Abstract: A signal pickup device comprises a reproducing element for reproducing recorded signals from recording tracks of a rotary recording medium, a holder having said reproducing element mounted at its tip end, a cantilever having the rear end of said holder mounted at its tip end, force applying coil for applying a force to the rear end side of the cantilever so that the reproducing element makes contact with the rotary recording medium having a predetermined pressure, and control coils for applying force at the rear end side of the cantilever so that tracking control is performed, by displacing said reproducing element in a direction perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal direction of the recording tracks of the rotary recording medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing air pressure in pneumatic suspension units for a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, comprising: air pressure sensors capable of sensing air pressures in pneumatic suspension units to generate an output signal when the air pressures are below a predetermined level; a vehicle speed sensor capable of sensing vehicle speed to generate an output signal when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined level; a signal processor adapted to receive output signals from the pressure sensors and the vehicle speed sensor and generate an output when the air pressures in the pneumatic suspension units are below a predetermined level while the vehicle speed continues to be in excess of a predetermined level for more than a predetermined period of time. An indicating device produces an indicating signal when it receives an output signal from the signal processor.

Abstract: A method of producing a fiber reinforced composite article comprising forming a shaped fiber body of predetermined configuration from inorganic fibers, placing a tubular member in the shaped fiber body, the tubular member having an opened end and a plurality of communication ports therein and charging a molten matrix alloy by squeeze casting from the outside of the shaped fiber body and, additionally, from the inside of the shaped fiber body through the tubular member. The article can be a connecting rod of an internal combustion engine and the shaped fiber body can be located at a position corresponding to a rib for reinforcing the connecting rod.

Abstract: A keyboard operated controller for controlling a plurality of lighting devices has a memory which includes a plurality of addressed multiposition registers wherein the positions store control indicia for the respective lighting devices. A finger-operated keyboard generates addresses which select the registers to control the states of the lighting devices. There is also provided means for loading the control indicia into the registers via another keyboard.

Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator of a width-extensional mode vibratory-energy trapping type having a rectangular piezoelectric plate of a width corresponding to a desired resonance frequency. Peripheral electrodes are deposited apart from one another in its lengthwise direction to cover over the width of opposite end portions of the piezoelectric plate in order to lower the cut-off frequency of the opposite end portions of the piezoelectric plate in comparison with the intervening central portion of the plate, so that the width-extensional mode vibratory energy may be trapped or confined within the central portion of the piezoelectric plate. The resonator can be supported and are connected to lead wires at peripheral electrodes.

Abstract: A compressing system for digital modulated signals comprises an analog-to-digital converter for obtaining a digital modulated signal by digitally modulating an analog signal; a first variable gain circuit provided at the output side of the analog-to-digital converter; and a first gain control circuit for equivalently performing level-compression of the analog conversion level of the input digital modulated signal of the first gain control circuit within a predetermined level range by use of a first control signal and the first variable gain circuit. The first gain control circuit comprises an expected signal generating circuit having an analog conversion level z.sub.n which satisfies the equation ##EQU1## (N is an arbitrary natural number, and a.sub.O through a.sub.N are zero or an arbitrary number) where y.sub.

Abstract: A shading corrector is provided for an image analyzer. The shading corrector is capable of storing an image presented to a raster scanning television camera included in the overall system. A memory is used to store camera video voltage variations which are representative of an object-free background field. When specimens are subsequently introduced into the field of view, the resulting video voltage may be compared in a voltage comparator to the stored background reference. A circuit is provided to correct the stored background and provision is made for using the background of a juxtaposed position in the event that the background used for the correction is covered by an object. The system is also provided with a light pen or equivalent device for identifying positions in the raster at which modifications are desired. Provision is then made for correcting images at these selected positions such as by adding to or subtracting from the images.

Abstract: A wire ring bearing for an actuating guide apparatus for a gas turbine comprising two bearing rings concentrically arranged for relative motion with respect to one another between which is a plurality of rolling elements which are rollably supported on wire rings mounted in pairs respectively provided in circumferentially extending slots in the two bearing rings. One of the bearing rings comprises a plurality of individual ring elements which jointly define the slot in the corresponding bearing ring. A fastener secures the ring elements together with a spring interposed between the fastener and one of the individual ring elements. The fastener is engaged in a sleeve having a flange bearing against the head of the fastener and the spring has one end bearing against the flange and an opposite end bearing against the associated individual ring element.

Abstract: A connecting rod for an internal combustion engine comprising a rod body having a fiber bundle reinforcement integrated therein. The fiber bundle reinforcement extends longitudinally in a central rod portion of the connecting rod and is exposed at the peripheral surface at a small end portion of the rod where a bore is provided for connection with a piston pin. The fiber bundle reinforcement is exposed in the region of the bore adjacent the central rod portion.

Abstract: A method for activating titanium surfaces for subsequent plating with metallic coatings comprising:(a) wet peening the titanium surface to be plated using fine-grain Al.sub.2 O.sub.3,(b) pickling the peened surface with a fluoridic solution at room temperature for several minutes, and(c) activating the surface with a solution containing chromium, fluorine, and arsenic or antimony at temperatures of 35.degree. to 100.degree. C. for fifteen to fifty minutes.The molar ratio of fluorine to arsenic or antimony is between six and seven, and the molar ratio of chromium to antimony or arsenic is between three and six.

Abstract: An anti-mar base is provided for a saber- or bayonet-type saw. The anti-mar base is provided with spring clips to detachably affix the same to the corresponding base of the saw in order to prevent the marring of objects to be cut. The anti-mar base is made of a smooth material in the form of a sled-like member having two runners separated by a groove into which a key-like opening opens. The key-like opening is formed of a circular opening to which is connected a slot. The spring clips extend from two metal strips which traverse the sled-like member extending through the body thereof and exposed in the aforementioned groove. The spring clips are of S-shape and permit the ready removal of the anti-mar base from the saw base.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint in which an outer member and an inner member are coupled through a cage member which has an outer spherical surface and an inner spherical surface. These spherical surfaces of the cage member are in contact with an inner spherical surface of the outer member and an outer spherical surface of the inner member, respectively. The cage member supports a number of balls in respective windows, and these balls are in engagement with respective pairs of longitudinally extending ball grooves formed in the inner spherical surface of the outer member and the outer spherical surface of the inner member. The bottom surfaces of the ball grooves extend substantially along respective circular arcs whose centers are located at equal distances on opposite sides of the center of the joint. The inner and outer spherical surfaces of the cage member are eccentric to one another and their centers are also located at equal distances on opposite sides of the center of the joint.

Abstract: A solution of L-ascorbic acid and a solution of para amino benzoic acid are mixed and the mixture evaporated to permit recovery of a solid compound. The compound is administered to a host to reduce thrombotic tendencies.

Abstract: A slide is provided for a drawer. The slide includes two elongated members mounted for relative longitudinal sliding movement. The members include respective side walls shaped to define longitudinal ball bearing tracks. Ball bearings supported by a carrier are accommodated in the tracks to facilitate relative longitudinal sliding movement between the elongated members. The carrier is provided with projections which ride upon ridges in one of the elongated members. The carrier is also provided with spring-like ears mounted in cantilever relationship in the carrier in order to grasp the other of the elongated members. In addition, one of the elongated members is provided with stops to limit the longitudinal displacement of the carrier. One of these stops is in the form of an ear punched from one of the elongated members and the other stop is in the form of a protrusion formed in one of the walls of this elongated member.

Abstract: A three-wheeled, motor-driven, pedal-started vehicle which comprises a tubular frame supporting the wheels in triangular relationship. A seat is provided on the frame covering a trunk or receptacle relative to which the seat is pivotable in order to uncover the trunk or receptacle. A motor and pedal arrangement is provided on the frame for driving one of the wheels. A kickstand is provided to elevate this wheel selectively from the ground to facilitate the starting of the vehicle without the need for driving the weight of the same. A demountable canopy is detachably connected to the tubular frame and provides a transparent shield for the driver of the vehicle. The seat is such as to be able to accommodate the driver and at least one passenger in side by side relationship. A steering arrangement is provided having a jog therein to accommodate the offset relationship of the driver to the central axis of the vehicle when a passenger is accommodated.

Abstract: A thermo-magnetically operated switch having two different and predetermined lower and higher operating points on a temperature scale so that it may be maintained open below the lower operating point and above the higher operating point and be maintained closed between the two different operating points comprises two permanent magnets, and two kinds of temperature sensitive ferromagnetic members in proximity to a reed switch. The two permanent magnets are disposed over respective reeds of the reed switch in a similar polar direction and with an axial space therebetween. Two temperature sensitive ferromagnetic members having a higher Curie point are disposed at opposite outer sides of both permanent magnets or at opposite ends of the reed switch, and are in contact with respective permanent magnets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning conveyor belts by a transverse cable. An upwards pressure is exerted on the belt by the cable to raise the edges of the belt, and this causes the cable to vibrate in the direction of travel of the belt causing the cable to clean the belt.