Abstract: A steering column connected to a vehicle electronic system having an electronic jack and a vehicle steering mechanism for a motor vehicle. The steering column includes a clock spring in electronic communication with a steering wheel. The clock spring includes a first electronic connector for communication with the vehicle electronic system; a second electronic connector including a plug having at least one pin and located at the first end of an electronic conduit to thereby connect with the electronic jack upon assembly within the vehicle; and a third electronic connector at the second end of the electronic conduit in connection with the first electronic connector of the clock spring. Electronic communication throughout the steering column is established by connection of the electronic conduit to the vehicle electronic system.

Abstract: An inertia controlled deceleration signal apparatus for use in a leading automobile vehicle, which apparatus is in addition to the standard brake signal light and transmits a warning light to a following automobile vehicle upon braking, and operates to initiate a warning light, which warning light is either on or off wherein to indicate a severe or panic braking operation or of increasing light intensity wherein to indicate a controlled braking operation.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a vehicle steering column 10 is designed to provide a modular quick-connect to a vehicle electronic system 12 and a vehicle steering mechanism 14. A steering wheel 36 is connected to a clock spring 34 in a known manner thereby providing electronic communication with the steering wheel 36. An electronic conduit 36 extends along the length of the steering column 10 and is preferably constructed of a rigid material. The electronic conduit 26 includes a first end and a second end for providing electronic communication from the clock spring 34 to the vehicle electronic system at an end of the steering column 10 opposite the steering wheel 36.

Abstract: Apparatus and a concommitant method for generating an approximation of a logarithmically attenuated value of a digital signal in predefined increments. Specifically, the apparatus comprises a shift register, a latch and an adder. The shift register selectively shifts the digital signal a first number of bits to the right to produce a first shifted signal and then a second number of bits to the right to produce a second shifted signal. The latch is connected to the shift register and latches the first shifted digital signal while the digital signal is being shifted to form the second shifted signal. The adder is connected to the shift register and the latch and adds the first shifted signal to the second shifted signal to produce the attenuated value of the input digital signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for detecting and concealing errors in stored digital samples. A multibit digital input sample is received and an error detecting code, corresponding to that input sample is calculated. Then a multibit digital storage sample is generated by substituting the error detecting code for the same number of least significant bits of the input sample. The storage sample is then stored in a memory device. A previously stored sample is retrieved from the memory device and is analyzed to detect whether an error has occurred. If an error is detected, a substitute sample is produced for the retrieved sample, otherwise the retrieved sample is produced.

Abstract: A crystal oscillator including a laser light source for emitting a laser beam to an aligned quartz crystal coupled to an oscillator circuit by an optical feedback network. The optical feedback network is responsive to variations of misalignment of the laser beam with the crystal and correction signals generated for introduction back to the crystal to bring its frequency back to a constant standard frequency output.

Abstract: A casting apparatus includes a substantially stationary heating chamber having an upper pouring opening and a substantially open lower end; an outer cooling spool disposed at a periphery of the open lower end of the heating chamber; a chill plate having an aperture therethrough and movable through the lower end of the heating chamber; a mold assembly receivable in the chamber and movable through the lower end of the chamber and including peripherally disposed mold cavities defining a substantially interior space accessible through the open lower end of the chamber, an inner cooling spool movable through the aperture of the chill plate and the open lower end of the mold assembly; a first actuator for vertically displacing the chill plate and mold assembly; and a second actuator for vertically displacing the inner cooling spool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for detecting and concealing errors in stored digital samples. A multibit digital input sample is received and an error detecting code, corresponding to that input sample is calculated. Then a multibit digital storage sample is generated by substituting the error detecting code for the same number of least significant bits of the input sample. The storage sample is then stored in a memory device. A previously stored sample is retrieved from the memory device and is analyzed to detect whether an error has occurred. If an error is analyzed to detected, a substitute sample produced for the retrieved sample, otherwise the retrieved sample is produced.

Abstract: An in-line skate with full access frame is provided which includes a skate boot with a sole portion, a two-piece frame secured to the boot sole and a plurality of wheels. The frame includes a first frame portion and a second frame portion cooperating to form a wheel channel when the second frame portion is in a first position adjacent to the first frame portion. The skate wheels are disposed for rotation within the wheel channel. Preferably, the first frame portion is securely connected to the boot sole with the second frame portion movably connected to the first frame portion. The second frame portion is movable from the first position adjacent to the first frame portion to a second position away from the first frame portion to allow access to the wheels. The second frame portion preferably includes at least one connector member sized to be received within a corresponding support cavity or slot in the first frame portion or the boot sole when the second frame portion is in the first position.

Abstract: Portable electronic equipment is disclosed which includes a source of power and operational circuitry. A load device, which may be internal or external to the equipment, is coupleable to the operational circuitry. A switch is coupled between the power source and the operational circuitry and connects the power source to the operating circuitry only when the load device is coupled to the operational circuitry. In portable audio equipment, for example, the switch connects the power source to the operational circuitry only if an external or the internal speaker is coupled to the operational circuitry.

Abstract: An interpolation filter includes a subtractor, a weighting circuit and an adder, wherein the subtractor is conditioned to form differences of adjacent original samples, and the weighting circuit weights the differences with a predetermined value. The adder is arranged to a) pass an original sample; b) add a weighted difference to the original sample; and c) successively add the weighted difference to the previously generated sample to form successive samples.

Abstract: A method for producing lutetium oxyorthosilicate crystals includes maintaining the interface between a crystal and the melt from which it is pulled substantially flat as the crystal is grown. In a Czochralski growth method, the rate of rotation of the crystal and its diameter are typically controllable to provide the flat interface as the crystal is pulled. Crystals produced by this method exhibit less variability in scintillation behavior so making them particularly suitable for spectroscopic uses. Such crystals find uses in borehole logging tools.

Abstract: A stake and coupler for holding an irrigation device, such as a sprinkler, for use in a home gardening watering system. The stake is an elongated plastic body having a substantially constant multilobed crosssection. One end of the stake has a projection for mounting an irrigation device, the other end a pointed tip for anchoring the stake in the ground. The coupler is a hollow plastic body, both ends of which contain identical openings and which will receive either end of the stake for joining two stakes together.

Abstract: A strip made up of a linear series of rigid links hinged together. Magnets are mounted on certain links, at spaced points, for holding the strip on the object to be cut by a torch. Spacers are located on the links on which the magnets are not mounted, holding those links in spaced relation from the object, even with the other links. All the links together define straight lines of their side edges.

Abstract: A hole cutter for plastic tubing comprising a pair of opposed members pivotally joined at one end thereof, means between said opposed members for limiting their separation in open position, recesses within the opposed members for gripping a tube and a hollow cylindrical blade rotatably mounted on one of the opposed members, adapted upon rotation to cut a hole in a tube gripped in the cutter.