Abstract: A releasable locking mechanism is provided for an electrical connector in which a plug connector member embodies a sleeve that carries a locking ring. The ring is adapted to engage with a groove in the mating receptacle connector member. A plurality of lock pins are slidably movable over the ring to retain it in its locked position in the groove. In a preferred embodiment, the lock pins embody heads which extend through slots in the sleeve surrounding the pins. The lock pins are actuated by a coupling ring surrounding the rear portion of the sleeve.

Abstract: A line switch for a digital telephone switching system utilizes distributed processing. The line switch comprises one or more switch modules. Each switch module is coupled to a central office switching system via one or more PCM lines which utilize common channel signaling. Each switch module comprises groups of line circuits, each line circuit being coupled to a subscriber line. Three separate distributed processor functions are provided in each line switch module. A first processor is utilized to communicate with the central office switching system and to coordinate the operations within the line switch module. A second processor is provided to control clock generation and rate conversion circuits. Each group of line circuits includes a third processor to control the operations of the line circuits and to gather information from the line circuit.The second processor is used to select which of a plurality of sources may be used to provide clock signals within the line switch module.

Abstract: A self-locking connector in which balls carried by a connector shell are spring biased toward a locking ring which is rotatable with the coupling nut of the connector. The ring is formed with a circular array of detent recesses with which the balls engage when the coupling nut is rotated. The balls and recesses are arranged so that only one ball engages a recess at any instant so that there are a large number of locking positions for the coupling nut.

Abstract: An associative processor is described wherein an array of associative processing cells is configured to achieve variable length multiplication of numbers, such as binary two's complement numbers, under mask control. A configuration suitable for signal multiplication is described wherein the processing sequences in all cells are compatable, each to the other, whether the cells are at the edges or the middle of an array row, and regardless of the computational sequences required to be performed. An associative cell structure is described, including an improved arithmetic logic unit having separate carry and borrow save paths which may be enabled and active simultaneously or alternately.

Abstract: A frequency down-converter down converts an input signal having a frequency in a given bandwidth and a frequency up-converter up converts the down converted input signal and imparts a doppler shift to the up converted signal to generate an output signal having a frequency with doppler shift in the given bandwidth.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical load sensor is in the form of a mechanical resonant system with electrostatically coupled electrodes. The mechanical system is formed from a silicon wafer by a selective etching process and comprises a filament of between two terminations 12 and 13 carrying transverse plates M.sub.1 and M.sub.2. Electrostatic (capacitive) coupling to plate electrodes E.sub.1, E.sub.2, E.sub.3 in a self-exciting circuit drives the system. The resonant frequency for angular S vibrations with plates M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 in anti-phase varies with applied load L and is thus a measure of this load.

Abstract: A line switch for a digital telephone switching system utilizes distributed processing. The line switch comprises one or more switch modules. Each switch module is coupled to a central office switching system via one or more PCM lines which utilize common channel signaling. Each switch module comprises groups of line circuits, each line circuit being coupled to a subscriber line. Three separate distributed processor functions are provided in each line switch module. A first processor is utilized to communicate with the central office switching system and to coordinate the operations within the line switch module. A second processor is provided to control clock generation and rate conversion circuits. Each group of line circuits includes a third processor to control the operations of the line circuits and to gather information from the line circuit. A busing arrangement is provided within the line switch such that both control information and PCM voice data are routed throughout the line switch.

Abstract: An electronically tunable narrow band tuned cavity filter includes a housing which bounds a tuned cavity, a plurality of resonator bars secured to the housing, extending across the tuned cavity and having respective extensions that pass through respective openings of the housing to the exterior of the tuned cavity, and a set of tuning capacitor plates for each of the resonator bars. The tuning capacitor plates associated with the respective resonator bar are arranged outside the tuned cavity around the extension in a compartment surrounding the opening, together with respective switching networks driven by an electronic drive and operative for including the capacitor plates in or excluding the same from electric circuit with the respective resonator bar. The capacitor plates may be directly juxtaposed with associated facets of the extension to form respective tuning capacitors therewith.

Abstract: A zero insertion force socket for connecting the leads of an integrated circuit carrier to conductors on a printed circuit board. The socket contains a movable actuator which shifts the contacts in the socket into engagement with the leads on the carrier after the leads have been initially inserted into the socket in positions spaced from the contacts. The actuator comprises a partitioning structure made of interleaved thin metal strips which allow a very dense arrangement of the contacts in the socket and also perform an electrical shielding function.

Abstract: A suspension of a finely divided material in a liquid suspending medium which swells cellulose, the suspension containing microfibrillated cellulose in an amount sufficient to produce a stable, homogeneous suspension. The microfibrillated cellulose, a form of cellulose having a very large available surface area per unit of weight, acts to confer, among other benefits, greater stability on the suspension. The suspensions are useful in a variety of end use products including foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, paints and drilling muds.

Abstract: In a fiber optic receiver of the type comprising a photodetector, a preamplifier, a postamplifier and a voltage comparator for quantizing the output to a logic level signal, the improvement comprising symmetrical clamp means interposed between said postamplifier and said voltage comparator.

Abstract: A time division multiplex digital data communication system with reduced band width. The system operates on independent digital signals so they can be multiplexed by encoding the time of transition of the digital data on each channel and transmitting serially the encoded times along with a bit for indicating the direction of transition or state after the transition plus bits for synchronization and/or overhead, as necessary.

Abstract: Circuit for controlling the operation of a handsfree or loudspeaking telephone instrument. The circuit includes an integrated circuit dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) generator. When a button of the generator is depressed, and the instrument is in its handsfree mode, power feed to the generator and the speech network is activated. The tone generation circuitry and speech network are thereby connected in parallel with the handsfree hybrid. When the DTMF button is released, power to the speech network is discontinued. Further, when the instrument is in the handsfree mode, and in the non-dialing condition, the confidence tone muting resistance is shunted so that no voice signal attenuation to the handsfree hybrid can occur. The switching is protected against surges both in the handsfree and hookswitch on and off hook conditions and is protected against leakage at the start of the DTMF output.

Abstract: An audible indicator is provided for a connector which indicates when the mating connector halves are fully interengaged. The indicator is activated by an actuating pin which is mounted within the interior of the connector body. Preferably, the actuating pin is slidable in a centrally located polarizing key for the connector.

Abstract: A contact extraction tool in which a pair of spring arms may be squeezed together to force jaws on the ends of the arms inwardly through holes in the tip of the tool to firmly grip a contact therein while the tip is releasing contact retention element in a connector assembly to facilitate withdrawal of the contact from the assembly.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump pumping arrangement includes two diaphragm pumps which are arranged and operate in tandem. Each of the diaphragm pumps includes a housing and a movable wall that includes a flexible diaphragm and subdivides the interior of the respective pump housing into a pumping chamber and an actuating chamber. An air distributing control arrangement interposed between and connected to the pump housings includes a spool valve movable in a bore of an aluminum casing of the control arrangement between two end positions in which it alternatingly achieves the admission of the compressed air into one, and discharge of the air from the other, actuating chamber.

Abstract: A line switch for a digital telephone switching system utilizes distributed processing. The line switch comprises one or more switch modules. Each switch module is coupled to a central office switching system via one or more PCM lines which utilize common channel signaling. Each switch module comprises groups of line circuits, each line circuit being coupled to a subscriber line. Three separate distributed processor functions are provided in each line switch module. A first processor is utilized to communicate with the central office switching system and to coordinate the operations within the line switch module. A second processor is provided to control clock generation and rate conversion circuits. Each group of line circuits includes a third processor to control the operations of the line circuits and to gather information from the line circuit. A busing arrangement is provided within the line switch such that both control information and PCM voice data are routed throughout the line switch.

Abstract: A tool for driving nails into hard surfaces wherein the driving power is provided by cartridges of explosive powder. An extrudible stop member is provided in the barrel of the tool in front of the piston which is impacted by the piston when the tool is overdriven. The stop member extrudes through a passage to the front of the barrel if repeated overdriving of the piston occurs thereby providing a visual indication of such condition existing. In addition, a novel clamping arrangement is disclosed for retaining the return dog for the piston in the barrel housing.