Abstract: In a process for producing a methacrylic acid ester by subjecting methyl methacrylate and an alcohol to a transesterification reaction in the presence of a catalyst and a polymerization inhibitor, the filtration time of catalyst and the like can be shortened by making a total water content in the catalyst, alcohol and methyl methacrylate 1000 ppm or less, or the generation of large bubbles during the reaction can be prevented by adding the starting alcohol to the reaction system at the alcohol conversion of 40% or more, or high catalytic activity is obtained even if a secondary or tertiary alcohol is used as a starting material by using as a catalyst that obtained by drying lithium hydroxide monohydrate with heating, these effects being also obtained by combining individual conditions.

Abstract: An optical resin material comprising a polymer containing as an essential component at least one norbornyl acrylate or methacrylate or a derivative thereof is excellent in properties, particularly in moisture resistance and can be used for molding optical elements such as lenses, optical discs, etc.

Abstract: Methacrylate esters of alcohols having an ether linkage and/or an alicyclic ring can be obtained with no trouble of coloration or polymer formation during the production and for the product. An alcohol having an ether linkage and/or an alicyclic ring is treated with an alkaline substance, and the treated alcohol is caused to react with methyl methacrylate for a transesterification reaction in the presence of an alkaline substance.

Abstract: An alarm apparatus includes a plurality of sensors connected in parallel with each other between sensor lines extending from a receiver and sounding devices connected between the sensor lines in correspondence to at least one of the sensors. The receiver includes a unit for changing a voltage supply condition of the sensor lines. A control circuit is provided to each audio device so as to selectively control the audio devices when the voltage supply condition is changed, so that a audio device corresponding to an activated sensor, or all of the audio devices, can be arbitrarily controlled to generate audio alarm signals.

Abstract: An optical resin material comprising a polymer containing as an essential component at least one norbornyl acrylate or methacrylate or a derivative thereof is excellent in properties, particularly in moisture resistance and can be used for molding optical elements such as lenses, optical discs, etc.

Abstract: A fire sensor of the polling type in which plural fire sensors connected via a common line to a central monitoring point are called in sequence in accordance with individual addresses, wherein an address setting section in the fire sensors is improved. Address setting rotary digital code switches are installed on a printed circuit board on which the other components of the sensor are mounted, and holes for accessing the rotary code switches are formed in a body case in positions confronting the switches.

Abstract: An automatic embroidery machine operated according to stitch data stored in a memory device provides a secondary central processing unit, a secondary random access memory, and a secondary code input means such that subsequent stitch data may be input during current stitch work thereby increasing the work efficiency of the embroidery machine.

Abstract: A device for generating an alarm signal in the event of an abnormality in the environment of a detector includes a pair of signal/power supply lines, a number of detectors for detecting an abnormality, e.g., fire, gas leakage, or burglary, and an alarm receiver including a signal processing circuit for receiving a signal from a detector indicating the presence of an abnormality. The signal process circuit includes a signal storage circuit, and a converting circuit for changing one or a combination of at least two of a polarity, voltage, current, or impedance of a power source if the abnormality persists for a predetermined time. The change in the power source parameter is supplied via the supply lines to a signal holding circuit in the vicinity of the detector. The signal holding circuit is responsive to the changed parameter and changes state, thus providing an indication at the detector that the abnormality has persisted for the predetermined time.

Abstract: A toner for developing latent electrostatic images comprising a copolymer having as an essential component a monomer unit derived from an imido group-containing unsaturated monomer of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are as defined in the specification, has excellent properties such as resistance to adhesion to plasticized polyvinyl chloride, high image density, resistance to fogging, etc.

Abstract: An automatic embroidery machine capable of switching to stitch urgently required patterns although the machine is scheduled to stitch patterns previously input through a central processing unit from random access memory. The urgently required patterns are given priority by input of a priority code, a discrimination code corresponding to the required pattern, a stop code, etc., during current stitch work.

Abstract: A sheathed heater comprising a metallic sheath, such as a stainless steel sheath, an electric heating element disposed within the sheath so that an electric current can be supplied thereto, and a filling material filled in the sheath for insulating the heating element from the sheath and the coils of the heating element from each other. Aluminum nitride powder is used as the filling material to prevent oxidation of the heating element by the oxygen discharged from the filling material.

Abstract: An epoxy resin composition comprising (A) an epoxy resin, (B) an alicyclic or aromatic polycarboxylic acid anhydride, (C) 4-ketopimelic acid dilactone, and if necessary (D) a hardening accelerator can give a cured article having excellent properties such as elongation, flexibility, hardness, tensile strength, etc.

Abstract: A lactone of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 through R.sub.8 are independently hydrogen or C.sub.1-5 alkyl, obtained by decarboxylation condensation reaction of a saturated alicyclic 1,2-dicarboxylic acid anhydride, is a good curing agent for thermosetting resins.

Abstract: An engine preheating apparatus in which an actuation circuit for a glow plug mounted in the engine is provided with a starting resistor of barium titanate of which the resistance value abruptly increases at a specific temperature, and a normal-operation resistor connected in parallel to the starting resistor. When the starting resistor is low in temperature and hence has a small resistance value, a large current is supplied to the glow plug, whereas when the starting resistor is high in temperature and therefore has a high resistance, a comparatively small current is supplied to the glow plug through the normal-operation resistor. The starting resistor is comprised of plural resistor elements of barium titanate as a main component and plural electrode plates alternately pressed one on each other. Each of the electrode plates is in pressure contact with each of heat radiators, so that the heat generated by the resistor elements is radiated from the radiators through the electrode plates.

Abstract: A push-button dial circuit having a low DC resistance and a high output impedance. An oscillator for generating a multi-tone dial signal is connected through a buffer transistor to terminals for coupling the multi-tone dial signal to a subscriber's line. The terminals also supply a DC power source current to the dial circuit. A constant voltage circuit is connected to the oscillator to stabilize the DC current supplied to the oscillator, and a reactance transistor circuit is connected between the terminals and the oscillator for defining a DC supply path from the terminals through the reactance transistor circuit to the oscillator. The reactance transistor circuit includes a transistor having a capacitor and a resistor respectfully connected across the base-emitter path and across the base-collector path of the transistor.

Abstract: A parallel circuit of an ordinary resistor exhibiting an ordinary resistance characteristic and a starting resistor abruptly increasing its resistance at a certain temperature is inserted between glow plugs in a Diesel engine and a battery. The resistance of the starting resistor is smaller than that of the ordinary resistor at a normal temperature. The resistance of the starting resistor becomes larger than that of the ordinary resistor when a large amount of current flows through the starting resistor. Therefore, current flows from the battery to the glow plugs mainly through the starting resistor at first, and then it flows mainly through the ordinary resistor. The ordinary resistor is disposed in an intake air passage of the engine.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the collision of a vehicle to produce a signal indicating the collision, which signal is adapted to actuate a safety device, such an apparatus having a pair of rotatable rigid members defining therebetween a space in which disposed is a stationary contact adapted to cooperate with a movable contact carried by the rigid members. Spring means are provided for biasing the rigid members in one rotational direction against a rotational force caused by deceleration of the vehicle. The rigid members are provided with a massive weight so as to make the gravitational center eccentric from the rotational axis thereof, thereby an enhanced sensitivity to the deceleration is obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting collision of a motor vehicle, carried by the vehicle and adapted to produce an electrical signal upon the collision of the vehicle to actuate occupant protection systems. The collision detecting apparatus comprises a rotational member in which the center of gravity is shifted from it's rotational axis so that collision energy applied thereto upon the collision of vehicle is converted into rotational energy of the rotational member, to actuate a contact device for producing the electrical signal. The apparatus is characterized by a simplified and small-sized structure, reliable in operation and generation of the collision signal.

Abstract: A dial device for a telephone set having a function of preventing toll dialing, in which a resistor or a zener diode is connected in series to a dial impulse contact of the dial device while a series connection of a first diode and a control circuit is connected in parallel with the resistor or the zener diode. A series-connection of a minimum pause contact and a second diode is connected in parallel with the dial impulse contact. An AND output of a dial impulse signal and a minimum pause signal from the minimum pause contact is obtained from a junction between the dial impulse contact and the first diode to apply it to a first input terminal of the control circuit, while the minimum pause signal is obtained from a junction between the minimum pause contact and the second diode to apply it to a second input terminal of the control circuit.

Abstract: A collision detection device in which a column-shaped member with a contact spring is solely permitted to be moved only in the predetermined direction regardless of the direction of the deflection of a mass and usually holding the mass on one end thereof. The contact spring serves as a connector between two fixed contacts.