Other

Government of the United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary of Commerce

R.a. Allen Company, Inc.

Avco Corporation

Richard A Allen

Alexander R Allen

Michael W Cresswell

Loren W Linholm

Christopher B Allen

William B Penzes

E Clayton Teague

Jeffry Joseph Sniegowski

Michael Gaitan

R N Ghoshtagore

Gordon R Allen

Martin C Peckerar

Joseph J Kopanski

Randall Paul Wagner

Colleen H Ellenwood

John A Denner, Jr

Qian Dong

An interferometric microphone calibrator for comparison calibrating a microphone, the interferometric microphone calibrator comprising: an interferometer in optical communication with a microphone and that produces an interferometer measurement light, communicates the interferometer measurement light to the microphone, and receives an interferometer backscattered light from the microphone, such that a sensitivity of a test microphone is interferometrically calibrated to a reference microphone from the interferometer backscattered light; a preamplifier-controller in electrical communication with the microphone, and that receives a driver signal from a microphone driver and drives the microphone driver; the microphone driver in electrical communication with the preamplifier-controller and that receives a driver control signal from a calibration controller and produces the driver signal based on the driver control signal; and a calibration controller in electrical communication with the microphone driver and that produces the driver control signal and communicates the driver control signal to the microphone driver.

Interferometric microphone calibrator and comparison calibrating a microphone

A compact folding bicycle carrier has a frame, a folding lower foot member and a pair of folding articulated upper carrying members. The lower foot member is pivotally mounted to a lower end of the frame and constrained for limited movement relative thereto. Each articulated carrying member has a supporting arm and a carrying arm. One end of each supporting arm is pivotally mounted to an upper end of the frame at opposite sides thereof. Each carrying arm is associated with one supporting arm. Each carrying arm has a cradle for holding a bicycle adjacent one end and an upper foot at the other end. Each carrying arm, between the cradle and the upper foot, is pivotally mounted to its respective supporting arm. The supporting arms are constrained for limited movement relative to the frame and each carrying arm is constrained for limited movement relative to its respective supporting arm.

Compact folding bicycle carrier for motor vehicles

A universal folding carrier for carrying objects on tailgates of pickup trucks and trunk lids of automobiles or the like has a substantially U-shaped frame, a substantially U-shaped carrying member and a substantially U-shaped supporting member. The folding carrier is movable between a folded or storage position and a locked extended or operational position. The carrying arm is pivotally mounted to the frame and the supporting member is pivotally mounted to the frame. A latching assembly includes a pair of first brackets. The first brackets are mounted on opposite sides of the frame. A pair of second brackets is mounted to opposite sides of the carrying member, each second bracket having a ramp portion and a latch. A latching assembly with first and second latching members is mounted to the first brackets. Each latching member has an engaging pin, the engaging pins extending from opposite ends of the latching members. The first latching member includes a first trigger assembly and the second latching member includes a second trigger assembly, the trigger assemblies being urged apart by a spring. The engaging pins are position for locked engagement with the latches when the folding carrier is in its extended position. The trigger assemblies are spaced apart a distance that permits a user using one hand to move the trigger assemblies towards one another for disengaging the engaging pins from the latches so that the folding carrier can be moved from its locked extended position to its folded position.

Latching assembly for a folding equipment carrier

A swing-out hitch mounted equipment carrier that is movable between collapsed and extended positions has a rectangular insert that is sized and shaped to be received in a trailer hitch receiver affixed to a vehicle. A fixed arm is attached to the insert. A swing arm is pivotally connected to the fixed arm. A vertical member having an equipment carrier affixed on an upper end is pivotally connected at a lower end to the swing arm. The vertical member is constrained for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis, the equipment carrier rotating with the vertical member. A controller is provided for controlling the ratio of the relative movement of the swing arm and equipment carrier as the swing-out hitch mounted equipment carrier is moved between the collapsed and extended positions.

Swing-out hitch mounted equipment carrier

A swing-away hitch mounted equipment carrier that is movable between collapsed and extended positions has a rectangular insert that is sized and shaped to be received in a trailer hitch receiver affixed to a vehicle. A fixed arm is attached to the insert. A first swing arm is pivotally connected to the fixed arm and a second swing arm is pivotally connected to the first swing arm. A vertical member having an equipment carrier affixed on an upper end is pivotally connected at a lower end to the second swing arm. The vertical member is constrained for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis, the equipment carrier rotating with the vertical member. A first control member is provided for controlling the pivoting movement of the first and second swing arms as the swing-away hitch mounted equipment carrier is moved between the collapsed and extended positions. A second control member is provided for controlling the rotational movement of the vertical member and the equipment carrier as the swing-away hitch mounted equipment carrier is moved between the collapsed and extended positions.

Swing-away hitch mounted equipment carrier

A collapsible bicycle carrier has a base that is configured to fit a trailer hitch receiver on a motor vehicle. An upright frame is operatively connected to the base. A T-shaped member having a vertical upright body and a horizontal crossbar is connected to the frame. A substantially U-shaped carrying assembly having a pair of carrying arms at an open end thereof is pivotally mounted to the crossbar. A slide having a tab is slidably received on the upright body. A bracket is rotatably mounted at its ends to the tab and a closed end of the carrying assembly. A lock is provided on the slide for locking the slide in first and second positions. The carrying arms are in an extended carrying position when the slide is locked in the first position and in a collapsed position when the slide is locked in the second position.

Hitch rack

A multi-purpose folding carrier for carrying bulky cargo includes a frame, an upper member rotatably disposed on the frame and a cage rotatably and slidably disposed on the frame, the cage being configured to restrain forward, lateral and rearward movement of cargo placed therein. The upper member and cage are constrained for limited pivotal and/or slidable movement relative to the frame between extended carrying positions and collapsed storage positions. A locking element or brace is provided for securing the upper member in its extended carrying position. A series of straps are provided for securing articles, such as, for example, a cooler, on the cage as well as for securing the carrier to an automobile. The upper member may be provided with a pair of hook members which facilitate fastening the carrier to an externally mounted spare tire. Moreover, lower portions of the frame may be fabricated as a discrete supporting member rotatably mounted on the frame for limited pivotable movement between an extended carrying position and a collapsed storage position.

Multi-purpose folding carrier

Imaging instruments for inspecting products, such as semiconductor chips, are calibrated by providing a reference test structure having features which can be located by optical measurements not subject to tool-induced shift and wafer-induced shift experienced by the imaging instrument, thereby enbabling self correction of the imaging instrument. The reference test structure, which has a plurality of target units formed therein, is first qualified using the optical measurements, and is then used to calibrate the imaging instrument. The optical measurements may be made by a supplementary alternative imaging-sensor means which can be integrated into existing imaging instrument architecture. A series of test structure elements may be fabricated with one component of each being spaced at progressively greater distances from an arbitrary baseline, such that a zero overlay element may be identified by the alternative imaging sensor means.

Overlay target and measurement procedure to enable self-correction for

An improved test structure for measurement of width of conductive lines formed on substrates as performed in semiconductor fabrication, and an improved reference grid for calibrating instruments for such measurements, is formed from a monocrystalline starting material, having an insulative layer formed beneath its surface by ion implantation or the equivalent, leaving a monocrystalline layer on the surface. The monocrystalline surface layer is then processed by preferential etching to accurately define components of the test structure. The substrate can be removed from the rear side of the insulative layer to form a transparent window, such that the test structure can be inspected by transmissive-optical techniques. Measurements made using electrical and optical techniques can be correlated with other measurements, including measurements made using scanning probe microscopy. Nested quadrilateral calibration reference grids particularly useful in calibrating optical coordinate measurement instruments are disclosed.

Monocrystalline test and reference structures, and use for calibrating

A test structure for submicrometer metrology as used in integrated circuit manufacture comprises a bridge conductor divided into three segments by pairs of voltage taps. A first segment has no intermediate taps; a second segment has a number of dummy taps intermediate its ends; and a third segment has a single central tap, which may typically be formed in a different step than the remainder of the test structure, intermediate its ends. Preferably, the central tap extends from the same side of the bridge conductor as the taps at the ends of the third segment thereof. In order to evaluate a manufacturing operation, for example, to monitor the accuracy of registration of successive manufacturing steps, test signals are applied successively between the pairs of pads. Comparison of the response of the first and second segments to the test signals allows evaluation of the segment-shortening effect of the taps; comparison of the response of the two portions of the third segment to the test signals allows evaluation of their lengths, and thus of the offset, that is, the accuracy of registration of the step used to form the central tap. A plurality of substantially identical test structures are formed, for example, on an integrated circuit substrate. Offsets measured with respect to each of the substrates are summed using a least-squares technique, to allow separation of tool-wide misalignment errors and errors in the generation of a particular pattern or similar tool used to form a test structure. By summing the offsets measured with respect to a large number of test structures, random errors due to the presence of dust or other contaminants on the tools are effectively eliminated. The test structure according to the invention may also be used to calibrate optical measurements, or may be implemented as a line scale for direct optical measurements.

Electrical test structure and method for measuring the relative

A foldable carrier that is mountable upon a motor vehicle having an externally-mounted spare tire and brake light support assembly includes rotatably connected frame, a carrying member, and a supporting member. The carrying and supporting members are constrained for limited rotational movement relative to the frame between an operational position and a stored position. The carrying member has a pair of carrying arms, a connecting member and a pair of inwardly extending feet. The feet, the connecting member and a portion of the carrying arms disposed between the feet and connecting member form a substantially C-shaped opening that permits the carrier to be mounted on the vehicle about the spare tire without interferring with the brake light support.

Tire mountable folding carrier

A pocket tide calculator is described which predicts tide times and moon phases in a visual display which gives the semi-diurnal tide times in any given day of the month and can be readily set for the following month. This device automatically leaves out the high or low tide which is alternately missing every 7.5 days. This invention incorporates a compressed time scale when compared with a normal 24-hour clock face which enables a concise display of the semi-diurnal tide cycle.

Tide calculator

Imaging instruments for inspecting products, such as semiconductor chips, e calibrated by providing a reference test structure having features which can be located by electrical measurements not subject to tool-induced shift and wafer-induced shift experienced by the imaging instrument, and by the imaging instrument. The reference test structure is first qualified using electrical measurements, and is then used to calibrate the imaging instrument. The electrical measurements are made by forcing a current between a plurality of spaced reference features and a pair of underlying conductors. Conductive connectors formed in vias in an insulating layer overlying the pair of conductors and individually connected to a respective conductive element formed on the insulating layer are each spaced at progressively greater distances relative to the centerline of the space between the pair of conductors, such that a null-overlay element may be identified.

Methods and test structures for measuring overlay in multilayer devices

An improved test structure for measurement of width of conductive lines formed on substrates as performed in semiconductor fabrication, and for calibrating instruments for such measurements, is formed from a monocrystalline starting material, having an insulative layer formed beneath its surface by ion implantation or the equivalent, leaving a monocrystalline layer on the surface. The monocrystalline surface layer is then processed by preferential etching to accurately define components of the test structure. The substrate can be removed from the rear side of the insulative layer to form a transparent window, such that the test structure can be inspected by transmissive-optical techniques. Measurements made using electrical and optical techniques can be correlated with other measurements, including measurements made using scanning probe microscopy.

Growing community of inventors

Concord, MA, United States of America

Richard A Allen