Abstract: An interpupillary distance adjusting mechanism for use in a binocular telescope, having a pair of lens-barrels which contain lens optical systems, respectively, and are placed in parallel with each other. The interpupillary distance adjusting mechanism further has first and second guide shafts, which slidably guide the pair of lens-barrels in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the optical axes of the lens optical systems, interpupillary distance adjusting springs for pushing the pair of lens-barrels in a sliding direction, and an interpupillary distance adjusting cam which can adjust an interpupillary distance by sliding the pair of lens-barrels along the guide shafts as the result of undergoing a pushing force from the interpupillary distance adjusting spring, of converting a part of the pushing force in a direction which intersects the sliding direction, and of moving the pair of lens-barrels by pushing the pair of lens-barrels against the first guide.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy sheet combining excellent press formability and spot weldability is disclosed. A chromate film of about 1.0 to 50.0 mg/m.sup.2 expressed in terms of metallic chromium is formed as a first layer on an aluminum alloy sheet, and an organic resin film containing about 60-95% by weight of organic lubricant and having a thickness of 0.02 to 0.90 .mu.m in terms of dry thickness is formed as a second layer on the chromate film. As the organic lubricant, a high-density polyethylene having a mean molecular weight of about 900 to 15,000 and a density of about 0.93 g/ml or more is preferable. This aluminum alloy sheet can be effectively used for automobile body applications.

Abstract: A portable radio communication device has an antenna which can be extended for use and retracted for storage, and can transmit a signal at the same level of electric energy when the antenna is stored as when the antenna is extended. When the antenna is retracted and stored, the stored condition is detected by a detecting switch. In response to a detected signal from the detecting switch, a transmission output controller produces an increased transmission output control signal to increase the level of electric energy of the signal to be transmitted which is higher than a normal level of electric energy of signals transmitted from the antenna. When the increased transmission output control signal is generated, a power amplifier amplifies a signal to be transmitted which is supplied from a transmission signal generator, and supplies the amplified signal to the antenna. Therefore, even when the antenna is stored, it can radiate the signal at the same level of electric energy as when the antenna is extended.

Abstract: A method including preparing an aluminum scrap containing a total of about 0.3 to 2.0 wt % of Fe and Si; melting and then adjusting the material composition so as to attain an Mg content of about 3 to 10 wt % or a composition further containing at least one of the elements Cu, Mn, Cr, Zr and Ti, each in the amount of 0.02 to 0.5 wt %; subjecting the material to casting, hot rolling, cold rolling and continuous annealing to obtain an aluminum alloy sheet having a tensile strength of about 31 kgf/mm.sup.2 or more; and applying a lubricant surface coating to impart a coefficient of friction of not more than about 0.11.

Abstract: A variable transmission power type transmitter comprises a transmission amplifier, a detecting circuit for detection of a transmission wave signal from the transmission amplifier, an automatic power control circuit for automatic control of the transmission power of the transmitter amplifier depending on the difference between a set value and a detected output of the detecting circuit, a set point providing circuit for generating set values and for selecting one of the set values to be supplied to the automatic power control circuit, and a transmission interruption detecting circuit for detecting existence or absence of the transmission wave signal by comparing the detected output of the detecting circuit with a reference value. The reference value is automatically generated from one of the set values in the set point providing circuit. Therefore, a variable resistor for adjusting the reference value and a adjustment process of the reference value are not required.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a resin coating on the surface of an article having a three-dimensional structure, comprising: (i) a compartment (a) in which the surface of the article is coated with a resin solution, (ii) a compartment (b) in which said resin solution coated on said article is cured; and (iii) means for successively transporting said article through said compartments; wherein said compartment (b) is substantially shut off from the outside air and has an entrance and an exit for said article transport means, said entrance and said exit being provided with respect guide members having substantially the same cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: A speech detection circuit includes an amplifier for amplifying an input audio signal and having a variable gain, a rectifying circuit for rectifying an output signal of the amplifier, a comparator for comparing an output signal level of the rectifying circuit with a reference level, and a control circuit for outputting a control signal based on an output signal of the comparator. The control circuit outputs a control signal which indicates a power save mode after a predetermined time elapses from a time when the output signal level of the rectifying circuit becomes less than or equal to the reference level, and outputs a control signal which indicates a normal mode immediately when the output signal level of the rectifying circuit becomes greater than the reference level. The amplifier receives the control signal output from the control circuit and reduces its gain when the control signal indicates the power save mode.

Abstract: The invention provides an aluminum alloy sheet having improved formability, an elongation of at least 30%, a sliding frictional resistance of up to 0.13 and minimized surface pressure dependency of sliding frictional resistance, comprising an aluminum alloy substrate containing at least 4 wt % of Mg and a Fe rich plating layer on a surface thereof in a coating weight of 1 to 50 g/m.sup.2. Also provided is a bake hardenable, surface treated aluminum alloy sheet having improved formability, an elongation of at least 25%, a sliding frictional resistance of up to 0.13 and minimized surface pressure dependency of sliding frictional resistance, comprising a bake hardenable aluminum alloy substrate containing Mg and Si in an amount of at least 0.4 wt % calculated as Mg.sub.2 Si and a Fe rich plating layer on a surface thereof in coating weight of 1 to 50 g/m.sup.2. By forming a zincate layer as an undercoat below the Fe rich plating layer, the plating adhesion is further improved.

Abstract: An on-vehicle adaptor for a portable telephone which mounts a portable telephone so that the portable telephone is never disengaged unless a force larger than a certain level is applied thereto. The adaptor includes a case having a recess for receiving a swelled bottom of a large-capacity battery pack mounted to the portable telephone. The case has a pair of guides for guiding both sides of the portable telephone, a first projection adapted for engagement with a retaining slot formed in the portable telephone, and a second projection adapted for engagement with a retaining slot formed in the battery pack. The adaptor also includes a pair of ratchets adapted to enter and leave openings formed in the guides of the case, the ratchets each having a tapered portion whose thickness in the vertical direction is smaller at a front end thereof. Urging means are provided for urging the paired ratchets toward each other.

Abstract: An automatic guided vehicle has a detector for detecting a distance between the vehicle and an object and then outputting a distance signal, and a controller for controlling the speed of the vehicle according to the distance signal and for operating in one of a succeeding vehicle mode under which the distance between the vehicle and a preceding automatic guided vehicle is small and a preceding vehicle mode under which the distance maintained therebetween will be larger. A travel control method for controlling a travel of the automatic guided vehicle includes the steps of: dividing an entire travel path into sections, and operating the vehicle in one of the modes in each section. The succeeding vehicle mode allows the vehicle to travel in a group with a small distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle, and the preceding vehicle mode allows a group of the vehicles to be disorganized and the vehicles to travel at a predetermined speed so that the distance therebetween is larger.

Abstract: A battery pack charger capable of charging plural types of battery packs of different sizes. In a casing in which the battery packs are slid for mounting, there are housed a printed-circuit board and a fixing member removably fixed on the printed-circuit board for retaining the forward end section of the battery pack cooperatively with the casing. Further, in the casing are also installed current supply terminals for supplying the charging current to the battery pack. Further, in the casing are integrally formed a pair of guides for guiding the right and left sides of the battery pack and a head for holding from above the forward end section of the battery pack. The battery pack, when mounted, is secured only at the forward end section, and is exposed outside in a large portion, and therefore it is possible to charge plural types of battery packs of different sizes.

Abstract: A clean air room for a semiconductor factory includes a plurality of clean air boxes placed in side-by-side relation and each designed for its own processing step, an air conditioning equipment including a fresh-air regulator for controlling a supply of fresh-air to the clean air boxes, and fan filter units for supplying the air under pressure, the clean air boxes having clean air chambers of which environment is maintained to a predetermined degree of cleanliness in response to the fan filter units and defining an air circulating path extending through the clean air chambers, the clean air chambers including low clean air chambers and an ultra clean air chamber divided by common side walls of the clean air boxes, the low clean air chambers having operating zones and the ultra clean air chamber having a transfer robot therein, and semiconductor processors extending through the common side walls and having processing stations, the processing stations being located at least within the ultra clean air chamber.

Abstract: A resin composition for a composite-type vibration-damping material which comprises a saturated copolyester having a weight average molecular weight of at least 10,000 and a softening point of 50.degree. to 150.degree. C. and a polyfunctional isocyanate compound as a cross-linking agent and which, when cross-linked, has a degree of gelation (degree of cross-linking) of at least 10% and a composite-type vibration-damping material produced by use of the resin composition, have excellent adhesive strength and formability.When the resin composition is admixed with a conductive substance, a vibration-damping material produced by use of the admixture has excellent spot-weldability in addition to the above-mentioned excellent properties.

Abstract: A silicon nitride sintered body comprised of 1.5 to 3.0% by weight of Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0.1 to 1.0% by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 96 to 98.4% by weight of Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 wherein the Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 weight ratio is at least 2.5, and having a density of at least 3.0 g/cm.sup.3, exhibits a high oxidation resistance and a high strength at a high temperature. This silicon nitride sintered body is prepared by sintering a powdery mixture consisting essentially of 1.5 to 3.0% by weight of Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 powder, 0.1 to 1.0% by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 powder, and 96 to 98.4% by weight of Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 powder, the Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 weight ratio being at least 2.5, the oxygen content in the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 powder being less than 2.0% by weight and the total metallic impurity content in the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 being less than 200 ppm, at a temperature of 1,850.degree. to 2,000.degree. C. in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: A carriage conveying apparatus has a loaded carriage to be conveyed, and a driving vehicle for coupling, towing and conveying the carriage from below the carriage. Since the vertical load of the carriage is transmitted to the driving vehicle, controlled to a proper magnitude, the driving vehicle may be reduced in size and weight, and it is also possible to have stable travel if the carriage is empty. By designing all three wheels so as to be driven and steered, sideways and spin-turn motions are realized. By providing recognition marks and detecting means, it is possible to position the driving vehicle accurately if the setting position of the carriage deviates.

Abstract: In a trouble analysis apparatus, a cause of an accident which is empirically and statistically obtained, and a plurality of effects corresponding to the cause are entered in advance at a keyboard and stored as a data base in a magnetic disk unit. In this case, a sum of basic probabilities of the plurality of effects for the cause is set to be 1. A pre-processor calculates as upper (or lower) probability of a subset of the result by using the Dempster & Shafer probability theory. The pre-processor uses the upper or lower probability to create Fuzzy membership functions, and also creates a hypothetical proposition for corresponding the Fuzzy membership function and the cause. An inference engine matches accident phenomena with the effects when an accident occurs and infers the cause by a modified Fuzzy inference method using the hypothetical proposition.

Abstract: An automatic guided vehicle having three wheels consisting a front wheel and a pair of rear wheels and being capable of travelling along a track formed on a floor by a white line or aluminum foil while detecting the track by means of an optical type track sensor. The front wheel of this vehicle can be turned relative to a main body of the vehicle in response to a steering operation and can be locked in the lateral direction. The position of the pair of rear wheels can be symmetrically changed from a paralleled state to an orthogonal state relative to the center line of the main body to be maintained in these states, thereby enabling the main body to turn or laterally travel with radii of gyration determined in accordance with turning angles of the rear wheels relative to the main body on the basis of the relative turning and driving operations of the front and rear wheels.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration damping composite laminate of the type comprising a viscoelastic polymer composition layer interposed between two layers of metal, which is high in the damping effectiveness and can readily be spot-welded to metal structures. Essentially the polymer composition is a blend of a polyvinyl acetal resin and particulate carbon which amounts to 10-80 wt % of the composition, on condition that the ratio of the mean particle size of the particulate carbon to the thickness of the polymer composition layer is from 0.5 to 1.7. Optionally the polymer composition may further comprise a polyolefine resin and/or a plasticizer.

Abstract: A high strength metal working tool such as cutting tools and dies made of a zirconia-base sintered material comprising 50 to 98 weight percent of zirconia (ZrO.sub.2) containing 1.5 to 5 mol percent of yttira (Y.sub.2 O.sub.3) and 50 to 2 weight percent of alumina (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) and/or spinel (MgAl.sub.2 O.sub.4) and having a three point bending strength of not less than 1700 MPa.

Abstract: A lightweight composite material consisting of two metal sheets and an intermediate layer consisting of a mixture of resin and graphite and held between the metal sheets. The intermediate layer has a specifically limited thickness and a specifically limited graphite content, and the graphite has a specifically limited particle size distribution. The composite material is excellent in the spot weldability, bending rigidity, vibration-damping property and heat insulating property, and can be expected to be widely used as a material for automobile and further materials for industrial machine and architecture.