Abstract: An optical fiber inspecting system comprises a waveform measuring unit for measuring an OTDR waveform for an optical fiber and a waveform evaluating unit for evaluating an anomaly within the optical fiber through a use of the measured waveform. The waveform evaluating unit comprises a calculating part and a detecting part. The calculating part calculates the gradient and the amount of change in gradient of the waveform at each time point by means of a gradient calculating section and a gradient change amount calculating section. The detecting part determines whether or not the gradient and the amount of change in gradient are within a defined allowable range of gradient and a defined allowable range of amount of change, respectively, by way of a gradient determining section and a gradient change amount determining section.

Abstract: A liquid quantity visual confirmation device comprises a first reservoir-forming member, and a second reservoir-forming member forming a liquid reservoir in combination with the first reservoir-forming member. The second reservoir-forming member is at least partially transparent to allow visual confirmation of the internal liquid level from an outside thereof. The second reservoir-forming member has a liquid-feeding port for feeding the liquid into the liquid reservoir. The quantity of liquid in the liquid reservoir can be confirmed by looking at the internal liquid level in the second reservoir-forming member from the outside. It is also possible to reliably feed the liquid into the liquid reservoir from the liquid-feeding port while confirming any rising of the liquid level through the transparent portion.

Abstract: An external device that is electrically connected to a main unit by a plurality of electric cables includes a first casing member storing a function unit; an external cover covering the first casing member; and a first space provided between the first casing member and the external cover. The electric cables are pulled out of the first casing member, bundled together, supported by the first casing member, and extended out of the external cover through the first space.

Abstract: An optical fiber inspecting system 1A comprises a waveform measuring unit 2 for measuring an OTDR waveform for an optical fiber F to be inspected and a waveform evaluating unit 3 for evaluating an anomaly within the optical fiber through a use of the measured waveform. Furthermore, the waveform evaluating unit 3 comprises a calculating part 4 and a detecting part 5. The calculating part 4 calculates the gradient and the amount of change in gradient of the waveform at each time point by means of a gradient calculating section 41 and a gradient change amount calculating section 42. The detecting part 5 determines whether or not the gradient and the amount of change in gradient are within a defined allowable range of gradient and a defined allowable range of amount of change, respectively, by means of a gradient determining section 51 and a gradient change amount determining section 52.

Abstract: An optical fiber ribbon comprising a plurality of the coated optical fibers 2 arranged in plane and flame-retardant films 4a and 4b to integrate the coated optical fibers 2 is provided. The flame-retardant films 4a and 4b have an adhesive layer 5 formed thereon, and a plurality of the coated optical fibers 2 arranged in plane are integrated by the adhesive layer. The optical fiber ribbon 1 in this constitution uses flame-retardant films, wherein the ribbon thickness can be lowered and separation of single fiber can be facilitated by tearing off the film.

Abstract: An optical fiber inspecting system 1A comprises a waveform measuring unit 2 for measuring an OTDR waveform for an optical fiber F to be inspected and a waveform evaluating unit 3 for evaluating an anomaly within the optical fiber. The waveform evaluating unit 3 comprises a calculating part 4 and a detecting part 5. The calculating part 4 calculates the gradient and the amount of change in gradient of the waveform at each time point. The detecting part 5 determines whether or not the gradient and the amount of change in gradient are within a defined allowable range of gradient and a defined allowable range of amount of change, respectively. This realizes an optical fiber inspecting system, an inspection method and a selecting method, all of which enable to detect reliably an anomaly within an optical fiber through an OTDR waveform.

Abstract: The present invention provides an air-cooled four-stroke internal combustion engine capable of achieving a high degree of cooling. The present invention is directed to an air-cooled four-stroke internal combustion engine including a crankshaft and a fan rotor rotatably driven by the crankshaft to generate cooling air for cooling the engine. The engine comprises an oil pan disposed below the crankshaft. A space formed below the oil pan extends in the axial direction of the crankshaft along the lower surface of the oil pan and allows a cooling air to pass therethrough. An upstream portion of the lower surface is inclined upward, toward the upstream, in a vertical section taken along the axis of the crankshaft to receive the cooling air therein.

Abstract: A drive shaft, which is driven by a drive motor, is held firmly at two points by bearing structures. The bearing structure has a hole in which a bearing member is fit. The bearing member has hole, which is concentric with respect to the hole in which the bearing member is fit. A crimp, which is made of elastic material, having interfering portions that interfere with the bearing member is provided between the bearing member and the hole in the bearing structure in which the bearing member is fit.

Abstract: A drive shaft, which is driven by a drive motor, is held firmly at two points by bearing structures. The bearing structure has a hole in which a bearing member is fit. The bearing member has hole, which is concentric with respect to the hole in which the bearing member is fit. A crimp, which is made of elastic material, having interfering portions that interfere with the bearing member is provided between the bearing member and the hole in the bearing structure in which the bearing member is fit.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus having an optical system that moves via coated wires wherein the twisting or crisscrossing of the electric wires upon electrically connecting the optical system to the apparatus can be effectively prevented. To this end, an image reading apparatus reads the image of an original document through exposure scanning using the optical system mounted on a first carrier and a second carrier. Feeding cables with one end connected to a lamp of the first carrier and the other end connected to a regulator and a cable accommodating member that displaceably holds a portion of the feeding cables and is capable of sliding in the direction of an external force applied to the feeding cables are provided.

Abstract: A liquid quantity visual confirmation device comprises a first reservoir-forming member, and a second reservoir-forming member forming a liquid reservoir in combination with the first reservoir-forming member. The second reservoir-forming member is at least partially transparent to allow visual confirmation of the internal liquid level from an outside thereof. The second reservoir-forming member has a liquid-feeding port for feeding the liquid into the liquid reservoir. The quantity of liquid in the liquid reservoir can be confirmed by looking at the internal liquid level in the second reservoir-forming member from the outside. It is also possible to reliably feed the liquid into the liquid reservoir from the liquid-feeding port while confirming any rising of the liquid level through the transparent portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an air-cooled four-stroke internal combustion engine capable of achieving a high degree of cooling. The present invention is directed to an air-cooled four-stroke internal combustion engine including a crankshaft and a fan rotor rotatably driven by the crankshaft to generate cooling air for cooling the engine. The engine comprises an oil pan disposed below the crankshaft. A space formed below the oil pan extends in the axial direction of the crankshaft along the lower surface of the oil pan and allows a cooling air to pass therethrough. An upstream portion of the lower surface is inclined upward, toward the upstream, in a vertical section taken along the axis of the crankshaft to receive the cooling air therein.

Abstract: This invention provides an image reading apparatus having high speed, small size and low cost, capable of reducing CPU load and capacity required for a memorizing table. The image forming apparatus including a reading portion for reading an image by scanning an original document, driving means for driving the reading portion, and memory means for storing therein a plurality of driving frequencies for enabling the driving means to switch to a variety of speeds and drive in a step by step manner, and for storing therein a table indicative of a switching point for switching one driving frequency of the plurality of driving frequencies to another driving frequency of the plurality of driving frequencies, wherein one driving frequency of the plurality of driving frequencies is switched to another driving frequency of the plurality of driving frequencies at the switching point.

Abstract: A cover plate for a document scanning device or an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a frame connected to the body the image scanning device or that of the image forming apparatus. The frame is openable away from a glass platen and divided in a direction perpendicular to the opening/closing direction. A pressing portion presses the document laid on the glass platen. Mounting/dismounting members allow the pressing portion to be selectively mounted to or dismounted from the frame. An elastic member is included in the pressing portion and includes a sheet member mounted thereon and divided into a plurality of parts and configured to contact the document.

Abstract: An optical fiber inspecting system 1A comprises a waveform measuring unit 2 for measuring an OTDR waveform for an optical fiber F to be inspected and a waveform evaluating unit 3 for evaluating an anomaly within the optical fiber through a use of the measured waveform. Furthermore, the waveform evaluating unit 3 comprises a calculating part 4 and a detecting part 5. The calculating part 4 calculates the gradient and the amount of change in gradient of the waveform at each time point by means of a gradient calculating section 41 and a gradient change amount calculating section 42. The detecting part 5 determines whether or not the gradient and the amount of change in gradient are within a defined allowable range of gradient and a defined allowable range of amount of change, respectively, by means of a gradient determining section 51 and a gradient change amount determining section 52.

Abstract: The present invention realizes an image reading apparatus having an optical system that moves by means of coated electric wires wherein the twisting or crisscrossing of the electric wires upon electrically connecting the optical system to the apparatus can be effectively prevented. To this end, an image reading apparatus reads the image of an original document through exposure scanning using the optical system mounted on a first carrier and a second carrier. Feeding cables with one end connected to a lamp of the first carrier and the other end connected to a regulator and a cable accommodating member that displaceably holds a portion of said feeding cables and is capable of sliding in the direction of an external force applied to the feeding cables are provided.

Abstract: This invention provides an image reading apparatus having high speed, small size and low cost, capable of reducing CPU load and capacity required for a memorizing table. The image forming apparatus including a reading portion for reading an image by scanning an original document, driving means for driving the reading portion, and memory means for storing therein a plurality of driving frequencies for enabling the driving means to switch to a variety of speeds and drive in a step by step manner, and for storing therein a table indicative of a switching point for switching one driving frequency of the plurality of driving frequencies to another driving frequency of the plurality of driving frequencies, wherein one driving frequency of the plurality of driving frequencies is switched to another driving frequency of the plurality of driving frequencies at the switching point.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a feeding cable which connects a voltage applying part and a light source, and includes a conductive cable with an outer circumference covered with an insulating film. A first portion at one end side of the feeding cable is held by a first feeding cable holding member fixedly arranged in a vicinity of the voltage applying part. A second portion at the other end side of the feeding cable is held by a second feeding cable holding member attached to a first moving carriage that carries a light source and a first mirror. A portion of the feeding cable between the first and second feeding cable holding members is wound around a pulley in a U-shape. The pulley moves integrally with a second moving carriage that carries second and third mirrors.

Abstract: A drive shaft, which is driven by a drive motor, is held firmly at two points by bearing structures. The bearing structure has a hole in which a bearing member is fit. The bearing member has hole, which is concentric with respect to the hole in which the bearing member is fit. A crimp, which is made of elastic material, having interfering portions that interfere with the bearing member is provided between the bearing member and the hole in the bearing structure in which the bearing member is fit.

Abstract: A cover plate for a document scanning device or an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a frame connected to the body the image scanning device or that of the image forming apparatus. The frame is openable away from a glass platen and divided in a direction perpendicular to the opening/closing direction. A pressing portion presses the document laid on the glass platen. Mounting/dismounting members allow the pressing portion to be selectively mounted to or dismounted from the frame. An elastic member is included in the pressing portion and includes a sheet member mounted thereon and divided into a plurality of parts and configured to contact the document.