Abstract: The invention disclosed a folding chair made up by metal tubes whose chair plate apparatus is formed by connecting between the frame member and the plate member by sleeves. The chair plate apparatus consists of the frame member and the plate member; on each side of the plate member is respectively provided with a sleeving; the frame member is provided with a fundamental part, for being leaned against the plate member; and the two side parts are inserted into the each sleeving. The folding chair in this invention is elastic and comfort to sit, much more materials are saved and therefore the cost is reduced.

Abstract: A car seat having adjustable shoulder harnesses including a body having a seat pan and a seat back, the seat back having a front side and a back side. The car seat includes a pair of shoulder harnesses shaped and located to fit over the shoulder of an occupant located on the body. Each shoulder harness is movable relative to the seat pan to raise or lower the height of the shoulder harnesses. The car seat further includes a locking mechanism for locking each shoulder harness in place to set the height of each shoulder harness relative to the seat pan, wherein the locking mechanism can be accessed from the front side of the seat back.

Abstract: A method and product made thereby is provided in which a brush block is assembled with brush bristles by the method of fusing. The brush is formed with a substrate brush block that has a filler or reinforcing fiber embedded therein, according to a first preferred embodiment. The bristles of the brush are formed into tufts. An attachment end of each tuft of bristles is melted and pressed into a melted tuft cavity formed in the brush block. Upon cooling, the tuft is fixedly welded to the brush block with mechanical attachment. The bristles may be of the same or of a different polymer than the brush block. According to a second embodiment of the invention, brush bristle tufts are assembled to a substrate fibrous mat by the invention method of fusing. An attachment end of each bristle tuft is melted and pressed into intimate contact with the fibers of the mat that are kept at ambient temperature or partially melted. Upon cooling, the tuft is fixedly welded to the mat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a brush head comprising a brush head body carrying bristle bundles, in particular for tooth brushes, by way of injection molding, in which a first plastic component is injected into a first mold cavity for forming a bristle carrier, and ends of bristle filaments projecting into the first mold cavity are encompassed by the first plastic component. In order to guarantee a complete filling of the mold and a favorable reproduction of the mold cavity geometry, but to avoid at the same time a penetration of plastic mass into ducts in which the bristle filaments are held, it is suggested by the present invention that the bristle carrier manufactured during the first step is relocated into another mold cavity, which is larger than the bristle carrier, and which is filled with a hard component.

Abstract: A brake fluid pressure relief assembly (50) for a brake system (10) including a pedal assembly (12) employs first and second valves (52, 54) to provide controlled collapse of a brake pedal pad (14) when both a predetermined deceleration limit is exceeded and a predetermined pressure level is exceeded in a hydraulic brake fluid. The first valve (52) is actuated by an inertial mass (84) acting against a first spring (86). With the first valve in the open position, hydraulic fluid passes into a reservoir (68) whose volume is a dependent on the position of the second valve (54). The second valve (54) opens when the fluid pressure in the reservoir exceeds a predetermined pressure limit and compresses a piston (100) against a second spring (114). Accordingly, the forces that can be communicated through the pedal system 10 are reduced during a collision.

Abstract: A method controls a vehicle brake system having a service brake and a retarder in a mutually coordinated manner. The retarder is activated during each braking operation and is controlled as a function of the driver's braking desire as well as of driving condition values, road condition values and operating conditions of the vehicle (integrated operation of the retarder).

Abstract: In the case where the cabinet has many long segments, it takes a long period of time until they are cooled in a die. In addition, looseness was produced between the board and the guide rail due to a presence of pulling taper and this looseness became a cause of generating vibrating sound. There are constituted integral molded guide rails integrally molded with the casing to support the front end of the board when the board is stored in a casing along a predetermined wall surface, and a board holder constituted as a separate component from the integral molded guide rail, capable of sliding the board and inserting it. Accordingly, it is not necessary to oppositely face a long rail having the substantial same length as that of the board as the integral molded guide rail and so a speed in which the molded product is cooled in a die is made fast. Further, since the board holder is a separate component element, looseness between the board and the guide rail can be easily reduced.

Abstract: Modular shelving with at least one cabinet that includes a plurality of shelves and vertical risers which serve to space the shelves and support loads placed thereon. Cabinet side wall, back wall and door panels are installed about the risers, with each component having a pair of spaced apart holes adapted to slide over the risers. The holes preferably have a diameter just slightly less than the smallest diameter portion of the risers over which the panels will be placed, and are surrounded by one or more radial slots which allow the material around the hole to flex and accommodate larger diameter portions of the risers with an interference fit. The interference fit eliminates the need for precise hole size manufacturing and provides an additional advantage of holding the cabinet doors in a position selected by the consumer.

Abstract: The drawer structure enables drawer space to be conveniently divided, and includes L-shaped dividers cut to a desired length and placed within the drawer, and formed in any combination of width and length to fill the drawer bottom and providing individual compartments within it. Additional division of the drawer space is provided by transversely extending dividers that are mounted to the upstanding legs of desired ones of the L-shaped dividers. These transversely extending dividers may include a number of snap-off portions to accommodate the width of the space being transversely further divided.

Abstract: A system for attaching a drawer face includes a fixture capable of attaching to a drawer box. The fixture has a surface that is substantially planar to a surface of the drawer box. A semi-permanent attachment device is capable of connecting the surface of the fixture to the drawer face. This system holds the drawer face in place while the carpenter screws the drawer face to the drawer box.

Abstract: A method for assembling a strongbox and for subsequently coating an equipped and connected framework with coating elements and at least one door. The coating is in the form of a bottom element and frame elements at the front end and/or the rear end of the framework and lateral elements and an upper element. The coating accommodates the framework depending on the type of protection required. According to this invention, the elements are interlinked by simple joining elements. It is also possible to juxtapose several partial boxes to provide an aggregate box.

Abstract: Any of n types (where n is an integer of 2 or greater) of common drive signals are selectively generated for each main scan. Drive signals to be applied to discharge drive elements are generated through reshaping the common drive signal thus selected for each pixel in accordance with print signals. Recording positions in the main scanning direction are adjusted by employing positional difference adjustment values prepared in advance in order to reduce the difference between the recording positions in the main scanning direction for combinations that are usable within the print medium of one page and that are selected from all possible combinations of common drive signals suitable for use during a forward main scanning pass and common drive signals suitable for use during a reverse main scanning pass.

Abstract: An ink jet apparatus which is easy to change parameters of a driving signal to be applied to an ink jet head depending on desired ink drop volume is provided. In steps S22, S24, S26 and S13, reference voltage es, reference frequency fs and waveform parameter are modified. Based on these modified parameters, the reference volume cs modified in step S16 is compared in step S17 with unit volume ci inputted in step S11. The modification of the reference parameters and the reference volume cs, and comparison between the reference volume cs and the unit volume ci are repeated till a difference is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold. The respective reference parameters when the difference is equal to or lower than the predetermined threshold are determined as the parameters of the driving signal.

Abstract: A printing device for printing on a supplied paper, said printing device being provided therein with ink ejecting elements for ejecting ink from ink flow paths having nozzles on its front end and formed in ink jet head, and with a controlling means for electrically controlling said ink ejecting elements, said printing device being characterized in that said controlling means is constructed such that electric controlling conditions with respect to said ink ejecting elements are varied according to types of ink used. By such a construction, it becomes possible to drive ejecting elements in an excellent driving conditions adapted to type of ink used, thereby to deliver ink onto paper in a stable manner for carrying out a good quality of printing.

Abstract: A print head mechanism performs printing predetermined image information on a fed recording medium, based on a given control signal. A detector detects an operating rate of the print head mechanism at a predetermined region on the recording medium every time when printing with respect to the predetermined region is finished. A comparator compares the operating rate with a given threshold operating rate. A controller halts the print head mechanism, when the operating rate exceeds the threshold operating rate, for a halting time period corresponding to an excess amount of the operating rate.

Abstract: A method is provided to reduce vertical banding defects in an ink jet printer. The method includes the steps of identifying a disturbance frequency of a disturbance source; identifying a natural frequency of a printhead carrier system; correlating the disturbance frequency of the disturbance source and the natural frequency of the printhead carrier system to a base carrier velocity; selecting a first carrier velocity for printing in a first direction, the first carrier velocity being different from the base carrier velocity; and selecting a second carrier velocity for printing in a second direction, the second carrier velocity being different from the base carrier velocity and different from the first carrier velocity.

Abstract: Performing check processing operations from MICR processing to scanning the printed check as a continuous sequence of operations lightens the burden on the operator and shortens the required processing time. The compound processing system 10 has a transportation path 15 for conveying a check P, an MICR head 17 positioned along the transportation path 15 for reading MICR text prerecorded on the check P, front print head 23 positioned along the transportation path 15 for printing on the front of check P, back print head 21 positioned along the transportation path 15 for printing on the back of check P, and a scanner head 25 positioned along the transportation path 15 for scanning the printed side (either back or front) of the check P.

Abstract: An ink jet printing device has an ink jet printing head capable of moving back and forth along a print track to perform a printing job. The ink jet printing head has a plurality of nozzles and corresponding driving units. The servicing method has the steps: (1) recording status of each driving unit; (2) determining a service job corresponding to each individual driving unit with a predetermined rule according to the corresponding status of each driving unit when the ink jet printing head needs to be serviced, and (3) driving each driving unit to perform the corresponding service job.

Abstract: A printhead blotter system includes a supply of blotter material in roll form and a blotter backer structure. The blotter is passed over the backer. A fluid dispenser is mounted to the blotter backer for dispensing a cleaning fluid onto the blotter portion held against the backer surface. A mechanism is coupled to the backer to move the backer toward the printhead to an engagement position, or away from the printhead to a rest position. The mechanism can engage/disengage the blotter portion supported over the fabric backer with the printhead orifice plate.

Abstract: A maintenance apparatus simplifies the cam mechanism for moving a capping mechanism and wiper mechanism, thereby making the printer smaller. A maintenance apparatus 30 has a capping mechanism 40 for covering or sealing the nozzle surface 15 of a print head 12 having nozzles for discharging ink droplets, a wiper mechanism 50 for wiping the nozzle surface 15 of the print head 12, and a cam 60. The cam 60 is rotatably disposed solid of revolution having on the side thereof a first cam channel 61 for moving the capping mechanism 40 and a cam channel 62 for moving the wiper mechanism 50.

Abstract: A liquid collection unit (33) is placed on a movement path of a liquid jet head mounted on a carriage. An opening portion (40) for receiving liquid, which are jetted from a liquid jet head, by performing a flushing operation is formed in the movement path of the liquid jet head. Liquid mist generated by performing a flushing operation is sucked by a fan (55) having blades (55b), and then caught and collected by the centrifugation action of a rotor portion (47) having a large number of flat fins (47b) on the internal surface of a cylindrical body (47a). A filter member (59) is disposed at an air outlet (58), from which air is caused by a fan (55) to flow out. A small amount of liquid mist, which is not collected by the roller part (47), is effectively collected by this filter member (59).

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink-jet recording method that allows a time for ink to penetrate into the recording medium and to be fixed thereto, and prevents density irregularity, color unevenness, blot between colors, and stain of the recording medium caused by contact between the recording head and the recording medium. When conducting multi-pass recording comprising the step of executing a plurality of runs of main scanning to each recording area while relatively moving the recording head which discharges ink on the recording medium, it is made possible to select a recording mode from a plurality of recording modes of different numbers of runs of main scanning, and a rest period, during which recording is discontinued after each run of main scanning, is set in response to the number of runs of main scanning corresponding to the selected recording mode.

Abstract: A printing method drives each of the n(j) number of nozzles to enable the nozzle to form dots intermittently at a rate of one in m×q dot positions on the j-th main scan line during one main scan, where m is an integer of 1 or more, and q is an integer of 2 or more, to thereby complete dot formation on the j-th main scan line with the n(j) number of nozzles during n(j) number of main scans. The printing method attains high recording speed and high image quality, comparing to cases when all main scan lines are recorded using a fixed number of nozzles.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing apparatus capable of outputting a color image by reducing the information amount of each color component of the image by a method suited to the color component without deteriorating the quality of the image, and an image printing apparatus capable of printing an image without deteriorating the quality of the image, on the basis of received image data. Of color image data to be transmitted to the image printing apparatus (which uses, e.g., six colors Y, M, C, Bk, LC, and LM), the image processing apparatus quantizes colors (LC and LM) whose tone quality is important by a large number of gray levels (e.g., nine values), and does not compress these colors. The image processing apparatus quantizes colors (Y, M, C, and Bk) whose tone quality is not important by the number of gray levels (e.g., five values) by which the compression efficiency is improved, and then compresses these colors, thereby reducing the transmission data amount.

Abstract: Selective replacement methods and systems based on a stochastic process use a redundancy inherent, for example, in a four-plus color printing system that has full-width colors. Since the absorption spectra of the four or more colors usually overlap to some extent, there is a redundancy that can be used to reduce artifacts, such as streaks. Since the human visual system is much less sensitive to chrominance changes, than to luminance changes, matching the luminance of a pixel where a color is missing, to the luminance of the original color or to the luminance of the pixels that neighbor that pixel can adequately to reduce the severity of the artifact caused by the missing color while reducing the chance that the replacing process itself introduces any additional artifacts.

Abstract: An apparatus to remove an ink cartridge of an ink-jet printer. The apparatus includes a carriage having a supporting frame movably supported by a guide rail, and a receptacle connected to the supporting frame, an ink cartridge removable from the receptacle, the ink cartridge having a latching protrusion formed at an upper end thereof, a latching unit disposed at the supporting frame, being compressible and de-compressible to an original form, the latching unit in a compressed state latching the latching protrusion of the ink cartridge and the latching unit in a de-compressed state, is released from the latching protrusion, and a moving unit having a joint portion which pivots at a predetermined angle. The moving unit is pivotally disposed at the supporting frame, the moving unit to pivot in a first direction to completely mount the ink cartridge from a temporary mounting position in the receptacle and to compress the latching unit.

Abstract: An inkjet recording head includes a plurality of nozzles, a plurality of pressure chambers in communication with the respective nozzles, a diaphragm forming a part of the walls of the pressure chambers, and a plurality of piezoelectric actuators each coupled with a part of the diaphragm to form a vibrating member. The vibrating member deforms to generate a pressure wave in the ink filled within the pressure chamber, the acoustic capacitance of the vibrating member being set at 2.0×10−20 m5/N or higher.

Abstract: A conductive supporting plate is laminated on an elastic film. The conductive supporting plate is partly removed to form an elastic region in which first island portions and second island portions are remained on the elastic film while being electrically insulated from each other. A head case is formed with a chamber which forms an opening at a first end face joined to the supporting plate. In a vibrator unit, a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators are arranged on a fixing plate. The piezoelectric vibrators include a pair of non-deformable vibrators and deformable vibrators arranged between the non-deformable vibrators. The vibrator unit is accommodated within the chamber such that each tip end face of the deformable vibrators is abutted onto one of the first island portions, and each tip end face of the non-deformable vibrators is abutted onto one of the second island portions.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer 10 includes a piezoelectric plate 11, in which a plurality of piezoelectric ceramic layers 11a-11d are stacked one on another. The piezoelectric plate 11 is polarized in directions symmetrically with the center of each ink chamber 24 and slanted with respect to both of the surface direction and the thickness direction of the piezoelectric plate 11. A pair of driving electrodes 12 and 13 are provided on the opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric plate 11. When an electric field, which extends substantially perpendicularly with the polarized directions, is applied by the driving electrodes 12, 13 through the piezoelectric plate 11, the piezoelectric plate 11 is deformed in a shear mode fashion, thereby applying an ejection pressure to ink accommodated inside the ink chamber 24.

Abstract: A continuous inkjet printer in which a continuous ink stream is deflected at the printhead nozzle bore without the need for charged deflection plates or tunnels. The printhead includes a primary ink delivery channel which delivers a primary flow of pressurized ink through an ink staging chamber to the nozzle bore to create an undeflected ink stream from the printhead. A secondary ink delivery channel adjacent to the primary channel is controlled by a thermally actuated valve to selectively create a lateral flow of pressurized ink into the primary flow thereby causing the emitted ink stream to deflect in a direction opposite to the direction from which the secondary ink stream impinges the primary ink stream in the ink staging chamber.

Abstract: An ink tank 40 is placed on an ultrasonic vibrator 32. When a certain condition is established, such as when the print head 14 is exchanged, then the ultrasonic vibrator 32 generates ultrasonic vibration in ink stored in the ink tank 40. The ultrasonic vibration disperses cohered or settled-out pigments throughout the ink when a pigment-based ink is used, or breaks up any molecular binding to reduce the molecular-weight distribution when polymeric ink is used.

Abstract: The present invention prevents bubbles from remaining in an ink passage and inhibits crosstalk when ink is jetted in an ink-jet print head. Ink-jet nozzles are formed inside a nozzle plate in the front of the ink-jet print head, a plurality of pressure chambers are provided at the rear of the nozzle plate, and an ink reservoir is connected to the pressure chambers. An ink supply passage has an exit which is connected to the ink reservoir. The diameter of the ink supply passage is reduced at the exit connected to the ink reservoir, and the diameter at the exit is smaller than the width and the depth of the ink reservoir. The rear surface of the ink reservoir is covered with a flexible and elastic film, except for a connection between the ink reservoir and the exit of the ink supply passage, at a location remote from a connection between the ink reservoir and each of the pressure chambers. The exit of the ink supply passage absorbs the pressure of an ink jet from each of the pressure chambers.

Abstract: An ink for ink jet recording and an ink jet recording method which realize an image quality of laser printer on a plain paper in a one-pass printing mode under conditions of a volume of an ink droplet ejected being 5 to 43 Pico liter, a velocity of an ink droplet being 6 to 20 m/sec, frequency of 1 kHz and resolution of 300 dpi or more. The ink for ink jet recording is a penetrating type ink which includes (1) at least one humectant selected from glycerin, 1,3-butandiol, triethyleneglycol, 1,6-hexanediol, propyleneglycol, 1,5-pentanediol, diethyleneglycol, dipropyleneglycol, trimethylolpropane and trimethylolethane, (2) colorant contained in the amount of 6% by weight or more, (3) a polyol having 8 to 11 carbon atoms and glycolether, and an anionic surfactants or non-ionic surfactants, the ink has viscosity of 5 mPa·s or more at 25° C. and a surface tension of 40 mN/m or less.

Abstract: An inkjet ink of multicolor dye set with high light-fastness and high water-fastness includes: a multicolor dye set, a surfactant, and an aqueous solvent. The multicolor dye set includes a cyan dye set, a magenta dye set, and a yellow dye set. The cyan dye set includes direct blue 199 dye, acid blue 9 dye, and direct blue 86 dye. The magenta dye set includes reactive red 180 dye, acid red 52 dye, and reactive red dye. The yellow dye set includes acid yellow 23 and direct yellow 86 dye. When the multicolor dye set of the invention is applied in ink-jet printing process, the high-quality printed image possesses great light-fastness and water-fastness high chroma, broad color gamut.

Abstract: A printer is arranged to be self propelled for movement on a surface of a sheet on which printing is to take place. The printer is independently driven, while the sheet is held stationary, and does not have to be fed the sheet. The sheet can be oriented in a home position and indexed relative to a frame carrying the printer so that the printhead on the printer will print a line at a time perpendicular to the direction of travel of the frame.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image-transfer medium for ink-jet printing, including a base material, and a releasing layer and a transfer layer, both, provided on the base material, wherein the transfer layer includes fine particles of a thermoplastic resin, a thermoplastic resin binder, inorganic fine particles and a coupling agent.

Abstract: An ink jet recording element having a support having thereon in order: a) at least one porous, ink carrier liquid receptive layer; b) a fusible, porous dye-trapping layer of fusible polymeric particles, a binder, and a dye mordant; and c) a fusible, porous ink-transporting layer of fusible, polymeric particles and a film-forming, hydrophobic binder.

Abstract: A shelter frame kit is adapted for detachably mounting in front of a primary spectacle frame wherein the shelter frame kit for supporting two auxiliary lenses includes a bridge extended between the two auxiliary lenses, two shelter arms having two pivot hinges affixed on upper sides of the two auxiliary lenses respectively, and two interlocking means provided at two ends of the two shelter arms respectively for interlocking with two rim lockers of the primary spectacle frame such that the auxiliary lenses are adapted for pivotally folding from a closed position to an open position, wherein in the closed position of the shelter frame kit, the two auxiliary lenses are respectively positioned in front of two lenses of the primary spectacle frame, and in the opened position of the shelter frame kit, the two auxiliary lenses are 180-degree flipped over the two lenses of the primary spectacle frame respectively.

Abstract: A contact lens includes a central zone and a peripheral zone. The central zone extends radially from a center to a central intermediate edge and has a radius corresponding to a radius of a contracted pupil of a user when subjected to a high ambient light condition. The central zone also has a constant first refractive power across the central zone. The peripheral zone extends radially from the central intermediate edge to an outer edge and has a radius corresponding to a dilated pupil of the user. The peripheral zone has a refractive power that is equal to the first refractive power at the intermediate edge and that increases radially to a second refractive power, different from the first refractive power, at the outer edge. The contact lens also includes a non-optical zone that extends radially from the outer edge to an outermost radius corresponding to a radius of a user's cornea.

Abstract: There is provided an ophthalmic characteristic measuring apparatus in which when a wavefront measurement is carried out, an adjustment of an exposure amount, such as an exposure time or a light amount of a light source, is carried out. A first light source section emits light flux with a first wavelength. A first illumination optical system illuminates a minute area on a retina of a subject eye with the first flux from the first light source. A first light receiving optical system guides a part of light flux reflected and returned from the retina of the subject eye to a first light receiving section through a first conversion member for converting the reflected light flux into at least 17 beams. A second light source section emits light flux with a second wavelength. A second illumination optical system illuminates a predetermined area on the retina of the subject eye with the second light flux from the second light source section.

Abstract: A multi-projection image display device using a plurality of image projectors to form one picture on a screen, in which images projected from the projectors are smoothly connected with one another, so that seams of the images do not appear conspicuously. The image display device has projectors and a screen laid out in such a manner that maximum image projection ranges of the respective projectors overlap the adjacent ranges. An image signal control unit for processing an image signal supplied from an external image input has, therein, a member for cutting out a partial image area dealt with by each projector, an image converting member for performing geometric transformation and local color correction of the partial image, and an arithmetic control member for controlling the image converting member on the basis of image information inputted from a screen state monitor camera.

Abstract: A projector having a polymeric housing containing an electrical light source, an image medium support assembly aligned in the light path of the light source, and a lens through which light emanating from the light source exits the housing after passing through an image medium disposed in the image support assembly. The projector is preferably adjustably mounted on a support member comprising a tubular section containing a transformer. The projector can be made with an electric motor inside the housing that causes a wheel comprising multiple fixed images to continuously or intermittently rotate the same or different images sequentially through the light path of the projector. A projector assembly is also disclosed in which a projector is mounted in a frame assembly in combination with a rotating mirror ball that simultaneously redirects the projected image in many different directions and continuously changes the image being projected onto a particular spot on surrounding viewing surfaces.

Abstract: This invention relates to light transmitting filters comprising: (a) a light absorbing layer of material having a front surface and a back surface, (b) transparent microspheres embedded in the light absorbing layer and contacting the front surface of the light absorbing layer with portions of the microspheres protruding through the back surface of the light absorbing layer for transmitting light through the light absorbing layer, and (c) a conformed layer of optically clear material having a front surface and a back surface wherein the front surface of the conformed layer is in contact with and conforming in shape with the protruding portions of the microspheres, and wherein the back surface of the conformed layer has a textured finish. The invention also relates to methods of making these light transmitting filters.

Abstract: Light-reflective concave portions are disposed on the surface of a substrate. The concave portions have a first and second vertical section perpendicular to each other. The first vertical section has an internal shape defined by a first curve and a second curve, the first curve extending from one point on the peripheral edge of the concave portion to the deepest point of the concave portion, and the second curve extending continuously from the first curve and from the deepest point of the concave portion to another point on the peripheral edge of the concave portion. The average of the absolute value of an inclination angle of the first curve is larger than that of the second curve relative to the substrate surface. The second vertical section has an internal shape defined by a shallow curve and deep curves formed at both sides of the shallow curve.

Abstract: A process for fabricating micro-mirrors on a silicon substrate is disclosed, which can markedly improve the flatness of micro-mirrors, reduce the scattering of incident light, and increase S/N ratio. The fabrication process comprises the steps of: forming micro-planes along a certain direction on a silicon substrate to serve as mirrors; forming a SiO2 layer on the silicon substrate; and melting the SiO2 layer on the micro-planes by a heating process and then crystallizing SiO2 again to form micro-mirrors. Further, instead of coating the SiO2 layer, a metal layer can be used to form a eutectic structure with the silicon substrate. After the micro-mirrors are formed, a layer of Au can be coated thereon to increase the reflectance of the micro-mirrors.

Abstract: In a vehicle door mirror assembly, an outer mirror-holder that holds a rearview mirror is mounted to an inner mirror-holder attached to a vehicle body side. Elastic tabs disposed at the outer mirror-holder elastically press an abutment portion of the inner mirror-holder. Thus, it is possible to maintain an excellent assembled state with respect to the inner mirror-holder and the outer mirror-holder, and to reduce loosening between the inner mirror-holder and the outer mirror-holder. It is therefore also possible to suppress vibration of the mirror with respect to the inner mirror-holder and to improve anti-chattering performance of the mirror.

Abstract: This invention provides method and apparatus for fabricating a MEMS apparatus having a bulk element with hinges underneath. The bulk element may comprise single-crystal silicon, fabricated by way of bulk micromachining techniques. The hinges may be made of thin-films, fabricated by way of surface micromachining techniques. A distinct feature of the MEMS apparatus of the present invention is that by disposing the hinges underneath the bulk element, the surface of the bulk element can be maximized and the entire surface becomes usable (e.g., for optical beam manipulation). Such a feature would be highly advantageous in making arrayed MEMS device, such as an array of MEMS mirrors with a high optical fill factor. Further, by advantageously making use of both bulk and surface micromachining techniques, a MEMS mirror thus produced is equipped with a large and flat mirror along with flexible hinges, hence capable of achieving a substantial rotational range at modest electrostatic drive voltages.

Abstract: A high-reflectance silver mirror has a high-reflectance film comprising a silver layer formed on a base material made of phosphorus-containing glass. The high-reflectance film is formed by a wet film-forming process on an acid-resistant protection film covering the base material. A reflecting optical element employing the high-reflectance silver mirror, and a process for producing the high-reflectance silver mirror are also provided. The high-reflectance silver mirror is producible at a reduced cost and has improved reflectivity.

Abstract: A portable lighting product includes a lamp and a lamp holder. The lamp holder has a positive terminal and a negative terminal spaced from the positive terminal for connection with respective terminals on a power source. One of the terminals includes a snap-fitting, pivotable, and electrically conductive battery terminal. Another of the terminals includes an electrically conductive clasp configured to mate in urgable engagement with a terminal of a power source.

Abstract: LED Christmas tree for drag racing starting and timing having light emitting diode signal lights arranged on an upper display tier and on a lower display tier.