Abstract: This optical coupler for coupling a plurality of visible light beams having different wavelengths includes: a substrate made of a material different from lithium niobate; and an optical coupling function layer formed on a main surface of the substrate. The optical coupling function layer includes: two multimode-interference-type optical coupling parts; optical-input-side waveguides and an optical-output-side waveguide connected to one multimode-interference-type optical coupling part, and optical-input-side waveguides and an optical-output-side waveguide connected to the other multimode-interference-type optical coupling part. The multimode-interference-type optical coupling parts, the optical-input-side waveguides, and the optical-output-side waveguides are made of a lithium niobate film.

Abstract: The air purification apparatus includes a waterproof chamber having a water supply inlet, a drain, an air inlet, and an air outlet. At least two cylinders are mounted to spin about their respective axes within the chamber in parallel alignment adjacent to each other, and a motor drives each of the cylinders to rotate at high speed. The surfaces of the cylinders have numerous small holes formed therein. A pump circulates water through the water supply inlet to the inside of each of the cylinders. By rotating the cylinders at high speed, the water pumped to the inside of each of the cylinders is injected by centrifugal force through the numerous small holes therein at high speed such that streams of water droplets are forced to collide against each in the typhoon chamber and particularly between the cylinders. These forceful collisions produce infinitesimally small water particles with negative ions that have high air purification ability. An air blower circulates air through the chamber for purification.

Abstract: A clamping member fastenable to a bolt, wherein the clamping member includes a bowl-shaped main body having a bolt-inserting opening formed through a bottom center portion thereof. A leaf spring clip is embedded integratedly in the bottom center portion of the bowl-shaped main body. The leaf spring clip includes a plurality of spring claws extending from a periphery of the bolt-inserting opening toward a center of the bolt-inserting opening in an oblique and upward direction. The plurality of spring claws are engagable with a bolt and fasten the clamping member to the bolt responsive to a direct pushing action of the main body of the clamping member over the bolt with the bolt passing through the bolt-inserting opening, without requiring any tools or rotating action of the clamping member relative to the bolt.

Abstract: A golf driving range system for golfers to practice their driving skills is provided. The driving range system includes a plurality of tee boxes. Each tee box has a renewable ball stock and an automatic golf ball tee-up machine. The balls in the ball stock of each tee box have identifying characteristics for relating the balls to the particular tee box. The system has a yard and ball return gutters. The yard has sloped surfaces to cause any golf balls landing on the yard to roll toward the ball return gutters. At least one target is positioned in the yard. The target has a winning ball identification apparatus for sensing the identifying characteristics of a ball hitting the target and relaying this information to a scoring device. The ball return gutters deliver balls landing in the yard to a ball distribution apparatus, which has a return ball identification apparatus for sensing the identifying characteristics of a ball and distributing the ball back to the renewable ball stocks of the tee boxes.

Abstract: The invention provides a complete coverage and sealing of the windshield or window of a vehicle against accumulations of frost, freezing rain, and snow and also protects against heat and sunlight. The protective cover includes the following combination: a sheet formed of a suitable structural material for overlaying at least a portion of the windshield or window; the sheet having a skirt formed or attached to the perimeter of the sheet; and a plurality of suction cups attached to the sheet or skirt for mounting the cover to the windshield or window whereby the skirt substantially seals the perimeter of the gap between the sheet and the windshield or window to form a chamber. The suction cups allow the shield to be easily mounted to the windshield or window and subsequently removed after use.