Abstract: A writing instrument adapted, responsive to a pressure axially applied to a pen core, to supply ink in an ink chamber to the pen core, and includes a valve seat disposed between the ink chamber and the pen core, a valve body operable to be selectively moved between a close position where the valve body is in contact with the valve seat to isolate the pen core from the ink chamber and an open position where the valve body is spaced apart from the valve seat to communicate the pen core with the ink chamber, a pressing spring for biasing the valve body toward the front end of a pen shaft, and a support member for supporting the valve body and the pressing spring to allow the valve body to be moved in the axial direction. The support member includes a communication channel for communicating the inner space thereof with the ink chamber.

Abstract: Female terminal fittings (30) are insertable from behind into cavities (11) in a female housing (10). A slanted guide surface (22) is formed at the peripheral rear edge of each cavity (11) for guiding the female terminal fitting (30) into the cavity (11) and is slanted at an obtuse angle to an inserting direction of the female terminal fitting (30). A stabilizer-inserting groove (20) is formed in a surface of the cavity (11) and has an open rear end into which a stabilizer (47) of the female terminal fitting (30) is insertable. A preventing surface (27) is provided at the peripheral rear edge of the cavity (11) and abuts the stabilizer (47) when the female terminal fitting (30) is inserted in an improper posture. An angle of the preventing surface (27) to the inserting direction is less than an angle of the slanted guide surface (22).

Abstract: A connector housing (10) has a terminal accommodating portion (11) with cavities (13) at upper and lower stages, and locks (21) project respectively into each cavity (13). Each lock (21) has a resiliently deformable arm (22) and a locking section (23) engageable with a female terminal fitting (30). A retainer (40) is mounted on the terminal accommodating portion (11) and has deformation restricting portions (44) that enter deformation spaces (24) for the locks (21) to prevent deformation of the locks (21). Each arm (22) has an engaging portion (29). Engaging portions (29B) at the lower stage engage a side wall (25A) of the cavity (13A) at the upper stage during the deformation of the lock (21B). Engaging portions (29A) at the upper stage engage a surrounding wall (41) of the retainer (40) during deformation of the lock (21A). Thus, the locks (21) cannot deform beyond their resiliency limit.

Abstract: A connection body (41), of a connector for a towing vehicle, to be connected to a wire harness of a to-be-towed object and a connection body (42) of the connector to be connected to a wire harness of a towing vehicle body are approximately cylindrical. Terminals (32, 33) inside the connection bodies (41, 42) are composed of a common metal piece (31). The connector is connected to a wire harness (35) of the towing vehicle body not by using an exclusive cylindrical connector but by directly connecting a core wire to the terminal (32). To prevent water from penetrating into the connector, an O-ring (38), a sealing medium (57), and a rubber plug (59) are mounted on the connector. A protector (37) is installed on an insertion portion of the wire harness (35) of the towing vehicle body into the housing (30).

Abstract: A joint connector (JC) has housings (20) with chambers (21) therein. Insertion openings (22) and outlets (23) extend into each chamber (21) at the front end of the housing (20). Terminal fittings (10) are inserted into chambers (21) so that joints (16) of the terminal fittings (10) project forward through outlets (23). A cover (60) is detachably mounted on each housing (20) to protect the joints (16). Insertion holes (72) and insertion paths (73) are formed in the cover (60) and align with the insertion openings (22) of the housing (20). A probe (80) can be inserted through the insertion holes (72) and the insertion paths (73) for contacting the terminal fittings (10) so that an electrical connection test can be performed.

Abstract: A connector has a housing (30) with side-by-side cavities (31). A resiliently deformable lock (40) is formed in each cavity (31) for locking terminal fittings (10) in the respective cavities (31). Locks (40) of adjacent cavities (31) are coupled by coupling pieces (51) to enhance the strength of the locks (40).

Abstract: A detector requires a stream of dry air for transporting particles to the detector. The detector then operates to determine whether the dry air has transported any particles of interest. Continuous operation of the detector is permitted by providing first and second dryers that can be operated alternately for drying air that is to be directed to the detector. The dryer that is not being operated is recharged. Air is directed alternately between the first and second dryer to ensure that neither dryer is operated after reaching saturation.

Abstract: A temperature sensitive fluid type fan coupling apparatus obtains linear characteristics without spoiling the drag performance. The fan coupling apparatus has a sealed case divided by a partition into an oil reservoir chamber and a torque transfer chamber. A valve is adapted to open and close an outflow regulating port in the partition in accordance with external ambient temperature. A driving disk is in the torque transfer chamber, and the transfer of torque is controlled by increasing and decreasing an effective contact surface of the oil with the driving disk. An idle oil reservoir chamber is formed in a hollow inner portion of the driving disk. A communication port is made in a side wall of the oil reservoir chamber and communicates with the torque transfer clearance. The communication port is closer to an inner circumference of the torque transfer chamber.

Abstract: A connector has a housing (10) formed with cavities (11) for receiving male terminal fittings (40). Each cavity (11) has a receiving surface (16) substantially normal to an inserting direction of the male terminal fitting (40), and each male terminal fitting (40) has a contact surface (50) substantially normal to the inserting direction. The inserted male terminal fitting (40) is stopped at a front-limit position by bringing the contact surface (50) thereof into contact with the receiving surface (16) in the cavity (11) substantially in the same direction as the inserting direction of the male terminal fitting (40). Thus, the male terminal fitting (40) can be stopped at a proper insertion position.

Abstract: A magnet type fan clutch apparatus is formed of an electromagnetic clutch mounted on one driving shaft, and a magnet coupling operatively connected to the electromagnetic clutch. The magnetic coupling includes a permanent magnet rotary body to which a fan is fixed, and a disc having a conductor or a hysteresis member opposed to the permanent magnet rotary body with a narrow clearance left therebetween; and formed so that the permanent magnet rotary body and disc are rotated together or relatively owing to an attraction working between the permanent magnet and conductor. The magnetic coupling is formed so as to be ON/OFF controlled by the electromagnetic clutch, and a seal structure is provided between the disc and permanent magnet rotary body.

Abstract: A PCB connector (10) has a housing (11) with a receptacle (14) that has a rear wall (12). The rear wall (12) has through holes (30) that provide communication between the inside and the outside of the receptacle (14). Recesses (31) are formed at receptacle ends of the through holes (30). Terminal fittings (20) are introduced through the through holes (30) from the outside of the housing (11). Chips (34) produced by the abrasion of the terminal fittings (20) and the inner walls of the through holes (30) stay in the recesses (31) and do not interfere with a mating connector.

Abstract: A retainer mount hole (10) is open in a connector housing (1) from its bottom surface over to its opposite side surfaces, and a retainer (35) is pushed obliquely from a partial locking position to a full locking position. On the other hand, each terminal fitting (25) is provided with a projection (28) and a stabilizer (29) at the side of the projection (28). When the retainer (35) reaches the full locking position, both the projection (28) and the stabilizer (29) are engaged with the retainer (35). The projecting end of the rear end of the stabilizer (29) is pointed, thereby forming a biting portion (56). When a wire (31) connected with the terminal fitting (25) is pulled backward, the biting portion (56) bites in the retainer (35) to prevent the retainer (35) from returning.

Abstract: A retainer (40) has left and right pivotally displaceable locking pieces (47) and is held at a partial locking position on a housing (30) by the engagement of engageable portions (50) at the leading ends of the locking pieces (47) with partial locking projections (31) on the housing (30). Thus, even if the retainer (40) is pushed inadvertently, such a push is restricted by the contact of the contact surfaces with the restricting surfaces (37). Pressable portions (55) of the locking pieces (47) can be pressed while holding the opposite side surfaces of the retainer (40) by fingers. This causes the locking pieces (47) to displace pivotally outward and the engageable portions (50) disengage from the restricting surfaces (37). Thus, the retainer (40) can be pushed to a full locking position.

Abstract: A connector includes a housing (10) and a retainer (40) that can be moved from a partial locking position to a full locking position in the housing (10). Terminal fittings (30) can be inserted into the housing (10) when the retainer (40) is at the partial locking position. However, the retainer (40) locks the terminal fittings (30) when the retainer is moved to the full locking position. Pairs of partial locks (50° F., 50 R) prevent the retainer (40) from moving loosely from the partial locking position toward the full locking position. Pairs of full locks (51° F., 51 R) prevent the retainer (40) from moving loosely from the full locking position toward the partial locking position.

Abstract: A connector (10) has a holder (11), auxiliary connectors (60) and a retainer (34). The retainer (34) has slanted surfaces (38A) and a vertical wall (39A). The slanted surfaces (38A) engage an opening-end surface (57A) of a mating connector (50) to guide the retainer (34) into a proper position if the auxiliary connectors (60) are inserted to proper positions. However the vertical wall (39A) contacts the opening-end surface (57A) if the auxiliary connectors (60) are not pushed to the proper positions. Thus, the fitting operation cannot be completed and the improperly inserted auxiliary connector (60) is detected.

Abstract: An outside control type fan coupling apparatus has a double valve structure with plural oil supply adjustment holes. Temperature of engine coolant, acceleration of the engine, an air conditioner, vehicle speed and so on are parameters for controlling opening and closing valves of the oil supply adjustment holes. This rotation of the fan is fluctuated so that fan noises at the time of fan rotation fluctuation are suppressed. Also, if engine rotation accelerates to more than a certain level, the fan coupling apparatus is turned Off, and fan noise due to coupling rotation is prevented. Further, if engine rotation is less than a constant rotational speed, the fan coupling apparatus is turned Off, Middle, and fan noise due to coupling rotation of the fan at the time of acceleration and fan noise due to coupling rotation at the time of startup of the engine are prevented.

Abstract: A terminal unit (TU) includes a battery terminal (2) mounted at the leading end of a wiring harness (4), and a holder (8) mounted on the wiring harness (4) at a position distanced from the battery terminal (2). A current sensor (12) is transported separately from the terminal unit (TU) to a connection site to a battery (B). The battery terminal (2) is introduced through the current sensor (12) and the current sensor (12) then is coupled with the holder (8) at the connection site. This operation is performed at a position distanced from the battery (B), and hence can be performed smoothly without being hindered.

Abstract: A brush flatter is detachably attachable to a tip portion of a shaft of a drawing instrument having a brush member at the tip portion thereof. The brush flatter is provided with a casing having a space to allow the brush member of the drawing instrument to pass in an axial direction of the shaft, a shaft fitting portion formed at a proximal end portion of the casing, the shaft fitting portion having such a configuration as to fittingly seat on the tip portion of the shaft of the drawing instrument, and a brush pressing portion formed at a distal end portion of the casing, the brush pressing portion defining a slit-like opening through which a tip portion of the brush member pressedly passes so that an exposed tip portion of the brush member comes into a flat form when the shaft fitting portion of the casing fittingly seats on the tip portion of the shaft of the drawing instrument. A drawing instrument is attached with such brush flatter.

Abstract: A connector assembly has a split-type connector (10) configured for insertion into a receptacle (53) of a mating connector (50)i. The split-type connector (10) has a holder (11) and auxiliary connectors (28) that can be mounted in the holder (11). A retainer (34) is mountable in the holder (11) and can be moved from a first position where the auxiliary connectors (28) can be mounted in the holder (11) and a second position where the auxiliary connectors (28) are locked. The receptacle (53) has dovetail grooves (56) and the holder (11) has dovetail ribs (27) that engage to prevent the receptacle (53) from deforming away from the outer surface of a holder (11).

Abstract: An expansible and retractable protective cover is provided for umbrellas. The cover is mountable to align with the shaft of the umbrella and can be expanded parallel to the shaft of the umbrella to cover the umbrella after the umbrella has been folded into a closed condition. Thus, the cover contains moisture accumulated on the wet umbrella cloth from scattering.