Abstract: A listening device for alerting an individual unable to hear warning signals having a means for prerecording a warning signal, converting the signal into digital information, and storing the digital information. The device further includes a means for continuously comparing the digital information to ambient sound information converted into ambient digital information and a means for alerting the individual with an alerting signal when the digital information matches the ambient digital information corresponding to the warning signal.

Abstract: A method of demonstrating the advantage in production efficiency of non-synchronous conveyor lines over synchronous conveyor lines. There is provided an elongated diagram illustrating parallel conveyor lines with an equal number of paired, opposed operator work stations in each line, one line representing a synchronous line and the other line representing a non-synchronous line, the non-synchronous line being provided with queue patterns between each work station. There is an electrically controlled work station box between each pair of opposed synchronous and non-synchronous work stations on the mat, each box having a set of "go/no-go" visual indicators. A signal controller is coupled to each of the operating station boxes, the controller being programmed to provide control signals in a random fashion to each of the paired work stations. A plurality of workpieces are provided for each conveyor line.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying force in one direction to an article and restraining movement of the article in the opposite direction. There is provided a reciprocally rotatable link and means to rotate the link connected to a first end of the link and a cam shaft having a first and second cylindrical portion, said first cylindrical portion having a different central axis of rotation than the second cylindrical portion. The first cylindrical portion of the cam shaft is secured to the end of the link opposite the end connected to the rotating means to provide rotational movement of the cam shaft when the link is rotated. A mounting block with a bore therethrough has the first cylindrical portion of the cam shaft passing through the bore. A rotating member pivotal at one end and movable from a first position to a second position has the second cylindrical portion of the cam shaft rotatably secured thereto at the end opposite from the pivotal end.

Abstract: Automatic feeding apparatus for transferring work pieces to a work station including a robot having a work arm pivoted about a point and movable through a segment of a sphere with vertical movement of the work arm scribing an arc relative to the pivot point. The robot work arm has means to pick up, hold and release a work piece. A work piece stacking assembly is provided and includes a base for holding a vertical stack of magnetizable work pieces and a vertical butt plate above the base curved correspondingly to the arc scribed by the vertical movement of the work arm of the robot. A magnet is provided to magnetize the work pieces through the vertical curve butt plate to set up a repelling force between the work pieces to vertically separate the work pieces in the upper portion of the stack and urge the separated work pieces against the vertical curve butt plate.