Abstract: The present invention relates to spring conductors used within modular jack assemblies. The spring conductors electrically connect with conductors residing on a multi-connector plug to connect communication equipment, digital or audio, to a transmission line. The spring conductors maintain connection with the conductors on the plug by a spring force inherent in the spring conductor. The present invention measures this spring force with a probe inserted into the modular jack assembly. The output of the probe being proportional to the spring force.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for re-creating expression effects contained in musical renditions recorded in MIDI format for reproduction on solenoid actuated player piano systems. Detected strike velocity information contained in the MIDI recording is decoded and correlated to strike maps stored in a controlling microprocessor, the strike maps containing data corresponding to desired expression effects. Time differentiated pulses of fixed width and amplitude are directed to the actuating solenoids in accordance with the data in the strike maps, and the actuating solenoids in turn strike the piano strings. Thereafter, pulses of uniform amplitude and frequency are directed to the actuating solenoids to sustain the strike until the end of the musical note. The strike maps dynamically control the position of the solenoid during the entire duration of the strike to compensate for non-linear characteristics of solenoid operation and piano key movement, thus providing true reproduction of the original musical performance.

Abstract: An improved swept frequency domain reflectometry instrument has an input/output terminal coupled to one end of a cable. A radio frequency at the input/output terminal is converted to an intermediate frequency using a swept local frequency. The radio frequency is derived from the swept local frequency and a variable offset frequency. A controller controls the variable offset frequency, monitoring the amplitude of the intermediate frequency. A period counter counts the intermediate frequency at a first maximum response of the intermediate frequency and further counts the offset frequency at a second maximum response of the intermediate frequency. The location of a discontinuity in the cable is calculated from the counted frequencies.

Abstract: A modular patch or wiring administration panel comprises an elongated support that fits into a standard rack used for telecommunications. The panel has a plurality of openings on the front side thereof, each of which is of size to receive a standard communications socket. The openings are divided into pairs by anchoring lugs positioned between the openings which are accessible from the rear side of the panel. A two port or opening module is provided and held in each of the supports, and each of the two port modules is made to accept a wide variety of line connection devices, either male or female, so that the same panel can have many variations of connections. The two port module permits movement of the module within the panel, for better space utilization. For example, an input jack and an output jack on the same module and on the same panel, and termination units are easily connected at the rear of each of the modules.

Abstract: This invention relates to extrusion-grade compositions comprising mixtures of wholly aromatic polyesters. These compositions can be extruded into smooth films and sheets having good properties and pleasing visual appearances.

Abstract: A multiple dwelling interface box has a plurality of individual customer compartments to provide distribution to individual customers from one secure compartment housing communication company equipment. The box will contain up to six single or six two line modular customer interfaces. The invididual securable compartments are provided for easy invididual subscriber access on a panel or partition that hinges to provide access to the telephone company equipment, but which panel can be locked to prevent customer access to the communication company equipment.

Abstract: An improved strip line component and method of manufacture are disclosed that permit strip line circuits to be packaged in component form and to be soldered directly to conventional circuit boards. Electrical contact pads are formed on the side of the strip line component during fabrication by drilling holes through the multilayer laminar assembly and plating the holes with a conductive material. The laminar assembly is then cut along lines that intersect the holes, thereby exposing plated indentations along the sides of the cut component. The component so cut can then be soldered to a circuit board using the plated indentations. The method is well adapted to the economical manufacture of large numbers of identical components.

Abstract: Sheet material especially useful in forming wrappers for smokeable articles such as cigarettes that results in reduced sidestream smoke. The sheet is formed by incorporating as a filler in a cellulosic web an amount of high (at least about 20 M.sup.2 /g) superficial surface area filler in the range generally of about 5 to 50 percent by weight in the finished sheet resulting in a web superficial surface area of at least about 80 M.sup.2 per square meter of web. The cellulosic material may be flax fiber or other natural cellulosic fibers conventionally used for such wrappers. Additional fillers may be used up to a total of about 50 percent, and burn modifier salts included. Examples of salts include the sodium or potassium salts of acids such as carbonic, formic, acetic, propionic, malic, lactic, glycolic, citric, tartaric, fumaric, oxalic, malonic, succinic, nitric, and phosphoric. The sheet can be formed by any conventional papermaking method.

Abstract: An instrument for establishing a horizontal plane for leveling ceilings, tables, floors and the like, consisting of a reference head having a translucent liquid reservoir, an adjustable field head, and a hose for interconnecting the two heads. With the level of liquid in the reservoir calibrated to correspond to the desired elevation, the liquid level at the field head at the other end of the hose will correspond to the selected reference level, thereby providing a means for defining a horizontal plane which is independent of a continuous line of sight. A plurality of datum scales in visual juxtaposition with the reference head reservoir and correlated to the mounting channel or to the base of the reference head provide reference marks at known vertical distances from these mounting points.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric having oil and grease absorbency properties but also having the capability to release at least about 60 percent of such oil or grease in accordance with the grease release test described. Such webs include a matrix of microfibers and may include up to about 75 percent of other fibers such as staple or wood pulp. The web is treated with one or more compositions selected from carboxymethyl cellulose and derivatives, vinyl carboxypolymers, hydroxy ethyl ether starch derivatives, and acrylics. The treatment permits the web to retain its fibrous structure while at least partially coating said fibers to reduce the oleophilic nature of the web. Examples of useful fibers include polyolefins, especially polypropylene, polyesters, and polyamides. The web is preferably bonded by a patterned application of fuse bonds covering up to about 14 percent of surface area and in a frequency of up to about 15 bonds per square inch.

Abstract: Method for increasing the absorbency of cellulosic fibers by a high temperature wet treatment comprising heating the fibers in a water bath at temperatures within the range of about 95.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. for periods ranging from about one to sixty minutes. Absorbency of the treated fibers is thus increased by more than 2% of the corresponding untreated fibers as measured by the Syngyna Test Method. By employing such materials in catamenial tampons, sanitary napkins or the like, the amount of absorbent material may be decreased by 10% or more relative to the corresponding, untreated absorbent material, without adversely affecting the absorbent characteristics thereof.

Abstract: The molding properties of molding compounds based on wholly aromatic polyesters are improved by the addition to such wholly aromatic polyester compositions of a minor amount of an aromatic polyester which is a combination of the following units: ##STR1## Where; p=0 to 0.9, q=0.1 to 1.00, r=1 to 7, S=0.3 to 1.00, t=0 to 0.7. A preferred formulation consists of a polyester where the units are: p=0, q=1.0, r=1 to 5 and S=1.0.

Abstract: Resilient attachments are mounted on a feed auger of the type having a central drum mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis, spiral flights mounted on longitudinal ends of the drum, and a central drum portion having a plurality of radially extending feed fingers. Each resilient attachment is mounted on and extends radially from the central drum portion about one of the fingers. During operation of the auger, the attachment prevents the accumulation of vegetation on the auger, improves feeding of the vegetation to the combine throat and protects the auger from damage.

Abstract: An improved filter screen device is provided which comprises an elongated, tubular housing, a hollow elongated perforated tubular member releasably secured in the hollow central interior of the housing and a flexible sock-type filter screen releasably disposed over the outer surface of the tubular member in the housing. The housing includes an open upstream end which is closed by the tubular member and a closed opposite downstream end. An inlet is disposed at an acute angle to the length of the housing and intersects the housing interior between its upstream and downstream ends. A first outlet is disposed at the downstream end along about the longitudinal axis of the housing so as to communicate with the interior of the hollow tubular member. A second outlet is also disposed in the downstream end of the housing at an angle to the first outlet and communicates with a space between the filter screen and the housing.

Abstract: An improved reversible quick exhaust valve is provided which comprises, in combination, a valve housing and a flexible resilient valve member disposed in the housing. The housing has a hollow interior and defines and entry port and first and second exit ports. A valve support is positioned in the interior to define with the housing a narrow passageway between the inlet port and the first exit port. The valve member is in the form of a flexible plate having a depending wall. The plate is disposed over one end of the valve support and the depending wall extends into the passageway. The plate blocks passage of liquid from the inlet port to the second exit port. The depending wall flexes during passage of the liquid from the inlet port into the housing and through the passageway to permit the liquid to pass out of the housing through the first exit port.

Abstract: An improved liquid filtration system is provided which comprises, in combination, a tank or other vessel having a central cavity and a liquid inlet tube and liquid outlet tube spaced apart. A porous, rigid, self-supporting removable filter is placed in the tank between the liquid inlet and liquid outlet and forms part of the system. The filter comprises a plurality of modules, each module comprising a self-supporting body of granules cemented together by set organic resin such as epoxy resin and disposed in a frame of, for example, fiberglass-reinforced nylon. Preferably, the modules are steeple shaped, placed in a circle or wheel configuration and removably secured to a cross plate fixed to the walls inside the tank. The upstream portion of the filter body in each module preferably contains a layer of fine aggregate while the downstream portion of the filter body preferably contains a layer of larger aggregate.

Abstract: A wood burning stove comprises top and bottom portions and unitary metal side panels having inwardly extending manifold sections running from the rear of the stove towards the front. Each said manifold section is formed by bending the metal to form a channel which lies wholly inwardly of the outer plane of each such panel, a unitary rear panel having an inwardly extending manifold section across the rear of the stove. The side manifolds extend from the front to rear of the stove, the end of each manifold being closed. There is an opening in the rear portion of each said side manifold and an opening in each end of said rear manifold, said openings in the side manifolds being aligned with the openings in the rear manifolds to permit passage of air from the rear manifold to the side manifold.

Abstract: An attachment is provided for a feed auger of the type having a cylindrical drum mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis, spiral flights mounted on opposite longitudinal ends of the drum, and a central drum portion having a plurality of radially extending feed fingers. The attachment is resilient and is mounted on and extends radially from the central drum portion about the fingers. During operation of the auger, the attachment prevents the accumulation of vegetation on the auger, improves the feeding of the vegetation to the combine throat and protects the auger from damage.