Abstract: An optical device for measuring reflectance, and, optionally, transmission, of a substrate. The device has first and second toroidal mirrors and first and second optical fibers. The first toroidal mirror directs light from the first optical fiber toward the substrate, which reflects from the substrate and is collected by the second toroidal mirror. The light collected by the second toroidal mirror is focused into the second optical fiber. There are many possible orientations for the fibers and mirrors. The device may also have a fold mirror for directing the light toward the substrate. Optionally, the present invention includes components for measuring transmission of the substrate. The components for measuring transmission may include fibers and toroidal mirrors. Preferably, reflectance and transmission are measured at the same location. If a fold mirror is used, the fold mirror has a gap to allow transmission measurements to be performed at the same location as reflectance measurements.

Abstract: This invention relates to a card guiding device for a card reader comprising a housing formed as one unit, a discharging opening formed on the lower surface of the housing, a pivot plate mounted rotatably to a hinge pin provided in the housing, a guide piece formed on one end of the pivot plate and positioned at one of the two guide rails formed on the housing, a torsional spring supported resiliently between an insertion slot and a curvature piece formed on the center of the pivot plate, a guide hole formed on the pivot plate and guided by a guide pin provided in the housing, thereby preventing error, malfunction and low productivity caused by assembling housing, enabling a card reader to be used immediately without repair by discharging an inserted nonstandard card, and preventing error occurrence caused by data signal loss by ensuring adequate positioning and alignment of the card.

Abstract: The proposal is for a control for the scoop flap (1) of a construction machine, especially an excavator, with at least one distributing regulator (9) acting with at least one hydraulic cylinder (4) to which hydraulic control pressure can be applied via at least one electrically actuated valve of at least one control device. When an actuating component (17) is triggered, the control device acting electrically therewith, the valve (10, 11) and via it the distributing regulator (9) and the hydraulic cylinder (4) are actuated according to a predeterminably timed current ramp (22).

Abstract: A cost-effective electronic thermometer comprises a rigid case attached to a flexible probe stem in a lap joint. The flexible probe extends away from the case in a taper of both width and thickness. A sensor with sensor cap are mounted a the distal end of the probe stem. The temperature sensor is connected to an electronic processor with display that is positioned within case and powered by a battery.

Abstract: To provide a rotational speed adjusting device for a pneumatic rotational tool in which even if high air pressure is supplied, rotational frequency thereof does not exceed the maximum allowable rotational frequency so as to prevent occurrence of breakage of a processing tool. A speed adjusting shaft 30 is secured to one end of a rotor 26, and a speed adjusting member 32 capable of being displaced with respect to the speed adjusting shaft 30 is mounted externally of the speed adjusting shaft 30. The speed adjusting shaft 30 is provided with a ball 44 movable in a radial direction, and the speed adjusting member 32 is axially displaced with respect to the speed adjusting shaft 30 by a centrifugal force applied to the ball 44.

Abstract: An improved cushioning assembly is provided in which separate, independent cushioning elements are loaded into a pocket of the sole assembly of the shoe. By providing separate and independent cushioning elements, greater variation of the performance of various regions of the shoe can be provided, by utilizing cushioning elements having variations in one or more of their size, shape, orientation, material properties, and amount of precompression. As a result, different regions of the shoe can be better tailored for a particular activity or a particular user. In addition, by providing separate independent cushioning elements, the cushioning elements can be more closely packed as compared with, for example, prior cushioning elements formed as contiguous sheets. With the enhanced ability to more closely pack the cushioning elements, the cushioning elements can better transfer forces laterally, to better absorb and dissipate the forces.

Abstract: A bubble guide unit according to the present invention comprises two concentric frames, at least one of which rotates relative to the other, through which the film bubble passes. At least four bubble guiding rods are arranged symmetrically to each pivotally engage one frame at one end and to freely engage the other frame near its other end. Freely engage here means that the other end of each rod is free to pivot to some extent as well as to move in the direction of its length beyond the pivoting point and back. This is most easily accomplished by a pivoting ring through which the rod passes or, less elegantly, by a fixed ring having an aperture larger than the rod diameter.

Abstract: A rotary atomizing head type coating machine which is capable of washing deposited paint from fore end portions of outer peripheral surface of a bell cup. Thinner passages are provided on the bell cup to communicate a paint reservoir with the outer peripheral surface of the bell cup. Thinner which flows out onto the outer peripheral surface of the bell cup through the thinner passages is guided toward the marginal releasing edge of the bell cup. To this end, assist air is spurted out through assist air outlet holes which are provided in the fore end face of a shaping air ring at positions radially on the inner side of shaping air outlet holes. Accordingly, at the time of a washing operation, the thinner which has come out onto the outer peripheral surface of the bell cup is forcibly pushed on the outer peripheral surface by the actions of assist air and shaping air as the thinner is guided toward the fore end of the bell cup to wash away deposited paint therefrom.

Abstract: The invention is a welding parameter control device for a welding torch operable by the welders thumb and/or index finger. A forward-located rotary knob or belt is positioned where the torch is of relatively small diameter and comfortable for the welder to hold in the hand. This is coupled to a rotary potentiometer located toward the rear portion of the torch. Here the torch diameter can be increased without discomfort to the welder. By placing the potentiometer in this position it can be much larger and more rugged than would be possible if located at the position of the control knob. In contrast to the use of a highly miniaturized potentiometer at the control point location, failure rate is greatly reduced. Weld disturbance due to torch movement during current adjustment is virtually eliminated by use of the fingertip operated rotary control.

Abstract: A display package has a base and transparent cover. The base has a flat surface with a retainer. The retainer receives and retains the base of a figurine. The display package allows for the attractive and secure way to display figurines at the point of purchase or by the ultimate purchaser.

Abstract: A golf club shaft (10) incorporating a piezoelectric device (12) which, upon deflection or deformation of the golf club shaft (10) caused by swinging of the golf club shaft, selectively stiffens a section of the golf club shaft. The piezoelectric device (12), includes a sensor (24) located along the golf club shaft (10) and configured such as to produce an electrical signal upon flexing of the golf club shaft. A piezoelectric stiffener (22) is electrically connected to the sensor (24), is located along the golf club shaft (10), and is designed to mechanically deform as a result of receiving the electrical signal from the sensor (24). The mechanical deformation of the piezoelectric stiffener (22) causes a corresponding deformation of the golf club shaft (10).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a three-phase electric motor which has been disconnected from the electrical mains and is running down, one phase of the voltage generated by the motor being checked respectively in each of two channels for zero crossings and, if a zero crossing occurs, a signal being produced which, after DC-decoupling, is used to control the operation of a safety device. The safety devices are mutually interlocked and control signals therefor are produced only when the period between zero-crossings detected in both channels indicates that the motor output shaft has ceased rotation.

Abstract: A folding seat hinge (10) having a first hinge member (16) with an arcuate slot (46) radially displaced from the pivot axis (40) of the hinge. A second hinge member (12) is disposed with respect to one side (54) of the first member (16) to fully cover the slot (46) over the full range of pivoting motion of the hinge members (12, 16). A guide pin (58) is coupled to the second member (12), extends through the arcuate slot (46) in the first member (16) and functions to limit the pivoting motion between the hinge members. A cover plate (70) is disposed with respect to an opposite side (72) of the first hinge member (16) to fully cover the slot (46) over the full range of pivoting motion. A pivot pin (14) secures the hinge members (12, 16) and the cover plate (70) in an assembly and provides the axis of rotation (40) for the hinge members.

Abstract: Contamination on semiconductor wafers in vapor phase etching is eliminated by performing the drying step quickly, thereby improving productivity. This method includes the steps of etching the semiconductor wafers by introducing a reactive gas into the reaction chamber, restoring the pressure in the reaction chamber to the atmospheric pressure by introducing an inert gas into the reaction chamber, cleaning the semiconductor wafers, drying the semiconductor wafers, and introducing an alcoholic gas into the reaction chamber. The inner wall of the reaction chamber is maintained constantly at a predetermined temperature in the range of from 50.degree. C. to 80.degree. C. Alcohol having a boiling point at least 10.degree. C. lower than the predetermined temperature is chosen.

Abstract: A shiftable disk clutch or disk brake having two clutch parts which are rotatable relative to one another about a theoretical axis of rotation. One of the clutch parts has at least one rigid pressure disk which is connected with the clutch part so as to be fixed against movement and rigid. The other clutch part has at least two friction disks which are stiff in the circumferential direction and axially flexible in the manner of a diaphragm and are connected with this other clutch part so as to be fixed with respect to movement and rigid and are arranged on both sides of the pressure disk.