Abstract: A solder resist comprising a thermosetting resin is printed on a surface of an insulating board (7) having a conductor circuit (6). The solder resist is then heat-cured to form an insulating film (1) having a low thermal expansion coefficient. A laser beam (2) is then applied to the portion of the insulating film in which an opening is to be formed, to burn off the same portion for forming an opening (10), whereby the conductor circuit (6) is exposed. This opening may be formed as a hole for conduction by forming a metal plating film on an inner surface thereof. It is preferable that an external connecting pad be formed so as to cover the opening. The film of coating of a metal is formed by using an electric plating lead, which is preferably cut off by a laser beam after the electric plating has finished.

Abstract: Charge is performed while restricting rises in temperature of batteries by maintaining the rise in temperature constant, and charge is terminated when the current value becomes not more than a specified value indicating completion of charge, when the temperature keeps on rising beyond a specified temperature rising value also by decreasing the current value, or when the battery temperature has increased beyond the target temperature value to be reached at the time of completion of charge by not less than a specified value, since charge has already been completed; in this manner, full charge may be appropriately detected so that 100% charge may be performed without causing excessive charge.

Abstract: Hysteresis is stored when charge has been started in a condition in which the battery temperature is high and the capacity is large; upon judging whether such charge has been frequently performed, if it has been judged that the frequency is high, a pattern 4 is selected in which charge is performed by decreasing the current value; with this arrangement, batteries may be used for a long period by decreasing the charge current even if the user should repeatedly perform charge in conditions in which the temperature is high and the residue capacity large through which the life of batteries is shortened.

Abstract: A special gaming system is provided with a portable controller comprising a remote control to remotely play a game on a slot machine. The remote control can be a battery-operated remote control, a cable-connected hand-held remote control, or a movable laptop keyboard, which is hard wired to the slot machine. Advantageously, the portable controller can simultaneously operate two or three slot machines to enhance the entertainment of customers. In the preferred form, the slot machine has a display to view the game and a coin-input slot to receive one or more coins to activate the game. The slot machine can also have at least one button and/or a manual pull arm to play the game.

Abstract: A convenient compact telephone cord with a special coil diameter and a much smaller relaxed retracted length reduces sagging, occupies less space, and is much more attractive than conventional saggy telephone cords. The user-friendly high performance telephone cord has a core of electrical conductors which are insulated by primary insulation and are encased within an insulating jacket to meet or exceed national and international telephone standards and requirements. In the preferred form, the primary insulation comprises polypropylene and the insulating jacket comprises polyurethane and most preferably a blend of polyurethane and ethylene vinyl acetate. Desirably, the telephone cord comprises a modular retractile telephone cord with at least one modular plug. The attractive space-saving telephone cord can be used with handsets, headsets, vehicle phones, modems, and computers.

Abstract: The reflective backing of a mirror or other product is marked, engraved, scribed, or decorated with a laser beam to produce a decorative display assembly with a laser-enhanced image thereon. This can be accomplished by vaporizing part of the reflective backing with the laser beam. Multi-colored laser-enhanced images can also be formed. The decorative display assembly can also be backlit or back colored to further enhance the attractiveness of the laser-enhanced image.

Abstract: A crystal oscillator consists of an outer housing (1), a circuit board (2) and an inner case (6). The resonator in a separate casing (9) is mounted on the bottom of an inner case. The inner case (6) looks like an inverted open box and is made of material that is an excellent heat conductor. The bottom of the inner case (6) is tightly adjoined to the central part (3) of the circuit board (2). All the thermostatically controlled elements of the oscillator are located in the central part (3) of the circuit board (2). The central part of the circuit board is separated from the peripheral part by means of through cuts (4), both parts being connected at the ends of the cuts with narrow bridging strips (5). Heating elements (10) and a main temperature detector (11) are attached to the side walls of inner case (6), which has heat-conducting rods that pass through the central part (3) of the circuit board (2) in close proximity to each bridging strip (5).

Abstract: A temperature rise pattern is retrieved from charging time based on the difference between a battery temperature at the beginning of battery charge and a target temperature value which a battery is intended to reach (in S116). The battery is charged while adjusting a current value so that a temperature rise value becomes the temperature rise pattern (in S118 and S120). Thus, by optimizing the temperature rise pattern, it is possible to charge the battery so that the temperature at the time of the completion of battery charge becomes the target temperature value (the lowest temperature value).

Abstract: A map is retrieved based on a battery temperature and a temperature rise value (in a step S40) and an allowable current value, with which a battery can be charged while battery temperature rise is being suppressed, is obtained and the battery is charged with the allowable current value (in a step S42). By doing so, it is possible to charge a nickel metal hydride battery in a short time without causing deterioration due to temperature rise. If it is determined that a battery state is not in a final charging period from the change of battery voltage (‘Yes’ in a step S30), a change in temperature is corrected (in a step S34) and a relatively high allowable current value is thereby obtained from the map (in a step S40). That is, before the final charging period, battery charge can be completed in a short time by applying high current without switching current values for adjustment purposes.

Abstract: Textured semi-conductor devices, such as macro textured buried-contact solar cells, are produced with special front contact trenches to increase efficiency and decrease costs. In order to produce the front contact trenches, front channels and narrower metallization grooves are cut in the semi-conductor body. The front contact trenches are plated to form attractive conductive buried contacts comprising flush metallization fingers and bus bars.

Abstract: A storage apparatus for holding a large variety of sports paraphernalia has rod members between opposing frame members. Upper and middle shelves are formed by upper and middle rod members with some of the rod members adjustable in a horizontal plane to hold and keep various sized balls or other sporting goods away from the wall of which the frame members are secured. A lower shelf is formed from a tray having a front support rod with hooks to hold roller skates, baseball bats, etc. between the frame members. Each frame member can include an L-shaped notch and hook that can hold hockey sticks, baseball gloves, baseball hats, etc.

Abstract: An irradiator includes an elongated housing having an interior recess opening outwardly along a longitudinal length of the housing. A plurality of generally planar relatively thin ribs are supported within the recess substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housing and define laterally spaced substantially symmetrical contour surfaces operative to support reflector members. The ribs are readily interchangeable to support reflector members so as to establish generally parabolic, semi-circular or elliptical reflector profiles. A pair of lamp holder assemblies are supported within the housing recess for supporting a source of light energy, such as an elongated ultraviolet light bulb, intermediate the contour surfaces to enable focused or nonfocused irradiation of energy. In one embodiment, shutters as provided to substantially preclude irradiation when in closed positions.

Abstract: High performance, light-weight skate wheels are produced with special permeable cores and without air bubbles for in-line roller skates to attain greater strength, speed, maneuverability and control. In order to facilitate rotation, one or more bearings are seated in the hub of the gas permeable core. The gas permeable core which is preferably made of high-impact plastic can be reinforced with fibers. The gas permeable core can also comprise complementary core sections and can have an array of spokes which connect a hub and an inner rim. In the preferred form, the gas permeable core has an outer portion providing a hollow shell upon which a high performance non-pneumatic tire is secured. In order to prevent air bubbles from forming in the solidified core during molding, the core is formed with gas passageways, such as vent holes, openings, tunnels, air channels, micropores or apertures. Preferably, the micropores or apertures are formed in the tire-engaging surface of the gas permeable core.