Abstract:
Apparatus is described for displaying, on a display device having a number of spatially separated indicating positions such as a television monitor screen or a matrix of display lamps, the states of a number of elements, each elemental state being primarily indicated by signals applied over one of a number of indicating lines. The lines are connected to display converter modules which are arranged to scan the lines in sequence to produce a composite output signal which is applied to the display device. Where the number of lines is large, the serialisation of the line states may be done in stages, the first stage being the derivation of a separate composite signal from each of a number of groups of lines. The second stage then consists of deriving a final output signal by scanning the first-stage composite signals in turn.
Abstract:
Web feeding apparatus comprising two pairs of web drive tractors, each pair drivable from a different one of two shafts, and an endless flexible belt by which the shafts are driven, the belt having a generally T-shape to engage the shafts at ends of the T-head and a drive wheel in the base of the T with a pair of idlers on either side of the T-stem and head junctions, in which the pair of idlers are moveable together in a curve transversely of the T-stem in the plane of the T. Such arcuate movement of the idlers with the drive wheel locked causes rephasing of the drive shafts and thus of the driven web.
Abstract:
Apparatus for displaying an image on an arrangement of gas discharge cells is disclosed in which a matrix of image display cells is formed by the interlacing of a number of elementary cell matrices. The elementary cells are so arranged that corresponding single cells from all the elementary matrices fall within each image display cell. The brightness of each image cell is therefore dependent upon the number of its elementary cells which are energised and the brightness level of those energised elementary cells. By arranging that the individual elementary cells of an image cell have different brightness levels and selecting appropriate combinations of these elementary cells to be energised a brightness range of at least 12:1 is possible for a single image cell, thus allowing the arrangement to display half-tone images acceptably. Tone separation of a displayed image is possible by reducing the brightness range of the display cells. The variations in brightness of the elementary cells may be achieved by, for example, the incorporation of optical filters, such as neutral density filters, to absorb light from some of the elementary cells within an image cell or by regulating the current permitted to flow in each elementary cell. The decoding of coded brightness information to control the energisation of the elementary cells during scanning of those cells within a display cell is disclosed.
Abstract:
A punch mechanism for record members is disclosed which includes a die assembly consisting of a thin plate having a plurality of apertures therein for co-operating with a plurality of punches. The thin plate is bonded to a bolster which supports it over its unperforated area. The walls of the apertures in the thin plate are hardened and the remainder of the plate is relatively soft.
Abstract:
A paper stacker for stacking a continuous paper web in fan-fold form from a printer is disclosed. Rollers having radially projecting resilient fingers engage both folded edges of the web as it is stacked. The rollers are each driven by a motor through a gear secured to the roller shaft. The motor is carried on a plate pivotted about the shaft the plate being held against rotation about the shaft by a spring. When the stack height brings the upper surface of the stack sufficiently close to the rollers the load on the rollers is sufficiently great to cause rotation of the plate against the tension of the spring, thereby making an electrical contact to actuate mechanism for raising the rollers.
Abstract:
A punched card gauge has at each possible hole position marks defining at least two boundaries one within the other. Sight of the inner boundary but none of the outer one is required on making a hole sight of the whole of the inner boundary indicates a hole is satisfactory for sensing.
Abstract:
A card feeding device is disclosed in which a block carrying a picker knife is stepped along by means of a first pawl on the block engaging in a reciprocating rack and a second pawl engaging with a stationary rack. Means are provided to disengage the first pawl to interrupt movement of the block and to disengage both pawls to allow the block to return to its initial position.
Abstract:
A magnetic transducing head is disclosed which is supported relative to a record medium by three pads spaced apart from one another in triangular formation. Two pieces of ferromagnetic material are bonded together by a non-magnetic material to produce an assembly having a transducing gap, the assembly being shaped in the region of the transducing gap to produce a magnetic head which also serves as one support pad. Two pads integrally formed on the ferromagnetic assembly provide the other supports.
Abstract:
Tape handling apparatus includes two or more decks arranged in spaced overlapping relationship, each deck including a tape processing arrangement, and means for driving the processing arrangement extending though the overlapping portions of the decks. The drive means include clutch elements which provide drive connections between adjacent decks, so that all of the tape processing arrangements, can be driven from a single source of drive. Where more than two decks are provided they can be hinged together so that the adjacent decks can be easily separated without breaking the drive between other decks.
Abstract:
A circuit interconnecting cable construction includes a cable having a group of side-by-side spaced apart conductors embedded in insulating material to provide a cable of tape like form with a surface substantially parallel to the conductors. An electrically conductive screen is located adjacent this surface and a lattice structure is placed between the screen and the surface to space the screen a predetermined distance from the conductors.