Abstract: A restraint device for joining a first member to a second member and controlling relative movement of the first member with respect to the second member includes a rigid center member and a rigid annular member. The rigid annular member is concentrically disposed about the center member with respect to a common reference axis. A flexible continuous band is disposed concentrically between the center member and the annular member. The flexible continuous band joins the center member to the annular member at spaced-apart locations. The flexible continuous band is substantially rigid for moments about the common reference axis, yet compliant in other directions.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus in a strong plastic housing having two rotatable slitter blades. The cutting apparatus is mounted on a guide rail for movement by hand across a tightly held sheet of media such as paper, vellum or film. The slitter blades are mounted back-to-back at an angle, and the shafts to which the blades are mounted are positioned in the housing so that their longitudinal axes are not parallel to each other. This offset minimizes the region of contact between the two blades.

Abstract: An extensometer structure for an extensometer comprises a flexure assembly, a first extension arm and a second extension arm. The flexure assembly includes a first flexure defining a first plane and a second flexure defining a second plane. The second flexure is coupled to the first flexure so that the first and second planes intersect. The first extension arm is joined to the first flexure and has a first tip engageable with a test specimen wherein a line of force from the first tip extends parallel to the first plane. The second extension arm is joined to the second flexure and has a second tip engageable with the test specimen wherein a line of force from the second tip extends parallel to the second plane.

Abstract: A removable roll-feed apparatus that is removably attachable to a printer/plotter. Inexpensive printer/plotters will have the option of the attachment of a simple, but yet reliable, roll-feed apparatus which is easily attached to the printer/plotter without requiring any special training or dexterity on the part of an operator. Datum points and surfaces are provided to locate the printer/plotter in the X, Y and Z-directions, and when the roll-feed apparatus is attached to the printer/plotter, an operator will have the option of feeding the printer/plotter with roll media or single sheet media. Having the roll-feed apparatus attached to the printer/plotter does not restrict single sheet feeding. The roll-feed apparatus also provides a media self-alignment feature and a simple, but effective, hand-operated cutting apparatus to separate completed plots from the printer/plotter.

Abstract: An extensometer structure for an extensometer includes a first extension arm, a second extension arm and a rigid support. A first hinge assembly joins the first extension arm to the rigid support. The first hinge assembly has a first pivot axis that allows the first extension arm to pivot relative to the rigid support about the pivot axis. A second hinge assembly joins the second extension arm to the rigid support. The second hinge assembly has a second pivot axis allowing the second extension arm to pivot relative to the rigid support about the second pivot axis.

Abstract: An extensometer measures strain on a test specimen subjected to tensile, compression or fatigue tests. The extensometer has a pair of members that are connected together preferably with at least two spaced-apart flexible plates. The members are coupled to move with the specimen when the specimen is subjected to the foregoing tests. A measuring device measures a change in distance of the members relative to each other in order to measure elongation or compression of the test specimen.

Abstract: A load cell assembly for measuring force loads between two elements includes a four-bar linkage with connection arms mounted at opposite corners. Each of the connection arms include a first end rigidly connected to the four-bar linkage and a free end. An overload stop assembly rigidly connected to the four-bar linkage selectively limits displacement of at least one of the free ends when excessive force loads are present.

Abstract: An extensometer for measuring strain in a test specimen is disclosed. The extensometer includes a frame and a flexible support structure, preferably, a loop, mounted to the frame. A measuring device is mounted to the flexible support loop at a position spaced apart from the frame and engages a surface of the specimen with a selected amount of contact force. The measuring device provides an output signal proportional to the measured strain.

Abstract: A relay output circuit is provided which enables a relay coil to be connected to a possibly variable input DC voltage without requiring relatively high power components to be used. The relay coil is provided with sufficient current to actuate it and then the actuating current is decreased to a lesser magnitude which is sufficient to maintain the relay in an actuated position. In order to accomplish this, the relay output circuit first provides current to the coil through a single resistor and then effectively connects an additional resistor in series with the initial resistor to decrease the current flowing through the coil. The second resistor is effectively added to the circuit by turning off a field effect transistor that provides a shorting across the second resistor when it is in a conductive state. The conductive state of the field effect transistor is controlled by a capacitor which charges for a preselected period of time following a change of state of an input circuit point.

Abstract: A structural assembly that measures forces along and moments about three orthogonal axes with very low cross talk or likelihood of affecting the reading in one axis from loads in another axis is disclosed. The assembly comprises a support structure having a longitudinal axis that is positioned on an axis of the plurality of orthogonal axes. The support structure is substantially compliant for moments about the longitudinal axis and substantially rigid for forces along the orthogonal axes and for moments about the non-longitudinal orthogonal axes. Structural elements of the support structure are joined together with elliptical fillets to minimize stress concentration within the structure. A torque cell that measures moments about the longitudinal axis is positioned concentrically about the longitudinal axis either within a cavity located in the support structure or cylindrically around the support structure.

Abstract: A mailer product is provided which is formed from a single sheet of paper having first, second and third sections. The first and second sections are separated by a first transverse line and the second and third sections are separated by a second transverse line. The sheet of paper is foldable along the first and second transverse lines so that the first section overlies the second section and the third section overlies the first and second sections. First adhesive material is provided on one of the first and the second sections of the sheet for securing the first and the second sections to one another when the sheet is folded along the first transverse line, thereby forming a return envelope. Second adhesive material is located on at least one of the first, second and third sections for securing the third section to at least one of the first and the second sections when the sheet is folded along the second transverse line, thereby forming a closed mailer.

Abstract: A film-forming corrosion inhibitor suitable for use in 2-cycle engine oils is prepared from the reaction product of 1 mole of dodecenylsuccinic anhydride with 0.6-0.95 moles propylene glycol. The anhydride-glycol adduct is prepared in a relatively short reaction time, and the engine oil containing the corrosion inhibitor is compatible with other oil and fuel additive components, while industry standard performance properties are maintained.

Abstract: A system for controlling a flexible roof assembly of the type used to cover large structures determines the actual variable height of one or more sections of the roof assembly with respect to a fixed reference point and regulates the apparatus for elevating the roof assembly to accurately control the position of the roof assembly. The system includes a signal generator for generating a signal corresponding to the actual height to indicate a change in height of the roof assembly. The system may also include an apparatus for detecting the presence of either ice or snow in an area of an outer surface of the roof assembly. The detecting apparatus includes a collecting device that is oriented to collect snow and ice that is accumulating and a sensor unit directed toward the collecting device to detect an accumulation of ice or snow that reaches a specified depth.

Abstract: An extensometer support system having vibration damping mountings for parts that have substantial mass and which are subjected to external vibrations. Such parts include counterweights for counterbalancing the extensometer and also the mounting for an external support frame for the extensometer. The vibration damping comprises a mounting made of a suitable damping material, such as a silicone foam rubber.

Abstract: Air guide box 20 for a paper machine where the paper web 16 to be dried runs together with the backing belt 18 across drying cylinders 10 through 14. The air guide box 20 extends from a point A where the backing belt 18 departs from a cylinder 10, 12 toward a point Z where the backing belt runs on the following cylinder 11, 13. A diverging gap 23 remains between the air guide box 20 and the backing belt 18. The air guide box 20 has in the area of the departure point A a mechanical air boundary layer stripper 25. Facing toward the backing belt 18 and diverging in its running direction from the contact screen, the wall 21 of the air guide box 20 is shaped in accordance with the operationally occurring curved trajectory of the contact screen 18, is composed, preferably in polygon fashion, from flat wall elements 21.1, 21.2 and 21.3.

Abstract: A load transducer used for determining loads on a tire in a tire testing apparatus has very high stiffness and a high natural frequency. A tire support spindle has an end plate mounted on one end of the transducer on a center support sleeve which is supported relative to an outer housing at spaced locations in direction along the wheel rolling axis. The support sleeve is supported relative to the outer housing at each end by four arms or beams that operate as shear beams in reaction to the vertical and rolling loads on the tire, and the corresponding moments created by these two forces or loads. Forces on the tire at the tire rolling radius parallel to the rolling axis of the tire are also measured by bending the support beams.

Abstract: In a device for stabilizing the run of a material web, which successively runs over two rolls, namely a delivering and a receiving roll, there is a box provided that extends between the delivering and the receiving roll across the width of the paper web. This box has a so-called guide wall that extends along the course of the material web, with an air gap remaining between the guide wall and the material web. Additionally provided on the box are means which create a vacuum in the air gap. In a device of this type, the guide wall is shaped in a way such that its spacing from the theoretical trajectory plane tangent to the two rolls is in the center area of the material web greater than it is in the araa of the material web edges. A device of this type serves to better stabilize the smooth running of the material web on its way between the rolls.

Abstract: A load sensitive transducer designed primarily for use in sensing loads in all operational axes necessary to determine loads and forces on a transducer used on tools that are supported on a robot arm. The transducer is a one-piece machined construction to provide for very low hysteresis in operation, as well as obtaining long life by eliminating welding, brazing, adhesives or bolted joints. The transducer will provide six measurements including moments and axial measurements in the three principal axes (X, Y and Z), very low cross talk or likelihood of affecting the reading in one axis from loads in another axis because of the isolation features obtained by using flexure bending beams for the supports for the load carrying member. The integral machined structure permits a small package size that has low axial length and small diameter size to reduce the ultimate loads on the robot arm, and the unit as made provides very high stiffness in all axes.