Abstract: An insulating pipe support device including a pair of opposing members which telescopically engage to form a cylindrical solid having an axial hole therethrough, each of the members including a strong exterior frame and a plurality of identically inserted half rings, each including a troughlike arcuate depression about its origin, the half rings being structured to form identical axially exterior inserts of a material having superior insulation characteristics and moderate load carrying ability and an axially interior support ring constructed of a material having superior load carrying characteristics and moderate insulating ability.

Abstract: A waste solvent recovery apparatus to recover tetrahydratfuran (THF) from waste sludge. THF sludge enters the apparatus container through a sludge jet generally pointing in a downward direction. Steam is directed downwardly and at the THF waste sludge jet tending to vaporize the THF while solid contaminants fall to the bottom of the container. The flow rate of steam with respect to waste sludge is adjusted so that the temperature at the bottom of the container exceeds the boiling point of THF and the temperature at the top of the container is less than the boiling point of water.

Abstract: A speech synthesizer for developing a signal representing both voiced and fricative sounds from signals representing blocks of externally generated data, the synthesizer including a period counter for delineating a series of pitch periods each having a duration specified by the data, a source generator for developing an excitation signal having an amplitude specified by the data, the excitation signal being developed at the beginning of each of a series of constant duration sample intervals each with a random sign for fricative sounds, the excitation signal being developed at the beginning of each of the pitch periods for voiced sounds and a time multiplexed digital filter having characteristics specified by the data including circuit switching to control whether the filter functions as a second-order filter or a cascaded pair of first-order filters, the filter being driven by the excitation signal during the beginning of each of the sample intervals and by the output of the filter thereafter so as to develop

Abstract: A method for cold-forming light gauge polymer sheet material by application of localized heat to the area of the fold. In the manufacture of Lexan polycarbonate flexible magnetic disk jackets, heat is applied to the folded corner by a heater bar generally maintained uniformly at 375.degree. F. The heater bar contacts the folded Lexan polycarbonate edge in a U-shaped trough having planar side walls generally perpendicular to a planar bottom wall.

Abstract: A mono-kinetic exercise device for mounting within a doorway or other rectangular aperture. The exercise device includes brackets of various types for attachment of the device to the door frame, tensioning devices, one or more ropes extending lengthwise along the device and a gripping bar grasped by the person desiring exercise which may be moved upward or downward within the doorway such that the movement entails an effort by the exerciser and provides muscle exertion. The gripping bar is moved against frictional resistance that is developed in the interior of the gripping bar.

Abstract: An improved package for storage and/or shipment of flexible materials which is particularly applicable to packaging a plurality of flexible magnetic disks such as flexible disks. Flexible disks are uniformly aligned and sealed within a heat sealable, heat shrinkable plastic bag. A hole is placed in an edge of the bag for tight draw down, and the bag is heat shrunk. Enhanced protection is afforded by placing and forming a second heat shrunk plastic bag around the first. A foam collar is firmly positioned about the peripheral edge of the package to provide edge protection to the package during shipment. The improved package prevents physical damage to the individual flexible disks from handling, shipping impact and particulate contamination.

Abstract: A meter for measuring the relative velocity of an object, including a diplexer for illuminating the object with a beam of microwave energy and for developing from energy reflected from the object a difference signal having a frequency which is proportional to the relative velocity of the object, a phase-locked loop for synchronizing the frequency of an internal oscillator with that of the difference signal and for developing a lock signal when synchronization is achieved, a lock detector and timer and a timer for developing a reset signal from the lock signal, a predetermined period after synchronization is achieved and for developing a latch signal a predetermined period thereafter, a circuit for counting the cycles of the internal oscillator which are developed after the occurrence of the reset signal until the occurrence of the latch signal to develop a sum signal indicative of the relative velocity of the object, and a circuit for displaying the sum signal.

Abstract: A traction enhancing apparatus for attachment to vehicular tires having both circumferential and cross chain members engaging the tread of the tire and further including one or two semi-rigid "U-shaped" bridle members for gripping the tire sidewalls during installation while rotating away from the gripping position so as to be a part of the closure structure after installation of the apparatus on the tire.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing exercises to enhance muscle tone and coordination especially adapted for skiing enthusiasts. The apparatus consists of a tilt swivel board upon which the user stands. The tilt swivel board is formed with a planar top surface and a substantially convex bottom surface. Elastic extensible springs are anchored at one end to the tilt swivel board and pass through a harness belt adapted to be attached about the user's waist. Handles are provided at the other end of the springs for grasping by the user while bending the knees. Thereafter, body weight shifts between the legs and arm movements similar to those during skiing cause the swivel board to tilt and rock thereby imparting body motions similar to those encountered during skiing.

Abstract: An improved tape cartridge with length dimension significantly greater than prior art cartridges of similar application, tape packs and drive belt being disposed to permit tape packs of greatly increased tape capacity and thereby a multifold increase in total cartridge capacity, and the front face being compatible for interfacing with most commercially available cartridge tape drives.

Abstract: An RF plasma deposition apparatus for depositing a film of material on substrates positioned in a vertical plane and electrically "floating" within the glow discharge. For deposition of silicon nitride films, the apparatus is adapted to introduce silane gas in a substantially uniform and laminar flow into a coating cavity containing substrates, a ground screen electrode, and a "hot" RF electrode, within which a glow discharge is ignited. Elemental nitrogen may be delivered to the coating cavity after being dissociated in a local, separate RF plasma called an "atomizer" cavity. During coating, elemental nitrogen combines with elemental silicon and deposits silicon nitride upon the substrate surface.

Abstract: This invention is a reclining and rocking article of furniture comprising as an integral part of its construction a structural body shaped in a unique way to allow for a smooth reclining transition from a sitting to a lying down position while the user experiences full body support, and a variable weight positioned in such a way as to serve as a leverage device for balancing the article and as a means to facilitate rocking motion.

Abstract: A thermal print head including a conductive base plate, a substrate slab mounted on the base and having various deposits on the upper and lower surfaces thereof, such deposits including conductive traces, conductive leads, a thermally insulating material, resistors, and conductive deposits for delivering electrical potential across the resistors, one or more integrated circuits mounted on the slab for controlling said print head based on electrical signals from external data processing equipment and connectors for delivering signals and potentials to the print head.

Abstract: A telephone call diverting and answering system. The system includes a telephone call concentrator for diverting a telephone call placed at a telephone set at one of a number of calling stations, from a telephone line connected to the intended telephone set, at one of a large number of called stations, to one of a small number of telephone trunks leading to sets at a number of answering stations. The system further includes an operator console at each answering station, and a traffic director for assigning the call to a particular station by causing the identity of the called station and the number of the diverting trunk to be displayed on the operator console of the assigned answering station.

Abstract: A case for a tape, particularly for a bias tape, including a cover and a base plate adhered to the cover. An integral guide extending tangentially from the case has a top wall tapering toward its outlet so that the bias tape will be folded down the middle as it is pulled out of the case.

Abstract: A precision data cassette utilizing stationary semicylindrical guide elements fixedly mounted to the cassette housing shell in the media path between the corner roller and the magnetic recording head.

Abstract: A web drive mechanism to advance the print medium of a line or serial printer apparatus including a first stationary guide track for guiding the print medium along a defined path intermediate a medium supply position and a printing position, a platen about the printing position for receiving the medium, at least one rotor drive member having a rotor positioned adjacent to the guide track along the defined path intermediate the supply position and the platen with the outer peripheral surface of the rotor being adjacent to at least a portion of the arcuate path of the guide track to permit the print medium to travel intermediate the guide track and the rotor, the rotor drive member including a first medium gate for urging the print medium in engagement with the peripheral surface of the rotor as the medium advances intermediate the supply position and the platen, and a second medium gate for holding the print medium as it advances intermediate the platen and a medium take-up position, and a drive means engaging

Abstract: An N-bit magnitude comparator of tree design having a plurality of one-bit magnitude comparators connected to a cascading network with a first stage adapted to receive signals from each pair of the one-bit magnitude comparators and subsequent stages for receiving signals from the preceding stage in the cascade network. The first and every alternate stage thereafter in the cascading circuit comprises means for inverting the signal polarity to the input of that stage so as to achieve one gate delay per circuit.

Abstract: A print head carriage assembly for a serial printer apparatus, the carriage including a platform having two parallel channels extending laterally through the frame member for receiving self-aligning bearings and carriage guide rails; a central seat within the platform for seating the housing of a matrix print head with the longitudinal dimension of the print head oriented normal to the longitudinal axes of the channels, locking means for securing the matrix print head in place about said central seat with the neck of the head extending substantially normal to the axes of the channels, manifold adjustment means for adjusting the position of the head within the seat relative to the axes of the channels; and means for engaging the platform to a drive means for driving said platform laterally along said guide rails.

Abstract: A new variety of rose plant originating as a cross between an unnamed seed parent and a pollen parent of the rose variety "Forever Yours" and characterized by its large regular pink blooms, vigorous growth, continuous blooming and persistence.