Abstract: A dial assembly with magnetic calibration feature adapted for use as part of a gauge assembly for measuring fluid levels in cryogenic applications is disclosed. The dial assembly includes a base, a pivot pin extending from the base, a pointer assembly pivotally mounted on the pivot pin, and a calibration magnet with adjustment feature. The pointer assembly includes a pointer coupled with a pointer magnet. The calibration magnet with adjustment feature is magnetically coupled to the pointer magnet and adapted to adjust a position of the pointer magnet and therefore the pointer relative to volume indicia on a dial face of the dial assembly. In operation, a movement of the calibration magnet induces a movement in the pointer magnet. The adjustment feature is coupled to the calibration magnet such that it is manipulatable even when the dial assembly is mounted on a gauge head of a gauge assembly installed on a vessel.

Abstract: A dial assembly with magnetic calibration feature adapted for use as part of a gauge assembly for measuring fluid levels in cryogenic applications is disclosed. The dial assembly includes a base, a pivot pin extending from the base, a pointer assembly pivotally mounted on the pivot pin, and a calibration magnet with adjustment feature. The pointer assembly includes a pointer coupled with a pointer magnet. The calibration magnet with adjustment feature is magnetically coupled to the pointer magnet and adapted to adjust a position of the pointer magnet and therefore the pointer relative to volume indicia on a dial face of the dial assembly. In operation, a movement of the calibration magnet induces a movement in the pointer magnet. The adjustment feature is coupled to the calibration magnet such that it is manipulatable even when the dial assembly is mounted on a gauge head of a gauge assembly installed on a vessel.

Abstract: A docking station structure is used to operatively connect a notebook computer to desktop computer peripheral devices. The docking station has an internal receiving chamber into which the portable computer may be manually inserted, an electrical connector positioned within the receiving chamber, a travel plate movably carried within the receiving chamber, a motorized drive system operative to drive the travel plate toward and away from the electrical connector, and a latch structure carried by the travel plate for movement therewith. With the travel plate in a wait position thereof, the portable computer is rearwardly inserted into the receiving chamber. In response to such insertion, the latch structure automatically locks the computer to the travel plate, and the drive system rearwardly moves the travel plate to mate the electrical connector with a corresponding connector on the computer, thereby operatively linking the computer to the peripheral devices.

Abstract: A desktop computer is provided with an expansion card/riser card module which includes a housing within which a riser card and a plurality of associated expansion cards are removably supported and electrically coupled to one another. The module, and thus the riser and expansion cards it carries, may be quickly and operatively coupled to the computer motherboard simply by pushing the module housing downwardly onto the board in a manner matingly inserting a connection edge portion of the housing-supported riser card into a corresponding motherboard connection socket. The module may be quickly removed from the motherboard simply by pulling upwardly on the module to disconnect the riser card from the motherboard socket. In an alternate embodiment of the module, this disconnection is facilitated by a leveraged removal latch structure carried by the module housing and forcibly engageable with the motherboard to lift the module upwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A sheet metal support cage structure within a computer has an inturned side wall ledge portion and removably receives a spaced series of expansion cards. Extending along edge portions of the cards that face the ledge are sheet metal mounting brackets having outwardly bent end tab portions that overlie and engage the side wall ledge. The tabs are removably held in place on the ledge by an elongated hold-down bar secured at an inner end thereof to the cage structure for pivotal movement relative thereto between a closed position in which the bar overlies the tabs and captively retains them on the ledge, thereby locking the expansion cards in place within the cage structure, and an opened position in which the bar is moved away from the tabs and releases them from the ledge to permit the expansion cards to be removed from the cage structure.

Abstract: A docking station structure is used to operatively connect a notebook computer to desktop computer peripheral devices. The docking station has an internal receiving chamber into which the portable computer may be manually inserted, an electrical connector positioned within the receiving chamber, a travel plate movably carried within the receiving chamber, a motorized drive system operative to drive the travel plate toward and away from the electrical connector, and a latch structure carried by the travel plate for movement therewith. With the travel plate in a wait position thereof, the portable computer is rearwardly inserted into the receiving chamber. In response to such insertion, the latch structure automatically locks the computer to the travel plate, and the drive system rearwardly moves the travel plate to mate the electrical connector with a corresponding connector on the computer, thereby operatively linking the computer to the peripheral devices.

Abstract: A four-way integral switch mechanism allows activation of any one of four switches. This mechanism may be used to position a cursor on a display in both the vertical and horizontal directions where there is a need to control four separate switches to properly locate the cursor. The switch mechanism includes two switch toppers, one of which snaps into and pivots within the other along an axis in a first direction. These two switch toppers then snap into a base which provides a second pivot axis for the second topper which is 90 degrees from the first. The base may have guide pin holes for positioning it as well as the two switch toppers. A spring mechanism engages each of the four lower surfaces of the switch toppers. The switch toppers thereby form one integral whole providing control of four switches by sliding a finger in the direction that cursor movement is desired. Each key has only one degree of freedom, that of rotation, which gives the key a firm controlled feel.