Abstract: A tape measure includes a post with at least first and second arms spaced from one another to form a longitudinal slot having an end aperture for coupling with a tape blade retraction spring. The post distal end anchors to a housing sidewall via a fastener, and a fastener engagement region of the post extends from the aperture to the fastener's terminus. A distinct reinforcing collar is disposed about the post's distal portion and acts to limit movement of the arms away from one another. The collar may overly the post for at least half of the fastener engagement region and/or may abut a shoulder on the post. The fastener may have a first pullout resistance level without the collar present and a second higher pullout resistance level, advantageously double or more, with the collar present. Also, methods of assembly are described.

Abstract: A discharge tube drive circuit for driving a plurality of discharge tubes is proposed with reduced number of parts and in a down-sized form. A first balance transformer is provided in a first drive circuit block, and a plurality of primary coils of a plurality of drive transformers in the first drive circuit block and a secondary coil of the first balance transformer are connected in series. A second balance transformer is provided in a second drive circuit block, and a plurality of primary coils of a plurality of drive transformers in the second drive circuit block and a secondary coil of the second balance transformer are connected in series. Further, a primary coil of the balance transformer and a primary coil of the second balance transformer are connected in series to configure the discharge tube drive circuit of the present invention.

Abstract: A transformer-type compact and thin coil device having a high coupling degree between a primary coil and a secondary coil, and a transformer device in which a plurality of sets of the transformer-type coil devices are incorporated. A coil device includes a first winding portion in which a primary and secondary coil wires are wound in bifilar form so as to arrange them alternately in a plane, a second winding portion in which a secondary coil wire is wound to arrange it in a plane parallel to the plane of the first winding portion, and a secondary coil connecting portion which connects an inner diameter portions of the secondary coil wires of the first and second winding portions. A transformer device is formed by incorporating a plurality of sets of the transformer-type coil devices each formed in above manner.

Abstract: Various phosphorescence charging systems are provided for charging a phosphorescent wheel. The wheel is attached to the frame of a vehicle with nighttime or low light operation capability. The phosphorescence charging system directs electromagnetic radiation, such as ultraviolet light, onto phosphorescent portions of the wheel so as to cause subsequent phosphorescent emission therefrom.

Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing; a measuring tape deployable with respect to the housing between a fully retracted position and a deployed position; the tape having an anchored end and a free end; a first coupling portion secured to the tape free end; a plurality of measuring end fittings, each of the end fittings comprising a second coupling portion; the first and second coupling portions interockingly engageable to selectively couple the corresponding end fitting to the tape free end; wherein the first and second coupling portions are interlockingly engageable, and advantageously also disengageable, when the measuring tape free end is in the fully retracted position. Advantageously, each of the end fittings have a measuring abutment surface disposed aligned with a zero point of the tape's measuring scale when the corresponding end fitting is coupled to the measuring tape.

Abstract: A tooth (30) for use in a grinding wheel is provided. The tooth comprises a main body (31) including a slot (32) comprising two substantially planar surfaces for, in use, engaging with a slot (24) in the rotor (20), and at least one cutting face (33, 34, 35, 36) connected to and extending away from the main body. In use, the force in the plane of the rotor is transferred from the tooth onto the rotor via one of the planar surfaces provided on the slot.

Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing that includes a frame and a mouthpiece body moveable mounted to the frame. The mouthpiece body includes a tape exit port that is moveable, advantageously rotatably, and may include an external recess aligned with the exit port. A measuring tape is supported by the housing and selectively deployable from the housing via the exit port. The movable exit port may allow the tape to enter the housing along a line that is tangent to the coil of tape rotatably supported by the housing. This tangency is advantageously maintained as the size of the coil changes due to the amount of tape therein. Other aspects and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present application includes embodiments of a connector in an image forming device that establishes an electrical connection with a cartridge. The connector may include an electrical contact that is able to rotate in a first direction when in contact with the cartridge during a first amount insertion of the cartridge into the image forming device. The electrical contact may be adapted to stop rotating after the cartridge is inserted the first amount. As a result, the electrical connector may slide across the surface of the cartridge during additional insertion. The sliding motion may scrape off an oxidation or contamination layer thus providing a reliable electrical contact between the connector and the cartridge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for moving media through an image forming device using a roller having a recessed kick area is described herein. The roller includes a contact surface having a first radius that extends 360° around the roller. The roller also includes at least one recess that extends inwardly from the contact surface along a sector of the roller, where a bottom surface of the recess has a second radius less than the first radius. As a result, along the sector of the roller having the recess, the width of the contact surface is less than the width of the roller. The recess comprises at least one kick surface on one end of the recess. As the roller rotates, the kick surface kicks a trailing edge of media exiting the exit roller system into a desired bin of the image forming device.

Abstract: An image forming device determines a plurality of conditions in the device. In one embodiment, a signal source positioned downstream from a media input tray emits a signal. The signal reflects off of a reflective member and is received by a detector. Based on the amounts of the signal detected by the detector, a controller can determine a media input tray condition and a media sheet condition.

Abstract: Threshold current may be determined and one or more bias sources may be programmed in a laser drive circuit. For example, a laser diode emits light along first and second optical paths. A polarizer is positioned in the first optical path between the laser diode and a first detector, which outputs a first detector signal corresponding to the measured optical power of polarized light. A second detector monitors light along the second optical path and provides a second detector signal. A bias compensation circuit receives the first and second detector signals and provides a bias current control signal, which is utilized to program a bias current source supplied to the laser diode. Additionally, multiple polarizer devices may be utilized e.g., a first polarizer in a first optical path aligned with the laser beam and a second polarizer in a second optical path aligned substantially orthogonal to the polarization of the laser beam.

Abstract: Control circuitry associated with an electrophotographic imaging device is adapted to operate in conjunction with a sensor to adjust a difference in electrical bias between a photoconductive surface and an associated roller. The sensor detects a reflectance or luminosity of a developed image and the control circuitry uses this detected information and information related to reflectance or luminosity of the underlying surface and the developing toner to determine whether the developed image is produced as desired. The control circuitry adjusts the difference in electrical bias between the photoconductive surface and an associated roller in response to a comparison between the detected and desired images. In one embodiment, a predetermined test pattern is developed over a range of electrical bias differences and an optimum operating point is determined from the iterations.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a body and one or more door assemblies. At least one door assembly may be movable between open and closed orientations. A variety of mechanical and electrical interlocks may be used to control motion of the door assemblies. A first interlock may prevent a door assembly from moving under the influence of a force between an open and closed orientation prior to a condition being satisfied. This condition may depend on the position of a second door assembly. A breakaway feature may release the first interlock when the closing force exceeds a predetermined level. A second interlock may work with the first interlock to keep a second door assembly from opening if the first door assembly is closed. An electrical interlock may disconnect power to the image forming device when the first door assembly is open.

Abstract: Control circuitry associated with an electrophotographic imaging device is adapted to manage bias levels of components in an image forming unit. A photoconductive surface is charged to a first bias level, a developer member is charged to a second bias level, and an imaging unit selectively discharges image feature locations on the photoconductive surface to a third bias level. In certain regions having a predetermined image feature density, the imaging unit may discharge an area in the vicinity of the image features to a fourth bias level that is between the first and third bias levels. The amount by which the imaging unit discharges the area in the vicinity of the image features changes as image feature density changes and as the difference between the first and third bias levels change.

Abstract: A breakaway device and method that may be used in conjunction with a door panel on an image forming device. The door panel may be a multipurpose feed door or otherwise provide access to the interior of the image forming device. The door panel may be movable between a closed position and an open position. The breakaway device may also permit door panel movement to a breakaway position that is beyond the open position. The breakaway device may include a resilient member and a deflectable stopper member. The stopper member may be biased by the resilient member into a first stopper position when the door panel is between the closed position and the open position. However, the stopper member may be displaced by the door panel against a bias force applied by the resilient member when the door panel is positioned between the open position and a breakaway position.

Abstract: Control circuitry associated with an electrophotographic imaging device is adapted to operate in conjunction with a sensor to adjust operating parameters, including an imaging power. The sensor detects a reflectivity of a developed image and the control circuitry uses this detected information and information related to reflectivity of the underlying surface and the developing toner to determine whether the developed image is produced as desired. The control circuitry adjusts imaging power in response to a comparison between the detected reflectivity and a target reflectivity. In one embodiment, a predetermined halftone pattern is developed over a range of imaging powers and an optimum operating point is determined from the iterations. A predictive model may be generated based on many data points to select imaging power based on optimized surface potentials.

Abstract: A media stack height sensor in an image forming apparatus with a flag arm that is in contact with a top surface a media stack. The arm is coupled to a flag characterized by varying transmissivity. The flag is moveable by the flag arm so that as the position of the arm changes in relation to the stack height, a different portion of the flag is positioned between a transmitter and receiver of an optical sensor disposed within the body of the image forming apparatus. The flag accordingly reduces the amount of optical energy received by the receiver. The receiver output signal indicates the height of the media stack. The flag also includes features that further limit light transmission to the receiver to provide discrete stack height indications such as low, empty, full, or intermediate states.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to clear the accumulation of toner particles from a doctor element by periodically reversing a bias field between a doctor element and a developer member. The developer member may be biased to a first electrical potential while the doctor element may be biased to a second electrical potential. The second electrical potential may be higher than the first electrical potential. The doctor element and the developer member may be biased from a single voltage supply and a voltage dividing circuit. A bias reversing circuit may cause the second electrical potential to fall, at least temporarily, below that of the first electrical potential when power from the voltage supply is removed. The bias reversing circuit may also cause the first electrical potential to fall with a longer time constant than that of the second electrical potential when power from the voltage supply is removed.

Abstract: An image forming device with one or more door assemblies that engage locking mechanisms to secure a module in an operating position. The module may be coupled to one of the one or more door assemblies. A first locking mechanism may secure the module to the image forming device body when a first door assembly is closed. A second locking mechanism may secure the module to the body with a greater securing force than the first locking mechanism to secure the module to the body. The second locking mechanism may be engaged upon closing a second door assembly. Separate biasing members may be used to apply the securing forces. The locking mechanisms may include four-bar or over-center mechanisms to apply the securing forces.

Abstract: A system and method for immobilizing adjacent spinous processes in accordance with the present invention can supplement primary fusion devices and methods by immobilizing spinous processes while bone from adjacent vertebral bodies grows together. The system requires less extensive surgical procedures than other common supplemental devices, and preferably does not require bone or ligament removal. One such system comprises three spacers positioned between spinous processes and adjustably connected with a plate positioned on either side of the spinous processes. Each plate includes grips, with each grip positioned adjacent to the spinous process, forming a clamp with a grip connected with the opposing plate.