Abstract: A chair has a body support structure with a membrane that can be stretched in an intended three-dimensional shape. The structure includes a frame member in a three-dimensional shape and forming a three-dimensional body support face expanding in three axes (y-axis direction), (x-axis direction), and (z-axis direction) orthogonal to each other and a membrane with peripheral edge portion fixed to the frame member under no tension or tension lower than tension required of the body support face, which has different heat shrinkage ratios in two directions, and to which the tension required of the body support face is imparted by heat shrinkage by heating after the fixing and a difference in tension generated in the heat shrinkage of the membrane forms the three-dimensional body support face.

Abstract: A chair has a body support structure with a membrane that can be stretched in an intended three-dimensional shape. The structure includes a frame member in a three-dimensional shape and forming a three-dimensional body support face expanding in three axes (y-axis direction), (x-axis direction), and (z-axis direction) orthogonal to each other and a membrane with peripheral edge portion fixed to the frame member under no tension or tension lower than tension required of the body support face, which has different heat shrinkage ratios in two directions, and to which the tension required of the body support face is imparted by heat shrinkage by heating after the fixing and a difference in tension generated in the heat shrinkage of the membrane forms the three-dimensional body support face.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a CPU, and when a virtual game is started, the CPU generates game image data and displays a corresponding game screen on a monitor. In the game screen, an operating instruction describing operation procedure is displayed and contents of the instruction changes according to a progress of the game. For example, as the game advances, an operating instruction including how to perform a new operation is displayed when a player object learns a new attack, or when a level (experience) of the player object increases or an operation level of the player increases. However, if the virtual game has not been played for a relatively long period of time, the operating instruction is displayed regardless of the progress of the game.

Abstract: In order to provide a lumbar support apparatus whose position can be adjusted by a simple structure and which can softly support a lumbar vertebra portion of a sitting person, a lumbar support apparatus of a chair according to the present invention is configured by two lumbar support members 10 which are separated into left and right parts, each of the lumbar support members 10 includes a lumbar support portion 11 supporting the lumbar vertebra portion and a stay portion 12 supporting the lumbar support portion, and an end portion of the lumbar support stay portion 12 is rotatably connected and attached to a back frame 2 via a rotation shaft 14, so that the position of the lumbar support portion 11 in the height direction can be adjusted by moving the same such that its distal end side is moved in a circular manner about the rotation shaft 14.

Abstract: A switching element is switched off after having been switched on for only a short time interval called a first predetermined time interval, and a determination is made, based on a mode of a change in a contact point potential (a regeneration voltage) between an electric motor and the switching element when the switching element as switched off, as to whether or not one of the electric motor and the switching element has failed. Next, the switching element is switched on for a time interval called a second predetermined time interval, which is longer than the first predetermined time interval, and a determination is made, based on the magnitude of the contact point potential at that time, as to which one of the electric motor and the switching element has failed. It is thus possible for a failure of the switching element and electric motor to be detected.

Abstract: In order to provide a lumbar support apparatus whose position can be adjusted by a simple structure and which can softly support a lumbar vertebra portion of a sitting person, a lumbar support apparatus of a chair according to the present invention is configured by two lumbar support members 10 which are separated into left and right parts, each of the lumbar support members 10 includes a lumbar support portion 11 supporting the lumbar vertebra portion and a stay portion 12 supporting the lumbar support portion, and an end portion of the lumbar support stay portion 12 is rotatably connected and attached to a back frame 2 via a rotation shaft 14, so that the position of the lumbar support portion 11 in the height direction can be adjusted by moving the same such that its distal end side is moved in a circular manner about the rotation shaft 14.

Abstract: A switching element is switched off after having been switched on for only a short time interval called a first predetermined time interval, and a determination is made, based on a mode of a change in a contact point potential (a regeneration voltage) between an electric motor and the switching element when the switching element as switched off, as to whether or not one of the electric motor and the switching element has failed. Next, the switching element is switched on for a time interval called a second predetermined time interval, which is longer than the first predetermined time interval, and a determination is made, based on the magnitude of the contact point potential at that time, as to which one of the electric motor and the switching element has failed. It is thus possible for a failure of the switching element and electric motor to be detected.

Abstract: A first semiconductor switching element connects to a high side of a motor and includes a diode whose cathode faces the high side. A second semiconductor switching element having a diode resides on a low side of the first semiconductor switching element. A third semiconductor switching element having a diode resides on a low side of the motor. A fourth semiconductor switching element is connected in parallel to the motor and configures a return current circuit that includes a return current element and causes a return current that arises when the first semiconductor switching element turns off to flow through the return current element. A control portion controls on-off states of the first to the fourth semiconductor switching elements and performs return current circuit failure detection based on a first monitor voltage that is an electric potential of a connecting point between the first semiconductor switching element and the motor.

Abstract: A binding band comprises a band part, a pendant hook part provided at one end of the band part, and an enclosed-wall part provided at the other end of the band part and having a passage through which the band part is vertically passed. The enclosed-wall part has a slit through which the band part is inserted into the passage from the side.

Abstract: A chair structure results in a proper counter force when an occupant reclines on a back. The chair is composed of a pintle, a base which is supported by the pintle, a back support which is installed on the back, a seat support which is installed on a seat, a first swaying pivot, a second swaying pivot which is located in front of the first swaying pivot, a third swaying pivot which is located between the first swaying pivot and the second swaying pivot, and a sliding structure. The chair is provided with simple structures, and can result in a constant counter force or maintain a proper counter force depending on an angle of the back, when the occupant reclines on the back.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a CPU, and when a virtual game is started, the CPU generates game image data and displays a corresponding game screen on a monitor. In the game screen, an operating instruction describing operation procedure is displayed and contents of the instruction changes according to a progress of the game. For example, as the game advances, an operating instruction including how to perform a new operation is displayed when a player object learns a new attack, or when a level (experience) of the player object increases or an operation level of the player increases. However, if the virtual game has not been played for a relatively long period of time, the operating instruction is displayed regardless of the progress of the game.

Abstract: A first semiconductor switching element connects to a high side of a motor and includes a diode whose cathode faces the high side. A second semiconductor switching element having a diode resides on a low side of the first semiconductor switching element. A third semiconductor switching element having a diode resides on a low side of the motor. A fourth semiconductor switching element is connected in parallel to the motor and configures a return current circuit that includes a return current element and causes a return current that arises when the first semiconductor switching element turns off to flow through the return current element. A control portion controls on-off states of the first to the fourth semiconductor switching elements and performs return current circuit failure detection based on a first monitor voltage that is an electric potential of a connecting point between the first semiconductor switching element and the motor.

Abstract: A binding band comprises a band part, a pendant hook part provided at one end of the band part, and an enclosed-wall part provided at the other end of the band part and having a passage through which the band part is vertically passed. The enclosed-wall part has a slit through which the band part is inserted into the passage from the side.

Abstract: In a departure standby state in which a transmission is shifted to a drive stage and a mechanical clutch is disengaged, if a vehicle speed is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the transmission is shifted to the neutral, and then the mechanical clutch is engaged. Then, it is determined whether the transmission is being rotated in reverse or not based on a rotational fluctuation on the driving side or the driven side in the process for engaging the mechanical clutch. When an accelerator pedal is pressed down at an angle greater than or equal to a predetermined angle, or when a gear shift instruction is input from the shift lever, if the transmission is being rotated in reverse the transmission is inhibited from being shifted to the drive stage, while if the transmission is not being rotated in reverse the transmission is shifted to the drive stage according to the pressed down state of the accelerator pedal, or a gear shift in instruction.

Abstract: In a departure standby state in which a transmission is shifted to a drive stage and a mechanical clutch is disengaged, if a vehicle speed is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the transmission is shifted to the neutral, and then the mechanical clutch is engaged. Then, it is determined whether the transmission is being rotated in reverse or not based on a rotational fluctuation on the driving side or the driven side in the process for engaging the mechanical clutch. When an accelerator pedal is pressed down at an angle greater than or equal to a predetermined angle, or when a gear shift instruction is input from the shift lever, if the transmission is being rotated in reverse the transmission is inhibited from being shifted to the drive stage, while if the transmission is not being rotated in reverse the transmission is shifted to the drive stage according to the pressed down state of the accelerator pedal, or a gear shift in instruction.

Abstract: An automatic shifting-operation control system having an engine control unit that controls the operation of an engine by a signal of an intake air amount detected by intake air amount detecting unit which detects an intake air amount of an engine, and which includes one or both of a vehicle speed limiting function for reducing a fuel injection amount to suppress a driving speed of a vehicle to a speed equal to or less than a predetermined limited value, and a cruise control function for setting the driving speed of the vehicle to an optional constant speed capable of allowing an automatic cruise of the vehicle, and a transmission control unit configured to control a transmission in accordance with a driving state of the vehicle.