Abstract: An object of a camera of the present invention is to protect mode change switches, a mode display member, or the like from being damaged or prevent it from malfunctioning, and to improve maneuverability. A center part of a camera body 2 shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped is revealed or hidden by a protective cover 5 that can slide freely between the center part of the camera body 2 and a left-hand part thereof. Arranged on the face, top, and back of the center part of the camera body 2 are a photography lens 3, a strobe 6, and mode change switches 16, a mode display member 17, and the like which are used during photography. These members (photography-time used members) are shielded by the protective cover 5 in a closed state and thus protected from being damaged. Moreover, the incident that the members malfunction can be minimized.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a fixed frame, lens groups on the inner circumference of the fixed frame movable along an optical axis respective to the fixed frame, three lens holding frames each holding a lens group, a cam frame having bottomed cam grooves coupled with the inner circumference of the fixed frame through cams, bottomed cam grooves crossing each other coupled with the lens holding frames through cams and a bottomed cam groove discontinued on one end surface and continued on another end surface, a key member regulating rotation of the lens holding frames about an optical axis and reinforcing the entire lens barrel, a cam mechanism interposed between the cam frame and lens holding frames for moving the lens holding frames along the optical axis by the rotation of the cam frame about the optical axis with respect to the fixed frame, an internal gear on the cam frame inner circumference, a pinion gear transmitting a drive force from a drive source to the internal gear, flexible printed substrates overlappe

Abstract: A range finder in accordance with the present invention is a range finder having a light-emitting device and light-receiving device and a printed-circuit board on which electrical parts are mounted. The light-emitting device is mounted on a front face of the printed-circuit board, and the light-receiving device is mounted on the back face thereof. The mounted sides of the light-emitting device and light-receiving device are substantially opposed to each other with the printed-circuit board between them. The printed-circuit board is formed with an opaque member and intercepts harmful light, preventing it from falling directly on the light-receiving device from the light-emitting device.

Abstract: A densely wound coil and a wire which passes through the coil are inserted into a flexible part which has a flexibility. The coil which is fixed in the vicinity of a distal end of the wire has a proximal end thereof which is regulated in movement toward a rearward side by a stopper. The wire which extends rearward from the proximal end of the coil has a proximal end thereof which is drawn or pulled toward the rearward side by angular movement of an adjustment knob which is provided in the vicinity of a forward end of an operation part. By this traction, a compressive force is relatively applied to the coil to make flexibility of the coil changeable. By an O-ring which is urged against the adjustment knob, even if a hand is removed after the adjustment knob has been operated, the adjustment knob can be locked to the state by a frictional force.

Abstract: A camera capable of securing a more stable film loading operation and further of conducting a more stable information recording operation. The camera is equipped with a film loading motor (48), a film winding gear train, a film forwarding gear train and a clutch for releasing the transfer of a driving force of the motor (48) to the film forwarding gear train. When the reduction ratio of the film winding gear train is taken to be iW, the reduction ratio of the film forwarding gear train is taken to be iAL and the radius of the outermost portion of a spool shaft (56a) and spool rubber (56b) constituting a film take-up spool is taken as Rs (mm), the relationship among these values is determined as (iAL/iW).times.Rs=.gamma. where .gamma..gtoreq.13.6. In addition, in this case, the value .gamma. satisfies .gamma..gtoreq.19.0.

Abstract: Apparatus for pretreating a pothole preparatory to filling thereof including determining the size and/or path of revolution of a treatment member responsive to determining the location and size of the pothole to be repaired; lowering the treatment member into the pothole; selectively revolving said treatment member and/or rotating said treatment member to abrade, compact and densify the portion of the pothole surrounding the surface thereof. Debris or other particulate in the pothole or developed by the abrading operation may be removed by a vacuum member. The pothole may be sprayed with a fluent material to either harden the surface or reduce the porosity of or render the sticky the surface of the pothole to provide a better bond between the pothole and the filler material. The force applied by the treatment member to the pothole surface is sensed and used as feedback information to control the abrading/compressing/densifying force.

Abstract: A camera according to the present invention has an arrangement that a film is discharged to a side toward a subject after a picture has been taken, the instant camera comprising a grip portion formed on a right portion of a camera body when viewed in a normal photography state and from a position of a photographer operating the camera, an optical system disposed on a left portion of the camera body when viewed from the said position of the photographer and including at least a photographing lens, and a film cartridge loading portion which is capable of loading a film cartridge into a position between the grip portion of the camera body and the optical system in such a manner that an exposure surface of the film accommodated in the film cartridge faces the optical system.

Abstract: A camera using a photographic film accommodated in a cartridge main body in the state that a cartridge is loaded into the camera, the film being pressed, when it is fed out to the outside of the cartridge, by being subjected to a load in a film width direction substantially at a given position in the cartridge, wherein the position of the cartridge is set with respect to the position of the photographing opening of the camera so that the portions of the photographic film subjected to the load in the cartridge are located in the vicinity of the interval between photographing frame of the film fed out. According to the above arrangement of the camera, even if the fed photographing film is subjected to the load, it can maintain good flatness at the portion thereof corresponding to the photographing opening and an out of focus condition due to increased film curvature can be prevented.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to herbal compositions which reduce weight, maintain weight loss over an extended period of time, and act as an appetite suppressant. The composition consists of St. John's Wort with or without caffeine or other appetite suppressants known in the art, and also a composition comprising St. John's Wart (hypericin) and Mahuang (Ephedra sinica or ephedrine). Another composition disclosed comprises a combination of the above herbs with caffeine.

Abstract: A camera in which a photographing lens tube is movable between a collapsed position assumed in a non-photographing condition and an extension position assumed in a photographing condition. The camera is provided with a barrier swingingly rotatable through a hinge between a fully closed position at which the barrier covers a front surface section of a photographing lens and further to take a fully open position at which the barrier retreats from the photographing lens. The barrier is biased in a closing direction when it is in a fully closed position side relative to a substantially middle position between the fully closed position and the fully open position, while being biased in an open direction when being in a fully opening position side with respect to the substantial middle position.

Abstract: An image manipulating system according to the present invention can perform interval recording for repeatedly recording supplied image information at predetermined time intervals. Herein, a limit value of recording time intervals designative depending on an applicable type of information recording medium; such as, a memory card, floppy disk, hard disk, or the like is stored for each type of information recording medium in an EEPROM. A CPU prevents selection of a recording time interval exceeding the limit value, and eventually sets a time interval. Thus, the present invention provides a user-friendly image manipulating system capable of achieving interval recording in as strict compliance as is possible responsive to a demand.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a driving axle of karts having a tubular housing pivotally supported by a trunnion assembly about a pivot axis which is perpendicular to and lies in a common plane with a longitudinal axis of the tubular housing. Ball bearing assemblies for taking up radial thrust are arranged on opposite sides of the pivot axis and free-wheelingly support a driving axle whose axis of rotation is perpendicular to the pivot axis of the tubular housing. A thrust bearing and thrust washer are arranged between a radial bearing and a support shoulder of the tubular housing provided between the pivot axis and an outboard side of the tubular housing. The trunnion assembly is designed to bring the pivot axis into horizontal alignment. An axial thrust bearing and thrust washer can be provided at both ends of the tubular housing and on opposite sides of the pivot axis. The aforesaid bearing assemblies significantly reduce or eliminate slowdown of the kart due to "chassis bind".

Abstract: A betting apparatus incorporated into a game of chance enabling a player to make a side bet. A chip receptacle is provided at each player's location of a blackjack table for accepting the side bet. A player's key operated display selects a predetermined number of consecutive wins. A microprocessor cooperating with a sensor identifies the denomination of one or more chips placed in the chip receptacle and, together with a number of consecutive wins selected by the player, displays a payoff amount for a selected number of consecutive wins. The hands are played following conventional rules. The betting receptacle cover seals the chips after completion of a betting phase, under control of the dealer, and signals the beginning of a new game. Each player's location is provided with a Loss button, operated by the dealer when a player loses. A Push button may be provided for each player position when that player has a hand equal in value to a dealer's hand to indicate a tie.

Abstract: A Fourier-transform spectrometer contains a birefringent optical component, removing the need for a Michelson interferometer used in conventional instruments. A suitable birefringent element such as a Wollaston prism, is used to introduce a path difference between two light polarisations. Use of an extended light source so that all areas of the birefringent component are illuminated simultaneously ensures that different positions on the birefringent component correspond to different path differences between the two polarisations. A Fourier-transform of the resulting interferogram at the detector results in the spectral distribution of the input light being obtained. The use of an extended light source permits a Fourier-transform spectrometer with no moving parts to be achieved.

Abstract: A lens barrel with a cam mechanism, manufactured by molding plastic, comprising a plurality of cams having a plurality of parting lines, for lens driving, and a plurality of cam followers that are engaged with the plurality of cam faces of the respective cams. The plurality of parting lines are arranged on the plurality of cam followers in a manner that the positions of the parting lines relative to the respective cam followers are set to be different from each other. In the driving of lenses, no two cam followers are simultaneously positioned at their respective parting lines so that the lenses may be free from the effect of a step at each parting line. Thus, the deviation of the position of each lens is minimized.

Abstract: Signatures are delivered to a stacker by a gripper conveyor, each gripper delivering a signature thereto. The grippers follow a curved path adjacent to the stacker, substantially aligning the signatures with the stacking platform receiving signatures as they are released. A plurality of stacking platforms are moved about a closed loop path, each independently driven by an associated drive motor. The speed of each stacking platform is variable and is synchronized with the throughput of the gripper conveyor as well as signature thickness. When a predetermined quantity of signatures has been collected, an upstream stacking platform is moved between the last signature of the preceding stack and the first signature of the next stack. When a stack has been completed, the stacking platform is quickly pulled away from the signature stack allowing it to fall by gravity into a collector, and is thereafter moved quickly to the ready position in preparation for forming a subsequent signature stack.