio/visual signal which may then be broadcast.

Abstract: A vibratory deck of an end feed separator transfers material in a linear direction from the feed end to the discharge end of a screen mounted on the separator frame. A pair of rotary eccentric vibrators is independently mounted in mirror relationship on opposite sides of the frame. The eccentric vibrator shafts are centered on axes at an alpha angle to the direction of horizontal motion of the material, canted at an epsilon angle from the alpha angle and tilted about the epsilon angle from the vertical in a plane normal to the epsilon axes at opposite beta angles. The centers of the eccentric vibrator shafts are offset from the center of vibratory mass of the frame by a rho distance. The alpha, epsilon, beta and rho factors are coordinated so that the aspect ratios of the elliptical patterns of motion from the feed to the discharge ends of the screen sequentially increase or decrease.

Abstract: A flow control valve has a gate connected between an operating fluid inlet and outlet. An actuator permits manual adjustment of the gate area to allow fluid to pass from the inlet to the outlet at a threshold rate of flow for a threshold pressure at the first inlet. A biasing mechanism cooperable with the gate and linearly responsive to variations in a control pressure applied to a control inlet of the valve constantly automatically readjusts the area of the gate in proportion to the control pressure. In a constant speed pneumatic motor application of the valve, the motor inlet pressure is applied to the control inlet of the valve and the motor outlet pressure is applied to the operating fluid inlet of the valve. A regulator connected to the motor inlet senses the pressure at the motor outlet. In operation, at idle, the threshold flow rate through the valve is selected by manual adjustment of the valve actuator or stem. The load is added and the motor outlet pressure decreases.

Abstract: A test head assembly for heat exchanger tube bundles consists of a structural frame to support the bundle, test heads, sealing devices between the test heads and the tube sheets, clamps securing the test heads to the bundle with the sealing devices therebetween, a supply reservoir for the test fluid, a collection reservoir to receive the test fluids after testing to permit proper environmental disposal, a control station, pumping assemblies and related equipment. The structural frame is suitable for holding various common arrays of tube bundles for heat exchangers in a test configuration. The sealing devices include two sealing plates, preferably fiat discs, mounted on opposite ends of the assembly and biased toward each other either hydraulically or mechanically, hydraulics being the most desirable biasing force, and two sealing rings, each typically a short cylinder of the proper outer diameter to fit the gasket surface of the bundle between the seal plates and the ends of the bundle to be tested.

Abstract: A new system for welding sections of pipe together to form a long, continuous pipeline. A welding bug is mounted on a guide track which goes around the circumference of the pipe. The welding bug is provided with a wire feeder, a motor to drive the wire feeder, and driving motor for driving the bug around the track. One may vary the speed of the bug and the wire feeder while the bug is continuously driven around the track. The welding head on the welding bug is powered by a surface-tension-transfer power source. The initial or root pass is made external of the pipe.

Abstract: A tool for polishing/fining an ophthalmic lens has a housing with an interior open at planar ends thereof. A cluster of rods is longitudinally aligned in sliding abutment within the housing, each rod of the cluster extending from one planar end of the housing to the other. One resiliently elastic diaphragm extends across one planar end and another resiliently elastic diaphragm extends across the other planar end. A cap has a rim which fixes the exterior perimeter of the first diaphragm against the top of the housing. The cap defines a pneumatic chamber longitudinally aligned between the exterior surface of the first diaphragm and the interior wall of the cap. A passage through the cap wall admits air under pressure into the chamber. A ring fixes the exterior perimeter of the other diaphragm against the bottom of the housing. Screws secure the cap and ring to the housing with the diaphragms therebetween.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a long term care device having a sensor thereon for detecting the presence of a patient on the device includes a microprocessor responsive to a resident program. A first circuit connected to the microprocessor and to the sensor automatically activates operation of the microprocessor to a "monitor" mode upon detection by the sensor of the patient's presence on the device, maintains operation of the microprocessor for a predetermined time period at least equal to a running time of the program and terminates operation of the microprocessor at the expiration of the predetermined time period after detection by the sensor of termination of the patient's presence on the device prior to expiration of the predetermined time period. A second circuit operates the system in response to commands manually applied to the second circuit to deactivate the system to a "hold/reset" mode after activating of the system to the "monitor" mode.

Abstract: A block for coupling an ophthalmic lens to at least two machine chucks is molded, preferably using adhesive material in a liquid or gel state, as a unitary member of diameter less than a diameter of the lens with concentric inner and outer portions separated by a narrow intermediate portion. The inner, outer and intermediate portions have a front face molded to conform to a face of the lens. The outer portion has a rear face molded to conform to a first chuck and the inner portion has a rear face molded to conform to a second chuck. The intermediate portion is thinner than the inner and outer portions so that the outer portion is separable from the unitary member and the lens by lifting the outer portion away from the lens and tearing the member along the intermediate portion. Preferably, the outer portion rear face has means such as a tab or a pair of diametrically aligned tabs on its outer edge for facilitating lifting of the outer portion from the lens.

Abstract: A machine and process for making an ultraviolet cured block for an ophthalmic lens are provided in which a lens is placed at an input port to the machine by an operator. Data related to the lens is fed to or stored in the machine from either a keyboard or a data base. The lens is then collected from the input port for processing and transported, preferably by means of pneumatics, to a block molding point within the confines of the machine. A special adhesive is administered to the surface of a mold unit and the mold unit is then positioned to receive the lens. Pressure is applied to squeeze the lens against the adhesive and the mold. After molding the adhesive onto the lens, the lens and mold are transported via servo slide to a UV station where curing takes place from above the lens. After preliminary curing, the lens and mold unit are taken to a removal station and the lens, together with the adhesive cured to its front surface, is removed from the mold unit, again preferably by means of pneumatics.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an infant-bearing device includes a microprocessor responsive to a resident program. A first circuit connected to the microprocessor and to a sensor automatically activates operation of the microprocessor to a "monitor" mode upon detection of the infant's presence, maintains operation of the microprocessor for a predetermined time period at least equal to a running time of the program and terminates operation of the microprocessor at the expiration of the predetermined time period if termination of the patient's presence occurs prior to expiration of the predetermined time period. A second circuit operates the system in response to signals received from a remote control device to deactivate the system from the "monitor" mode. The microprocessor is further responsive to the first circuit to activate the system to the "monitor" mode after deactivation if the sensor subsequently detects termination and resumption of the infant's presence on the device.

Abstract: An expandable multi-dimensional sound system has two modes of operation. Prior to the detection of a 20 kHz tone, the system is configured such that input audio panned hard to the left or right will result in the center and surround channels steering down so that the signal is only passed through the left front and right front channels, respectively. Mono information is fed only through the center channel, as the left and right front channels cancel any center channel or mono information. Material panned hard to the surround position steers down the front left and right channels and is only fed to the rear surround channels. No information is fed to the front center channel due to the fact that the signal contains only difference information. Directional steering to the rear channels is still provided in the absence of any hard broadband left or right panning. Upon the detection of a 20 kHz tone, the system is re-configured such that the left and right front channels and the center channel become disabled.

Abstract: A system connectible to an electrical power source for monitoring a short term care device having a sensor thereon for detecting the presence of a patient on the device includes a microprocessor and a plurality of circuits connected to the microprocessor. A first circuit connected to the microprocessor and to the sensor automatically initiates operation of the microprocessor upon detection by the sensor of the patient's presence on the device. A second circuit connected to the microprocessor provides an alarm upon demand by the microprocessor. A third circuit connected to the microprocessor is adapted to be interfaced with a nurse call station for generating signals to the station upon demand by the microprocessor. A fourth circuit connected to the microprocessor programs the system in response to commands manually applied to the fourth circuit.

Abstract: A machine for pressing earth into blocks has a rectangular breech and a press foot vertically reciprocally drivable in the breech. A bucking block is horizontally reciprocally drivable into and out of registration with an open upper end of the breech. Portions of the upper surface of the bucking block are tapered upwardly from front to rear and a horizontal bucking bar extends across the breech and bears downwardly against the tapered upper portions of the bucking block when the bucking block is in registration with the breech. The bucking bar can be supported at selectively variable levels above the breech and assures a firm positioning of the block against the force of the earth being compacted by the press foot. A rod extending vertically from and movable with the press foot cooperates with a sight line device fixed to the machine to facilitate visual determination of the elevation of the press foot within the breech.

Abstract: In a linear feedback servo control system, the motion profile for each axis is pre-filtered before it is introduced to the servo loop for that axis. The motion profile is pre-filtered by a filter having an inverse amplitude response to the amplitude response of the servo loop. Therefore, the composite amplitude response of the filter/servo loop combination is approximately ideal for all relevant frequencies. The pre-filtering is done using constant delay filters, whether high pass, low pass or hybrid, that exhibit a phase lag corresponding to a time delay that is essentially constant at all relevant frequencies. Each axis of synchronized motion is pre-filtered with constant delay filters having the same time delay constant, but selected so that the motion of each axis provides sufficient accuracy within the intended bandwidth of that particular axis. Consequently, while phase lag is not zero, there is essentially constant delay for all axes at all relevant frequencies.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive switch has upper, middle and lower laminar elongated members, the middle member having an opening therethrough defining a cavity between the upper and lower members. A first array of substantially parallel, spaced-apart electrically conductive bands is fixed to a lower surface of the upper member and traverses the cavity. A second array of substantially parallel, spaced-apart electrically conductive bands is fixed to an upper surface of the lower member and traverses the cavity and the upper member bands, selected lower member bands being discretely connected to an electrical input lead and other lower member bands being discretely connected to an electrical output lead.

Abstract: A locking assembly secures sliding windows disposed in a common track in the closed condition. One substantially inelastic strap is permanently fixed at at one end to one sliding window and has one component of a coupling device connected at its other end. Another substantially inelastic strap is permanently fixed at one end to the other sliding window and has another component of the coupling device connected at its other end. The components of the coupling device are selectively matable and separable for respectively connecting and disconnecting the straps. The straps have a combined length such that, when the windows are in the closed condition and the coupling components are mated, the straps are tautly extended between the windows.

Abstract: A latching device secures a pallet against vertical motion relative to a truck chassis. A C-shaped bracket has its web secured to the chassis in a vertical plane transverse to the direction of motion of the tines of the fork truck used to load the pallet on the chassis. A shaft journalled through the sides of the bracket rotates axially about a horizontal axis parallel to the web. A radial arm is fixed to an extension of the shaft. A latch extending perpendicularly from the arm reciprocally angularly moves into and out of overlying abutment with a segment of the pallet being loaded onto the truck chassis. A radial paddle fixed to the shaft rotates with the shaft in response to the physical presence of one of the fork lift tines when the pallet is loaded onto the truck chassis. A pair of torsion springs are wound about the shaft, one on each side of the paddle and between the bracket sides.