Abstract: A detecting mechanism has a sensor for detecting different levels of transmissivity to provide an output signal representative of the transmissivity level detected. The detecting mechanism is provided with circuitry for changing its sensitivity.

Abstract: In a color image forming apparatus, a plurality of image forming units 3Y, 3M, 3C and 3K, which correspond to a plurality of colors and with each unit including a developing device and a photosensitive drum, are retained so as to define a cylinder.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an engaging mechnism. The engaging mechanism comprises a cam element which moves upon modification of an engaging position, a cam follower abutted against a cam surface of the cam element, a detecting element for detecting a position of the cam follower, and a section to be detected provided on the cam follower, for giving at least three different kinds of output values to the detecting element.

Abstract: A camera capable of accomplishing with certainty a switching operation between a winding drive system and a rewinding drive system and of contributing to its size reduction. The winding drive system employs a film loading motor 48 and a clutch mechanism in the drive system to establish and cut off engagement of the drive system in accordance with rotating directions of a the film loading motor (48). Further, a differential reduction section is placed within a revolution area of a planetary gear of the clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism is composed of first and second planetary clutch mechanisms, the first planetary clutch mechanism releasing the transfer of a driving force of the film loading motor within the winding drive system by the rotation of the motor in a first direction and the second planetary clutch mechanism releasing the transfer of a driving force of the motor within the rewinding drive system by the rotation of the motor in a second direction.

Abstract: A camera body constructed in such a manner that a front board unit, a shutter unit, and a main body unit are attached to a body plate unit from a rear face of the body plate unit. The body plate unit is a rigid board in a plane substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of a taking lens unit, which taking lens unit is attached to the body plate unit from a front face of the body plate unit.

Abstract: A camera capable of securing a more stable film loading operation and further of conducting a more stable information recording operation. The camera is equipped with a film loading motor (48), a film winding gear train, a film forwarding gear train and a clutch for releasing the transfer of a driving force of the motor (48) to the film forwarding gear train. When the reduction ratio of the film winding gear train is taken to be iW, the reduction ratio of the film forwarding gear train is taken to be iAL and the radius of the outermost portion of a spool shaft (56a) and spool rubber (56b) constituting a film take-up spool is taken as Rs (mm), the relationship among these values is determined as (iAL/iW).times.Rs=.gamma. where .gamma..gtoreq.13.6. In addition, in this case, the value .gamma. satisfies .gamma..gtoreq.19.0.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an engaging mechanism. The engaging mechanism comprises a cam element which moves upon modification of an engaging position, a cam follower abutted against a cam surface of the cam element, a detecting element for detecting a position of the cam follower, and a section to be detected provided on the cam follower, for giving at least three different kinds of output values to the detecting element.

Abstract: A crusher having a bracket pivotally mounted on a free end of an arm of a civil engineering machine, a frame having a pair of support plates and rotatably mounted on the bracket, a lock arm having a pair of arm plates and pivotally mounted between the pair of support plates, the lock arm carrying at one end thereof a crushing jaw, a movable arm mounted between the arm plates of the lock arm so as to be pivotable about a first axis that is nearer to the tip of the arm than a second axis about which the lock arm pivots, a trunnion type drive cylinder mounted between the arm plates for pivoting the movable arm toward and away from the crushing jaw, the drive cylinder having pivots arranged on the second axis and pivotally supporting the lock arm, and a fixing means for fixing the lock arm to the frame at both ends of the pivoting motion of the pivot shaft about the second axis. The ends are separated a predetermined angle from each other.

Abstract: A multi-color electrophotographic apparatus is provided which includes a casing having an access cover, an image transfer belt unit for transferring a multi-colored image formed thereon a recording sheet, and an image-forming assembly having a plurality of image-forming units. Each image-forming unit includes a photoconductor and a developer storing therein toner of a single different color for forming a different color toner image on each photoconductor. The image-forming assembly is arranged to be movable between operative and inoperative positions. The operative position is such that each image-forming unit lies at an image-forming station with the photoconductor thereof in engagement with an image transfer belt of the image transfer belt unit to transfer the toner image formed thereon in registration with one another to the image transfer belt for forming the multi-colored image.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic apparatus for forming color images has advantages of compact and simple construction, easy positioning of an exposure position and easy inspection. The apparatus includes a plurality of rotatable image forming units corresponding to the number of colors, each of the units including a pivotable photosensitive member on which a toner image is formed and a developing device containing a color toner. The apparatus further includes an exposure device for exposing a toner image by emitting a signal light from outside of the image forming units and a mirror for reflecting the signal light to an exposure position, the mirror being placed in the neighbor of a rotation axis.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic apparatus using a plurality of image forming units. The entire image forming unit group moves by rotation, and a toner image is transferred on an intermediate transfer belt at an image forming position. The intermediate transfer belt is variable in speed, and while the image forming unit group is moving, it is stopped or runs at low speed. The hopper in the image forming unit is divided into two sections. The toner is supplied the image forming position, and when the toner remainder sensor detects no remaining toner, the image forming unit group rotates by one revolution or more, and then the toner remainder is detected again to judge presence or absence of toner remainder. At this time, the toner in the toner hopper is agitated by the agitating member and the shape of the inner wall. After rotary move of the image forming unit group, each image forming unit is initialized sequentially.

Abstract: A photographed picture size switchable camera of the present invention can switch photographing optical systems and picture masks through a zoom driving mechanism by means of a switch input from zooming operation and can switch a photographed picture size from a normal size to a panoramic size or half size which is smaller than the normal size. Thus, a good picture can be taken even in a wide angle or telephotographic area which is wider or further than an ordinary zooming region.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus includes a photoconductor drum, also known as an electrostatic latent image holding member, with a magnet placed therein. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the magnetic drum. Then, the drum is brought into contact with a magnetic developer, or toner, in a developer reservoir to have the magnetic developer attached to the photoconductor drum surface by a magnetic force. A removing roller, having an AC voltage applied thereto, is passed in close vicinity of the magnetic drum with the resultant development of images because toner remains at image areas only. In the electrophotographic apparatus, the photoconductor drum, the removing roller or both include two magnetic poles. A device for increasing friction force of the surface of the photoconductor drum, of the removing roller or both may also be provided.

Abstract: An electrophotographic method and an apparatus employed for effecting the method, in which a photoreceptor drum having a fixed magnet member in it is employed. After forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum, the photoreceptor surface is brought into contact with the magnetic developing material within a developing material hopper so as to attract the developing material onto the surface of the photoreceptor drum by magnetic force. When the photoreceptor surface further passes an electrode roller, the toner remains only at the image portion for development into a visible toner image. As a force for removing the magnetic developing material from the photoreceptor surface, a resultant force of a magnetic force connecting the photoreceptor drum and the electrode roller and an electrostatic force connecting the photoreceptor drum and the electrode roller, is employed.

Abstract: An electrophotographic method, and an apparatus for performing the method, which is simple in construction, compact in size, and capable of providing images with a high resolution employs the use of a photoreceptor drum having a fixed magnet member therein. After forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum, the photoreceptor surface is placed in contact with magnetic developing material within a developing material hopper so as to attract the developing material onto the surface of the photoreceptor drum by magnetic force. When the photoreceptor surface further passes an electrode roller, the toner remains only at the image portion for development into a visible toner image. To remove the magnetic developing material from the photoreceptor surface, a magnetic force connecting the photoreceptor drum and the electrode roller and an electrostatic force connecting the photoreceptor drum and the electrode roller are employed.

Abstract: A system for testing a power train assembly such as a transaxle of a vehicle has first and second gear units each having separate input members for receiving input torque from the power train assembly to be tested, a mounting member for supporting the power train assembly between the first and second gear units, a drive motor for supplying input torque to the power train assembly, and a dynamometer connected with the second gear unit. The drive motor is connected with the input member of the power train assembly by a driving shaft passing through the first gear unit. Preferably, the first and second gear units are connected by at least one interconnecting shaft extending under the power train assembly. With this arrangement, the test system is smaller in required space, smaller in inertia, capable of high speed testing, and readily applicable to different types of power train assemblies.

Abstract: In this strobe apparatus which can be fitted to a camera having a strobe built-in or a camera, a flash comprises at least two flashing parts having respectively different light distribution characteristics, the distances to objects in a plurality of places within the photographed picture are measured and the flashing amounts adapted to the distances are operated to control the flashing amount of the flashing. Also, the flashing amounts of the first flashing part having non-uniform light distribution characteristics at the time of the full flashing within the photographed picture and the second flashing part having non-uniform light distribution characteristics substantially linearly symmetrical with the light distribution characteristics of said first flashing part with respect to the center axis are respectively independently controlled by a controlling circuit.

Abstract: A driving force transmission mechanism and method according to the present invention transmits the driving force of a single motor selectively to a plurality of driven gears, comprising a sun gear rotated either in a forward or reverse direction by the motor, a planetary gear engaging the sun gear, and a plurality of driven gears arranged along the revolution orbit of the planetary gear. A driven gear with which the planetary gear is desired to engage is selected by rotating the sun gear in one direction. The driving force is transmitted to the selected driven gear via the planetary gear by rotation of the sun gear in the opposite direction. The proper gear is selected by use of a sensor. Using the driving force transmission mechanism, various driving systems can be driven by a single motor without the need for a complex switching mechanism. The transmission mechanism may use more than one planetary gear and may use more than one planetary gear assembly.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic apparatus employing a plurality of image forming units each including a photoreceptor and a corona charger, and using toner. In the apparatus, the image forming units are arranged to be displaceable, with an exposure position of an exposure device and a transfer position of a transfer paper holding member being fixed. During image formation, the image forming unit is moved to a predetermined position, and the obtained color image transferred onto paper sheet on a transfer paper holding member. Each of the image forming unit has a first image forming position confronting the transfer paper holding member, and a second image forming position different from the first image forming position.

Abstract: In this strobe apparatus which can be fitted to a camera having a strobe built-in or a camera, a flash comprises at least two flashing parts having respectively different light distribution characteristics, the distances to objects in a plurality of places within the photographed picture are measured and the flashing amounts adapted to the distances are operated to control the flash amount of the flashing. Also, the flashing amounts of the first flashing part having non-uniform light distribution characteristics at the time of the full flashing within the photographed picture and the second flashing part having non-uniform light distribution characteristics substantially linearly symmetrical with the light distribution characteristics of said first flashing part with respect to the center axis are respectively independently controlled by a controlling circuit.