Abstract: A method of speed optimization of a spindle component of a machine having multiple synchronized components moving along multiple axes over a motion profile.

Abstract: An enclosure is provided for mounting a bed monitoring docking module on a bed frame structure. The enclosure has an elongated sleeve-like housing with an interior cross-section substantially complimentary to the outer cross-section of the docking module. The docking module is slidably insertable into and removable from a supported position within the sleeve-like housing through an open forward end of the housing. A connector housing mounted within a back end of the sleeve-like housing contains enclosure power, control and sensor connectors which are matable with respective externally accessible docking module and sensor mat connectors.

Abstract: A support for a plant has a rod with at least two spaced apart brackets, the uppermost bracket being proximate the upper end of the rod. One or more cages has means thereon adapted to cooperate with the brackets to connect the cage substantially concentrically about the rod. The depth of the uppermost cage from its top to its connecting means is greater than the distance from the uppermost bracket to the upper end of the rod, so that the top of the uppermost portion of the cage extends significantly above the top of the rod.Preferably, each of the cages has a plurality of substantially horizontal loops fixed in spaced-apart relationship by a plurality of substantially vertical legs. The loops of each cage are substantially circular and each sequentially higher loop preferably has a diameter greater than an immediately preceding loop of the cage.

Abstract: An analog tape saturation simulator produces the same results as analog tape saturation in a controllable environment which can be user adjusted to the desirable level of saturation effect. A log-based audio detector receives the audio signal in front of a circuit limiting the maximum range over which a dynamic filter will operate to control the high frequency bandwidth via a voltage-controlled low pass filter which follows a soft-clipping distortion circuit also receiving the audio signal. The simulator provides dynamic changes to the signal based on the level of simulated saturation taking place. The simulator produces the nonlinear, soft clipping characteristics of overdriving analog tape and dynamically reduces the high frequency information in response to the input amplitude of the audio signal.

Abstract: A valve has a first set of passages for simultaneously connecting an inlet of a first chamber hydraulically to a source of fluid under pressure and an outlet of a second chamber hydraulically to a venting tank and a second set of passages for simultaneously connecting an inlet of the second chamber hydraulically to the source of fluid under pressure and an outlet of the first chamber hydraulically to the venting tank. The sets of passages are sequentially repositioned to alternately cyclically connect and interrupt hydraulic communication through them. The first and second sets of passages are so configured in relationship to the inlets and outlets that flow through one set is completely terminated only after flow in the other set is initiated.

Abstract: A machine wraps pipe as it travels along a substantially linear path between a feeder reel from which the pipe is unwound to a take up reel onto which the pipe is rewound. A pipe wrap assembly for wrapping one or more layers of tape about the pipe is rotatably mounted on a carriage. A mechanism mounted on the carriage and engaged with the pipe drives the carriage along the pipe as the pipe travels from reel-to-reel. As the carriage is driven along the pipe, the tape is spirally applied to the pipe by the pipe wrap assembly. The carriage is supported for lateral horizontal movement in response to variation in the unwind and rewind points on the feeder and take-up reels. The carriage is also supported for longitudinal horizontal movement in response to changes in the rate of travel of the pipe relative to the rate of travel of the carriage.

Abstract: A rake for moving an air bubble entrapped between the surface of the water in and the underside of the top of a waterbed mattress to a vent through the top of the mattress is provided consisting of an elongated member and a handle. The elongated member has a lower surface lying in substantially a single plane and spaced apart beginning and end points. A straight line connecting the beginning and end points defines a geometric area for surrounding the bubble. The handle has one end connected to the member and another end extending above the plane defined by the lower surface of the member. The handle is used for manually urging the member downwardly against an upper side of the top of the mattress to trap the bubble within the geometric area. The handle is also used for guiding the geometric area with the bubble trapped therein into communication with the vent so that the air can be released to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A golf swing trainer employs a solid steel shaft homogeneously weighted throughout its entire length. One end of the shaft is fitted with a standard golf club grip and the other end of the shaft is fitted with a rubber tip to afford some protection for walls, floors and furnishings should the golfer elect to use the device indoors. A golf club head can be used instead of this tip for visual or psychological reasons. The top of the shaft bears a straight line indicia as a club face reference. The homogeneously weighted shaft so closely positions the center of gravity of the training device to the center of gravity of an actual golf club on a correct swing path as to break down incorrect muscle memory and simultaneously develop the muscle memory appropriate to the correct golf swing.

Abstract: A dynamic infeed control is used to segment swarf produced in a lathing operation into short manageable segments. The preferred dynamic method for segmenting the swarf is to add a sine wave motion to the nominal infeed motion. The amplitude of the sine wave is 0.5 times the nominal infeed, although this may vary somewhat due to the properties of the specific material being machined. The frequency of the sine wave is a non-zero integral multiple of the rotational frequency of the lens plus 0.5. Thus the minimum sine wave frequency will be 1.5 times the rotational frequency of the lens and this factor may increase by increments of 1. In equation form, W.sub.SW =(n+0.5).times.W.sub.RL where W.sub.SW is the frequency of the sine wave, W.sub.RL is the rotational frequency of the lens and n is an integer equal to or greater than 1. Thus relative minima and maxima are created during one lens rotation that correspond to the relative maxima and minima on the next lens rotation, respectively.

Abstract: In a linear actuator, a cylinder is separated into forward and reverse chambers by a piston. A lead screw is threadedly engaged in the piston and a piston rod connects to the load. A turbine applies torque to the screw to urge the screw toward clockwise or counterclockwise rotation depending on the direction of the piston movement. The tangent of the lead screw helix angle is so substantially equal to the coefficient of friction between the piston and the screw that the torque generated by the turbine does not significantly vary the force exerted on the load and the force on the load does not significantly vary the speed of movement of the load. Variations between the static and dynamic coefficients of friction between the lead screw and the piston can be offset by selection of an appropriate lead angle and friction coefficient in the turbine driven system.

Abstract: A tool for fining/polishing an opthalmic lens has a spindle and a pliant casing containing a conformable filler connected to the spindle for rotation therewith. A pliant pad adhered to the casing has a plurality of slots extending from its perimeter toward its center defining a plurality of fingers which are contoured to the surface of the lens by the filler.Preferably, the lens is rotated about a vertical fixed axis substantially transverse to the lens and the tool is rotated about a fixed axis intersecting the lens and substantially normal to a surface of the lens to be fined/polished with the tool disposed above the lens. The axis of the horizontal displacement of the tool can be selectively varied in relation to the lens axis. The angular disposition of the tool axis in relation to the lens axis can be selectively varied.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens block and lens generating machine compression sleeve chuck are provided such that the block is of diameter suitable for the lens edging step of the lens generating process. The lens generating chuck consists of a plurality of concentric sleeves mounted on a hub of the spindle shaft and having lengthwise slots permitting compression of the sleeve onto the hub and the block. The sleeves are biased to telescope toward the lens so as to abut the front surface of the lens in a concentric pattern extending outwardly from the outer diameter of the block to support the front surface of the lens against the forces applied to the rear face of the lens during the cutting process. Thus, the combination of the block and the chuck is also suitable for the lens generating, fining and polishing steps of the lens generating process. Consequently, after polishing, the block is left on the lens.

Abstract: Grass rake tongs consist of a pair of rakes each having an array of tines joined to a handle by a ferrule and means such as a pin or bolt disposed through the handles above the ferrules at a point approximately mid-way between the lower end of the tines and the upper end of the handles pivotally connecting the handles for rotation with inside portions of said arrays of tines opposing each other. Preferably, rotation about the pivot extends approximately 180.degree. from a fully opened condition in which the handle of each rake abuts an outer portion of the array of tines of the other rake to a fully closed condition in which an inner surface of each array of tines abuts an inner surface of the other array of tines.

Abstract: An emergency vehicle light bar assembly employs first and second connected substantially horizontal elongated frames mounted transversely across the upper surface of an emergency vehicle. The connecting assembly is such that the second frame may be substantially continuously vertically displaced while maintaining parallel relationship of the frames so that the emergency indicating equipment fixed atop the second frame maintains its operational attitude regardless of the elevation to which the second frame is raised. Reciprocable operation of the connecting assembly may be accomplished by electric, hydraulic, pneumatic or manual drive systems.

Abstract: A bladder mounting for a storage tank has a plurality of threaded studs, spaced circumferentially along an upper portion of an inner surface of the tank side wall. At least one layer of geotextile padding, is adhered to the inner surface of the wall below the studs. A liner with a reinforced hem has circumferentially spaced apertures which receive the studs and suspend the liner within the tank. A circumferential band of adhesive material along the studs and apertures and between the wall and the liner seals the liner to the inner surface of the tank along a continuous path. A circumferential strip of battan has spaced apertures to receive the studs for clamping the liner against the inner surface of the wall with the band of adhesive therebetween. Nuts and washers engage with the threaded studs and draw the battan toward the wall to secure the seal along the continuous path.

Abstract: An inexpensive, self-contained, hydroponic planter for various house plants automatically supplies to the plants the correct amount of water, nutrients and adequate root exposure to gases in the air. The planter includes a tank storing the mixture of water and nutrients, a drain for changing the solution and a sight glass for gauging the proper water level range. An air pump with an air line leading from above the water level to the bottom of the storage tank is attached to the intake of a riser tube. The riser tube goes from the bottom of the storage tank through a stand pipe in a pot above the storage tank to the top of the pot. Compressed air intermittently fed into the bottom of the riser tube rises inside the tube, expanding and increasing in velocity as ambient pressure decreases and creating an "air lift" that draws the water into the bottom of the tube and lifts it, along with the expanding air, to the top of the tube where it is discharged into the pot.

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 vine cane pruner has a frame with four hedgers mounted on the frame. First and third hedgers are mounted on opposite sides of the frame with cutting teeth extending forwardly. Gathering mechanisms mounted on the first and third hedgers engage vertical canes on opposite sides of the vine and draw the engaged vertical canes into the cutting teeth of the first and third hedgers. Second and fourth hedgers are mounted on opposite sides of the frame and rearwardly of the first and third hedgers with cutting teeth extending forwardly. Gathering mechanisms mounted on the second and fourth hedgers engage the horizontal canes on opposite sides of the vine and draw the engaged horizontal canes into the cutting teeth of the second and fourth hedgers. A telescoping mast connected between the frame and a transport vehicle supports the frame and permits it to be selectively raised and lowered.

Abstract: A grinding wheel for V-profiling ophthalmic lenses of various diameters, powers and thicknesses has a V-shaped groove circumferentially thereabout which defines a forward V surface and a rear V surface meeting at a nadir of the groove. A rear flat surface tapers outwardly in relation to an axis of rotation of the wheel from a rear edge of the rear V surface toward a rear face of the wheel. The forward V surface is of a first grinding aggressiveness, the rear V surface is of second grinding aggressiveness greater than the first grinding aggressiveness and the rear flat surface is of third grinding aggressiveness substantially greater than the second grinding aggressiveness. In a preferred embodiment, the wheel also has a forward flat surface tapering outwardly in relation to the axis of rotation of the wheel from a forward edge of the forward V surface toward a forward face of the wheel.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery unit is provided in which four distinct refrigerant flow paths are automatically controlled by the unit components to perform four separate and distinct functions. In a liquid refrigerant path, liquid refrigerant is recovered from the discharge side of a disabled unit through the refrigerant recovery unit by use of the differential pressure between the disabled unit and the refrigerant receiving can. In a primary vapor path, evacuation of gaseous refrigerant from the high and low sides of the disabled unit is achieved by use of a compressor in the recovery unit which produces a differential pressure to induce flow. This differential pressure is produced solely by the recovery unit compressor until such time as the intake pressure of the compressor reaches approximately 4 inches Hg. vacuum. When the compressor intake pressure reaches 4 inches Hg.