Abstract: A vehicle convertible roof is provided which includes mechanisms to actively control at least a majority of the roof bows. The active controlling of the roof bows allows the convertible roof to have a stacked length that is reduced and results in a smaller packaging requirement. A unique and novel way to control the movement of the front roof rail relative to the center roof rail is disclosed. The simple linkage arrangement reduces the complexity of the vehicle convertible roof and provides for compact packaging of the convertible roof when in the stowed position thus reducing the packaging requirement.

Abstract: A motor coach is provided as well as a method of manufacturing a luxury motor coach conversion from a semi tractor, for example, a class 8 sleeper. The motor coach utilizes the sleeper portion of the original truck body and includes a rear body portion that is mounted to a frame of the tractor rearwardly of the sleeper portion. In an embodiment, the motor coach is manufactured by removing a significant portion of a rear panel of the sleeper portion, mounting the rear body against the sleeper, and securing a flange over a seam between the rear body and the sleeper. In an embodiment, the motor coach has multiple occupiable levels including an elevated level and a lower level which has a sunken floor that is vertically lower than the truck frame. Optionally, the motor coach includes a garage having a tiltable floor that supports an auxiliary vehicle during travel and pivots to slope downwardly for loading and unloading the auxiliary vehicle.

Abstract: In order to provide a wind stop device for a passenger vehicle with a roll bar, comprising surface elements of the wind stop device and a supporting device for the surface elements of the wind stop device which can be secured on the roll bar, which can be assembled in a simple manner and quickly it is suggested that the supporting device be provided with at least two holding brackets arranged in spaced relationship, wherein the holding brackets are arranged and designed such that they can be abutted on respective bar sections of the roll bar for securing the supporting device on the roll bar.

Abstract: The present invention provides a blow-molded vehicle part and a blow-molding process for generating a one-piece vehicle part with improved strength, aesthetic appearance and reduced weight and cost. The blow-molded vehicle part includes a front vehicle part portion and a back vehicle part portion, wherein the front vehicle part and the back vehicle part have at least an outer unreinforced layer of a thermoplastic that forms a smooth outer surface of the vehicle part and a reinforced inner layer.

Abstract: A framing structure around a vehicle door opening has a hydraulically tube-formed tubular framework disposed inside the vehicle door opening to form a basic framing. The outer panel and the tubular framework are joined directly together by welding. The inner side of the tubular framework is an inner wall within the vehicle. The outer side of the tubular framework, facing the outer panel, is a stiffening wall. The stiffening wall is hidden within a closed space between the outer panel and the inner wall.

Abstract: An air channeler device is provided for use with a vehicle having a forward and rearward end for reducing wind resistance of the vehicle. The air channeler has an air inlet for positioning within an air stream surrounding the vehicle so that air is received in the inlet as the air stream moves about the vehicle. An air discharge is provided for positioning at a generally central location of the rearward end of the vehicle and has a width that is substantially less than the width of the rearward end of the body so that the air discharge is spaced inward from the edges of the rearward end. An air conduit couples to the vehicle and has a generally tubular passageway that is in communication between the air inlet and the air discharge for directing air from the air inlet through the conduit to the discharge.

Abstract: A grip main portion of an assist grip is attached to a car body through an attaching device. A hook member is housed in a housing of the attaching device to be located outside the housing. An end surface of the hook member is aligned with an outer surface of the attaching device in a state wherein the hook member is housed in the housing. The housing and the hook member are provided with a cam mechanism. Through the cam mechanism, the hook member can be moved between a using position and a non-using position. Thus, the assist grip having a good appearance and operability can be obtained.

Abstract: A deck chair has a frame having a back frame, a seat frame, a leg frame, a front support frame, a rear support frame outside the back frame and two side stretchers. Two positioning members pivotally mount the back frame to the seat. Two armrest-adjusting members are respectively pivotally mounted at top ends of the front support frame and the rear support frame. When the positioning members are locked, the back frame and the seat frame can be pivoted about the positioning members with a changeless included angle.

Abstract: A reclining passenger seat, including a seat frame for being attached to a supporting deck, a seat bottom carried by the seat frame, and a seat back carried by the seat frame and moveable with the seat bottom from and between the upright and sleep positions. A legrest assembly is mounted adjacent a forward end of the seat bottom for being selectively extended generally downwardly and outwardly from the seat bottom for supporting the legs of the passenger. An armrest assembly is carried by the seat frame and includes an armrest moveable between a horizontal position with an upper support surface supporting a forearm of the seat occupant in the upright seat position and a forwardly-inclined, lowered position wherein the upper support surface is aligned with an upper surface of the seat bottom for providing a wider sleeping surface for the seat occupant when the seat is in the fully-reclined sleep position.

Abstract: A food tray adjustment structure for a high chair to adjust the position of the food tray to suit children of different sizes includes a handle with longitudinal sections at two sides to form a biased sliding rail with a skew angle to couple with sliding docks that have coupling troughs formed with the same type of biased surfaces. The sliding docks may form a released or a latched position with coupling sections formed on the armrests at two sides of the chair. Thereby the distance between the backrest and the food tray may be adjusted to suit children of different sizes sitting on the chair.

Abstract: A headrest assembly including a headrest pad having a front surface and side portions that are movable between a first position and a second position wherein the side portions are forward of the front surface of the headrest pad. A shift mechanism is provided for moving the side portion to the second position. A trigger is actuated in response to an impact that causes the shift mechanism to move the side portion from the first position to the second position. The headrest pad preferably has a central section that is flanked by right and left side portions. The side portions pivot on a shaft or hinge mechanism that includes a spring that biases the side portions toward the second position. The trigger is preferably a hook that is mounted on a slide secured to the headrest pad. A torsion spring is secured between the hook and the slide so that the hook may be displaced relative to the headrest pad when the impact exerts an inertial load to the headrest pad above a predetermined level.

Abstract: A booster seat comprises a base having a lower surface sized to rest upon a chair seat and an upper surface generally parallel to the lower surface, a seat back hinged connected to the base at a rearward portion of the booster seat and constructed to be folded toward and secured against the base for storage, an adjustable strap extending from the booster seat a length sufficient to secure the booster seat upon a chair, wherein the upper surface and the lower surface are spaced apart by at least about 1 inch when supporting a child weighing about 20 pounds thereupon to provide an elevated seating position, and wherein, with the seat back folded against the upper surface of the base for storage, the booster seat has an overall thickness, measured perpendicularly to the lower surface of the base, of less than about 3 inches.

Abstract: A infant car seat/carrier apparatus for converting a car seat/carrier to one that swings back and forth for the comfort of the infant. The infant car seat/carrier apparatus includes a base assembly including a base member and also including fastening members being movably mounted to the base member; and also includes a seat support assembly including a support base being detachably mounted upon the base member and also including elongate support members being extendably attached to the support base; and further includes a seat/carrier assembly including a seat member, and also including a handle assembly being attached to the seat member and to the elongate support members.

Abstract: A variable lumbar support has a support assembly mountable on a seat frame, a pressure element engaged with the support assembly to move in relation to it in a first direction and a second direction. The directions are substantially parallel and opposite and usually vertical. A first traction element engaged with the support assembly and the pressure element moves the pressure element in the first direction and a second traction element engaged with the support assembly and with the pressure element moves the pressure element in the second direction. At least one actuator engaged with the traction elements causes the movement.

Abstract: A chair, in particular an office chair, has a backrest that is articulated on a seat carrier via a backrest carrier, and has a seat surface that can be moved synchronously with the backrest. The front region of the seat surface is connected to the seat carrier via a sliding guide. The rear region of the seat surface is connected to the seat carrier via a seat link. A top point of rotation connects the seat link to the seat surface. A bottom point of rotation connects the seat link to the seat carrier. The distance between the top point of rotation and the backrest is smaller than the distance between the bottom point of rotation and the backrest. A sliding guide for the seat surface is provided in the backrest carrier for synchronizing the movement of the backrest and the movement of the seat surface.

Abstract: A bolster chair includes a seat having a horizontal position to support a seated user and an upwardly folded vertical position where it enables a user to stand in a space bordered by back and side walls of the bolster chair. The vertical position of the seat is height adjustable so that users of differing heights may lean against the seat when standing in the bordered space. When the seat is in its vertical configuration, the user may displace a handle in a first direction to lock the plunger and the seat into a position of vertical adjustment and to cause a pair of locking members to extend and to lock the seat so that it cannot be folded into a horizontal position. Displacing the handle in an opposite direction releases a gas spring plunger to unlock the seat for vertical adjustment and retracts the pair of locking members.

Abstract: A chair height adjustment mechanism includes a lever positioned to overlay a valve opening member of a height adjusting cylinder. The lever may be depressed by a cam on a control arm when the control arm is rotated. The depressed lever then depresses the valve opening member. Depression of the lever through the rotation of the control arm may give finer control to the depression of the valve opening member than is conventional.

Abstract: An articulated footrest assembly for a seating unit comprises a footrest member moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, a telescopic linkage for extending and retracting the footrest member between the retracted and extended positions, and an actuating linkage. The footrest member comprises proximal and distal portions while the telescopic linkage comprises a stationary support member mounted to the seating unit, a first telescoping arm, and a second telescoping arm. The first telescoping arm has a distal end connected to the proximal portion of the footrest member through a first pivot. The second telescoping arm has a distal end connected to the footrest member between the proximal and distal portions through a second pivot spaced apart from the first pivot. The actuating linkage comprises a first linkage portion interposed between the stationary support member and the first telescoping arm and a second linkage portion interposed between the first and second telescoping arms.

Abstract: A frame assembly for securing a plurality of modular sofa parts together into a sofa frame. The frame assembly includes a pair of tapered members attached to opposing sides of a backrest sofa part and a pair of receptacles attached to a respective one of a pair of rails, which are in turn attached to a pair of armrests. The backrest is connected to the armrests by inserting each of the tapered members into a tapered slot defined by each respective receptacle and is further strengthened using a pair of overlapping securing members. The tapered shape of the tapered members and slots produces a positive fit that has two directional components to prevent rocking of the backrest in two directions. The rails are configured to also accept a sleeper unit, and a futon unit allowing the sofa frame to be easily upgraded or adapted as desired by the user.

Abstract: A novel support for use with furniture having a spring-edge is provided that includes a coil assembly. The coil assembly is typically square or rectangular with top and bottom surfaces and a front edge that faces the front of the furniture piece. A bridge is secured to the top surface of the coil assembly to provide support for the spring-edge. The bridge extends outwardly away from the front edge of the coil assembly and is supported in the same plane as the top surface of the coil assembly by a series of wires. The wire supports terminate at and hold a stiffening member in place that forms the upper portion of the spring-edge. The stiffening member is used to attach a series of front springs to the bridge. These springs are held in place on their lower end by the frame of the piece of furniture.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for supporting the back of a seated person by providing primary support to the back of the seated person at the junction between the lower thoracic vertebrae and the upper lumbar vertebrae and surrounding tissues. More specifically, the primary support is preferably provided to the spine in a target region between the 11th thoracic vertebrae and the 2nd lumbar vertebrae of a user of the chair, and more preferably between the 1st lumbar vertebrae and the 12th thoracic vertebrae.

Abstract: A separating- and support element (20, 21) for milling drums (1) on milling machines for coarse, uneven surfaces of concrete or asphalt, or for the removal of street markings, in which in a tool holder (2), shafts (4) are positioned between two flanges (5) on a radius (x), and milling tools (3) mounted in a loosely rotatable manner are placed thereon. The number of the milling tools (3) to be used can be determined freely in accordance with the use and the size of the milling tools (3). On the shafts (4) and between the flanges (5), milling tools (3) and separating- and support elements (20, 21) are consequently mounted alternating in a freely determinable sequence. The separating- and support elements (20, 21) comprise the central tube (6), whereby the distance of the two middle points (a and a′) corresponds to the radius (x).

Abstract: A cutter assembly includes a cutting bit, a replacable wear surface in the form of a washer, and a sleeve. The cutting bit has a forward cutting tip, a rearward extending shank adapted to be received in a tool holder, and a rearward facing shoulder. The sleeve surrounds the shank and includes a forward edge. The washer includes a central hole receiving the cutting bit shank, a front surface and a back surface joined by an outer asymmetrical edge of angularly variable radius. A portion of the washer front surface is in sliding contact with the rearward facing bit shoulder. The washer back surface includes a lip extending rearward from only a segment of the asymmetric edge for engaging an outer shoulder of a holder to inhibit rotation of the washer relative to the holder.

Abstract: A wheel cap is detachably joined to a disc wheel and having air discharge openings formed in the outer periphery thereof. The wheel cap has a plurality of radial fins provided for the reverse side of the wheel cap and formed from the wheel cap center toward the outside. Further, the wheel cap has an annular air suction opening, and a center plate disposed more adjacent to the center thereof as compared with the air suction opening. The inner distance between the innermost wall of the air suction opening and the center of the wheel cap is shorter than securing distance between a hub nut for securing the disc wheel to an axle hub and the center of the disc wheel.

Abstract: The invention is wheel cover shield apparatus for masking a wheel or a wheel cover during the application of a spray foam cleaner of tire gloss. The apparatus includes a flanged concave round base that has an ergonomic apical non-slip handle and a planar sectional outer flange with an engaging locking means. The apparatus also includes at least one substantially planar ring for a given diameter wheel. Each ring is interchangeable with the base and has a variable width annular plane with an outer fillet edge and a coextensive inner flange. The inner flange has an engagable locking means. The engagable locking means has two to eight receptacles with a raised ridge or depression on the inner flange. The engaging locking means has two to eight sockets with a depression of raised ridge.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel basically has a hub, a plurality of spokes extending outwardly from the hub and an annular rim coupled to the outer ends of the spokes for supporting a tire. The annular rim has a spoke attachment portion with a plurality of spoke openings for receiving the outer ends of the spokes therein. The spoke openings of the annular rim have reinforcement members located between the spokes and annular rim. The outer ends of the spokes have bent sections located within the spoke holes of the reinforcement members or washers and head section that engage the inner surface of the reinforcement members. The rim is free of access apertures or holes in the outer annular portion adjacent a majority of the spoke holes. The reinforcement member has a transverse dimension allowing the outer end of the spoke and the reinforcement member to pass through the openings in a first orientation and be retained in the openings in a second orientation.

Abstract: An actuating unit for a wheel brake of a motor vehicle has a hydraulic pump drivable with variable speed by an electric motor, as well as an element, adjusting the return flow of pressurized media to the pump, which is arranged between the delivery side and the intake side of the pump. Furthermore, a cylinder-piston unit is provided, having a piston with identical surfaces on both sides, as well as a cylinder having cylinder chambers arranged on both sides of the piston. In order to press a brake lining against a friction element connected to a vehicle wheel, the pump is connected on the intake side to the cylinder chamber on the brake-lining side, and on the delivery side to the cylinder chamber facing away from the brake lining. The actuating unit is assigned a control device by which an electric brake request signal is able to be processed, and the electric motor and the element are controllable.

Abstract: A method of boundary self-adaptation for proportional poppet valve pressure control comprises implementing an estimator to estimate a boundary deviation of the valve. Then, a pressure command signal is detected. Next, a pressure command derivative over time is obtained. Then, determining which closing boundary should be updated is decided based on the sign of the pressure command derivative. Next, a pressure error is obtained by subtracting an actual wheel brake pressure from its pressure command. Then a modified pressure error is calculated. Next, a pressure command signal is evaluated to determine whether a braking maneuver is gentle. Next, the modified pressure error is implemented in the estimation. Finally, a boundary table is updated using the resultant boundary deviation estimate.

Abstract: The invention provides a brake control device for a vehicle, a brake control method and a recording medium having a program causing a computer to perform the brake control method. A tire friction characteristic with respect to a vehicle velocity or a wheel velocity is memorized in advance. When a brake is put on to the vehicle, a current slip ratio or a current slip velocity is found and an optimum slip ratio or an optimum slip velocity is calculated using the tire friction characteristic. Then, a difference between the optimum slip ratio and the found current slip ratio or a difference between the optimum slip velocity and the found current slip velocity is compared with a predetermined value. According to a result of the comparison, a braking force applied to the vehicle is controlled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of maintaining the effect of the engine brake of a vehicle during hill descent by way of an active, electronically controlled intervention of the brakes on at least one wheel. The present invention is characterized by a determination of the status of the wheels split into ‘stable wheels’ and ‘unstable wheels’ and the deceleration of all stable wheels (11 to 14) in the event of at least one unstable wheel, on which the condition Vunstable<Ki×Vref occurs, wherein Vunstable=speed of the unstable wheel Vref=medium wheel speed of the stable wheels Ki=correction factor (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A table top or wall mountable organizing station for mail or other documents and related items is disclosed. The organizer is centered around an open fronted box having a plurality of adjustable, vertical dividers which typically define 31 slots for organizing documents, such as bill, by due date or other sorting criteria. Drawers below and above the sorting slots, and a tray between the upper drawers, provide storage for unsorted mail, including magazines and similar sized documents, as well as related items, such as scissors, paper clips, postage, and the like. An ancillary sorting and storage tray which may be placed atop the upper drawers provide vertical sorting/storage slots for additional mail/documents, and open topped storage boxes allow additional storage for small related items.

Abstract: A transportable play center that has a center housing and two side housings attached to opposite sides of the center housing is provided. The play center is configured to provide a child with multiple play opportunities. The play center can be configured with a plurality of shelves that have transparent sliding doors. Further, the play center may be configured with a plurality of removable pockets. Still further, the play center may be equipped with removable carts that have a plurality of drawers in the carts. A tabletop may be slidably received in the center housing and a collapsable chair stored in the play center.

Abstract: Device for adjusting a mounting angle of an LCD for a refrigerator including an LCD rotatably mounted on a front surface of a door of a refrigerator by a hinge, and mounting angle adjusting means in rear of the LCD for rotating the LCD to an angle centered on the hinge shaft, thereby permitting the user to watch the most clear image, and improving a freedom of design.

Abstract: A system and method of depositing a functional material on a receiver is provided. The system includes a chamber containing fluid in a compressed state. The fluid includes a solvent and suspension of the functional material to be deposited on the receiver. The chamber has a controllable nozzle for the ejection of a stream of the fluid toward the receiver. The system also includes a controllable platform for locating and orienting the receiver with respect to the controllable nozzle and a controller operably connected to the controllable nozzle and the controllable platform that controls the ejection of the compressed fluid through the controllable nozzle and the location of the receiver with respect to the controllable nozzle. The functional material becomes free of the solvent prior to the functional material contacting the receiver.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to provide a color filter manufacturing method capable of efficiently using an ink-jet head. To achieve this object, there is provided a color filter manufacturing method of discharging an ink from a plurality of ink discharging nozzles onto a plurality of pixels and forming colored portions while an ink-jet head having the plurality of ink discharging nozzles is relatively scanned with respect to a body to be colored on which the pixels, onto which the ink is to be landed, are aligned in advance, including the steps of, when some of the plurality of ink discharging nozzles for discharging the ink onto the pixels are defective, stopping discharging of the ink from the defective nozzles, and compensating for a lack of an ink amount in the Nth pixel owing to an omission of the defective nozzles, by other nozzles for discharging the ink onto the pixels.

Abstract: In the bi-directional printing, a reference correction value is set for correcting printing positional deviation arising between forward and reverse main scanning passes with respect to specific reference dots. An adjustment value is determined, using at least the reference correction value, to reduce printing positional deviation arising between forward and reverse main scanning passes. The printing positional deviation between forward and reverse main scanning passes is adjusted using the adjustment value. In a first adjustment mode, the adjustment value is determined by correcting the reference correction value with a relative correction value prepared beforehand for correcting the reference correction value.

Abstract: In an ink jet printer, ink ejection beyond the printing medium is reduced when performing printing without leaving a space along at least one of the edges of the printing medium. For this purpose, performance of data processing in the process of image processing relating to the image data of the marginless edge portion reduces a printing density of the area to lessen an ink application amount to the edge portion. For example, data processing is performed in such manner that a predetermined coefficient smaller than 1 is multiplied by the image data of the area.

Abstract: A printer device having a plurality of print heads for printing onto a print medium. Each of the print heads having a plurality of nozzles formed into at least two rows. A service station housed within the printer device having a plurality of service station units for performing servicing operations on the print heads. A plurality of ink drop detector modules being integrated into respective ones of the service station units for detecting malfunctioning nozzles on the plurality of print heads. The ink drop detector modules may be configured to test the nozzles of each row of nozzles on at least one of the print heads simultaneously. And, according to a preferred embodiment, each row of nozzles of each print head are tested simultaneously to thereby substantially reduce the amount of time required to test the functionality of the nozzles.

Abstract: Cleaning apparatus and method of assembly therefor for cleaning an inkjet print head. The cleaning apparatus comprises a web supply for supplying a cleaning web therefrom and a web receiver for receiving the web. A web drive drives the web from the web supply to the web receiver. The web drive pulls the web from the web supply with a first tension force and also pulls the web onto the web receiver with a second tension force greater than the first tension force, so that the web is wrinkle-free while the web slidably engages an exterior surface of the print head to clean the print head. The web remains wrinkle-free to ensure that the surface of the web will contact the surface of the print head without gaps in contact coverage. This enhances cleaning effectiveness compared to a cleaning web having wrinkles.

Abstract: An apparatus for servicing an inkjet print head includes a print head wiper for wiping the inkjet print head and a wiper cleaner adjacent to the print head wiper for cleaning the print head wiper.

Abstract: The present invention involves a printing device having a frame which defines therein X, Y, and Z operative, orthogonal axes, plural-site, Z-axis datuming structure operatively interposed a printhead assembly and a carriage supporting that assembly within the device, the Z-axis datuming structure, comprising first and second datuming sites spaced generally in an X-axis direction, and a third datuming site spaced from both the first and second sites in a Y-axis direction, and from at least one of the first and second sites in an X-axis direction.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head wherein a nozzle jetting ink droplets is structured of a plurality of ink jet ports 11, and the length ln [m] of an ink jet port and pitch Pn [m] are set to satisfy the conditions ln>1.2 Vd/An and Pn>1.4 dd (where Vd is the volume of ink droplets that are jetted from one individual ink jet port [m3], dd is diameter of an ink droplet [m] and An is the area of a nozzle opening [m2]); wherein the fusion phenomena of a meniscus at the rear surface of a nozzle after ink is jetted can be suppressed; and wherein the effect of a multi-port nozzle enabling re-fill time to be reduced is utilized. Further the fusion phenomena of ink jet droplets in flight after being jet expelled from a multi-port nozzle can be suppressed enabling superior quality images to be recorded.

Abstract: A method of printing a multi-color composition having a relatively large background area with a prevailing color and different color smaller objects superimposed on the relatively large background area, comprises: uniformly applying a colored substance that is not a printing ink, and has the same color as the prevailing color of the relatively large background area, on a particular surface; and printing the smaller objects on the particular surface, using different color printing inks.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head comprises an ink jetting nozzle and a peripheral area of the ink jetting nozzle, the peripheral area having been coated with a coating composition comprising a graft copolymer and a hardener, and having been hardened to provide a hardened coat layer, wherein the graft copolymer is obtained by polymerizing 15 to 70% by weight of a radical polymerizable fluorine-containing resin (a) having a radical polymerizable unsaturated bond through a urethane bond, 10 to 40% by weight of a radical polymerizable polysiloxane (b) having a radical polymerizable double bond on one end thereof represented by formula (1) or (2), and 15 to 75% by weight of a radical polymerizable monomer (c), each being based on the total weight of the radical polymerizable fluorine-containing resin (a), the radical polymerizable polysiloxane (b) and the radical polymerizable monomer (c).

Abstract: A reflector has an inlet opening toward a piezoelectric element, an outlet opening toward a nozzle plate and a reflecting wall connecting the same with each other. The nozzle plate has a nozzle located in the vicinity of the outlet. The piezoelectric element is provided with a through hole on a position opposed to the outlet, and applies ultrasonic waves to a liquid supplied into the reflector from the through hole. The ultrasonic waves are reflected by the reflecting wall and converged in the vicinity of the outlet for improving acoustic energy on this position so that the nozzle ejects droplets. Thus, the dimension in a direction perpendicular to that for ejecting the droplets is suppressed for providing a droplet ejector having a compact structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ink cartridge body which is removably mountable in a printer carriage area of an ink jet printer and an alignment and latching mechanism for the ink cartridge body. The printer carriage area includes at least first and second spaced-apart elongate guide rails and the ink cartridge body includes a printhead and at least two bearing points at predetermined locations on the ink cartridge body, each of the bearing points disposed on the cartridge body for separately engaging at least one of the elongate guide rails for aligning and maintaining the printhead in a predetermined orientation relative to the print media in the printer. The invention substantially reduces the number of parts and tolerances thereof required for aligning a printhead relative to a print media by directly aligning the cartridge body rather than the carrier in the carriage area of the printer.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet printhead which comprises a plurality of nozzles and one or more heater elements corresponding to each nozzle. Each heater element is configured to heat a bubble forming liquid in the printhead to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble therein. The generation of the bubble causes the ejection of a drop of an ejectable liquid (such as ink) through the respective corresponding nozzle, to effect printing. Each heater element is configured such that an actuation energy of less than 500 nanojoules (nJ) is required to be applied to that element to heat it sufficiently to form such a bubble in the bubble forming liquid (which liquid can also be the ink). This configuration thus provides for a high efficiency printhead.

Abstract: An ink-jet head includes a plurality of nozzles that eject ink, a first flat plate layer including at least one flat plate formed with an array of pressure chambers each communicating with a corresponding one of the nozzles, a second flat plate layer including at least one flat plate formed with a common ink chamber having a shape elongated in a direction of the array of the pressure chambers, an ink flow passage that communicates at one end with a corresponding one of the pressure chambers and at the other end with the common ink chamber, an ink supply passage connecting the common ink chamber and an ink supply source, a flat plate member in a shape of a thin film disposed between the first flat plate layer and the second flat plate layer, a filter formed at the flat plate member for filtering the ink, and a damper chamber formed by a flat plate fixed on the flat plate member on a side thereof opposed to the common ink chamber.

Abstract: A developing system for a bore matrix in a printer using toner in the form of a dry toner powder, and comprising a feeder brush (3) which receives toner from a toner container (1), a printer brush (5) receiving toner from the toner feeder brush (3) and transporting same through bores of a bore matrix (8) and down to a document (9) to be printed, and means (15) for charging the toner particles by mechanically rubbing the toner particles (2) against the printer brush (5), and in which a means (19) may be provided for ripping free the charged toner particles (2), so that said particles form a cloud (7) of charged toner particles (2) adjacent the bore matrix (8), which pass down to the document (9) to be printed through open bores of the bore matrix (8).

Abstract: An electrical interconnect for an inkjet printhead comprising an ink-ejecting semiconductor die is described. The ink-ejecting die further comprises a substrate having an opposing upper surface, lower surface, and a thin film stack. The upper surface of the substrate is beveled on at least one edge such that a lower portion of the bevel is below an upper portion of the bevel. A conductive material trace is disposed on top of at least a portion of the upper surface and the thin film stack and on the bevel towards the lower portion of the bevel. An electrical conductor is coupled to the conductive material trace at a predetermined location below the upper portion of the bevel.