Abstract: In a V-ribbed belt, the dimension H1 from the rib-side end of a tension member to the bottom of a rib is set in the range of 1.0 to 2.0 mm to thicken the bottom side of the belt, thereby reducing a shock as caused when the belt vibrates and strikes a pulley. The dimension H2 from the rib-side end of the tension member to the top of the rib is set in the range of 3.0 to 4.0 mm or the belt with five ribs is set to exhibit a flexural rigidity of 39.2 N·cm2 or more when subjected to a flexural rigidity test, thereby enhancing the flexural rigidity of the belt. Alternatively, the belt with five ribs is set to exhibit a dynamic spring constant of 850 N/mm or more when subjected to a dynamic response test, thereby providing a sufficient dynamic spring constant to the belt. Alternatively, the belt with five ribs is set to exhibit a dynamic damping constant of 0.065 N·S/mm or more when subjected to the dynamic response test, thereby providing a sufficient dynamic damping constant to the belt.

Abstract: Side-view mirrors are provided in which, without adversely affecting operations of retracting side-view mirrors and adjusting mirror surfaces, mechanisms are greatly simplified and a waterproofing/dustproofing mechanism can be omitted, thereby resulting in much lower manufacturing costs. In a switching driving section of the control device which adjusts the mirror surfaces of a pair of left-side and right-side side-view mirrors, a motor is selectively meshed with gears or gears by a switching operation by a plunger. The mirror surfaces of the side-view mirrors can thereby be adjusted to an arbitrary mounting angle. Namely, driving mechanisms provided for each of a left-side and a right-side as in conventional structures are combined into the single switching driving section, and thus the manufacturing costs are greatly reduced.

Abstract: A mirror surface angle detector which can be used in common with a mirror surface angle adjusting device of a mirror. The mirror surface angle of the mirror is adjusted by oscillation of the mirror by the mirror surface angle adjusting device. The mirror surface angle detector for detecting the mirror surface angle of the mirror is provided separately from the mirror surface angle adjusting device, and is incorporated into the mirror surface angle adjusting device such that engagement claws provided at the mirror surface angle detector engage with engagement holes provided at the mirror surface angle adjusting device. When the mirror surface angle detector is removed from the mirror surface angle adjusting device, the mirror surface angle adjusting device can also be used in a type of vehicle which does not have a mirror surface angle detector in the mirror surface angle adjusting device. Therefore, vehicles of different types can make common use of the mirror surface angle adjusting device.

Abstract: A door mirror structure is provided which can improve assembly workability of a door mirror. A cord is pulled out from a base end portion of a door mirror body. In an overhanging portion of a door mirror base, a slot is formed in place of a conventional cord insertion hole. Therefore, at a door mirror assembly line, the cord can easily be inserted into the slot from an arrow A direction. As a result, the assembly workability of the door mirror can be improved.

Abstract: Fabrication of arbitrary profile micro-optical structures (lenses, gratings, etc.) and, if desired, with optomechanical alignment marks simultaneously during fabrication is based upon the use of low-contrast photosensitive material that, when exposed to a spatially variable energy dosage of electromagnetic radiation, can be processed to achieve multi-level or continuous surface-relief microstructures. By varying the exposure dose spatially based upon predetermined contrast curves of the photosensitive material, arbitrary one-dimensional (1-D) or two-dimensional (2-D) surface contours, including spherical, aspherical, toroidal, hyperbolic, parabolic, and ellipsoidal, can be achieved with surface sags greater than 15 &mgr;m. Surface profiles with advanced phase correction terms (e.g., Zernike polynomials) can be added to increase the alignment tolerance and overall system performance of the fabricated structure can also be fabricated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneously loading a plurality of small items such as small items into the wells of a multiple well microtiter plate which includes a small item loading unit and a small item insertion device. The small item loading device includes a top plate having a plurality of openings positioned to register with the microtiter plate wells and a closure unit to close the openings on one side of the top plate. The small item insertion device includes a base mounting a plurality of plunger pins which each register with a well in the microtiter plate. A movable deck unit is mounted in spaced relationship above the base and is provided with apertures, each of which receives a plunger pin. The small item loading device rests on the deck unit and the closure unit opens the openings therein to drop small items into the apertures over the pins. The deck unit is moved toward the base to cause the pins to enter the wells of a microtiter plate and seat the small items.

Abstract: A method of advertising on a motor vehicle having a substantially transparent window including steps of providing a holographic film with a holographic image, and adhering the holographic film to the window, where the holographic image is substantially transparent to an operator of the motor vehicle from within the motor vehicle so that operation of the motor vehicle is not impeded, but the holographic image is visible to an observer outside the motor vehicle. The present method may also include the steps of applying a transparent adhesive to the holographic film and/or the window. The holographic image may be a product name, a corporate name and/or a corporate logo. The motor vehicle may be a motorsport vehicle adapted to be raced in a race track with at least one other vehicle. The holographic image may be a numeral that distinguishes the motorsport vehicle but is preferably a sponsor advertisement that includes a product name, a corporate name and/or a corporate logo.

Abstract: A 2-L slider supported by a shaft so as to be slidable in a predetermined range substantially in a vehicle transverse direction that, when pressed by a shift lever which is being a select-operated to an “L” position, slides toward a detent wall against an urging force of a compression coil spring. At this time, a cam portion provided at the 2-L slider presses a press receiving block provided at a shift lock plate downward. Thus, a slider which slides with the shift lock plate moves downward. A position detecting mechanism detects that the slider has moved downward. The position detecting mechanism is not a mechanism specially provided for detecting select operation to the “L” position, but a mechanism for detecting whether or not the shift lever is positioned at a “P” position. Therefore, costs can be kept down.

Abstract: Impact absorber (1) of the type comprising two aligned parts of tubular overall shape and different cross sections, a plunger tube (3) and an absorber tube (4) joined together by a joining zone (2) where, in any plane of section passing through the axis of the tube formed by these two aligned parts, the following relationships are simultaneously satisfied: Ep>Ea; Rp<Rr.p; Ra>Rr.a; ½(Da−Dp)>2×Rr.a; Ra>Rp, and a method for manufacturing this absorber by hydroforming.

Abstract: In a drive apparatus, an operating member is driven by a step motor under control of a control section in response to a signal from a detection section. The control section sets the operating member to an initial position from a mechanically stopped position by forward rotating the step motor at a predetermined step number. At a time of starting an operation of the operating member from the initial position, the control section temporarily reverse rotates the step motor to move the operating member to a detection zone so that the detecting section may detect the signal when the operating member performs a normal movement. Then, the control section responds to the signal to forward rotate the step motor so as to move the operating member to a target position.

Abstract: A device for adjusting height of a shoulder anchor that forms a seatbelt device of a vehicle. A compression coil spring is used for urging a pin which restricts downward movement of a slider whose position in a vertical direction of the vehicle is adjustable. An attachment portion of the compression coil spring attaches to the pin and has a smaller internal diameter than an intermediate portion of the compression coil spring. The internal diameter of the attachment portion is slightly larger than an external diameter of the pin. Thus, when the compression coil spring is assembled, precise positioning is not necessary, and when the compression coil spring is compressed, an axis thereof is prevented from deviating with respect to an axis of the pin.

Abstract: An integrated optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) comprising a multilayer stack formed to add and drop specific information-carrying wavelengths propagating within a fiber optic communication network. The stack comprises a first layer comprising a silicon or silica substrate, a second layer comprising an undercladding layer, a third layer comprising a core glass layer, and a fourth layer comprising an overcladding layer. In another embodiment, the stack comprises a first layer comprising a silicon or silica substrate, a second layer comprising an undercladding layer, a third layer comprising a polymer layer, a fourth layer comprising a core glass layer, and a fifth layer comprising an overcladding layer.

Abstract: A computer monitoring device is provided that prevents a microcomputer from entering an operational state that cannot be monitored. The microcomputer is started at an output signal Q of a determination circuit 36 is reset by a reset signal RS output from a watchdog circuit 34. Thereafter, when a clock signal ck is input from the started microcomputer, the determination circuit outputs a clock signal CK to the watchdog circuit and sets the output signal. However, when the standby signal st is detected at the time of starting the microcomputer, the output of the clock signal CK and the set of the output signal Q are stopped. In this way, the standby signal ST is not output from the AND circuit 38 to the watchdog circuit, the output of the reset signal from the watchdog circuit is repeated, and the microcomputer does not operate.

Abstract: In order to propose a hollow poppet valve having an excellent, high strength to weight properties by constructing it in order that no influence from welding heat is exerted onto the face, and no stress is concentrated at the welded portion, and a method for manufacturing the same valve, a fillet area 14 opened like a flare is integrally formed at one end of the cylindrical stem portion 12, and a cap is integrally welded to the open edge portion of the fillet area, wherein only the open edge portion of the fillet area 14 is made thicker than the other portions, and the face 15 is formed on the thicker portion 30. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the hardness of the face 15 from being lowered due to the cap welding heat, and stress from being concentrated at the welded portion, whereby the property of high strength to weight can be improved.

Abstract: The process is characterized in that, before starting casting, an initialization position is determined for the stopper rod control actuator when the stopper rod is resting on its seat under its own weight and after having filled the tundish equipped with this stopper rod, the actuator is operated to place it in a controlled superclosed position and, to start casting, the actuator is driven according to an imposed movement versus time law, time (t1) for start of casting being determined from this law and the control actuator continues to be driven in opening direction to enable the metal to flow into the ingot mould.

Abstract: A vacuum apparatus for easily forming a vacuum in any bottle, container or the like and for providing a stable sealing. A lower cylindrical member together with a disc member forms a space portion in which a vacuum or an atmospheric pressure is applied, and the lower portion of an upper cylindrical member is inserted in the space portion and divides the space portion into upper and lower spaces. With a downward movement of the upper cylindrical member, the upper space expands and draws air inside of a bottle, and with an upward movement thereof, the air introduced into the upper space is vented outside. At this time, a check valve is selectively opened and closed and is operated by a pressure difference applied thereon. By repetitive reciprocating movement of the upper cylindrical member, a high vacuum is formed in the bottle and is sealed by the check valve. The apparatus is adaptable in a vacuum bottle, a medical suction instrument or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure for holding a visor for a door mirror device. In the present invention, a seat is integrally formed at a backside of a visor cover. A clip, which is formed separately from the visor cover, is mounted to the seat. A clip-engaging hole is formed at a frame, and, by engaging the clip with the clip engaging hole, the visor cover can be assembled to the frame.

Abstract: A buckle is provided in which a number of parts can be reduced and which can reliably maintain a latched state. When a tongue plate is engaged (latched) by a lock plate, presser members of a cam urged by a return spring abut receiving surfaces of the lock plate, and therefore, a latched state cannot be inadvertently released. Further, when the latched state is to be released, by pressing a release button, a claw is pushed such that a cam rotates, and the presser members separate from the receiving surfaces. As a result, the return spring is compressed, and due to elastic force of the return spring, the release button returns to its original position. In this way, because the return spring carries out both the operation of urging the cam and the operation of returning the release button to its original position, the number of parts is reduced.

Abstract: In a mirror surface angle adjusting device of the present invention, supplying terminals of a connector is inserted into insertion holes of a case thereby electric power is supplied to a motor within the case. Thus the motor is driven to adjust the mirror surface angle of the mirror body. A closing plate of the connector substantially closes the interior of first waterproofing walls provided on a periphery of the insertion holes. A second water proofing wall is provided at the connector. In this way, it is possible to suppress entering of water into the first waterproofing walls.

Abstract: An inexpensive webbing retractor is obtained by making a pretensioner and a lock device small and reducing the number of parts. A plurality of protrusions are formed on an inner peripheral portion of the bearing body, which pivotally supports a clutch portion. These protrusions are brought into linear contact with an outer peripheral portion of the clutch portion, whereby the bearing body pivotally supports the clutch portion indirectly via the protrusions. Since the protrusions are brought into linear contact with the clutch portion, the contact area becomes quite small. Hence, the protrusions are easily plastically deformed due to friction resistance with the clutch portion. Therefore, resistance that obstructs the rotation of the clutch portion becomes small, and gas pressure can be efficiently supplied for the rotation of a take-up shaft.