Abstract: A zoom lens has a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, which is moved during zooming, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power, which is moved during zooming, arranged in the mentioned order from the object side to the image side. The zoom lens satisfies the following conditions: 0.15<|f2 |/?{square root over ((fw×ft))}<0.27 and 5.4021 f3/fw<10.00, where f2 and f3 are the focal lengths of the second and third lens units respectively, and fw and ft are the focal lengths of the zoom lens at the wide angle end and the telephoto end respectively.

Abstract: A compact wide converter lens having a small front-lens diameter. When attached to an object side of a main lens system, the wide converter lens provides reduced degradation of aberrations to achieve high optical performance. The wide converter lens includes a first negative lens element disposed most proximate to the object side and whose object-side surface is concave, a second positive lens element disposed at an image side of the first lens element, and a third negative lens element disposed at an image side of the second lens element. The following conditions are satisfied: 1.0<(r1?r2)/(r1+r2)<2.0 ?40<f1/D<?7, wherein r1 and r2 respectively represent curvature radii of the object-side and image-side surfaces of the first lens element, f1 represents a focal length of the first lens element, and D represents a spatial distance between the second and third lens elements.

Abstract: A zoom lens has a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, which is moved during zooming, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power, which is moved during zooming, arranged in the mentioned order from the object side to the image side. The zoom lens satisfies the following conditions: 0.15<|f2|/?{square root over ((fw×ft))}<0.27 and 5.40<f3/fw<10.00, where f2 and f3 are the focal lengths of the second and third lens units respectively, and fw and ft are the focal lengths of the zoom lens at the wide angle end and the telephoto end respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a crystalline metal oxide thin film by first depositing a substantially amorphous metal oxide film, and thereafter, as a post treatment, exposing the film to low temperature plasma in a high frequency electric field at 180° C. or less, and the crystalline metal oxide thin film produced by this method. Because the producing method according to the present invention allows a dense and homogenous crystalline metal oxide thin film to be formed onto a substrate at a low temperature without requiring active heat treatment, a metal oxide thin film having desirable characteristics can be formed without damaging the characteristics of a substrate even if the substrate has comparatively low heat resistance.

Abstract: A small-sized pressure sensor having smaller numbers of parts and assembling steps, a simple structure, a high assembly precision, and little dispersion in the operation characteristics, and a method for manufacturing the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor comprises: a base member; a stationary electrode molded so integrally as is exposed from the bottom face of a recess formed in the upper face of the base member; moving electrode receiving portions and molded so integrally in the bottom face of the recess of the base members as are arranged in the periphery of the stationary electrode and as are higher by a predetermined inter-electrode gap than the upper face of the stationary electrode; a moving electrode opposed to the upper face of the stationary electrode through a predetermined inter-electrode gap; and a diaphragm fixed of the open edge portion of the recess of the base member and adhered integrally at the central portion of its lower face to the upper face of the moving electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a crystalline metal oxide thin film by first depositing a substantially amorphous metal oxide film, and thereafter, as a post treatment, exposing the film to low temperature plasma in a high frequency electric field at 180° C. or less, and the crystalline metal oxide thin film produced by this method. Because the producing method according to the present invention allows a dense and homogenous crystalline metal oxide thin film to be formed onto a substrate at a low temperature without requiring active heat treatment, a metal oxide thin film having desirable characteristics can be formed without damaging the characteristics of a substrate even if the substrate has comparatively low heat resistance.

Abstract: A small-sized pressure sensor having smaller numbers of parts and assembling steps, a simple structure, a high assembly precision, and little dispersion in the operating characteristics, and a method for manufacturing the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A single vibration sensor producing multistage outputs corresponding to various vibrational acceleration values is disclosed. This vibration sensor is the type in which vibrational acceleration causes a movable gravitation element to move, and the movement of the element exerts pressure on a plunger which actuates a switch mechanism and outputs a signal. A feature of this vibration sensor is the switch mechanism includes a number of discrete switch units each having a different operating sensitivity. The switch units have a number of movable members which are displaced by the plunger when the vibrational acceleration causes the movable gravitation element to move, and a number of fixed contacts corresponding to these movable members with which the movable contacts come in contact. The spatial relationship of the fixed contacts with respect to the movable members is a feature which determines the operational sensitivity.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having a metallic interconnection layer is described. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate having an insulating film, forming at least one contact hole in the insulating film, forming a first metallic interconnection layer on the insulating film so that the contact hole is filled with the interconnection layer, and forming a second metallic interconnection layer on the first layer to provide a builtup structure. The second layer may be formed by a high temperature sputtering method wherein a substrate temperature is 400.degree. C. or over or by a procedure which includes forming a second metallic interconnection layer by an ordinary sputtering method and heating the substrate to a temperature not lower than 450.degree. C. to cause the second layer to be reflown. By this, the second has a smooth surface irrespective of the presence of irregularities on the surface of the first layer.

Abstract: In a limit switch, its rotational operation section B includes a rotary shaft 9 which is rotatably supported on a head housing 5, and an actuator 10 for turning the rotary shaft 9, and its switch section C comprises a detector 29 which is built in a switch housing 3, to detect particular detection parts 27a and 27b in a non-contact mode which are provided on the outer cylindrical surface of a cam 25 mounted fixedly on the rotary shaft 9, thereby to provide a detection signal. The head housing 5 and the switch housing 3 are formed as one unit. A limit switch which is simple in construction, has a small number of components in comparison with the conventional limit switch, can be miniaturized, has a long service life, and is reliable in operation, is provided.

Abstract: A key switch which could, for example, be used to switch a power supply for a machine tool on and off, has a locking mechanism on a rotating element of a key disengages the locking mechanism on the rotating element. The key also engages the guide on the rotating element, thereby initiating the rotation of that element and activating the switching element. If an object other than the key is inserted, the lock on the rotating element will not be released, and the rotating element will be prevented from moving, so that the switching element cannot be activated. Furthermore in another embodiment, a machine stop detection signal is fed to an internal solenoid which prevents removal of the key until the machine stops completely.

Abstract: In a limit switch, its rotational operation section B includes a rotary shaft 9 which is rotatably supported on a head housing 5, and an actuator 10 for turning the rotary shaft 9, and its switch section C comprises a detector 29 which is built in a switch housing 3, to detect particular detection parts 27a and 27b in a non-contact mode which are provided on the outer cylindrical surface of a cam 25 mounted fixedly on the rotary shaft 9, thereby to provide a detection signal. The head housing 5 and the switch housing 3 are formed as one unit. A limit switch which is simple in construction, has a small number of components in comparison with the conventional limit switch, can be miniaturized, has a long service life, and is reliable in operation, is provided.

Abstract: A light emitting type push button switch having an indication unit including an operation block containing an indicator and a switch unit having a microswitch turned on or off by the pushing of the operation block through a plunger axially movably held in the case of the indication unit, the indication unit and switch unit which can be easily engaged with each other or disengaged from each other.

Abstract: In a push-button switch in which a switch mechanism switched over on the basis of push-button depression is supported between a pair of split-type switch bases so as to be switchably operated, a falling-off prevention engage portion is formed at an end of a lever pivotal axle of a inclination lever provided for the switch mechanism, so as to be engageable with a pivotal hole formed in an opposing side wall of the switch base for prevention of falling-off of the inclination lever from the switch base.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is an illuminated push-button switch structure in which, when the push button is pushed, the push-button guide member united to the button is depressed while being supported to slide by the switch base. Then, the switch lever of the switch mechanism associated with the push-button guide member is abruptly turned back with a predetermined depression stroke to afford a switching feel. This turn prevents further movement of the push button in a predetermined depression direction in order to eliminate any undesired vibration of the push button. Even if the push button is obliquely pushed, it is always prevented from being inclined to provide the stable switching operation at all times.

Abstract: A novel electro-mechanical switch device is disclosed which is suitable for use in a factory production line to detect and control the flow of workpieces or articles of manufacture along the line. The switch device includes a pair of switches (101, 102) operative in response to the workpieces passing thereby along the production line, a switch circuit (13) electrically connected to the switches (101, 102), and a moisture detector (15). The pair of switches are so designed that the operation of one switch is delayed with respect to the other. The switch circuit (13) functions in response to the operation of the switches and the moisture detector (15) to provide a warning signal when one of the switches fails to operate within a predetermined delay time with respect to the other switch, as well as when the moisture detector senses a presence of moisture.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is an illuminated push-button switch structure in which, when the push button is pushed, the push-button guide member united to the button is depressed while being supported to slide by the switch base. Then, the switch lever of the switch mechanism associated with the push-buton guide member is abruptly turned back with a predetermined depression stroke to afford a switching feel. This turn prevents further movement of the push button in a predetermined depression direction in order to eliminate any undesired vibration of the push button. Even if the push button is obliquely pushed, it is always prevented from being inclined to provide the stable switching operation at all times.

Abstract: A light emitting type push button switch having an indication unit including an operation block containing an indicator and a switch unit having a microswitch turned on or off by the pushing of the operation block through a plunger axially movably held in the case of the indication unit, the indication unit and switch unit which can be easily engaged with each other or disengaged from each other.

Abstract: A barrier assembly includes an intermediate barrier member which is inserted from the front side of a mounting panel and a fixing barrier member which is inserted from the rear side of the panel and connected to the intermediate barrier member. After a plurality of small-sized controlling devices has been secured to the mounting panel, the intermediate barrier member is inserted into the area between each pair of adjacent controlling devices from the front side of the panel. Then, the fixing barrier member is inserted into this area from the rear side of the panel and connected to the intermediate barrier member. Thus, it is possible to prevent the intermediate barrier member from being pulled out forward of the panel and also from being withdrawn rearward of the panel by virture of the fitting engagement with the fixing barrier member. It is possible to remove the two barrier members toward the opposite directions, from which they are inserted when assembled, by disengaging them from each other.