Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus is provided with a photoconductive drum including an outer peripheral surface on which a latent image corresponding to an image to be transferred is formed, and a developing device for developing the latent image by a toner. The electrophotographic apparatus further includes a housing for rotatably supporting the photoconductive drum therein and having an opening on one side, a cover member for releasably closing the opening of the housing, and a transfer charger which is attached to one surface of the cover member opposing to the photoconductive drum, and which is provided for transferring the developed image onto a sheet-like member. A pre-roller is attached to an upstream end of a housing which houses the transfer charger. The pre-roller and the photoconductive drum are positioned relative to each other so that a gap of predetermined dimension is defined therebetween.

Abstract: A record and play-back system for a still video device, in which a picture signal and an audio signal associated therewith are recordable on a first track and a second track of a recording medium; a first code signal and a second code signal are recorded together with the associated picture signal and the associated audio signal to discriminate that the respective picture signal and audio signal are recorded together with the corresponding audio signal or the picture signal. The second track is played back when the first code signal is recorded on the first track upon play-back of the first track. The audio signal can be post-recorded on the second track when no signal is recorded on the second track.

Abstract: A turret punch press and a die set exchange device for the press are disclosed. The punch press includes a turret carrying die sets in die set attaching areas, and a die set exchanging device having a plurality of housings on a carriage, which moves horizontally between the turret and a die storage section to take out and charge die sets with the turret and the die set storage section to exchange the die sets for the next use.

Abstract: A device for protecting a ballast circuit from excess voltage and excess current includes a switch for disconnecting the ballast circuit from the power source and a control circuit for operating this switch; the control circuit monitoring a control point, from which control point a first resistor connects to a first terminal of the power source, a second resistor connects to a second terminal of the power source, and a third resistor connects to a point between the switch and the ballast, the switch being brought into off-state when the voltage between the control point and the first terminal of the power source exceeds a given value, thus leading to a hysteresis between an input voltage for switching the device off and an input voltage for switching the device back on again, with positive feedback being provided by the third resistor for decreasing the switch-off time and the corresponding switching losses.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a ski which includes a first preparation step of a solid core made of synthetic foam and a second assembly step of the core with the various component elements of the ski. The first step includes injecting or pouring in a mold having the final shape of the core to be obtained, the components of a hardenable and expandable foam and during which a solid adhesive film having good adhesive properties with the foam as well as with the elements adapted to enter into contact during the second assembly step, is located against the walls of the mold.

Abstract: Device for testing electrical modules. At least one container is provided which includes openings through each of which one module can be inserted into the container so that the opening can be closed in a substantially sealing manner, with the container having at least one entrance which is connectable with an exit of an aggregate which in turn is suitable for the release of a medium having a selectable temperature and/or humidity content. The device permits the function testing of the module while temperature gradients are being run or while further tests are in progress.

Abstract: A light intercepting apparatus of a lens barrel has a pair of lens frames which support a pair of lens groups, with the lens groups being movable with respect to one another in an optical axis direction. The apparatus further includes a light intercepting portion which isolates an optical path between the lens groups from external light. The light intercepting portion includes a pair of annular light intercepting members which are supported by the pair of lens frames in a manner such that the pair of annular light intercepting members are movable with respect to each other in the optical axis direction. The pair of annular light intercepting members include a pair of engaging portions which define a latch portion of the light intercepting apparatus and which prevent motion of the annular light intercepting members beyond a maximum extended position of the pair of annular light intercepting members.

Abstract: A motor trouble detection device detects trouble in a motor used in an anti-skid brake control system for returning the brake fluid to the reservoir tank. The trouble detection is based on the counter electromotive force generated by the motor which is turned off after driving for a predetermined period. The device includes a first detector for judging whether the counter electromotive force is smaller than a predetermined voltage and a second detector for judging whether the motor is in trouble based upon the first detector.

Abstract: A zoom lens assembly includes a stationary lens barrel and a rotatable cam ring which is supported on the stationary lens barrel for movement in the direction of the optical axis while being rotated, and which includes at least two cam grooves. The zoom lens include first and third lens groups which are both movable by one of the two cam grooves in the direction of the optical axis. A second lens group movable, by a second of the two cam grooves in the direction of the optical axis is also provided, as well as a focusing mechanism, for moving the second lens group to a position which is determined by focal length data derived from actual positions of the first, second, and third lens groups and object distance data detected by an object distance measuring device. A method of controlling focusing of the zoom lens includes correcting an amount of deviation from focus caused by a zooming operation, by moving the focusing lens group.

Abstract: A lens position detecting apparatus including an optical system which has a lens group that is movable in an optical axis direction, a lens moving mechanism for holding the lens group in a manner which permits the lens group to be movable in the optical axis direction, and a motor for driving the lens moving mechanism. The lens position detecting apparatus further includes a code reading mechanism which has a code plate with codes which represent the position of the lens group, and a code detecting member for detecting the bodes of the code plate, at least one of either the code plate or the detecting member being movable in association with the movement of the lens group.

Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging device employs a continuous form sheet having a plurality of segments divided by perforations. An image is formed on a predetermined area of each of the segments in accordance with image data. It is discriminated whether an image is printed, in accordance with the image data, on a segment of the continuous form sheet which is to be discharged out of the imaging device. If it is discriminated that the segment is discharged without an image being printed in accordance with image data, a pair of marks are printed on the segment. The discriminating mechanism and the mark printing mechanism can be disabled when a page length of a sheet of the continuous form sheet has a predetermined value.

Abstract: An apparatus for searching a recording medium of an electronic still camera to determine a record state of a plurality of recording tracks of the recording medium. Electric signals are recorded on the recording medium in accordance with an actuation of a record starting button. The searching apparatus includes a record state detector which detects whether electric signals are recorded on respective recording tracks of a recording medium. The detected record states of the respective recording tracks are stored in a memory. A release detector detects the operation of a shutter switch, while a vacant track retrieving device suspends the operation of the record state detector and retrieves a vacant track from the memory when the shutter switch is actuated during the detecting operation of the record state detector.

Abstract: A method for producing power comprises compressing gas from an ambient source during a first period of time; storing the compressed gas in a storage reservoir; and supplying said compressed gas from the storage reservoir to a gas turbine during a second period of time to produce electric power. The first period of time may coincide with periods of off-peak demand for electricity, such as at night. In such case, the said second period of time is during the day. The compressed gas supplied to the gas turbine may be heated in a combustion chamber wherein fuel is burned, and/or a solar collector. The solar collector may comprise a receiver positioned at the top of a tower for receiving the compressed gas, and tracking reflectors for focusing solar on said receiver and heating the gas therein. The solar radiation receiver may comprise a rotatable ceramic member for transferring heat from solar radiation to the gas.

Abstract: A focus adjusting apparatus in a zoom lens in which a position of a zooming optical system in a zoom lens barrel is varied in an optical axis direction in accordance with an axial position of a rotatable cam ring. The apparatus includes a back focus adjusting mechanism for adjusting the axial position of the cam ring, an axially movable member which is movable together with the cam ring in the optical axis direction in accordance with the axial movement of the cam ring upon back focus adjustment, and a detecting mechanism provided between the axially movable member and the cam ring for detecting an angular position of the cam ring.

Abstract: A ski having a first lower assembly or base, whose front end is raised to form the spatula, and the second upper assembly or stiffener, the two assemblies being connected to one another by a flexible and/or partially rigid connection.

Abstract: A lock assembly includes a lock shell formed with a ball-receiving channel which receives a movable locking ball therein and which intercommunicates longitudinally extending and transversely extending holes that are formed in the shell. A flexible shackle is connected to the shell at a first end portion and is provided with a retaining member at a second end portion. The retaining member is insertable into the transversely extending hole and has a peripheral surface formed with an annular groove. A push member is disposed slidably in the transversely extending hole and is biased to slide outwardly of the transversely extending hole. A key plug is received rotatably in the longitudinally extending hole and has an inner end portion provided with a ball-receiving notch.

Abstract: A vessel made of composite material wound on a metallic liner is tested via holographic interferometry, in which the interference of two holographic images of a tested zone are taken under two different states of thermal cycling. The thermal cycling is homogeneously applied to the entire liner, via a heated fluid placed inside the vessel. The interferogram is made outside the vessel, where a second image is made after having raised the liner to a temperature different from the one duly measured when the first image is made. The second image shot is controlled by the detection, outside and near the vessel, of a variation of the outer infrared radiation emitted by the vessel, resulting from the liner temperature variation being equal to a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A metallic transporting appliance, such as a flat pallet, a skid, or a box pallet, is designed so that a thin metal plate is used entirely for the pallet and skid and for the side wall of the box pallet. The thin metal plate is subjected to burring so as to have sufficient durability, thereby contributing to the reduction of the amount of wood for conventional wooden pallets in order to preserve natural resources. The metallic transporting appliance includes a main plate made from a thin metal plate having plural pairs of bores each formed at a predetermined interval therebetween in a flat surface thereof, with a slit formed between each pair of bores to couple the bore pair. The main plate has a plurality of elongated hole portions, each having a bottom hole with a flange provided by burring those portions where the bore pairs are coupled with the associated slits. This main plate is also adapted for the deck board of a skid.