Abstract: The present invention aims at improving C/N, erasing ratio, modulation factor, recording sensitivity, and recording/erasing repeatability characteristics of a phase-change type optical recording medium.The recording layer of the optical recording medium is therefore formed of a chalcopyrite type compound having a composition represented by the formula:Au.sub..alpha. In.sub..beta. Sb.sub..gamma. Te.sub..delta.wherein0 atomic %<.alpha..ltoreq.25 atomic %;1 atomic %.ltoreq..beta..ltoreq.18 atomic %;30 atomic %.ltoreq..gamma..ltoreq.75 atomic %; and15 atomic %.ltoreq..delta..ltoreq.45 atomic %;in which 99 atomic %.ltoreq..alpha.+.beta.+.gamma.+.delta..ltoreq.100 atomic %. Further, this optical recording medium is used such that the relative speed of the recording layer at recording/erasing is from 1 m/sec to 20 m/sec relative to the light beam.

Abstract: An airbag module mounted on a boss section of a steering wheel of an automotive vehicle. The airbag module comprises an airbag which is inflatable and developable upon being supplied with gas. A cover is provided including a covering section for covering the airbag. A tearing line is formed at a surface of the covering section of the cover. The tearing line includes a central section having first and second ends which are opposite to each other, and first and second side sections to which the first and second ends of the central section are respectively connected. An inflator is provided having gas ejection openings through which gas is ejected. The gas ejection openings are located inside the airbag. A base member is provided such that the airbag is fixed thereto. Additionally, an opposite member is located opposite to the covering section of the cover and disposed inside the airbag.

Abstract: There is provided a chip type varistor having a small electrostatic capacity, high voltage non-linearity, and high voltage suppressing capability and surge resistance. The chip type varistor is a layered body formed by a plurality of ceramic layers mainly composed of SiC containing at least two elements, in the form of oxides, selected from among Si, Bi, Pb, B and Zn, an inner electrode layer interposed between the ceramic layers of the layered body, and an outer electrode formed on the surface of the layered body and electrically connected to the inner electrode layer.

Abstract: The ZnO amount contained in the ferrite is lowered more than those of conventional ones to increase the mean coefficient of thermal expansion of the ferrite. Thus, a difference between the mean coefficient of thermal expansion of the ferrite and the mean coefficient of thermal expansion of the soft magnetic material is reduced. Further, the Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 amount contained in the ferrite is suitably controlled to reduce the absolute value of the magnetocrystalline anisotropic energy K1 and the absolute value of the saturation magnetostriction .lambda.S. Thus, the absolute value of the apparent magnetic anisotropic energy is lowered, and the magnetic anisotropy is weakened. The magnetic permeability and the head output can be elevated in a high frequency region by lowering the magnetic anisotropy.

Abstract: The absolute values of the apparent magnetocrystalline anisotropic energy K1 is made large to increase the absolute value of the crystal magnetic anisotropy energy by adjusting the content of Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 in the single crystal ferrite to 50 to 52 mol % or 55 to 58 mol %, thereby the absolute value of the apparent magnetic anisotropic energy is increased. Accordingly, the magnetic pole at the demagnetization time is stabilized and noise fluctuation is suppressed to a low level.

Abstract: A folded air bag is covered with a synthetic resin cover body. A switch apparatus having a membrane switch and a back plate is disposed between the cover body and the air bag. The membrane switch is adhered to the back plate at a point in a central portion. An extension portion of the back plate is mounted to the base plate, thereby deploying outward independently from the cover at a time of expansion and deployment of the air bag.

Abstract: An air bag system is provided that limits the forward projection of the air bag and reduces production costs wherein folded portions are formed by folding the peripheral portion of a flatly spread air bag along folding lines which are provided at specified locations. The formed folded portions are constrained by stitched portions which are formed by stitching folded-down portions with thread. The air bag is then folded into a size so as to be constrained in a cover. When gas is injected from an inflator, the air bag tears the cover and projects forward and at the same time the stitched portions limit the distance by which the air bag projects forward. As the internal pressure in the air bag increases, the stitched portions break and the folded portions are unfolded so that the air bag expands radially.

Abstract: A composite functional device is provided. The device includes a magnetic ceramic including an Ni--Zn ferrite; and a semiconductive including zinc oxide and an oxide of at least one of nickel and iron in an amount of from about 0.001 to 0.1 mol % in terms of NiO or Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: A reel device for a flat cable through which electrical component parts mounted on a steering wheel are electrically connected with electrical component parts on a vehicle body side. The reel device is disposed between the steering wheel and a combination switch mounted on the vehicle body side and comprises a generally cylindrical frame section inside which a shaft section is disposed rotatable relative to the frame section. The frame section is fixed to the combination switch, whereas the shaft section is fixedly mounted around the steering shaft. The flat cable is movably disposed in an annular cable storing space formed between the frame section and the shaft section. A generally annular guide member is movably disposed in the cable storing space and located between the cable wound on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft section and the cable wound on the inner peripheral surface of the frame section.

Abstract: As a part of a cable type electric connector, an annular housing structure is used which has a first cable leading portion. An annular guide body is rotatably and coaxially received in the annular housing structure. The annular guide body has a cable passing slot. An annular rotor is coaxially disposed on the annular housing structure. The annular rotor has a second cable leading portion. A flat cable is passed through the cable passing slot of the annular guide body so that the flat cable is divided into an inner flat cable part movably received in a circular space surrounded by the annular guide body and an outer flat cable part movably received in an annular space formed around the annular guide body. The inner flat cable part has an inner end exposed to the outside through the second cable leading portion and the outer flat cable part has an outer end exposed to the outside through the first cable leading portion.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system including a base plate, a flexible airbag module cover mounted to the baseplate, and a switch assembly which is disposed inside the cover and secured to the base plate. The flexible airbag module cover includes a flap portion forcedly separable from the cover and moveable from a normal closed position to an open position. The flap portion has a horn actuation area. The switch assembly includes a membrane type switch disposed behind the horn actuation area, and a back panel carrying the membrane type switch. The back panel has a switch support portion retaining the membrane type switch and a strap which is secured to the base plate and extends from the switch support portion.

Abstract: As a part of a cable type electric connector, an annular housing structure is used which has a first cable leading portion. An annular guide body is rotatably and coaxially received in the annular housing structure. The annular guide body has a cable passing slot. An annular rotor is coaxially disposed on the annular housing structure. The annular rotor has a second cable leading portion. A flat cable is passed through the cable passing slot of the annular guide body so that the flat cable is divided into an inner flat cable part movably received in a circular space surrounded by the annular guide body and an outer flat cable part movably received in an annular space formed around the annular guide body. The inner flat cable part has an inner end exposed to the outside through the second cable leading portion and the outer flat cable part has an outer end exposed to the outside through the first cable leading portion.

Abstract: An impact absorbing structure for use in steering wheels and the like is formed by slitting a blank and pressing the same in a manner to define a plurality of L-shaped members which are alternatively and mutually inverted with respect to one another. The vertically extending leg portions of the L-shaped members are bent in a manner which facilitates buckling during collisions and the like.

Abstract: An automotive steering wheel assembly has a metallic core and an outer covering of a molded soft plastic material in which switch-receiving recesses are formed for horn switch assemblies each including a base of a hard plastic material, a plastic switch button movably mounted on the base and carrying a movable contact thereon and springs disposed between the switch button and the base. The assembly is inserted into an associated recess and secured to a bracket with a stationary contact disposed in alignment with the movable contact and held between the bracket and the base. The bracket is secured to the metallic core of the steering wheel.

Abstract: The multistep fluid control valve comprises a valve case having a plurality of valve seats. A valve stem is provided in the valve case and is capable of being continuously or stepwise displaced axially. At least one valve body is shiftably mounted on the valve stem it is urged toward the corresponding one of the valve seats, but normally arrested at a position clear of the valve seat. This valve body closes the valve seat when the valve stem is moved a predetermined amount. At least one further valve body is provided axially in line with the valve stem so as to cooperate with a corresponding one of the valve seats. The further valve body is actuated by a further stepwise movement of the valve stem so that the corresponding valve seat is opened or closed by the further valve body.