Abstract: A non-contact type position transducer has a light emitting block for splitting a light beam into two light sub-beams and a light detecting block for receiving one of the light sub-beams and another light sub-beam radiated from another light emitting block, and the light emitting blocks and the light detecting blocks shared between a plurality of non-contact type position transducers make the arrangement of non-contact type position transducers simple.

Abstract: A variable valve timing device includes a rotation shaft and a rotation transmitting member rotatably mounted thereon. The device operates between a locked condition and an unlocked condition, wherein a locking pin is in and out of a receiving bore formed in the rotation shaft, respectively. For transferring the locking condition to the unlocking condition, oil is supplied to a bottom of the receiving bore via an independent fluid passage.

Abstract: Interlocking blocks are provided which are light in weight, and which may be assembled without use of mortar or other binding agent. Because the interlocking block is light in weight, it may be of a larger size than conventional blocks. Each interlocking block employs a number of projections and corresponding notches positioned and dimensioned to couple with adjacent interlocking block's projections and corresponding notches. A series of such interlocking blocks may then be assembled to form gravity retaining walls or any other rigid structures. The interlocking blocks are structurally strong enough to be used as form-work and may also be filled with insulating material, sound-proofing material, reinforcing material or any other advantageous material. The interlocking blocks may also be quickly assembled or disassembled in individualized constructions, may be pre-assembled into wall sections on or off a construction site.

Abstract: A reclining mechanism composed of a lower arm member for attachment to a frame structure of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat, an upper arm member placed in a common plane with the first arm member for attachment to a frame structure of a backrest of the vehicle seat and having a recessed portion formed at a lower end portion thereof and opposed to a ratchet portion formed on an upper end of the lower arm member, a slide pawl slidably coupled within the recessed portion of the upper arm member to be moved toward and away from the ratchet portion of the lower arm member for engagement therewith, a pair of side plates attached to opposite faces of the lower and upper arm members, the side plates being connected with the lower arm member by means of a hinge pin for relative rotation about the hinge pin and fixed to the upper arm member, an operation shaft rotatably supported on one of the side plates, and a release arm mounted on the operation shaft for rotation therewith to retract the slide pawl from the ratche

Abstract: A supporting structure of bearings incorporates a housing, a shaft on which a rotor is fixed, a first ball bearing supported on the housing supporting one side of the shaft and having an outer and inner race, a second ball bearing supported on the housing supporting the other side of the shaft and having an outer and an inner race, an elastic member for urging the outer race of the second ball bearing in the axial direction, and a ring spacer having at least one radial projecting portion disposed between the elastic member and the outer race of the second ball bearing. The outer race and the inner race of the first ball bearing are fixed to the housing and the shaft. The outer race of the second ball bearing is slidably mounted to the housing, while the inner race of the second ball bearing is fixed to the shaft. The ring spacer also includes an axial groove formed on the housing for receiving the radial projecting portion whereby the radial projecting portion slides along the axial groove.

Abstract: The process serves to more precisely aromatize and/or remove certain smoke fume constituents from tobacco smoke or tobacco smoke drawn from a cigarette, by means of a flowable carrier material or filtration material for aromatizing products, arranged in a cavity (1) of a mouthpiece of the cigarette.For this purpose, the flowable active carrier material or filter material (2) for aromatizing products is, before being put into this cavity (1), mixed with at least one flowable material (3) which is inactive with respect to tobacco smoke flowing through to give a mixture which is as homogeneous as possible, and, mixed in this way, is introduced into the cavity (1).

Abstract: This invention relates to sectional chessmen for playing chess, and more particularly to portable sectional chessmen. Each chessman may be dismantled for ease of carrying and then its sectional pieces rejoined for playing chess. The sectional pieces of the chessmen are integrally formed with a synthetic resin plate of predetermined thickness.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a component assembling method capable of assembling a plurality of components in a successive manner, in which method faces of each component are contacted successively with two or more reference planes by using the known servo float function as a method for controlling each robot axis.The component assembling method uses a reference table 4 having at least two planes which are a first reference plane 5 and a second reference plane 6 different in the direction of normal line from each other, and a robot system for grasping and moving each component to a given position on the reference table 4.

Abstract: A system for testing and evaluating driver situational awareness incorporates a device for displaying road and traffic images to a subject being tested, road and traffic image data for simulating operation of a vehicle to be outputted on the display device, instruction data to be outputted at least on the display device, input devices for inputting response data from the test subject in response to road and traffic image data generated on the display means, and a control device for controlling the operation of the system. The control device incorporates a vision test component for conducting a vision test of the subject and a driving reaction test component for conducting a driving reaction test of the subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a biodegradable aliphatic polyester, which comprises polymerization of a precursor of the polyester in the presence of a polyesterification catalyst in an amount of up to 0.1% by weight, based on the weight of the cyclic precursor, and a co-catalyst comprising glycerol or butyrolactone in a weight proportion of not more than three times that of the catalyst.The invention also relates to the use of the resulting biodegradable aliphatic polyester in polymer processing, such as injection molding or compression/press molding.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a system that utilizes radio frequency circuitry in combination with microprocessor devices and specially designed software to provide an improved structure and operation for the monitoring, protection and control of inventory assets. Generally, the system is embodied in a system controller unit, one or more interrogator devices and multiple transponder units. The system controller unit may be a personal computer (PC) based device for effecting the control and monitoring of the system's operation. In addition, the system controller unit serves as a data collection device and as an alarm device. The interrogator device(s) incorporate a transceiver controlled by microprocessor circuitry within the interrogator devices. The transponder units also include a radio transceiver and microprocessor circuitry. The transponder units are attached to a container or item to be monitored and protected.

Abstract: A switching valve has a cylindrical housing including a bore, an inlet port, a first inlet-outlet port, and a second inlet-outlet port which open to the hollow. A valve member slidably disposed in the bore has a ringed groove around its periphery. The valve member can open or block a portion between the groove and the first inlet-outlet port and a portion between the groove and the second inlet-outlet port. The groove formed outside the valve member always communicates with the inlet port and can communicate with the first and second inlet-outlet ports. A single drain port is formed within the valve member so that the single drain port can communicate with the first and second inlet-outlet ports. The valve member is caused to slide by a solenoid.

Abstract: In a reverberation effect imparting apparatus, sampled data of an input signal is written into a RAM 23 and the data is read out after an elapse of a predetermined time period, thereby imparting a reverberation effect. A storage area of the RAM 23 is divided into an area 1 for storing waveform data and an area 2 for imparting a reverberation effect. During evaluation, the waveform data is sequentially read out from the area 1 by using an absolute address, and sampled data of the waveform data is written into and read out from the area 2 by using a relative address, thereby imparting a reverberation effect.

Abstract: A sectional chessboard includes a number of sections corresponding to blocks of a chessboard which are formed by injection molding or press work and each section of the chessboard has protrusions and grooves around all sides thereof to be respectively engaged with grooves and protrusions of other sections so that all adjoining sides of each section is jointed together for playing chess as a complete chessboard, wherein it becomes possible to reduce the bulk of the chessboard so that users may conveniently carry them anywhere to play chess and the manufacturing cost may be reduced.

Abstract: A method and system for producing poly(lactic acid) enable trapping and recovering of lactide vapor discharged from a reaction vessel without requiring a solvent or the like. In the method and system, lactide vapor is discharged from a polymerization reaction vessel in which poly(lactic acid) is produced by ring-opening polymerization, and trapped by solidification. The solidified lactide is liquefied by heat. Lactide can be recovered more easily and assuredly.

Abstract: A pump incorporates a housing with a pump chamber and an internal bore communicating with the pump chamber, and a power driven impeller shaft supported in the housing by at least one bearing in the internal bore. The impeller shaft has an impeller in the pump chamber. A seal mechanism is in the internal bore between the bearing and the pump chamber providing a seal between the impeller shaft and the wall surface of the internal bore. The internal bore has a stepped configuration with small and large diameter portions and a vertical wall defined therebetween. The large diameter portion defines an intermediate chamber between the bearing and the pump chamber and that chamber connects with the pump chamber. The intermediate chamber contains liquid with air being trapped in the remaining portion of the intermediate chamber. The bearing and the seal mechanism are located in the small diameter portion.

Abstract: An auxiliary propulsion system for a boat or other marine vessel according to the invention incorporates an electric motor/transmission device for generating locomotive force to propel the boat or vessel, an electrical power supply for providing electrical energy to drive the electric motor/transmission device, at least one electrical energy generating device for generating electrical energy through conversion from one of at least sunlight, wind motion and water motion, a charging circuit having a device for controlling charging of the power supply with electrical energy from the energy generating device, and a device for controlling speed and direction operation of the electric motor/transmission device. In operation, electrical energy is inputted into the electric motor/transmission device from the electrical power supply and locomotive force is thereby generated by the electric motor/transmission device when the primary propulsion system of the boat or other marine vessel is inactive.

Abstract: An automatic hydraulic tensioner according to the present invention is provided with a communication mechanism for allowing a space radially inside a plunger-side end wire portion of a coil spring to communicate with a small clearance between the plunger and a cylinder. This automatic hydraulic tensioner thus succeeds, with a simple structure, in preventing bubbles from remaining within a pressure chamber and appropriately maintaining the tension applied to a power transmitting means such as a belt, a chain or the like.

Abstract: The air bag apparatus has a pressure adjusting mechanism. The pressure adjusting mechanism controls a flow rate of the operating gas. When acceleration caused by a collision exceeds a predetermined level by a small level, the pressure adjusting mechanism releases the operating gas into the atmosphere. When the acceleration well exceeds the predetermined level, the pressure adjusting mechanism does not release the operating gas.