Abstract: Horizontal guide rails are mounted on a base and receive linear bearings mounted on the bottom of a tower which carries vertical guide rails receiving linear bearings mounted on a vertical carriage plate. Linear bearings are mounted on the carriage plate and support a horizontal guide rail secured to a horizontal lift arm having an outer end portion supporting a precision locating pin device for a part. Separate gear belts extend around corresponding adjustable idler gears and drive gears and are clamped to the corresponding tower, carriage plate and lift arm. The drive gears are driven by corresponding drive units each including a reversible servo-controlled electric motor, a planetary gear reducer, an absolute resolver unit and an electrically actuated spring set brake. A plurality of the above apparatus are located on opposite sides of a linear part conveyor with the lift arms projecting inwardly in generally opposing relation.

Abstract: A drug dispensing device is comprised of an upper hopper having an upper opening for receiving a medicament and a lower opening. A lid covers the upper opening. A lower hopper having an upper opening and a lower opening in a bottom portion thereof is provided. The upper hopper defines a bulk storage chamber and the lower hopper defines a dispensing chamber. A rotatable dispensing disc is positioned in a lower portion of the dispensing chamber for dispensing medicament from the drug dispensing device through the lower opening in the lower hopper. A regulator is situated between the bulk storage chamber and the dispensing chamber for controlling the rate at which medicament moves from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber. The regulator may take a variety of forms. In one embodiment, the regulator includes a valve for controlling the flow of medicament from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber.

Abstract: A water pit transponder assembly includes a housing with multiple sections including top, main and bottom sections snap latched together connected to a water meter. A circuit board transponder in the housing includes a controller, a transmitter, a receiver and tamper detection software connected to antennas. An encoder is connected to the water meter, and batteries provide power to operate the assembly. The transponder sends and receives at different frequencies through different antennas and is protected from environmental corrosion by being encapsulated in a get inside the housing.

Abstract: A hand held power assisted apparatus is provided for assembling a rigid tube into a flexible hose in an automobile assembly line environment. The apparatus includes a frame with first and second gripper assemblies mounted on the frame. An actuator assembly is connected between the frame and the first gripper assembly for moving the first gripper assembly toward the second gripper assembly to insert the rigid tube into the flexible hose.

Abstract: An athlete training device includes a first sensor pad for signaling when a first object has been removed from the first pad and a second sensor pad for signaling when an athlete's hand has been removed from the second pad. A third sensor signals when the athlete has made contact with a second object. A control device receives the signals from the pads and third sensor and determines a first elapsed time from when the first object is removed from the first pad and the athlete's hand is removed from the second pad. The control device also determines a second elapsed time from when the athlete's hand is removed from the second pad and the athlete makes contact with the second object and then outputs a signal for displaying the first and second elapsed times.

Abstract: A chuck assembly comprises a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a first end. A plurality of pins extend substantially parallel with the axis from the first end. The plurality of pins is located at a first radius relative to the axis. At least one of the pins is operable to move from the first radius to a second radius, relative to the axis. The chuck assembly also includes a means for moving at least one pin between the first radius and the second radius. A prime mover provides the necessary drive to the means for moving. The chuck assembly may be used in combination with various other components to form combinations or systems.

Abstract: A will call system for automating the management of storage and retrieval of items, preferably medical prescriptions. The automated system provides information control of all items in the system. The automated will call monitors the length of time an item remains in the system, and into which location an item is placed. An article sensor provides absolute confirmation that an item has been placed or removed from a designated location in the storage units. The automated will call system uses a controller to permit users to monitor and optimize the storage and retrieval procedures.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating a fabric substrate comprising a housing frame, a continuous moving conveyor moving along a generally circular path and mounted to the housing frame; a plurality of vertically oriented mandrels removably mounted on the conveyor for receiving an article to be coated; a fixed coating station adjacent the path for applying a quantity of a coating to at least a portion of the article to be coated, the coating station including a solenoid for controlling the amount and pattern of the coating substance onto the article to be coated; a pivotable arm for gripping and removing the article to be coated after the coating station, the pivotable arm including a pair of cooperating gripping members for gripping the article to be coated. The coating is a non-sticky, high coefficient of friction polymer with additional components.

Abstract: A tool and process utilizing the tool for forming a compressed-radius hem on a sheet metal assembly is provided. A concave portion on the tool is formed by at least two surfaces that together define a cavity. A flange on the perimeter of an outer panel is initially formed to an approximate perpendicular angle and is then formed to about 45°. In a final forming step, an intermediate portion of the flange is engaged by the cavity and is formed into a compressed-radius hem.

Abstract: An interactive kiosk that permits the user to create custom postcards composed of photographs taken with the user's own digital camera. The postcards will be printed instantly by reading the memory (via camera's memory card or by wire transfer or infrared transfer of images) of the user's digital still or video camera. The kiosk contains a programmed computer that guides the user through the transfer and postcard creation process. The photograph/s will be printed in high quality color or black and white on one side with various options for borders and text messages. The back of the postcard will resemble a traditional postcard with space for a message to the recipient and the recipient's address.

Abstract: Pressurized gas turbine engine with efficiency enhanced by an electrothermodynamic power convertor. The turbine has peripheral nozzles which are supplied with pressurized gas or pressurized liquid by internal nozzle gas ways. Pressurized liquid is flashed by the nozzles. The electrothermodynamic power convertor has a collector plate which envelopes the turbine engine expansion chamber and a charged screen which is positioned radially between the gas nozzles and the collector plate. Collector plate insulation is affixed between the collector plate and the walls of the expansion chamber.

Abstract: A positioning system utilizes a shot pin to fix the position of a grooved pallet at stations in a production line. The pallet travels along the production line under the influence of advancing feed pins. When the pallet arrives at a station, the head of the shot pin is positively urged toward the groove in the pallet until the head locks the pallet in the desired position. Simultaneously, the feed pin disengages from the pallet. When work is completed at the manufacturing station, the head of the shot pin moves away from and releases the pallet. Simultaneously, the feed pin engages the pallet. The feed pins and the shot pin operate in tandem, by moving in-phase along parallel lines in the same direction to accomplish their individual functions. The feed pins and the shot pin can operate relatively quickly without applying unnecessary torque to the conveyor or the pallet.

Abstract: A chuck assembly comprises a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a first end. A plurality of pins extend substantially parallel with the axis from the first end. The plurality of pins is located at a first radius relative to the axis. At least one of the pins is operable to move from the first radius to a second radius, relative to the axis. The chuck assembly also includes a means for moving at least one pin between the first radius and the second radius. A prime mover provides the necessary drive to the means for moving. The chuck assembly may be used in combination with various other components to form combinations or systems. A method of labeling a container is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pill dispensing system includes a shelving unit in array form that holds a number of bulk containers, each holding a bulk amount of a pill to be dispensed. A computer controlled robot removes a selected bulk container and places it on a counter that also dispenses pills. The robot has an arm with a free end portion that can grip a bulk container or a single pill bottle to be filled. The robot is computer controlled to retrieve an empty pill bottle, place it on a label printing and applying unit, then place it next to the counter/dispenser to receive the selected number of selected prescription pills, then place the filled, labeled bottle on a conveyor. In an alternate embodiment, pill bottles are dispensed from a dispenser that holds bottles on inclined plates and feeds them to a vertical dispensing channel. Gates prevent the flow of bottles from an inclined position until the plate above has been emptied.

Abstract: A tool and process utilizing the tool for forming a compressed-radius hem on a sheet metal assembly is provided. A concave portion on the tool is formed by at least two surfaces that together define a cavity. A flange on the perimeter of an outer panel is initially formed to an approximate perpendicular angle and is then formed to about 45°. In a final forming step, an intermediate portion of the flange is engaged by the cavity and is formed into a compressed-radius hem.

Abstract: An optical symbol scanner assembly has an illumination attachment to facilitate detection and decoding bar code symbols that are printed or formed on mirror-finish surfaces. A hand-held scanner has an array of LEDs or laser diodes on its distal face that produces light to illuminate the symbol. The illumination attachment is mounted on the distal face of the scanner device. At a distal end of the illumination attachment is a diffusion-treated surface such that the illumination leaving the attachment appears as a bar or zone of diffuse light. This is reflected off the bar code, so that the mirror-finish areas appear as the bright or high portions of the symbol and the diffuse areas thereof appear as the dark or low portions. The attachment may be in the form of a block or plate of a clear plastic, or may be formed as a prism.

Abstract: A pressurized gas turbine engine is disclosed which utilizes a new turbine design. Pressurized gas is supplied by nozzle gas ways in the turbine to gas nozzles affixed to the perimeter of the turbine. The gas nozzles may be recessed in the turbine perimeter or extend from the turbine perimeter. The gas nozzles may be equipped with gas exit cones to enhance the efficiency of the nozzles. The axis of the nozzles have an oblique angle with the direction of rotation of the turbine. Pressurized gas is supplied to the nozzle gas ways through one or more shaft gas ways in the turbine shaft, or is supplied through engine gas ports in the front wall of the turbine engine to gas supply zones which are hydraulically separated by seal rings on the front face of the turbine, each gas supply zone being hydraulically connected to one or more nozzle gas ways.

Abstract: A fluid level detection system includes an illumination source and a photodetector. The illumination source produces a beam at a fixed angle, which the photodetector is adapted to sense as it is reflected from the surface of a fluid. The photodetector varies in accord with the amount of the reflected beam that impinges on it. This amount, in turn, varies with the distance between the surface of the fluid, the illumination source and photodetector. The system can be used, for example, in automated pipetting applications in which it is important to ascertain the position of a pipette tip with respect to fluid contained within a body to provide safe and effective automatic processing of the fluid without the pipette tip contacting the body.

Abstract: A tagging apparatus for placing tags into a container includes a support surface for holding at least one container, a tag insert assembly frame, a tag holder, and a tag handler mounted to the tag insert assembly frame. The tag handler includes an arm and a guide. The arm is configured for reciprocal movement between a first position in which the arm is positioned for grabbing a tag from the tag holder and a second position in which the arm is positioned for inserting the tag into a container supported on the support surface. The guide provides lateral support to the arm when the arm is moved between its first and second positions and, further, defines a path of movement for the arm between its first and second positions. The tagging apparatus also includes a driver for moving the arm between its first and second positions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding video signals for identification, editing, modifying, cuing, routing, distributing, switching, activating and controlling the video signals. One of the many applications is a television program distribution system including a plurality of units through which the television programs flow, by operating a first signal processing unit connected within the system for adding signal elements to the video signal of a program in order to add patterns of symbols to the television picture such that the symbols are disposed at predetermined locations of the television picture and a plurality of successive patterns constituting a code uniquely identifying the program; and a second signal processing unit connected within the system for detecting signal elements previously added to a video signal and for producing, in response to such detection, an identification of the program which included the video signal.