Abstract: A vibration monitoring device includes: a rotation sensor for outputting a rotation signal synchronized with rotation of a rotational shaft; an output device for outputting a filter command value corresponding to a rotation speed of the rotational shaft calculated from the rotation signal; and at least one filter for extracting, in response to input of the rotation signal and the filter command value, a signal in a passband set according to the filter command value from the rotation signal as a vibration signal from which vibration information of the rotational shaft can be obtained.

Abstract: A tool holding part holds two boring bars in a manner in which axes of the boring bars are parallel to a spindle axis. A tool change mechanism has a circular arc movement mechanism in which the boring bar moves from a tool holding position to a tool change position by at least a circular arc movement on a plane surface including an axis of the spindle in the tool change position and an axis of the boring bar positioned in the tool holding part.

Abstract: The controlled bottom charcoal starter is comprised of a fire starting cylindrical tube, a set of two separate but mirror imaged half grates pivotal along the line of the diametrical center of the starter cylinder, a lock and release mechanism, a handle grip and a button cap. The two half grates, which are formed by a one continuous steel rod, are locked horizontally in the same plane to form shelves for loading un-ignited charcoal in the starter cylinder tube. Once the charcoal is ignited, the lock mechanism releases the grates to pivotally rotate downward inside the charcoal starter cylinder so as to lower the hot charcoal briquettes onto a barbeque grill at a controlled rate of discharge. This controlled bottom discharge charcoal starter minimizes hot ash flying outside of the cylinder and makes it safer to use.

Abstract: An auxiliary vehicle sun visor system is provided for use in a vehicle having a window and a front windshield. The system is a simple design and does not involve sophisticated or elaborate mechanism or device. The auxiliary sun visor is formed in J-shape view from a side in one piece. It is mounted to a main sun visor adjacent to the distal end of a main sun visor. It is rotatable at the pivotal axis in the same plane as the main sun visor and position it as needed by one hand. This allows the auxiliary sun visor to be placed between a user and an unwanted light source while operating a vehicle in a normal and safe manner.

Abstract: A tool holding part holds two boring bars in a manner in which axes of the boring bars are parallel to a spindle axis. A tool change mechanism has a circular arc movement mechanism in which the boring bar moves from a tool holding position to a tool change position by at least a circular arc movement on a plane surface including an axis of the spindle in the tool change position and an axis of the boring bar positioned in the tool holding part.

Abstract: Scraping plates include: a first scraping plate 11 attached to chains 10, with an end surface 11c? thereof facing a receiving plate 14 being deviated from an attachment point c? where the first scraping plate 11 is attached to the chains 10, by a distance L1 to an opposite side of an advance direction a of the chains 10; and a second scraping plate 12 attached to the chains 10, with an end surface 12c? thereof facing the receiving plate 14 being deviated from an attachment point d? where the second scraping plate 12 is attached to the chains 10, by a distance L2 smaller than the distance L1 of the first scraping plate 11 to the opposite side of the advance direction a.

Abstract: Scraping plates include: a first scraping plate 11 attached to chains 10, with an end surface 11c? thereof facing a receiving plate 14 being deviated from an attachment point c? where the first scraping plate 11 is attached to the chains 10, by a distance L1 to an opposite side of an advance direction a of the chains 10; and a second scraping plate 12 attached to the chains 10, with an end surface 12c? thereof facing the receiving plate 14 being deviated from an attachment point d? where the second scraping plate 12 is attached to the chains 10, by a distance L2 smaller than the distance L1 of the first scraping plate 11 to the opposite side of the advance direction a.

Abstract: A method for producing alcohols which comprises reducing esters or lactones with hydrogen gas in the presence of a catalyst comprising (i) a ruthenium compound, (ii) a monodentate monophosphine or a bidentate bisphosphine, and (iii) an amine. Examples of the catalyst include a ruthenium (Ru) complex represented by the formula:RuX1X2(LP)m(LN)n [X1 and X2 each represent an anionic ligand, LP represents a phosphine ligand, m is 1 when LP is bidentate, while m is 2 when LP is monodentate, LN represents an amine ligand, and n is 1 when LN is bidentate, while n is 2 when LN is monodentate.] and a catalyst comprising an amine and a ruthenium (Ru) complex of the formula: RuX1X2(LP1)r [LP1 represents a monophosphine ligand and r is 3 or 4.].

Abstract: A method for producing alcohols which comprises reducing esters or lactones with hydrogen gas in the presence of a catalyst comprising (i) a ruthenium compound, (ii) a monodentate monophosphine or a bidentate bisphosphine, and (iii) an amine. Examples of the catalyst include a ruthenium (Ru) complex represented by the formula:RuX1X2(LP)m(LN)n [X1 and X2 each represent an anionic ligand, LP represents a phosphine ligand, m is 1 when LP is bidentate, while m is 2 when LP is monodentate, LN represents an amine ligand, and n is 1 when LN is bidentate, while n is 2 when LN is monodentate.] and a catalyst comprising an amine and a ruthenium (Ru) complex of the formula: RuX1X2(LP1)r [LP1 represents a monophosphine ligand and r is 3 or 4.].

Abstract: A motorized body scrubber is invented to scrub from the neck to the toes easily, safely and non-strenuously for anyone, especially for disabled users.

Abstract: A gutter cleaning system for cleaning an overhead gutter or the like for residential and commercial buildings. The gutter cleaning system is comprised of the gutter cleaner and plug resistant downspout cap. The gutter cleaner comprised of two pulleys mounted one on each gutter end, cord and a debris pusher slidably placed on the floor of the gutter. The pusher includes a slider body having a directionally pivotal pusher plate on one end and a cord tension spring on the other end. The cord is attached the pusher body and placed around the gutter end pulleys to make a continuous loop. The gutter cleaner is operated from a fixed gutter end location. The plug resistant downspout cap, having the top opening areas narrower than the inside areas of the downspout pipe, is placed over and in the downspout opening.

Abstract: A phosphine-phosphinite compound represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which may be the same or different, each represent a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted naphthyl group, and a process for preparing a 4-?(R)-1'-formylethyl!azetidin-2-one derivative using the compound (I). The compound (I), either in combination, or as a complex, with a transition metal compound, is useful as a catalyst for asymmetric hydroformylation and makes it possible to easily synthesize an important intermediate for carbapenem antibiotics or a precursor thereof at high regioselectivity and diastereo-selectivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing novel optically active diphosphine compounds ?2,2'-bis(di-substituted phosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl compounds! having a selectivity (chemoselectivity or enantioselectivity) and catalytic activity different from those of conventional BINAP compounds. In a method of the present invention for producing an optically active diphosphine compound (i.e., 2,2-bis(di-substituted phosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl), 2,2'-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy)-1,1'-binaphthyl is reacted, in the presence of a transition metal-phosphine complex, with a phosphineoxide compound represented by the following general formula:A.sub.

Abstract: A process for preferentially producing a 4-(1-carboxyalkyl) azetidin-2-one derivative represented by formula (II.beta.): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.3 represents a lower alkyl group and R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy-protective group, which involves deesterifying and decarboxylating a 4-(1,1-dialkoxycarbonylalkyl) azetidin-2-one derivative represented by formula (I): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are identical or different and each represents an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or an aralkyl group, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each has the meaning as defined above, and R.sup.5 represents an amino-protective group, and after that, eliminating the amino-protective group from the derivative, where the 4-(1-carboxyalkyl)azetidin-2-one derivative of formula (II.beta.) is present in an amount of at least 61% by mol of all 4-(1-carboxyalkyl)azetidin-2-one derivatives produced.

Abstract: A 4-(1,1-dialkoxycarbonylalkyl )azetidin-2-one derivative represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are identical or different and each represents an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or an aralkyl group, R.sup.3 represents a lower alkyl group, R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl-protective group, and R.sup.5 represents a hydrogen atom or an amino-protective group, and a process for producing a 4-(1-carboxyalkyl)azetidin-2-one derivative represented by formula (II) useful as an intermediate for 1.beta.-alkylcarbapenem-type antibacterials: ##STR2## wherein R.sup.3 represents a lower alkyl group and R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl-protective group, which comprises de-esterifying and decarboxylating the derivative represented by formula (I), and in the case where an amino-protective group is present in the derivative of formula (I), eliminating the protective group from the derivative, are disclosed.