Abstract: A quick mounting nut (2) movable, at least partially, without being rotated, axially to a threaded bolt (1), with a springing wire clip (4) being located in a nut housing (5) with a continuous coaxial opening (6), with the wire clip (4) at least partially engaging in a bolt thread (3) and having two legs (8, 8?) which spring relative to one another, with the opening (6) having an inner cone (7) which narrows radially from an axial neutral position of the wire clip (4) and with the wire clip (4) being movable axially to a limited extent and contacting at least partially inside the inner cone (7) in its locking position.

Abstract: On a screen G1 of a liquid crystal display, a digital camera displays an AF cursor for use as a focusing point. Thus, a shooter shifts the AF cursor to the portion of a subject to be focused, so as to carry out the setting. Here, when the subject is zoomed up to an enlarged screen G2 through an optical zooming operation, the AF cursor is displayed on the enlarged screen G2, following the subject. Moreover, in the case when the subject is electronically zoomed up to an enlarged screen G3, the AF cursor is also displayed on the enlarged screen G3, following the subject. Thus, even when a zooming process is carried out, it is not necessary to adjust the position of the AF cursor; thus, it becomes possible to improve the operability of the digital camera.

Abstract: The present invention is based on a chiral nematic liquid crystal composition which shows cholesteric liquid crystal phase and be able to reflect light in visible region selectively, comprising: a nematic liquid crystal material; a first chiral material with shift direction of selective reflection wavelength toward long wavelength direction depending on temperature; and a second chiral material with shift direction of selective reflection wavelength toward short wavelength direction depending on temperature; wherein at least one chiral material between the first chiral material and the second chiral material comprises two or more chiral compounds, and relates to a preparation method of the above chiral nematic liquid crystal composition and a (layered-type) liquid crystal display using the same.

Abstract: A self-locking threaded element that is used, for example, in a tool receptacle of a grinding tool. The self-locking threaded element comprises a retaining member (1) and a main part (3) axially disposed relative to the retaining member (1) at a distance (a) and connected with the retaining member (1) by a connection web (2). The main part (3) and the retaining member (1) are interspersed with a thread (4) for engaging a counter-thread. The retaining member (1) is displaceable relative to the main part (3), at least in the longitudinal direction (L) of the thread (4), to provide a self-locking threaded element that is inexpensive to manufacture and enables both simple tightening and loosening of the threaded element.

Abstract: An imaging device has a zoom lens system having a plurality of lens units and forming an optical image of an object so as to continuously optically zoom by varying distances between the lens unit; and an image sensor converting the optical image formed by the zoom lens system to an electric signal. The zoom lens system comprises, from an object side. A first lens unit being overall negative and including a reflecting surface that bends a luminous flux substantially 90 degrees; and a second lens unit disposed with a variable air distance from the first lens unit, and having a negative optical power.

Abstract: Disclosed herewith is a microchip having a micromixer therein. The mixromixer employs a mixing or extracting structure having (1) a first flow pass provided at a first level of the microchip; (2) a second flow pass provided at a second level of the microchip, which is different from the first level; (3) a third flow pass having a plurality of sub flow passes separately layered at the first level and each having a first end and second end thereof, each sub flow pass being connected to one of the first and second flow passes at the first end thereof; and (4) a fourth flow pass, provided at the first level, connected to the second ends of the sub flow passes so that, at least connecting portions between the fourth flow pass and the sub flow passes of the third flow pass, an extending direction of the fourth flow pass is substantially identical to those of the sub flow passes.

Abstract: On a waveguide 34 formed on a substrate 33, a plurality of comblike shaped electrodes 37, 38 that generate surface acoustic waves 37a, 38a from different directions are provided. And a periodic refractive indices portion 40 is formed, where the refractive indices are periodically distributed in accordance with the wavelengths of the surface acoustic waves 37a, 38a generated by applying a voltage to the comblike shaped electrodes 37, 38. And by changing a frequency of the applying voltage for sequentially changing the wavelengths of the surface acoustic waves 37a, 38a, the exiting direction of the light exiting from the periodic refractive indices portion 40 is scanned. This makes it possible to provide an optical functional device and an optical scanning apparatus that perform light scanning less costly but at a high speed, and that can secure a wide scanning angle.

Abstract: A nail-shaped fastening element having a stem, and a head (3, 13, 23, 33) provided at one end of the stem and projecting radially beyond the stem with the stem tapering at its another, free end toward a tip (5, 15, 25, 35) and having a spherical, first section (1, 11, 21, 31) extending from the tip (5, 15, 25, 35) in a direction toward the head (3, 13, 23, 33), and a second conical section (2, 12, 22, 32) adjoining the first section (1, 11, 21, 31) and having a length (L2, L12, L22, L32) smaller than a length (L1, L11, L21, L31) of the first section (1, 11, 21, 31).

Abstract: In a digital camera having a self-timer function, the time for which the shot image is displayed in a self-timer shooting mode is longer than the time for which the shot image is displayed in a normal shooting mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finding a relative direction of received radiation is described. The received radiation is incident upon a window system at an angle and is transmitted therethrough. The magnitude of the transmitted radiation decreases as a continuous function of increasing angle of incidence, known as Fresnel transmittance. Opposing radiation detectors then detect this transmitted radiation, thereby creating a pair of detection signals, By dividing the difference of the detection signals by the sum of the detection signals, a processor generates a beta angle error curve and finds the relative direction of the radiation. Based upon this beta angle error curve, the processor generates an appropriate error correction signal for guiding an object based upon the relative direction of the received radiation. The method and apparatus are readily applicable to guiding munitions using a laser monopulse to designate a target.

Abstract: A bandgap reference circuit and method of using the same are provided. The bandgap reference circuit may provide start-up requirements at substantially any voltage and at substantially any temperature. The circuit comprises an op amp (two stages of transistors) and a network of resistors and bipolar diodes. When an artificial offset of about ?5 mV is introduced to the op amp, the op amp output will be high as soon as the power supply exceeds the transistors' threshold voltages. The op amp output supplies the resistor and diode network and brings the op amp inputs within desired regulation voltages.

Abstract: A steering column includes a locking device for securing a jacket tube in a predetermined and adjustment position and having a first locking member with an engagement member received in an at least one hole provided in the first locking member and displaceable between a first position in which it projects beyond the first locking member by a predetermined length, and a second position in which it is displaced into the at least one hole against a biasing force of a spring located in the hole, and a second locking member having a plurality of receiving holes associated with the at least one engaging member and spaced from the first locking member, in opened and closed positions of the locking device, respectively, by a distance which is grater or smaller than the predetermined length by which the engaging member projects in its first position beyond the first locking member.

Abstract: A magnetic tape head assembly is provided along with a method of manufacturing a magnetic tape head. The magnetic tape head comprises a cluster of thin film inductive or magnetoresistive read/write elements, an I-block preferably made of a ceramic material, a U-bar also preferably made of a ceramic material, and a base preferably made of a ceramic or metal material. The U-bar has a substantially U-shaped form providing a recess into which the I-block and the cluster are fixed. A bottom surface of the U-bar, I-block, and cluster is fixed to the base to form a slider assembly. A top surface of the U-bar, I-block, and cluster is machined or etched to form one or more tape bearing surfaces thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a scanning device for a position measuring system for scanning a scale graduation with a probe, which can be brought into operative connection with the scale graduation and is supplied with electric power over electrical connections; an electronic module, which is coupled over electric connections to the probe; a housing for the electronic module for thermally shielding the electronic module from the surroundings; and means for limiting the supply of current to the probe. Pursuant to the invention, the electrical connections, leading to the probe, within the housing of the electronic module, have at least one fuse, which interrupts the flow of current to the probe when the temperature produced as a result of the current flow exceeds a specifiable value. The housing the electronic module forms the housing of the fuse.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming a hollow rack shaft from a workpiece comprising a rectangular plate. The workpiece is first bent into a gutter-like shape using a first die set. Rack teeth are then press-formed in a portion of the gutter-like shape using a second die set. The legs, or sides, of the workpiece are then bent around a mandrel into a semi-circular shape so as to butt against each other. Preferably, the die sets and mandrel may be adapted to improve the resulting hollow rack shaft.

Abstract: A drill head for rock drilling comprising cutting edges (1) made of hard material, which is detachably connected axially, over a bearing surface (3), with a drilling shaft (4) with at least one radially projecting driver blade (5a, 5b, 5c) by a bayonet-type connection slot (6a, 6b, 6c), wherein at least one connection slot (6a, 6b, 6c) is present, which forms two axially opposing undercuts (7a, 7b), within which the driver blade (5a, 5b, 5c) has limited axial movement.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for removing phosphate from swimming pool waters are disclosed. The compositions include both soluble and substantially insoluble lanthanide carboxylates, preferred examples being lanthanum glycolate and lactate. The methods include the addition of the lanthanide compounds to the bulk of the pool water, but preferably involve the loading of the pool filter with the composition and the circulation of pool water through the filter to effect the removal of dissolved phosphate in the water.

Abstract: A multifunction handheld tool machine having an at least partially axially percussive tool receptacle (7), a safety coupling (8) disposed in the power line between the tool receptacle and an electrical motor (6), a hand-guided housing and an ATC safety module (1) with a rotational sensor (3) sensitive to an angular displacement. The ATC safety module (1) is connected to an axial displacement sensor (4) and, in the event of exceeding an axial limit value (13b), the binary control signal (5) is suppressed by the axial displacement.

Abstract: A flyback converter detects an output voltage at the primary coil without using a photo coupler and provides an essentially constant output voltage independent of the load size, thereby minimizing the number of additional coils used in the transformer circuit to realize simple construction and providing accurate power control. In one embodiment, the flyback converter includes: a transformer for changing an input voltage to a predetermined level according to a winding ratio; an output unit for rectifying the voltage signal output from the transformer into a DC signal to drive a load; a switch coupled to the primary coil of the transformer for controlling the on/off state of a power at the primary coil according to a switching control signal; a feedback unit generating a feedback signal and detecting a current of the switch to correct the feedback signal; and a switching controller operating according to the feedback signal.