Abstract: A spring loaded over-center draw latch is provided having a latch bail that exerts an upward force on the mating parts when the latch is closed. The latch includes self-alignment feature attached to the latch body, which prevents misalignment of the mating parts when the latch is closed.

Abstract: A filtered exhaust conduit is provided. The conduit includes an intake end, an exit end, a curved section, a vent, and a filter device. The intake end is connectable to a blower unit, while the exit end is connectable to a debris collector container. The curved section extends between and joins the intake end and the exit end. The vent is between the intake end and the exit end and is positioned through a lower inner wall of the filtered exhaust conduit. The filter device is removably secured over the vent to form a substantially air tight fit on the vent. An organic debris collection device having the filtered exhaust conduit is also provided.

Abstract: A curved blower exhaust conduit, delivering an air stream carrying pulverized or granulated entrained solids to a substantially sealed cargo chamber enclosure of fixed volume, is provided with a pressure relief vent mounted at an “inner” peripheral region of the curved conduit having a smaller radius of curvature than the outer peripheral region of the conduit, thereby connecting the interior of the curved conduit to the external atmosphere at a point where the majority of entrained solids are carried adjacent to the outer peripheral region by the air stream.

Abstract: A lightweight ballast frame with a metal rim spanned by one or more metal mullions is loosely anchored at several points to a flexible screen mesh covering a vent formed in an enclosure defining a collection chamber and providing an escape portal for the exhaust airstream which has deposited entrained debris in the chamber. The ballast frame resists outward ballooning of the flexible screen caused by the airstream, and promotes scavenging of debris adhering to the interior of the flexible screen.

Abstract: A device for collecting and transporting organic material comprises a trailer chassis, collector frame, and collector bag. The trailer chassis has a double tongued hitch for connecting to a tractor and for preventing jackknifing. The collector frame can be folded so as to occupy minimum space when the device is not in use. The collector frame is hingedly connected to the trailer chassis so that the collector bag can be dumped by rotating the collector frame about the hinges. The collector frame is removable from the trailer chassis to make storage easy. The collector bag is constructed preferably from non-breathable fabric and has an exhaust vent in the top of the collector bag.

Abstract: A device for vacuuming organic materal, comprising an impeller constructed from an elastomer such as polyurethane and shaped so that at operating speeds, the impeller deforms under the centripetal forces into a shape commonly found in such devices having rigid impellers. In an alternative embodiment, the device further comprises a housing and an outlet duct constructed from high density polyethylene. The outlet duct may be directed in at least two directions. In yet another alternative embodiment, the device further comprises a vacuum wand having a flared entrance and may have a riser section which is preferably 18 inches long.

Abstract: An electronic control system for controlling the sequential operations in a multiple cassette record and/or playback apparatus of the type having a supply of tape cassettes, a motor-driven conveyor for conveying individual cassettes from the supply to a record/playback station and thence to an output store, the record/playback station having a motor-driven deck for loading and unloading a cassette, and the output store having a motor-driven elevator for loading a recorded cassette into the output store. Monitors are provided for monitoring the operation of each of the motor-driven conveyor, deck and elevator to sense when a cassette has been conveyed to the record/playback station, when a cassette has been loaded onto the deck and when a cassette has been loaded into the output store. Logic circuitry is responsive to the monitors for energizing motor-drive circuitry in accordance with a predetermined sequential cycle of operation.

Abstract: Braking apparatus for a web transport system to move a web between rotary members wherein at least one motor is provided for moving the rotary members to drive the web. One of the rotary members is coupled to and drives a first mechanism; and another movable member is coupled to and drives a second mechanism which mechanisms exert retarding forces on the respective rotary members such that when the driving force from the motor is removed and the rotary members are no longer driven, the retarding forces exerted thereon act to brake the rotary members.In an embodiment wherein the shoeless braking apparatus is used in a tape recording and/or playback device, one motor drives a take-up reel rotary member. In addition, a second motor may be provided to selectively drive the take-up reel rotary member in a "fast-forward" direction and to selectively drive the supply reel rotary member in a "rewind" direction.

Abstract: A cassette changer apparatus for use in a multiple cassette record and/or playback system. An input magazine stores a stack of cassettes, preferably in a vertical stack, each cassette housing magnetic tape therein. An output magazine is spaced from the input magazine and stores a stack of cassettes; and a record/playback station is disposed intermediate the input and output magazines. A fresh cassette is conveyed by an endless conveyor from the input magazine to the record/playback station, and thence to the output magazine whereat an elevator loads the cassette into the stack in the output magazine. A record/playback deck is pivotally driven at the record/playback station from a first position that is spaced from a cassette conveyed to the station to a second position that is in operative relation with respect to such a cassette so that a record and/or playback operation can be performed.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively imparting rotary motion to two spaced apart rotary members which may be used in a web or tape transport mechanism to bi-directionally transport a web or tape. In a preferred embodiment, this apparatus is used as a tape transport in a magnetic recording and/or playback machine. A drive roll in the tape transport mechanism selectively contacts one of the rotary members. The drive roll is coupled to a bi-directional drive motor and includes an extending shaft segment. A string member, tensioned at each end, has an intermediate portion thereof deployed about the extending shaft segment of the drive roll. Upon rotation of the drive motor in one direction, the drive roll and shaft segment rotate and the frictional forces between the string member and the shaft segment cause the shaft segment to traverse the string in a corresponding direction so as to bring the drive roll into contact with one of the rotary members.

Abstract: Head support apparatus for a recording and/or playback apparatus including a pivotable support member upon which the head is mounted. The support member is pivotally coupled to a pivot rod and pivots in a plane substantially normal to the movement of tape past the record and/or playback head with the pivotal movement of the support member controlled to selectively place the head in contact with the tape. In one embodiment, the tape is stored in a housing which is supported within the recording/playback apparatus, the tape and tape housing being loaded and unloaded with the assistance of a tray. A second support member adjacent the first-mentioned support member is pivotally coupled to the same pivot rod. A spring is coupled between the tray and the second support member to bias the tray toward a receiving position for receiving a tape housing and to bias the second support member toward the tray.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the location of particular information, such as instructions, represented by predetermined signals previously recorded on a record medium. An array of light emitting sources is selectively energized to indicate the position of the particular information relative to the length of the record medium while the array is scanned in synchronism with the scanning of the record medium to detect the presence of such predetermined signals. Indexing means sequentially conditions each of the light emitting sources to be energized during scanning; and a temporary storage circuit stores a representation of a detected predetermined signal, until a light emitting source is conditioned.

Abstract: Indexing apparatus for use with dictating and transcribing systems, such as a tape recorder or the like, which provides a cumulative indication of the amount of tape awaiting an operation such as transcription of dictated material. The indexing apparatus is coupled to an apparatus such as a dictating and transcribing apparatus and indicates the quantity of tape upon which dictation has been made. As a transcriptionist transcribes dictation from the tape, the indexing apparatus reflects the quantity of tape transcribed so that at all times the indexing apparatus indicates the amount of tape ready to be transcribed to provide an indication of the load level of material waiting to be transcribed. Thus, as transcription is accomplished without further dictation the indicating apparatus will revert to a zero indication.

Abstract: A dual speed tape drive system for a dictating and transcribing system is provided with means for recording and transcribing and including a single-bin, random-wind tape storage magazine to store an endless loop of magnetic tape in random folds. The tape is drawn from the magazine at one side, passed over the top of the apparatus, back into the magazine and out of the magazine through a dictate-playback station. After passing through the dictate-playback station the tape is returned to the magazine where it may be stored in random-wound folds until a transcribe station is activated to draw the tape from the magazine through the transcribe station and back into the magazine where it is stored awaiting further dictation.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the location of particular information, such as instructions, represented by predetermined signals previously recorded on a record medium. An array of light emitting sources is selectively energized to indicate the position of the particular information relative to the length of the record medium while the array is scanned in synchronism with the scanning of the record medium to detect the presence of such predetermined signals. Indexing means sequentially conditions each of the light emitting sources to be energized during scanning; and a temporary storage circuit stores a representation of a detected predetermined signal, until a light emitting source is conditioned.