Abstract: A transport apparatus for reliably handling compact discs includes a jaw assembly having a lower pivot plate coupled to an upper frame member, at least three jaw blades pivotally mounted in openings located in the lower pivot plate, wherein lower portions of the jaw blades extend from the lower pivot plate and upper portions of the jaw blades extend through openings provided in the upper frame member, a mechanism for applying an outward pivoting force to the jaw blades, and a mechanism for applying an inward pivoting force. In addition to pivoting, the jaw blades can move upward in response to a force exerted against the tips of the jaw blades.

Abstract: A circuit for interfacing (parallel format) TTL signals with a serial format ECL signal port includes a parallel-to-serial shift register, a first voltage level shifting stage and an output, TTL-ECL level shifting stage, connected in cascade. Each of the shift register and the first level shifting stage is powered exclusively by an on-board TTL power supply. The output level shifting stage is powered by the on-board TTL supply and from an external connection to a downstream module. The serial output of the shift register is a `positive ECL` signal having a voltage swing corresponding to that of conventional negative polarity ECL signals. From this signal the first level shifting stage produces an intermediate level (quasi analog) signal which transitions between reduced or intermediate high and low voltage levels about a switching leel corresponding to that (e.g. +1.5 volts) of normal TTL signals but having the ELC-type voltage swing.