Abstract: A connector comprises a pair of mutually engageable male and female connector housings (10,11) and a housing retaining member (40) retained in one of the connector housings (10). The retaining member (40) is movable between a temporary fitted position whereupon the connector housings (10,11) can be slid together in a fitting direction, and a fully fitted position which locks the connector housings (10,11) together. The retaining member (40) is provided with resilient locking arms (46) extending laterally from opposing sides thereof. The locking arms (46) are received in corresponding recesses of the connector housing (10) when the retaining member (40) is in the temporary fitted position. As the connector housings (10,11) are slid together, abutment surfaces (19, 19A) of the other of the connector housings (11) urge the locking arms (46) from the recesses (26). The retaining member (40) can then be moved to the fully fitted position.

Abstract: A stabilizer for holding a circuit card in an electrical port is provided. The stabilizer includes a frame. A lever having a pivotal mounting with respect to the frame is included. The lever has a portion for making contact with an edge of the circuit card to urge the circuit card towards the electrical port. The stabilizer has a fulcrum to set an angle of inclination of the lever with respect to the frame. The fulcrum contacts the lever between the lever's pivotal mounting and the circuit card.

Abstract: A quick disconnect cable connector device includes an elongated body made of a rigid molded material and having opposite first and second ends, and a strain relief structure integrally connected to the first end of the body and made of the same molded material. The body can have a conical-shaped configuration tapering from the second to the first end. The body defines an interior chamber extending between and open at the first and second ends and receiving an end of a cable therethrough from the first to the second end such that the body provides an overmold encasing the end of the cable and supporting at the second end of the body a contact termination on the end of the cable. The strain relief structure includes a framework having an annular shape and forming a passage extending along a longitudinal axis of the framework and aligned with the first end of the body. The framework surrounds and receives through its passage a portion of the cable extending from the first end of the body.

Abstract: An adjustable cable egress mechanism for cable connectors. The mechanism includes a protective hood, and a hub mounted inside the hood for rotation about a hub axis. The hub has a cable passage, and the hood has an outside wall with an elongated cable egress slot. The egress slot opens into the cable passage in the hub over a predetermined range of angular positions of the hub. Thus, a cable whose conductors terminate in an associated connector can be routed through the egress slot in the hood and the cable passage in the hub, and the cable rotated with the hub to a desired egress angle within the predetermined range. In the illustrated embodiment, the finger hub is engaged by latch formed on part of the hood to hold the cable at the desired egress angle.

Abstract: An electrical switch connector assembly, for mating with an electrical switch, comprises a housing having a plurality of electrical contact members disposed therein, wherein each one of the contact members have insulation-piercing members formed upon first end portions thereof for engaging electrical wires, and leaf-spring members formed upon second end portions thereof for engaging prong contact members of the electrical switch. A cover member is snap-engagingly mounted upon the housing so as to cooperate with the housing in retaining the electrical wires mounted therein, and a strain relief member is also snap-engagingly mounted upon the housing so as to co-operate with the cover member in providing strain-relief characteristics to the electrical wires.

Abstract: A connector of electromagnetically insulative material includes a shaft section on a drive shaft end and a matching probe section on an eddy current probe mating to the shaft section with face to face contact surfaces to prevent electromagnetic fields from propagating along the surfaces. The connector includes upper and lower portions with power line connecting pins and matching sockets in the upper portions of the sections and communication line connecting pins and matching sockets in the lower portions of the sections. The pins and sockets are fitted within electrically nonconductive inserts within probe and shaft section bores, the inserts having magnetic permeabilities less than those of the probe and shaft sections.

Abstract: An electrical connector interconnecting a microphone to another conductive member includes an insulating body. The insulating body defines an internal receptacle having a shape for receipt of a microphone therein. An outer surface of the body is configured for disposition adjacent an conductive member, for example a circuit board, to which the microphone is to be electrically connected. A pair of connector elements are configured with the body. Each connector elements includes a first contact foot extending beyond the outer surface for electrical contact with the conductive member, and a second contact foot extending into the receptacle for electrical contact with the microphone. The receptacle generally encases at least a portion of the microphone for maintaining proper relative position between the microphone and insulating body to ensure electrical contact between the connector, microphone, and the conductive member.

Abstract: A waterproof, sealed splice connector includes a top cover connected to a lower section, providing a hollow interior for insertion of severed portions of an electrical cord therein. The severed portions are clamped within the splice connector and are connected to an electrically conductive connection, such as a terminal block. The splice connector may include sealed entry holes for the severed cord wire sections, to keep the splice connector waterproofed and safe.

Abstract: An electric connector (3) connectable, in a longitudinal assembly direction (A), to a complementary connector (2), and having an insulating casing (14) defining a number of longitudinal cavities (16) for housing respective electric terminals (17), and main retaining means (25) for retaining the terminals (17) in a correct insertion position inside the cavities (16) and having, for each terminal, a retaining seat (71) formed in the terminal (17), and an elastic lance (72) associated with the respective cavity (16) and which clicks onto the retaining seat (71); the connector (3) also has, for each terminal (17), a stop member (75) carried by the respective elastic lance (72) and movable, by virtue of the position assumed by the terminal (17) inside the respective cavity (16), between a disabling position disabling connection of the connector (3) to the complementary connector (2) and corresponding to a position in which the elastic lance (72) does not engage the retaining seat (71) and the stop member (75) inte

Abstract: A shielded electrical connector includes a housing formed as a generally rectangular unitary hollow block made of an insulator material, and a shielding member made from a punched conductive metal blank is mounted on the housing to provide protection against electromagnetic interference. Conductive latches for engaging a shield of a mating connector extend along and are supported by side wall portions of the shield.

Abstract: A header for interconnecting electrical components comprises at least one column of conductors interposed between ground planes, wherein the column of conductors comprises at least a first, second and third conductor. The first conductor is a ground line, the second and third conductors are signal lines, and the first conductor is electrically connected to one of the ground planes, wherein the second conductor is positioned in the column in interposed relation between said first and third conductor.

Abstract: An electrical outlet assembly installable in a wall of a building for use in connecting an electrical appliance to a source of electrical power. The electrical outlet assembly includes an electrical outlet and a housing for releasably receiving the electrical outlet. The electrical outlet has at least one outlet socket for receiving an electrical connector of the appliance, an outlet connector, and means for electrically connecting the outlet socket to the outlet connector. The housing has a power terminal, the power terminal having a housing socket for releasably receiving the outlet connector, and means for electrically connecting the housing socket to a power source. The housing also has an opening sized to receive the electrical outlet therethrough and for communicating with an exterior of the wall when the housing is mounted inset in the wall.

Abstract: An audio jack includes a casing member defining an interior space having an opening. A cover is fixed to the casing member to seal the opening. Two sets of conductive terminal members are fixed in the interior space. Each set has a stationary member and a movable member that engages with the stationary member and is selectively disengageable therefrom. A plug receptacle is formed on the casing member for reception of a plug. A passage is defined inside the casing member for guiding the insertion of the plug. The insertion of the plug into the interior space establishes physical/electrical engagement with the movable members and forces the movable members to disengage from the stationary members. The cover has a barb engaging an opening defined in the casing and two resilient legs having barbed ends engaging shoulders formed on the casing thereby securely fixing the cover to the casing member. A positioning pin is provided on the cover to be forcibly fit into a hole defined in the casing member.

Abstract: A connecting sleeve spring is resiliently mounted in a connecting sleeve of an electrical connecting jack. The connecting sleeve spring has a arcuate sinusoid-like side profile, with its two ends curving in a direction opposite the curve of a center contact portion. The center portion has an inwardly angled tongue. When a plug having a collar is inserted into the electrical connecting jack, the collar comes in contact with the tongue and pushes the central contact portion inward, thus forcing the two ends of the connecting sleeve spring to move outward. The two ends press against the inner periphery of the collar. In this way, the collar makes contact with the connecting sleeve spring at three points; the two ends and the center contact portion. This three point contact arrangement firmly holds and electrically connects the plug to the jack even if there is a gap between the collar and sleeve. The electrical connecting jack also includes a housing with a plurality of contact spring openings.

Abstract: A lower profile electrical connector assembly for electrical connection with a mating plug connector includes a conductive shell, an insulative housing, and a contact spacer molded with a plurality of contacts. The housing of the electrical connector assembly is equipped with the contact spacer thereby pre-loading the contacts for lowering the insertion force of a mating connector acted on the contacts. Also, a slant formed inside the receiving spacer of the housing is capable to angularly bias the insertion of the mating electrical connector into the housing on stages to avoid the direct impact of the mating connector on the contacts for lowering the insertion force more.

Abstract: A terminal board assembly for an electric motor is described. The terminal board assembly is configured to mount inside an electric motor terminal or conduit box and includes a terminal board and a mounting bracket. The terminal board includes six terminal studs and three connecting bars extending between the terminal studs. Quick connect spade type connectors are coupled to the six terminal studs adjacent the bottom of the terminal board to facilitate quick and easy connection of the wire connection leads of an electric motor. The terminal studs and connecting bars permit a choice of “Y” or “Delta” voltage connections to the electric motor. The terminal board also includes a first and a second slot positioned at, and parallel to, opposing ends of the board. The mounting bracket includes a base portion and first and second side portions depending from opposing ends of the base portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting an object to a device. The apparatus and method employ a device having a receptacle and a collet having jaws receivable in the receptacle such that the receptacle bears upon the jaws to close the jaws to grip an object disposed therein when the jaws are received in the receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plastic housing structure of a board-to-board connector comprising a base seat and a top cap, wherein the base having a central protruded rib portion with a plurality of slots along the two lateral sides of the rib portion, a through hole being formed at the bottom portion of the slot and the external side of the slot being corresponding to a plurality of notches having a sloping guiding surface at the inner surface thereof, at the two ends of the rib portion, an engaging surface being provided for engagement with a top cap, and the top surface of the engaging surface being provided with a blocking block and a protrusion; and the top cap is provided with an engaging portion at the side thereof, and the bottom portion is provided with a plurality of protruded blocks having a wavelike surface at the inner side thereof, thereby, the base seat and the top cap are combined, and the protruded blocks are inserted into the notches.

Abstract: The present invention is an ignition control system controlling ignition firing timing of an ignition element associated with an engine having an output shaft powering a water propulsion device, an intake system including a throttle valve, and a sensor providing an output signal corresponding to each revolution of the output shaft. The ignition control system calculates a base ignition firing timing from a time between successive previous output signals, determines if a condition of engine acceleration or deceleration exists from a rate of change in the throttle valve position and modifies the basic ignition firing timing based on a condition of engine acceleration or deceleration.

Abstract: A tilt-trim subsystem and method for a boat propulsion system is provided. A stern bracket is mounted on a transom of the boat. A swivel bracket is pivotally supported relative to the stern bracket for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. The subsystem includes a tilt and trim assembly having at least one cam pivotally supported by the stern bracket. The cam is configured to impart a relatively slow rate of rotation to the swivel bracket, at least when there is driving contact between the cam and the swivel bracket within a predetermined angular range for trimming, as compared to a rate of rotation within a predetermined angular range for tilting.

Abstract: A marine propulsion assembly comprises a drive shaft, a first propeller fixed to the drive shaft and turnable therewith in a first direction, an annular array of gear teeth disposed on the first propeller and turnable therewith, a second propeller aligned with the first propeller, and an annular array of gear teeth disposed on the second propeller. Bevel gears are disposed between the first and second propellers and engaged with the first and second annular arrays of gear teeth. The bevel gears transmit rotation of the first propeller to the second propeller, such that the second propeller turns in an opposite direction relative to the first propeller.

Abstract: A personal watercraft having an exhaust system silencing arrangement that incorporates a silencing control valve at the discharge end of the exhaust system. The silencing control valve is maintained in a closed flow restricting and silencing position when operating under low speeds and before beginning planing so as to provide exhaust silencing. However, when accelerating to a planing condition, the control valve is opened so as to permit the attainment of desired power. This is done at a time when the silencing is not as important.

Abstract: An inflatable towable vehicle including a tapered hull. The hull is formed of a plurality of concentrically disposed inflatable rings with chambers which have progressively increasing diameters from the outermost ring to the innermost ring. Interior connecting webs form shared walls for the adjacent chambers, and openings in the webs allow fluid communication between the chambers so that a single inflation valve can be used to simultaneously inflate all of the chambers. When inflated, the centers of the chambers are horizontally aligned to yield a hull profile that is tapered from both the top and the bottom. The passenger cockpit is defined by the open area in from the innermost ring, and a floor including an inflatable section and a drain opening. The tapered hull acts to minimize resistance to the water or snow over which the vehicle is being towed, and results in an aesthetically appealing vehicle profile.

Abstract: An avalanche life saving system has at least one inflatable buoyancy body of balloon design secured close to a user's body, a filling unit, a compressed gas unit with a compressed gas container and a release mechanism capable of actuation without a tool and attached to said compressed gas unit via a quick coupling and a release tubing. Compressed gas is transmitted to the buoyancy body via the filling unit upon actuation of the release mechanism. Actuation of the release mechanism produces a controlled pressure wave, which starts the flow of compressed gas from the compressed gas container to the filling unit.

Abstract: An expandable safety flag stowed in a pouch attached to a flotation vest. The pouch includes an opening leading to an interior of the pouch. When not in use, the safety flag is stowed within the interior of pouch. When desired, the safety flag is removed from the pouch and expanded to a larger size. The user can then wave the flag to attract the attention of others.

Abstract: A device and a method for removing and re-engaging display devices with a conveyor belt system to facilitate tilt testing eliminates much of the manual labor associated with performing a tilt test. The device combines a fixture with a set of cameras to perform a tilt test using a tilt test pattern that is displayed on the screen of the cathode ray tube. The device and method allow an efficient tilt testing to be performed while minimizing the work process and time period for tilt testing, thus enhancing productivity. Furthermore, the time delay normally caused by the manual carrying of the display device by workers is reduced, along with the associated damage to the display devices. As a result, the overall level of quality of the image display devices that are produced can be increased.

Abstract: In order to suppress variation in delivery amounts in dispensing a material for forming electron emitting portions, a substantially homogeneous material is dispensed from a plurality of output portions to each of plural objective portions. This averages amounts of the material dispensed to the respective objective portions even if there is variation in delivery amounts of material from the respective output portions.

Abstract: An automatic support pillar transfer mechanism is provided that enables an enlarged transfer range, reduced produce failure and mass-production. The touch sensors 17a to 7c are arranged on the moving section 12 to measure the plane orientation of the surface of the jig 7. The jig adjusting section 6 is driven based on the measurement results on the plane orientations of surfaces of the jig 7 to adjust the surface of the jig 7 in parallel. With plural support pillars 15 sucked and held at predetermined intervals by the jig 7 adjusted in parallel, the bonding agent coated substrate 14 attached on the moving section 12 is descended to coat the bonding agent 13 onto the one ends of the support pillars 15. The substrate 16 to which the support pillars 15 are transferred is attached to the moving section 12. Variations in plane orientation of surfaces of the substrate 16 are respectively measured by means of the touch sensors 5a to 5c.

Abstract: A photocathode having a gate electrode so that modulation of the resulting electron beam is accomplished independently of the laser beam. The photocathode includes a transparent substrate, a photoemitter, and an electrically separate gate electrode surrounding an emission region of the photoemitter. The electron beam emission from the emission region is modulated by voltages supplied to the gate electrode. In addition, the gate electrode may have multiple segments that are capable of shaping the electron beam in response to voltages supplied individually to each of the multiple segments.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating lamp tiles which include a molded body and a plurality of electrically conductive leads protruding therefrom. The lamp tiles are made by overlaying an anode lead frame having anode leads, on a cathode lead frame having cathode leads, and then depositing molding material on intersected anode and cathode leads. The lamp tiles are manufactured in an assembly line process which includes a feeder to feed the anode and cathode lead frames and a molder to deposit the molding material.

Abstract: A toy band which comprises a bistable spring that can be dynamically deployed from an elongated rigid position to a coiled position around one's wrist, forearm, other part of the body, or any suitably-shaped object through striking the band against that part of the body or object and that also broadcasts a pre-recorded audio message when the band is deployed. The toy band includes an audio broadcast unit removably affixed the bistable spring and includes a housing, a speaker, a battery, an electrical impact switch, and a read-only memory or other memory chip that can store a pre-recorded audio message which is broadcast upon closure of the impact switch. The audio broadcast can be actuated, while affixed to the bistable spring by the striking of the device against any suitably-shaped object, or independently of the spring, by simply removing the unit from the spring and applying pressure to the unit thereby activating the audio messages stored therein.

Abstract: An amusement device that includes a mounting assembly that is selectively attachable to a person's body. A mounting rod is provided that has a first end and a second end. The first end of the mounting rod engages the mounting assembly. As such, the mounting rod extends outwardly from the mounting assembly away from the body of the person wearing the mounting assembly. A plurality of coordination games are provided. Each of the coordination games can be selectively attached to the second end of the mounting rod. Accordingly, each of the coordination games can be selectively suspended from a player's body. The player plays the coordination game by moving his/her body in the area of the mounting assembly. If a player masters the skills needed to play one of the coordination games, the coordination game can be changed to maintain a degree of difficulty and amusement.

Abstract: Tossable ring airfoil projectiles configured to adopt and maintain a flying orientation that generates lift. The tossable ring airfoil projectiles generally include (i) a ring airfoil having a trailing end, an aperture, and a longitudinal symmetry axis running through the aperture, and (ii) a tail associated with the ring airfoil and extending rearward beyond the trailing end. The ring airfoil provides lift that allows the tossable ring airfoil projectile to follow a flying trajectory. The tail stabilizes the projectile during flight and may provide a torque that biases the ring airfoil toward preferred flying orientations. The tail may extend along the longitudinal symmetry axis and may include outwardly extending fins. The tossable ring airfoil projectile further may include a connection configured to associate the tail with the ring airfoil. The connection also may extend along the longitudinal symmetry axis and may include outwardly extending flanges.

Abstract: An assembled building block formed by nineteen unit assemblies and a plurality of round holes for forming various geometrical shapes with corners of angles 60 degrees, 90 degrees and 120 degrees. The unit assemblies are formed by 1 and 3 to 6 small units integrally, there are five combination and nineteen sub-combination in the assembling of each unit assembly. The small unit of the unit assemblies is a polygon, and 9˜83 grooves for receiving the small units are formed on the surface of the building block seat. By the unit assemblies 1˜19 to conform to different building block seats, many different assemblies are formed. Moreover, different shapes, such a plane single layers, or a stacked double layers, or a stacked three layers, or pyramids with three to five layers can be formed with the present invention.

Abstract: A yo-yo incorporates a construction that enables the gap between the yo-yo halves to be adjusted simply and quickly. The halves of the yo-yo are threadably mounted on the ends of the yo-yo axle. The yo-yo halves are biased apart axially to maintain firm frictional contact between the yo-yo halves and the axial. The gap may be adjusted simply by rotating the yo-yo halves with respect to each other. The inwardly facing surfaces of the yo-yo halves also incorporate angular relationships to facilitate yo-yo play.

Abstract: A movable frog toy includes a body, a mouth, a movable tongue, and front and rear legs. A sound generator is provided for simulating audible sounds of a real frog. A drive motor and transmission provide power and movement to the parts of the frog to simulate the realistic movements of a frog. The drive motor may be an electric motor. A plurality of gear groups coupled thereto are selectively driven to impart the realistic motion to the respective parts of the frog.

Abstract: An inanimate figure having soft, resiliently deformable skin defining a body and limbs, at least one of the limbs housing an articulating limb structure comprising at least two substantially rigid limb frame members joined by at least one articulating joint disposed therebetween.

Abstract: An artificial eyeball for a doll includes a base fitted in an eye socket of a doll, an eye globe pivotally connected with the base, and a set of electromagnets provided in the base. The set of electromagnets has a first iron core and a second iron core respectively extending in a corresponding first electric coil and a corresponding second electric coil. The eye globe has first and second magnets secured therein and corresponding to a first iron core and a second iron core. As the first magnet is inclined to the second magnet, when the first and second electric coils respectively and alternately have reversed currents passing therethrough, the eyeball of the doll is able to wink naturally.

Abstract: A right-left separation type brassiere for protecting and shaping right and left breasts separately, comprises: a cup portion 11 for protecting and shaping one of the breasts; band portion 12 being connected to a lower portion of the cup portion 11 and adapted to attach the cup portion by being passed around a chest once; and a shoulder strap 13 being attached at one end thereof to an upper portion of the cup portion and at the other end thereof to the band portion at a back after passed over a shoulder. A supplementary pad for supplementing a swelling of the breast is provided to the cup portion.

Abstract: A silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material comprising a support having provided thereon at least one hydrophilic colloid layer, wherein the silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material contains a coupler represented by the formula (1) shown below and a non-color forming colorless cyclic imide compound having a diffusion-resistant group: wherein R1 and R2 each represents an alkyl group or an aryl group; R3, R4 and R5 each represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an aryl group; Z represents a non-metallic atomic group necessary to form a saturated ring; R6 represents a substituent; X represents a heterocyclic group, a substituted amino group or an aryl group and Y represents a hydrogen atom or a group capable of being released upon color development. The silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material has an excellent color forming property to provide a color image of high maximum color density and good color reproducibility.

Abstract: An eyeglass lens is designed to permit the operator to preset by himself the conditions for bevel formation in AUTO mode so that he can perform efficient lens processing. The eyeglass lens grinding apparatus includes frame data inputting section for entering configuration data on an eyeglass frame, layout data inputting section for entering layout data to be used in providing a layout of an eyeglass lens to be processed which corresponds to the eyeglass frame, edge position detecting section for determining data on the edge position of the processed lens on the basis of the frame configuration data and the layout data. The lens grinding apparatus further includes an arithmetic control circuit, a parameter input section, and a sequence program stored in a main program memory. The sequence program allows a user to input or alter the parameters—even when the lens grinding apparatus operates in an auto-processing mode—used to calculate bevel processing data.

Abstract: An eyeglass lens grinding apparatus is used for processing an eyeglass lens based on processing data obtained from target lens configuration data indicative of an eyeglass frame shape. In the eyeglass lens grinding apparatus, a lens is rotated while being subjected to processing by a grinding wheel group. The grinding wheel group has intermediate and accurate finishing processing wheels respectively formed with a plurality of beveling groove each for forming a bevel on a periphery of a lens. The intermediate and accurate finishing processing wheels are controlled to finish the lens by selectively and consecutively using the beveling grooves.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surface grinding method and apparatus for achieving a thin plate work such as a semiconductor wafer with high flatness, high accuracy and certainty and the apparatus comprises: a surface grinder in which a grinding wheel support member 3 by which a rotary shaft 5 of a grinding wheel 6 is supported is held by a pivotal shaft portion 4 and a grinding wheel shaft inclination control motor 9 which displaces the grinding wheel support member 3 by activating the pivotal shaft portion 4 is provided; a corrective angle storage device 15 which stores a corrective angle of an inclination angle of a rotary shaft 5 of the grinding wheel 6 to a rotary shaft 13 of a wafer 12; and a shaft inclination control apparatus 14 which sends out a signal to control the grinding wheel shaft inclination control motor 9 while reading a corrective angle of the corrective angle storage device 15, wherein a relative inclination angle of the grinding wheel to the thin plate work, in a more concrete manner a

Abstract: An eyeglass lens grinding apparatus for grinding a periphery of a lens. Lens rotating shafts holds and rotates the lens. A lens rotating device rotates the lens rotating shafts. The lens rotating device includes a motor and a transmission member that transmits rotational force of the motor to the lens rotating shafts. An abrasive wheel rotating shaft rotates at least one lens grinding abrasive wheel. An abrasive wheel rotating device rotates the abrasive wheel rotating shaft. The abrasive wheel rotating device includes a motor and a transmission member that transmits rotational force of the motor to the abrasive wheel rotating shaft. A moving device relatively moves the lens rotating shafts with respect to the abrasive wheel rotating shaft to thereby vary an axis-to-axis distance between the each of the lens rotating shafts and the abrasive wheel rotating shaft. The moving device includes a moving motor.

Abstract: A wafer polishing head for planarizing a wafer. The wafer polishing head comprises a carrier, a retaining ring, a first pressure chamber, a second pressure chamber and an automatic control system. The retaining ring is surrounding the carrier. The first pressure chamber having a first inner pressure is disposed above the retaining ring. The second pressure chamber having a second inner pressure is disposed on the carrier. The automatic control system is respectively coupled to the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber.

Abstract: A spindle 23 of a grinding wheel 28 is rotatively borne by a bench 22 for the grinding wheel through hydrostatic thrust bearings 26 and 27. A pressure regulator 38 for regulating the pressure which must be supplied to at least either of supply ports 26a and 27a opposite to each other in the direction of the axial line of the spindle 23 in the hydrostatic thrust bearings 26 and 27 is provided. The pressure regulator 38 has a changing member for changing a passage for choking the fluid and the length of the choking passage.

Abstract: A method of producing a double-sided belt structure from an endless body having a length, a first surface, a second surface, at least one load carrying cord embedded in the body with a lengthwise center and extending along the length of the body between the first and second surfaces of the body, and a thickness between the first and second surfaces of the body.

Abstract: A method for accurately and economically shaping a zirconia workpiece with a relatively inexpensive silicon carbide grinding wheel is provided. The grinding wheel used in the method preferably utilizes 220 mesh silicon carbide particles bound in a low porosity vitreous matrix. The grinding wheel is then rotated at a sufficient speed to implement a grinding operation, and is engaged against the zirconia workpiece at a diametral feed rate of at least 0.04 mm/sec. The method advantageously removes material from the zirconia workpiece at a high rate of speed with minimal wheel wear, and results in accurate cuts and smooth surface finishes, and also eliminates the need for dressing the wheel prior to the grinding operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a microelectronic substrate. In one embodiment, the method can include planarizing the microelectronic substrate with a planarizing liquid and rinsing the substrate with a rinsing liquid having a pH approximately the same as a pH of the planarizing liquid. The rinsing step can be completed while the substrate remains on a polishing pad of the apparatus, or, alternatively, the substrate can be removed to a rinsing chamber for rinsing. In another embodiment, the method can include conditioning the polishing pad by removing polishing pad material from the polishing pad and then cleaning the microelectronic substrate by engaging the substrate with the same polishing pad and moving at least one of the polishing pad and the substrate relative to the other of the polishing pad and the substrate after conditioning the polishing pad.

Abstract: The apparatus for cleaning a substrate comprises cleaning chambers each of which is disposed on a respective side with reference to a clearance therebetween. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of chucks which clamp the substrate to be cleaned and move the substrate between the inside the clearance between the cleaning chambers and the outside thereof, a pair of screws each of which is disposed to be rotatable and close to a respective surface of the substrate when the substrate is introduced into the clearance between the cleaning chambers, liquid supplying nozzles which supply the screws with pure water or mixed liquid including pure water and medicinal liquid, and snow ice supplying nozzles which supply the screws with snow ice having a predetermined granular diameter. The opposite surfaces of the substrate are cleaned by rotating pure water or mixed liquid including pure water and medicinal liquid by means of the screws to press it against the opposite surfaces of the substrate.