Abstract: A baby-carrying harness has fitted thereto a baby carrying pouch which includes a front wall that has at least one free side edge (24) which can be fastened to an adjacent harness chest strap (31) by means of a connecting device (41, 32) for supporting the front wall (22) of the carrier pouch on the harness (1) and define a baby leg opening between the front wall (22) and the chest strap (31) beneath the connecting device. The connecting device includes a hook fastening (75, 43; 32, 33) which has a downwardly extending finger (43) that engages a male part (75, 43) fitted on the front wall (22), and a finger-receiving female part (32, 33) carried by the harness (1, 31), wherein the upper part of the male part is connected to the front wall. The upper portion of the male part is joined to the front wall (22) in the proximity of the finger, at least in the region of the free end of said finger.

Abstract: In a vehicle roof rack kit a plurality of releasable identical carrier assemblies adapted for securing an object there within and further comprising releasable attaching means for attaching each assembly to the mounting members of a vehicle roof rack. The assemblies comprise a channel-shaped carrier. The sides of the carrier have opposing apertures for receiving a rod for holding an object within the carrier. The rod may be locked into place. Alternatively, a shackle and locking body combination may be used to lock the object within the carrier.

Abstract: A support assembly, which is mounted on a vehicle for carrying bicycles thereon, comprises a first frame member, a second frame member, two retractable tube sets, four front wheel seats and four rear wheel seats. The retractable tube sets pivot their ends on said first frame member and said second frame member respectively such that angles between said first frame member, said second frame member and said retractable tube sets and a distance between said first frame member and said second frame member can be adjusted to make the support assembly of the present invention can be mounted on any type of vehicle. The front wheel seats and the rear wheel seats are provided at the first frame member and said second frame member respectively to put and secure the bicycles' wheels thereon. The front wheel seats are rotatable so that the front wheels of the bicycles secured on the front wheel seats can be turned to shorten the lengths of the bicycles.

Abstract: A shoulder supported sporting equipment carrier for carrying a variety of sporting equipment, namely a baseball or softball bat, a glove, and a plurality of balls. The carrier has a base board, an adjustable shoulder strap, and fasteners for securing the sporting equipment on to the base board. A pocket may also be secured to the base board for holding balls.

Abstract: A fastening system for driving fasteners through fastener caps. The fastening system includes a nail gun, an actuator system and a fastener cap dispenser, all mounted on a rolling chassis. The actuator system includes a wheel and an actuator in communication with the nail gun. As the wheel rotates, it intermittently engages the actuator which in turn fires a nail along a path. Drive air from the nail gun is vented to the fastener cap dispenser, which dispenses a fastener cap. In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser includes a picker including two pairs of movable teeth that engage two sides of two adjacent fastener caps to feed the fastener caps at high speeds. In a more preferred embodiment, the fastening system includes a fastener cap regulator that provides a constant feed of fastener caps to the dispenser, thereby preventing jamming of the same.

Abstract: A stapler includes a frame and a mounting unit configured to be selectively attached to and removed from the frame. The mounting unit includes a staple cartridge, a staple former, and a staple driver. The staple cartridge is further removable from a portion of the mounting unit including the staple former and the staple driver when the mounting unit is removed from the frame to permit replacement of the staple cartridge of the mounting unit. The mounting unit can further include a staple advancing mechanism and a reverse motion stopping mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to rotary friction welding and non-rotary motion friction welding, providing means for controlling ductilities of the components during the welding process so as to bias the welding process in favor of a first component or to match the ductilities of different components thereby facilitating the welding process.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip package includes a semiconductor chip mounted on a top surface of a substrate. A bottom surface of the substrate has ball pads. Bonding pads of the chip are electrically connected to the substrate. Enhanced pads, each having one or more dummy patterns coupled to one or more dummy pads, are preferably formed near edges of the substrate. The semiconductor chip package is mounted on the board by attaching external connection terminals such as solder balls, formed on the ball pads and the dummy pads, to a solder paste coated on ball lands and enhanced lands of the board.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for mounting electrical components on leadframes. A conveyor belt is used, having a holder which is attached to the conveyor belt. A leadframe is placed on the conveyor belt and is adjusted and held in position relative to the holder. The leadframe thus maintains its position relative to the endless conveyor belt throughout the entire period for which it remains on the endless conveyor belt.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for distributing solder paste using a tool that defines a solder paste aperture having a non-circular cross-sectional shape. When the non-circular shape coincides with a pad and at least a portion of a stringer leading to the pad during a solder paste distribution process, solder paste is deposited over the pad and the stringer portion. Since solder paste now resides on the stringer portion, solder is not drawn from the pad toward the stringer portion during the soldering process as with some conventional situations. Rather, solder within the solder paste that resides on the stringer portion tends to adhere to the stringer portion, while some of the solder volume over the stringer pulls back to join the solder over the pad due to surface tension of the solder. The end result is a robust solder joint between the pad and corresponding component contact.

Abstract: A quick erecting, disposable cooler which is transformable from a flat blank of corrugated sheet material may be non-destructively “knocked down” or collapsed after being semi-erected. The deployed cooler is moisture-proof and lacks leak paths, so it reliably stores and transports melting ice and beverage containers. A generally rectangular center panel is integrally bordered by pairs of end panels and side panels. Each side panel supports a foldable top panel with special knockouts and tabs to facilitate subsequent coupling of the panels. Each end panel has a small flap at its outer edge facilitating coupling. Four, integral, diametrically spaced-apart corner panels interconnect the center panel with the end and side panels. Score lines defined between the orthogonally arranged panels facilitate folding. Corner panels include diagonal score lines. The center panel forms a cooler bottom, and the end and side panels respectively form carton ends and sides when foldably deployed.

Abstract: A secured mailbox assembly for preventing the theft of mail placed inside a user's mailbox. The secured mailbox assembly includes an elongate base member being adapted to be partially disposed in a ground; and also includes a mailbox including a bracket being fastened with fasteners to the elongate base member, and also including a container being attached to the bracket, and further including a mail delivery door being hingedly attached to the container, and also including a mail retrieval door also being hingedly attached to the container, and further including a mail chute being attached to the mail delivery door; and further includes a lock mechanism for locking the mail receiving door to said container.

Abstract: The invention refers to a bank note handling apparatus comprising an input device with an integrated detector or bank note reader (8), such as a scanner, and a motor for inputting and outputting bank notes, a bank note seizing and conveying device (9) for delivering or removing bank notes in compartments corresponding to the bank note denominations in a bank note box (11), and a removable cover (40) for the bank note box (11), said cover (40) being automatically locked to the bank note box by means of a lock (39) built into the latter when the cover (40) is slid to its end position on the bank note box (11). A key (36) fitting said lock (39) is built into the bank note handling apparatus and can automatically be turned by means of a computer controlled motor for locking the bank note box (11) but cannot be removed from the bank note handling apparatus. The bank note box (11) can be unlocked only with a key (71) which is stored externally to the bank note handling apparatus under secure circumstances.

Abstract: A system controller reads first identification information from a semiconductor storage medium. The system controller causes an audio block to operate when a portion of the first identification information coincides with one of a whole and a portion of the second identification information stored in a non-volatile memory. The system controller stores another portion of the first identification information as a portion of the second identification information in the non-volatile memory. Even if a user adds the first identification information to the semiconductor storage medium, an onboard audio apparatus reads and stores an additional portion of the first identification information in the non-volatile memory. The first identification information added by the user is used for a next operation enable/disable determination for the audio block.

Abstract: A card reader module includes capabilities for receiving and decrypting an encrypted user PIN to facilitate off-line transaction authorization. In an off-line transaction, a transaction processing system need not communicate with an outside authorization network to obtain transaction authorization. Off-line transaction authorization is particularly relevant when a customer uses a secure payment device, such as a smart card. With a smart card, the transaction processing system, in cooperation with the smart card, compares a user-entered PIN, input through a keypad, with a user PIN stored on the smart card. If the input PIN matches the stored PIN, the transaction processing system authorizes the customer's transaction. Rather than including the keypad, the card reader module receives the PIN in encrypted format directly or indirectly from a separate keypad. To minimized fraud, the separate keypad encrypts the PIN before it is sent to the card reader module.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transferring funds are disclosed that utilize a transfer card issued to a sender that enables the sender to transfer funds at independent host locations. The transfer card is encoded with information about the sender and the intended receiver so that transfer forms are not required for each transaction. The receiver obtains the funds via a distribution center, wherein the personal identity of the receiver is verified before the funds are distributed.

Abstract: A database of a host computer stores attribute data, such as price, of many products. The database is accessed by wireless transmission on a real-time basis to automatically retrieve the price of a selected product. The retrieved data is printed on paper in human-readable form by a printer. The paper and the selected product are presented to a check-out site to complete purchase of the product.

Abstract: An inventory control and identification apparatus uses a storage space with a plurality of inventory items. Identification labels are positioned in physical correspondence with the inventory items. Each of the identification labels provides a unit and an LCD label. The label is enabled with an electronic pictorial display for identification of the inventory. A coordinate network of further units are set in a fixed position relative to the storage space and are enabled for wireless communication with the identification labels. A data processer is enabled for wireless communication with the coordinate network and the identificaton labels so as to remotely change the displays on the labels and to identify the locations of the labels.

Abstract: A method for remotely monitoring and managing the operation of fare charging passenger carrying vehicles forming elements of a transportation system. The method is carried out as each vehicle travels a route to pick up and deliver passengers having previously established passenger accounts. The method comprises the steps of maintaining a wireless two-way data link between each vehicle and a system control center having stored passenger account data and maintaining a two-way data link between the system control center and a system management center to allow the system management center to exchange data with the system control center and with each vehicle. A fare charge schedule defining fare charges based on designated criteria is transferred from the system management center to the system control center. The identity of each passenger boarding each vehicle is transmitted to the system control center where the passenger identity is matched with the related passenger account within the system control center.

Abstract: A smart-card reader is disclosed for receiving and locking a smart-card in a locking position. The smart-card reader comprises: a housing, a contacting apparatus, the contact elements of which are adapted to contact respective card contacts of the smart-card when the smart-card is in the reading position in the housing. A mechanical locking means for locking and releasing the smart-card. The mechanical locking means comprises a locking slide and a locking lever mechanism. The locking slide extends along and outside of the housing. The locking lever mechanism is located in front of the contacting apparatus when looking in the direction of the card insertion. The locking mechanism is also arranged above the smart-card and is adapted to lock the locking slide in the reading position.

Abstract: An optical mark reader includes a housing formed by a base and an upper housing assembly. A scanner is associated with the upper housing assembly for performing scanning operations on cards that are input into the housing. The base and the upper housing are detachably connected to each other by a quick connect/disconnect fastening system which permits easy access to the lens of the scanner, whereby the lens can be cleaned as needed. In addition, the housing includes a unique card path defined, in part, by a pair of guide walls on the base. The card path includes an inlet that is tapered both vertically and horizontally make insertion of cards into the housing easier. Further, a single, offset drive wheel is used to transport cards through the housing.

Abstract: A graphical code reader is disclosed. The graphical code reader includes control circuitry for the graphical code reader and a multi-functional optical element in electronic communication with the control circuitry. The multi-functional optical element includes a support structure and a monolithic imaging lens and target generating mechanism operably connected to the support structure. The imaging lens and target generating mechanism includes a lens and targeting structures for generating converging offset beams to feedback proper target distance. Laser diodes are positioned by the support structure such that laser light from the diodes is directed through the targeting structures to generate the converging offset beams. An imaging board is connected to the support structure. An imager is mounted to the imaging board and positioned to obtain an image from the lens.

Abstract: A planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based system employing wavefront control methods for reducing the power of speckle-pattern noise within digital images acquired by the system. The system comprises a housing having a first light transmission aperture, a second light transmission aperture, and a third light transmission aperture, wherein the first and second light transmission apertures are optically isolated from said third light transmission aperture spatially aligned on opposite sides thereof. A pair of planar laser illumination arrays (PLIAs) are mounted within the housing, for producing and projecting a first and second planar laser illumination beams (PLIBS) through the first and second light transmission apertures respectively, thereby producing a composite planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) outside of the housing, and illuminating an object therewith as the object is transported past the first, second and third light transmission apertures.

Abstract: A user is provided with a secure database containing information in diverse categories that relates to the user and that may be represented at least in part in bar code form and communicated with light from a mobile communications device. The diverse information is obtained from any combination of a variety of vendor and governmental computer systems, internet service providers, and communications devices. The user has access to the database using a mobile communications device for displaying, managing, and entering information, and for communicating information in bar code form with light. The user first selects the category that contains the specific item of information, and then selects the specific item of information. The specific item of information then is communicated in bar code form with light from the mobile communications device for scanning by a bar code scanner to obtain the desired good or service.

Abstract: A keyboard housing is built of one piece of material, with the keyboard housing being formed of an upper housing shell and a joining S-shaped lower housing shell. In this regard, the keyboard housing is preferably of resinous plastic. The keypad and, for example, the keyboard electronic circuitry are contained in the upper housing shell, with the auxiliary components being the lower housing shell.

Abstract: Security can be provide for lottery tickets having data printed thereon in a bar code or other machine readable media by covering only a portion of the bar code with a scratch-off material. Removing the scratch-off material, or in some cases only a portion of the scratch-off material, can permit machine validation of the lottery tickets. For bar codes having a specified level of redundancy, it is desirable to cover at least enough of the bar code so as to prevent the machine reading of ticket validation data encoded in the bar code. Also, a lottery ticket can include a bar code printed on the ticket having both inventory and validation data along with a bar code printed on the front of the ticket including the validation data. All or part of the bar code printed on the front of the ticket can be covered by a scratch-off material.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently storing programming instructions in a microprocessor based system where codelets which include program instructions written in a non-native programming language (such as MEL or C) are stored in a read only portion of memory. The location of the codelets are stored in an address table which is accessed by an operating system when an application calls the codelet during execution. At that time, the microprocessor accesses the codelet instructions until the codelet function is complete. By storing codelets in read only memory which is cheaper and takes up much less physical space than alterable memory (such as EEPROM), more programming instructions can be stored in the same amount of physical space. Additionally, since codelets are written in non-native programming languages, they become platform independent since they can be compiled by different compilers to run on any platform.

Abstract: A thermally powered VAV diffuser assembly (21, 221) having a housing (42, 242) formed for coupling to a supply air duct or conduit (22, 222), a damper (24, 224) mounted across a supply air opening (27, 227) for movement relative thereto to vary the volume of supply air discharge from the diffuser and a thermally powered damper position controlled device or assembly (28, 228). The control assembly (28, 228) includes not more than two sensor-actuators (31, 32, 231, 232) and a movable linkage assembly. The linkage assembly transmits movement of the sensor-actuators (31, 32, 231, 232) to the damper (24, 224) for displacement of the damper (24, 224) to vary the volume discharged and to produce change-overs between heating and cooling modes. The heating mode and cooling mode set point temperatures are each independently adjustable, and the movable linkage assembly includes a lever (33, 233) pivoted about two pivot points by axles (82, 83, 282, 283) which slide in slots (87, 88, 287, 288).

Abstract: The invention relates to a climate control system for the interior of a motor vehicle, having a blower regulator, heating control unit or brushless blower motor, as well as function components such as operating elements, sensors, clocking valves and adjusting drive mechanisms, which are connected to one another and to the vehicle battery via connecting lines and to which the information required to operate the blower regulator, heating control unit or brushless blower motor are transmitted.

Abstract: A control system with a communication function wherein: a central unit communicates 30 with a plurality of devices 11, 12, . . . , monitors and manages the operations of the devices; and each of the devices includes an input section for entering position data thereof. The central unit receives the position data and an identification data of each device, and includes a unit for making the identification data correspond to the position data for each device.

Abstract: A heating unit for heat-transfer fluid for a central heating installation including a tubular external wall, a first end wall and a second end wall forming a substantially cylindrical space; a first tubular internal partition located substantially concentrically within the tubular external wall and forming a first annular space between the tubular external wall and the first internal partition; a second internal partition having a diameter smaller than the first internal partition located substantially concentrically within the first internal partition and forming a second annular space between the first internal partition and the second internal partition; a central pipe located inside the second internal partition, the second annular space being in communication with the central pipe adjacent to the first end wall and in communication with the first annular space adjacent to the second end wall; an inlet orifice opening out of the first annular space adjacent to the first end wall; an outlet orifice in the

Abstract: A vehicle 3 runs three-dimensionally by first pushing up a mobile ascending track directly above and running to the terminal end of a mobile track 13, then running up to the highest position by returning and moving over to another mobile track directly above, then running down by lowering a descending track 23 to another mobile track directly below under the self-weight of the running vehicle 3.

Abstract: A valve for controlling fluids, having an inflow line and a leak fuel line, which each communicate with a pressure chamber. A piston element is adjustable by a control element and opens and closes a first passage between the inflow line and the pressure chamber. The piston element has a slide element, which is disposed directly at the seat of the piston element. The stroke length of the slide element for opening the first passage is greater than or equal to the stroke length for closing a second passage between the pressure chamber and the leak fuel line.

Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a base adapted to be secured to a component supplying water under pressure; an arc adjustment ring rotatably mounted on the base; a nozzle and a stream deflector supported by an elongated stem carried by the base, the nozzle and the stream deflector cooperating to define an adjustable nozzle orifice; a water distribution plate secured to a shaft in the stem and located downstream of the nozzle; the stem and the nozzle axially movable relative to the base; and a drive train operatively connected between the arc adjustment ring and the nozzle to rotate the nozzle relative to the stream deflector to thereby adjust the nozzle orifice between a pair of limit positions. The stem is rotatable within the base upon over-rotation of the arc adjustment ring beyond either of the pair of limit positions.

Abstract: The invention provides a rotor nozzle, comprising a casing and a rotor body arranged therein. The rotor body has a flow-through channel and a spherical bearing part in a step bearing surrounding an exit opening of the casing. An end part closes the casing and has several selectively closable passages arranged therein which open from an inlet side into the interior of the casing or into flow channels in the casing leading to additional outlets. The end part widens in steps from the interior to the inlet side, and is inserted into a stepped receiving opening. A seal is provided between the end part and the inner wall of the receiving opening. An outlet for a passage of the end part is arranged in the area of at least one step and a flow channel begins in the casing in the area of this step.

Abstract: A sprinkler includes a riser having a lower end for receiving a pressurized fluid and a nozzle that is mounted at an upper end of the riser for rotation about an axis. A turbine is mounted for rotation inside the riser. A drive mechanism connects the turbine to the nozzle so that rotation of the turbine by the pressurized fluid rotates the nozzle. The sprinkler includes mechanisms for preventing over-spinning of the turbine when the pressurized fluid is air or a mixture of air and water. Damage to the turbine drive shaft or its bearings due to over-spinning of the turbine is thereby avoided. In one version of the sprinkler, the over-spinning prevention mechanism applies a brake force to the turbine. In another version of the sprinkler, the over-spinning prevention mechanism re-directs air or a mixture of water and air around the turbine.

Abstract: A small, substantially flat, envelope-shaped scent dispensing packet contains a porous, absorbent scent emitting material which retains a desired scent or fragrance. Compressing the packet forces scent-laden air within the packet through an opening in the packet, thereby delivering the scent to a user.

Abstract: A shower head is disclosed having a front housing portion and a rear housing portion. Intermediate the front and rear housing portions is an integral filter canister including copper-zinc media for the removal of chlorine and other chemicals and contaminants. The shower head also has a plurality of spray openings for spraying water outwardly from the shower head, with a plurality of spray modes and patterns achievable by rotation of the front housing portion. A cleaning ring is also positioned within the front housing portion, it has a camming surface such that upon rotation of the front housing portion to change the spray modes, the cleaning ring is cammed forward to clean associated spray holes of accumulated minerals such as calcium.

Abstract: A pressure compensated drip irrigation hose (20) includes a hose having a wall (21) with an inner surface (21a). A continuous elastomeric strip member (30) is connected to the inner surface (21a). The continuous elastomeric strip member (30) and inner surface (21a) form a plurality of emitters. The emitters have an inlet section (40), a pressure reducing section (60) which is downstream from the inlet section (40). A pressure responsive section (70) is downstream from the pressure reducing section (60) and the outlet section (80) is downstream from the pressure responsive section (70). The continuous elastomeric strip member (30) is constructed from a material softer than the wall (21).

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine operates with high combustion efficiency, and low nitrous oxide emissions during engine operations. The combustor includes at least one trapped vortex cavity, a fuel delivery system including two fuel circuits, and a fuel spray bar assembly. A pilot fuel circuit supplies fuel to the trapped vortex cavity and a main fuel circuit supplies fuel to the combustor. The fuel spray bar assembly includes a spray bar and a heat shield. The spray bar is sized to fit within the heat shield. The heat shield includes aerodynamically-shaped upstream and downstream sides.

Abstract: A device for cleaning a shoe sole includes a substantially H-shaped base frame formed of hollow tubes having a vertical water inlet line upwardly extending therefrom. The water inlet line terminates at an upper end with a valve and hose coupling mounted thereon. The H-shaped base frame includes a transverse member having a plurality of aligned apertures oriented at a predetermined angle relative to a horizontal plane for delivering multiple pressurized streams of water at said predetermined angle to effectively clean a user's shoe sole while minimizing splashing of a user or a user's shoe.

Abstract: A controlling device for a sprinkler includes multiple seals detachably received in the tube in a watertight manner. Each seal has outlets defined in a top face of the seal and passages defined to respectively communicate with a corresponding one of the outlets. Multiple controlling rods are linearly and movably received in the tube to engage with a bottom face of the seals so as to selectively block the communication between the passage and the outlets such that water inside the tube is controlled to be sprinkled out of the tube.

Abstract: A nozzle of an air supply device is accommodated in a hole (17) in a wall (15) of the device, such as to enable the nozzle to be rotated about a first axis extending through the center of the hole, and pivoted about a second axis that extends perpendicularly to the first axis through two engagement points (6a) on the nozzle. The nozzle includes two or more guide vanes or baffles in the form of tongues (2,3) that have rear deflecting parts (2a,3a) of mutually different curvature, and a front, generally flat outflow part (2b,3b). The nozzle also includes a central tongue-holding part (5) which has resilient hook-shaped engagement elements (6a) at opposite ends. The nozzle may also include a third guide vane or baffle (4) that lacks a curved deflecting part. The air flow exiting from the nozzle can be directed in different planes. The invention also relates to an air supply device provided with one or more such nozzles (1).

Abstract: A method and two apparatuses for comminuting chips are presented. Chip breakers without a coarse-part ejecting element are often used for comminuting chips. Blocking constituents therefore have to be removed with great effort, for example by hand. If a coarse-part ejecting element is present, there is no differentiation between blocking hard parts and blocking clumps of chips, but instead both types are ejected. It is now envisaged to subdivide blocking constituents in horizontal chip breakers into categories, depending on the negative acceleration of the shaft (3, 17, 18) caused by the blocking, and to assign to each category a defined reversing operation for loosening the blocking constituents and, if appropriate, discharge from the comminuting space (1, 15) by means of a coarse-part ejecting element (12, 32).

Abstract: A milling apparatus comprises a mill for milling of an object material such as a rare-earth alloy. The mill includes a mill main body. A classifying rotor for classification of a powder is provided inside and at an upper portion of the mill main body. The mill main body has an outer circumference provided with three leg portions spaced equally from each other. Each of the leg portions supports the mill main body at a position above the center of gravity of the mill. Each of the leg portions is provided with a weight detector for detection of a weight of the mill holding the object material remaining in the mill. A flexible pipe is provided between the mill and a raw material feeder for supply of the object material to the mill. Another flexible pipe is provided between the mill and a collecting tank for collection of the powder.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge including a reel-rotation restraining member which restricts rotation of a reel when not used and allows the rotation of the reel when used. The reel-rotation restraining member has a restraining member, an urging member, and an unlocking member. The restraining member has a restraining gear which meshes with a locking tooth portion, and the restraining member is supported by a support portion of the cartridge case.

Abstract: A metal plate of a recording tape cartridge which has a tapered portion at an outer circumference thereof. In a state in which the metal plate is attached at a fixed-side mold plate of a metal mold for molding a reel hub and a lower flange, a gap is formed between the tapered portion and the fixed-side mold plate. During molding, molding material flows into the gap. Because of this gap, an annular pawl portion is formed at the reel hub, which annular pawl portion integrally joins the metal plate with the reel hub by sandwiching the metal plate via the tapered portion.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for winding a cord, and more particularly, an apparatus for winding a cord, in which a winding operation and a wind stopping operation are performed by pulling the cord of an ear-microphone of a portable cordless telephone. The cord winding and the wind stopping operations can be performed by a cord pulling operation without a separate operation of a release button, thereby providing convenience to the user. Further, while the ball is moved along the guide grooves, the winding and stopping operations are performed. Therefore, the ball functions as a moving bearing upon a rotation operation of the bobbin so that the bobbin is facilely rotated, thereby preventing an erroneous operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cutting system having a storage unit for storing positional information of defect portions of a whole roll of magnetic tape and a winding apparatus for playing out magnetic tape from the roll and winding the magnetic tape as a product. A defect removal apparatus plays out magnetic tape from the whole roll for purposes of disposal. A control unit selects, based on the positional information of the defect portions in a selected roll of magnetic tape, the winding apparatus or the defect removal apparatus. The apparatus that is not currently selected is available to process another roll of magnetic tape while the selected roll of magnetic tape is being processed in the selected apparatus.

Abstract: A paper towel dispenser which provides for hands free, automatic feeding of the first sheet of a primary web roll, such as a paper towel roll, into a feed mechanism when its cover is closed. The dispenser also automatically transfers its web feed supply from a primary roll to a reserve roll upon the exhaustion of the primary roll. The present invention eliminates the need for an attendant to thread the leading edge of a primary or reserve roll into the feed mechanism of the dispenser. The dispenser also eliminates wasted paper because it does not begin to feed the reserve roll until the primary roll has expired. The dispenser can include either a manual feed mechanism or a powered feed mechanism. The dispenser relies on a sensor for determining when a portion of the web is absent from a side of the feed mechanism proximate a web discharge opening.