Abstract: A heater for use with a chafing dish having water and food pans with complemental peripheral flanges is disclosed. The heater includes a spacer sized to be interposed between such flanges to maintain at least portions of the flanges in spaced relationship. An immersible heater assembly including an upstanding arm is connected to and depends from the spacer. The heater assembly includes an encased electrical resistance heater loop having end portions connected to the arm. The arm and loop are sized to position the loop near a bottom of the water pan and immersed in water when the chafing dish is in use. A temperature sensitive switch is connected to the heater unit for interrupting a power supply when the temperature of the heater unit exceeds a predetermined temperature. A power supply cord extends from the spacer outwardly from the dish when the heater is in use.

Abstract: A loadwheel assembly for a tire testing machine includes a loadwheel with a tire contacting surface supported along substantially its entire circumference by one or more solid discs. The loadwheel consistently measures forces and generates electrical signals corresponding to the forces to more precisely determine tire uniformity. The loadwheel, formed as an aluminum weldment which reduces manufacturing costs, rotates about spindles provided with load cells and mounted to a C-shaped carriage. The carriage has upper and lower legs with the spindles fixed to one side of each leg such that the load cells are easily accessible from one side of the carriage.

Abstract: A charge neutralization monitor monitors the operation of a charge neutralization system for an ion implantation system. The charge neutralization system produces neutralizing electrons in a region through which an ion beam passes in treating one or more workpieces. The charge neutralization monitor applies a suitable voltage to a target electrode positioned to collect neutralizing electrons produced by the charge neutralization system. The charge neutralization monitor then determines the available neutralizing electron current that may be produced by the charge neutralization system by monitoring the current flowing through the target electrode.

Abstract: A hand-held power-operated blade-actuating or other work member actuating device, especially useful as shears for processing comestible products such as fowl. A servo mechanism and linkage connected with a movable blade and a finger control causes controlled powered movement of the blade in coordination with the finger control. A fixed blade and a pivoted blade are insertable and removable as a unit from a hand-held frame in which the fixed blade is restrained against rotation relative to the frame. The blades and frame are constructed so the blades are insertable or removable only when closed. In a preferred embodiment the fixed blade is retained in part by two load bearing pins extending from the frame and located substantially diametrically opposite each other relative to the pivot axis of the movable blade.

Abstract: Load handling equipment (10) has a longitudinally extending beam (11) supported by four legs (12, 13) each of which is joined to the beam by insertion into a sleeve (14), and there is a fifth sleeve (35) at one end which is hinged with respect to the beam (11), the arrangement being such that, upon erection of the equipment, the upper ends of the legs (12) of one of the pairs of legs may be inserted into sleeves (14) at one end of the beam (11), a third of the legs (13) being inserted into the fifth sleeve (35) at the other end of the beam (11) and being utilized to elevate that other end of the beam while the fourth leg (13) is inserted, the third leg (13) then being transferred from the fifth sleeve (35) to the third sleeve (14) so that the beam is then supported by two legs at one end and one leg at the other, and when in that position, the fourth leg being inserted into one of the fixed sleeves at the fifth component end of the beam, whereupon the fifth component can be hinged out again, the leg which has

Abstract: An electrically actuated material dispensing gun is disclosed having a body including a handle section and an elongate cartridge support section extending outwardly from the handle section. The cartridge support section includes a cartridge support space and an apertured end wall for receiving a cartridge dispensing nozzle and for dispensing force resisting engagement with a dispensing end of a cartridge positioned in the space. A reciprocatable push rod is carried by the handle section and axially aligned with the space for force transmitting engagement with a piston which in one embodiment is of unique construction. An electric motor is mounted in the handle section. A drive element is rotatively mounted in the handle section and in positive drive, mechanically interconnected, relationship with the rod. The drive element is normally freely rotatable in response to axial motion of the rod. A power train including a multi-stage planetary axially aligned with and connected to the output shaft of the motor.

Abstract: A packaging machine and process for loading bags of a novel web of side connected bags are disclosed. The web is fed through a bagger section by a pair of grooved main transport belts and a pair of lip transport belts each disposed in the groove of the associated main belt to trap bag lips in the grooves. Adjustable belt spreaders space reaches of the transport belts as they move through a load station whereby to sequentially open the bags into rectangular configurations. A closure section in the form of a novel and improved heat sealer is releasably connectable to the bagger section. The sections are adjustable together between horizontal and vertical orientations. Processes of opening, closing and sealing side connected bags are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hand-held workslate computer is disclosed. The workslate computer includes electronic circuitry including a microprocessor and a visual display screen electrically coupled to the microprocessor. The display screen includes a position sensitive contact portion. The workslate computer also includes a housing including a top face and a bottom face separated by a side wall and defining an interior region, the housing supporting the electronic circuitry and the visual display screen. A set of modular devices is provided, each device including interface circuitry. The housing further includes at least two modular device docking stations adapted to releasably engage a selected one of the set of modular devices. Interface circuitry is provided to electrically couple circuitry in the selected modular device and the microprocessor. The modular devices may be mounted to selected modular device docking stations to provide an ergonomically correct weight balance.

Abstract: A portable ID card verification apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing defining an interior region supporting electrical circuitry including a processor. A two dimensional imaging assembly is at least partially enclosed within the housing. A display screen in electrically coupled to the imaging assembly. An upper surface of the housing supports a glass window on which an ID card is positioned for reading a dataform imprinted thereon. The dataform includes a compressed digitized representation of an attribute of the authorized card holder, such as a photograph of the card holder. The imaging assembly images and decodes the 2D dataform on the ID card and the processor in conjunction with display driver circuitry causes an image of the card holder's photograph to be displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: An arm mounted portable data collection device comprising a mounting assembly including a docking station and a strap for strapping the docking station to an arm of an operator. A housing is releasably affixed to the docking station. A dataform reading module is supported within a cavity of the housing. The dataform reading module is actuated by a switch adapted to be mounted on an index finger of the user. The dataform reading module is rotatable with respect to the housing and is also detachable from the housing. In a first embodiment of the device the dataform reading module has a single axis of rotation, that is, the module is rotable along a single horizontal plane. In a second embodiment of the device the dataform reading module is rotatable about multiple axis of rotation.

Abstract: A low voltage battery pack monitoring circuit for a battery powered electronic device is disclosed. The circuit utilizes low battery and power failure set point voltages and first and second comparison circuits to compare voltage across the device battery pack to the set point voltages. If the battery pack output voltage falls below the low battery pack set point voltages, the first comparison circuit sends a signal to a microprocessor causing a low battery indicator light to be actuated. If the battery pack output voltage continues to decrease below the power failure set point voltage, the second comparison circuit includes a comparator which changes output state and turns off selected electronic systems of the device and the device enters a suspend mode. The low battery pack set point voltage value and the power failure set point voltage value are determined using an empirical look up table.

Abstract: An enclosure for a terminal block that provides a telecommunications transmission connection. The enclosure includes a housing that defines an interior region adapted to support a terminal block. The housing has an open front face and includes a rear wall, and a number of side walls that border the interior region. A cover is attached to one side wall of the housing for covering the interior region. The cover is moveable to a partially open, a widely open, or a fully open position to allow access to the interior region of the housing. One side wall of the housing includes a socket member that defines a groove. A hinge structure is rotatably moveable within the socket member for attaching the cover to a side wall of the housing. Biasing means are seated within the groove and interposed between the hinge structure and socket member.

Abstract: A portable data collection device. The device includes an imaging assembly including a two dimensional (2D) photosensor array. The imaging assembly is selectively actuatable with a first trigger for reading a target dataform in the imaging assembly's target area and actuatable with a second trigger for capturing a color image of the target object in the target area. The imaging assembly further includes compression circuitry for compressing digital data representative of the target area when the imaging assembly is actuated to capture an image of the target area. The device also includes a viewing assembly to aid an operator in aiming and positioning the device with respect to a target dataform or target object. In one embodiment of the viewing assembly, a liquid crystal display screen is affixed to a pivoting member. When the viewing assembly is actuated an image of the target area is displaced on the display screen.

Abstract: The invention concerns magnetic field energy responsive position sensing apparatus and method. A Hall sensor has an element defining a generally planar active face and circuitry coupled to said Hall sensor for producing a two state electrical output signal in response to magnetic field energy in a region of said active face. A ring magnet has spaced apart annular end walls that are adjacent a north pole and south pole of the ring magnet and defines a magnetic field in a center region of the ring magnet. The ring magnet and the Hall sensor are mounted for relative linear movement in a direction substantially normal to the active face of the Hall sensor so that the active face moves through the center region of the ring magnet. One annular end wall of the ring magnet moves past the active face while avoiding mechanical contact with the active face. This causes the electrical output signal to change state as the end wall moves past the active face of the Hall sensor element.

Abstract: The device includes an imaging assembly including a two dimensional (2D) photosensor array overlied by a RGB color filter. The imaging assembly includes an illumination assembly providing a relatively uniform illumination pattern over an imaging target area. The illumination assembly includes a plurality of sets of surface mount illumination LEDs mounted on a board and a spaced apart lens array for focusing the LEDs on the target area. The lens array includes orthogonal cylindrical optical entry and exit surfaces aligned with each of the illumination LED sets. The optical entry surface defines illumination intensity distribution horizontally while the optical exit surface defines illumination intensity distribution vertically. The board also supports a pair of spaced apart targeting LEDs. The lens array includes aspherical optical entry surfaces and cylindrical optical exit surfaces aligned with each of the targeting LEDs.

Abstract: A charging apparatus with multiple charge stations is disclosed. The apparatus includes a single power supply which operates under the control of a microprocessor to charge a plurality of battery packs disposed in respective charging stations. Associated with each charging station is a wiring harness assembly which includes an EEPROM memory chip having one or more stored charging algorithms for the type or types of battery packs to be charged at that charging station. The microprocessor reads the charging algorithm from a charging station's memory chip when a battery pack is inserted in the charging station. The microprocessor utilizes a feedback control loop including a resistor network to regulate the charging current and charging voltage supplied to each battery pack being charged. If a plurality of Li-Ion battery packs are disposed in respective charging stations, each pack is sequentially charged such that the voltage across the pack is raised to the rated output voltage of the pack.