Abstract: A low-insertion force solder-bearing lead (10) includes a resilient clamping finger (20) having an inner planar surface (48) for engaging a planar surface (50) of a substrate circuit device (16) in parallel mating relationship. Respective portions (26 and 28) of a resilient contact finger (22) and a solder preform (12) define a noncircular camming surface (58) which extends relative to the inner planar surface (48) of the clamping finger (20) at an angle of not more than 45.degree. to facilitate flexing of the contact finger in the assembling of the lead (10) to the substrate circuit device (16). Portions (68) of the solder preform (12) smear across a contact pad (14) during the lead assembling operation to facilitate wetting of the preform to the contact pad in a subsequent soldering operation.

Abstract: A strip (56) of non-metallic material and one (59) of a metallic material are wrapped simultaneously about an advancing cable core (32) to enclose partially the core. Then longitudinal edge portions (71, 72) of the strip of non-metallic material are separated by a shoe (150) which permits movement of the edge portions in a direction circumferentially of the core. One longitudinal edge portion (72) of the non-metallic strip becomes confined in a guideway (118) of a tool (99) and longitudinal edge portions (73, 74) of the metallic strip (59) are guided along guideways (117, 118) of the tool as the strips are moved through a converging passageway (103). This controls the relative circumferential movement between the edge portions as the strips are moved through the passageway to form a core wrap (33) and a shield (34).

Abstract: Photoelectrochemical processing of semiconductors is highly desirable because of its versatility and simplicity. The invention is a photoelectrochemical etching procedure for n-type silicon in which an alcohol based solution of hydrofluoric acid is used as the electrolyte. This procedure is useful for the fabrication of a variety of silicon devices.

Abstract: An article support rack (10) has at least one article support (12), such as a shelf, which is horizontally slidable in a first frame (18). A second frame (29) is mounted for vertical movement relative to the first frame (18). At least one weight (26) is supported by such second frame (29) at a certain distance above the article support (12) when the first and second frame are in a first position relative to each other. Articles (24) such as circuit boards are placed on the article support (12), and the vertical position of the first and second frames are shifted to a second position relative to each other wherein the upper surface of the circuit boards is pushed against the respective weight to lift the weight off its support such that the weight rests on the circuit boards.

Abstract: A test probe for the testing of electrical circuits and circuit boards comprises a probe head (52) breakably coupled to an elongated probe arm (51). The breakable coupling is achieved by securing a first ring (63) to the probe arm and a second ring (60) to the probe head. The first and second rings may be respectively made of magnetic material and magnetizable material (or vice versa) thereby achieving a magnetic breakable coupling between the head and the arm. The probe head may comprise one or a plurality of probing pins (54,55) depending upon the type of circuit under test. The break-away feature of the test probe prevents any shearing of a solder connection as well as any damaging of the circuit boards, and/or of the probing pin or pins (FIG. 5).

Abstract: We have discovered that by pretreating a thioether (R'--S--R) containing organic phase to be used as an extractant in a solvent extraction process for separating platinum group metals from base metals and/or each other in aqueous solution with a mild oxidant, e.g., cupric chloride, in an acidified aqueous phase, the tendency of stable emulsion formation during extraction can be substantially eliminated.

Abstract: An electrically nonconductive board (22) has thin layers (24, and 25) of metal bonded to major surfaces thereof to form a laminate substrate (20). Axially aligned relief holes (26), each having a side wall (27) are formed in each of the thin layers (24 and 25) of metal of the laminate substrate (20). The laminate substrate (20) and the relief holes (26) are then coated and encapsulated with a plastic resin (28) to form a plastic coated laminate (30).

Abstract: Electrical contact tape having a base portion of nickel, copper or nickel-copper alloy and an overlay of metallic material on said base portion is improved by utilizing for such overlay a gold-nickel alloy of which the precentage by weight of nickel is in the range of from about 1.8% to 2.3%, the balance of the alloy being gold with or without one or more other metals other than nickel in trace amounts insufficient to produce precipitation thereof out of solution in the gold. Nibs of such tape are bonded to a leaf spring to form an electromechanical junction therewith, the gold-nickel alloy overlay of the nib being on its side away from the spring to provide an improved electrical contact surface for the spring contact assembly formed by such nib and spring.

Abstract: A rosin free, water soluble solder flux suitable for use as a fusing fluid in high temperature solder operations has been developed. The novel flux comprises a high molecular weight amine activator, at least one other activator selected from a water soluble organic acid activator and an inorganic acid activator, and a solvent mixture. The acid activators are present in an amount which essentially neutralizes the amine.

Abstract: A cable shielding method and apparatus are disclosed wherein adhesive 42 is applied to a strip 40 of shielding material within a shield forming die 20 as the strip 40 is being formed about a cable core 10 with an overlapped shield seam.

Abstract: A modular tricoupler (30) is provided for interconnecting lengths of inside wiring in series within walls, for example, of customer premises and to a network interface device (42, see FIG. 3B). The tricoupler also includes provisions for receiving a modular plug (31) which terminates a cord (36) that is connected to customer station equipment. The tricoupler includes a housing (80) having first and second generally opposed plug-receiving cavities (82, 83) and a third cavity (87). A plurality of metallic wire-like contact elements (90-90) are disposed in the housing of the tricoupler and maintained spaced apart by partitions (96-96). One end portion of each contact element extends into the second cavity and the other end portion into the third cavity. Blade-like terminals (60-60) of a modular plug which is inserted into the first cavity engage loop portions (131-131) of the contact elements. The loop portion of each is designed and is supported so that the entire loop shifts when engaged by the terminal.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an oxy-hydrogen torch (10) comprised of a plate (16) captured between first and second outer members (12 and 14). Each outer member has a plenum (18) which open towards, and is separated by, the plate (16). The plate (16) has a plurality of groups (29, 30, 31) of spaced grooves (32--32) in one major surface (34). The groups of grooves (32--32) are arranged in an interleaved relationship with groups (29', 30', 31') of spaced grooves (36--36) on the opposite surface (38). The grooves (32 and 36) extend from one surface 46 of the plate (16) to the respective plenums (18--18) in the outer members (12 and 14). Each of the grooves (32 and 36) in a group are radially directed at a different point. Oxygen is directed into one plenum (18) and hydrogen urged into the other plenum. The gases pass through the respective grooves (32 and 36) to the surface (46) of the torch (10) for mixing and ignition.

Abstract: A preform from which lightguide fiber is drawn is made by depositing optically suitable layers of doped silicon dioxide on an inner wall of a rotating glass substrate tube which is exposed to a moving zone of heat during a deposition mode and during a collapse mode. During at least a first pass following the deposition mode, a contact device is caused to engage each successive increment of length of the tube during exposure to the zone of heat. The contact device causes any sagged or offset portions of the tube to be reconfigured and causes the tube to have a central longitudinal axis which is a straight line which extends between stocks of a lathe by which ends of the tube are supported. The contact device may also be used to cause the tube to have a predetermined configuration along its length.

Abstract: A technique for fabricating a lightguide soot-boule. Gaseous reactants are directed through an inner tube of a torch having a plurality of coaxially aligned tubes. A glassy soot is formed at the output of the torch by a flame hydrolysis reaction and at least a portion of the soot is deposited on a forming soot-boule. The inner tube may be axially moved during the soot deposition process to alter or maintain the refractive index of the boule.

Abstract: An electrical connector which is capable of being used to interconnect insulated conductors (21--21) the field or in a factory during in-line processing includes a base (22) and contact element (24). The contact element which is used to establish an electrical connection between the conductors includes a center (24) portion and two opposed bifurcated beams. A portion of each beam is upstanding from the plane of the contact element. Furcations of each beam define a slot (47) for receiving one of the conductors to be interconnected. The contact element is attached to the base which includes at least one deformable tang (31) at each end. End portions of conductors to be connected are each positioned across an end of the base. The tangs are wrapped about the conductors, the conductors are moved into the slots of the beams, and excess portions of the lengths severed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a switch-hookless telephone set having a housing in the configuration of a handset housing, a cord, a plug and, within the housing, circuitry comprising: a ringing network including a ringing oscillator, a voice network, a receiver, a magnetic transducer performing during voice mode operation of the set as an electroacoustic transducer, and a bistable snap-action OFF-ON switch having an actuating button exposed outside the housing. The switch is coupled to the network and transducer so as, when in a first or "ringing mode" position, to connect the ringing network to, and disconnect the voice network from, the leads in the cord while connecting and disconnecting the transducer to and from, respectively, the ringing oscillator and the voice network, and so as, when in a second or "voice mode" position, to effect the converse connections and disconnections. When the transducer is connected to the ringing oscillator, the transducer is responsive to tone signals therefrom to emit ringing sounds.

Abstract: Articles such as miniature laser chips (15) are individually removed from an array on an adhesive web (20). A subjacent forming die has a planar, central surface (160) containing a vacuum cavity (120) and peripheral sloping surfaces (162). The web (20) has an adhesive side for holding the chips (15) and a smooth side for conforming to surfaces (160) and (162) of die (116). A leading target chip (15) is located centrally of cavity (120) on a planar portion of web (20) which portion is substantially restrained from movement away from die (116) by vacuum drawn in cavity (120). At the smooth side of web (20), within cavity (120), there is a needle (135) which is movable perpendicularly of and through web (20) along a path containing the target chip (15). At the adhesive side of web (20), opposite needle (135), there is a pickup probe (147) having a vacuum port (166 ) to retain a chip (15). Also, probe (147) is movable relative to and with a target chip (15) and the needle (135).

Abstract: Gas, such as exhaust gas from a silicon epitaxial reactor, is treated with a liquid such as water. A basin (12) holds a solution (20) including the liquid utilized to treat such gas in the manner intended. An inlet chamber (14) and a convenient self-cleaning passageway (46) introduce the gas into and below a first level (36) of solution (20) established within a treatment chamber (16) in the basin (12). Within delivery piping (44), pressure is provided for advancing the gas for treatment. The treatment chamber (16) is provided with sidewalls (28 and 30) having passageways (46 and 48, respectively), which cooperate with the gas pressure to establish multiple levels (36, 38 and 40) of solution (20) in basin (12) to seal chamber (16). Chamber (16) is also provided with heads (60-67) for spraying the liquid into the advancing gas to wet the same for a time sufficient to treat the gas.

Abstract: Two stacks of toroidal magnets (33, 34, 35 and 37, 38, 39) are coaxially mounted and polarized so that the first stack (33, 34, 35) is centered and spacially supported within the second stack (37, 38, 39). The second stack is mounted in a stationary base (26) while the first stack is mounted in a support (17) on which may be mounted clamps (16) for holding a workpiece, such as a printed circuit board. The board may be freely moved in a horizontal plane to position portions thereof relative to a work tool (18, 21). Any detrimental work forces imparted by operation of the work tool are dissipated by a tilting of the work support against the magnetic fields set up by the coaxial stacks of magnets.

Abstract: Wires (30-1, 30-2, 30-3 and 30-4), which may be of different gauges, are selectively wound on bobbins (32) either singly or in parallel with one another. More specifically, wire guides (364) for first wires (30-1) are selectively transferable between a wire wrapping plate (222) for a bobbin winding operation, and inoperative positions on a storage block (71). Similarly, wire guides (428) for the additional wires (30-2, 30-3 and 30-4) are selectively transferable between the wire wrapping plate (222) for a bobbin winding operation, and inoperative positions in a magazine storage assembly (66). The wrapping radius of the wrapping plate (222) also is adjustable to accommodate bobbins (32) having different terminal spacings.