Abstract: A resin composition containing 100 parts by weight of a mixture containing 20 to 70% by weight of a polyphenylene ether which is modified with an unsaturated carboxylic acid compound having an ethylenic double bond and a carboxyl group or an acid anhydride group in a molecule and 30 to 80% by weight of a polyamide which contains 100 parts by weight of 6,6-nylon and 10 to 100 parts by weight of 6-nylon, 0.1 to 3 parts by weight of a metal salt of montanic acid, and optionally 5 to 70 parts by weight of polypropylene per 100 parts by weight of the modified polyphenylene ether in the mixture, which composition is suitable for the production of automobile relay boxes.

Abstract: An improvement to known ski shock-absorption devices is constituted by an elongate beam having an arched portion of a length (LC) between a forward contact line and a rear contact line; the central portion including a binding mounting zone. The ski includes two transmitters located in the central portion and each on either side of the mounting zone. One of the ends of each transmitter is linked to the beam by a complete connection; the other end is connected by a partial connection, free in translation along a longitudinal direction, constituted of an elastic and/or visco-elastic element that resists the longitudinal displacement of the transmitter; the portion of length (l.sub.T1, l.sub.T2) of each transmitter between the two connections being left free, at least in translation, with respect to the beam; the ratio (l.sub.T1) of front transmitter over (l.sub.T2) of rear transmitter being comprised between 1.5 and 2.5 and (l.sub.T1 +l.sub.T2)/LC being comprised between 0.15 and 0.25.

Abstract: A strobe control apparatus for a strobe-incorporated camera. A light emitter is supported in a camera body by a supporting mechanism so as to move between a retracted position and an operative position. A drive mechanism moves the light emitter between the retracted position and the operative position. A light emitter controller drives the drive mechanism to move the light emitter to the operative position, and an emission controller controls the strobe to emit strobe light when the light emitter is in the operative position.

Abstract: A lens magnification system is provided for booklets, such as restaurant menus, to enable persons having impaired vision or persons in an environment of poor light to magnify the print or other images of the booklet to the extent that it becomes easily readable. In one form of the invention a flat sheet type lens, such as a Fresnel lens, is supported for linear movement and for pivotal movement by a pivot frame structure to enable movement of the lens from a stored position between the pages of the booklet to a position for use and to be selectively positioned at a desired distance from and in parallel relation to a page of the booklet for magnification of the print or other images thereon. The magnification system may be releasably attachable to conventional booklets or in the alternative may be disposed in fixed assembly with the structure of the booklet.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a golf club, such as a driver, wherein the club includes a shaft, at the lower end of which a head is mounted, and at the upper end of which a grip is mounted. The club is light in weight and has a mass of less than 340 grams and an LPE/LC ratio (Equivalent Pendulum Length)/(Length of Club) of less than 0.87, preferably between 0.87 and 0.85.

Abstract: A hypodermic dosage measuring device to be utilized with a hypodermic syringe and a conventional drug vial, the dosage measuring device including a vial holding portion adapted to hold a head of the drug vial non-slidably therein, a syringe holding portion adapted to hold the syringe in a non-slidable position with a needle of the syringe disposed within the drug vial, and a dose adjustment portion, the dose adjustment portion including an elongate plunger holder and gear element, the plunger holder and gear element each including a plurality of teeth thereon such that movement of the gear element results in an elongate track segment of the plunger holder sliding in a longitudinal direction parallel to a length of the syringe.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for demineralizing water include a fibrous microporous body having interfiber spaces in communication with one another and a porosity at least equal to 50%, water supply elements for supplying water to be demineralized through the fibrous microporous body, a heating device adapted to heat the fibrous microporous body to a temperature of at least 60.degree. C., and elements adapted to collect the demineralized water.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel has at least front and rear lens groups and a linear movement guide device which guides the linear movement of the front and rear lens groups in an optical axis direction. The barrel includes a rotatable cam ring which has a first helicoid and at least one cam groove, a front lens barrel which supports the front lens group and which has a second helicoid which is engaged by the first helicoid of the cam ring. A rear lens frame which supports the rear lens group and which has at least one cam pin which can be fitted in the associated cam groove of the cam ring is provided.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel is provided which comprises a pair of cylindrical members, which are interconnected by respective helicoids, and a discontinuous linear guide groove which is formed by cutting away outer pheripheral portions of the helicoid thereby forming a plurality of key grooves, wherein the guide groove is extended in a direction parallel with an optical axis of the zoom lens barrel.

Abstract: A low profile beverage container holder having a base support for supporting the beverage container and a wall which extends around the base and thereby defines a cavity for receiving the beverage container. The holder is also provided with a wedging structure. In the preferred embodiment, the wedging structure comprises an annular rib disposed in the cavity and projecting upwards from the base support. Thus, when the beverage container is tipped, the annular rib contacts the concavity on the bottom surface or the beverage container and the container is thereby wedged between the annular rib and the low sidewall. A plurality of beverage containers which are adapted to be received within the beverage container holder are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mode changing device for a camera employing a minimum number of actuating members to permit a user to change an operating mode and/or setting of the camera. A mode actuating member and a selector switch, used in conjunction with an LCD panel that indicates the mode and setting that has been selected by the user, permits the user to easily select and/or adjust the features of the camera, such as a photographing mode, a playback mode, an exposure mode, a white balance mode, a copy/monitor mode and a time/date mode. When the mode changing device is applied to a still video camera having a playback function, a change-over switch automatically changes the operating mode of the camera from a record mode to a playback mode when a monitoring adapter is connected to the camera, further reducing the number of actuating members that are needed to control the camera.

Abstract: A lens shutter type of camera is disclosed in which a zoom lens is positioned in a lens block (1) which has a sector gear (15) rotatably associated with the lens block and with a rotatable cam ring (14). The cam ring and sector gear are rotatable in a substantially constant axial position. A movable finder optical assembly (8) and a movable strobe assembly (9) are movable in association with movement of the zoom lens. The zoom lens is movable between an extreme telephoto position and an extreme wide angle position, as well a into a fully collapsed lens position beyond the extreme wide angle position and a macro or close-up photographing position beyond the extreme telephoto position. When the camera is in its macro mode, a prism (P1) is inserted into the finder optical assembly to correct for parallax; the strobe assembly is moved to change its illumination angle; and an optical wedge (4e) is pivoted into the path between a light receiver (4) and a light emitter (3e).

Abstract: A branch joint box in which after a female connector connected to a wiring harness has been fitted into a male connector provided on the branch joint box, a lock cover provided on the branch joint box is closed and the female connector is locked to the male connector at a fitting position of the female connector by a locking portion of the lock cover, comprising: a temporary retention member for temporarily retaining the lock cover to the branch joint box at a closed position of the lock cover prior to fitting of the female connector into the male connector; a temporary retention cancelling member for cancelling temporary retention of the lock cover in response to fitting action of the female connector into the male connector so as to set the lock cover to an open position of the lock cover; and a fixed retention member which, after the female connector has been fitted into the male connector, not only locks the female connector to the male connector but locks the lock cover to the branch joint box.

Abstract: In a camera having a lens unit and a viewfinder, a power focus limiter is provided which is capable of narrowing the focusing range by using a driving motor. The device consists of an actuator, a motor control circuit, a driving motor and a detecting sensor, and a display device that provides a visual reference of the focusing range presently set to the operator. The system allows the focusing range to narrow quickly, while at the same time the operator can confirm whether the focusing range is in the desired range without moving his eye from the viewfinder.

Abstract: An improvement to known ski shock-absorption devices is constituted by an elongate beam having an arched portion of a length (LC) between a forward contact line and a rear contact line, the central portion including a binding mounting zone. The ski includes two transmitters located in central portion and each on either side of the mounting zone. One of the ends of each transmitter is linked to the beam by a complete connection; the other end is connected by a partial connection, free in translation along a longitudinal direction, constituted of an elastic and/or visco-elastic element that resists the longitudinal displacement of the transmitter. Under bending stress, the displacement ratio (.DELTA.1) of partially connected end of front transmitter over the displacement (.DELTA.2) of the partially connected end of rear transmitter being comprised between 1.2 and 2.

Abstract: The invention is related to alpine ski boot including a rigid shell base overlaid by an upper that has a front portion and a rear portion, the latter being at least partially pivotal with respect to the shell base and including a latching and unlatching device with respect to the shell base, accessible from the exterior of the boot via a control member, the latching position of the latter, corresponding to an initial adjustable reference advance position, from which the upper is capable of an angular clearance along an amplitude predetermined with respect to the shell base.

Abstract: A zoom finder of a camera including a variable power zoom finder optical system and a parallax error compensating optical member that is rotatable between a retracted position and a parallax error compensating position in which the parallax error compensating optical member is in the optical path of the finder. Upon transfer to a macro mode, the parallax error compensating optical member is rotated to the compensating position from the retracted position. The finder is further provided with a snap-action mechanism, wherein an immediate rotation of the parallax error compensating optical member occurs between the compensating position and the retracted position when the parallax error compensating optical member moves beyond a point of instability of the snap-action mechanism in a direction of the compensating position and the retracted position, respectively.

Abstract: Method for the extraction of the metallic phase from dispersed mixtures of light metals and nonmetallic components. The invention pertains to an advantageous method for the extraction of the metallic phase from a dispersed mixture comprised of at least one light metal and at least one nonmetallic phase and, if applicable, at least the partial separation of the nonmetallic phase. The temperature of the dispersed mixture is raised to a temperature in the region above the melting temperature of the metal or alloy; the heated mixture is then inserted into an apparatus, subjected to an acceleration, and disintegrated, with the metallic phase thereafter being coalesced, collected and allowed to proceed to solidification.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting the degree of the operation of the accelerator in an automobile is provided and the display apparatus for expanding shrinking the display detection of the sensor is provided in the automobile so that the display apparatus can be observed from the outside. Apparatus for detecting the number of rotation of engine and the depressing degree of the brake pedal also provided. The number of the engine and the depressing degree of the brake pedal as well as operation degree of the accelerator pedal is displayed inside the car and outside the car by using the light emitting display apparatus. Apparatus for detecting the running speed of vehicle and the apparatus for detecting the acceleration and the deceleration of the vehicle are provided a plurality of different meaningful of character strings are displayed outside the vehicle in accordance with the detection status of the detecting apparatus to that the running status of the automobile is displayed.