Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger is disclosed that includes an internal drive mechanism which embodies the present invention. A pair of sprockets are connected to parallel input and output drive shafts and drivingly connected by a taut, high tension, endless cog-belt seated and running on the two sprockets. A plurality of belt stabilizing components are incorporated therein to provide maintenance-free, low-temperature operation of the drive mechanism. These stabilizing components include air ducts formed in the output sprocket, tensioning members formed in the belt, heat-resistant and high-speed ceramic ball bearings and shock absorbing springs that alone and in combination provide a highly efficient drive mechanism.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus for retrieving digital electronic images representative of opaque and transmissive objects. The apparatus is equipped with a docking port and is operative to scan objects, such as documents and photographs and/or transparencies and slides. A scanning camera equipped with transmissive and reflective light sources for illuminating the corresponding objects may be selected by the operator to retrieve images of either the reflective or transmissive object type.

Abstract: The present invention is a software implementation for the processing of ISDN signaling protocol independent of the equipment type and vendor variations of the CCITT Q.921/Q.931 protocol specification with which it is connected, including at least one layer two filter and at least one layer three filter which are adapted to cooperate together to process ISDN D-channel signals independent of ISDN facility type.

Abstract: An isolator for protecting a display object from damage as a result of shock and vibration associated with seismic activity or other external forces. The isolator has a base support which is fixed in position with respect to the ground, an intermediate support which interengages with the base support and may slide side-to-side along one axis, a top support for mounting the object thereon and interengaging with the intermediate support to slide side-to-side along a different axis, and restoring means to urge the top and intermediate supports to return to their neutral rest positions. The interengagement between levels is accomplished by tracks that slidably engage rows of roller bearings rotatably mounted along opposite side edges of an adjacent support, and the restoring means include elongated, non-flexible compression spring assemblies formed by stacked Belleville washers that yieldably urge follower rollers against cam tracks formed along the sides of the supports.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing distortion during recording in a tape recorder of the type including a recording head which includes an electrically grounded, electrically conductive member in light contact with a coated surface of the recording tape provided adjacent the recording head. With this structure, excess electrons present on the coated surface of the tape after recording are removed.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus for retrieving digital electronic images representative of opaque and transmissive objects. The apparatus is equipped with an optical switch which is operated by solenoid switches positioned at one end of the scanning apparatus. A scanning camera equipped with transmissive and reflective light sources for illuminating the corresponding objects may be selected by the operator to retrieve images of either the reflective or transmissive object type.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvement of strength performance of connections in structural steel buildings made typically with rolled structural shapes, specifically in beam-to-column connections made with bolt or riveted weld web connections and welded flanges, to greatly reduce the very significant uneven stress distribution found in the conventionally-designed connection at the column/beam weld, through use of slots in column and/or beam webs with or without continuity plates in the area of the column between the column flanges, as well as, optionally, extended shear connections with additional columns of bolts for the purpose of reducing the stress concentration factor in the center of the flange welds.

Abstract: A laser system for the removal of graffiti from a retro-reflective highway sign or other surface includes a mobile crane adapted to support a laser scanner and an ablating laser under the control of a computer. An optical sensor and target indicator cooperate to function as a target acquisition device for identifying portions of a highway sign covered with graffiti. Responsive to the target acquisition device, the computer controls the laser scanner and laser to automatically ablate the graffiti covered portions of the highway sign to remove the graffiti. If needed, any remaining graffiti is manually brushed away and the highway sign is polished to restore the retro-reflective properties.

Abstract: An interior design system comprising a display assembly having three flexible transparent overlays, a plain background sheet hinged to corresponding edges of the overlays, and a template sheet hinged to a free edge of the background sheet and having "scale" background and foreground grid sections for assisting in laying out interior room decorator's designs with a comprehensive catalog of design elements printed with scale designs of perspective furniture and accessory designs, and architectural elements for creating the room space to be decorated. The catalog pages have rows of printed scale designs covered with transparent plastic, with overlying, selectively removable and replaceable design elements with designs that are printed to the same scale on carrier sheets of flexible "static-cling" material, the carrier sheets being rectangular sections that are cut from a printed sheet the same size and shape as the backing sheet.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus for retrieving digital electronic images representative of opaque and transmissive objects. The apparatus is equipped with a reflective scanning platform for scanning documents and photographs and a docking port for receiving a transmissive scanning platform for scanning transparencies and slides. A scanning camera equipped with light sources for illuminating the respective platforms may be aligned by the operator to retrieve images from either the reflective scanning platform or from the transmissive scanning platform. An optical switch which is included within the optical pathway selectively toggles the view of the scanning camera between the reflective platform and the transparent platform. An operator using a control panel button or software can selectively scan either type of object. The choice of two scanning platforms optimizes the digital image quality for each type of media.

Abstract: A securing apparatus for an article, for example a film or slide, to be scanned in an image scanner has a top and a bottom cover. The top cover is provided with a top window permitting the scanning light emitting from the image scanner to pass therethrough. The bottom cover can be selectively collapsibly connected to the top cover. An insertion mechanism is changeably mounted between the top and bottom covers and is provided with a viewing window corresponding to the top window for securing the article between the windows. The windows permit the scanning light emitting from the image scanner to pass therethrough. The changeable insertion mechanism can be configured to accommodate any film or slide having different sizes or orientations.

Abstract: A vehicle partition that forms a barrier between a rear occupant area and a front occupant area and provides storage space for passengers in the front occupant area using free space in the rear occupant area. The partition includes a storage compartment that extends over unused floor space between passengers in the rear seats of the vehicle. The storage compartment prevents access to the storage space from the rear occupant area and includes mounting brackets for securely storing equipment within the storage space.

Abstract: A self-adjusting, adjustable, light-diffusing mechanism adapted for use in an optical scanner and including a light source to be projected on or transmitted through an object to be scanned, such as a photograph or transparency, including a light-permeable plate extending along the length and width of the light source, and having a varying degree of thickness so as to permit a varying degree of light transmitted therethrough and onto the object to be scanned, and, including a reflector positioned on the side of the light source opposite the light-diffusing mechanism and including at opposed ends of the reflector enlarged, convergent reflecting surfaces which function to focus light from the opposed ends of the light source to a target area so as to make the illumination intensity at the target area substantially uniform throughout the length of the light source, and so as to easily and conveniently adjust and control the degree of illumination projected on or through the object to be scanned.

Abstract: A document feeder which can be coupled to a motorized, portable optical scanner to feed documents across the scanner window of the scanner, including a housing with a support surface and an opposite offset platform surface which together form a slit through which the document is fed and including openings in the support surface for a drive and a drive set of spring-loaded rollers which are coupled together by a belt, and which extend partially below the platform surface and are adapted to cooperate with drive roller(s) of the motorized, portable optical scanner to feed documents across the scanner.

Abstract: A ramp weight-reducing assembly which reduces the weight of a ramp manually lifted up to the working surface of a vehicle bed by an operator to then couple the ramp with the bed to maintain the ramp in load-bearing position. The assembly is simple in design, easy to manufacture and low in cost which will allow the manufacturer to offer the assembly to the majority of ramp users at a minimal price. The ramp weight-reducing assembly includes a ramp and a ramp connector, modified to accept a weight-reducing spring assembly between the ramp and ramp connector legs. The spring assembly includes a piston rod coupled to the ramp having a stop, inserted into a main compression spring which is then inserted into a hole in a support bar that spans the two connector legs running parallel to each other. The spring assembly also includes two supplemental springs attached to plates between the ramp and ramp connector. The springs cooperate to reduce the weight lifted by an operator raising or lowering the ramp.

Abstract: A wheelchair and lifting apparatus and method for loading a wheelchair and its occupant into a desired position in a vehicle, such as the driver's position, by attaching the wheelchair to an open door of the vehicle, utilizing the seat-height adjustment mechanism of the wheelchair that varies the height of the seat of the wheelchair relative to its wheels to lift the wheelchair off the ground and closing the vehicle door so as to position the wheelchair inside the vehicle in an unassisted manner by the occupant, and reversing this sequence of operation for unloading the wheelchair and its occupant from the vehicle.