Abstract: In sliding engagement of a clutch plate of a lock-up clutch with a front cover of a converter housing, with a difference in rotational speed therebetween, the sum of the urging force of a coil spring and the force of a lock-up discharge hydraulic pressure in a front side chamber is greater than the force of a lock-up engagement pressure in a rear side chamber. A selector valve member, accommodated in a valve chamber of a displacement selector mechanism, therefore, brings an oil chamber between the clutch plate (first piston) and a second piston into communication with the front side chamber. The hydraulic pressure of the rear side chamber received by a rear face of the piston is higher than hydraulic pressure of the oil chamber received by a front face of the piston and, therefore, the piston is displaced forwardly into frictional contact with the clutch plate and transmission of judder to an input shaft of a speed change mechanism is thereby reduced.

Abstract: A lock-up clutch is arranged in parallel with a power transmission path between a pump impeller and a turbine runner of a fluid coupling arranged between the drive side and the load side, wherein the lock-up clutch changes the power transmission path. A stall capacity factor is determined using an engine speed at which the maximum engine torque on the drive side is generated, and the rotation on the drive side is transmitted to the load side by using the stall capacity factor. Therefore, optimal acceleration can be obtained by setting the stall capacity factor such that the stall rotational speed is in the vicinity of the rotational speed at which the maximum engine torque is generated. Thus, drivability can be improved by obtaining a control amount with which the vehicle speed responds as expected to the accelerator, there is no uncomfortable sensation, and fuel economy can be improved.

Abstract: A spectroscopy device that separates input light into a plurality of wavelength ranges. A metal body has a hole or aperture which is open on the upper side. The hole or aperture is formed in a polygonal shape having at least a pair of opposite faces not parallel to each other in horizontal cross-section. Inner side faces of the hole or aperture are finished as mirror like reflection surfaces. Polarized input light inputted from the opening to the hole or aperture is reflected by the reflection surfaces and a standing wave is generated inside of the hole or aperture by self interference, whereby the input light is separated into a plurality of wavelength ranges.

Abstract: A snap button includes a female member and a male member engageable therewith.

Abstract: A button feed unit to guide a button element from a button supply to a button applicator and arrange the direction of surface pattern provided on a front face of the button element. The button feed unit is adaptable for a variety of buttons of different sizes by exchangeable components of a feed path for the button element. The feed path for the button element is provided with a button rotating attachment having a button element guide path of a wedge-shaped cross section to pinch a part of the periphery of the button head and to urge the button head resiliently toward a cooperating feed path guide member, wherein at least the attachment is exchangeable.

Abstract: A button feeder for guiding and feeding a button element having an oriented pattern on its front face along a feed path and for insuring a desired orientation of the pattern. This button feeder provides a button pusher having a finger member projected from its frontal edge and urged resiliently downwardly from the pusher and the pusher provides a cam contactor projecting downwardly, the cam contactor riding on a cam surface, wherein the frontal edge of the pusher is guided and downwardly moved along the cam surface during transport and rotation of the button by the pusher along the feed path, and the finger member is lowered to engage a recess formed on the back face of the button head to arrest the rotation of the button element so as to orient and place a pattern on the button surface in a desired orientation.

Abstract: A button applicator with a one-rotation clutch linked to a foot pedal and is released by a disconnecting and connecting mechanism. A safety member is provided between a punch and a die and urged upward. A swing lever is linked to the safety member at its one end and linked to an operation rod connected to the foot pedal at its substantial center and swings about another end of the swing lever. A means for shutting off the clutch is provided between the operation rod and the swing lever. A means for allowing the rotation of the clutch is provided between the operation rod and the connecting and disconnecting mechanism.

Abstract: A button applicator for caulking one button element to another button element through a fabric piece, using a punch and a die. When a button element having a different caulking pressure is applied, any adjusting for a resilient force supporting the die is unnecessary. According to a preferred embodiment, a first spring and a second spring are provided between a spring-positioning member and a spring-supporting member so that the first spring is encircled by the second spring and that the top of the first spring is higher than the top of the second spring by a predetermined gap. The movement of the die is conveyed to the springs through a shaft provided between the die and the spring-positioning member. The button element, which has a smaller caulking pressure, is caulked by a resilient force of the first spring. Then, the button element, which has a larger caulking pressure, is caulked by a resilient force of the both springs, after the first spring is compressed to be deformed with a displacement of the gap.