Abstract: A processing device is provided with a disk loading port and a cassette or cartridge loading port both formed in a substantially common top face or surface of the device so that a CD ROM as well as a cartridge ROM may be loaded from the top. A main circuit board, in which a CPU, data processors and other circuits are assembled, is positioned so as to substantially underlie both the disk and cartridge loading ports and generally arranged in a plane parallel to the common top face. The disk operating unit is formed of two portions, one having a lower surface on which the cartridge unit may be detachably mounted, and the other having an elevated portion in which the disk loading port as well as a disk driving mechanism is installed.

Abstract: A flat article carrying case includes corrugated sheet material which substantially wraps about the entire case with the exception of the lateral sides of the case. A handle is attached to the front side of the carrying case. Two frame members, forming the lateral sides of the carrying case, are provided for providing stiffness and rigidity to the case, when covered with corrugated sheet material which is flexible along a direction parallel to the frame members but substantially rigid or stiff in the transverse direction extending between the frame members. However, it will be evident that different covering sheet materials may be used, in which case different numbers of frame members may be needed to provide requisite stiffness or rigidity to the resulting carrying case.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conductive rubber roller, comprising a core metal shaft, an ionic conductive layer formed to surround the outer circumferential surface of the core metal shaft and consisting of a high molecular weight elastomer containing an ionic conducting agent or a foamed body of such a high molecular weight elastomer, an electron conductive layer formed to surround the outer circumferential surface of the ionic conductive layer and consisting of a high molecular weight cellular elastomer containing an electron conducting agent or a high molecular weight cellular elastomer containing an electron conducting agent, a toner contamination preventing layer formed to surround the outer circumferential surface of the electron conductive layer, and an insulating annular sealing member mounted to each of both edges of the ionic conductive layer and the electron conductive layer both extending in the longitudinal direction of the metal core wherein a relationship R1>R2>R3, where R1, R2 and R3 denote, respectiv

Abstract: A drive control apparatus for a stepping motor comprises a driving circuit connected to the stepping motor for driving the same, and a controller for outputting a control signal to the driving circuit so as to set up a W1-2 phase driving mode when the stepping motor is in an acceleration and deceleration states, and so as to set up 1-2 phase driving mode when the stepping motor is in a constant-speed state.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus includes an optical pickup. When an optical disc is mounted, a focus search is carried out for a lens provided on the optical pickup, and the optical disc is discriminated as to its disc type. At this time, an AGC circuit of an RF amplifier is turned off. The reproduced signal from the RF amplifier is compared with a constant voltage. A measurement is made for a time for which an output from the comparator is at a high level. The high level time is compared with a reference time, thereby discriminating the type of the optical disc.

Abstract: A method of constructing a wheelchair that is durable, lightweight, economical and fully adaptable to any end user's requirements, such as sizing, convertibility, environment and lifestyle, and the resulting wheelchair, is disclosed, made possible by the utilization of specially designed weld-free connector fittings with any desirable or available tubular materials.

Abstract: An improved utility bar includes an elongate shank which has a longitudinal axis, a prying hook at one end and a prying chisel at the other end. The prying hook has a tapered portion extending along a direction generally an angle &agr; with the longitudinal axis and a generally U-shaped portion integrally formed with the shank and the tapered portion. The tapered and U-shaped portions together form a prying footprint surface facing a direction away from the shank. The angle &agr; is selected to be greater than 90° and preferably selected within the range of 93°-110°. The prying footprint has a minimum transverse dimension which is substantially greater than the minimum cross sectional dimension of the shank.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for manufacturing helically wound insulated conductors with filament fillers includes first and second payoff stations for paying off a plurality of insulated conductors and elongate filaments of filler materials. These cable components are guided from the payoff stations to a closing die, and are arranged in positions suitable for twisting into a cable by a double twist machine to form a cable of twisted insulated components forming radially outwardly facing helical interstices each of which is substantially filled with another one of the filaments of filler material. Differential or incremental lengths of filler material are metered upstream of the double twist machine to compensate for the differences in the radial distances of the insulated conductors and filaments of filler material on the center or cable of the axis.

Abstract: A failsafe weld-free method of joining tubular elements provides for connecting a first tubular element to a second tubular element. The assembly includes an insert, with screw threads, inside of the first tube, a connector fitting for mounting to the insert within the first tube by a screw, a second tube is secured to the connector fitting with a fastener through a transverse hole through both the second tube and the connector fitting. When the connector fitting is assembled to the first tubular section and the connecting screw is tightened, a structurally rigid connection is achieved. The second tubular section is positioned over the stepped outside diameter of the connector fitting, aligning the transverse holes. A fastener is installed through the transverse hole. The fastener that secures the connector fitting to the second tubular section is positioned to not allow the screw fastening the connector fitting to the first tubular section to disengage or loosen.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus includes a microcomputer. The microcomputer causes an optical disc to rotate at a normal speed or a speed of a predetermined number times higher than the normal speed, according to a data read request supplied from a host computer. A PLL is controlled by the microcomputer so that it outputs, by adjusting the frequency-dividing ratio of a variable frequency divider, a first clock for normal-speed reproduction, a second clock for reproduction at a speed of a predetermined number of times, a third clock intermediate between the first clock and the second clock. When the optical disc is accelerated from the normal speed up to the speed of the predetermined number of times, the third clock is used. When the optical disc approaches a desired speed, the second clock is used to read data.

Abstract: A press fit contact for through hole mounting has a longitudinal axis and a contact portion along the axis for mounting with an associated electrical component to make electrical contact therewith. A leg portion is configured and dimensioned to be inserted through a mounting plated through hole of a support member. The leg portion includes an interference element along at least a portion thereof dimensioned to be receivable within the plated through hole to establish a press-fit or interference-fit and mechanical and electrical contact with the plating on the mounting hole. An intermediate portion is provided between and integrally formed with the contact and leg portions, the portions all being generally aligned along the longitudinal axis. A pressure-bearing, in each instance element, in the form of one or more holes and with or without associated blade tabs, is formed on the intermediate portion within the perimeter or inside the lateral edges defined by the intermediate portion.

Abstract: Described is a draw-in nipple for fastening a palette on a machine tool, with the draw-in nipple for fastening of the palette being received by a rapid-action clamping system, with the draw-in nipple being attached afflicted with clearance on the palette and through application of a tension force in its longitudinal direction away from the palette being lockable free of clearance. The draw-in nipple is herein preferably received in a resilient element which upon exertion of a tension force becomes deformed and locked through the draw-in nipple.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for detoxifying shellfish contaminated with paralytic toxin. Actually no industrial method has been described that is 100% effective for detoxification of shellfish containing this type of toxins. Decontamination is achieved through a process involving the chemical treatment of shellfish. This chemical treatment consists of preincubating and then cooking the shellfish in an alkaline pH solution. This treatment can be combined with one or more other procedures for the reduction of the products' final toxicity, these other procedures including, for example, partial shellfish detoxification by depuration, removal of the most toxic parts, and commercial cooking/canning of the shellfish. The process reduces total toxicity levels in shellfish to values below 80 &mgr;g of eq. STX/100 g shellfish, independently of the toxin profile, or the initial toxicity present in the shellfish.

Abstract: In a race game comprising a preliminary round and a main race, a player can start the game without waiting for other players, the boredom of waiting time is eliminated, and skillful players can be satisfied with the game. An image processing device for generating game images, and a plurality of game units each provided respectively with communications control devices connected to this image processing device, which control communications with other devices, are provided, and the communications control devices are connected to each other. When any of the players inserts a coin, the corresponding communications control device immediately starts a preliminary round, and when this preliminary round is completed, it displays a demonstration screen during the waiting period before the start of the main race.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for manufacturing communication cables with improved, more uniform impedance characteristics at signal frequencies up to and above 600 MHz. The apparatus includes an “inside-out” rigid twisting machine and at least two bobbins supported within each such machine. Each rigid twisting machine includes a drive for spinning each of the bobbins about their respective axes, and fly-off arrangement is provided for flying off an insulated conductor wire wound on each of the bobbins with substantially no tension in the wire when the bobbin attains a first rotational speed. Guides are provided for guiding the wires from each of the bobbins to a closing point where the wires are closed. A double twist bow arrangement is provided which includes second drive for twisting the closed wires at a second rotational speed to form a twinned cable.

Abstract: A toy, preferably a plush toy, includes a main body and an electroluminescent display panel arranged on and forming a surface portion of the main body. When the plush toy is a toy pony, the electroluminescent display panel is placed, for example, on the blaze on the pony's face. The power source is arranged within the main body and a first ON switch is placed within one front hoof of the pony while a second OFF switch is placed within the other front hoof of the pony. The hooves are soft and deformable so that they can be compressed when squeezed to selectively actuate one of the switches. In this way, application of power to the electroluminescent panel by squeezing of the ON hoof energizes the panel and causes it to generate illumination in the region of the toy.