Abstract: A tension regulating device can set an indicating value of a thread tension. The tension regulating device comprises a regulating nut which is screwed into the male portion of a tension regulating shaft for compressing the tension regulating spring and a regulating dial having scales. The regulating dial is rotatable to turn the regulating nut to set the tension of a thread, which is held by the tension discs in response to the turning position of the regulating nut. The tension regulating device further comprises a regulating dial stop retained by a step portion of the tension regulating shaft and a short cylindrical member fixedly engaged in the cylindrical portion of the tension regulating shaft for clamping the regulating dial stop. The short cylindrical member has spline grooves defined at the outer periphery thereof.

Abstract: A sewing machine has a vertical needle bar pivotable about a point thereon adjacent the upper end and moveable up and down. A sewing needle is detachably secured to the lower end of the bar and has an eye adjacent its lower end. The machine has an adjustable stitch width and, during its operation at a preset width, satisfies the requirement that the eye must be continuously properly positioned with respect to the machine hook at all times. The eye is vertically aligned with the hook point when the eye is in proximity of the hook, so as to insure reliable stitch formation at any selected stitch width. An arrangement for maintaining such proper positioning employs a first stop secured to the bar at a first location thereon intermediate its ends. A second stop is secured to the bar at a second and lower position intermediate its ends. A member is slidable along and is disposed on the bar in the space between the two stops. A spring is disposed on the bar between the first stop and the member.

Abstract: In order to implement a vibrating beam accelerometer, preferably in a dual beam configuration, a monolithic piezoelectric structure which includes at least a first mounting surface, a second mounting surface spaced therefrom and between the mounting surfaces and coupled thereto a vibrating beam, is provided. The two mounting surfaces are connected to each other by flexures so that relative movement between them is possible. This structure results in a closed path from mounting surface to vibrating beam to mounting surface avoiding problems present in prior art devices in which there were joints at three different points within the closed path.

Abstract: A flight simulator includes a host computer 10 coupled to serial buses 13 by master-interface circuits 12, each of which is a serial bus master controller. Each bus 13 is coupled to a number of slave circuits 14, and each slave circuit 14 drives several instrument display devices 15. The slave circuits 14 contain slave bus controllers and digital to analog conversion circuits for developing the drive signals for the display devices 15. Each slave bus controller is provided with one or more programs for processing received serial data in accordance with the electro-mechanical characteristics of the driven display device 15. Analog feedback signals may be provided by the devices 15 and A-D converted in the respective slave circuits 14 before transmission as serial data to the host computer 10 via the buses 13 and master-interfaces 12.

Abstract: Electro-optical apparatus for the control of the optical path length in a laser angular rate sensor. An output of a fringe detector dual photodiode and preamplifier, normally present, is processed to recover a laser intensity component present as an amplitude modulation superimposed on the phase-modulated fringe detector signal. The laser intensity component is then provided as an input to the optical path length feedback control system.

Abstract: A compressed feed is used in a microstrip antenna for reducing the spacing between adjacent tap points on the feed line such that sigma angle changes--due to temperature variations--of a radiating beam in a radar system are reduced.

Abstract: A modular tool assembly includes a single motor unit and a plurality of toolheads. The housings for the various toolheads include different engaging structures for engaging combinations of control switches of the motor unit, thereby providing different operating characteristics to the various tools formed by engagement of the motor unit and the toolheads. A direction reversing switch of the motor unit is placed in a fixed position by some of the toolheads and is left in a controllable condition by others. An on/off switch is provided in the motor unit, as is an on/off and speed control switch. The various toolheads include engaging means for engaging one or the other of the control switches, thus providing fixed speed or variable speed, fixed direction or reversible direction, for operation of a plurality of tools utilizing a single motor unit.

Abstract: A piezoelectric sensing element is formed from bonding two piezoelectric layers with an intermediate metallic film. The intermediate metallic film is comprised of two separate films, which were sputtered onto the inner surfaces of the respective piezoelectric layers, which are then placed in contact with each other. The combination of piezoelectric layers and film is next heated at an elevated temperature for fusing the respective sputtered alloy films so that the piezoelectric layers are bonded into a piezo-pair sensor. The layers to be joined are chamfered so that the center electrode appears as a notch on the finished piezo-pair to allow a connection to the center electrode for poling and sensing.

Abstract: A system for generating digital image data bases automatically that is principally for use in visual systems of simulators and for use when a particular geographic area is not required. A data processing circuit generates high detail realistic images statistically under the control of a control data base. A conflict resolution data base retains data for identifying and for resolving geographic conflicts among features generated for a visual system.

Abstract: A combination non-inverting driver and a resistor ensures the locking of a free floating bus line of a CMOS system into whatever logic state the bus line was last driven.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner of relatively compact and lightweight construction provides a generally planar lower surface having a reinforced keyhole integrally associated therewith for hanging the vacuum cleaner preferably on a planar support surface, such as a wall, during periods of non-use of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A path analyzer for determining if a specified path is blocked by a given obstacle. A programmable comparator simultaneously compares each of the coordinates of a specified point in N dimensional space with two coordinate ranges: (1) the range defined by the minimum and maximum values of the coordinate for a specified obstacle, and (2) the range of values of that coordinate which are outside and one one side of the obstacle. As a result, the programmable comparator generates a 2N bit map signal denoting, for each coordinate, whether the specified point is within each of the two ranges.The analyzer presents to the programmable comparator the coordinates of the starting point and the end point of a specified path, and the programmable comparator responds by generating a starting point map signal and an end point map signal. A decoder then uses these starting point and end point map signals to determine whether the specified path is blocked, not blocked, or may be blocked by the specified obstacle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a dynamic effect applied to a vibrating beam accelerometer. The apparatus analyzes a pair of frequencies related to natural frequency as a function of a force applied to a vibrating beam accelerometer producing f.sub.1 and f.sub.2 ; (f.sub.1.sup.2 -f.sub.2.sup.

Abstract: A resilient strain relief elastomer is placed between the stator of a synchro and its housing so that radial distortions of the housing are absorbed by the high shear compliance of the elastomer. Consequently, the stator remains undistorted, and the synchro is able to define accurately the angular position it senses.

Abstract: A connection assembly is particularly useful for positively connecting a flexible hose member with an inlet plug for a suction source while being adapted for subsequent disconnection without requiring any specialized tools. In connecting operation, an integral extension portion of a flexible hose member is telescopically inserted into an inlet plug to a predetermined longitudinal stopping point therein, and then rotated so as to cause engagement of projections formed on the extension portion and projection-receiving holes formed in the inlet plug. Such engagement rotatably and longitudinally secures the flexible hose relative the inlet plug. Slots are formed in the inlet plug for guiding the hose member projections during longitidinal movement of the hose member. The hose member may be selectively withdrawn by reverse rotation of the hose extension portion and longitudinal removal thereof from the inlet plug.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner main chassis incorporates a light plate for providing light from a relatively narrow slot extending across the front of the chassis onto a floor surface to be cleaned. The light plate is generally planar and transmits light therethrough within its plane from an input edge of the plate to an opposite output edge thereof. The plate output edge resides in the chassis front slot while the rest of the plate is enclosed within the chassis so that light emerges from the chassis only through its front slot. The slot is relatively close to the floor surface for illuminating an area thereof beginning relatively adjacent the chassis. Lamps located adjacent the relatively rearward input edge of the light plate are thus positioned relatively remote from a suction nozzle and rotatable bar brush located in a forward area of the chassis, which avoids preempting critical space in such area or interfering with operation of such elements.

Abstract: A self-aligning sleeve bearing assembly including a base member having a surface which includes a socket, a retaining member, and a bearing extending into and from the socket and being sandwiched between the base member and retaining member. The bearing includes two opposing halves which are mismatched along a parting line. The retaining member includes two pairs of independently yieldable opposed fingers which provide four independently operating spring retainers which bear against respective surfaces of the opposing bearing halves and operate together to retain the bearing in place yet allow self-alignment of the bearing.

Abstract: A floating cleaner head used with a self-propelled front wheel drive floor cleaning apparatus, such as a vacuum cleaner. Both the forwardly located drive wheels and the drive transmission therefor are pivotably mounted on a bracket beneath the cleaner head. A skid plate attached to the bracket extends rearwardly from the bracket pivot to sense the carpet pile height of a floor to be cleaned. As the pile height increases, the bracket is pivoted so as to force the drive wheels deeper into the carpet pile which increases the propelling force. Additionally, since the drive wheels and transmission are located intermediate freely-rotatable rear wheels and a forwardly located rotary brush and nozzle area, operation of the skid plate also cause the entire cleaner head to float or pivot about the axis of the rear wheels so as to automatically adjust the elevation of the rotary bar and nozzle area.

Abstract: A motion simulator for simulating the working characteristics of motion vehicles is based on the synergistic `six degrees of freedom` system. The apparatus of the simulator comprises a main frame 10 mounted on three pairs of extensible and retractable legs 11 by means of a corresponding number of universal pivots. The pairs of legs 11 are arranged in a triangular formation on the underside of the frame 10 such that adjacent legs 11 from adjacent vertices of the formation converge to a common foot, to which they are secured by further universal pivots 13. Movement of the frame 10 is achieved by the relative extension and retraction of the legs 11.Supplementary longitudinal acceleration effects are simulated by means of a surge frame 14 slidably mounted on the main frame 10 and independently actuated by means of a piston and cylinder device 17 to move in a fore/aft sense with respect to the frame 10.