Abstract: An apparatus for transporting an object is provided. The apparatus includes a mast and a carriage. The mast transitions between a first position defined by a first angle of incidence of the mast with a surface that supports the mast, and a second position defined by a second angle of incidence of the mast with the surface. The carriage traverses the mast and has one or more connectors that selectively secure the object to the carriage. The mast and the carriage are operative to transport the object along the surface when the mast is in the first position, and to facilitate engagement and disengagement of the one or more connectors with the object when the mast is in the second position.

Abstract: A map positioning system is presented. The map positioning system has a rectangular or X-Y drive having a map support surface coupled thereto and receptive to a map. The X-Y drive mechanism is computer controlled to drive an indicator to a definite coordinate relative to the map support thereby illuminating the exact coordinate point when the indicator is energized.

Abstract: A map positioning system is presented. The map positioning system has a rectangular or X-Y drive having a map support surface coupled thereto and receptive to a map. The X-Y drive mechanism is computer controlled to drive an indicator to a definite coordinate relative to the map support thereby illuminating the exact coordinate point when the indicator is energized.

Abstract: A combination X-Y positioning mechanism includes a first guide means linearly reciprocable relative to a frame and a second guide means linearly reciprocable relative to the first guide means with the directions of relative reciprocation being substantially mutually perpendicular. A first carriage means is slidable along the respective first guide means and a second carriage means is fixed to the second guide means responsively to the actuation of a closed loop driven by a pair of stationarily fixed bidirectional drive motors and engageable with a series of strategically placed pulleys. A carrier is slidably supported on the second guide means.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for generating start of combustion signals associated with the combustion events in a diesel engine (10), and for using such signals to control the timing of fuel delivery to the engine. The combustion event is sensed, as by an electrostatic (230, 330) or optical (130, 430) sensor, and signal conditioning circuitry (32) provides a start-of-combustion (SOC) signal (34) which is directly and precisely indicative of the time of the onset of combustion. The sensors (130, 230) include self-cleaning capabilities (48, 248) for extended operating life on an engine. The sensors may be incorporated in the structure of a glow plug (330, 430). The SOC signal (34) is advantageously supplied to a timing control circuit (26) which delivers a timing control signal (28) to a fuel delivery device, such as the controller (16') associated with a fuel pump (16).

Abstract: An x-y positioning device in which a cable or chain is used to drive a carriage, powered by two motors. The same cable that moves the carriage also constrains the angular orientation of the moving mechanism. In so doing, the moving parts can be made lighter and less expensively, while providing improved dynamics. All is advantageously applied to large, flat-bed plotters, to a computerized engraver, to a large sign painter, or to an elevator.

Abstract: An x-y positioning device in which a cable or chain is used to drive a carriage, powered by two motors. The same cable that moves the carriage also constrains the angular orientation of the moving mechanism. In so doing, the moving parts can be made lighter and less expensively, while providing improved dynamics. All is advantageously applied to large, flat-bed plotters, to a computerized engraver, to a large sign painter, or to an elevator.

Abstract: In a calendar book each page corresponds to a part of a month and is subdivided into a plurality of fragments corresponding to the different parts of the month. The fragments of a page are releasably secured to each other for ready separation. The separated fragments of the pages may be successively removed from the stack as time ensues for continuously revealing the current date and the successive dates next-following beyond the dates of the next-to-be-overturned fragment.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for generating start of combustion signals associated with the combustion events in a diesel engine, and for using such signals to control the timing of fuel delivery to the engine. The combustion event is sensed, as by an electrostatic or optical sensor, and signal conditioning circuitry provides a start-of-combustion signal which is directly and precisely indicative of the time of the onset of combustion. The sensors include self-cleaning capabilities for extended operating life on an engine. The sensors may be incorporated in the structure of a glow plug.The SOC signal is advantageously supplied to a timing control circuit which delivers a timing control signal to a fuel delivery device, such as the controller associated with a fuel pump. The control circuit stores one or more start of combustion values which indicate the desired timing, relative to an engine cycle, for the start of the combustion event as a function of speed and load.

Abstract: A single plunger distributor type fuel injection pump for multi-cylinder internal combustion engines having improved features for preventing cavitation in the fuel distribution passages upon fuel cutoff and for providing a uniform residual fuel pressure in the idle fuel distribution passages. The pump does not have the usual delivery valve for maintaining a high residual fuel pressure in the distribution passages. Instead, the passages upon injection termination drain into a spill chamber, the pressure within which builds up to resist fuel flow from the passages and minimize cavitation therewithin. The spill chamber pressure is relieved by a bleed passage opening into the low pressure fuel supply chamber. The pressure in the idle fuel distribution passages is maintained at a low predetermined level by connection of the passages to the fuel supply chamber between injection intervals.