Abstract: A method for fabricating MEMS structure includes etching a recess in an upper surface of a substrate that is bonded to a wafer that ultimately forms the MEMS structure. Accordingly, once the etching processes of the wafer are completed, the recess facilitates the release of an internal movable structure within the fabricated MEMS structure without the use of a separate sacrificial material.

Abstract: A microelectricalmechanical system (MEMS) digital isolator may be created in which an actuator such as an electrostatic motor drives a beam against a predefined force set, for example, by another electrostatic motor. When the threshold of the opposing force is overcome, motion of the beam may be sensed by a sensor also attached to the beam. The beam itself is electrically isolated between the locations of the actuator and the sensor. The structure may be incorporated into integrated circuits to provide on-chip isolation.

Abstract: In a MEMS device employing a beam supported by transverse arms, potential bowing of the transverse arms caused by fabrication processes, temperature or local self-heating from resistive losses is accommodated by flexible terminations of the transverse arms. Alternatively, this bowing is controlled so as to provide selective biasing to the beam or mechanical advantage in the sensing of beam motion.

Abstract: Microelectricalmechanical systems (MEMS) manufactured on a microscopic scale using integrated circuit techniques may be used to measure a variety of parameters using electrical signals generated by the movement of small beams. Inertial noise may be canceled by the duplication of the beam structure for sensing of the acceleration to be subtracted from a similar beam structure used to measure the parameter of interest.

Abstract: A transfer car is configured to travel along an aisleway between arrays of conveyor sections. The transfer car includes a chassis that carries ground engaging wheels and a transfer conveyor assembly movably supported on said chassis. A transfer motor drives a rack and pinion mechanism that translates the conveyor assembly from side-to-side over the edges of the transfer car. Thus, with the transfer conveyor assembly in its neutral position centered over the chassis, the transfer car maintains a wide gap between the car and the ends of the conveyor array to prevent injury to persons standing near the gap. The transfer conveyor assembly can be shifted to one side adjacent an end of a conveyor section to receive items from that section, and then shifted to the opposite side adjacent an end of an opposing conveyor section to discharge the items.

Abstract: An accumulating live conveyor comprises a plurality of load-carrying rollers supported for rotation about transverse axes, a power-driven belt for engaging the load-carrying rollers to convey loads from the upstream end toward the downstream end of the conveyor, conveyor assembly sections operable for disengaging the power-driven belt from the load-carrying rollers to accumulate loads on the load-carrying rollers in selected upstream and downstream areas of the conveyor, and a control system providing area control and load motion control of the conveyor.

Abstract: An accumulating live conveyor comprises a plurality of load-carrying rollers supported for rotation about transverse axes, a power-driven belt for engaging the load-carrying rollers to convey loads from the upstream end toward the downstream end of the conveyor, conveyor assembly sections operable for disengaging the power-driven belt from the load-carrying rollers to accumulate loads on the load-carrying rollers in selected upstream and downstream areas of the conveyor, and a control system providing area control and load motion control of the conveyor.

Abstract: A simple low-cost fiber optic connector having a body member into which a ferrule is inserted and held in place by an expandable retainer which allows the ferrule to snap out of the assembly upon the application of a substantial pulling force, and thereby avoid damage to the fiber or to the connector. A preferred embodiment includes two aligned ferrules inserted into opposite sides of the body such that their tips meet at the center to interconnect the ends of two optical fibers. A multiple-ferrule embodiment is also contemplated.

Abstract: A one-piece elastic fastener includes a pair of spaced elastic, generally dish-shaped head members adapted to fit on opposite sides of pieces of material to be joined. The head members each have a rim and are disposed concavely inwardly with their rims facing each other. An elastic shank member joins the head members and is adapted to pass through an opening in the pieces of material. In one embodiment an elongated loop member is centrally attached to one of the head members and is adapted to pull it through an opening in the pieces of material to be joined. In another embodiment a boss is positioned on one of the head members and a hook is used to pull it through the opening.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pallet loader in which each tier of a stack of flattened corrugated containers is placed on an extended, but horizontally retractable, stripping plate which when retracted drops the tier on a vertically movable elevator bed positioned below the stripping plate. The elevator bed then lowers until the path for horizontal extension of the stripping plate is cleared and the stripping plate then extends to receive the next tier. The apparatus differs from the prior art in that a control provides for an additional upward motion of the elevator for an adjustable time interval, thereby packing or pressing the just-lowered tier against the underside of the extended stripper plate, thereby reducing the "fluff" or looseness in the stacked tier.

Abstract: A one-piece elastic fastener includes a pair of spaced elastic, generally dish-shaped head members adapted to fit on opposite sides of pieces of material to be joined. The head members each have a rim and are disposed concavely inwardly with their rims facing each other. An elastic shank member joins the head members and is adapted to pass through an opening in the pieces of material. An elongated loop member is centrally attached to one of the head members and is adapted to pull it through an opening in the pieces of material when the head member is folded back to divide it into two generally flattened halves extended outwardly of the fastener. The fastener is made of elastomeric material having a durometer of between about 65 and 75.

Abstract: A method of assembling, positioning, and making connections to a thermal printhead is disclosed. A substrate is provided upon which heating elements or mesas are mounted. Leads from these heating elements are continued on the same side of the substrate as the one on which the elements are located. The leads are brought to terminal pads where connections may be made to the logic circuit which selectively energizes the heating elements to form numerals or characters on heat sensitive paper. A flat flexible cable with conductor ends exposed is held in place so that the exposed conductor ends make contact with the terminal pads of one or more of such substrates. The substrates and cable are clamped together by two metal plates. This entire assembly is mounted on a spring-loaded pivot arrangement so as to hold the heating elements against the heat sensitive paper on an advancing platen. Connections may be made between the cable conductors and the printing logic to allow the heating elements to be energized.