Abstract: This invention includes crash sensors designed to be used for side impact sensing and the strategies of using these sensors. If is analyzed and shown that velocity sensing or damped sensors are desirable for side impact sensing. Inertially damped sensors, with a damping force proportional to the square of velocity, is most appropriate. Such sensor can be made of plastic and in the shape of short round or rectangular cylinders. It is further concluded that these sensors should be installed on the side door structure of a vehicle. Other sensing strategies include installing sensors on three locations: one at the center of the side door, one just before the A-pillar, and one just after the B-pillar; and Safing (arming) sensors for side impact applications could be crush sensing switches.

Abstract: An apparatus which advances a sheet through a transfer zone and into registration with information developed on a moving member. The sheet is advanced to a position wherein a leading portion thereof is immediately ahead of the transfer zone relative to the forward direction of movement of the moving member and a trailing portion thereof is within the transfer zone. The leading portion of the sheet forms a presentation angle of 7-10 degrees with the horizontal. The trailing portion of the sheet is advanced through the transfer zone at a first velocity and the leading edge of the sheet is advanced in a region immediately ahead of the transfer zone at a second velocity, which is less than the first velocity, so as to create a buckle in the leading portion of the sheet positioned immediately ahead of the transfer zone relative to the forward direction of movement of the moving member.

Abstract: An optical scanner has grease bearings between the rotor and the housing. The grease bearings are grooved which tends to pump the grease back into the bearing cups when the optical scanner is operating. The thixotropic property of the grease prevents its escape from the bearing cups when the optical scanner is not operating. The grease bearings can be frusto-conical or spherical in shape with complementary shaped bearing cups. The bearing cups, rather than the bearings, may be grooved. The bearing cups may also be stepped to provide a pumping region and a reservoir region for the grease. Pressure means within the scanner housing may force the bearing cups onto the grease bearing.

Abstract: This invention includes crash sensors designed to be used for frontal impact sensing and the strategies of using these sensors. It is analyzed and shown that velocity sensing or damped sernsors are desirable for frontal impact passenger compartment sensing. inertially damped sensors, with a damping force proportional to the square of velocity, is preferred for some applications. In other cases a viscous damped sensor is appropriate and in a few cases an undamped spring mass sensor will suffice. Such sensors can be made of plastic and in the shape of short housings. A preferred embodiment of this invention utilizes a swinging mass hinged to a housing as the sensing mass. Different geometries of the mass and the housing are disclosed and used to improve the performance of such sensors. These flapper mass sensors are useful for sensing frontal impacts in the passenger compartment both as primary sensors and as single or dual contact arming sensors.

Abstract: A crash sensor for a passive motor vehicle occupant restraint system, such as an inflatable air bag or seat belt tensioner. The crash sensor comprises a tubular passageway having a central, longitudinal axis; a sensing mass arranged to move within the passageway in the direction of the longitudinal axis between a first location and a second location; a device for biasing the sensing mass toward the first location in the passageway; and a device for closing an electrical circuit when the sensing mass moves to the second location in the passageway.The invention provides methods for reducing the motion of the sensing mass and the tubular passageway in a direction perpendicular to the longitude, and/or methods for reducing the angular momentum of the sensing mass, during motion of the sensing mass in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A sheet transport system having a sheet gripper which includes at least one resilient member used to bias an upper gripping portion toward a lower gripping portion so as to releasably secure the leading edge of a sheet therebetween. The resilient member includes a stop which functions to register the sheet within the sheet gripper.

Abstract: An encoder roll in which a rotatably mounted tube is adapted to be driven by a moving web. A layer of resilient material having a relatively high coefficient of friction is coated on one side marginal portion of the tube. The layer of resilient material is in engagement with the moving web so that movement of the web rotates the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus which advances a sheet through a transfer zone and into registration with information developed on a moving member. The sheet is advanced to a position wherein a leading portion thereof is within the transfer zone and a trailing portion thereof is immediately behind the transfer zone relative to the forward direction of movement of the moving member. The leading portion of the sheet is advanced through the transfer zone at a first velocity and the trailing portion of the sheet is advanced in a region immediately behind the transfer zone at a second velocity, which is greater than the first velocity, so as to create a buckle in the trailing portion of the sheet in the region. The buckle functions to eliminate relative velocity between the photoconductive belt and any portion of sheet within the transfer zone so as to substantially eliminate slip between the sheet and the photoconductive belt.

Abstract: An apparatus which controls lateral alignment of a belt arranged to move along a predetermined path. The belt is supported by a pivoted roller. A member having a pair of opposed, spaced flanges extending outwardly therefrom is mounted slidably on a shaft extending outwardly from one end of the roller. A spring, contacting the flanged member, resiliently urges one of the flanges into continuous engagement with one side of the belt. Movement of the belt from the predetermined path slides the flanged member so that one of the flanges frictionally rotates a disc interposed therebetween. Rotation of the disc tilts the roller restoring the belt to the predetermined path of movement.

Abstract: An apparatus in which the lateral movement of a belt arranged to move along a pre-determined path is controlled. The apparatus includes a belt sensor mounted translatably on a belt support. As the belt moves laterally, the sensor translates therewith causing the belt support to pivot so as to return the belt to the pre-determined path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of use in which a first photoconductive belt arranged to move about an endless operative path in an electrophotographic printing machine is replaced by a second photoconductive belt. The leading marginal region of the second photoconductive belt is secured to the first photoconductive belt. As the first photoconductive belt moves about the operative path, it positions the second photoconductive belt thereabout. After the second photoconductive belt is positioned about the operative path, the first photoconductive belt is removed therefrom and separated from the second photoconductive belt. The leading marginal region of the second photoconductive belt is then secured to the trailing marginal region thereof.

Abstract: The timing device of this invention includes a housing which contains at least one mechanism whose motion is partially controlled by a liquid which substantially fills the housing and by a mass having a density approximately equal to or less than that of the surrounding liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing contaminant particles from an enclosure containing a rotating magnetic disk by using the air flow created by rotation of the disk. A tacky substance is provided at a point of maximum centrifugal force within the enclosure so that contaminant particles are permanently captured. Means can be provided for refreshing the tacky substance.