Abstract: One embodiment of a substrate laminator comprises a housing that includes a cartridge receiver, a substrate transport, a cartridge and a cartridge position adjustment mechanism. The substrate transport mechanism is configured to feed substrates along the processing path in a lengthwise direction. The cartridge is received in the cartridge receiver and includes a ribbon supply. The cartridge position adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the position of the cartridge in a widthwise direction relative to the substrate processing path.

Abstract: An adjustable sprinkler assembly incorporates a main housing including a cylindrical side wall having a first end portion that leads to a second end portion through an intermediate portion having a hollow interior. A riser member is shiftably mounted relative to the main housing to provide for adjustment of a sprinkler head attached thereto. An adjuster member, including an adjustment zone defined by a plurality of notches interconnected by a longitudinally extending groove, interconnects the riser member and the main housing. A stop member, mounted at the second end portion of the main housing, cooperates with the adjuster member to establish a desired positioning of a sprinkler head relative to the main housing.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge includes a cartridge housing, a supply spool, a take-up spool, a supply of ribbon, and a supply circuit. The cartridge housing includes a supply spool enclosure and a take-up spool enclosure. The supply spool is contained in the supply spool enclosure and the take-up spool is contained in the take-up spool enclosure. The supply of ribbon extends from the supply spool to the take-up spool. The supply circuit includes a memory containing supply information relating to the ribbon cartridge.

Abstract: A credential substrate rotator includes a substrate support, a substrate feeder and a substrate sensor. The substrate support is configured to support a substrate in a substrate support plane and rotate about a central axis. The substrate feeder is configured to feed a substrate along the substrate support plane. The substrate sensor includes a substrate position indicator that is aligned with the central axis and has first and second positions. The first position indicates an absence of a substrate from a predetermined location of the substrate support. The second position indicates a presence of a substrate in the predetermined location of the substrate support. Also disclosed, is a credential substrate processing module that includes a credential substrate rotator, a first data encoder and a module controller. The credential substrate rotator includes a substrate support configured to support a substrate in a substrate support plane and rotate about a central axis, and a substrate feeder.

Abstract: A printer includes a substrate input, a substrate transport, a printhead, a removable ribbon cartridge, a ribbon cartridge receiver, and a substrate output. The substrate transport is configured to feed a substrate from the substrate input along a print path. The printhead is positioned below the print path and is configured to print an image on a surface of the substrate. The ribbon cartridge is received in the ribbon cartridge receiver and contains a supply of print ribbon that extends between supply and take-up spools and over the printhead. The substrate can then be discharged through the substrate output.

Abstract: A ribbon sensor includes a first and second emitter and a receiver. The first emitter is configured to transmit a yellow light signal and the second emitter is configured to transmit a blue light signal. The receiver is configured to produce an output signal in response to the transmission of the yellow and blue light signals through a panel of a print ribbon, wherein the output signal is indicative of a color of the panel. Additional aspects of the present invention are directed to a printer that includes the above-described sensor and a method of using the sensor to identify colored ribbon panels.

Abstract: An identification card printer includes a card input, a card transport, a printhead, and a card output. The card transport is configured to feed a card from the card input along a print path. The printhead is positioned below the print path and is configured to print an image on a surface of the card. The card can then be discharged through the card output.

Abstract: A pop-up sprinkler assembly includes a housing cover which is readily, vertically adjustable relative to a main housing within which extends a sprinkler head unit arranged in an adapter sleeve that is interengaged with the main housing to establish a blow-out feature. A readily accessible, preferably threadably mounted solenoid is used to control a main water flow valve positioned below an associated frost line. A dirt shield protects the solenoid, as well as a releasable connection between the main housing and the housing cover, from contamination. A hose adapting element is provided to be selectively secured about the sprinkler head unit atop the housing cover.

Abstract: A pop-up sprinkler assembly includes a housing cover which is readily, vertically adjustable relative to a main housing within which extends a sprinkler head unit arranged in an adapter sleeve that is interengaged with the main housing to establish a blow-out feature. A readily accessible, preferably threadably mounted solenoid is used to control a main water flow valve positioned below an associated frost line. A dirt shield protects the solenoid, as well as a releasable connection between the main housing and the housing cover, from contamination. A hose adapting element is provided to be selectively secured about the sprinkler head unit atop the housing cover.

Abstract: The system allows for the allocation of email addresses to almost every possible person within a country, and allows for easy lookup and/or addressing of messages whether by email, telephone, mail or fax to those subscribers. It makes use of a combination of the subscriber's telephone number and an alphabetical component chosen from their name, for individuals, or an alphabetical description of a department within a business, together with a database server that stores information about each subscriber, and their preferred mode of delivery. The system requires users to create or modify their primary account by a telephone interface, as the system allows for delivery of email messages to subscribers by telephone, mail or fax, to those subscribers who do not have access to a computer and thus access to software to read their emails.

Abstract: A keyboard mechanism for musical instruments which includes a key return spring made from resilient wire bent to form a pair of flexure spring arms connected by a bight. The arms have elbow bends. The ends of the arms have wrist bends, and are trapped in apertures formed in the frame of the instrument. The bight is trapped in one of a plurality of notches on the outer surface of the key. The spring is located close to the fulcrum of the key, in order to reduce the moment arm and spring deflection, both of which contribute to undesirable force build-up.

Abstract: This is an electrical switch mechanism actuated by a piano-style key of a musical instrument. The switch consists of a pair of cross-bar contacts, at least one of which is resiliently flexible. This resilience permits a moveable contact member to be driven into engagement with a fixed contact member, and also keeps it firmly biased against the fixed contact member for electrical communication therewith whenever the key is in its actuated position. When the key is released, an actuator member on the key captures the moveable contact and moves it away from the fixed contact. Upon actuation, the key over-travels beyond the point of contact engagement, but the actuator decouples from the contact so as to avoid any increase in contact pressure and prevent double-keying. Various techniques for minimizing impact noise during contact recapture, and for mounting the contacts upon a circuit board, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly incorporates a plurality of key members molded of thermoplastic material, each of the keys having an integrally formed pivot wall supported on a pair of pivot points disposed on a pair of pivot members integral with a pivot bracket. A key guide strip for the key member has a pair of vertically aligned projections, for supporting bumpers which guide the forward end of the key member and which provide a cushioning action for noiselessly stopping of upward movement of the key member.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly incorporates a plurality of key members molded of thermoplastic material, each of the keys having an integrally formed pivot wall supported on a pair of pivot points disposed on a pair of pivot members integral with a pivot bracket. The key members are located laterally by the pivot wall being gripped between the pivot points, and is located longitudinally relative to the pivot members by means of two pairs of locating ridges, one pair on each side of the pivot wall. A pair of resilient tabs integral with the plastic key member engage the upper corners of the pivot members, and a rib extending downwardly from the pivot wall extends into a slot to resist twisting of the key member. A key guide strip for the key member has a pair of vertically aligned projections, for supporting bumpers which guide the forward end of the key member and which provide a cushioning action for noiselessly stopping of upward movement of the key member.