Abstract: A method and retainer for retaining a circuit board in a mounted position within a housing of an electronic device. A working distance is determined, which is defined as the distance between the circuit board and the housing, and the length of the retainer is adjusted to such working distance, so that when a first end portion of the retainer is secured to a circuit board and the circuit board is mounted in the housing, the second end portion of the retainer is positioned to engage the housing and thereby retain the circuit board in a mounted position during shipment of the electronic device.

Abstract: A protective cover for electronical equipment such as a magnetic disk read-record unit includes a hinged cover element having sealing surfaces disposed on the edges thereof to prevent pollutants from being drawn into the electronic equipment, and also includes an actuator on the exterior of the cover which extends therethrough and cooperates with a mating element on the housing of the electronic equipment when said cover element is closed, to effect latching of the cover element in place and operation of the electronic equipment when said actuator is operated.

Abstract: Log clamping apparatus adapted for insertion between existing log conveyors and including a frame, a pair of jaws hingably engaging the frame, a pair of jacks hingably engaging the jaws and operable to open and close the jaws, and control apparatus for selectively activating the jacks. The jaws are laterally offset, hingably engaging the frame and one another, and are provided with an arcuate portion for clamping the log to prevent lateral movement and a lower, substantially planar portion operable to lift a log during the cutting process to prevent binding of the cutting saw in its contact with the log.

Abstract: There is disclosed a checkout system for use in a supermarket or other retail merchandise store or the like. The checkout system includes a stand alone label scanner device for scanning data bearing labels on the merchandise items and a bag supporting cart pivotally secured at one end to the floor adjacent the scanning device for supporting bags in an open position to receive merchandise items. Associated with the bagging cart is a counter shelf member pivotally attached to the cart. Slidably mounted on the shelf member is a shelf extension member. In one mode of operation the cart is positioned adjacent the discharged end of the scanning device to allow the checkout operator to move in one motion the merchandise items past the scanning device and into a bag located on the cart.

Abstract: An automatic checkout system for a supermarket, or other retail merchandise store or the like. The system includes a checkout counter and a bagging cart movably mounted to the rear of the checkout counter for supporting bags orientated to receive items from the checkout counter. In one mode of operation, the cart is positioned to allow the operator to both check out and load merchandise items into the bags on the cart. In another mode of operation, the cart is rotated away from the checkout counter and a counter shelf is positioned between the cart and the checkout counter to allow a bagger to continue to receive and load items from the checkout counter into the same bags. The construction of the checkout counter and the bagging cart allows transition from one mode of operation to the other to occur without interrupting the checkout operation.