Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for substantially improving the accuracy and surface finish quality of numerical control machine tool performance by generating velocity command signals for multiple axis drive systems based on the distance between the cutting tool and a point along the desired path, either the desired end point or a dynamic target which moves continuously along the desired cutting path ahead of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A distributed input/output system is disclosed for controlling numerous peripheral devices and the transfer of data signals and control signals between those devices and a general purpose digital computer. The control system described includes a multiplexer which can accommodate as many as eight input/output devices under the control of separate programmable microcoded peripheral-unit controllers. Each controller is adapted to be located at or on an individual peripheral device and each is connected to the multiplexer by an identical ribbon cable that is employed to carry both signals and power. Each controller employs a substantially identical microengine, that is, a microcoded processor, currently of five integrated circuit chips. The peripheral-unit controllers may be configured somewhat differently depending upon whether the peripheral device utilizes data signals in parallel or in series.

Abstract: A distributed input/output system is disclosed for controlling numerous peripheral devices and the transfer of data signals and control signals between those devices and a general purpose digital computer. The control system described includes a multiplexer which can accommodate as many as eight input/output devices under the control of separate programmable microcoded peripheral-unit controllers. Each controller is adapted to be located at or on an individual peripheral device and each is connected to the multiplexer by an identical ribbon cable that is employed to carry both signals and power. Each controller employs a substantially identical microengine, that is, a microcoded processor, currently of five integrated circuit chips. The peripheral-unit controllers may be configured somewhat differently depending upon whether the peripheral device utilizes data signals in parallel or in series.

Abstract: A distributed input/output system is disclosed for controlling numerous peripheral devices and the transfer of data signals and control signals between those devices and a general purpose digital computer. The control system described includes a multiplexer which can accommodate as many as eight input/output devices under the control of separate programmable microcoded peripheral-unit controllers. Each controller is adapted to be located at or on an individual peripheral device and each is connected to the multiplexer by an identical ribbon cable that is employed to cary both signals and power. Each controller employs a substantially identical microengine, that is, a microcoded processor, currently of five integrated circuit chips. The peripheral-unit controllers may be configured somewhat differently depending upon whether the peripheral device utilizes data signals in parallel or in series.

Abstract: A container is provided for bulk mail, and the like, which has the form of a wheeled rack. The container is constructed to have a lower shelf and an intermediate shelf, both of which are hinged to a supporting frame, and each of which may be turned from a horizontal load supporting position to an upright position when the container is not in use to enable the container to be nested into other like containers so as to conserve space. The container also includes an intermediate frame which surrounds the intermediate shelf and which supports the intermediate shelf in its horizontal position, and which also is hinged to the supporting frame and may be turned with the intermediate shelf to an upright position. Also, the intermediate shelf may be turned up when the container is in use to provide sufficient space within the container for large or bulky packages or mail sacks, the same extending through and being restrained by the intermediate frame which remains in its horizontal position.

Abstract: A retainer bar assembly is provided comprising a vertical bar pivotally mounted at one corner of a rack to be movable from a first position, in which trays may be inserted into or removed from the open front of the rack, to a second position in which the bar extends vertically upwardly across the front of the rack to hold the trays securely in the rack and to prevent the trays from falling out of the rack, as the rack is transported from one location to another.

Abstract: A modular minicomputer is provided which is assembled from a central processor unit module and a plurality of memory modules. Small calculators on the memory modules are so interlocked that when the computer is powered up, memory address boundaries are calculated automatically. As a result, the bank of memory modules appears to the central processing unit the same as a single large memory unit.

Abstract: A cargo security system is provided which can easily be mounted in delivery trucks of a wide variety of sizes, and which provides a positive means for preventing the load in the trucks from sliding, especially when the load comprises stacks of receptacles supported on wheeled dollies. The security system of the invention comprises a plurality of upright support posts which are mounted on the deck of the truck and which are attached to the underside of the top of the truck along a fore and aft axis displaced from one of the side walls of the truck. A similar security system may be mounted on the truck adjacent the opposite side wall thereof.

Abstract: Curing apparatus is provided which may be used for vulcanizing a pre-cured tread onto a suitably prepared tire casing; the pre-cured tread being initially adhesively attached to the tire casing. The apparatus provides a mold defining a chamber in which the tire casing and adhesively attached pre-cured tread are placed; and it includes means for establishing pressurized fluid, such as steam or air, within the interior of the tire casing, and pressurized fluid, such as steam, in the annular space between the casing and the inside peripheral surface of the chamber, so that a required heat and pressure condition may be established within the chamber to cause the tread to be vulcanized and permanently bonded to the casing. The apparatus of the invention, in a second embodiment, is used for vulcanizing uncured rubber to a tire casing to form the tread.

Abstract: A cooking pan assembly is provided which has particular utility in the industrial cooking of food, such as tuna fish. The cooking pan is particularly constructed so that it may conveniently be transported on usual conveyors within the cooking facility. Crimped wire-formed ends are provided for the pan which serve as handles and which prevent the contents of the pan from sliding through the front or rear ends thereof. The wire-formed ends are crimped loosely to the side walls and bottom of the pan for sanitary reasons so that there is only a point contact between the wire-formed ends and the sides and bottoms, and no areas are formed which would be conducive to build up of bacteria. There are no welds between the end members and the bottom or side walls of the pan, since such welds would produce two separate surfaces in intimate contact with one another which could harbor bacteria. The pan assembly is easy to clean thoroughly by a simple spray wash since there are no nooks or crannies in the assembly.

Abstract: A programmable manipulation machine for picking up a succession of small components, such as semiconductor chips, and placing them precisely in predetermined positions on a work-piece, such as a substrate. The machine includes a vacuum chuck assembly which is movable by a servomotor along a relatively long horizontal axis between a chip pick-up station and a dip assembly station and which is also movable, by means of digital stepper motors, linearly in a transverse horizontal axis and a vertical axis, and rotationally about the vertical axis. Also included are a substrate-supporting work table which is also movable, by means of a digital stepper motor, in the transverse horizontal direction, and a control unit for direction and sequencing movement of the chuck assembly and work table in accordance with operator-changeable positional data stored in a memory associated with each movement axis.

Abstract: Adjustable cam actuated switch mechanism of the type in which the switch is operated by a rotating cam means on a timing shaft. The cam means includes a cam plate that is rotatable relative to the timing shaft and the cam plate is adjustably connected to the shaft through a differential gear mechanism including a pair of spur gears of like pitch diameter but having relatively different number of teeth, one of which is drivingly connected to the timing shaft and the other of which is drivingly connected to the cam plate and a pinion gear that meshes with both spur gears and is carried by a housing that encloses the spur gears and which is rotatable relative to the timing shaft to angularly adjust the cam relative to the shaft.

Abstract: A transporter is provided for bulk mail, and the like, in the form of a wheeled rack. The wheeled rack is constructed to have a lower shelf and an intermediate shelf, both of which are hinged to the frame of the rack, and both of which may be turned up to an upright position when the rack is not in use to enable the rack to be nested into other like racks so as to conserve space. The rack also has upper and lower extensible gates which are hinged to the forward edge of the intermediate shelf, and which may be turned to an upright position within the rack with the intermediate shelf when the rack is not in use. The gates, moreover, may be turned and extended to enclose the upper and lower portions of the open front of the rack, and locked in place, when the intermediate shelf is turned down to its operative, load-supporting position.

Abstract: A package of disposable pipette tips in which the tips are supported on trays and trays with tips are stacked one upon another such that the tip of one tray project into but do not touch the tips of the tray below. A tip removal member is mounted on the carton.

Abstract: A calender especially suitable for use with rubber and plastic material. One of two opposed rolls is movable toward and away from the other through direct action of long-stroke fluid actuators that move the bearing boxes on opposite ends of the movable roll. Roll spacing is directly sensed by position-sensitive transducers acting between opposed bearing boxes and responsive to the relative roll positions. The transducers signal changes and initiate correction to retain roll spacing at a set distance. The fluid actuators are controlled to separate the rolls upon power failure and to prevent roll contact in the event work product is not between the rolls.

Abstract: A pipette having a first piston means for aspirating a predetermined volume of liquid into a liquid reservoir, and a second piston means for delivering a relatively high volume of air to expel liquid from the liquid reservoir.

Abstract: An improved oscillating sling apparatus is disclosed for use in bar unscramblers. The oscillating sling comprises an endless chain with drive transmitting means for providing greater lineal speed of the chain at the forward or exit portion of the sling than at the rear portion. This is provided by supporting each sling chain upon sprocket wheels of equal diameter, the rear sprocket wheel shaft being at a higher elevation than the front sprocket wheel shaft. Oscillating motion is imparted to the sling by a reversible motor and speed reducer set connected with one shaft, the other shaft being coupled thereto by a drive chain and pair of sprocket wheels of a different diameter.