Abstract: A processing device is provided with a disk loading port and a cassette or cartridge loading port both formed in a substantially common top face or surface of the device so that a CD ROM as well as a cartridge ROM may be loaded from the top. A main circuit board, in which a CPU, data processors and other circuits are assembled, is positioned so as to substantially underlie both the disk and cartridge loading ports and generally arranged in a plane parallel to the common top face. The disk operating unit is formed of two portions, one having a lower surface on which the cartridge unit may be detachably mounted, and the other having an elevated portion in which the disk loading port as well as a disk driving mechanism is installed.

Abstract: An electrical installer hand tool has multiple interchangeable rethread bits and drive bits in the one hand tool. The 10-in-1 hand tool optimally has 4 interchangeable rethread bits, 4 interchangeable drive bits and 2 nut drives. The 4 rethread bits optimally has size/number of threads, 6/32, 8/32, 10/32 and 10/24, and the 4 drive bits are correspondingly sized to drive screws in the rethreaded holes. The 10-in-1 hand tool permits an electrical installer to rethread putty-filled screw holes and then drive screws in the electrical box sheet metal construction with the one hand tool.

Abstract: A flat article carrying case includes corrugated sheet material which substantially wraps about the entire case with the exception of the lateral sides of the case. A handle is attached to the front side of the carrying case. Two frame members, forming the lateral sides of the carrying case, are provided for providing stiffness and rigidity to the case, when covered with corrugated sheet material which is flexible along a direction parallel to the frame members but substantially rigid or stiff in the transverse direction extending between the frame members. However, it will be evident that different covering sheet materials may be used, in which case different numbers of frame members may be needed to provide requisite stiffness or rigidity to the resulting carrying case.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conductive rubber roller, comprising a core metal shaft, an ionic conductive layer formed to surround the outer circumferential surface of the core metal shaft and consisting of a high molecular weight elastomer containing an ionic conducting agent or a foamed body of such a high molecular weight elastomer, an electron conductive layer formed to surround the outer circumferential surface of the ionic conductive layer and consisting of a high molecular weight cellular elastomer containing an electron conducting agent or a high molecular weight cellular elastomer containing an electron conducting agent, a toner contamination preventing layer formed to surround the outer circumferential surface of the electron conductive layer, and an insulating annular sealing member mounted to each of both edges of the ionic conductive layer and the electron conductive layer both extending in the longitudinal direction of the metal core wherein a relationship R1>R2>R3, where R1, R2 and R3 denote, respectiv

Abstract: A mains power supply unit for the purpose of supplying consumers that are connected directly or by way of a voltage system converter to a direct voltage branch of a mains power supply unit comprises a buffer capacitor (C) that can be charged from the mains supply and that still supplies the direct voltage branch for a predetermined minimum period of time in the event of a failure or interruption in the mains supply. In such an event, the buffer capacitor (C) can be charged by way of a dedicated charging circuit (3) to a voltage (U2), which, regardless of the voltage fluctuations in the direct voltage branch, is substantially constant and corresponds in a substantial manner to the upper limit value of the direct voltage (U1) to which limit value the mains power supply unit is dimensioned. The buffer capacitor can be connected onto the direct voltage branch by way of a controlled switch (S) in the event of undervoltage in the mains supply or in the direct voltage branch.

Abstract: A locking device and its assemblage are provided for confining an object. The locking device is used to confine the object having an end having a recess having a defining surface to prevent the object from being displaced in a direction. The locking device is a geometrically closed-loop body having a hollow or cut out portion, and having a flexibility so that upon being applied with an external force, the object will pass through the hollow portion and the end will thus be confined by the locking device while the force disappears. A simple process can be used to assemble and disassemble the locking assemblage.

Abstract: A spring-loaded tape cartridge in a tape measure housing includes a coilable tape rotatably mounted to position a free end of the tape to pass through an opening in the housing. The tape cartridge is biased to retract the tape into the compartment when the free end is pulled out of the housing to perform a measurement. A stop tab at the free end engages the workpiece and assures that the free end remains outside housing and available for gripping. An internal spring portion acts between the housing and the tape cartridge for applying a substantially constant frictional force on the tape cartridge. A second spring portion is provided for selectively applying increased and decreased frictional forces on the tape cartridge to supplement the substantially constant frictional forces.

Abstract: A drive control apparatus for a stepping motor comprises a driving circuit connected to the stepping motor for driving the same, and a controller for outputting a control signal to the driving circuit so as to set up a W1-2 phase driving mode when the stepping motor is in an acceleration and deceleration states, and so as to set up 1-2 phase driving mode when the stepping motor is in a constant-speed state.

Abstract: A method of constructing a wheelchair that is durable, lightweight, economical and fully adaptable to any end user's requirements, such as sizing, convertibility, environment and lifestyle, and the resulting wheelchair, is disclosed, made possible by the utilization of specially designed weld-free connector fittings with any desirable or available tubular materials.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus includes an optical pickup. When an optical disc is mounted, a focus search is carried out for a lens provided on the optical pickup, and the optical disc is discriminated as to its disc type. At this time, an AGC circuit of an RF amplifier is turned off. The reproduced signal from the RF amplifier is compared with a constant voltage. A measurement is made for a time for which an output from the comparator is at a high level. The high level time is compared with a reference time, thereby discriminating the type of the optical disc.

Abstract: A cable end structure in which the cable end device and an intermediate cushion are tightly engaged with each other by mating conical surfaces without an apprehension that they might be shifted relatively to each other. In this way, inflection of the cushion and interfacial contact pressure caused by such inflection can be minimized and the durability of the cushion can be effectively improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shock absorber loaded therearound with a compression coil spring so improved that a side force generated by the compression coil spring can be effectively alleviated by making both or any one of an upper sheet 13 mounted to an absorber rod 3 and a lower sheet 16 mounted on an absorber tube 2 so as to be loaded therebetween with the compression coil spring 17 free to rock relatively to each other in a predetermined direction or in any direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices for sealing an annular gap between two sealing surfaces of machine parts with the aid of a ring which is in contact on these two sealing surfaces, in particular on extrusion machines, where this sealing is of significance in strainer—and tool-changing devices. It is the task of the invention to create compact very simple constructed sealings built with simple means, which seals operate faultlessly even at very high pressures and yet can be relieved if a machine part is to be displaced against the other.

Abstract: A multi-system power supply circuit for providing power supplies different in system, has signal generating circuits which correspond to the power supplies different in system, and generates repetitive frequency signals corresponding to the number of power supply systems, or indicating voltage generating circuits which correspond to the power supplies different in system, and generates voltages corresponding to the number of power supply systems. When any one of the power supplies becomes abnormal, the repetitive signal supplied to the detection indicating circuit from the repetitive frequency signal generating circuit corresponding to that power supply is turned on and off, or the indicating voltage generating circuit applies the indicating voltage to the detection indicating circuit, so that it can be detected with ease which of the power supply systems is abnormal.

Abstract: A pocket tool has a handle with a first sleeve pivotally connected at one end of the handle for pivoting the first sleeve from an inoperable position to an operable position, and a second sleeve slidably disposed in the first sleeve with 4 tool bits slidably disposed in the second sleeve and the first and second sleeves providing 3 hexagonal openings to provide a multiple drive tool, and a second tool is pivotally connected at the end of the handle for pivoting from an inoperable position to an operable position. The pocket tool is operable as a multiple drive tool or a second tool.

Abstract: An improved utility bar includes an elongate shank which has a longitudinal axis, a prying hook at one end and a prying chisel at the other end. The prying hook has a tapered portion extending along a direction generally an angle &agr; with the longitudinal axis and a generally U-shaped portion integrally formed with the shank and the tapered portion. The tapered and U-shaped portions together form a prying footprint surface facing a direction away from the shank. The angle &agr; is selected to be greater than 90° and preferably selected within the range of 93°-110°. The prying footprint has a minimum transverse dimension which is substantially greater than the minimum cross sectional dimension of the shank.