Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid gas generator intended for motor vehicle safety. The generator (1) includes a container (2) containing a cold gas (10) under pressure and having an open end in which a compartment (2), which is located outside the container (2), is fixed. This compartment (3) is provided with gas discharge orifices (6) and has a front wall (8) in which there is an opening closed by a diaphragm (9) which makes it possible to separate the inside of the container (2) from the inside of the compartment (3), in a leaktight fashion. The latter contains an initiator (12) with shaped explosive charge and a pyrotechnic charge (13), the initiator (12) being capable of destroying the diaphragm (9) from a distance and of initiating the pyrotechnic charge (13). This generator (1) makes it possible to initiate deployment of the airbag using cold gas (10) as soon as it starts to operate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a knee restraint device for the knee protection of occupants in motor vehicles, comprising a load distribution plate for direct contact with the knees of the occupant. The knee restraint device further comprises a drive device which in a cage of restraint moves the load distribution plate from a starting position toward the knees up to a restraint position. A retracting device is provided which moves the load distribution plate from the restraint position back toward the starting position.

Abstract: A buckle system and mechanism for use in a seat belt vehicle restraint system which provides an interlock for ensuring that the occupant has the correct web position for the lap and shoulder belt portions of a three-point seat belt system. This buckle system permits only one tongue to be inserted in the interlock at a time. Moreover, the insertion of one tongue causes the ejection of the other tongue. Once placed into use, this invention ensures that one of the tongues is latched.

Abstract: A promotional display structure has a plurality of elongate strips of stiff but bendable material assembled in a pack with their obverse and reverse faces alternating in the pack, the first face having textual display including promotional matter and in some cases also cartoon matter, the second face having illustrative cartoon matter and in some cases also promotional matter, the pages of the pack being releasably connected at one end of their elongation, for example by gumming or other form of binding, and being readily detachable by hand from the remainder of the pack. One or more lines of weakness may be formed in the strips, for example by perforation or crimping, to facilitate folding of a part of the strip against the remainder of the strip, and a releasable fastening may be provided to retain that part in the folded condition. There are also provided a method of forming the promotional display structure, and a method of disassembly thereof.

Abstract: The connector comprises two body members for respective connection first and second entities, such as tubes, to be connected. The body members are mutually coupled by a first coupling arrangement on the first body member and a second coupling arrangement on the second body member. The first coupling arrangement comprises a number of discrete segments with surfaces defining formation engageable with formation of second coupling arrangement. It also has supports to support the segments in the respective connection positions on the first body member. It also has a release member selectively operable to disable the support to cause or allow the segments to be displaced from their respective connection positions and disengage from the second coupling arrangement thereby mutually disconnecting the first and second body members of the connector.

Abstract: A fluid swivel permitting a large number of revolutions, such as 20, and permitting a large number of fluid, power, and signal paths. The swivel is leak proof and capable of resisting large internal pressures in the conveyed fluid such as 70 MPa. The pipes of the swivel are spooled between two cones in such a manner that the pipe on one cone is spooled from the top down and on the other cone from the bottom up. This method of spooling ensures a constant distance between the unwinding point on one cone and the winding point on the other cone. By providing cones with the apex pointing up, the spooled flexible pipe on either cone is prevented from falling down. An alternative embodiment spools between two cylinders with a common axis. In this embodiment the pipe spooled on one cylinder is supported by a structure resting on the pipe spooled on the other cylinder, thereby preventing the pipe on either cylinder from falling down.

Abstract: A pipe-fastening structure for an evaporation valve having a housing and a gas extraction path formed within the housing comprises a cylindrical connecting member, fixed to the housing, with first engaging portion and an inner space, a stopper member having a cylindrical inner member and second engaging portion engaging with the first engaging portion in two stages, a variable member, formed at part of the inner member in a cylindrical shape with a diameter capable of enlargement, channels formed at the inner wall of the variable member, a pipe for connecting evaporation valves and a large diameter bulge section formed in the vicinity of an end of the pipe. Locations of the inner member other than the variable member fit closely with the cylindrical inner wall of the connecting member and the first and second engaging portions undergo first stage engagement.

Abstract: A synthetic resin pipe with a joint, includes a first pipe end portion to be connected, having an open guide cylinder, a large-diameter cylindrical portion formed in a deep portion thereof continuous with the open guide cylinder and having a diameter larger than front and rear walls extending in an axial direction of the synthetic resin pipe, and an outwardly facing projection disposed in a portion of the large-diameter cylindrical portion. A separately produced engaging ring including an inclined guide surface, having a large inside diameter on a width-direction one end face side thereof and having a small inside diameter on a deep side thereof, the engaging ring further including a securing stepped portion formed on the deep side thereof, a plurality of cut-out portions, respectively formed by cutting out the inclined surface, and a projection projecting from a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the engaging ring.

Abstract: A door latch for a motor-vehicle central-latch system has a housing, a locking element displaceable on the housing between a door-bolt-holding position and a door-bolt-releasing position, and a pawl displaceable on the housing between a retaining position holding the locking element in its bolt-holding position and a freeing position allowing the locking element to assume its bolt-releasing position. A release lever pivotal on the housing into an actuated position can put the paws into the freeing position. A outside operating lever is pivotal on the housing between actuated and unactuated positions and a main locking lever is pivotal on the housing by an electric motor between locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: According to the present invention a latch assembly for use in an adjustable vehicle roof panel assembly including a roof panel which is driven by a motor drive unit and a cable is provided. The latch assembly utilizes a simple mechanical release mechanism which is designed to hold the roof panel in a sealed position and disengages mechanically utilizing the power roof motor instead of having a separate solenoid or motor drive unit. The release mechanism includes a latch arm and a latch catch member which are rotatably mounted so that actuation of the power roof motor causes a release member to mechanically trigger the latch arm causing rotation thereof which leads to disengagement between the latch arm and the latch catch member. Once the latch arm and the latch catch member disengage, a rear end of the roof panel is free to travel with a channel in the base.

Abstract: An improvement on a vehicle body is provided which includes bumper brackets joining a bumper reinforcement to ends of side members extending longitudinally of the vehicle body. Each of the bumper brackets has a boss. The boss has formed therein a vertical hole extending vertically of the vehicle body and establishes a connection of the bumper reinforcement and a corresponding one of the side members through a bolt which is fitted within the vertical hole of the boss so as to allow the bumper bracket to rotate inwardly of the vehicle body within a given angular range when the impact acts on the bumper bracket upon occurrence of a font-end collision for ensuring transmission of axial collapsing pressure arising from the impact to the side members.

Abstract: A shovel for manual use, comprising a shovel blade having concave and convex faces and defining a longitudinal center-line and having side edges, an upper edge and a forward cutting edge. The shovel blade defines a handle connector receptable having a shovel handle fixed therein. A root cutting blade is fixed to the shovel blade substantially along the longitudinal center-line and projects from the concave face of the shovel blade. A sharpened root cutting edge is defined on the root cutting blade and is oriented toward the forward cutting edge of the shovel blade. The root cutting edge of the central blade preferably defines an intermediate edge recess and forms a slightly inclined sharp edge section for enhancing root cutting action. A pair of side blades are fixed to side edge portions of the shovel blade and are oriented in diverging relation projecting from the convex face of the shovel blade.

Abstract: A shovel apparatus for digging holes has an H-shaped frame providing at one end, a handle integrally joined to the frame, and at the other end, a blade mounting support. A pair of spaced apart shovel blades are pivotally engaged with the blade mounting support for drawing the blades from essentially parallel rest positions, toward each other, to form a modified cone-shaped enclosure. A draw arm assembly is engaged for sliding within a pair of opposing slots in the H-shaped frame. The draw arm assembly is engaged with the shovel blades through a pair of links to move the shovel blades toward each other when the draw arm assembly is pulled toward the handle.

Abstract: A multi-component lifting assembly is provided for a container which carries cargo. The container includes a floor, opposite side walls extending upwardly from the floor, and a roof sheet attached to upper ends of the side walls. The lifting assembly is attached to the walls and to the roof sheet such that four-point lifting stability is provided when the container is lifted by an overhead crane. The lifting assembly includes a stacking header which spans the width of the container, an inner cap which is provided on an interior of the container, and an outer cap which is provided on the exterior of the container. The roof sheet is sandwiched between the outer cap and the stacking header. The side wall is sandwiched between the outer cap and the inner cap. Aligned apertures are provided through the outer cap, the roof sheet, the stacking header and the inner cap such that a bayonet can be inserted therein and the container can be lifted.

Abstract: A central console for a vehicle having a ventilated storage compartment which is connected via at least one air inlet to at least one air duct in order to ventilate the vehicle rear, and having a control device for opening and closing the one air inlet. For the purpose of ventilating the storage compartment without adversely affecting the cross section of the air duct which continues in order to ventilate the rear, at least one air duct runs laterally past the storage compartment, and the air inlet is arranged in the front end wall of the storage compartment and the air duct is widened in that duct section which is mounted upstream of the air inlet.

Abstract: A cargo bed extension system for allowing a user to ease the loading and unloading of equipment from a truck bed as well as increase the size of the cargo space. The cargo bed extension system includes an extension assembly that has a pair of end panels and a center panel. Each of the end panels is hingably coupled to opposite ends of the center panel. A pair of mounting assemblies each are designed for mounting to the cargo bed of the vehicle. Each of the mounting assemblies are for selectively receiving one of the end panels such that each of the end panels are designed for being secured to the cargo bed of the vehicle. A securing assembly is designed for mounting to a tailgate of the vehicle, the securing assembly is for selectively engaging the center panel of the extension assembly such that the securing assembly is designed for securing the center panel to the tailgate of the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vehicle rear body structure to reduce the amount of the transformation of the vehicle rear body portion for the back row seat in the event of the rear end collision. A pair of the rear wheel houses (51) are formed at the back part of a floor panel. A suspension tower (52) is formed to the rear wheel house (51). The pan (53) is formed nearly in the center part in the traverse direction of the floor panel 1 behind the suspension tower (52). The pan (53) is formed like the plate so as to being opened upward. The bottom of the pan (53) is substantially horizontal. The spare tire (54) is kept substantially horizontal in the pan (53).

Abstract: An overhead console assembly for a vehicle includes accessory module compartments selectively positioned and removably secured to the overhead console for storing materials within the compartments. The overhead console includes a first console housing disposed to an miner surface of a structural member of a headliner assembly on a roofline of a vehicle, a second console housing disposed on the structural member of the headliner spaced apart from the first console housing and a center console housing disposed between the first and second console housings. At least one accessory module is removably secured to the center console housing. The at least one accessory module includes a housing, a storage area defined within the housing to retain materials stored within, and at least one securing member coupling the at least one module to a securement surface provided on the center console housing.

Abstract: A storage system is provided for the rear storage compartment of a vehicle. The storage system may include a collapsible cart that is received in tracks in a load floor. Other types of objects may be stored on the load floor or in compartments below the load floor. Compartments may be provided below the load floor on a tray having multiple compartments that is rotatable within a well formed under the load floor. A frame for storing removable trays, bins or the collapsible cart may be used to store objects above the load floor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle tailgate for mounting pivotally to a vehicle about hinges situated close to one of the edges of the tailgate. In the vicinity of its hinges, the tailgate is constituted by a main panel secured to the hinges and by a secondary panel which is movable relative to the main panel between a closed position in which it is superposed on the main panel so as to reconstitute a tailgate of full thickness, and an open position in which it is separate from the main panel, the main panel then forming a portion of the tailgate of reduced thickness.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for mounting a tonneau cover on a motor vehicle having a cargo area defined by first and second side walls, an end wall and a tailgate, the side walls having an inner panel and an outer panel includes a fastener, a first coupler plate and a bracket. The first coupler plate has a first end and a second end. The first coupler plate is articulable from an operable position to a disengaged position. The bracket has a generally horizontal rail and a vertical rail. The bracket is adapted for contacting the outer panel of the first side wall and further has a seat pivotally retaining the first end of the first coupler plate. The second end of the first coupler plate is adapted for engaging the inner panel of the first side wall defining a first restraining area between the horizontal rail and the second end of the first coupler plate. A second restraining area between the vertical rail and the second end of the first coupler plate is also defined.

Abstract: An improved tarp cover system for covering the open-topped container body of a vehicle, characterized by the provision of generally U-shaped inverted hold-down arm that is pivotally connected with the front wall of the container body and that is spring biased to apply a downward force on the front portion of the cover when the container is in the completely closed condition, thereby to reduce flapping of the cover during transport. The flexible tarp cover is wound on a roll that is rotatably supported adjacent the front wall of the container. In a first embodiment, to cover the container, the free end of the cover is displaced rearwardly of the container by a cover arm that is pivotally connected with the side walls of the container. The cover arm is biased toward its rearmost container covering position by a pair of side mounted spring arrangements that include compression springs that are concealed within the hollow leg portions of the cover arm.

Abstract: A vehicle top system comprising a soft top composed of a mesh material to thereby block out a portion of sunlight but allow the passage of a portion of air therethrough. The soft top may include a top section to cover at least the driver and front passenger portion of a vehicle (such as a JEEP® brand vehicle). The top section may have a front edge and side edges. The soft top may include laterally spaced apart side sections each having a vertical edge and a horizontal edge; and a rear section to cover the rear portion of a vehicle and having an edge. A tubular seam extends around at least the horizontal edge of each of the side sections and the rear section edge; at least one tube may be positioned within said tubular seam. The at least one tube may be secured to a vehicle. A plurality of fasteners may be affixed to the at least one tube. A reinforcing belt and an extrusion member may be secured along the top section front edge for attachment to a vehicle windshield flange.

Abstract: A sliding mechanism for extending and retracting a slide-out compartment comprising a guide member having two securing flanges separated by a gap that communicates with an interior channel. A slider rail is disposed within the interior channel and has a middle portion adapted with a plurality of holes formed therein. Extending from the middle portion are two securing members that cooperate with the securing flanges of the guide member to maintain slider rail within the interior channel as middle portion extends into the gap. Disposed within the interior channel at one end of the guide element is a gear mechanism. The gear mechanism includes a gear shaft and a gear attached to the gear shaft. The gear mechanism drivingly engages a plurality of teeth on the gear within the plurality of holes in the middle portion of the slider rail to extend or retract the slide-out compartment. A timing assembly is attached to the gear shaft to allow two or more gear shafts to be timed relative to one another.

Abstract: An automotive aerodynamic component and object carrier fixture is installed on the top of an automobile with an inclination adjustable according to the handling style of the driver. During normal utilization, the aerodynamic component is mounted level to provide a low air resistance. When the aerodynamic component is adjusted such that it is mounted at a forward inclination, downward pressure is generated which increases the weight of the vehicle to increase tracking over the ground. When the aerodynamic component is adjusted such that it is mounted at an upward inclination, a lifting force is generated that decreases the weight of the vehicle to achieve lower fuel consumption, faster acceleration, and more responsive braking performance. A vertical wing is provided to increase directional stability.

Abstract: A multisectional sectional front section of a motor vehicle shell body is provided. At least two neighboring parts of the front section extended in a vehicle horizontal direction are attached to one other by connecting flanges which can especially be shifted perpendicularly to a longitude axis of the vehicle to accommodate tolerance differences in the spacing between the lateral sides of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A cover of an openable motor vehicle roof with a cover plate, an edge gap seal, and a peripheral plastic frame which is foamed or injected onto an edge side of the cover plate. The cover is provided with at least one heating element which is integrated into the plastic frame. In one embodiment, the heating element is a heating wire that is clipped into a recess provided on the plastic frame. In another embodiment, a reinforcing frame is embedded in the plastic frame and the heating element is attached to the reinforcing frame.

Abstract: A headrest secured seat cover for vehicles having side-impact airbags mounted within the sides of the seat. The cover comprises a bottom and middle portion attachable to the seat cushion. A top portion of the seat cover is attachable to the seat headrest. In order to attach the seat cover to the headrest, the seat cover includes at least one elastic strap attached to the top portion of the cover and configured to attach the top portion of the cover to mounting bars of the headrest. The seat cover further includes a stiffening member disposed about a periphery of the top portion of the seat cover. The stiffening member supports the top portion of the seat cover such that the seat cover will be contourable to the shape of the vehicle seat and remain in place. Since the seat cover is attached to the headrest, the sides of the seat are unobstructed for proper airbag inflation.

Abstract: A combination stiffener and ganger bracket is designed for a stackable chair of the type having a generally horizontal seating surface and four downwardly extending legs. The bracket has a generally planar body with an attachment tab at both of its ends. Two edges of the bracket extend between the ends of the bracket. A hook member extends from one of the edges while an engagement tab extends from the other edge. A stacking tab projects from the plane of the body.

Abstract: A forward facing child restraint system with attached harness providing superior safety performance for a child during a vehicle forward impact event. The restraint system includes a seating portion and child harness secured to the frame with a seatbelt pathway threaded through the frame for fully securing the frame in the vehicle seat using a vehicle lap belt. The child restraint system may be implemented in one of two physical embodiments: a tubular truss frame with attached seating panel or as a car seat shell having an integral frame and seating section.

Abstract: A lumbar support device includes a flexible grid that can be bowed to provide additional curvature and axially moved on a track. The flexible grid is bowed and moved by brackets on the track in combination with cables and actuators. For bowing the flexible grid, a cable segment pulls a pair of brackets together which bow the flexible grid. The segment is wrapped around one of the brackets and is attached at its ends to the other bracket and an actuator, thereby providing a mechanical advantage to the bowing resistance of the flexible grid. For axially moving the flexible grid, a cable in a fixed bracket directly pulls on the pair of brackets and the flexible grid moves with the pair of brackets; a compression spring is used to provide resistance to the cable and movement in an opposite direction. In another embodiment, a lumbar support device includes a flexible grid that is bowed without any change in axial position.

Abstract: A stand-assist chair has a base frame adapted to stand on the floor, a seat frame movable above the base frame and carrying a generally horizontal seat, a back on the seat frame extending upward from a rear edge of the seat, and a motor housing on one of the frames. Front and back actuating shafts are journaled in the motor housing under front and rear edges of the seat and have respective front and back actuating arms and respective front and back operating arms. The front arm has an outer end pivoted on the other of the frames adjacent a front edge of the seat and the rear arm has an outer end operatively coupled to the other of the frames adjacent the rear seat edge.

Abstract: A dual lock seat reclining mechanism includes left and right devices and a connection member connecting the left and right devices. Each device includes a base member to be fixed to a seat cushion, a swing tooth plate adapted to be fixed to a seat back and swingably mounted on the base plate through a center shaft, and a look tooth member having an external toothed portion for engaging with an internally toothed portion of the swing tooth plate. An operation member or lever is swingable between the base member and the swing tooth member, for moving the look tooth member toward and away from the internal toothed portion of the swing tooth plate for locking and unlocking. The operation member has a pin slidably received in an elongate arc hole of the base plate. A link has an outer bent portion engaged with the pin in the elongate hole, and an inner portion connected with one end of the connection member for transmission of rotation.

Abstract: A brake assembly for a motorcycle provided with a hydraulically actuated front brake and rear brake for a front wheel and a rear wheel, respectively, including a first brake actuating device and a second brake actuating device, for applying hydraulically pressure to the front and rear brakes; and an electronically controlled braking system, having a first hydraulic system extending from the first brake actuating device connected to the front brake, and a second hydraulic system extending from the second brake actuating device, connected to the rear brake, with an electronic control device receiving detection values for each of the first actuation amount detection device for detecting an actuation amount of the first brake actuating device, and a second actuation amount detection device for detecting an actuation amount of the second brake actuating device, subjecting them to computation, and outputting control signals to a hydraulically controlled actuator based on the result of the computation, and actuating

Abstract: There is disclosed a theft prevention system for trailers with the customary pneumatic trailer braking system. A normally closed solenoid valve is connected in the line that supplies air to release the trailer parking brakes and a signal receiver adapted to receive an electrical signal from a transmitter in the tractor cab must be caused to actuate the solenoid to open the valve to release the trailer parking brakes. The signal from the transmitter to the receiver may be transmitted over the electrical cable from tractor to trailer or may be a radio transmitted signal . The solenoid valve is provided with a pneumatic latch so that the parking brakes will remain released as long as air pressure is provided. The signal transmitter is provided with security to prevent unauthorized use which may be a key switch, a key pad for entry of an identification number, a magnetic strip card reader or other device.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided having, a set of small drawers that hold a specific type of medication and can be pulled and the contents emptied when needed. Medications are placed within the drawers and labeled. When it is time to ingest the medication, one simply pulls out a drawer and takes out its content. The present embodiment provides as step-like arrangement and hold multiples of 7 days of medication. The device can have holes on the back for hanging or magnets for securing to a metallic surface. Additionally, a smaller unit can be made transportable with the addition of a carrying strap.

Abstract: A door opening device for a food storage apparatus such as a household refrigerator includes a generally cylindrical coil unit mounted on a body of the storage apparatus and having an axially extending through hole, a plunger mounted in the hole of the coil unit so as to be axially moved with respect to the coil unit, the plunger being moved in a direction when the coil unit is energized, and a pushing member mounted on one axial end of the plunger so as to be moved with the plunger, the pushing member pushing the door in an opening direction against an attractive force of the magnet gasket when moved in the one direction with the plunger.

Abstract: It is an exemplified object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer having a head drive circuit that can generate a less distorted drive waveform stably using a smaller-size and smaller-capacitance transistor than the conventional.

Abstract: A system of the present invention first refers to a table of a recording ratio with respect to a higher-density ink and determines whether or not deep dots are to be formed, based on input tone data, according to a systematic dither method. When it is determined that deep dots are formed, the system drives a piezoelectric element PE of an ink head corresponding to the higher-density ink to form deep dots and computes a resulting value RV of the deep dots. When it is determined that deep dots are not formed, the system sets the resulting value RV of the deep dots equal to zero, determines whether or not light dots are to be formed by a lower-density ink, based on the input tone data, according to an error diffusion technique, and computes a resulting value RV of the light dots. The on/off control of the light dots minimizes a density error or a difference of a resulting image from an original image.

Abstract: An ink jet recording device includes an external switch, a device for detecting the amount of ink left in each ink cartridge, and a device operating such that when an instruction to replace the ink cartridge is generated by the switch, or when a device detects an ink end of the cartridge, only the ink cartridge to be replaced is exposed through a window in the recording device. The ink cartridge to be replaced is specified, and only the specified ink cartridge is automatically moved to a replaceable position. Correct replacement of more than one ink cartridge is ensured, and the cartridge replacing work is simplified.

Abstract: An ink-jet printing apparatus receives image data from a host computer and prints the image data. If an elapsed time from an end of printing processing for one printing job to start of printing processing for the next job is less than a predetermined time period, printing processing for the next job is started, without subjecting ink-jet heads to a recovery process, following the end of printing processing for the one job. The recovery process is carried out not only when the predetermined period elapses but also whenever processing for printing on a predetermined amount of printing medium is executed.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head for recording by discharging ink on a recording medium and a plurality of waste ink storage members connected in series for receiving waste ink from only one recording head and provided within empty space in the apparatus. The waste ink is exhausted by a discharge recovery process in order to maintain a state of ink discharge in said recording head at least in a good condition. Each waste ink storage member includes an aperture on its surface covered with a breathable fabric to allow air into the ink storage member.

Abstract: A technique applicable to a printer which enables a plurality of print modes having different printing speeds and picture qualities to be set flexibly. A printer has a high-quality print mode that enables printing at a high resolution to ensure a high picture quality and a high-speed print mode that enables printing at a low resolution but at a high speed. The printer has a first oscillator that outputs driving waveforms to create smaller-sized dots directed to the high-quality print mode, and a second oscillator that outputs driving waveforms to create larger-sized dots directed to the high-speed print mode. In addition to these two print modes, there is an intermediate print mode that utilizes both the first and the second oscillators to carry out printing at a low resolution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the spacing of actuators within a common carriage or frame of a multiple actuator device is provided to render the actuator spacing insensitive to thermal deviations occurring among actuators due to variable thermal conditions within the carriage or frame. A first fixed actuator is connected to an underlying carriage or frame supporting a plurality of actuators and to each additional actuator via links of at least two dissimilar material, such that the respective coefficients of thermal expansion of the dissimilar materials enables the actuators to maintain their original spacing with respect to one another regardless of the thermal conditions within the carriage or frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming an image with a print head that fires groups of drops of fluid results in a reduction in stitch joint error. The stitch joint error is reduced by changing the firing sequence of the nozzles of adjacent dies of the print head.

Abstract: In an apparatus producing a high-quality and high-resolution image having high water and light resistances with an orifice having a diameter less than &phgr;25 &mgr;m (less than 500 &mgr;m2 in terms of cross-sectional area of the orifice) by use of a fine particle dispersion recording composition, nozzle clogging can be prevented. A recording is accomplished by a liquid jet recording apparatus for ejecting a recording composition including dispersed fine particles from a small orifice toward a receiving medium, wherein a size Dp of the fine particles and a diameter Do of the small orifice are determined by a relationship 0.001≦Dp/Do≦0.01.

Abstract: An ink jet head cartridge having a recording head without an ink container includes a casing with an ink ejection device; and a structural member on the casing for improving handling of the recording head.

Abstract: An inkjet printer having an energy efficient nozzle actuator design which also can be simply constructed. A thermal actuator is activated to eject ink from the nozzle chamber. The thermal actuator includes two layers of actuator material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, having a high coefficient of thermal expansion, a top layer being substantially non conductive and a bottom layer being conductive, the thermal actuator being activated by means of passing a current through the bottom layer so as to cause it to expand relative to the top. The bottom layer includes portions being conductive and portions being non-conductive such that a resistive circuit is formed. PTFE can be made conductive by the addition of carbon nanotubes. The resistive circuit is created having predetermined areas of low circuit cross-sectional area so as to produce high levels of heating of the actuators in those areas.

Abstract: A micro electro-mechanical device embodied within an ink ejection nozzle having an actuating arm that is caused to move an ink displacing paddle when heat inducing electric current is passed through the actuating arm is disclosed. The paddle is located in an ink chamber and the actuating arm passes through an actuator aperture in the chamber. The chamber is partly defined by a straight edge portion on an upper wall of the ink chamber. The actuating arm carries a second planar wall which covers the actuator aperture and which is moveable relative to the edge portion when the actuating arm and paddle are moved to eject a droplet. Upon movement of the actuating arm the second wall moves relative to the edge portion and a meniscus is created between the edge portion and the second wall which forms a seal between the second wall and the edge portion of the chamber wall.

Abstract: One side face of a piezoelectric vibrator is fixed to a fixing substrate. A first conductive layer which conducts to a common internal electrode exposed on the side face in the side of the fixing substrate is formed on the front face of the piezoelectric vibrator which is an unfixed face. A second conductive layer which conducts to an individual internal electrode is formed on the front face. A flexible cable is connected to the front face.