Abstract: A universal joint wherein torque-transmitting balls are engaged between complementary grooves formed in an inner and outer joint member, with the balls being supported by a supporting element which is arranged in a jaw-like opening formed on one side of the universal joint through which the balls may be inserted in operative engagement within the joint. The invention is directed toward the curvature of the grooves which are arranged in such a way that a connecting line extending between the center of the radius of curvature of the grooves and the center of the torque-transmitting balls forms an angle relative to the central axis of rotation of the joint which is smaller than or equal to 85.degree., the angle being taken in accordance with the arcsine of the projection of the center of the radius of curvature of the grooves and the ball center onto a vertical plane extending perpendicularly relative to the axis of rotation of the joint, divided by the length of the radius of curvature.

Abstract: A support of photographic paper one of whose surfaces is provided with a writing-retainable layer capable of retaining penciled characters, marks, ink, etc. The writing-retainable layer comprises crystalline silica having a number-average particle size of 0.1-3.0 .mu.m and a film-forming organic polymer.

Abstract: An encapsulated toner for use in electrostatography which comprises a shell and a core material comprising a colorant, a binder and a surface active polymer containing at least 5 mol % of a unit having the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 4 to 22 carbon atoms, A is a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, B is --O-- or NH--, M is a cation or a cationic radical capable of forming a salt with a sulfonic acid, and m and n are independently 0 or 1. A process for preparing the encapsulated toner which comprises forming a shell around a core material comprising a colorant and a binder in an aqueous medium, characterized in that said core material contains a surface active polymer containing at least 5 mol % of a unit having the above formula (I).

Abstract: An operation mechanism for a camera which performs sequential actions by engaging with and disengaging from an electromagnetic driving member moved by an electromagnetic force is arranged to be capable of disengaging from the electromagnetic driving member by its own operating force. Therefore, the electromagnetic driving member does not require any large magnetic force for the disengagement.

Abstract: In a flash device arranged to determine the aperture value of a photo-taking lens according to the measured level of a reflection light obtained by preliminary flashing and to control main flashing according to a light control level corresponding to the aperture value, when a light diffusing panel is arranged in front of a main flashing part for a wider flash illuminating angle, another light diffusing panel which gives an equal light reducing effect is also arranged for a preliminary flashing part. The light quantity of preliminary flashing is thus reduced in proportion to the degree of reduction in the light quantity of main flashing, so that the aperture value set by preliminary flashing and the light controllable range of main flashing for photographing can be made to be always in agreement with each other.

Abstract: Method and means for polarizing ferroelectric materials up to a predetermined polarization level include the application of an electric field E to these materials. According to this method the ferroelectric material is subjected to an alternating electric field E, the frequency of which ranges from about 0.001 to 1 Hz, and which is made to increase gradually and in a cyclic way between 0.+-.E.sub.N, E.sub.N being slightly in excess of the coercive force E.sub.C of said material. Simultaneously, the intensity i of the current traversing the material (2) is measured as a function of the applied field (E) using a unit of visualization, until a stable curve i=f(E) is attained. The invention is particularly suitable for obtaining a stable polarization of ferroelectric polymers, copolymers, crystals, and polycrystals, with the objective of using the piezoelectric and/or pyroelectric properties of these materials.

Abstract: A device for loading film wherein the narrow leader of the film is wound up on a takeup spool having a frictional member provided in a portion of the outer periphery thereof, while its edge opposite to that which has perforations is pressed against the frictional member, whereby the film leader is impelled towards the flank of the spool as the inside edge of the film leader on the aforesaid frictional member moves faster than the opposite edge. After one turn of the film leader around the spool, the outer corner of the end of the film leader is conducted so as not to engage perforations of the following area of the film.

Abstract: The disclosed zoom lens apparatus operates in a manual focusing mode and an automatic focusing mode with a manual focusing movement imparted to one lens component and an automatic focusing movement imparted to another lens component. In the automatic focusing mode, the manual focusing lens component is held stationary at a prescribed constant position and the automatic focusing lens component operates within limits which vary with zooming. In the manual focusing mode, the automatic focusing lens component rests at one of the limits of the zooming and focusing ranges.

Abstract: To divide a unit of cheese, such as a wheel or block of cheese, into individual pieces of different sizes and shapes, the unit of cheese is placed on a support surface and is moved relative to a cutting device. The cutting device is made up of a network of knife-like blades each with a cutting edge and the blades are arranged to divide the unit of cheese into the desired shaped pieces. The entire unit of cheese is cut up into the individual pieces in a single cutting operation. In the cutting operation, the unit of cheese is placed on a support part movable relative to the cutting device. The support part is subdivided into surface parts each having a shape corresponding to the shape of one of the individual pieces of cheese. the support part is movably mounted on upwardly extending guide elements. The cutting device is held in a stationary position on the guide elements. The support part and the cutting device are replaceably mounted on the guide elements.

Abstract: The disclosed finder system is constructed with three prisms. The first prism has a first entrance face, a first reflection face and a first exit face. The second prism has a second entrance face in contact with the first exit face, a second reflection face, and a second exit face. The third prism has a third entrance face in contact with the second exit face, a pair of roof-type reflection faces, a third reflection face in a common plane with the third entrance face, and a third exit face. Light entering through a photographic objective lens reflects from a quick return mirror to a focusing screen on which an image of an object forms. Light from the image reflects from the first reflection face to a direction parallel with an optical axis of the lens. The second reflection face then reflects the light progressively farther away from the optical axis to the pair of roof faces.

Abstract: In a double-tube vibration damper the cylinder engages by a terminal edge thereof an engagement face of a piston rod guiding and sealing unit. When the piston rod moves in the outward direction with respect to the cylinder, a high pressure occurs in the working chamber adjacent the piston rod guiding and sealing unit. Due to this high pressure damping liquid jets may escape between the terminal edge of the cylinder and the engagement face of the piston rod guiding and sealing unit. These liquid jets may cause foaming within the annular space defined between the cylinder and a container surrounding the cylinder. In view of avoiding such foaming, an annular cover member is provided between the cylinder and the container, which annular cover member prevents the direct entrance of liquid jets into the annular space between the cylinder and the container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the dimensions of cameras by arranging the film supplying chamber and the film winding chamber on both sides of the aperture, and by projecting at least one of the external walls defining these chambers into the space behind the photographing lens to avoid interfering with the image forming optical path.

Abstract: A camera of multi-mode versatility provided with an automatic focus control device operating with manual selection of servo and one-shot modes in combination with a coordinating system responsive to the setting of either the shutter speed priority or the shutter speed leading programmed automatic exposure mode for automatically operating the focus control device in the servo mode and responsive to setting either the aperture priority or the aperture leading programmed automatic exposure mode for operating the focus control device in the one-shot mode.

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of alkoxypolysiloxane in which silane or a silane mixture and a mixture of hydrogen chloride-containing alcohol and water is fed continuously into the lower region of preferably cylindrical stirred reactor, the reaction product formed together with excess hydrogen chloride-containing alcohol is drawn off continuously after residence time of 30 to 180 minutes at the upper end of the reactor and the undissolved, gaseous portion of hydrogen chloride is carried off at the head of the reactor, the temperature of the reaction mixture or the reaction product, as it flows through the reactor, being raised from a range of -17.degree. to +30.degree. C. to range of +30.degree. to +80.degree. C., the temperature gradient having to be at least 10.degree. C.

Abstract: Organopolysiloxanes that have betaine groups and the following general formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 can represent the same or different groups in the molecule and may be an alkyl radical with 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl radical or a polyoxyalkylene radical with the proviso that at least 70% of the R.sup.1 radicals are methyl radicals,R.sup.2 may be the same as R.sup.1, with the proviso that at least one R.sup.2 radical represents ##STR2## in which R.sup.3 is a divalent alkylene radical with 2 to 12 carbon atoms,R.sup.4 is a divalent alkylene radical with 2 to 6 carbon atoms,R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are the same or different and represent an alkyl radical with 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a benzyl radical, andn=1, 2, or 3,x has a value of 0 to 200, andy has a value of 1 to 50, as well as processes for their synthesis and their use in cosmetic preparations, especially in hair care products.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus comprises a flash discharge tube; a trigger circuit which ionizes a gas within the flash discharge tube; a switch circuit which causes the flash discharge tube to flash; an image sensing device which converts an optical image into an electrical signal; a clearing circuit which clears the electric signal produced by the image sensing device at least during and/or right after the operation of the trigger circuit; a control circuit which causes the switch circuit to operate after completion of the operation of the clear circuit; a signal processing circuit for processing the output of the image sensing device; and a charging circuit which stops charging thereof in relation to the processing of the signal processing circuit on the output of the image sensing device corresponding to an image of an object illuminated by the flash discharge tube. The image sensing apparatus prevents the energy of the flash discharge tube from affecting the output of the image sensing device.

Abstract: An angular transmission mechanism having two axles angularly disposed for torque transmission therebetween by two bevel gears which are embraced by an elastic toothed belt having a surface area which, in the untensioned condition of said belt, has the shape of a truncated cone, the belt having teeth which correspond to the teeth of the bevel gears.

Abstract: An expansion dowel assembly includes an axially elongated expansion sleeve with an axially extending expansion region, a spreader positioned within the sleeves in the expansion region, and a bolt in threaded engagement within a tapped bore in the spreader so that the spreader can be displaced axially through the expansion region for widening it in the radial direction. The surface of the spreader in surface contact with the interior of the sleeve is spherically shaped. In the assembled state, before expansion, the spreader is held in the expansion sleeve against axial displacement. Accordingly, the parts of the assembly can be preassembled as a unit.

Abstract: Pulses of such frequency that an electromagnetic drive device does not operate in response thereto are produced by a pulse generating circuit. While these pulse are being applied to the electromagnetic drive device, the voltage of an electrical power source in the real load running state is detected by a battery checking circuit.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a feed and accept duct system (4) for hydrocyclones (1), comprising common feed and accept ducts (7,8) which have by connecting tubes been connected to the parallel hydrocyclones. This type of construction is used, for instance, in purifying fiber suspensions, in which process the suspension is fed into the hydrocyclones (1) and the purified suspension is removed therefrom as a so-called accept fraction into the accept duct (8).