Abstract: A deployable and retractable, telescoping style mast assembly and method employs a plurality of tubular sections of differing diameters. The tubular sections are nested one-in-another and are slidable with respect to each other, in a telescoping manner, to provide a deployable/retractable telescoping mast assembly. Retractable pins are provided to retractably extend from a collar coupled to at least one of the tube sections. In their extended state, the retractable pins are adapted to extend through apertures provided in an adjacent tube section. The retractable pins are provided with a head at one end thereof. The head of each pin is adapted to be engaged by a guide coupled to a third tube section upon the third tube section being in a collapsed state. Upon engagement with the pin head, the guide operates to pull the pin into a retracted state so as to retract the pin out of the pin receiving aperture.

Abstract: A multi-mission spacecraft bus structure is provided which has a plurality of internal thermally-isolated cells, and a plurality of external mounting surfaces The spacecraft bus structure comprises a plurality of half frame panels, which are secured to plurality of longerons. The half-frame panels each have a pair of broad planar surfaces, a center abutting surface, a pair of end-abutting surfaces, and a pair of miter joint surfaces. Adjacent half-frame panels can either join at the center abutting surfaces, or at the edge mounting surfaces The bus structure is further sealed at the top and at the bottom by mounting plates. External electrical equipment bays can be secured to a plurality of the external mounting surfaces. Externally mounted radiators are provided to remove excess heat from the internal cells. The radiators each face in directions distinct from each other.

Abstract: An ultra low density polyolefin foam having a density of about 0.6 to about 1.5 pounds per cubic foot comprising a heat-plastified mixture comprising (1) a non-elastomeric olefin polymer resin selected from the group consisting of ethylene homopolymers, non-elastomeric copolymers of ethylene and a copolymerizable monomer, and propylene homopolymers; (2) an elastomer in an amount of about 3 to about 30 wt. parts per 100 wt. parts of said non-elastomeric olefin polymer resin; (3) polystyrene in an amount of about 1 to about 15 wt. parts per 100 wt. parts of said olefin polymer resin; (4) a stability control agent selected from the group consisting of partial esters of long chain fatty acids with polyols, higher alkyl amines, fatty acid amides, and olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymers, and (5) a hydrocarbon blowing agent having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and a boiling point between -175.degree. C. and 50.degree. C.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a molded article of a foamed thermoplastic resin and articles produced thereby. A molten mass of an expandable thermoplastic resin is accumulated in an accumulator while it is prevented from foaming. A quantity of the accumulated foamable melt is extruded through a die orifice having a shape adapted to reflect the shape of the desire finished product. The extruded foamable melt commences foaming as it comes in contact with the atmosphere. As the extruded thermoplastic resin foams, it is pulled vertically downward from the die orifice by gravity. The downward-hanging, foamed, thermoplastic material is captured between the halves of a vertically-oriented mold before the foaming expansion of the foamable melt has been completed. The foamed thermoplastic material is compressed by the vertically-oriented mold into the desired shape.

Abstract: A foamable composition for producing an ultra low density polyolefin foam having a density of about 0.6 to about 1.5 pounds per cubic foot comprising a heat-plastified mixture comprising (1) an olefin polymer resin selected from the group consisting of ethylene homopolymers and copolymers of ethylene and a copolymerizable monomer; (2) an elastomer in an amount of about 3 to about 30 wt. parts per 100 wt. parts of said olefin polymer resin; (3) polystyrene in an amount of about 1 to about 15 wt. parts per 100 wt. parts of said olefin polymer resin; (4) a stability control agent selected from the group consisting of partial esters of long chain fatty acids with polyols, higher alkyl amines, fatty acid amides, and olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymers, and (5) a hydrocarbon blowing agent having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and a boiling point between -175.degree. C. and 50.degree. C.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a molded article of a foamed thermoplastic resin and articles produced thereby. A molten mass of an expandable thermoplastic resin is accumulated in an accumulator while it is prevented from foaming. A quantity of the accumulated foamable melt is extruded through a die orifice having a shape adapted to reflect the shape of the desired finished product. The extruded foamable melt commences foaming as it comes in contact with the atmosphere. As the extruded thermoplastic resin foams, it is pulled vertically downward from the die orifice by gravity. The downward-hanging, foamed, thermoplastic material is captured between the halves of a vertically-oriented mold before the foaming expansion of the foamable melt has been completed. The foamed thermoplastic material is compressed by the vertically-oriented mold into the desired shape.

Abstract: A connector banding tool includes a clutch tensioning arrangement to develop sufficient tension within a band surrounding a multi-conductor cable in order to secure a ground shield of said cable against a connector housing. The tool further includes a bending and cutting arrangement to cut and bend the band near the band buckle to a desired position in which the band may be bent over on top of the buckle to finally secure the band upon the connector housing. The described connector banding tool permits one-handed two-step operation including a first step of developing tension within the band surrounding the connector housing and a second step combining the bending and cutting of the band to leave a small upstanding portion near the buckle.

Abstract: A truss structure, which is movable between a collapsed position and a deployed position, has at least one frame section. The frame section has a number of frame units, wherein each frame unit includes three elongated members forming a triangle independent of the triangle formed by the other frame units. A first elongated member of each frame unit is coupled to a first elongated member of another frame unit such that these coupled first elongated members form a polygon. The remaining elongated members of each frame unit are pivotally connected to the first elongated member of their respective frame unit so as to be pivoted with respect to the first elongated member during movement of the truss structure between the collapsed and deployed positions. A number of foldable batten members are connected at their ends to the frame units to form a second polygon. The foldable batten members fold, approximately at their midpoints, during movement of the truss structure between the collapsed and deployed positions.

Abstract: A label-attaching machine for attaching labels carried on a partially transparent dispensing web for attachment to serially presented envelopes has a two-beam optical sensing unit to govern the synchronization of label feeding by determining the location of the leading edge of the next label to be dispensed. One beam senses the optical transmission of label-bearing regions of the web, and the other beam reads the optical transmission of label-free used web. A comparator circuit balances the signal strengths of the two beams to provide a signal condition indicative of label edge passage. A zip code sort is provided for use in conjunction with the same optical sensor. Labels of a common zip code are serially affixed to the web, and the arrival of a new zip code is flagged by an oversize gap between the last label bearing one zip code and the next label bearing the first of the new zip codes.

Abstract: A thermal chart recorder which is operative for simultaneously generating a plurality of wave form images on a thermally responsive chart in response to input signals utilizing a stationary thermal print head, includes a sound generation circuit for generating audible sounds which simulate the sounds generated by the styli of a traditional stylus-type recorder. The volume levels of the sound produced by the sound generation circuit correspond to the sum of the approximate absolute values of the rates of change of the input signals and can be utilized for allerting operators to rapid changes in recorded parameters.

Abstract: In a deployable mast composed of: a plurality of resiliently flexible longeron elements; a plurality of resiliently flexible lateral elements arranged in groups of lateral elements constituting batten frames spaced apart along the longeron elements and delimiting respective bays of the mast, with each group of lateral elements being connected to all of the longerons; and a plurality of flexible diagonal elements each connected between two longeron elements and extending between two groups of lateral elements, the longeron, lateral and diagonal elements being constructed and connected to constitute a structure movable between a deployed state defining a column of predetermined length and a stowed state defining a structure having a length less than the predetermined length, there are provided five such longeron elements and each group of lateral elements is connected to all of the longeron elements.

Abstract: Objects of thermoplastic polymer foam such as, e.g., sheeting of polyolefins such as polyethylene, are treated at elevated temperatures effective to rapidly purge the foam of a substantial portion of the residual blowing agent. Significant economies are achieved by reducing the amounts of residual blowing agents (such as flammable, toxic or environmentally hazardous gases) to levels presenting no fire hazard or other safety hazards in times substantially less than required in conventional aging under ambient conditions. The processes can be carried out in ovens or other heating zones which form continuations of the basic production line, with the extracted blowing agents recycled or disposed of by combustion.

Abstract: Moldable shrunken foam beads comprising a foamable thermoplastic polymer, preferably a silane-crosslinked polyolefin foam, are produced by mixing a composition comprising a silane-modified polyolefin (such as a silane-grafted polyethylene) and a silanol condensation catalyst in an extruder to produce a melt, then projecting a blowing agent into the melt at a rate effective to produce a desired foam density in the extrudate; extruding and cutting the melt to form foam beads; allowing the beads to shrink; and exposing the foam beads to moisture to produce silane crosslinking of the polyolefin foam. In certain other embodiments the crosslinking of the thermoplastic polymer can be omitted, and/or shrinkage of the beads produced by vacuum treatment.

Abstract: A perforate projection screeen for movies, planetariums and the like having uniform reflectivity throughout its visible surface.The screen is made from a plurality of perforate panels and is mounted, when in use, with a dark non-reflective chamber behind the screen. Any overlapped areas of the panels and any frame members or other objects, in close proximity to the back of the panels are covered with a black velour type material having vertically extending fibers to absorb the light rays entering the holes in those areas of the panels and thereby prevent light reflection from such holes which would cause undesirable light strips or areas to be visible in the overlapped portions of the screen or in the area of the screen where frame members or other objects are in close proximity to the back of the panel.

Abstract: A dictionary-based data compression technique wherein compression occurs at a variety of levels in response to word, phrase, super-phrase (sentence), and context-sensitive recognition. A separate dictionary is used at each compression level so that word compression occurs first, followed by phrase compression, followed by other compressions. Disclosed applications built upon the compression strategy include an idiomatic-language translator and a voice-recognition control system.

Abstract: A deployable truss structure desirable for space applications is disclosed. The structure is triangular in cross section, with each longitudinal face of the structure being comprised of parallel longeron members interconnected by parallel batten members, the battens located at the mid-section of each face being non-rigid members, the structure including hinged diagonal members.

Abstract: An erectable structure truss attachment joint includes a first truss having a casing containing a piston between a flange on the end of the casing and a wedge threadably mounted on an adjustment screw inside the casing. A tension rod passing through the wedge and the piston has a knob extending out of the casing on one end and an end bolt holding a leaf spring against the wedge on the other. A helical spring inside the casing creates pressure between the piston and the tension rod. A second truss has a notched retention wall at one end forming a chamber. The knob of the tension rod is inserted into the chamber to attach the two trusses. When the adjustment screw is tightened, the wedge acts against angled faces of the leaf spring on one side and the piston on the other side to create pressure against the piston and the leaf spring. The leaf spring exerts pressure against the end bolt to pull the tension rod into the interior of the casing.

Abstract: A thick tube welder for welder together a tubular end fitting and a tube. The end fitting and the tube are placed in axial alignment within a welding head housing with the end fitting being located in a mounting housing. The mounting housing is then fixedly secured to the welding head housing. An inner welding electrode is connected to the mounting housing and is located in alignment with the inner surface of the welding joint. An outer welding electrode is located in alignment with the exterior surface of the welding joint with this electrode being mounted on the welding head housing. Both electrodes are rotatably driven either simultaneously or in sequence in order to create the weld between the tube and the end fitting. Depending on the length of the end fitting, the inner welding electrode is to be adjustable longitudinally relative to the welding joint.

Abstract: Gaming apparatus for a table hockey-type game in which a puck is projected across a playing field by a squeeze apparatus which may be operated by the fingers of one hand. A plurality of goals may serve either as goals or barriers according to the requirements of different variations of the game. The playing field comprises a flat surface bounded by walls at the corners of which the goals are located. The squeeze apparatus comprises a pair of arms each connected to the other by a curved spring which biases the arms towards an acute angle to each other. The squeeze apparatus is also used for goal tending.

Abstract: Moldable foam beads comprising a silane-crosslinked polyolefin foam are produced by mixing a composition comprising a silane-modified polyolefin (such as a silane-grafted polyethylene) and a silanol condensation catalyst in an extruder to produce a melt, then injecting a blowing agent into the melt at a rate effective to produce a desired foam density in the extrudate; extruding and cutting the melt to form foam beads; and exposing the foam beads to moisture to produce silane crosslinking of the polyolefin foam.