Abstract: The present invention is configured so that one light emission source such as a light emitting diode is placed inside an operation knob in front of a light guiding piece or in a bearing of the operation knob. A light beam from the light emission source is emitted to the interior of the operation knob. A reflected indirect light irregularly reflected inside the operation knob is received by the light guiding piece located at a rear surface of the operation knob. The light guiding piece has a transmission and diffusion function. The light is then guided toward an outer periphery to illuminate the rear surface of the operation knob.

Abstract: The present invention is configured so that one light emission source such as a light emitting diode is placed inside an operation knob in front of a light guiding piece or in a bearing of the operation knob. A light beam from the light emission source is emitted to the interior of the operation knob. A reflected indirect light irregularly reflected inside the operation knob is received by the light guiding piece located at a rear surface of the operation knob. The light guiding piece has a transmission and diffusion function. The light is then guided toward an outer periphery to illuminate the rear surface of the operation knob.

Abstract: A display apparatus according to the present invention includes a transmission type of fluorescent display lamp (FL) 1 on which a pattern layer is not masked. The rear and front spaces of the transmission type FL 1 are defined by frames 5, 6. On each frame 5, 6 is attached an illumination display member, such as a light guide plate 8 or a transmission sheet 9, so that illumination displays are provided at both front and rear sides of the FL 1 by a light emitting source 10 such as an LED, fluorescent lamp and so on. Thus, a greater three-dimensional visual effect (depth perception) can be obtained. Further, by utilizing spaces in the front and the rear of the transmission type FL 1, a wider representation and functional display through a microcomputer control can be performed. Use of the light emitting source 10 lowers cost in comparison with the conventional biplanar type of FL.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for producing a metal formed article having a space in the interior thereof, comprising the steps of laying a formed article 2a of a second metal in a powder 1 containing a first metal to thereby form a powder formed article 3a and heating and melting the formed article 2a at a temperature less than a melting point of the first metal and not less than that of the second metal to form a space 4. Both the metals are sintered and solidified. A coating layer 6 is formed on the space 4 by an intermetallic compound or an alloy of both the metals. When the coating layer 6 is the intermetallic compound, the first metal is one type of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, and W and an alloy of these elements, and the second metal is Al. The first metal is Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, and W and an alloy of these elements, and the second metal is Si. The first metal is Cu or an alloy thereof, and the second metal is Sn.

Abstract: A metallic base material is covered with a coating layer of intermetallic compound, or a plurality of metallic base materials are welded to each other with an intermetallic compound, with reduced energy consumption within a short period of time. First metallic substance 31 in powdery form is piled up on metallic base material 2. Second metallic substance 3 in molten form is delivered onto piling layer 80 of the first substance. Thus, under the control of reaction initiation temperature, coating layer (or building up coating layer) 84 of intermetallic compound having a thickness of hundreds of microns (&mgr;m) to millimeters (mm) is formed on the base material 2 by the self-exothermic reaction between the first substance and the second substance. This method is also useful in the welding of a plurality of metallic base materials to each other with an intermetallic compound. The first substance can be constituted of, for example, Ni, Co or Fe. The second substance can be constituted of, for example, Al or Ti.

Abstract: The display apparatus according to the present invention comprises a transmission type of fluorescent display lamp (FL) 1 which pattern layer is not masked. The rear and front spaces of the transmission type FL 1 are defined by frames 5, 6. On each frame 5, 6 is attached an illumination display member (a light guide plate 8 or a transmission sheet 9) so that illumination displays are performed at both front and rear sides of the FL 1 by a light emitting source 10 such as LED, fluorescent lamp and so on. Thus, more three-dimensional visual effect (depth perception) can be obtained. Further, utilizing spaces in the front and the rear of the transmission type FL 1, more wide representation and functional display through a microcomputer control can be performed. Use of the light emitting source 10 contemplates cost down in comparison with the conventional biplanar type of FL.

Abstract: A metallic base material is covered with a coating layer of intermetallic compound, or a plurality of metallic base materials are welded to each other with an intermetallic compound, with reduced energy consumption within a short period of time. First metallic substance 31 in powdery form is piled up on metallic base material 2. Second metallic substance 3 in molten form is delivered onto piling layer 80 of the first substance. Thus, under the control of reaction initiation temperature, coating layer (or building up coating layer) 84 of intermetallic compound having a thickness of hundreds of microns (&mgr;m) to millimeters (mm) is formed on the base material 2 by the self-exothermic reaction between the first substance and the second substance. This method is also useful in the welding of a plurality of metallic base materials to each other with an intermetallic compound. The first substance can be constituted of, for example, Ni, Co or Fe. The second substance can be constituted of, for example, Al or Ti.

Abstract: Disclosed is a boride material for electronic elements, which is represented by a chemical formula of A.sub.1-x E.sub.x B.sub.12 (where A is Zr of Hf, E is Sc or Y, and 0.1.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.9) and the crystal system of which is a cubic one at a temperature not lower than its phase transition temperature and is a hexagonal one at a temperature not higher than its phase transition temperature. The boride material is prepared by mixing oxide powders or sulfate powders of the constitutive elements A and E and a boron powder followed by shaping the powder mixture and then sintering the shaped body.