Abstract: The circuit board pallet comprises one or more flat metallic spring arms positioned over magnetized pins. The magnetized pins comprise a magnetic material, such as steel. The magnetized pains contact a permanent magnet embedded inside or attached under the pallet. The metallic spring arms comprise a flexible magnetic material, such as spring steel. The metallic spring arms hold a circuit board to the pallet by a magnetic force created by the permanent magnets which attracts the spring arms towards the pins. The magnetized pins can also be used to secure component placement jigs to the circuit boards pallet.

Abstract: A suction roll assembly includes a suction roll having a perforated shell, and a suction box positioned within the suction roll. The suction box includes a holder, a seal strip adjacent the shell and carried by the holder, at least one target carried by the seal strip, and at least one sensor positioned in association with at least one target. Each sensor provides an output signal indicative of a position of at least one corresponding target.

Abstract: A continuous belt and associated processes for coating an object through a continuous coating system comprising: a first continuous supporting member and a second continuous supporting member laterally spaced apart from the first continuous supporting member, each of the first continuous supporting member and the second continuous supporting member including a plurality of projections configured to support the object; a plurality of grounding members coupled to the first continuous supporting member and the second continuous supporting member at spaced apart locations, the plurality of grounding members being electrically coupled to the plurality of projections; and a pair of side members coupled to the first continuous supporting member and the second continuous supporting member, at least one of the side members being electrically coupled to the plurality of grounding members.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems for the application of a coating to an object. The systems comprise a continuous belt comprising at least one supporting member positioned to retain the object thereon, a drive member in operative engagement with the continuous belt, a coating unit in communication with the continuous belt, and a drying unit in communication with the continuous belt and the coating unit and arranged such that the object is coated and dried on the continuous belt. The supporting member of the belt may include at least one blade member comprising a plurality of projections, at least one of which is positioned to contact the object.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the coating of objects with a coating composition. The processes include positioning the objects on a continuous belt comprising a supporting member positioned to retain the object thereon, conveying the continuous belt with a drive member such that the continuous belt passes through both a coating unit and a drying unit, coating the objects on the continuous belt with the coating composition, and drying the objects on the continuous belt.

Abstract: An underwater mine warfare countermeasure system is disclosed in which an air cushion vehicle carries a magnetic field generating system capable of generating a magnetic field pattern beneath the vehicle which extends sufficiently far from the vehicle in all directions to activate a magnetically responsive detonator in a mine while the vehicle is out of range of the explosive force of the mine. The magnetic field generating system generally is composed of a plurality of closed loop coils mounted on the deck of the vehicle, one coil being horizontal and in the plane of the deck, and another three being in vertical planes spaced along the length of the vehicle.

Abstract: A portable storage assembly and method of assembly is disclosed. The storage assembly can include a bag having at least one storage volume and a bottom member; and a tray that receives the bottom member in a stacked relationship and supports the bag such that a second storage volume is formed under the bottom member of the bag and above a base of the tray.

Abstract: A suction roll assembly includes a suction roll having a perforated shell, and a suction box positioned within the suction roll. The suction box includes a holder, a seal strip adjacent the shell and carried by the holder, at least one target carried by the seal strip, and at least one sensor positioned in association with at least one target. Each sensor provides an output signal indicative of a position of at least one corresponding target.

Abstract: A roof scuttle safety railing system is provided for an existing or new roof scuttle which railing may be installed on the roof scuttle by unskilled labor without compromising the integrity of the weather seal of the roof scuttle. In one embodiment, pivotal corner brackets are secured to the capflashing of a roof scuttle with the vertical members of the safety railing being inserted in openings in the brackets. In another embodiment, an elongated bracket is used along two opposed sides of the roof scuttle which brackets are firmly held against the outside walls of the roof scuttle by tie rods, a strap or a cable. The elongated bracket has vertical openings at its distal ends for securing the vertical members of the safety railing and horizontal openings or slots for the tie rods, straps or cables. A hinged gate is also provided which preferably has a self-closing hinge.

Abstract: A circuit board pallet with an improved securement pin and component positioning arms is disclosed. The improved pin of the present invention is cylindrical pin with an enlarged head. A countersunk hole is drilled in the bottom of the pallet to accommodate the pin. The pin is inserted into the countersunk hole and secured with a high-temperature epoxy resin. The epoxy holds the pin securely in place and keeps the pin from moving up or down. The present invention also comprises at least one arm affixed at one end to a swivel joint. The swivel joint allows the arm to rotate about a vertical axis. The upper portion of the swivel joint is hinged such that the arm can rotate about a horizontal axis. The combination of movement about the horizontal and vertical axis allows the arm to be positioned at any point over the pallet.

Abstract: A circuit board pallet with an improved securement pin and component positioning arms is disclosed. The improved pin of the present invention is cylindrical pin with an enlarged head. A countersunk hole is drilled in the bottom of the pallet to accommodate the pin. The pin is inserted into the countersunk hole and secured with a high-temperature epoxy resin. The epoxy holds the pin securely in place and keeps the pin from moving up or down. The present invention also comprises at least one arm affixed at one end to a swivel joint. The swivel joint allows the arm to rotate about a vertical axis. The upper portion of the swivel joint is hinged such that the arm can rotate about a horizontal axis. The combination of movement about the horizontal and vertical axis allows the arm to be positioned at any point over the pallet.

Abstract: A circuit board pallet with an improved securement pin and component positioning arms is disclosed. The improved pin of the present invention is cylindrical pin with an enlarged head. A countersunk hole is drilled in the bottom of the pallet to accommodate the pin. The pin is inserted into the countersunk hole and secured with a high-temperature epoxy resin. The epoxy holds the pin securely in place and keeps the pin from moving up or down.

Abstract: A circuit board pallet with an improved securement pin and component positioning arms is disclosed. The improved pin of the present invention is cylindrical pin with an enlarged head. A countersunk hole is drilled in the bottom of the pallet to accommodate the pin. The pin is inserted into the countersunk hole and secured with a high-temperature epoxy resin. The epoxy holds the pin securely in place and keeps the pin from moving up or down.

Abstract: A control mechanism for operating a latch. The control mechanism has a frame and a first arm attached to the frame for pivoting movement relative to the frame around a first axis between first and second positions. The first arm has a first edge and a first connecting portion. The first connecting portion is connectable to a latch to effect operation of the latch connected to the first connecting portion as an incident of the first arm moving from the first position into the second position. An actuator assembly is translatable relative to the frame between normal and actuating positions along a line that is transverse to the first axis. The actuator assembly engages the first edge and causes the first arm to move from the first position into the second position as an incident of the actuator assembly moving from the normal position into the actuating position.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a pallet for holding a printed circuit board during the solder stenciling process wherein the printed circuit board is held by means of one or more lever arms cut from the pallet material so that pressure is exerted by the arm or arms against the printed circuit board by compression or through tension by the addition of a pin to the lever arm.

Abstract: An air cushion vehicle having improved maneuverability is produced by providing air discharge vents for diverting at least a portion of the pressurizing cushion air from the side of the volute housing opposite that to which the vehicle is being turned, and discharging it from a thruster at said opposite side in a direction away from the direction of the turn. The thruster is located at a forward position, above the deck of the vehicle and adjacent the centerline thereof, and the discharged air produces a thrust which causes the vehicle to roll in the direction of the turn and permits cushion air to escape from beneath the vehicle at said opposite side, producing a thrust complimentary to the thrust from the volute housing.

Abstract: An underwater mine warfare countermeasure system is disclosed in which an air cushion vehicle carries an acoustic transmitter for sending out an acoustic wave pattern capable of exploding mines having acoustic responsive detonators. The vehicle includes a transmitter retraction apparatus for raising and lowering the transmitter between a storage position located just beneath the vehicle and an operative position spaced remotely from the vehicle, and also from raising the transmitter through an opening in the vehicle for placing it in an access position on the vehicle. The vehicle also includes an air seal or pressure boundary assembly which normally forms an air-tight cover for the aforementioned opening while still permitting the transmitter to be deployed to the operative position and retracted to the storage position while the vehicle is on cushion, but which opens to permit removal of the transmitter to the access position when the vehicle is off-cushion.