Abstract: Wheel assemblies and more particularly, light weight wheel assemblies including mounting brackets for mounting the wheel assemblies to a folding aluminum chair for converting the beach chair into a wheeled tote.

Abstract: A programmable seat back damper assembly for a motor vehicle includes a generally horizontal seat cushion portion and a generally upright back portion operatively connected to the seat cushion portion. The programmable seat back damper assembly includes a recliner for operative connection to the seat back portion and the seat cushion portion. The programmable seat back damper assembly also includes a damper for operative connection to the seat back portion and the seat cushion portion and having a magneto-rheological (MR) fluid therein.

Abstract: Chair structure (1) for a vehicle comprises a backrest (2), a seat (3) which has a front part (31) and a rear part (32), a support (4) which carries the squab (3), and means (10) to fasten the support to a vehicle floor. The chair structure (1) also includes a means (6) that makes the backrest (2) tilt forwardly relatively to the squab (3) in the event of an accident.

Abstract: A cover for a wheelchair seat is made from a cloth having a first ply of wicking material for drawing moisture that contacts the first ply away from an occupant of the wheelchair and a second ply of absorbent material for drawing moisture out of the first ply and dispersing the drawn moisture in the second ply. The first and second plies are permanently secured in laminar relationship to each other, preferably by a hem along their perimeter. The cloth is detachably mounted on the wheelchair seat, preferably either by an elastic band positioned within the hem, the band having a length in its unstretched state which is less than the length of the hem, or by a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners fixed in spaced apart relationship to the cloth and extending outwardly from the hem to a plurality of mating hook-and-loop fasteners fixed to the cloth proximate the hem. The elastic band mount is specially preferred for use with removable wheelchair seat cushions.

Abstract: An adjustable seat including a seat frame and a rack mounted to a substrate. First and second pinions are rotatably carried by the frame and meshingly engage the rack for relative movement of the rack. The second pinion is movable between an open position allowing rotation of the pinions, and an engaged position wherein the pinions are mutually engaged with each other and the rack, preventing relative movement of the rack and rotation of the pinions. A cam engages the second pinion for moving it between the open position and the engaged position.

Abstract: A recliner assembly for an automotive seat has a seat cushion and a seat back pivotally mounted to the seat cushion. The recliner assembly includes a housing and a cover plate encapsulating the housing. The cover plate has an outer ring with a plurality of teeth. Three pawls are mounted within the housing. The pawls each have a toothed surface and are moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. With the pawls in the locked position, the toothed surfaces engage the teeth of the cover plate to secure the seat back relative to the seat cushion. With the pawls in the unlocked position, the toothed surfaces are spaced from the teeth of the cover plate to allow movement of the seat back relative to the seat cushion. Three pivot protrusions extend from the housing for providing a pivot point for each of the pawls. Three guide protrusions similarly extend from the housing for guiding each of the pawls between the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A buoyant lounge chair supports a swimmer in an upright, semi-reclining or fully reclining position while the chair is floating in a swimming pool. Interconnected rigid frame members collectively form an open chair frame including a seat frame, left and right arm frames attached to the seat frame, and a back frame pivotally coupled to the seat frame. The back frame is pivotally coupled to the seat frame on opposite sides by dual axle shafts. A manually operable clutch is mounted on each axle shaft for releasably connecting the seat frame to the back frame. Each clutch is manually releasable to permit pivotal movement of the back frame relative to the seat frame, and is manually engagable to fix the angle of recline of the back frame with respect to the seat frame.

Abstract: A lock device of a pivotal seatback for an improved external view has no protrusion extending into the vehicle compartment. The lock device has a base plate secured to the seatback. A lock pin is held by the base plate and movable between locking and unlocking positions. A compression spring is disposed about the lock pin to bias the same toward the locking position. A lock plate is secured to a fixed member such a wall of a vehicle body. The lock plate has a plurality of lined lock holes with which the lock pin is engageable when assuming the locking position and a guide slot which extends along the lined lock holes. A lift plate is pivotally held by the base plate. The lift plate lifts the lock pin to the unlocking position when pivoted to a lift position from a rest position. A lift lever is pivotally held by the base plate. The lift lever has a first arm portion which contacts the lift plate and a second arm portion which enters the guide slot.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system for restraining an occupant in a seating arrangement comprising a vehicle seat wherein the vehicle seat has a seat frame, a seat bottom coupled to the frame, and a seat back coupled to the seat frame wherein the seat back has a first edge and a second edge, the occupant restraint system comprising a first anchoring assembly for being attached to the vehicle seat adjacent to the first edge of the seat back, a second anchoring assembly for being attached to the vehicle seat adjacent to the second edge of the seat back, a first elongate flexible member with a body portion extendibly and retractably retained on the first anchoring assembly, a mechanism for coupling a portion of the first elongate flexible member to the second anchoring assembly whereby the body portion of the first elongate flexible member traverses the seat back from the first edge to the second edge, a first buckle element coupled to the body portion of the first elongate flexible member, a first corresponding buckl

Abstract: An assembly unit comprising a belt buckle (10) for the insert tongue of a vehicular seat belt, a fastener fitting (12) for the belt buckle (10) and a force limiter between the belt buckle (10) and the fastener fitting (12) is characterized in that the force limiter contains a traction means (14, 16) fixedly connected to the belt buckle (10), movable relative to the fastener fitting (12) by a predetermined travel, and a stretchable member (24) coupled to the belt buckle (10) and the fastener fitting (12), which can be stretched by a predetermined tensile force between the belt buckle (10) and the fastener fitting (12) being exceeded.

Abstract: A method of centering a wheel rim on a wheel hub of a vehicle is provided where the hub includes a center projection arranged to engage a central hole in the rim to effect a centering action and a plurality of threaded wheel support studs carried on the hub in a pattern surrounding a central axis of the hub. The method includes providing three or four female threaded fasteners each for engaging onto a respective one of the studs for clamping the rim to the hub. Each fastener has an integral body defining a sleeve portion and a nut portion with a female thread through a central bore. The sleeve portion is inserted between the cylindrical inner surface and the threaded portion of the stud as a sliding fit inside the cylindrical inner surface so as to accurately locate the hole relative to the stud for centering the rim on the hub and the nut portion clamps the rim to the hub. The fasteners are spaced angularly around the hub and conventional nuts are engaged onto the remaining studs to hold the rim in place.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel includes a wheel spider and a wheel rim which can be connected together by a weld. For this purpose, mutually corresponding connection surfaces are provided on the wheel spider and on the wheel rim. The connection surfaces have either different inclinations or identical inclinations so that the two wheel parts can be centered with respect to one another for welding.

Abstract: A dual mode brake system includes a first fluid actuated brake and a second spring actuated fluid released brake configured to spring actuate the first brake in the absence of receiving sufficient fluid pressure at the second brake. A first fluid control circuit variably supplies fluid to the first brake from a source of pressurized fluid. A second fluid control circuit controllably supplies fluid to the second brake from the source of pressurized fluid. The third fluid control circuit controllably supplies fluid to the second brake based on the pressure of the fluid received by the third fluid control circuit from the first fluid control circuit and the pressure of the fluid received by the third fluid control circuit from the second fluid control circuit.

Abstract: A plurality of pressure sensors are carried in housing mounted upon a hydraulic control valve for an electro-hydraulic brake system. The pressure sensors are electrically connected to a signal conditioning circuit which also is mounted upon the hydraulic control valve. The signal conditioning circuit samples the sensors and mulitplexes the sensor signals into a single output signal.

Abstract: A brake fluid pressure control device including a power pump provided in a fluid supply line for discharging fluid into the main fluid line. An on-off valve is provided in the main fluid line upstream of the point at which the outlet circuit of the pump merges with the main fluid line. A fluid reservoir is provided in the fluid supply line upstream of the pump. For automatic braking, a changeover valve is changed over to supply fluid in the first chamber into the inlet port of the pump. When the automatic braking is off, the inlet and outlet ports of the pump are connected to the second and first chambers of the reservoir, respectively, to supply fluid into the first chamber.

Abstract: A brake force control apparatus which can always accurately generate a brake force confirming to a driver's intention is provided. The brake force control apparatus performs brake assist control for supplying an increased brake fluid pressure which is greater than that generated in a regular brake operation to a wheel cylinder of a vehicle when an emergency brake operation is performed by a driver. A deceleration of the vehicle is detected. Additionally, a difference between a target deceleration which is to be generated during execution of the brake assist control and the deceleration is detected. A brake fluid pressure which is supplied to the wheel cylinder during execution of the brake assist control is controlled based on the difference.

Abstract: A braking-force control system and method is provided for a road vehicle having an electrically controllable four-circuit brake system. The braking forces generated by the individual wheel brakes can be adjusted in a wheel-specific way. Adjustment devices on a chassis vary the normal forces acting on the vehicle wheels, with at least one normal-force adjustment device being provided per vehicle wheel. The adjustment devices are configured so that, for the most part, the weight of the vehicle can be supported on one of the front wheels and on the rear wheel of the vehicle which is arranged diagonally opposite the latter. The braking force generated by a front-wheel brake and the rear-wheel brake which lies opposite the latter viewed along the diagonal of the vehicle, corresponds overall to the vehicle weight multiplied by a maximum coefficient of friction which is effective between the carriageway and the braked wheels.

Abstract: To improve the control behavior of an ABS system in an off-road travel situation, a special control mode is activated as soon as such an off-road travel situation is identified. To this end, braking pressure reduction on the wheel of a vehicle axle which is the first to exceed the normal control thresholds is prevented, different from the normal control mode, and the braking pressure on this wheel is maintained constant until reacceleration of this wheel commences. Starting from this time, braking pressure increase is allowed in the wheel brake of this wheel until the normal control thresholds are reached and the special control mode is terminated. The normal control mode applies to the second wheel of the axle concerned as long as the special control mode applies to the first wheel. Subsequently, the special control mode can pass on to the second wheel of the axle, and the first wheel will then ensure that steerability and/or driving stability is maintained.

Abstract: An organizing system for hunting safety including a housing securable to a tree or the like. The housing has an open forward face. The open forward face has a pair of transparent covers hingedly coupled thereto. An area map is disposed within the housing. The area map is related to an area where the housing is secured. The area map has numbers disposed thereon corresponding with particular areas of the map. A pair of tag boards are disposed on an interior surface of the rear vertical wall of the housing. The pair of tag boards include a first board having location hooks corresponding with the numbers on the area map. A second tag board corresponds with individual hunters. An identification listing is disposed on the area map. The identification listing has a listing of hunters names thereon with corresponding identification numbers. A plurality of identification tags are provided having numbers disposed thereon corresponding with the identification numbers of the hunters.

Abstract: In a row of adjacent switchgear cabinets with a frame, vertical frame pieces of adjacent switchgear cabinets are connected to each other and the top and bottom sides of the frame are closed by upper and lower metal sheets which have edges at least on the sides facing each other. The edges are staggered in relation to the outer sides of the adjacent frame pieces and form a type of groove with the end pieces of the edges and/or the profiled sides of the horizontal frame pieces facing each other. The grooves in an area of the top and bottom metal sheets of the adjacent switchgear cabinets are protected from water penetration because they are sealed respectively in the area of the top and/or bottom metal sheets of the switchgear cabinets by a covering strip running from the front face to the rear face of the switchgear cabinet flush with the top and bottom metal sheets.

Abstract: A height adjustable structure of a desk combination includes a drawer cabinet having two sides each provided with a fixed plate, a gear and a pivot arm pivotally mounted on the fixed plate, a torsion spring mounted on the pivot arm so that a mediate portion of the pivot arm is deflected leftward or rightward by the torsion spring, a protective board mounted in an opening defined in the upper portion of the fixed plate, a movable plate slidably mounted on the protective board and having a lower portion defining an elongated successive multiple stepwise locking slot, a rack mounted on one side of the movable plate and meshing with the gear, a support frame secured on a top of the movable plate and engaged with a table face. In such a manner, when the height of the table face is adjusted, the rack of the movable plate is slidable on the gear of the fixed plate.

Abstract: A handheld camera system is disclosed comprising an image sensor device for sensing an image; a processing means for processing the sensed image; a storage means for storing images and programs for utilization by the processor means; a print media stored internally to the camera system; a print head for printing the sensed image on the print media; an alterable switch for storing a current state of output types of the camera system; a switch interconnected to the processing means and having a number of predetermined states and the processing means adapted to monitor the switch state and process the sensed image in accordance with the switch state to cause the print head to output a corresponding modified image in accordance with the switch state.

Abstract: When a carriage 16 is positioned in an end portion in the direction indicated by arrow B in a scanning area thereof, an attachment 46 is in contact with a main frame side wall 1a of a plotter 1, and turns in the direction indicated by arrow D against the enabling force in the direction indicated by arrow C of a helical torsion coil spring 50, so that an image position detector 40 is stored in a storage unit 16c of the carriage 16.

Abstract: An ink jet printer including a replaceable cartridge and a control device in operative communication with the cartridge. The control device is for monitoring a predetermined operating condition of the cartridge and providing electronic signals to the cartridge in response to the predetermined operating condition reaching a threshold level so as to disable the cartridge.

Abstract: A system for detecting an ink consumption in an ink jet recording device comprises a non-volatile memory for storing an accumulated amount of ink consumption, update section for incrementing the stored amount by a new amount of ink consumption, a comparator for comparing the accumulated amount against a variable reference amount, and a display section for displaying the accumulated amount of ink consumption or a residual amount of ink in the ink jet recording device. The recorded amount includes total ink consumption by nozzle cleaning, nozzle suction and ink discharge.

Abstract: The present invention is a fluid level sensing system for determining fluid levels in a fluid container. The system has a resonant member with an attached magnet. The resonant member is disposed in the fluid container. The system also has a sensing device for sensing motion of the magnet. The movement of the magnet attached to the resonant member is indicative of fluid level in the fluid container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining ink supply depletion as a function of optical reflectance testing uses a given relationship of optical reflectance level data to the ink usage by percentage of prints made. At anytime during pen life, a test pattern can be printed and optically sampled to determine current reflectance level data. Use of an average current reflectance level from a given printhead can be entered into a polynomial equation representative of the relationship and the equation solved to provide a percentage of ink consumed to date.

Abstract: A driving waveform generating device and method comprises the steps of retaining data on absolute coordinate values in a waveform data storage unit 1 as data at a plurality of points in a plurality of driving waveforms a-f at a predetermined temperature, reading the data on the plurality of point in a desired driving waveform a from a waveform data read unit 3A on the basis of gradation data, correcting the difference between the environmental temperature during the printing operation and the aforesaid predetermined temperature in a temperature compensation unit 3B, converting data on the corrected absolute coordinate value to data on the relative coordinate value in waveform data conversion unit 3C, interpolating the point-to-point value by means of a waveform data interpolation unit 5, subjecting the interpolated the data on the driving waveform to analog conversion by means of a D/A conversion unit 7, amplifying the analog signal in a signal amplifier unit 9, and outputting the amplified signal.

Abstract: In the ink jet printer, a pressure generation chamber 11 is expanded in a stepped manner, which enables a high speed discharge of a very small ink droplet. Prior to the ink discharge, the pressure generation chamber is contracted so as to enable a high-accuracy gradation printing with a wide range of ink droplet size. A control unit 20 generates: a first contraction signal for contracting the pressure generation chamber 11 without discharging any ink droplet 17; a first expansion signal for expanding the pressure generation chamber 11 to discharge the ink droplet 17; and a second expansion signal to further expand the pressure generation chamber 11 so as to break off an ink column discharged from a nozzle 12 and pull an unnecessary portion of the ink back into the nozzle 12.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus and method for providing images of uniform print density. The apparatus includes a print head having a plurality of nozzles containing ink. Each nozzle has an image forming characteristic, such as print density, associated therewith. A heater associated with each nozzle is in heat transfer communication with the ink for heating the ink, so that, as the ink is heated, its surface tension relaxes. As surface tension relaxes, static back-pressure acting on the ink ejects the ink from the nozzle. A voltage supply unit is provided for supplying a voltage pulse to each of the heaters for activating the heaters and a controller interconnects the heaters and the voltage supply unit for controlling the voltage pulse. Controlling the voltage pulse causes the image forming characteristic for each nozzle to be altered to the extent that the image forming characteristics for all the heaters will become uniform.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for firing the nozzles on an ink jet print head cartridge that requires a reduced number of data lines between the ink jet print head cartridge and the printer electronics. A group data line provides serial group select data that is stored in a set of group select latches on the ink jet print head cartridge and identifies a particular group of nozzles on the ink jet print head. A primitive data line provides primitive select data that is stored in a set of primitive select latches on the ink jet print head cartridge and identifies a particular nozzle in the selected set of nozzles. A first clock line provides a first clock signal that is used to advance the group select data and the primitive select data into the group select latches and primitive select latches respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a droplet deposition apparatus including an ink actuator (100) for ejecting ink droplets; a control unit (130) for controlling droplet formation; and power supply means for supplying a drive voltage to the control unit (130); the drive voltage having a voltage amplitude (V100); the control unit (130) having a plurality of drive signal sources (320) for defining the wave forms of said electric signals; means (470) for detecting at least one performance affecting value; and means (490) for generating an amplitude control signal in response to the performance affecting value; and wherein the power supply means (330) comprises means (350) for adjusting the amplitude of the drive voltage in response to the amplitude control signal; said power supply means being separated from said control unit.

Abstract: Time T (ms) required for an ink droplet ejected onto a recording medium to be absorbed completely by the recording medium is represented by: T=(4V/&pgr;D2Ka)2, where V represents a maximum amount (ml) of the ink droplet ejected from the recording head in a single operation, D represents an average diameter (m) of an equivalent circular area of the dot when the ink droplet impinges on the recording medium, and Ka represents an ink absorption coefficient (ml/m2 ·ms½) of the recording medium. The conditions of T, V, D and Ka are set to meet the relationship T≦Tx (ms), where Tx represents the time between a step for a first ink droplet to impinge on a certain position of the recording medium and another step for a second ink droplet to impinge on the same position of the recording medium. In other words, T, V, D and Ka are set to meet the relationship: 4V/&pgr;D2Ka)2<Tx.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a test pattern used in the alignment of an ink-jet pen which deposits fixer fluid, or other clear ink precursor fluid, on print media uses the change in reflectivity caused by overprinting a series of positional-calibration indicia with colorant to obtain data with respect to deviations in a carriage-scan x-axis and a paper scan y-axis. Thus the invention measures distances between pens or nozzles.

Abstract: A color ink jet printer having a replaceable printhead assembly with a plurality of replaceable ink tanks, one ink tank for each color of ink, senses a patch on each ink tank. The presence of the patch indicates the ink tank is new. In one embodiment, the patch is adhered over a recess in each of the tanks and is punctured by a pin which is triggered as soon as the patch is detected, so that the patch cannot be detected again. The energization of each group of heating elements associated with a respective ink tank is counted and stored in the printer memory and, as each energization results in the ejection of an ink droplet of known volume, a predetermined number of energizations, which represent the volume of usable ink in each ink tank, is stored in the memory. When this predetermined number of energizations is reached, an out-of-ink display is shown to the user.

Abstract: An ink cartridge, removably mountable on a fixed mounting portion of an ink jet recording apparatus for supplying discharged ink to a recording head carried on a movable carriage of the apparatus, comprises a flag member mounted for protrusion and retraction, an arrangement for protruding the flag member toward a path along which the carriage is moved when the ink cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion, and a photosensor mounted on the carriage in a position where it will be shielded from light by the protruding flag member.

Abstract: The invention provides inkjet print heads, which have one or more components of a polymer material, which is produced, substantially, or with the use of, at least one Compound (I) XaRbSiR1(4−a−b) with X=hydrolyzable group, R=eventually substituted Alkyl, Aryl, Alkenyl, Alkylaryl or Arylalkyl, R1=organic remainder with at least one polymerizable group, a= to 3, b=0 to 2. In addition, the invention provides a process for the manufacture of the heads and for the utilization, for said purpose, of a polymer material.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium by using an ink jet recording head for discharging ink includes a conveying device for conveying the recording medium, the conveying device defining a conveyance path through which the recording medium is conveyed, a carriage for reciprocally moving the ink jet recording head across the conveyance path, a recovery device for recovering and/or for maintaining a discharge function of the ink jet recording head, and an ink detecting device for detecting ink discharged from the ink jet recording head, wherein the conveyance path is disposed between the recovery device and the ink detecting device.

Abstract: An ink jet recorder includes a recording head having an actuator for ejecting ink from a nozzle by changing the volume of an ink passage, an ink cartridge, a purging device, and a control unit. The control unit controls the purging device so as to effect a first purge and a second purge having a greater sucking force than that in the first purge, and controls the actuator during the first purging operation. Ink passage walls and ink are vibrated, and by virtue of a synergistic effect with the flow of ink flowing due to the first purging operation, bubbles and foreign objects attached to the passage walls are easily separated from the walls. The operation of the actuator can be executed by lagging behind a purging start for a predetermined time duration.

Abstract: When ink cartridge (1), (2) is detached and attached, kinds of mounted ink cartridge (1), (2) is judged according to ID data and data relating to ink amount in memory means (32, 42). A small amount of ink in case of brand-new ink cartridge or a relatively large amount of ink in case of remounting due to user's handling miss is sucked, so that print quality can be secured while the amount of ink consumed by the ink filling operation performed when the ink cartridge (1), (2) is mounted is being suppressed to a minimum.

Abstract: An ink jet recorder includes a recording head having a plurality of ejection surfaces each containing a nozzle for ejecting a different ink, a purging device for purging the nozzle of one ejection surface at a time within the plurality of ejection nozzles, and a controller for controlling the purging device in such a manner that a nozzle for ejecting a darker color ink is purged before a nozzle for ejecting a lighter color ink. The nozzle for the darker color can have longer waiting time than the nozzle for the lighter color ink and thereby the air bubbles remained in the nozzle can be absorbed into the darker color ink. Noticeable lack of darker color ink on the color printed medium can be avoided.

Abstract: An ink jet printer with wiper blade cleaning mechanism, and method of assembling the printer. The printer comprises a print head having a surface thereon surrounding a plurality of ink ejection orifices. The orifices are in communication with respective ones of a plurality of ink channels formed in the print head. A solvent delivering wiper has a first passageway therethrough alignable with the surface. The first passageway delivers a liquid solvent to the surface to flush contaminant from the surface. Contaminant residing on the surface is entrained in the solvent while the wiper flushes contaminant from the surface. The wiper also includes a plurality of wicking channels alignable with the surface and a second passageway in communication with the wicking channels. A vacuum pump is in communication with the second passageway for vacuuming the solvent and entrained contaminant from the surface, along the wicking channels and through the second passageway.

Abstract: A universal capping system seals the printhead of either a single-chamber or a multi-chamber style inkjet cartridge, such as a black ink cartridge or a multi-color ink cartridge installed in an inkjet printing mechanism. In an imaging inkjet cartridge system, the normal single-chamber black cartridge for printing text is replaced with a multi-chamber imaging cartridge. Some imaging cartridges carry ink formulations having reduced colorant concentrations, which, when used in conjunction with a full color cartridge carrying full colorant concentrations of color inks, provides near photographic image quality, as well as crisp black text and line art. The printing mechanism is provided with a universal capping system, including several banks of flexible sealing sublips, capable of sealing either style cartridge when installed. One sublip has an asymmetrical cross section selected to control the direction of bending. The cap is spring-biased to push the sealing lips into engagement with the installed printhead.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus in which a nozzle ink jet recording head provided with a nozzle plate provided with apertures for jetting an ink droplet and a capping device provided with a cap unit for sealing the apertures of the nozzle plate when the recording apparatus is not used are mounted, in which in the cap unit of the capping device, in a sealed state, an ink suction port for supplying negative pressure for exhausting ink from a nozzle aperture if necessary is arranged at the bottom and an atmospheric air open port for releasing negative pressure is arranged on one side and in which a porous plate provided with plural through holes for adjusting the distribution of pressure in the longitudinal direction of the cap unit is housed between the inner bottom face and the upper open face of the cap unit and further, an ink suction method of a recording head are provided.

Abstract: In an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a recording head having a discharge port for discharging ink, sucking device for effecting suction from the discharge port, a wiping for wiping a surface in which the discharge port is disposed, and a plurality of paper supply devices for conveying recording mediums on which recording is to be effected by the recording head, the wiping operation of the wiper, the sucking operation of the sucking device, and the selection and driving of the plurality of paper supply device are done by a common drive source.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer includes a rotary drum for holding a print medium, a print head for printing an image by ejecting ink onto the print medium held on the rotary drum, an ink receiving unit facing the print head at a non-printing time to receive ink ejected from the print head, and an ink collecting section for collecting ink from the ink receiving unit. Particularly, the ink collecting section includes a blade member for wiping out ink which is remaining on the ink receiving unit without being collected after ejection of ink.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises a first gear, a second gear meshable with the first gear, a third gear meshable with the first gear and the second gear. The third gear has a peripheral surface on which a toothed portion meshable with the first gear and an untoothed portion not meshable with a toothed portion of the first gear are disposed opposable to the first gear, and a peripheral surface on which a toothed portion meshable with the second gear is disposed opposable to said second gear, a gear drive switching control unit controls switching such that when the toothed portion adjacent the untoothed portion of the third gear comes into contact with the first gear, the second gear and the third gear are meshed to rotate the third gear to oppose the untoothed portion of the third gear to the first gear, thereby releasing the contact between the first gear and the third gear.

Abstract: Disclosed are an ink-jet printing method and apparatus for jetting ink successively from nozzles of an ink-jet head at a prescribed frequency and forming each of a number of pixels by a plurality of dots conforming to the tone of the pixel. Each nozzle of the ink-jet head has a heater A and a heater B. Printing is performed by changing the number of heaters actuated to jet an ink drop, thereby to control the formation of a large or small dot by each nozzle, and by changing the method of driving the heaters A and B in dependence upon the density of the ink used. In regard to the timings at which the large and small dots are formed by each nozzle, the small dot is formed first. As a result, the large and small dots can be made to overlap so that an image having excellent tone reproducibility can be printed.

Abstract: A print head device for delivering ink to a sheet of paper or the like including a body member provided with side portions and a head surface, the head surface being disposed at an angle with respect to the side portions, an ink reservoir with an ink inlet communicating therewith, at least one ink distribution chamber communicating with the ink inlet, the body member containing a plurality of ink passages, a nozzle plate containing a plurality of substantially parallel ink delivery nozzles extending in a line from one side of the body member, the body member being provided with a plurality of ink passages extending between said ink distribution chamber and the ink delivery nozzles along both sides of the body member, a propulsion device operatively associated with said ink passages on both sides of said head surface for selectively propelling ink through the ink passages to the ink delivery nozzles, wherein the ink passages disposed at the associated sides of the body member extend parallel to each other over

Abstract: A structure of bands is associated with printhead-array image-forming elements, forming a printmask. Some band pairs are complementary. A low usage percent is stated for at least one band and a like value for another, a complement to each “at least one” band, to smooth the mask and image. The invention best sets a number N of passes, a wavenumber multiplier M for the image, and overall number B of bands N×M×2, the “2” accounting for odd and even elements; bands appear in order: first group of M bands, odd and even, second group of M bands, odd and even, . . . (N−1)th group of M bands, odd and even, Nth group of M bands, odd and even. In another novel aspect the invention has programming for creating a geometrical structure of bands, respectively associated with the image-forming elements and constituting the printmask.