Abstract: A road map display system comprises a map memory for storing map image data, a sensor for detecting the travelling distance and travelling direction and outputting a signal representative of the angular offset between the direction of travel and an axis of a map coordinate system, an arithmetic means for calculating the map coordinates of a point halfway between the vehicle position and the destination, a coordinate transforming means which transforms the map image data to a display coordinate system, the origin of which lies halfway between the vehicle and the destination and the y-axis of which lies parallel to the direction of travel, a display memory in which the map data and symbols representing the destination and the position and the direction of travel of the vehicle are stored in terms of the display coordinate system, and a display means displaying the information stored in the display memory on the display screen.

Abstract: A vehicular power steering system is provided with a steering effort control system which controls the degree of power assistance by controlling the supply of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic power actuator unit. The steering effort control system monitors the speed of the vehicle and the angular velocity of the steering wheel, and controls the quantity of the fluid supply in accordance with the monitored variables. The fluid supply quantity is determined so as to satisfy the following three conditions: (1) The steering must become heavier as the vehicle speed increases; (2) however, a sufficient amount of the fluid must be supplied even when the steering wheel is turned rapidly; and (3) the driver must be given a feel about the lateral acceleration of the vehicle during a turn.

Abstract: A process for treating wash water from the manufacture of terephthalic acid, wherein the wash water includes terephthalic acid, metal catalyst, and organic acid byproducts. The process includes the steps of passing the wash water through a filter medium to remove undissolved terephthalic acid solids, passing the filtered water through a cation exchange resin in hydrogen ion form to remove the metal catalysts, and passing the water through an anion exchange resin to remove dissolved terephthalic acid and dissolved organic acid byproducts. The treated water and certain components removed from the wash water are recovered and reused in the manufacture of additional terephthalic acid. An apparatus in which the process is practiced is also described and, after a quantity of wash water has been treated, the apparatus is regenerated with regenerants that are also recovered and reused in the manufacture of additional terephthalic acid.

Abstract: In an instrument for optically analyzing particulate samples such as grain samples, the sample is introduced into a chute which is received in a vibrating apparatus to vibrate the grain in the chute and compact it. The chute is then dropped to a carriage which transports the chute and the grain through a beam of narrow band infrared light. A photocell is positioned to detect the amount of light passing through the grain sample.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive system has a center differential between front and rear wheels, and differential restraining or locking means for restraining or locking the center differential. The four-wheel drive system is equipped with an automatic control system for automatically locking the center differential in accordance with the deceleration of the vehicle. The control system may have means for determining a coefficient of friction between the tire and road surface in order to lock the center differential at a low vehicle deceleration when the sensed coefficient of friction is low.

Abstract: A swing arm suspension for automotive vehicle has a suspension arm pivotably connected to a suspension member for rotation about a substantially horizontal pivot axis. A lateral rod is connected to the suspension arm at one end thereof via a bushing and to a suspension member at the other end via another bushing. The position where the lateral rod is connected to the suspension member and to the vehicle body are offset from the pivot axis of the suspension arm. The position is chosen such that the lateral rod serves to provide roll compensating force for the suspension to satisfactorily and successfully restrict roll or compliance steering effects in the toe-out direction and to prevent positive camber. The lateral rod is adapted to be connected to the suspension member at such a position as to cause toe-in and/or negative camber.

Abstract: A hinge includes first and second members, a backing member, and a connecting member. The connecting member connects the backing member to the second member in such a manner as to be able to vary the distance between the second and backing members. A brittle object is located between the second and backing members. First and second packings are provided between the brittle object and the second member, and between the brittle object and the backing member, respectively. A spacer is provided between the second and backing members. The dimension of the spacer along the distance between the second and backing members is chosen so that when the connecting member is adjusted until the spacer comes into contact with both the second and backing members, the second and backing members clamp therebetween the brittle object by way of the packings with an optimal clamping force exerted on the brittle object.

Abstract: A locking system for a door of an automobile is provided with an emergency unlocking means which detects critical deceleration or acceleration of the automobile by the aid of inertia and transmits inertial movement to the locking system to cause it to move from its locking position to its unlocking position. Preferably, the emergency unlocking means comprises an inertia lever having a weight pendulum capable of swinging and thereby pushing a member of the locking system, and holding means for normally holding the inertia lever in its normal position.

Abstract: An impact printing mechanism which contains a great number of printing types in a minimized spacing is disclosed. Types are arranged in rows of columns on a plurality of substantially planar type carrying elements which are accommodated in equally spaced parallel relationship in a removable casing. Selection of a type is attained by three dimensional movements including horizontal movements of the elements within and perpendicular to their planes and a vertical movement of an element within its plane.The type carrying elements are carried on a carrier while a print hammer is mounted on an independent carrier. The former carrier includes an outer section and an inner section mounted for movement on the outer section, and means for lifting a type carrying element is mounted on the outer section.

Abstract: In a process for mixing liquid samples to be analyzed, the liquid sample contained in a sample container is moved and mixed by a mechanically oscillated air column in contact with at least part of the liquid sample surface, the air column being excited with a frequency in the resonant range of the system formed by the air column and the sample liquid.

Abstract: An endless belt passes around a first pulley directly driven by an automotive engine and a second pulley securely mounted on a driving member of an auxiliary device to rotate therewith. An idler pulley engages with the belt to provide the same with tension. An actuator shifts the idler pulley to vary the amount of the belt tension in accordance with an operation load applied to the auxiliary device.

Abstract: In a logic circuit, a transistor performs the function of a binary switching device and is controlled by the currents applied to the base thereof through differently weighted resistors. The resistors are connected to inputs to which signals representing different binary variables can be applied. The base of the transistor is also connected to a source of voltage through a variable resistor. By varying the value of the variable resistor, the logical function performed by the gate can be varied.

Abstract: A steering pressure control apparatus for a power-assisted steering system for a vehicle including a steering power cylinder to develop a steering assistance fluid pressure, comprising a detecting unit operative to detect a state in which the steering wheel is held in an angular position turned from the straight-ahead position thereof through an angle smaller than a predetermined value and to produce an output signal when the that predetermined state is detected; and a control unit responsive to the output signal from the detecting unit and operative to control the steering assistance fluid pressure to be developed in the steering power cylinder so that the steering assistance fluid pressure is lower or higher in the presence of the signal than in the absence of the signal.

Abstract: A supercharger is applied to the combination of an engine, an air intake passage through which air is conducted to the engine, and an auxiliary device connectable to the engine to be driven by the engine. The supercharger includes a compressor disposed in the air intake passage to compress air conducted to the engine. The compressor is connectable to the engine to be driven by the engine. A sensor is provided to sense whether or not the power output required of the engine is higher than a predetermined level. A first clutch responsive to the sensor disconnects the compressor from the engine when the power output required of the engine is not higher than the predetermined level. A second clutch responsive to the sensor disconnects the auxiliary device from the engine when the power output required of the engine is higher than the predetermined level.

Abstract: An instrument panel structure of an automotive vehicle, comprising an upper panel member having a rear end portion extending laterally or transversely of the vehicle, and a protective pad assembly covering and upwardly protruding from the upper surface of the rear end portion and detachably secured to the particular portion of the panel structure, wherein the protective pad assembly preferably comprises a hollow, elongated pad member formed of a resilient material and having a generally U-shaped cross section, and an elongated inner reinforcement member having a generally U-shaped cross section and embedded in the pad member.

Abstract: The process is for manufacturing an electric circuit which comprises an electric element for firing a pyrotechnic device, in which a sheet (1) made from an electrically resistant material is fixed to an electrically insulating support (3), and in which two conducting zones (12a, 12b) separated by an electrically resistant element (13) are then etched on this sheet.This process comprises the following steps:a fine nickel layer and then a fine copper layer are applied to the sheet (1), after which;a hole (7) is pierced through the assembly,a fine copper layer is deposited on the assembly, a protecting mask is deposited in the openings etched in the resistive sheet, a copper layer (10) then a tin-lead layer are deposited in the hole (7) and on both faces of the assembly,the protecting mask is removed and the fine copper layer which was protected by the mask is stripped by chemical action and,the external tin-lead layer is removed by chemical action.

Abstract: A skateboard for ice, or iceboard, includes pairs of skates mounted for unrestrained pivotal movement about axles extending laterally from trucks depending from an iceboard platform. Each skate has a protrusion extending upwardly a distance sufficient to engage a forward portion of the platform to prevent the forward portion from engaging the ice, and a bumper guard is mounted on each protrusion.

Abstract: An oscillating displacement pump particularly adapted for pumping a viscous and abrasive fluid medium or one loaded with solid particles. The pump includes a connecting space located outside of a displacement unit and directly connecting a suction valve space with a pressure valve space so that the geodetic height of pumped medium increases. The connecting space defines a suction valve side connecting channel and a pressure valve side connecting channel connected at any given time with each other through the displacement unit space independent of the position of the displacement unit. The pumped medium can thus be moved through the pump from the suction valve to the pressure valve without diversion in a separate connecting space reducing abrasive wear on the pump. A number of additional advantageous features of the pump are disclosed.

Abstract: A strap retractor assembly of a vehicular seat belt arrangement including a retaining strap to be fitted to a vehicle occupant, comprising a reel shaft having the strap anchored thereto at one end of the strap, a spring urging the reel shaft to turn in a direction to have the strap re-wound on the reel shaft, a ratchet wheel rotatable with the reel shaft, a pawl member movable into and out of a position engaging the ratchet wheel and prohibiting the reel shaft from being turned in the aforesaid direction, a switch unit to produce first pulses in response to rotation of the reel shaft in one direction and second pulses in response to rotation of the reel shaft in the opposite direction, a pulse counter to count the first pulses forwardly and the second pulses backwardly, a comparator to compare the number of the pulses counted by the counter with a predetermined number of pulses and to produce a control signal when the former equals the latter, and a solenoid-operated actuator to drive the pawl member into the

Abstract: A heald assembly of a loom, comprises a heald frame including two beam members which are formed with respective two inner faces which face to each other; two straight elongated openings formed respectively in the two beam members; two straight elongated slits formed respectively on the two inner faces of the heald frame beam members and merging respectively in the two straight elongated openings; a plurality of healds each having a heald body, and two installation sections secured respectively at the opposite end portions of the heald body, each heald installation section being located within the elongated opening and larger in width than the elongated slit; and a device for maintaining a damping-contact between each heald installation section and the heald frame beam member, thereby achieving weight and noise reduction of the heald assembly while maintaining secure connection between each heald and the heald frame.