Abstract: An automobile radio/digital recording system is provided in which a digital recorder enables input either through the radio or through a microphone to be stored in the digital storage device and be played back through the automobile's radio system. Storage of information in excess of five minutes is available.

Abstract: A stackable linear actuator using flat, planar carriages. Each carriage is formed of two thin fiber reinforced outer surfaces having a low density composite core between each of the outer surfaces. A flat single layer coil is mounted within the composite core. The carriages are mounted for relative movement in a vertical stack. Between each carriage is a set of permanent magnets of opposing polarity. The sets of magnets are aligned so that magnets of similar polarity are aligned vertically. A steel plate is attached at the top of the stack. Another steel plate is attached to the bottom of the stack. These plates shunt the magnetic flux to form a continuous loop of magnetic flux through the entire stack. The carriages are operated by supplying the coils with current of varying intensity and polarity.

Abstract: An attachment of multiple head arm assemblies to an actuator in a magnetic data disk drive system. A leaf spring applies a uniform load against angle surfaces formed on the head arm assemblies. This creates forces on the head arm assemblies to align reference surfaces formed on the head arm assemblies against reference surfaces formed on the carriage. Loads on the head arm assemblies are due to the geometry of the parts rather than on screw torques.

Abstract: A self-tapping screw of the type including a head, a depending cylindrical portion, a tapered point and a thread running continuously from the cylindrical portion onto the tapered point and a method of making same are disclosed. A screw blank is formed with a constant diameter cylindrical shank, the lower end of which includes a depression or concavity. Cooperating, relatively moving dies including opposed faces defining a tapered slot within which the blank is received cut a continuous thread into the blank. The concavity in the blank permits the metal to flow more readily resulting in crisp threads and a significant increase in the life of the thread rolling dies.

Abstract: A signal-seeking radio receiver is disclosed which can be manually programmed to receive a number of different channels in any combination with three bands with a minimum of switching circuitry. The receiver has pre-IF circuitry which includes at least one PNP transistor associated with each band, the base terminal of each transistor being connectable to one output of a solid state counter for controlling the band of operation of the receiver.

Abstract: A signal-seeking radio receiver is disclosed which can be programmed to receive 20 different channels in any combination of three bands with a minimum of switching circuitry. Additionally disclosed is tuning circuitry for tuning the receiver in response to the programming to either the upper or lower portion of any given band.