Abstract: An apparatus for detecting fraud in a coin detector is disclosed. The apparatus is provided with a coin validating device. A coin sensing apparatus, located downstream of the coin validating device and preferably including a plurality of optic emitter-detector pairs arranged to detect the passage of the coin, is also provided. The coin sensing apparatus is adapted to provide improved resistance to miscounting of coins and to traditional gimmicks used to cheat coin operated devices such as tilting the coin detector.

Abstract: A fork lift truck includes a fork level sensor located in the forks, away from the vertical mast of a lift truck for detecting the true level of the forks, and a vision system including a camera which may take several forms. In one form, a single camera is mounted in a housing which may be moved to a protected location vertically either by sliding in the carriage assembly, or by use of a parallelogram device. In another form, multiple cameras are employed where a second camera may be either mounted above the first camera in the same housing or mounted between the forks. Alternatively, the first camera may perform multiple roles by being moved vertically from a first predetermined location below the bottom of the forks to a higher elevation a second predetermined location relative to the forks.

Abstract: There is disclosed a telephone cord winder having a single, torsional spring driven cord reel which is rotationally mounted within a cord winder housing. The extendible telephone cord is wound on the reel and electrically connected, through an internal rotary connector, to a stationary cord. Each of the extendible and stationary cords terminates in a modular phone plug adapted to be received in conventional modular phone sockets with multiple contacts, conventionally four or six contacts for phones.

Abstract: A coin mech controller (70), when receiving a coin payment set command from a main controller (10), judges the presence or absence of a coin within an acceptor (100). In the absence of a coin within the acceptor (100), the coin mech controller (70) controls to immediately pay out coins corresponding to a coin payment amount calculated by the main controller (10). In the presence of a coin within the acceptor (100), the coin mech controller (70) controls to pay out coins corresponding to the coin payment amount calculated by the main controller (10) after the coin within the acceptor (100) has passed through.

Abstract: A receptacle for mounting a plurality of cord reel inserts, each insert being of the type having a spool carrying a cord inside a case and mounted on a shaft journalled at each end to opposing walls of the case. The shaft has a square end of said shaft extending out of the case and is spring biased to turn in a rewind direction. A disk having an internal cam surface with a shoulder is mounted to turn on each shaft end. A releasable catch, secured to the inside wall of the housing, is spring loaded to engage the disk and, together with the shape of the internal cam surface, permits turning the cord spool in one direction such as to permit extending the cord from the receptacle but engages the shaft to prevent turning in the opposite direction. When the operator depresses a spring biased button, the disk is released from the catch permitting the spring biased spool to turn and rewind the cord.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for sorting, counting and dispensing tokens such as coins used in games in which its driven member is composed of a driving block and a turntable set on a spindle of an electric motor so that a simple assembly can be achieved. The turntable is operated within the limitation of a ledge of a hopper so that threading connections can be omitted and the turntable will not separate from the hopper during operation. Furthermore, the improved apparatus has a stop lever mounted on the holder for preventing the tokens from falling from the delivery passages back to the turntable. The turntable is designed with a plurality of flanges extending integrally and upwardly from the surface thereof. The flanges are spaced and arranged to form a plurality of channels therebetween so that fingers of a block of the holder can extend into the channels to smoothly deliver the tokens.

Abstract: A sorting installation for useful products is proposed, which serves in particular to sort out reusable packaging materials. In order to achieve the sorting-out of individual types of packaging with maximum efficiency, the sorting-out of individual monofractions is undertaken, on one or more manual sorting sections, onto a collector conveyor belt which is connected in parallel, the content of which, after sorting-out is complete, is introduced into an associated bunker.

Abstract: An electrical collector shoe assembly for a rail electrification system, including a metal holder member in the form of an elongate block body having spaced-apart gripping flanges projecting from its opposite sides upwardly and inwardly of the body, an elongate metal collector shoe extending along the top of the block body and having recessed surfaces in its opposite sides and in which the gripping flanges are disposed, and advanceable studs carried by the block body and engaged with the under portion of the collector shoe, applying an upward thrust to the shoe to cause the gripping flanges of the block body to be forcibly engaged with the recessed surfaces of the shoe. There is thus established a unitary electrical and mechanical connection between the shoe and holder member. Servicing and/or replacement of the shoe is greatly facilitated as a consequence of the simplicity of the assembly.

Abstract: An energy collector allows flow of electrical energy between a vehicle and a rail of a railway track. The energy collector includes a vehicle mounting device for mounting the energy collector to such vehicle; a collector shoe for sliding electrical contact on such rail; and a lever arm having a first end and a second end. The energy collector also includes a bottom torsion unit connected to the collector shoe and connected to the second end of the lever arm. The bottom torsion unit is disposed so that the collector shoe is forcefully and generally aligned upon such rail even as the collector shoe encounters physical deviations along a surface of such rail. The energy collector further includes a top torsion unit connected to the vehicle mounting device and connected to the first end of the lever arm.

Abstract: A retractable device for mounting a length of high speed coaxial cable is taught. The device allows for easy connection of coaxial cable to various electronic devices while also being readily disconnected and stored as needed. The device comprises a compact housing containing a thin coaxial cable having connectors at each end. The cable can be dispensed from the housing as needed and then drawn back into the housing using an actuator, such as a crank handle, following use. The device is particularly effective for establishing temporary electronic signal connections, such as connecting a television to a cable television signal source or a computer to a computer network. The coaxial cable used in the present invention is capable of high speed signal transmission, such as accurately transmitting a primary signal frequency in excess of 40,000 Hz.

Abstract: A contact shoe assembly for a train movable along a support track having an electrically-energized power rail extending substantially parallel with the support track. The contact shoe assembly includes a support member with two spaced-apart guide channels. A bracket arm is positioned between the guide channels and equipped with ball bearings that roll within the guide channels. A contact shoe is connected to a lower outwardly-extending portion of the bracket arm for contacting the power rail. A spring mounted between the support member and the bracket arm biases the contact shoe into a yielding engagement with the power rail. Vertical movement of the bracket arm responsive to a varying height of the power rail maintains the contact surface of the contact shoe horizontal and parallel to the power rail. This parallel arrangement reduces wear to the equipment and ensures the effective transmission of power to the train.

Abstract: A trailer wire recoil device including a housing that has a plurality of mounting holes within a front wall. Each mounting hole receives a screw that extends through a rear wall for mounting the housing behind a vehicle's license plate. A receptacle has an internal wire positioned within a connector block of the housing. The receptacle is positioned within a slot of a left side edge of the housing. Also, a rotatable member is provided. An axle rod is vertically positioned within the housing between the front wall and the rear wall. The axle rod has a disc member with a plurality of contact points that are in connection with the connector block. The rotatable member is positioned over the axle rod and in contact with the disc. A trailer wire is wrapped around the rotatable member positioned within the housing and extends from a right side edge of the housing. A spring member is attached to the axle rod and the rotatable member.

Abstract: A roadway-powered electric vehicle system includes: (1) an all-electric vehicle; and (2) a roadway network over which the vehicle travels. The all-electric vehicle has one or more onboard energy storage elements or devices that can be rapidly charged or energized with energy obtained from an electrical current, such as a network of electromechanical batteries. The electric vehicle further includes an on-board controller that extracts energy from the energy storage elements, as needed, and converts such extracted energy to electrical energy used to propel the electric vehicle. The energy storage elements may be charged while the vehicle is in operation. The charging occurs through a network of power coupling elements, e.g., coils, embedded in the roadway. As the vehicle passes over such power coupling elements as it is driven on the roadway network, electrical current is inductively coupled to corresponding onboard power coupling elements, e.g., coils, and used to charge the onboard energy storage devices.

Abstract: A roller for use in a roller guide for sliding elevator doors may include a resilient element for effecting quieter elevator operation. The resilient element may form a roller body with a bowl shaped annular casing of sheet steel to run along a carrier section including a preferably greased rail running surface. The roller body may be dimensioned such that the spring effect of the resilient element is stressed only within the elastic range or limit of the sheet steel. To obtain optimum spring effect, a radius of the rail running surface may be slightly greater than a radius of the roller body. Also, the roller body may include an open side.

Abstract: Apparatus for singulating sheets of paper and detecting a double feed. The apparatus includes: a sheet feeder having a feed deck; a separator wheel housing secured to the feed deck; a separator wheel mounted in the separator wheel housing; a stone mount located beneath the separator wheel, the stone mount being secured to the feed deck; a separator stone mounted in the stone mount beneath the separator wheel; a Hall effect sensor located in the stone mount downstream of the separator stone; and a magnet secured to the feeder, the magnet being biased against the Hall effect sensor, whereby the Hall effect sensor can detect feed without being effected by any fluctuations in the feed deck.

Abstract: A housing for a retractable cord mechanism includes a first body, a second body and a coupling for securing the first body to the second body in a water tight manner to create a composite body with an interior cavity. The composite body has a snout-like projection with an opening positioned at a terminus of the snout-like projection. The composite body is mounted with the snout-like projection angled downwardly such that any water splashed up into the interior cavity of the composite housing drains by force of gravity out of the opening at the terminus of the snout-like projection.

Abstract: A currency validator with a cash cassette for use in vending machines has an acceptor module for receiving various sizes and denominations of currency, a sensor which confirms the validity of the currency and a drive unit which transfers the currency to a stacker mechanism for inserting the currency into a cassette cash box that is securable and tamper resistant. The currency validator also has a screw drive mechanism operative with the stacker wherein the screw drive mechanism controls the movement of the stacker to insert the currency into the cassette cash box. A processor controls the stroke or movement of the stacker mechanism depending upon the size of the currency inserted into the currency validator. Moreover, the cassette cash box is structured such that the stacker is included within the cassette cash box and is operatively controlled by the rotation and movement of the screw drive mechanism which may also be included in the cash cassette.

Abstract: An extension cord reel assembly with ground fault interrupt outlets comprising: a main housing unit including a front wall and a rear wall and an upper region including at least one carry handle affixed thereto, the front wall including a large circular aperture and the rear wall including a small circular aperture; a hub including planar first and second end members and a cylindrical central section, the hub being positioned within the outer housing, the first end member including a recess and a rewind handle, an electrical cord and plug extending from the interior of the hub and through the outer housing; at least one outlet box being positioned within a recess of the first end member and operatively coupled to the electrical cord, each outlet box including duplex female ground electrical sockets, a ground fault interrupt device, and a power indicator light, a front cover plate being coupled to the first end member of the hub, a rear cover plate being coupled to the second end member, the hub being rotatabl

Abstract: A coin mechanism capable for simultaneously accepting two coins in generally opposed coin slots measures the diameter and thickness of each coin at the commencement of the actuation of the coin mechanism and includes a rocking blade to obstruct one of the coin slots so as to prevent unauthorized removal of a coin.

Abstract: Brush contact for a vehicle, in particular a vehicle that runs on rails and that has a propulsion unit that is to be supplied with an electric current, with a sliding element for the transferral of the electric current from a live conductor, which is carrying an electric current, into the vehicle, whereby the sliding element contains carbon in at least one part of its contact surface that is turned toward the live conductor, whereby the brush contact is characterized by the feature that the contact surface that is turned toward the live conductor has at least one current-transferral region of a layer that comprises a composite material based on carbon-fiber-reinforced carbon.