Abstract: A combination pressure measurement/charging system may include a conduit coupled to a refrigerant can. The conduit may be coupled to a low-pressure side of a refrigerant system. The system may include a valve to control a flow of fluid through the conduit. Thus, a flow of fluid between the refrigerant can and the low-pressure side of the refrigerant system may be controlled using the valve. A first pressure gauge may be in fluid communication with the conduit. The first pressure gauge may be coupled to the low-pressure side of the refrigerant system. The first pressure gauge may be used to operate the valve to control fluid flow through the conduit. A second pressure gauge may be coupled to a high-pressure side of the refrigerant system. The second pressure gauge may be isolated from fluids that flow through the conduit.

Abstract: A combination pressure measurement/refrigerant charging apparatus may include a shutoff valve that includes a piercing pin and a pressure gauge. The piercing pin may be used to pierce a refrigerant can. The pressure gauge may be used as a handle for operating the shutoff valve. A first end of a hose may be coupled to the shutoff. A quick coupling device may be coupled to a second end of the hose. The quick coupling device may be used to couple the apparatus to a refrigerant system.

Abstract: A multi-channel fiber optic cable connector is provided for connecting the terminal ends of fiber optic cables utilizing continuous ceramic sleeves to align the adjacent termini of optical fibers included within respective ones of the cables. The continuous ceramic sleeves have internal bores which are slightly larger than the outside diameter of the periphery of the termini, providing a clearance fit between the continuous ceramic sleeves and respective ones of the termini. The termini are independently gimbaled, with gimbal points being disposed distally from respective mating planes between opposing terminal ends of the termini. Floating seal assemblies extend around respective ones of the termini between the mating planes and the gimbal points, and seal between the respective ones of the termini and a connector housing. The floating seal assemblies each include an annular-shaped, floating collar having an aperture through which a respective one of the termini extends.

Abstract: A multi-channel fiber optic connector is provided having a plug connector half and a receptacle connector half. The plug and the receptacle have respective inserts that include exterior peripheries of a particular shape for mating with an interior profile of a housing of the receptacle. The peripheries of the inserts are preferably defined by cylindrical bodies having respective tabs which protrude outward from the outer diameters of the inserts. The interior profile of the receptacle housing defines a recess for receiving the tabs to both angularly align the insert associated with the receptacle and to angularly align the insert associated with the plug. The recess in the receptacle housing is defined by a groove which extends parallel to the longitudinal length of the receptacle housing, with the same groove receiving the protuberant tabs of both inserts to angularly align the inserts. The inserts have fiber optic termini mounted therein.

Abstract: A multi-channel fiber optic cable connector (12) is provided for aligning the terminal ends (302) of optical fibers (214) of fiber optic cables for transmitting light signals therebetween. Termini (34) are provided which include end portions defined by ferrules (218) that extend around terminal ends (302) of the optical fibers (214). The termini (34) are independently gimbaled, with gimbal points (306) being disposed distally from respective mating planes (304) defined by opposing terminal ends (302) of the termini (34). Alignment sleeves (212) are provided to align the adjacent termini (34) of optical fibers (214) included within respective ones of the fiber optic cables. The alignment sleeves (212) have internal bores (284) that are slightly larger in size than the outside diameters of the peripheries (272) of the termini (34) defined by ferrules (218), providing a clearance fit between the ceramic alignment sleeves (212) and respective ones of the termini (34).

Abstract: A fiber optic cable connector (12) is provided for connecting the terminal ends (302) of optical fibers (214) of fiber optic cables. The terminal ends (302) of the optical fibers (214) are mounted within termini (34) which are aligned for transmitting light signals therebetween. The connector (12) includes a housing (14) having bores (188) within which the termini (34) are mounted in a gimbaled arrangement, with gimbal points (306) being disposed distally from respective mating planes (304) between opposing terminal ends (302) of the termini (34) such that the termini (34) are pivotally moveable about the gimbal points (306). Floating seal assemblies (252) extend around respective ones of the termini (34) between the mating planes (304) and the gimbal points (306), and seal between the respective ones of the termini (34) and the bores (188) of the connector housing (14).

Abstract: A lyre mounting bracket (14) is provided for acoustically coupling a musical instrument tuner (12) to a lyre (16) for a musical instrument (10). The tuner (12) includes an electronics section (26) having a vibratory sensor. A hinged elbow member (44) secures the mounting bracket (14) to the tuner (12). The mounting bracket (14) has a main body (42) which includes two oppositely facing, planar surfaces (50, 52) for securing directly between a clamp (20) of the lyre (16). Support braces (58, 60) extend outward from opposite sides of the main body (42), each having arcuately shaped sides (66-76) which extend orthogonal to and adjacent to the peripheral edges of respective ones of the planer mounting surfaces (50, 52). The sides (66-76) have profiles which fit substantially flush with portions of a profile (94) defined by the peripheral edges of a first half (90) of the lyre clamp (20).

Abstract: A system for the storage and retrieval of motor vehicle keys wherein the keys are mounted in a container to which is affixed a printed bar code label identifying the vehicle stock number, its color and model. The system includes a bar code reader and a plurality of vertically rotatable circular plates having a plurality of key storage locations around the periphery of each. A pick and place arm is driven by a central processing unit in response to either the bar code read upon insertion of a key to be stored or upon entry of data from a key pad by a user to either store a key in an assigned location or to retrieve a key from that storage location and deliver it to the user. The system also includes routines whereby reports may be prepared for management indicating the individuals who currently have keys outstanding and the number of times each individual has removed the keys for each particular vehicle over a period of time.