Abstract: A microgel obtained by polymerizing in aqueous phase a monomer blend comprising at least one ethylenic monofunctional compound, selected from the group consisting of vinylic compounds, alkyl esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid, hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates and vinyl acetate, and at least one ethylenic di- or multifunctional compound, selected from the group consisting of diacrylates, triacrylates and/or (meth)acrylates of polyfunctional alcohols, in the presence of a polycondensation product of a polycarboxylic acid, polyhydroxycarboxylic acid, hydroxypolycarboxylic acid and/or polyhydroxypolycarboxylic acid with a polyol, and its use for aqueous or solvent-containing coating compositions, in particular for aqueous or solvent-containing base coats, effect base coats or clear coat systems in the motorcar industry.

Abstract: A welding torch comprises a handle having, at the back, a cable adaptor being formed by a ball joint which is integral with a cable support wherein a feeder is inserted. Better handleability is achieved.

Abstract: An electronic camera with an image reproducing apparatus which starts concurrently reproducing a plurality of motion images at the same timing includes a display which displays on a screen a plurality of thumbnails (symbols) respectively corresponding to a plurality of motion images recorded on a recording medium, and a selector which selects some of the thumbnails displayed by the display in accordance with an external selecting operation. A reproducing device starts reproducing a plurality of motion images respectively corresponding to the thumbnails selected by the selector at the same timing in accordance with an external reproducing operation. The motion images reproduced by the reproducing device are displayed in the form of an array on the screen.

Abstract: A spout for dispensing liquid from a closed container has a cap that fits over a fitment or neck on the container, the cap being provided with a sleeve within which a reciprocating barrel may slide from a closed position to an open position. The barrel has a longitudinal vent groove on its upper surface that serves as a passage to admit atmospheric air to equalize internal and external pressure. The cap is provided with a flap that blocks the groove when the internal pressure is close to atmospheric pressure, but opens to admit air when the internal pressure drops significantly below the atmospheric pressure outside the container.

Abstract: A shock absorbing type steering column assembly includes a first bracket fixed to a steering column at a middle portion thereof, a second bracket formed integrally with the car body for supporting the first bracket, and a connecting device having an energy absorbing member for supporting the first bracket until a predetermined load is applied upon a secondary collision and absorbing a collision energy applied on the steering column and allowing the first bracket to move relative to the second bracket to absorb the shock energy when the predetermined load is applied on the steering column upon a secondary collision. The energy absorbing member includes a metallic wire which has a basic portion and elongated deformable portions extending respectively from the ends of said basic portion toward free ends. Each of the deformable portions has a folded-back portion and a deformable portion extending from the folded-back portion to the free end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a relay variable power optical system in a simple structure which is capable of suppressing a change of the position of the exit pupil on varying the power. To this end, the relay variable power optical system is provided with a front lens group G0 for condensing a light from a primary image, a variable power lens system (G1 to G3) for receiving the light from the front lens group G0, and performing zooming and a rear lens group G4 for forming the secondary image by condensing the light from the variable power lens system. When the zooming is performed from the high magnification end to the low magnification end, a distance between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 and a distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 are changed.

Abstract: A film feeding device for a camera uses first and second electric motors associated with first and second planetary gearing mechanisms, respectively. In one embodiment, the first motor and first planetary gearing mechanism drive a spool shaft of a film cartridge to supply film to a winding spool. The winding spool is driven by the second motor and second planetary gearing mechanism to wind film onto the winding spool, at which time the first motor is stopped and the first planetary gearing mechanism is automatically disconnected from the spool shaft. For rewinding, the second motor is operated in reverse and the second planetary gearing mechanism is automatically disconnected from the winding spool and connected to the spool shaft of the film cartridge.

Abstract: For a toroidal type continuously variable transmission, the end portion of a radial needle bearing provided for a trunnion is protruded from the inner face of the trunnion. Also, the inner face of the trunnion is made substantially flat. Therefore, the processing of the trunnion is made easy, and the holder of the thrust needle bearing can be easily positioned simultaneously. Also, the structure is arranged to enable the recess formed on the trunnion to engage with the extrusion formed on the holder, thus preventing any plane pressure from being exerted excessively on the rolling surface of the needles of the thrust needle bearing, as well as preventing the needles from falling out of the pockets of the holder.

Abstract: A super-wide angle lens, sequentially from an object side, comprises a first negative lens L1, a second negative lens L2, and a third positive lens L3. The first negative lens L1 with its concave surface toward an image side has an image-side surface with a curvature larger than that on an object-side surface. The second negative lens L2 is disposed at a predetermined spacing from the first negative lens L1 and takes a negative meniscus shape with its convex surface toward the object side. The third positive lens L3 has its convex surface toward the object side.

Abstract: A lens capable of a short distance photographing satisfies .vertline..beta.M.vertline.>0.25 (.beta.M is the photographing magnification at a shortest photographing distance). The lens includes a plurality of lens groups respectively having positive or negative refracting powers. An interval between two neighboring lens groups changes for focusing, and at least a partial lens group, located at an image side of a lens group which is movable for focusing, is a vibration reduction lens group which is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis.

Abstract: In order to obtain an image without a registration shift, there is provided a color composing optical system which comprises a liquid crystal light valve having a plurality of pixels and a cross dichroic prism for color-composing the light beams emitted from the liquid crystal light valve, characterized in that the following equation is satisfied:L.times..vertline.tan.THETA..vertline..ltoreq.W/2,where the length of a pixel pitch of the liquid crystal light valve is W, the air-converted length from the liquid crystal light valve emission surface to the emission surface of the cross dichroic prism is L, and a value of a relative angular deviation when two light rays emitted from the liquid crystal light valve in parallel with the optical axis enter the cross dichroic prism and then are emitted from the cross dichroic prism is .THETA..

Abstract: A single-lens reflex camera has a mirror movable between a non-photographic position where light from a subject is transmitted to a finder optical system and a photographic position where the light is transmitted to a film plane, a focal-plane shutter normally closed to prevent the light from reaching the film plane and moved to open so as to allow the light to reach the film plane, and a removable, ordinary photograph back panel. The camera is also provided for electronic still photography with an electronic still photographic adaptor substituted for the back panel and having an image pick-up device located near the film plane when set thereon, and with an optical low-pass filter located between the focal-plane shutter and the mirror to cut off high space frequency components in space of light.

Abstract: A laser beam projection apparatus includes a light source, a vessel containing a transparent liquid which transmits a light beam from the light source and has a free liquid surface, a condensing optical member for condensing the light beam transmitted through the vessel and the liquid to form a secondary source of the light source, and a first optical member for collimating the light beam from the secondary source into a parallel beam. The focal lengths of the condensing optical member and the first optical member are set in accordance with the refractive index of the liquid. Preferably, the focal lengths are set in accordance with the refractive index of the liquid such that the parallel beam from the first optical member emerges in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A device for separating metallic and non-metallic materials via an inclined conveyor belt and vibrating plate feed. Feed material is dropped from the feed plate onto the inclined portion of the conveyor. Magnetic material adheres to the inclined belt by attraction to a magnetic plate spaced such that the belt interposes between the magnetic plate and the materials to be separated. Non-metallic materials fall down the incline into a collection area. The device further includes a second magnetic plate, after the first, oriented to diverge from the belt in the direction of conveyance to provide a uniform, attenuating magnetic flux.

Abstract: Modular surgical device for endoscopic surgery and standard surgery, wherein it comprises a prehension means equipped with a trigger which, using a control rod, controls the movement of a tool located inside at least one mobile guide tube which rotates with respect to the said prehension means, which is fitted with, on the one hand, a locking system for the amplitude of movement of the tool and, on the other hand, a locking and ejection system for the tool.

Abstract: A power converter for converting shore power voltage, phase, and frequency for shipboard use includes a variable inductance input transformer that can be connected to the shore power. The primary windings of the transformer have a plurality of taps, and a respective computer-controlled switch is connected between adjacent taps to selectively establish a closed circuit or an open circuit between the taps and thereby configure the primary windings as a low or high voltage "delta" or "wye", as appropriate for the shore power voltage. The output of the input transformer is sent to a variable speed drive, then to an output transformer, and thence to the distribution bus of the ship. A voltage regulator regulates the output voltage of the output transformer. If desired, a phase selector can be provided between the shore power and input transformer to establish the phase characteristics (i.e.

Abstract: A tilt type steering apparatus utilizes unique design features to reduce the occurrence of noise during tilt adjustment of a steering column and to ensure reliable engagement between first and second sets of teeth that mesh to lock the tilt position of the steering column. To reduce the occurrence of noise, for example, a compression coil spring that supports the weight of a portion pivotally movable with a rear steering column is mounted such that the center axes of its fore and rear end portions are non-coincident over a whole range of the pivotal movement. To ensure reliable engagement of the first and second sets of teeth, a fixable restraining member having the second set of teeth is mounted for adjusting an angle of the pitch line of the second set of teeth with respect to the pitch line of the first set of teeth.

Abstract: An electric zoom camera comprises a photographing lens system having a zoom lens system, a detecting device for detecting a focal length of the photographing lens system and generating a corresponding output, a driving device for driving the photographing lens system for zooming, a commanding device for generating a command for executing zooming to the driving device, and control device for controlling the driving device in accordance with the output from the detecting device and the command, to change a focal length of the photographing lens stepwise between focal lengths of a plurality of predetermined focal lengths arranged substantially in accordance with a geometric progression.