Abstract: A man-powered braking apparatus which uses rocking motion to switch over between the braking state and the releasing state, assures smooth operation, and minimizes the reduction in braking force when the braking lever is returned. When the force to the braking lever 20 is removed, the braking state in which the pawl member 40 is engaged with the ratchet plate 12 is maintained. When the force is removed, the power transmission pin 25 is moved, being kept fitted into the cam groove 52 in the transmission link member 50, and is shifted from the force transmission cam groove 53 to the release holding cam groove 54, the transmission link member 50 being turned to the releasing position, and the pawl member 40 is brought into the state in which it is energized in the direction for being disengaged from the ratchet plate 12 while the braking state being maintained.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a camera calibrating apparatus for calibrating an optical parameter of a camera mounted on an automotive vehicle, comprising: a first housing position information storing section (115) for storing first housing position information, a second housing position information storing section (116) for storing second housing position information, a first optical position information producing section (117) for producing first optical position information, a first optical position information storing section (118) for storing the first optical position information, a second optical position information producing section (120) for producing second optical position information, a second optical position information storing section (130) for storing the second optical position information, and a calibrating section (160) for calibrating the second optical position information stored in the second optical position information storing section (130) on the basis of image information obtained by a camera

Abstract: A parking brake device which can not only better the safety, but also reduce the cost by simplifying the construction. A shock absorbing portion 35, 36 which resists an operating force in pulling a brake lever 30 toward the compartment and which is deformed by an impact force in the direction which is approximately opposite to the direction of pulling the brake lever 30 toward the compartment, absorbing the impact force is provided.

Abstract: A multi-functional on-vehicle camera system comprises a plurality of cameras mounted on a vehicle and monitors each displaying a camera image. An image processing section is provided for processing images taken by the plurality of cameras. A system control means is provided for selecting a camera image to be processed from a plurality of images obtained from the plurality of cameras based on signals representing vehicle conditions, and for designating a type of image processing performed in the image processing section. The image for assisting the safety driving is displayed at an appropriate timing according to driving conditions in such a manner that the driver can easily grasp the circumferential conditions from the displayed image.

Abstract: A parking brake device which can not only better the safety, but also reduce the cost by simplifying the construction. A shock absorbing portion 35, 36 which resists an operating force in pulling a brake lever 30 toward the compartment and which is deformed by an impact force in the direction which is approximately opposite to the direction of pulling the brake lever 30 toward the compartment, absorbing the impact force is provided.

Abstract: When an image shot by a rear-view camera mounted on a vehicle (1a) is changed into an image viewed from the location of a virtual viewpoint, and the obtained image is displayed on a screen, warning lines (51) and (52), for conveying a warning to a driver of the presence of an object within range of the rear of a vehicle, are displayed by being superimposed on the image obtained by the viewpoint conversion. Thus, when an image obtained by the viewpoint conversion of an image shot by a rear-view camera is displayed on a screen, a driver can be apprised not only of the presence of an obstacle within range of a local vehicle but also of the erroneous image interpretation provided by the image obtained by the viewpoint conversion.

Abstract: An image display method for a rearview camera for displaying an image shot by a rearview camera mounted on a vehicle on a screen that can be viewed from a driver's seat, the method includes the step of displaying an auxiliary line image indicating the straight rear direction of the vehicle superimposed on the image shot by the vehicle on the screen. When the vehicle has approached the trailer within a predetermined range, an image from the rearview camera is converted to an image from a virtual overhead viewpoint then displayed on the screen. The driver easily back the vehicle to bring the hitch in the blind spot at the rear of the vehicle to coincide with a coupling member on the trailer while watching the screen display.

Abstract: A parking brake device includes a base member and at least one cable connected to a braking system at one end. The other end of the cable is connected to a connecting member. The connecting member is slidably supported by the base member. A brake lever is rotatably attached to the base member so as to be erectable around a position in the vicinity of an extension extending in the sliding direction of the connecting member. A junction member is rotatably connected to the connecting member at one end. The other end of the connecting member is connected to at least one moving member to which the junction member is rotatably attached. The moving member is moveably attached to the brake lever. An adjustment mechanism is provided outside the brake lever. The adjusting mechanism adjusts the tension of the cable through the junction member and the connecting member by changing the position of the moving member.

Abstract: A cane type emergency brake of an automobile having a handle which can turn freely over 180 degrees, and which is of durable function. The cane type emergency brake includes a stem (10) which can be held in a state of pulling a brake cable, a handle (20) combined free-rotatably to the stem (10), a return mechanism (30) for returning the handle (20) to an initial position, and a free turn stopper (40) for disabling the free turning of the handle (20). The return mechanism (30) includes a cam plate (31) and a cam (33). The cam plate (31) is pressed to the periphery of the cam (33). The cam (33) is formed monolithically on the enlarged top (15) of the stem (10) and slides the cam plate (31) against the force that presses the cam plate (31) to the periphery of the cam (33). When the handle (20) is in the initial position, the contact position where the cam (33) and the cam plate (31) are contacted with each other is shifted from the center line of the stem (10) to the direction of the force.

Abstract: A belt conveyor having two rollers supported at opposite ends of a support frame and a belt stretched between the rollers, in which a cylinder having an operating rod reciprocatable in a moving direction of the belt is mounted on the support frame; a drum including a one way clutch mechanism therein and having a sprocket wheel fixed therearound is fitted around a transmission shaft integral with one of the rollers; a chain is wound around the sprocket wheel mounted around the drum including the one way clutch mechanism therein; and the chain is connected to the operating rod of the cylinder.When the operating rod of the cylinder reciprocates, the chain is reciprocated by the operating rod. This reciprocatingly rotates the sprocket wheel mounted on the drum in which the one way clutch mechanism is installed. The rotation in a predetermined direction is transmitted, through the one way clutch mechanism, to the transmission shaft of the roller around which the belt is wound.

Abstract: A foot-operated parking brake lever assembly wherein a double-manual operation is required to effect release of the parking brake. The assembly is provided with a pawl having a first pawl section and a second pawl section. The first pawl section is pivotally mounted on a brake lever which is in turn pivotally mounted on a stationary support formed with a series of ratchet teeth. The first pawl section is formed with a finger for selectively engaging the ratchet teeth and thereby retaining the brake lever in brake setting positions thereof. The second pawl section is mounted on the first pawl section for limited rotational movement therewith.