Abstract: A vacuum-jacketed bayonet pipe spool system for cryogenic fluid. The pipe spool comprises a male bayonet to fit within a female bayonet of an opposing pipe and an expansion-contraction second bellows about the outer end of the male bayonet for stress-free movement.

Abstract: A security device for a slide fastener, including a housing adapted to be fitted to an object to which the slide fastener is attached, the housing substantially surrounding the slider of the slide fastener in its fully closed position, a closure member adapted to cooperate with the housing which, in use, covers the slider to prevent access thereto and a frangible locking element adapted to link the housing to the closure member, the locking element being resiliently yieldable and slidably insertable into the closure member but not retractable therefrom without fracturing the frangible locking element. The closure member is attached at one end to a puller and the puller is attached to the slider. In a preferred embodiment the closure member can pivot about the housing and block withdrawal of the slider from the housing in its closed position.

Abstract: A trim attachment and method comprises a door lever/knob which is assembled to a spindle housing of a lock assembly by sliding the door lever/knob over the spindle. A retaining mechanism within the door lever/knob automatically engages the spindle to couple the door lever/knob to the spindle when the door lever/knob is properly positioned on the spindle. The spindle and door lever/knob have mating exterior and interior ribs providing torque transfer between the spindle and door lever/knob. An aperture is provided in the door lever/knob to depress a portion of the retaining mechanism to release the retaining mechanism, allowing the door lever/knob to be removed. The improved knob/lever trim attachment and methods provide an easily assembled and manufactured, aesthetically pleasing, and easily replaceable assembly for a door lock assembly.

Abstract: A truck bed extender with one or more extendable ramps. The bed extender includes an extending rail having a truck end and a free end. The truck end is coupled to a trailer hitch receiver and the free end includes a bottom trailer hitch receiver. A support assembly is coupled to the extending rail receiver proximate the free end. The support assembly includes a rear T-shaped support member. The ramps are pivotally and slideably coupled to the support assembly proximate the rear T-shaped member. A locking bar is configured to secure the ramps at an angle between and including substantially horizontal and substantially vertical with respect the truck bed, and engages the support assembly.

Abstract: A cammed vertical arm support system is described for the support and control of an expandable room that may be moved between a retracted position within a vehicle to an expanded position outward from the vehicle. The cammed relationship allows the room floor to lie above and generally parallel with the vehicle floor when the room is retracted and beside and generally flush with the vehicle floor when the room is extended. A moveable housing to conceal vertical arms is also disclosed.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle is provided with one or more wheel fenders that double as storage compartments. The fenders define a hollow volume into which a variety of desired items can be placed for storage. An access opening provides access to the hollow volume. A door can be attached to releasably close the access opening. A door can be hinged such that it is readily accessible by a driver of the ATV while seated on the ATV.

Abstract: A cargo lid retention device and method for holding a cargo lid in an open position, wherein the retention device includes a fixed hook member, a removable hook member, and a tether. The fixed hook member defines a receptacle that releasably receives the fixed hook member. The receptacle includes an upstanding rim and a resilient fastener which cooperate to hold the removable hook member against undesired movement. The removable hook member is secured to the tether which, in turn, is secured to the cargo lid. The tether cooperates with the removable hook member when the removable hook member is secured to a remote support to maintain the cargo lid in the open position.

Abstract: The backrest of a rear seat of a motor vehicle presents a frame, which lower fastening means pivoting on the body of the motor vehicle on a transverse axis and which upper fastening means to the body can be released to rotate the backrest forwards for extending the motor vehicle luggage compartment. The lower pivots are shaped so to pivot the backrest on the body of the motor vehicle with the lower part of the backrest arranged either in a first most advanced operative position or in a second most retracted operative position.

Abstract: An actuating arrangement for opening and closing a hinged motor vehicle panel has a fluid drive, a control unit, and a sensor unit. The hinged motor vehicle panel is movable between a starting position and an end position, and the control unit evaluates start signals from the sensor unit and stopping the movement of the motor vehicle panel in an intermediate position. The start signals from the sensor unit correspond to current angles of opening of the hinged motor vehicle panel, and predetermined angles of opening of the hinged motor vehicle panel define certain criteria. It is possible to set at least the angle of opening of the intermediate position via the control unit.

Abstract: A subassembly element in the form of an intermediate product for a multipart cover element for motor vehicles contains at least two subassembly parts, e.g., for a multipart sunroof or sliding roof cover or for a multipart loading zone or cargo space cover, containing edge regions on the adjacent edges of the subassembly parts which are correspondingly shaped such that they had least partially overlap in the closed position. All subassembly parts are present in the form of one connected-together part and are shaped in accordance with the predetermined contour of the cover element. A channel-shaped depression is arranged at least in the outer side of the subassembly element in the edge region in which two respective subassembly parts adjoin one another. The contour of the channel-shaped depression is comprised of the desired contours of the edge regions of adjacent subassembly parts of the respective cover element.

Abstract: A generally laminar cover member extends between the sidewalls, end wall, and tailgate of the bed of a pickup truck and is removably secured to at least one of the sidewalls and end wall. The cover member is formed of a rigid material adapted to bear a load and is secured to the sidewalls in a location to leave at least 75% of the bed volume under the cover usable for storage. At least one leg member is secured to one side of the cover member, the leg members being selectively extendable to permit use of the cover as a table when the cover is removed from the bed of the pickup truck.

Abstract: The invention relates to a main bearing unit for a convertible folding top, comprising a bearing plate, at least one kinematic pivot point of a folding-top linkage of the convertible folding top, which kinematic pivot point is mounted pivotably in the bearing plate, a linear force-introducing unit, a pin which is assigned to the folding-top linkage, wherein the linear force-introducing unit, in order to actuate the folding-top linkage, is in driving connection with the pin assigned to the folding-top linkage, and a hole in the bearing plate, wherein the force-introducing unit is held in the hole in the bearing plate and is integrated in the bearing plate.

Abstract: A vehicle door guard apparatus for providing protection against damage to a door exterior due to impact with outside objects. The apparatus includes a door handle pivotally attached to a vehicle door and pivotally attached to a first end of a rod using a pivot. A second end of the rod is fixedly connected to a vehicle body, wherein when the vehicle door is opened, the door handle is caused to be rotated outwards to protrude from the vehicle door.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a front chassis structure for a vehicle that increases the rigidity of lamp support braces, even when welding holes are present. The front chassis structure, which is assembled by joining lamp support braces 1, comprises an inner brace 11 and an outer brace 12, side members 2 having an inner member 21 and an outer member 22, and a lower member 3 having a front member 31 and a back member 31, and wherein holes 11a having flanges are provided to the inner braces 11 of the lamp support braces 1, and the flanges 11c of the inner braces 11 are joined to the outer braces 12 of the lamp support braces 1 and the inner members 21 of the side members 2.

Abstract: A vehicle space frame for constructing a motor vehicle includes a body module and a front module. The body module includes a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending main side rail structures and a pair of rearward-most upright structures each being connected to a respective main side rail structure and extending upwardly therefrom to form a pair of rearward-most pillars thereon. The body module further includes a pair of hydroformed upper longitudinal members each being defined by an outwardly deformed tubular metallic wall fixed in a predetermined irregular exterior surface configuration and each including a pillar-forming portion and a longitudinally extending portion.

Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having an opening in its fixed roof comprises a stationary part with at least one guide rail, which is to be secured to the roof. An adjustable closure panel is supported by a mechanism which is capable of sliding movement in the guide rail. The closure panel can be adjusted between a closed position, in which it closes the roof opening, and an open position, in which it at least partially releases the roof opening. The guide rail is provided with an adjustable cover, which can be adjusted synchronously with the movements of the mechanism, or can be made deformable locally.

Abstract: A device for restraining parcels and other objects that are typically transported in an automobile on a passenger seat.

Abstract: A vehicle seat frame includes a locking device that prevents the seat frame from moving during a crash. A first spring holds an inertia-sensitive locking element and an interlocking element in a first position. In the event of a crash, the inertia-sensitive locking element swivels about an axis due to the force of inertia. Contact surfaces on the inertia-sensitive locking element and the interlocking element disengage. A second spring then pulls the interlocking element toward a guide link. A gear region on the interlocking element grips into and engages with a gear region on the guide link. The second spring maintains the tension on the gear regions, even if the force of inertia has dwindled. The locking device can be disengaged only by manually resetting the interlocking element and the inertia-sensitive locking element into the first position.

Abstract: A chair having a seat and a back rest. The back rest is attached to the seat via a back rest support element. The flat spring can be made from a non-metallic material, such as from fiberglass. The back rest support element comprises a flat spring disposed under pretension. In one embodiment, the seat is disposed upon a seat support structure having four legs. Preferably, the legs are splayed outside the perimeter of the seat, so that the chair is stackable with chairs of like design. The seat and the back rest can be made from a lightweight plastic material, and that the support structure can be made from tubular steel.

Abstract: The lift chair has a chair fame pivotally connected to a chair base for pivotal movement about a chair frame horizontal axis. A liner actuator pivots the chair frame about a chair frame horizontal axis. Left and right arm rests are pivotally attached to the chair frame by hinge and ratchet assemblies. The hinge portions have an arm rest axis at the rear of the arm rests. The ratchet portion permit forward ends of the arm rests to be raised as required and hold the arm rests in selected positions to assist a person to stand after the chair frame has been pivoted upward about the chair frame horizontal axis. The arm rests are pivoted to their upper limit to release the ratchet assemblies and free the arm rests to pivot to their lower positions.

Abstract: A swiveling chair is described. The swiveling chair has a back portion, a seat portion attached to the back portion, a swiveling component attached to the seat portion, a leg support attachment attached to the swiveling component, wherein the leg support attachment has at least three leg openings, and at least three chair legs attached to the leg support attachment, wherein the at least three legs attach to the leg support attachment at the at least three leg openings and wherein the at least three legs attach at an angle from a perpendicular line to the leg support attachment to a center line in each of the at least three legs and wherein the angle is between 35 and 55 degrees.

Abstract: A height adjustment mechanism in a chair operates automatically by raising and lowering a chair component such as a chair back. The height adjustment mechanism is provided on a chair back or other chair support and includes a gear which engages a rack member that is vertically movable relative thereto in response to movement of the chair back. A locking member is provided which engages the gear to prevent downward movement of the chair back while still permitting upward movement of the chair back. A disengagement member also is provided to separate the gear and the locking member and maintain the gear in a disengaged position that permits lowering of the chair back.

Abstract: A gear mechanism (1) for a vehicle seat adjuster with at least two hollow wheels (11,28) having internal gears, which are mounted side by side and adapted for rotating relative to each other, with at least one rotating planet gear (24) axially arranged between the hollow wheels (11,28), and bearing sleeves (22,26) acting in radially different directions, which eliminates a radial backlash in the locked state of the gear mechanism (1).

Abstract: A seat back adjustment mechanism for a seat assembly enabling a seat back to be selectively positioned in various fold-forward positions relative to a seat, and locked into at least one forward position, includes a quadrant supporting a cam plate that interfaces with a locking member to block an arm rotatably supporting the quadrant. The arm preferably includes a series of pawl teeth for selectively engaging the locking member to lock the seat back in a selected fold-forward position. Alternatively, the arm includes a corner portion or includes a link and a sector plate allowing for the locking of the seat back in a single fold-forward position, horizontal to the seat. A gear assembly is further provided to facilitate actuation of the adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: An improved kit for converting a non-reclining wheelchair into a reclining wheelchair providing replacement side rails which improve patient comfort by preventing the side rail from impinging upon the patient. The replacement side rails are affixed to the frame of the wheelchair after the original side rails are removed. The replacement side rails bend outward to avoid the location of the patient's axilla when the wheelchair is reclined.

Abstract: A headrest device, intended for a chair, a seat or the like having a substantially vertical backrest, has an attachment part (1), by means of which it is to be attached to the backrest, and a headrest (6), which is mounted on the attachment part (1). The headrest (6) is mounted on the attachment part (1) by means of two link arms (7, 8), which at one end are connected, pivotally about a substantially vertical pivot axis, to the attachment part (1) and which at the other end are connected, hingedly about a substantially vertical axis, to a respective nut element (15, 16). The nut elements (15,16) are threadingly engaged with a substantially horizontal screw (23), which is turnably attached to the headrest (6) and which is arranged, in turning, to synchronously displace the nut elements (15, 16) in opposite directions along the screw (23) and thereby to pivot the link arms (7, 8) about their pivot axes to change the horizontal distance of the headrest (6) from the attachment part (1).

Abstract: A chair (10) is disclosed having a pedestal (11) coupled to a seat portion (12) to which is coupled to a backrest (13), a footrest (15) and a pair of arms (16). The footrest (15) includes a pair of spaced-apart mounting members (18), a U-shaped foot supporting member (19) pivotally coupled to the mounting members (18) through hinges (21), and a pair of guiding brackets (23) extending between the mounting members (18) and the foot supporting member (19). Each guiding bracket (23) has an elongated rail (24) and a post (26) extending through a slot (25) in the rail (24).

Abstract: A reinforcing frame for a seat is molded to include at least one connecting member for removably connecting a shroud to the underside of the seat, as well as other features for facilitating assembly of the various components to the underside of the seat.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method of joining forged, machined, formed or cast components with a metal tube. In another aspect, it concerns a metal object constructed according to the method. The tube is heated to expand its diameter, but not sufficiently to anneal it, or otherwise adversely affect its mechanical properties. Then, while the tube is still hot, it is pushed over part of the central component so that part of the tube overlies a circumferential groove in the central component. Then, while still hot, the circumferential part of the tube which overlies the groove, is rolled into the groove, so that when cooled the rolled part of the tube is clamped into the groove. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to the construction of vehicle wheels having a forged, machined, formed or cast hub or center and a metal rim.

Abstract: A wheel hub assembly includes a first bearing assembly, a wheel hub, a grease retainer, and a second bearing assembly mounted on a spindle. The grease retainer extends between and in engagement with the first bearing cup, and the second bearing cup. The grease retainer is formed of a resilient material, to maintain the retainer against the bearing cups such that the required grease fill is reduced and prevents grease from escaping the bearing assemblies.

Abstract: A wheel hub that provides a wheel that is free-wheeling in both directions of turning and is constructed to provide low rolling resistance, greater load carrying capacity and is more reliable that earlier hubs. The hub includes separate bearing systems for supporting, respectively, radial loads as perpendicular to a road surface, and axial loads as are side loads directed into the hub. The separate bearing systems include a pair of radial bearings for supporting radial loads, with each radial bearing of the pair mounted at each hub end to receive an axle fitted therethrough, and a pair of thrust bearings for supporting axial loads, with each thrust bearing of the pair mounted at a hub end, between the radial bearings outer surfaces and an axle mounting to a frame.

Abstract: A method and device for driving an arrangement, in a vehicle, that delivers a pressurized medium in a brake system, the pressurized medium being delivered in at least one brake circuit of the brake system, and a pressurized medium volume available in the brake circuit being dependent upon the driving of the arrangement delivering the pressurized medium. In this context, the arrangement delivering the pressurized medium is driven as a function of the vehicle speed so as to effect a correlation between the vehicle speed and the pressurized medium volume available in the brake circuit. This means, in particular, that the vehicle speed and the pressurized medium volume available in the brake circuit are linked in such a way that, with rising vehicle speed, the available volume of pressurized medium in the brake circuit is increased, and/or with falling vehicle speed, the available volume of pressurized medium in the brake circuit is decreased.

Abstract: Hydraulic or electro-hydraulic braking systems which include at least one wheel braking device and micro-machined technology, such as microvalves, are described herein. The use of the microvalves helps to eliminate audible noise produced in the hydraulic systems as well as allows for reduced package size of the system. In particular, many of the braking systems described herein have Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) capabilities, and as such employ apply microvalves, dump microvalves and changeover microvalves. The microvalves may be digitally or proportionally controlled for selectively controlling the pressure supplied to the wheel brake cylinders.

Abstract: A method for controlling the traction slip of a vehicle on a roadway with sidewise different coefficients of friction includes the following steps: identifying a driving situation on a roadway with sidewise different coefficients of friction and, when the driving situation is identified and traction slip is encountered on both wheels, decreasing the brake pressure of the driven wheel on the low coefficient-of-friction side. A device for controlling the traction slip of a vehicle on a roadway with sidewise different coefficients of friction includes a determining device for determining a driving situation on a roadway with sidewise different coefficients of friction, and a brake actuation control which decreases the brake pressure of the driven wheel on the low coefficient-of-friction side when the driving situation is identified and traction slip is encountered on both wheels.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle motion control system, which includes wheel brake cylinders, an automatic hydraulic pressure generating apparatus for generating a hydraulic braking pressure irrespective of operation of a brake pedal, a hydraulic pressure control valve device disposed between the pressure generating apparatus and the wheel brake cylinders to control the hydraulic braking pressure in each wheel brake cylinder, and a controller for controlling the pressure generating apparatus and the valve device in response to conditions of vehicle motion, and performing an automatically pressurizing control to the wheel brake cylinders at least when a brake pedal is not depressed, to perform a vehicle motion control.

Abstract: A brake system and method of controlling the system are disclosed. The system provides secondary hydraulic braking in a de-energized mode. The system includes a wheel brake associated with wheels of a vehicle typically at each corner of the vehicle. The wheel brake typically includes a caliper or drum for deceleration of the vehicle. The system includes a master cylinder in fluid communication with the wheel brake. In the de-energized mode, the master cylinder operates the wheel brake. A solenoid isolation valve decouples the master cylinder from the wheel brake when the system is in a normal, i.e., an energized, mode. As such, the master cylinder is isolated from the wheel brake and is prevented from operating the wheel brake. Alternatively, in the de-energized mode, the isolation valve couples the master cylinder with the wheel brake to provide the secondary hydraulic braking.

Abstract: In a vehicle brake apparatus for executing ABS control to prevent a wheel from locking in such a manner that braking force is controlled so as to keep a slip ratio of a wheel at a target slip ratio so that an excessive drop of a wheel speed from a vehicle body speed is adjusted, an output current for driving a braking actuator is set to a current on which oscillating waves are superimposed during ABS control so that the wheel speed changes to show oscillating waves. Even if the wheel speed once drops to an extent that the slip ratio exceeds the target slip ratio, further decrease of the wheel speed is restricted and the wheel speed turns to an increase soon and this cycle is repeated. Accordingly, there occurs no excessive drop of the wheel speed due to the response delay so that sufficient braking force is generated.

Abstract: With the objective of providing an elastic crawler shoe capable of securing desired ground contact pressure on an icy road or a pressed snow road, thereby preventing a skid, a ground contact face of an elastic body which is bonded to a core bar so as to cover the core bar has grooves, and a central ground contact face in a longitudinal direction of the elastic crawler shoe is provided with stepped parts relative to end portions thereof so as to be protrusively stepped.

Abstract: A beverage cart is described that includes a bottom portion with a substantially rectangular shape, having front, rear, right, and left sides. Upstanding wall portions extend upwardly from the bottom portion at each of the front, rear, right, and left sides, mate with the bottom portion, and rigidly interlock with one another through tongue and groove fasteners provided thereon. A top portion rigidly interlocks with the right and left upstanding wall portions through tongue and groove fasteners provided thereon. At least one intermediate upstanding wall portion is disposed between the right and left upstanding wall portions and rigidly interconnects with the front and rear upstanding wall portions through tongue and groove fasteners provided thereon. At least one horizontal shelf portion is disposed between any two of the upstanding wall portions and rigidly interlocks with the two upstanding wall portions through tongue and groove fasteners provided thereon.

Abstract: A cable conduit for a switchgear cabinet, having a rack assembled from rack legs, at least a part of which have several profiled sides on an inside facing an interior, which extend at an angle with respect to each other and to a diagonal line of the rack and have a row of fastening receivers, wherein the cable conduit has a U-shaped profiled receiving section with a base leg and two lateral legs and can be closed by a cover section, which can be locked on the lateral legs. A dependable attachment of the cable conduit with an optimal cable reception space is achieved because the base leg of the profiled receiving section is matched to at least a portion of the contour defined by the profiled sides of the inside of a frame leg, or the profiled sides of the insides of two frame legs which are connected with each other, and can be connected with the profiled sides.

Abstract: Clips for restraining furniture doors from both vertical and horizontal movement during shipping and handling are provided. A clip includes an elongated base member having opposite first and second sides. A pair of elongated first and second panels extend outwardly from the base member first side in spaced-apart, opposing relationship. The first and second panels are configured to removably secure a portion of a furniture frame. An elongated third panel extends outwardly from the base member second side and is configured to engage an end portion of a furniture door and removably secure the door against the base member second side such that vertical and horizontal movement of the door relative to the frame is restrained.

Abstract: A motorized pull-out device for a tall cupboard and including a motor for pulling out the pull-out rail connected with the pull-out section of the tall cupboard and for driving the pull-out rail in a switch for actuating the motor, and an arrangement for actuating the switch and including a light reflector for reflecting the light emitted by the light source onto the light receiver and associated with the pull-out section of the tall cupboard, and an actuation member for displacing the light reflector between a first and second positions, in which the light emitted by the light source is either reflected or not reflected by the light reflector, onto the light receiver, respectively.

Abstract: Conditioning an ink jet orifice by illuminating the orifice with radiation from a laser to remove contaminants and smooth rough surfaces.

Abstract: A cleaning system is provided for cleaning ink residue from a sensor in a printing mechanism which deposits ink on the sensor, which comprises a scraper member having a head which, through relative motion of the head and sensor, gathers ink residue from the sensor; a flexible member having plural cleaning segments which, through relative motion and engagement of the flexible member and the head, flexes and collects ink residue from the head with the cleaning segments; wherein the flexible member comprises first and second springs, the first spring comprises a coil spring defining an interior space; and the second spring comprises a coil spring located in the interior space of the first spring.

Abstract: An ink drop let jetting method and an apparatus are provided to easily and arbitrarily control a volume of ink droplets without changing the voltage value of a jet pulse. Thus, printing with a desired resolution may be achieved. When the volume of ink droplets (or printing density) is increased, the printing frequency of a timing period of the jet pulse is set to a reciprocal of an even-numbered multiple of the time T in which a pressure wave propagates within an ink chamber in one-way. Also, when the volume of ink droplets is decreased, the printing frequency is set to a reciprocal of an odd-numbered multiple of the time T in which a pressure wave propagates within an ink chamber in one-way. Alternatively, printing is executed at intermediate frequencies. According to this method, it becomes possible to print dots with an arbitrary resolution.

Abstract: In a method of driving a plurality of ink jet heads, each ink jet head comprises a plurality of ink chambers that are each provided with an ink nozzle. The ink nozzles of each of the ink jet heads are divided into N sets each including every N-th ink nozzle, where N is an integer of two or more, and the N sets of the ink nozzles are arranged in parallel longitudinal rows in a staggered arrangement. The respective ink nozzles in corresponding rows of the ink jet heads are spaced apart from each other by a distance equal to an integral multiple of a pitch of the rows of the ink nozzles in each of the ink jet heads in a sub-scanning direction in which a recording medium is moved, and the ink nozzles eject ink as the ink nozzles move relative to the recording medium in a main scanning direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: An at least two-pass acoustic printing system uses an acoustic printhead having an array of ejectors arranged in rows and columns. Operation of each ejector is individually controllable. To minimize cross-talk errors a first selected ejector in a selected row is identified as an odd ejector of the selected row. Thereafter a first firing sequence of the first selected ejector is generated based on the first selected ejector being identified as odd. Then a second ejector, immediately adjacent the first ejector, is selected and is identified as an even ejector. Thereafter a second firing sequence is generated for the second selected ejector based on the selector being identified as even. The first and second firing sequences result in the first ejector and the second ejector being active during non-concurrent time periods. When a defective ejector of the array is detected, an operable ejector firing to the same substrate area is determined.

Abstract: A method and system for ink jet printing of characters in a variable rate document transport creates a correct column pitch for the document speed. An endorser control system includes a processor having a DMA unit for retrieving column data at a column data rate wherein the processor controls the variable document travel rate. The system further includes a sequencer for converting the column data into dot data. The DMA unit in conjunction with a compare match timer writes the column data from the processor memory to the sequencer at the specified column data rate.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus and recording method uses a recording head wherein nozzles with small diameter are arrayed in high density, to achieve both high quality and high speed. Accordingly, whether to record a certain area in the image with recording ink alone or with both recording ink and clear ink is determined according to the image data of the certain area, and recording is performed based on the determined results, using a recording head wherein ink discharging nozzles and clear ink nozzles are arrayed alternately.

Abstract: An ink jet type printing apparatus, including: a print head having nozzle apertures from which ink droplets eject; an ink cartridge containing ink supplied to the print head; a memory device attached to the ink cartridge, the memory device storing information relating to ink contained in the ink cartridge; and an access control device for controlling accesses to the memory device for reading data from and writing data in the memory device, the access control device allowing the access to the memory device only when the print head is in non-printing status.