Abstract: A support rail which may be used as a clothes support rail is provided, comprising an elongate support member and a plurality of means for receiving a hanger stem. The receiving means are mounted equidistantly along the length of the support member and enable an object, such as an article of clothing suspended from a clothes hook, to be supported therefrom. The receiving means each comprise a receptacle mounted to said elongate support member such that they are each movable between a first open position and a second closed position.Placing the hanger stem of a hanging device within the receptacle causes the receptacle to move from its normal first open position to its second closed position. When in its said second closed position, no additional hanger stems can be placed in said receptacle.

Abstract: A system is provided for receiving R, G and B data in digital form, such as produced by an artist using a "paint" program on a monitor screen, and converting such data to CMYB data for printing. The system independently determines tone correction values for grey balance control and color values and combines such values to produce a highly accurate reproduction of what is viewed on a screen. Calibration procedures are provided which rapidly converge and which allow quick and accurate adjustment, such as may be required to match a particular monitor and printing inks.

Abstract: A container package includes a series of similarly configured containers maintained in adjacent relation by a series of interconnected rings formed from a resilient deformable material each surrounding one of the containers of the container package. The rings may have one or more weakened portions that rupture in response to stress applied by a link connecting the ring to the container as the container is removed. The link may be an adhesive that attaches the ring to the container at a point adjacent a weakened portion or alternatively may be a bracket straddling the ring. Alternatively, a bracket having an inner cutting edge may straddle the ring. The cutting edge severs the ring as the container is removed from the package. The rupture of the ring in each of these embodiments prevents wildlife from becoming entangled in unruptured rings of plastic carriers once the package is discarded.

Abstract: A face protecting device comprising a generally concave shield having an inwardly projecting peripheral border portion and provided with an observation opening therein, said shield being further provided with two spaced angularly disposed hand grips in the lower portion thereof.

Abstract: A protective helmet employs an inflatable bladder on the interior of the helmet. The inflatable bladder has cells that extend to the lower rear octants of the wearers head and also to either the crown or upper front octants of the wearers head. The cells are inflatable through a single valve and properly secure the helmet to the wearers head during use. In the preferred embodiment, the helmet is fully lined with resilient material interposed between the bladder and the wearer's head.

Abstract: An algorithm, and methodology for its application, useful in digital computer systems incorporating read-modify-write data storage systems to accurately identify rewritten data which has been determined bad before being rewritten.

Abstract: Electrical connectors including a row of conductive interconnect elements in the form of slugs which extend through openings in a block of insulating material and which are associated resilient wadded elements to connect conductive pads of circuit boards. A wall portion of conductive material is positioned in parallel relation to the row or elements to provide a ground plane and an air dielectric is provide along the length of each element to cooperate with the dielectric of the block and obtain a desired characteristic impedance.

Abstract: A method of applying a layer of filler material to an existing concrete foundation to provide a substantially level foundation surface, includes the steps of determining the amount of deviation of the top surface of a foundation wall from a level surface and the amount of filler material sufficient to minimally exceed the volume formed by the deviation along the foundation wall. The method includes positioning a filler material retaining form along the top surface of the foundation wall and securing the retaining form to the foundation. The form consists of a sheet of resilient material having a perforation in the top surface thereof. The determined amount of filler material is poured into the form through the perforation and then allowed to harden.In this manner a substantially level foundation system is provided which comprises a layer of hardened epoxy-resin material along the top surface of an existing foundation wall.

Abstract: A current carrying wire is provided with a tubular shield construction which essentially covers the wire with conductive material, and preferably emulates a classical Faraday shield. The shield is formed of a multiplicity of insulated shield wires for minimized eddy current loss. When such a shielded wire construction is formed into a primary winding of a power transformer for a switching power supply, the secondary circuit is protected from electric shock hazards while enabling use of a gap free toroidal core for close coupling between primary and secondary windings. In another embodiment, such shields are used on both the primary and secondary windings of a matching transformer and are arranged for common mode rejection of noise associated with low power data signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a read-modify-write operation in a digital computer memory system which reduces memory data path buffer storage requirements with a procedure which includes latching new write data and associated mask fields into a data output buffer and then merging read data with the new data in the output buffer according to the latched mask fields.

Abstract: A portable partition system is provided having a pair of panel components which are adapted to assume either an operative or inoperative mode. First segments of the peripheral edges of the panel components are provided with a first attaching element and second segments thereof are provided with a compatible second attaching element whereby, when the first attaching element of one panel component and the compatible second attaching element of the other panel component are pushed together, the panel components are interconnected in an operative mode and can be adjusted to any selected relative angular position. The interconnected panel components can be disconnected from one another upon a predetermined pulling force being exerted on one of the components. The disconnected components, when in an inoperative mode, are adapted to assume a stacked face to face relation.

Abstract: An improved clutch control system in a continuously variable transmission driven vehicle monitors driver selection of forward or reverse and implements the specific parameters for each. The control logic provides a preselected time interval for sensing of a pressure drop associated with the transition from one operating mode to another, such as from neutral to forward. The system provides for sensing that pressure drop and providing a desired fluid flow rate for clutch actuation consistent with the desired performance. The system also monitors pressure in the fluid actuation system at the end of the predetermined interval to ascertain when the pressure reaches a desired higher level indicative of a control characteristic to provide desired vehicle response to driver demand. Fluid flow to the clutch is controlled at a corresponding rate to provide a desired operating characteristic and to facilitate transition into a subsequent vehicle operating mode.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes conductor elements extending through an insulating body in parallel relation to one another and to planar grounds of very low inductance and resistance which are defined by walls of an outer shell and by one or more central ground plates. The relationship of the conductor elements to the planar grounds is such as to obtain a characteristic impedance which is the same for all signal paths and which is uniform along the length of each conductor element.

Abstract: Improved promotional coupons provided with a plurality of illustrations covered by irreversibly removable concealment layer for identifying a number of objects, one of which is selected by a recipient of a coupon. The objects are a number of competing objects and uncovering one of the illustrations effects a choice of one of the competing products. Each illustration uncovered reveals a hidden redemption value. The coupon cannot be redeemed if more than one of the competing objects is selected.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp controller uses a dimmer circuit having an isolation transformer. The controller applies a high frequency current to the primary winding of the transformer. The secondary winding is coupled to a control input via loading circuitry. A detector circuit supplies a signal to the lamp controller indicative of the resultant loading of the transformer to control lamp intensity.

Abstract: A squelch circuit is disclosed that distinguishes between noise impulses and valid packets of data transmitted over a transmission line such as a twisted pair media within a local area network. The squelch circuit converts supplied data into a stream of positive and negative pulses and detects a sequence of positive and negative pulses quantified in time based on prior knowledge of the characteristics of a valid packet of data and permits the supplied data to pass if it has the characteristics of a valid packet of data or prohibits the supplied data from passing if it does not have the characteristics of a valid packet of data.

Abstract: Apparatus for inert gas shielded arc welding having a plenum with an outlet covered by a gas lens. An electrode provides electric current to the part being welded. The gas lens can overlie the lip of the plenum to prevent ambient air from being drawn into the gas envelope and contaminating the weld. The plenum can be teardrop shaped, having sidewalls which converge toward the trailing end. To enable the torch to weld a circumferential surface which is confined by an overhang, the inert gas is introduced near the leading edge of the plenum by a U-shaped conduit which circumvents the overhang. The plenum is much wider than it is deep and the flow of inert gas for shielding can be turned generally perpendicular to the direction of its introduction. Finally, the inert gas introduced into the plenum can be directed at an electrode post within the plenum, and the lip introducing the inert gas into the plenum can have a trailing edge which projects further into the plenum than does its leading edge.