Abstract: The present invention is directed to a seasonal lamp socket for use outdoors in a variety of meteorological conditions, including rain, whereby a liquid or a gas is prevented from accumulating in the socket body in accordance with the present invention. The lamp socket and more particularly, the socket housing provides drain-through passageways which permit a liquid or a gas to enter into the interior of the socket housing and fluidly flow the length of the socket housing before draining out of the socket regardless of the socket orientation during use. Importantly, these drainage passageways prevent a liquid or gas from accumulating in the socket housing and causing damage to the electrical components thereof. Thus, the seasonal lamp socket of the present invention is intended for electrical lamp applications outdoors under adverse meteorological conditions.

Abstract: A revolving storage device useful for organizing and storing small items in a multiplicity of containers. The device provides a drum assembly comprised of spaced-apart multi-sided end caps to which an equal number of side panels disposed therebetween, are affixed. The side panels include recessed receptacles for receiving the containers. The assembly exhibits structural integrity by virtue of the joints between adjacent panels formed of mitered edges and an internal ledge within the end caps on which the extremities of the side panels rest. The end caps include unitary shaft stubs which are engaged by a bracket to provide support for the assembly. A simple but effective detent system employing a protuberance in the bracket and depressions in an end cap permit desired angular orientations of the device.

Abstract: A robotic connector or interface includes a roughly conical male member in which the conical side may be concave. The male member includes a radial indexing pin, and a central bore in which polarized electrical connectors are located. A mating female member includes a cavity with a fundus and movable peripheral lips adapted for grasping the base of the male member when engaged for drawing the male member into full mating relation with the cavity. A tapered slot in the side of the female member guides the index pin to impart rotational forces so that mating can take place even if the approach is skewed. The electrical connectors are mounted on a separately indexed, spring loaded connector plate at the fundus of the cavity. A motor-driven linkage operates the peripheral lip members.

Abstract: An end effector suitable for manipulating articles such as mail flats is disclosed. This end effector has parallel reciprocating arms having suction cups for gripping the article to be manipulated and mechanical grippers mounted on the arms outboard of the suction cups. These mechanical grippers may be actuated to provide a mechanical grip on a manipulated article in addition to the suction grip.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning a probe carried by an elongated flexible carrier includes a cantilevered telescoping extensible boom. A sprocketed tractor feed mounted at the distal end of the boom engages apertures in the carrier for feeding it and deflecting it from the boom in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof. The tractor feed is mounted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis of the boom. A withdrawal device engages the carrier adjacent to the supported end of the boom for reeling the carrier up into a cartridge. Extension and retraction of the boom is effected by a rack and pinion mechanism. Rotary resolvers measure the movement of the boom, the movement of the carrier with respect to the boom and the rotary movement of the tractor feed for providing signals to an associated microcomputer, accurately to detect and control the position of the probe. The microcomputer additionally provides on-line visualization of sludge profilometry and topography.

Abstract: An elongated flexible probe carrier is wound on a take-up reel and is fed therefrom around a feed pulley, being held in frictional engagement with the feed pulley by a plurality of idler rollers on a pivotal support arm. The feed pulley and the take-up reel are both rotatably driven from a single drive motor, respectively through two electromagnetic clutches. The take-up reel clutch is directly coupled to the motor while the feed pulley clutch is coupled to the motor either through a belt and pulley arrangement for rotation in the same direction as the motor or through a gear train for rotation in the opposite direction from the motor. A reversible motor is used with the belt and pulley type coupling. Control means are provided for selectively varying the magnetic coupling forces exerted by the two clutches for control of the feeding and take-up of the carrier without slippage. A position detecting device is coupled to the feed pulley for measuring the movement thereof.

Abstract: A device and method for accurately dispensing liquid photopolymer in accurate predetermined configuration to form a printing plate blank. The device gravity feeds the photopolymer from a first manifold through capillary tubes to a second manifold machined in an elongated member together with a doctor blade portion, laying down a carefully sculptured sheet. The sheet is formed into a printing plate upon exposure to actinic light through an indicia carrying negative. The invention may have other applications.