Abstract: Provided is a heat collector comprising a linear tubular heat collector member defining an internal passage for conducting fluid; a base member provided with a front surface defining a trough-shaped recess partly surrounding the heat collector member; and a plate member fitted in the recess and provided with a reflective front surface. Preferably, the plate member is engaged by the base member at both side edges thereof, and placed under a compressive load so as to undergo a buckling deformation and substantially conform to a surface contour of the recess.

Abstract: In a solar energy collector assembly comprising a tubular heat collector member and a reflector extending along a length of the tubular heat collector member, the reflector consists of a modified compound parabolic concentrator having a bottom part defined by a linear segment in cross section. Thus, the shape of the reflector is significantly simplified without substantially impairing the efficiency in the collection of heat.

Abstract: In a heat collector comprising a linear tubular heat collector member defining an internal passage for conducting fluid a reflector having a reflecting surface partly surrounding the heat collector member and a heat insulating member provided in association with the reflector. The insulating member is typically directly attached to the reflector. The heat insulating member improves the thermal efficiency of the heat collector.

Abstract: In a radiation heat collector, comprising: a linear tubular heat collector member defining an internal passage for conducting fluid and a reflector having a reflecting surface partly surrounding the heat collector member, the reflector is rotatably supported around the heat collector member so that the angular position can be changed at will so as to optimize the orientation of the reflector for the given location, inclination of the solar collector, time of the year and time of the day.

Abstract: The present invention configures a pushcart, in particular a baggage cart such as is used in airports, for ease of maneuverability in negotiating an escalator stairway. The cart is fitted with a front wheel assembly and pivotable rear wheel assemblies, as well as with drop-attenuating mechanisms fitted to each wheel assembly. The rear wheel assemblies each include a reverse-releasable, pivoting-lock mechanism. The drop attenuating mechanisms function when the pivotable wheel assemblies are locked in the pushcart advancing direction, and include damped-swing traction members for establishing adhesive friction in contacting the treads of a sloping escalator stairway. The traction members bear the pushcart through a damped swing if the wheel assemblies are not riding on the treads of the escalator steps.

Abstract: A heat gathering device 1 is provided with a reflection plate assembly 2 and a heat gathering tube 3 with a glass tube 4 surrounding the reflection plate assembly 2 and the heat gathering tube 3. The reflection plate assembly 2 is designed to provide a structure which is capable of maintaining the accuracy of a compound paraboloid in a heat gathering device having a compound paraboloid. The reflection plate assembly 2 is an assembly for gathering light having a compound paraboloid, which is formed by combining two paraboloids 21a and 21b. The reflection plate assembly 2 includes a reflection plate 21 and a plurality of brackets 22. The reflection plate 21 is formed by specularizing and forming a compound paraboloid surface through a bending process on a side where light is gathered. The brackets 22 are installed on the reflection plate 21 on an opposite side of the side where light is gathered.

Abstract: In the front wheel assembly of a luggage or shopping cart, a sensor wheel is supported by a wheel bracket between a pair of caster wheels so as to be rotatable around a common horizontal wheel shaft and moveable downward from a neutral position coaxial with the caster wheels. Thus, even when the cart is tilted sideways, one of the caster wheels always support the load of the cart, and serves as a center of pivotal movement of the front wheel assembly which allows the sensor wheel to be safely lifted out of the slot in the floor. Therefore, the sensor wheel is prevented from being wedged in the slot, and would not be damaged substantially under any circumstances. Additionally, a first locking arrangement allows the cart to be stationary on the conveyor surface, and a second locking arrangement allows the front wheel to remain in the straight ahead position even when the front wheel assembly hangs from an edge of a step of an escalator.

Abstract: A fall suppressing device 8 provided in a cart for moving up and down an escalator includes an engagement member 87 and an oil damper 81. The engagement member 87 is vertically movably coupled to the cart, and engages with an upper step when a wheel 5 falls from the upper step. The oil damper 81 damps a relative moving speed between a cart body and the engagement member 87.

Abstract: A vehicle which goes up and down stairs includes a vehicle body (101), front and rear wheels (102) and (103) provided at the front and rear of the vehicle body (101), respectively, front and rear auxiliary wheels (105) and (107) for lifting up or down the front and rear wheels (102) and (103) by one step of stairs, respectively, a driving unit for driving each wheel, a pivoting unit for pivoting the front and rear auxiliary wheels (105) and (107), sensors (121) to (124) for detecting a riser portion of stairs, and a control unit (120) for controlling the driving unit and the rotating unit in accordance with results of the sensors (121) to (124). Since the vehicle goes up and down stairs by rotation of the auxiliary wheels (105) and (107), a corner portion of the step of stairs is not damaged while the vehicle goes up and down stairs.

Abstract: A main tire body, mounted to the rim (3) of a wheel, includes in one embodiment, an annular tire material (6) and a fiat wound spring ring (8) disposed within the annular tire material (6). The annular tire material (6) is a material with a cross section that can form in a semi-circular annular space (7) between the rim (3). The flat wound spring ring (8) a is annularly arranged within the annular space (7). In another embodiment, the main tire body includes an annular first tire material (10), a second tire material (11), and a plurality of airtight chambers (15) which help to absorb impacts. The first tire material (10) is mounted to the rim (3). The second tire material (11) is an annular material with an elastic body attached to the outer peripheral side of the first tire material. The airtight chambers portion (15) are formed in the second tire material between the first tire material. In another embodiment, the main tire body includes an annular first tire material (20), and a second tire material (21).

Abstract: The shock absorber mechanism for a bicycle (10) is a device mounted between the handlebar stem (4) and fork stem (5) of a bicycle and includes a sleeve case (11), a spring (18), and a free cushion bushing (20). The sleeve case (11) is mounted to the lower edge of the handlebar stem (4) and joins when the upper portion of said fork stem (5) slides freely and does not rotate. The spring (18) is arranged between the sleeve case (11) and the fork stem (5). The free cushion bushing (20) is mounted to the lower edge of the sleeve case (11) and can be freely installed and removed as well as slide on the outer peripheral surface of the fork stem (5) controls relative movement of the handlebar stem (4) and the fork stem (5) caused by friction on the outer peripheral surface of the fork stem (5). One purpose of the present invention is to allow for easy adjustment of the dampening characteristics of a dampener depending on bicycle riding conditions and rider requirements.

Abstract: A vehicle which goes up and down stairs includes a vehicle body 101, front and rear wheels 102 and 103 provided at the front and rear of the vehicle body 101, respectively, front and rear auxiliary wheels 105 and 107 for lifting up or down the front and rear wheels 102 and 103 by one step of stairs, respectively, a driving unit for driving each wheel, a pivoting unit for pivoting the front and rear auxiliary wheels 105 and 107, sensors 121 to 124 for detecting a riser portion of stairs, and a control unit 120 for controlling the driving unit and the rotating unit in accordance with results of the sensors 121 to 124. Since the vehicle goes up and down stairs by rotation of the auxiliary wheels 105 and 107, a corner portion of the step of stairs is not damaged while the vehicle goes up and down stairs.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly for a pull-type clutch, in which a threaded part an axis of which is identical with an axis of clutch is formed on a pressure plate, a lever height adjusting ring contacting with an intermediate fulcrum point of a release lever is screwed onto the threaded part of the pressure plate, the lever height adjusting ring is relatively rotated and moved in its axial direction by means of an elastic restoring force of a spiral spring or by means of a change of engine torque and a ratchet mechanism, and a lever height is automatically increased according to a wear amount of a facing.

Abstract: A pull-type clutch comprises a generally disc-shaped spring member disposed between a retainer axially shiftable in integral relation with a release bearing and a clutch cover, the spring member being supported at its circumferential edge portion by a holder portion provided on the inner periphery of the clutch cover, the inner periphery portion of the spring member being held in pressure contact with the retainer, levers disposed between the retainer and the pressure plate so that the load of the spring member acting on the retainer is magnified for transmission at a specified lever ratio between individual fulcrums of each of the levers.

Abstract: The present disclosure described a structure for supporting a diaphragm spring in a clutch comprising a diaphragm adapted to force a pressure plate and provided with slits radiately extending from the inner periphery of the spring; tabs extending from a clutch cover through radially outer portions of the slits; and a pair of wire employed as fulcrum for said spring and supported by said tabs; characterized in that; said tabs are provided with straight portions extending substantially perpendicular to the spring and engaging with the outer peripheries of the recesses, respectively, and each straight portion is provided at the side with protrusions protruding toward a portion of the inner side edge of the recess distant from the corner between the inner side edge and the outer periphery of the recess.

Abstract: A torque converter comprises a vaned rotary impeller shell secured to the flywheel of a motor for driving the same, a vaned rotary turbine component secured to a turbine shaft which constitutes the output of the converter as a result of the torque conversion which takes place between the impeller and turbine vanes, and a vaned stator component located between the impeller and turbine vanes and which is coupled to a stator shaft surrounding the turbine shaft by means of a one-way clutch. In order to permit the one-way clutch to be easily removed, the impeller shell includes a removable hub portion secured by means of a ring of bolts to a flange on the impeller shell and this flange is dimensioned in such manner that its internal diameter is greater than the external diameter of the one-way clutch. Thus when the impeller hub is removed, the one-way clutch can be slid axially from its operating position and removed through the opening created by removal of the hub.