Abstract: A motor-driven footrest device of a seat, comprises a footrest; an expanding mechanism having one end equipped with the footrest, the expanding mechanism being movable to assume a shrunk condition wherein the footrest is received in an opening formed in a seat cushion of the seat and an expanded condition wherein the footrest is projected from the opening to permit the feet of a seat occupant to be put thereon; an electric drive unit connected to the other end of the expanding mechanism to move the same to assume the shrunk condition and the expanded condition by the force of an electric power; and a mounting structure secured to a base structure of the seat, the mounting structure carrying both of the expanding mechanism and the electric drive unit.

Abstract: A variable displacement pump includes pump bodies, a cam ring, first and second fluid pressure chambers, a rotor, a driving shaft, a pump chamber, a compression coil spring, a metering restrictor portion, and a control valve. A plunger damper is formed to incorporate the compression coil spring such that a distal end of the plunger damper abuts against a side portion of the cam ring in the second fluid pressure chamber. A small hole constituting the metering restrictor portion is formed at such a position that it is opened/closed by a slidable motion of the plunger damper during a swing motion of the cam ring, and such that it is partitioned from the second fluid pressure chamber, so that an opening area of the small hole changes in an interlocking manner to the swing motion of the cam ring.

Abstract: An ottoman is incorporated with a frame of a seat. The ottoman comprises a pivotal base structure pivotally connected to the seat cushion frame. The pivotal base structure is movable between retracted and projected positions with respect to the seat cushion frame. A sliding board structure is slidably supported by the pivotal base structure. The sliding board structure is movable between retracted and projected positions with respect to the pivotal base structure. An electric drive mechanism is employed for synchronously moving both of the pivotal base structure and the sliding board structure between the retracted and projected positions with the aid of electric power.

Abstract: In processing a colored image in multilevel gradations, a color which does not affect the gradation of the image is processed in fewer multilevels and colors which affect the gradation are processed in an ordinary number of multilevels.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the type producing a single composite color image on a paper which is transported by a belt by transferring image components of different colors to the paper in register with each other. The apparatus reduces with a simple construction the positional deviation of the image components which occurs in an intended direction of paper transport. Recording devices individually adapted for black, cyan, magenta and yellow are arranged side by side. Pattern images for measurement each being associated with a respective one of those colors are formed on the belt. A timing at which each of the pattern images arrives is sensed and counted. The count is compared with a reference value to calculate an amount of deviation. Write start timing signals each being associated with a particular color are generated which are individually variable on the basis of the deviation calculated.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copier, facsimile machine, laser printer or similar image forming apparatus for reproducing an image on a paper sheet by transforming an image signal representative of the image into an image forming signal by pulse width modulation, causing a spot beam in the form of a laser beam which is modulated by the image forming signal to scan a photoconductive element to form an electrostatic latent image thereon, developing the latent image to render it visible, and transferring the visible image to a paper sheet. The laser beam output, the set pulse widths of the image forming signal (beam turn-on times) and the bias voltage for development are changed in association with the deterioration of the laser beam power and the sensitivity of the photoconductive element.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a seat cushion assembly which comprises a seat frame having opposed side frame portions; a cushion pad including a major part and side parts which are arranged along both sides of the major part, the cushion pad being supported on the seat frame having the side parts thereof respectively supported on the opposed side frame portions; and an outer skin member covering each of the major and side parts of the cushion pad, wherein each side part is connected at only longitudinal both end portions thereof to the major part leaving an intermediate portion thereof separated from the major part.

Abstract: An image display device in which image data produced by an image scanner separate from the display may be written and erased. The display consists of a movable endless belt. Four embodiments are shown with the belt being made of an electrochromic material which electrochemically shows oxidation-reduction reactions; an optically reversible photochromic material; a thermoplastic sheet produced by applying a photoconductor and a thermoplastic resin to a transparent conductive film; and a color photochromic sheet made up of a photochromic film whose absorption changes when illuminated by light of predetermined wavelengths and a repetitive sequence of color filters of red, green and blue each being formed in a stripe configuration, respectively. Visible images are displayed on the display member based on the image data.

Abstract: An image reading device applies to a photoelectric transducer optical image data which are produced by scanning a document and samples the image data on a pixel basis to read images on the document. The device includes a fiber optic bundle comprising a plurality of optical fibers which are bound together such that their light inlet ends and light outlet ends are configured differently from each other. Optical image data from the document are propagated through the fiber optic bundle to the photoelectric transducer.