Abstract: An automatic transmission comprising: a first planetary gearset of a double pinion; a second planetary gearset of a single pinion; a third planetary gearset of the single pinion, first sun gear and second sun gear being at all times linked together to constitute a first rotary member and second ring gear and third sun gear being at all times linked together to constitute a second rotary member; an input shaft; an output shaft; a first frictional element; a second frictional element; a third frictional element; a fourth frictional element; a fifth frictional element; a sixth frictional element, the six frictional elements being appropriately released or engaged to make a gear shift to a gear shift stage of at least eight forward speeds and, from among the six frictional elements, a combination of simultaneous engagements of three frictional elements achieving at least eight forward speed and one reverse speed.

Abstract: An automatic transmission including three single pinion planetary gearsets and six friction elements, in which an input shaft is always connected to a first sun gear of a first planetary gearset, the output shaft is always connected to a second ring gear of a second planetary gearset, a third sun gear of a third planetary gearset is always kept in a fixed state relative to a transmission case of the automatic transmission, a first ring gear of the first planetary gearset and a third pinion carrier of the third planetary gearset are always connected to each other and constitute a first rotary member, and at least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are respectively established by simultaneous engagements of three friction elements selected from the six friction elements.

Abstract: An automatic transmission includes first to third single-pinion planetary gearsets. The second ring gear and third sun gear are coupled to the first carrier and first ring gear respectively to constitute first and second rotor units. Input and output shafts are coupled to the second sun gear and third ring gear respectively. A first clutch selectively holds the first sun gear to the third carrier. A first brake selectively holds the first sun gear stationary. A second clutch selectively holds the second sun gear to the third carrier. A third clutch selectively holds the second carrier to the second rotor unit. A fourth clutch selectively holds the second carrier to the third carrier. A second brake selectively holds the first rotor unit stationary. At least eight gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio are obtained by simultaneous application of three of the clutches and brakes.

Abstract: A screw type material feeding apparatus in which a screw rotary driving axis with a spiral material supply blade is rotatably contained in a material feeding tube. The apparatus comprises a material divider with plural vanes provided at the distal end of the rotary driving axis, the plural vanes radially project from the screw rotary driving axis.

Abstract: A transport device includes a transport path which connects an inlet and an outlet and is formed between a first curved surface which is convex in a first direction, and a second curved surface which faces the first curved surface via a gap, and along which a sheet-like medium is transported, a protruding portion which is arranged on the first curved surface and protrudes from the first curved surface, and a first roller which is arranged on the second curved surface, and at least a portion of which protrudes from the second curved surface. The protruding portion is arranged in a position where the sheet-like medium which has entered the transport path through the inlet contacts the protruding portion prior to the first roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a moving mechanism having a first member supported by a recording section so as to be movable along a first axis, and capable of moving the recording section in one direction and its opposite direction along a second axis intersecting the first axis according to the movement of the first member in one direction along the first axis relative to the recording section, thereby adjusting a gap between the recording section and a target; a first drive mechanism which moves the recording section supporting the first member along the first axis; and an abutting member which is arranged in a position capable of abutting on the first member by the movement of the recording section, and moves the first member in one direction relative to the recording section by the abutment on the first member.

Abstract: A gap adjusting device includes a moving mechanism having a first member supported by a first object so as to be movable along a first axis, and capable of moving the first object in one direction and its opposite direction along a second axis intersecting the first axis according to the movement of the first member in one direction along the first axis relative to the first object, thereby adjusting a gap between the first object and a second object.

Abstract: A continuous quantitative discharging device comprising a material reserving chamber for storing material continuously supplied from a material supply means; a material storage tank having at a top a material inlet separated from said material reserving chamber for storing material fallen from said material reserving chamber and having at a lower part a discharge means capable of continuously and quantitatively discharging the stored material therefrom; a load cell type mass weighing part having a carrying arm secured to only said material storage tank in said material storage tank and supporting said carrying arm by a load cell provided on a support frame separated from said material storage tank in a non-contact state; and a controller for monitoring the weighed value of said load cell and controlling the discharge of material from said discharge means and/or the supply of material into said material storage tank.

Abstract: A weight measuring apparatus housing therein a load cell for measuring the weight of material stored in a material storage tank in which the tank has a material feeding opening. The tank includes a shoulder frame fixed to only the tank and a support arm penetrating through the tank so as not to contact the tank and firmly supported at its both ends at the outward of the tank, and a load cell provided so as to be directly supported between the shoulder frame and the support arm.

Abstract: A continuous quantitative discharging device comprising a material reserving chamber for storing material continuously supplied from a material supply means; a material storage tank having at a top a material inlet separated from said material reserving chamber for storing material fallen from said material reserving chamber and having at a lower part a discharge means capable of continuously and quantitatively discharging the stored material therefrom; a load cell type mass weighing part having a carrying arm secured to only said material storage tank in said material storage tank and supporting said carrying arm by a load cell provided on a support frame separated from said material storage tank in a non-contact state; and a controller for monitoring the weighed value of said load cell and controlling the discharge of material from said discharge means and/or the supply of material into said material storage tank.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for powdered or granular material comprising a hopper body with an electric heater in its center, housing therein a heat conducting fin formed with plural compartment walls radially projected therefrom and a carrier gas communication path provided in the conducting fin, which has an upper introduction port and a lower exhaust port, both connected with a penetrating up and down path provided in the center of the heat conducting fin. The apparatus is constructed such that carrier gas externally introduced is fed into the hopper body. According to the apparatus, powdered or granular material is uniformly heated and dried and heating source for carrier gas is not necessary, thereby achieving improvement in energy efficiency and energy saving.

Abstract: A weight measuring apparatus housing therein a load cell for measuring the weight of material stored in a material storage tank in which the tank has a material feeding opening. The tank comprises a shoulder flame fixed to only the tank and a support arm penetrating through the tank so as not to contact with the tank and firmly supported its both ends at the outward of the tank, and a load cell provided so as to directly support the shoulder flame between the shoulder flame and the support arm.

Abstract: A screw type material feeding apparatus in which a screw rotary driving axis with a spiral material supply blade is rotatably contained in a material feeding tube. The apparatus comprises a material divider with plural vanes provided at the distal end of said rotary driving axis, the plural vanes radially project from said screw rotary driving axis.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for powdered or granular material comprising a hopper body with an electric heater in its center, housing therein a heat conducting fin formed with plural compartment walls radially projected therefrom and a carrier gas communication path provided in the conducting fin, which has an upper introduction port and a lower exhaust port, both connected with a penetrating up and down path provided in the center of the heat conducting fin. The apparatus is constructed such that carrier gas externally introduced is fed into the hopper body. According to the apparatus, powdered or granular material is uniformly heated and dried and heating source for carrier gas is not necessary, thereby achieving improvement in energy efficiency and energy saving.

Abstract: The ink jet printer is provided which eliminates play between a carriage supporting an ink jet head and a guide shaft, allows the ink jet head to be releasably attached to the carriage, and provides reliable electrical connection between the ink jet head and the carriage with a reduced number of parts. An embodiment of the ink jet printer of the invention includes a guide shaft extending in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which paper is forwarded. A carriage is slidably mounted on the shaft, moving in reciprocal directions while being guided by the guide shaft. An ink jet head, releasably attached to the carriage, prints ink dots on the paper for forming a printed image by jetting ink out of nozzles. A first electrically connecting portion is arranged on the carriage. A second electrically connecting portion is arranged on the ink jet head so as to come in pressure contact with the first electrically connecting portion.

Abstract: In an ink jet printer, a recording unit in which an ink cartridge is detachably mounted has a cartridge removal preventing member so that the ink cartridge is prevented from being carelessly removed therefrom, and a moving mechanism is provided which, when the recording unit is mounted on the carriage, moves a first electrical connecting section towards a second electrical connecting section so that the first and second electrical connecting section are connected to each other with the aid of an energizing member under pressure, and, when the recording head is removed from the carriage, moves the first electrical connecting section away from the second electrical connecting section against the elastic force of the energizing member, whereby the recording head is detachably mounted on the carriage, and the former is positively electrically connected to the latter.

Abstract: A printer is provided having a guide shaft positioned substantially parallel with a printing surface. A print head of the printer is supported by the guide shaft, which is in turn supported by at least a first frame. The first frame is formed with an interior wall forming a through hole in the frame. A bearing member is fitted within the through hole. Upon rotation of the bearing member, the guide shaft is moved in a direction orthogonal to the printing surface.