Abstract: To reduce direct memory access (DMA) overhead, a tensorized descriptor can be used to generate a series of memory descriptors to perform a series of DMA data transfers. The tensorized descriptor may include attributes such as a stride and a memory descriptor template, which can be used to generate the series of memory descriptors. Hence, instead of having to retrieve each of the memory descriptors to perform the series of DMA transfers, a single tensorized descriptor can be retrieved to perform a series of data transfers.

Abstract: Display cases for displaying one or more automobile tire rims and related can include a frame and at least one set of rollers disposed on the frame. The set of rollers can include at least one driver roller that is rotatable by a driver. The rollers of the set of rollers are positionable at a distance relative to each other to support a tire rim on the rollers within the housing so that the tire rim is rotatable upon the rotation of the at least one driver roller.

Abstract: A storage system comprising a plurality of shelf units movable together through a circuit attached to and moved by a flexible drive such as a chain or belt, while being guided and stabilized in orientation by a separate guide track which track followers, retained by each shelf unit, move to maintain a selected orientation of the shelves within a system support or enclosure. Each shelf unit is removable by the user from engagement of the drive and from the system enclosure permitting replacement of the shelves within the storage system without system disassembly.

Abstract: Display cases for displaying one or more automobile tire rims and related methods are provided. The display case can include a frame and at least one set of rollers disposed on the frame. The set of rollers can include at least one driver roller that is rotatable by a driver. The rollers of the set of rollers are positionable at a distance relative to each other to support a tire rim on the rollers within the housing so that the tire rim is rotatable upon the rotation of the at least one driver roller.

Abstract: A retail display case that has an illuminated region, a region protected from illumination, a platform that is capable of moving, and a fresh meat holding area is described. The fresh meat holding area comprises a portion of the platform, and the platform is capable of moving the fresh meat holding area between the illuminated region and the region protected from illumination.

Abstract: An inventory control system includes a storage module having a continuous track and a plurality of individual storage units stacked in multiple columns or rows. Each storage unit is engaged with the track for selective movement along the track. An inventory control unit is associated with the storage module and has a user interface, a processor, a memory, and a mechanism for inputting object information, including storage unit placement. The processor receives the object information from the inputting mechanism, and stores the object information in the memory for user access therefrom via the user interface.

Abstract: A powered carousel shelving unit is configured to bring individual shelves to a standard handicap accessible height at a front access opening for viewing and selection of product on the shelves. Stationary guide tracks and complimentary tracking elements connected to the shelves are cooperative to tip the shelves forward as they approach and leave the access area so as to organize the product to the front of the shelves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for roof shingle-like displaying of sliced products, in particular of slices of food cut from bars of food. The slices are deposited on a display area. A measuring apparatus is provided, measuring at least one dimension of the product. The cut slice of the product is positioned on the display area on the basis of this information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electro-optical distance measurement. A series of pulses provided by a laser are received as echoes by a receiver. The pulses are each produced within respective intervals having a common predetermined duration. Each pulse is time-shifted relative to the beginning of its corresponding interval. A pulse pattern comprising echo signals for each of a series of pulses is used to determine the distance to an object producing the echoes.

Abstract: A rotatable shoe rack for visible and readily accessible storage of a plurality of clothing accessories such as shoes, ties, scarves and belts, comprising a pair of opposing base plates, having slotted channels which receive flexible belts that define a plurality of sockets. Respective distal ends of elongate support members engage the sockets, whereby the support members extend between the base plates. Each support member includes a plurality of spaced-apart cross-arms to which a shoe receivers are attached. Shoes, being placed on the shoe receivers, are selectively viewed for retrieval, by causing the belts to move along the channels. Arms extend from the support member for receiving ties, scarves, and belts.

Abstract: A device with a concealed mechanism and visible shelves is arranged on two vertical planes (1 and 2), one in front of the other, parallel to the rear of the shelves. The rear plane (1) supports the mechanism while the front plane (2) serves to support the shelves mounted on rotary supports (14). The shelves are horizontally supported by two distinct and symmetrical slides in which run rollers carrying the shelf supports.

Abstract: A storage system for vertical and horizontal storage of hangered apparel includes first and second chains having inwardly directed pins. Rods for mounting on the pins include a first fixed end have a bore to mount on one pin and a second retractable end having a bore to mount on the second pin. An actuator tube is mounted over the second end of the rod and is affixed to the sliding retractable end by pins extending through slots in the rod. When the actuator tube is slid inwardly, the end is retracted so that the rod can be mounted first on the one pin on the fixed end and then positioned over the second pin. The actuator is then slid outwardly to mount the rod. A spring biases the retractable end outward.

Abstract: A top drive horizontal carousel for a full height carrier including generally horizontal and coextensive upper and lower guides and associated upper and lower support assemblies. The upper and lower support assemblies include a series of guidance points or carrier pins which define a first vertical plane for each of the carriers. The support assemblies are attached to the back of a corresponding carrier via horizontally directed extensions which cross the first vertical plane. The back of the carrier forms a second vertical plane, outwardly disposed from the first vertical plane, allowing the carrier to extend above the upper guide and below the lower guide to provide for a carrier whose height is not limited by the space between the upper and lower guides.

Abstract: A rotatable stock closet for the storage of articles such as electronic parts, and the like, including a plurality of container conveying units arranged vertically one above another on a frame. Each unit includes outer and inner rails with guide channels arranged in parallel therebetween. Each unit also includes an endless traction chain and a motor driving the chain. A series of stock containers, releasably connected to the traction chain of each unit, move on and along the rails, so that any container may be quickly and easily reached by an operator by selectively operating the motor of the appropriate container conveying unit. With the traction chains and containers removed, the frame and the container conveying units can be disassembled horizontally into a drive end unit, a series of intermediate units and an idler end unit. When the traction chains are mounted, the tension of each traction chain is adjustable.

Abstract: An improved motion display for articles inside a showcase comprises a base member having longitudinally spaced walls, and a moving set of shelves each having receptacles for articles to be displayed. A continuous loop chain conveyor traverses the walls in a substantially rectangular pattern. Stationary guide rails cooperate with the shelves to periodically pivot or rotate them into various orientations as they travel. A photoelectric sensor stops the travel of the shelves when a customer interrupts light striking the sensor.

Abstract: A display console having endless carriers with swing mounted trays thereon. The endless carrier chains are passed over head and tail sprockets within a cabinet in serpentine fashion and the trays are held parallel and upright as they move up and down, over and beneath the sprockets. The trays are particularly adapted to the support of eyeglass frames to be displayed.

Abstract: In facilities having several systems of circulating shelving, because of the multiplicity of parts to be stored the regular use of a data processing system is required. For controlling the systems of circulating shelving by means of the data processing system, suitable control arrangements are used. In such a control arrangement, the signal output (51) of a data station (33) is coupled via an optical coupler (62) to a transmit line (38). The transmit line (38) connects in parallel all similar connections of the data stations of several control arrangements, allowing the interposition of a multiplexer to be dispensed with.

Abstract: For a multi-level rack-type conveyor having a multiple series of racks connected end-to-end to form an endless loop supported on a central standard, a rail-and-roller configuration which provides for each series of racks, an upper, inwardly-facing vertical rail surface and a lower, outwardly-facing vertical rail surface having a free upper edge. Each rack is provided with a pair of upper and lower rollers to engage the respective vertical surfaces, the lower roller having a flange adapted to ride on the free upper edge of the lower rail surface to provide vertical support for the rack. The free edge engages in the corner between the flange and the vertical roller surface to enable the flange to roll on the upper edge without slippage which causes friction and consequent noise and wear.

Abstract: A storage system is described in which bins are transferred from a first storage position to an inspection position through the operation of a pair of endless belts carrying bin engaging device whereby a bin is moved along bin guides by sequential engagement of the bin engaging device on either belt followed by the bin engaging device of the other belt.

Abstract: A machine including a cabinet having a refrigerated interior for cooling drinking glasses carried on a circular frame. The frame is provided with a series of drinking glass supports which may pivot to retain horizontal disposition during frame rotation. To prevent tipping of the glass carrying supports, a roller chain circuit engages a sprocket on each support. A motor drive for the circular frame is provided as is a latch arrangement for locking the frame against rotary movement during glass loading and unloading.

Abstract: A chain mechanism composed of a main chain provided with triangular links disposed at a certain pitch interval and formed with a pivot apart from the joints of the chain and an auxiliary chain having the same pitch and pitch number as the main chain and provided with triangular links which are arranged in opposite relationship to the triangular links of the main chain and formed with a pivot located identically to the triangular links of the main chain, the joints and pivots of both chains being coupled through coupling links and support links which are equal in effective length. The main chain, auxiliary chain, support links and coupling links can form an associated continuous parallel crank mechanism cooperatively and therefore, the support links as well as coupling links maintain a predetermined angle throughout the path of the chain mechanism.

Abstract: A display case for use in exhibiting jewelry and incorporating a pair of sidewalls in its structure, spaced apart a fixed distance, grooves being routed into each sidewall wherein drive linkage or chain are located, and driven by a drive shaft turned by an electric or other motor. Each of the drive chains revolve simultaneously, so that display trays or shelves held at each end by each of the sidewall disposed linkages are revolved about the display case for exhibiting merchandise.

Abstract: To greatly increase the storage capacity of cabinets and to efficiently utilize the corner space in such cabinets and to render frequently-used stored articles more readily accessible, a prefabricated modular or unitized storage conveyor apparatus is installed with only minor modification of existing or newly manufactured cabinets. Adjacent building space customarily wasted can receive portions of the storage conveyor unit. Simplicity, economy of manufacturing, and reliability of operation are featured in the conveyor mechanism.

Abstract: A device is described for displaying drapes, fabrics, or other products comprising a horizontal closed-loop track for receiving the upper ends of the samples to be displayed, which samples are interconnected together at their upper ends to form a closed loop slidable around the track. The device further includes a drive motor and a pusher member driven by the motor along a circular path partly coextensive with a curved end section of the closed loop track. The pusher member is engagable with the upper end of the interconnected samples and pushes them around the closed loop track from the front section, wherein the interconnected samples are extended at the front section for viewing, whereas at the rear section they are compacted.

Abstract: To greatly increase the storage capacity of cabinets and to efficiently utilize the corner space in such cabinets and to render frequently-used stored articles more readily accessible, a prefabricated modular or unitized storage conveyor apparatus is installed with only minor modification of existing or newly manufactured cabinets. Adjacent building space customarily wasted can receive portions of the storage conveyor unit. Simplicity, economy of manufacturing, and reliability of operation are featured in the conveyor mechanism.

Abstract: A curved guide for paternoster-type document carriers of the type wherein at least one carrier is connected by a support arm rotatably articulated on each front side to an endlessly moving chain, said carrier being conducted by means of a bent lever attached to the front side of each carrier in an inverted V-shaped position with the aid of guide rollers provided at the lever ends and running in slotted guideways which intersect at the two deflection points, wherein the improvement comprises a pair of pivotally mounted and automatically settable or reversible point levers at the guideway intersection. The point levers close the respective entrance and exit of one slotted guideway from the other slotted guideway with the sides of the point levers forming a continuous slotted guideway bridging the entrance and exit of the other slotted guideway. The point levers are coupled by an endless chain.

Abstract: An endless belt is mounted on, and extends between, a pair of elongated rollers rotatably mounted in a housing in spaced parallel relation parallel to, and in proximity with, the top and bottom of the housing. A plurality of shelf members are affixed to the belt and extend perpendicularly from the belt in spaced parallel relation for releasably storing files between next-adjacent shelf members. A motor coupled to one of the rollers rotates the rollers and the belt to move the shelf members cyclically from top to bottom to top inside the housing. An opening is formed in the front of the housing and covered by a selectively openable door to provide access to the shelf members for inserting and removing files.

Abstract: A plurality of trays are supported on bars affixed to and extending between a pair of endless carrier chains. The carrier chains are mounted on sprocket wheels which are rotated to move the carrier chains through a cabinet and past a window in the cabinet. Each of the trays is removably rotatably mounted on a corresponding one of the bars. Each of the trays has a box-like configuration with an open front facing the window, a spring-biased retainer device for retaining an item in the tray, and a guide device for maintaining the tray upright in its journey through the cabinet.

Abstract: A display case having a plurality of display trays moving forwardly along a support surface so that articles carried by the trays are visible from above. After the trays have reached the rear of the display case, they are lowered and then moved forwardly below the support surface until they reach the front of the display case where they are lifted onto the support surface and moved rearwardly again. The trays are connected to spaced and parallel continuous chains each extending between a pair of rotatably mounted sprockets adjacent the trays. A crank rotates one of the sprockets through a drive shaft and gear system so that the trays move in accordance with the rotation of the crankshaft.

Abstract: A mechanized filing system comprises a plurality of carrier pans mounted on an endless chain conveyor. Two chains rotate respectively about upper and lower sprockets with the carrier pans being attached between them by means of scissors-like suspension arms. The carrier pans define symmetrical, wide, wedge shaped, upper camming surfaces on the top sides thereof and symmetrical, wide, V-shaped lower camming surfaces, complementary to the wedge-shaped upper camming surfaces, on the lower sides thereof. The wedge shaped upper camming surfaces mesh with the V-shaped lower camming surfaces when the carrier pans complete rotation about the sprockets. The carrier pans are rotatably attached to the suspension arms at points relatively close to their wedge-shaped upper camming surfaces.