Abstract: A foldable transport cart for planar materials for transporting planar materials includes material support frame pivotably coupled to a central frame, wherein the material support frame is configured to lock into each of a plurality of orientations including a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation. The material support frame has a support surface configured to support a planar material when the material support frame is in the horizontal position and a pair of stop plates configured to support the planar material when the material support frame is in the vertical position. Each of a pair of caster frames is pivotably coupled to the bottom of the central frame and are moveable between a deployed position and a folded position. A collapsed configuration which facilitates storage results when the material support frame is vertically oriented and each of the pair of caster frames is in its folded position.

Abstract: A foldable transport cart for planar materials for transporting planar materials includes material support frame pivotably coupled to a central frame, wherein the material support frame is configured to lock into each of a plurality of orientations including a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation. The material support frame has a support surface configured to support a planar material when the material support frame is in the horizontal position and a pair of stop plates configured to support the planar material when the material support frame is in the vertical position. Each of a pair of caster frames is pivotably coupled to the bottom of the central frame and are moveable between a deployed position and a folded position. A collapsed configuration which facilitates storage results when the material support frame is vertically oriented and each of the pair of caster frames is in its folded position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scribing tile is disclosed. The disclosed scribing tool preferably comprises a scribe member, a tile engagement member, and an extension member. The scribe member is preferably connected to the tile engagement member via the extension member. The extension member is preferably pivotally connected to the scribe member and both pivotally and slideably connected to the tile engagement member.

Abstract: A device utilizing a fluid motor is disclosed. The device comprises a housing and a reciprocating piston in the housing. The piston and the housing may be configured to define at least two variable-volume chambers. A multi-port valve may be associated with the piston, and may be in communication with the at least two chambers. A valve actuating mechanism may be configured to actuate the multi-port valve to affect a fluid path in the device. The device may also include a valve engagement-release mechanism configured to maintain the multi-port valve in a position when the valve is not being actuated. An inlet port and an outlet port may be in selective communication with each piston chamber through the multi-port valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scribing tile is disclosed. The disclosed scribing tool preferably comprises a scribe member, a tile engagement member, and an extension member. The extension member is preferably pivotally connected to the scribe member and both pivotally and slideably connected to the tile engagement member in a manner connecting the tile engagement member to the scribe member. The scribing tool also preferably comprises a locking member that is biased toward a position that prevents relative movement between the extension member and the tile engagement member.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device includes a housing and a reciprocating piston in the housing. The piston and the housing may be configured to at least partially define at least two variable-volume chambers. An inlet chamber port and an outlet chamber port may be associated with each of the at least two chambers. A valve member may be operatively associated with each inlet chamber port and outlet chamber port to permit or prohibit fluid flow past the respective inlet chamber port and outlet chamber port. The two chambers may be in a state of fluid isolation, such that fluid in one of the chambers does not enter into any other chamber. A valve actuating means may be configured to shift the valve members to permit or prohibit fluid flow past the inlet and outlet chamber ports. A release mechanism may be associated with at least one valve member. The release mechanism may be configured to allow the valve actuating means to shift the valve members to permit or prohibit fluid flow past the inlet or outlet chamber ports.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for receiving and processing an optical signal representative of electronic information. In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a light-emitting diode which is reverse biased to receive the optical signal and convert the optical signal to an electronic signal. Means are provided for determining time periods during which the electronic signal produced by the light-emitting diode is below a predetermined threshold. Means are provided for generating a dark current error signal indicative of a sampled output of the light-emitting diode during said time periods. Means are also provided for holding the error signal during other time periods when the electronic signal produced by the light-emitting diode is not below the predetermined threshold. Finally, means are provided for modifying the electronic signal produced by the light-emitting diode as a function of the held error signal to obtain an output electronic signal.

Abstract: The invention utilizes a commercially available so-called "quad-pack" of logic gates; i.e. four exclusive OR or exclusive NOR gates mounted in a package. With minimal use of additional components and minimal circuit coupling, a quad-pack of this type is used to produce a detector circuit with FM limiting and an approximate 90.degree. phase shift. The circuit can be used for detecting an FM modulated video signal.

Abstract: A decoder apparatus (200) provides an R,G,B,I video drive signal in a TTL type of format from a received composite video input signal which comprises sync information and displayable information, such as conventional black and white video or a digitally encoded color video signal comprising a sixteen level code for providing sixteen possible color combinations of R,G,B, and I, without loss of bandwidth. The decoder (200) includes means for receiving the composite video input signal (202,10) and restoring it into separate DC restored sync (20a, 20b) and black and white or color video display information (30, 40, 50), both of which may be displayed on the same RGB monitor (107). White reference level signals are dynamically provided from the sampled video information and are used by a flash converter (100) in converting grey scale digitally encoded color video information into the TTL format R,G,B,I type of video signal (60, 70, 80a, 80b, 82a, 82b, 82c) which recovers the origianl R,G,B,I color signal.

Abstract: A cross-talk suppression circuit is disclosed for use in an optical communications system which employs a light-emitting diode. A video signal and an audio-modulated carrier signal are both coupled to the light-emitting diode. A cross-talk reducing circuit is provided to couple the audio-modulated carrier signal to the light-emitting diode. The circuit comprises a voltage-controlled phase shifter for coupling the audio-modulated carrier signal to the light emitting diode, the phase shifter having a phase shift that is controlled by the video signal.

Abstract: A predistortion circuit is disclosed for correcting distortions in an optical communication system caused by the characteristics of a light-emitting diode. The invention makes use of the existence of automatic gain control circuitry in the receiver portion of an optical communication system to assist in correction of distortions which occur at the transmitter end. In particular, the present invention provides passive pre-distortion circuitry in the transmitter which dynamically modifies the level with respect to which the video signal in the transmitter is clamped. The automatic gain control circuit in the receiver will detect the DC level of the received video. A shift in the DC reference level transmitted causes the receiver AGC to correct the receiver gain.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a video display apparatus which includes a cathode ray tube having at least one electron gun and means for deriving a source of excitatory voltage signal representative of picture information. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a system for stabilizing the display intensity of the electron gun comprising means for amplifying the voltage signal and a constant current means including resistive means coupling the amplified voltage signal to the cathode of said electron gun, the resistive means having an impedance which is substantially greater than the input impedance of the cathode. In another embodiment of the invention, amplifier means are provided for applying the excitatory voltage signal to a control grid of the electron gun and a feedback signal generating means is provided for sensing the beam current of the electron gun and generating a feedback signal as a function of the sensed current.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a video display apparatus which includes a cathode ray tube having at least one electron gun and means for deriving a source of excitatory voltage signal representative of picture information. In accordance with the invention there is provided a system for stabilizing the display intensity attributable to the electron gun comprising means coupling the source of voltage signal to the gun for generating a stabilized current in the gun, the level of current in the gun being substantially independent of variations in the operating characteristics of the gun. In the preferred embodiment of the invention a test signal is periodically applied at a predetermined level to the gun. A sampler samples the beam current of the gun during the test signal and generates a correction signal in accordance with the sample value. The correction signal is applied to the electron gun so as to stabilize its reference current level.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a video display apparatus which includes a cathode ray tube having at least one electron gun and means for deriving a source of excitatory voltage signal representative of picture information. In accordance with the invention there is provided a system for stabilizing the display intensity attributable to the electron gun comprising means coupling the source of voltage signal to the gun for generating a stabilized current in the gun, the level of current in the gun being substantially independent of variations in the operating characteristics of the gun. In the preferred embodiment of the invention a test signal is periodically applied at a predetermined level to the gun. A sampler samples the beam current of the gun during the test signal and generates a correction signal in accordance with the sample value. The correction signal is applied to the electron gun so as to stabilize its reference current level.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in conjunction with a processing system of the type which receives an input video signal comprising successive scanlines, each of which consists of a blanking portion that includes timing signals followed by an active portion representative of color picture information. The processing system is of a type that has an inherent delay whereby the output thereof is a television video signal delayed with respect to the input video signal. The invention is directed to an apparatus for generating a revised output video signal having timing signals in synchronism with the input video. In accordance with the invention there is provided a means for generating blanking portions in synchronism with the blanking portions of the input video signal.