Abstract: A roller brake comprising: (a) a roller shaft that supports one or more ends of the roller brake; (b) a roller tube extending over all or a portion of the roller shaft; (c) a magnet; (d) a conductor located opposite the magnet and the conductor being in communication with the roller shaft when the magnet is in communication with the roller tube and the conductor being in communication with the roller tube when the magnet is in communication with the roller shaft; and (e) an air gap separating the magnet and the conductor; and wherein the conductor includes one or more recesses that are an absence of material in the conductor.

Abstract: A control system for a conveyor system having one or more upstream and downstream conveyor zones and whose operation effectuates transportation of a series of loads via operation of motors and drive arrangements associated with the respective conveyor zones. The control system includes a Local Area Network (LAN) connection between each component of the control arrangement associated with each zone control such that status and operational information associated with the configuration or operation of each conveyor zone, including the zone motor, can be communicated to other conveyor zones so that operation of each conveyor zone can be manipulated in a controlled manner in response to changes to operation of other conveyor zones.

Abstract: A drive unit for a roller conveyor assembly having a motor and an integrated motor controller. The controller is mounted on a circuit board and connected to the rear of the motor housing. A cover for the controller substantially encloses the controller. An opening in the cover allows access to a terminal block from the controller. The terminal block receives wiring to external devices and to other zone controllers. Wiring between the circuit board for the controller and the motor is performed as a step in the assembly of the integrated motor and controller. The motor and controller are configured to be mounted below the rollers and between the side frames of a conveyor assembly. An output shaft from the motor is coupled to the rollers to power the conveyor assembly.

Abstract: A control system for a conveyor system having one or more upstream and downstream conveyor zones and whose operation effectuates transportation of a series of loads via operation of motors and drive arrangements associated with the respective conveyor zones. The control system includes a Local Area Network (LAN) connection between each component of the control arrangement associated with each zone control such that status and operational information associated with the configuration or operation of each conveyor zone, including the zone motor, can be communicated to other conveyor zones so that operation of each conveyor zone can be manipulated in a controlled manner in response to changes to operation of other conveyor zones.

Abstract: A drive unit for a roller conveyor assembly having a motor and an integrated motor controller. The controller is mounted on a circuit board and connected to the rear of the motor housing. A cover for the controller substantially encloses the controller. An opening in the cover allows access to a terminal block from the controller. The terminal block receives wiring to external devices and to other zone controllers. Wiring between the circuit board for the controller and the motor is performed as a step in the assembly of the integrated motor and controller. The motor and controller are configured to be mounted below the rollers and between the side frames of a conveyor assembly. An output shaft from the motor is coupled to the rollers to power the conveyor assembly.

Abstract: A conveyor that is powered by a drive unit is disclosed. The conveyor includes a frame, and the drive unit includes a gearless external drive motor that is configured to fit within the footprint defined by the conveyor frame. The conveyor includes a series of conveying members, such as rollers, that are rotatably supported by the frame. The motor includes an output member that is engaged with a driven one of the rollers, and the driven roller is mechanically linked to an adjacent one of the rollers so that the adjacent roller is driven into rotation in response to rotation of the driven roller. The conveyor is constructed as a conveyor section or zone, which is adapted to be used with a series of similarly constructed conveyor sections or zones to form an overall conveyor system.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for assembling a customized printed circuit board having at least one electrical component. The system includes an input device for allowing a user to input predetermined information on the customized printed circuit board to be assembled. A central processing unit is operatively connected to the input device by a communications network, such as the internet. The central processing unit receives the predetermined information and generates assembly instructions in response to the predetermined information.

Abstract: A device for use with an infant that provides audible or visual signals based on a sensed lack of motion from an infant to stimulate motion by the infant. The sounds or light generated by the device are designed to encourage movement in an infant that is not moving, in order to reinitiate spontaneous movement by the infant and to alert a caregiver as to lack of movement by the infant. The device can also be configured to provide different audible sounds for different movements that are sensed by the device. The motion is sensed by an accelerometer disposed within the device that is formed of a monolithic integrated circuit chip. The accelerometer is connected to a controller that analyzes the accelerometer output signals and controls the sound or lights of the device in response to the accelerometer signals.

Abstract: A unitary electrode mounting and packaging system for roughening the skin of a patient and applying an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring electrode to the skin in a single step. A sheet of a thin plastic material is folded over itself to form a U-shaped carrier having an upper panel connected to a lower panel by the fold. The upper panel supports an electrode and an amount of an electrically conductive gel in a pocket that is covered by the electrode. The lower panel includes an abrasive or roughened material on the bottom surface of the lower panel opposite the electrode. To place the electrode on the skin, the carrier is positioned against the skin of a patient such that the roughened material contacts the skin and pressure is applied downwardly on the electrode. A tab connected to the lower panel then is grasped and pulled by an individual such that the roughened material abrades the skin beneath the carrier to clear the portion of the skin located beneath the electrode.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor system for transporting a series of loads includes a series of conveyor zones, including at least an upstream conveyor zone and a downstream conveyor zone. Each conveyor zone includes a drive arrangement for operating the conveyor zone to advance loads therealong. A control is interconnected with each drive arrangement. The control is operable to sequentially initiate operation of adjacent conveyor zones by delaying initiation of operation of an upstream conveyor zone for a predetermined time period after initiation of operation of a downstream conveyor zone. In this manner, operation of a series of adjacent conveyor zones is initiated in a sequential or wave-type manner, which avoids thrust loading of the conveyor system and minimizes electrical surges which otherwise would occur if operation of all zones were initiated simultaneously.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor system for transporting a series of loads includes a series of conveyor zones including at least an upstream conveyor zone and a downstream conveyor zone. Each conveyor zone includes a drive arrangement for operating the conveyor zone to advance loads therealong. An improved singulated release control is interconnected with each drive arrangement. The control is operable to advance adjacent first and second loads on adjacent upstream and downstream conveyor zones, respectively. The control is operable to stop operation of the upstream zone to maintain the second load stationary, while continuing operation of the downstream zone to advance the first load. When the downstream load approaches the downstream end of the downstream conveyor zone, the control is operable to resume operation of both the downstream and upstream conveyor zones, to continue advancement of the first and second loads, respectively.

Abstract: A zoned transport conveyor includes a drive roller and a series of driven rollers for each zone. A motor is interconnected with the drive roller for imparting rotation to the drive roller, which in turn is drivingly engaged with the driven rollers such as through a series of belts. Introduction of a load onto the zone results in rotation of an upstream one of the driven rollers, which is transferred through the drive arrangement to the drive roller. Rotation of the drive roller results in rotation of an output member associated with the motor, which is detected by a series of sensors associated with the motor and which provides and input to a motor control circuit. The motor control circuit includes a processor for controlling operation of the motor, and the processor functions to initiate operation of the motor when inertial rotation of the motor output member is detected.