Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention, a lever is actuatable to unlatch a pawl when the lever is in an unlocked position. When the lever is in a locked position, lever actuation cannot unlatch the pawl. An over-center device coupled to the lever can be used to position the lever in its locked and unlocked positions. In these and other embodiments, the lever is moved away from the pawl when the lever is in a locked position and is moved closer to the pawl when the lever is in an unlocked position. In some embodiments, the lever is pivotable about a pivot point that remains in the same location with respect to the lever in the unlocked and locked positions thereof. Although not required, the pawl is preferably movable by the lever to its unlatched state after the partially or fully-actuated lever has been moved to its unlocked state.

Abstract: A rack includes a closed position teeth portion meshed with a teeth portion of an output gear when the rack is disposed at a closed position corresponding to a closed position of an opening and closing member and an opened position teeth portion meshed with the teeth portion of the output gear when the rack is disposed at an opened position corresponding to an opened position of the opening and closing member and a clearance between faces of teeth of the closed position teeth portion and the teeth portion of the output gear is made larger than a clearance between faces of teeth of the opened position teeth portion and the teeth portion of the output gear.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dashboard (1), designed to be mounted in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, including one or more fittings (2) and at least one member (8) for supporting said fitting or fittings (2), the latter having at least a first portion (9) secured to said supporting member or members (8) and a second portion (10), or socalled free portion, designed to be emerge and/or project from the passenger compartment. According to the invention, said dashboard further includes means (12) for positioning said free portion (10) of said fitting or fittings (2) in relation to said supporting member or members (8). The invention also relates to body for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, including such a dashboard.

Abstract: A cover for a golf cart is removably affixed to an attached frame and existing roof support members of the roof of the cart where the attached frame comprises an upper frame, door posts and at least one removable door. The cover thus provides protection to golfers in a golfer compartment during inclement weather and also provides for convenient access to and from golfer compartment whether through door opening when opened or through the door frame when the door is in a closed position with the cover portion removed therefrom. The door may be stored in at least two positions upon the frame or may be removed from the frame and stored separately.

Abstract: A sun visor assembly for attachment to a preexisting sun visor mounting rod of a vehicle. The assembly includes a first portion for shielding the windshield having four overlapping panels vertically and laterally adjustable with respect to each other. The assembly further includes a second portion rotatably positionable with respect to the first portion for shielding the vehicle's side window. The second portion includes four additional overlapping panels vertically and laterally adjustable with respect to each other. Each of the first and second portions are universally rotatably positionable for deployment beside the windshield and side window, respectively, when in use and for deployment in a compact stored position away from the windshield and side window when not in use.

Abstract: In a vehicle roof support and operating arrangement by which a vehicle roof top can be moved between closed and open positions while supported on a component carrier which also supports a roof top operating mechanism and which is connected to the vehicle body, the component carrier includes a front transverse frame member, a rear transverse frame member and two side frame members extending between, and interconnecting, the front and rear transverse frame members so as to form a closed rigid support frame reinforcing the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle door apparatus includes a drive mechanism and a closure mechanism including a striker and a latch. The striker is positioned within a region where the striker is engageable with the latch when the drive mechanism drives the door in a closing direction. The latch is driven to engage with the striker and shifted to a final locked position by the closure mechanism. The vehicle door apparatus also includes a control mechanism for controlling operations of the drive mechanism and the closure mechanism, a detection mechanism for detecting the striker to be positioned within the region where the striker is engageable with the latch, and a drive force decreasing mechanism provided in the control mechanism for decreasing an output of the drive mechanism after the detecting mechanism detects that the strikes is positioned within the region where the striker is engageable with the latch.

Abstract: A vehicle door which can be used as a tailgate or a side door of a vehicle and a manufacturing method of this vehicle door is provided. A tailgate (1) which is a vehicle door is formed of an outer panel (2) on an outer side of a vehicle, an inner panel (3) on an inner side of the vehicle, and a module plate (4) to which door parts such as a wiper motor (18) are attached, and a lining (6). The inner panel (3) is in a frame shape with only a marginal portion (10) of the whole periphery left and with an opening (11) formed therein, which results in reduction in the weight of the tailgate (1).

Abstract: An attachment structure of a slide rail cover for covering a slide rail fixed to a side of a vehicle body from the outside to the vehicle body, has a main body cover including a slide rail attachment portion and a vehicle body attachment portion, the slide rail attachment portion being adapted to support the main body cover with rigidity, and the vehicle body attachment portion being adapted to regulate the position of the main body cover in vertical and lateral directions. The position of at least one of the vehicle body attachment portion and the slide rail attachment portion is regulated in a forward or rearward direction of the main body cover.

Abstract: A unitized heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system ventilates and regulates the air temperature inside a motorhome. Air is drawn from inside the motorhome and is directed to a furnace and an air conditioning unit via a common air return. A filter is positioned within the common return. The HVAC unit is compact and adapted for placement below the living area of motorhome so as to reduce the noise inside the cabin generated by the HVAC system and to reduce the center of gravity of the motorhome.

Abstract: A chair with a desk includes a chair body having a support leg and a seat section mounted on the support leg such that the level of the seat section is adjustable, a support member coupled to the chair body turnably within a horizontal plane, a desk body which is provided for the support member and a position of which is adjustable back and forth with respect to the chair body, a rest provided for the desk body and including a storage, and a drawer type rest which is allowed to be drawn from the rest in a lateral direction.

Abstract: A seating having a heat source fluidly connected to a substantially hollow bench which defines an interior space, a substantially hollow deck extending outwardly from the footwall of the bench, perforations in the frontal wall of the base to exhaust pressurized heated air from the interior space of the bench into the deck, and perforations in the top surface of the deck to exhaust pressurized heated air from the deck and into the atmosphere. The seating device is additionally equipped with a heating rack comprising a heating element, a duct having a plurality of posts, each post having a terminal support with at least one opening therein. Each terminal support is adapted selectively to support and heat helmets or other equipment. The seating device provides heat to the entire body of a person sitting on its bench or standing on its deck.

Abstract: The invention concerns a seat (1) with a seat support (2) which has a seating surface (3) as well as a backrest (4) connected pivotable with it, which seating surface (3) and backrest (4) are mounted adjustably and fixably on a seat bracket (7) for adjusting the position of the seat support (2). For the seat (1) of the invention, it is characteristic that back inclination of the backrest (4) is adjustable in connection with a fixed seating angle (&agr;) between backrest (4) and seating surface (3) by pivoting the seat support (2) relative to the seat bracket (7), and that the seating angle of the seating surface (3) is adjustable in connection with a pivotal point (9) fixed in the longitudinal direction of the seat by pivoting the seating surface (3) relative to the backrest (4). The seat (1) of the invention is distinguished by a comparatively short adjustment pathway through a large back inclination adjustment of the backrest (4).

Abstract: An armrest for a passenger seat includes an armrest support for being pivotally-mounted to a seat frame for movement between a lowered position and a raised position. The armrest support defines a void for carrying wiring and cabling and an opening adjacent the pivoting end of the armrest for permitting access to the interior of the armrest support. An armrest pivot cover is provided for normally being received in and covering the opening of the armrest support to protect the wiring and cabling. The armrest pivot cover includes a pivoting cylindrical member mounted for pivotal movement in a socket for a predetermined range of pivotal movement relative to the armrest support. A flexible hinge is carried by the pivoting cylindrical pivoting member for permitting further movement of the lower armrest cover past the partially-open position to a fully-open position thereby exposing fully the wiring for installation or service access.

Abstract: A gliding chair unit includes an upper frame mounted slidably on a base frame. A footrest panel is fixed to the base frame. Left and right cushioning members are respectively mounted on left and right sides of the footrest panel. A gliding mechanism is coupled to the base and upper frames, and includes left and right rails units, each of which includes front and rear rails mounted on the upper frame. When the upper frame moves to a left position, the right cushioning member collides against the front and rear rails of the right rail unit. When the upper frame is moved to a right position, the left cushioning member collides against the front and rear rail of the left rail unit.

Abstract: A vehicle seat, more particularly aircraft seat, includes a seat bottom and a seat back disposed in a seat frame. The seat bottom can be folded down from a first near vertical position (I) into a second near horizontal position (II). This results in a comparatively simple, lightweight construction featuring good accessibility to several vehicle seats configured abreast and/or in rows.

Abstract: A wheel cover of an automobile is formed with several holding holes on an outward side thereof, and has light emitting members fixedly disposed in respective holding holes; each light emitting member consists of a circuit board, an electricity-activated light emitting element connected to an outward side of the circuit board, cells, and a vibration-activated switch fitted to the circuit board, which can make the light emitting element activated with the cells when making circular movement; thus, light can be emitted from the light emitting members when an automobile equipped with the wheel cover is driven, and in turns, lateral sides of the automobile can be easily noticed by other people.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an accessory that is attached to vehicles and it rotates on its axis as the force of the wind drives it. The rotation of the accessory is independent of the rotation of the wheel. It contains two or more air driven surfaces. The ratio of the drag coefficients of the leading surface to the trailing surface is equal to or greater than 1.01. The accessory spins either clockwise or counter clockwise as the vehicle picks up speed creating an extremely attractive view.

Abstract: A bicycle rim includes a plurality of elongate slots each of which is composed of a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion which is smaller than the first diameter portion. A tube having threaded outer periphery is inserted in each elongate slot and a core piece is inserted through a passage in the tube. The tube has a flange engaged with an inside of the rim and a cover member covering each elongate slot has a threaded hole for being threadedly connected to the threaded outer periphery of the tube. A protrusion extends from a side of the cover member so as to be engaged with the first diameter portion while the tube is shifted to the second diameter portion. A spoke is inserted in the core piece and threadedly connected to a threaded inner periphery of the core piece.

Abstract: The underlying idea of the invention is to reduce the pressure force resulting from the inlet pressure and the outlet pressure of the back-up valve and affecting the valve body of the back-up valve. The valve body is a switching piston with a first and second switching piston side. The first switching piston side is pressurized by brake operating valve pressure or with brake cylinder pressure and the second switching piston side is pressurized on a first partial surface with brake cylinder pressure and on a second partial surface with brake operating valve pressure. The pressures affecting both sides of the switching piston thus cancel each other out.

Abstract: In anti-skid control system and method for an automotive vehicle, when a calculated wheel deceleration of any one of road wheels of the vehicle has reached to a predetermined deceleration set on the basis of a pseudo vehicle body deceleration calculated from detected road wheel velocities, an electronic control unit (ECU) suspends a pressure increase control such as to increase a brake liquid pressure of the road wheel corresponding one of wheel cylinders and executes such a pressure hold control as to hold the brake liquid pressure thereof.

Abstract: A garment-concealable jewelry case having a front opening with a front cover panel portion that can be either moved or configured to reveal a plurality of parallel-running isolated storage compartments each having an interior storage space which is accessible through a front opening revealed when the front cover panel is removed or reconfigured. Through the front opening of each storage compartment, one or more necklaces, pendants, bracelets or other strands of jewelry can be securely hung on a pair of jewelry support posts adapted for spatial separation on the back wall portion of the storage compartment in order to accommodate the length of jewelry strands being supported.

Abstract: A switchgear cabinet including rectangular frameworks of frame members, wherein, in the region of the outer corner edges, free spaces are formed for the accommodation of angled edges of the double-wall covering members, which are juxtaposed each other. At least one covering member is configured as a cabinet door, which has hinges on the framework, which is pivotally mounted with hinges and which is closable and openable by closure members on the framework. If the covering members and the cabinet doors have an interior wall and an exterior wall, the formed cavity extending at least partially over the free space of the associated vertical frame member, in the case of the cabinet doors, in the region of the covered free space, the cavity receives hinged members on the one vertical side and closure members on the opposite side.

Abstract: A switchgear cabinet with a cuboid rack assembled from frame legs, wherein free spaces are formed in areas of the edges of the outer corners, for receiving folded edges of the panel elements meeting at the area. If at least the insides of the folded edges of the vertical panel elements are positioned at an angle of 45° with respect to the inside of the panel elements, then the outsides of the folded edges have a predetermined distance from the median line of the panel elements which meet each other in the area of the edge of the outside corner. Near the outer surfaces of the rack the inside surfaces of the panel elements rest directly on or by way of sealing elements on its frame legs. There is an increased security against vandalism in the area of all edges of the outer corners if the transition to the median line is symmetrically designed and if the panel elements and the cabinet doors are arbitrarily combined.

Abstract: A slidably adjustable cabinet shelf support utilizes a groove and a bracket mounted into the groove which is slidable along the groove and lockable in a desired position. The bracket may be comprised of a first and a second portion for transverse members. The transverse members are inserted into the groove and rotated. The two portions of the bracket are then mounted together by a screw or other fastener which is threadably mounted in one portion of the bracket and passed through the other. The threaded fastener may then be tightened against the back wall of the groove to lock the bracket in place.

Abstract: A method of controlling an ink jet recording apparatus ensures safety in replacing main tanks or the like and at the same time enables stable supply of ink from main tanks to sub-tanks. The apparatus includes a main tank having an information storage section and accommodated in a pressure tank, a sub-tank communicating with an ink jet head for storing ink, a tank-accommodating block for accommodating the main tank, and a control section capable of storing ink information. Valve control is performed in response to respective signals indicative of an ink shortage condition and an ink fill-up condition of the sub-tank, to thereby supply ink to the sub-tank. During operation of the apparatus, in response to a signal indication of opening of a door of the tank-accommodating block, the driving of a pressure source for pressurizing the pressure tank is stopped and the inside of the pressure tank is opened to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An ink jet printer apparatus and method includes a print head having at least one nozzle. In response to a signal related to media type that is to be recorded upon, gray level image data relating to at least three different drop volumes including no ink drop are recorded at different pixel locations to form dots of different dot size or dot density on the recording medium. In recording image data of the same multitone image data value on different media, drop volumes deposited on one medium by the nozzle are different than drop volumes deposited on another medium by that nozzle. In some embodiments or printing modes image data is also recorded by depositing a variable size dot on a reference raster location and a supplementary dot at an adjacent pixel location on a shifted raster.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a unit which counts the number of drive pulses applied to a print head and accumulatively stores the number of the drive pulses from the start of initial use of the printing head, and a unit which measures a temperature of the printing head and a time elapsed at the temperature in conjunction with each other, and stores a temperature history. The printing apparatus controls a timing of ink ejection from the printing head and an amount of ink to be ejected by adjusting a width of the drive pulses dependently on stored contents (a use history of the printing head) to maintain a stable image quality by adequately preventing ejecting characteristics and dot forming locations on a printing medium from being varied due to a use history of the print head.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates providing apparatus and methods for recommending to a consumer an optimal replacement consumable size, based on a record of the consumer's past utilization rate and on recommended intervention rate information stored in a memory device on the consumable.

Abstract: A recording apparatus, including a reciprocating carriage equipped with a record head, an on-carriage first ink tank, a second ink tank distant from the carriage, an ink supply unit for supplying the ink from the second ink tank to the first ink tank, and a remaining ink amount detection unit for detecting a remaining ink amount in the first ink tank, calculates and stores an ink amount required to record a part of the image data while the image data reception, calculates and stores a maximum ink amount required to record the image data except for the above calculated portion, and then starts the record operation at a time when a sum total value of the stored ink amount required and the stored maximum ink amount becomes lower than the remaining ink amount, whereby the ink can be supplied and refilled effectively and appropriately.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flushing process for an ink jet recording apparatus that employs inks using pigments as coloring agents and moves a recording head along a guide shaft to flush the inks to flushing portions of a platen, in which a first flushing for flushing one of dark pigment ink(s) and light pigment ink(s) and a second flushing for flushing the other of the dark pigment ink(s) and the light pigment ink(s) are performed onto the same positions of the platen. Also provided is an ink jet recording apparatus that performs the flushing process.

Abstract: A method for mixing ink for use in an imaging apparatus including an ink jet printer capable of printing a plurality of primary color inks includes the steps of identifying available printing levels for each of the primary color inks, determining a target color profile for each of the primary color inks, and determining a graininess factor for each printing level. A mixing order is set up for at least some of the available printing levels, based in part on corresponding graininess factors and at least one mixing rule. At least a portion of the plurality of available printing levels is mixed, based on the mixing order and the target color profile, generating a plurality of mixing tables. Each mixing table corresponds to one of each of the primary color inks.

Abstract: A method for printing color images with an ink jet printer. The ink jet printer includes a printhead having printing nozzles arranged in first, second, and third columns. The first, second, and third columns each have a length approximately equal to 3*H, where H represents a length of first, second, and third sections of the second column. The method includes ejecting ink from the nozzles of the first, second, or third sections of the second column during each pass of the printhead over a printing medium as necessitated by characteristics of the color image, advancing the printing medium in the first direction by the length H, and ejecting ink from the nozzles of the first and third columns during every third pass that the printhead makes over the printing medium as necessitated by the characteristics of the color image.

Abstract: An interconnect system for a device stall adapted to receive an inkjet device having a first set of electrical contact surfaces on a device surface. A second set of electrical contact surfaces is provided in a device stall. Respective ones of the first set and the second set are in facing alignment when the device is installed in the stall. An elastomeric layer is disposed between and in contact with the first and second sets of electrical contact surfaces, having a plurality of isolated conductive filaments or wires disposed therein between a first layer surface and a second layer surface. Conductor ends are exposed at the first and second layer surfaces, providing isolated electrical continuity between respective ones of the first set and the second set of electrical contact surfaces.

Abstract: A printhead chip for an inkjet printhead includes a wafer substrate that incorporates drive circuitry. The wafer substrate defines a plurality of ink inlet channels. Nozzle arrangements are positioned on the wafer substrate. Each nozzle arrangement includes a passive nozzle chamber structure that extends from the wafer substrate and bounds a respective ink inlet channel. A dynamic nozzle chamber structure defines a nozzle chamber with the passive nozzle chamber structure and has a roof that defines the ink ejection port. The dynamic structure is displaceable towards the wafer substrate into an actuated position and away from the wafer substrate into a rest position such that a drop of ink can be ejected from the ink ejection port. An elongate micro-electromechanical actuator is connected between the wafer substrate and the dynamic structure.

Abstract: An ink tank cartridge includes a housing with a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls forming a cavity. An ink supply member having a port extends from the housing. A seal member is inserted into the ink supply member for sealing the port. A retaining capis used to hold the seal member in place. The retaining cap has an opening to provide access to the seal member. An ink supply needle passes through the cap opening to pierce the seam member. The retaining cap has slots to receive ribs located on the outlet port.

Abstract: A method of reducing the size of an ink flow regulator in fluid communication between an ink source and a print head nozzle. The method including the steps of: (a) positioning an ink flow regulator and an ink outlet of the ink flow regulator in a first section of the flow regulator; and (b) orienting a pivotable lever, having a first leg coupled to an inlet closure of the regulator and a second leg operatively coupled to an actuating wall of the regulator such that a fulcrum of the pivotable lever separates the first section from a second section of the ink flow regulator, wherein the first section and the second section are in fluid communication with one another.

Abstract: Venting mechanisms are provided for allowing air to replace fluid in the sealed fluid interconnect port of a container substantially filled with a capillary material, thus enabling absorption of residual fluid into the container capillary material. In one embodiment, the venting mechanisms include small ribs formed on the floor of the container body to space the capillary material away from the floor, thus allowing air to flow along the container floor to the interconnect port.

Abstract: Spectacles, frames and methods for providing the same are disclosed. The frames have a shape adapted for engagement of wrap-around lenses having significant changes in base curvature in the field of vision of the wearer.

Abstract: A visor is provided having a mechanical fastener for releasably engaging the bridge portion of the primary frames. The visor can extend beyond and around the primary frames. The visor can have a malleable border around the edge of the visor.

Abstract: An optical lens securer device for spectacles which includes at least an optical lens having a through slot and a spectacle frame having a coupling portion. The optical lens securer device includes a locking holder and a locking member. The locking holder, having a locking groove defining therethrough, is extended from the coupling portion of the spectacle frame, wherein the locking holder is mounted on the optical lens at a position that the locking groove is aligned with the through slot. The locking member includes a holding base and a locking arm extended therefrom to securely insert into the locking groove through the through slot so as to fasten the optical lens between the holding base and the locking holder for securely attaching the spectacle frame to the optical lens.

Abstract: A pair of spectacles includes a rim, two angle adjusting devices each mounted on the rim, and two temples each mounted on a respective angle adjusting device. Each of the angle adjusting devices includes a connecting member formed with a locking pawl, and a pivot member pivotally mounted on the connecting member and formed with locking grooves. Thus, the locking pawl of the connecting member is detachably locked in either one of the locking grooves of the pivot member, so that the included angle between the connecting member and the pivot member is changed arbitrarily so as to adjust the angle of the rim relative to the temples.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pair of spectacles comprising a frame (1) whereon is mounted rotatable at least a first end (6) of a first bow (2). The frame (1) comprises control means (8) for locking the first end (6) in a first position wherein the first bow (2) is placed substantially against the frame and, when actuated, for releasing the first bow (6) so that it automatically takes up a second position wherein the first bow (2) and the frame (1) define an angle of predetermined non-nul value.

Abstract: Eyewear assembly for mounting eyewear to facial apparatus which includes a spectacle body, mounting means for holding the spectacle body in a mounted position on the facial apparatus, the mounting means including resilient members adapted to co-operate with a mounting element to hold the spectacle body in the mounted position.

Abstract: A system and method for designing a progressive lens. Mean power is specified at points distributed over the entire surface of the lens and lens height is specified around the edge of the lens. Lens height is determined at the points consistent with the specified mean power and the lens edge height in part by solving a partial differential equation of the elliptic type subject to the lens edge height as a boundary condition. A successive over-relaxation technique may be employed to converge on the solution to the partial differential equation, and an over-relaxation factor may be determined to most efficiently relax the equation.

Abstract: A spectacle lens comprises a region (distance portion) designed for viewing at large distances and in particular “to infinity”; a region (near portion) designed for viewing at short distances and in particular “reading distances”; and a progressive zone disposed between the distance portion and the near portion, in which a power of the spectacle lens increases from a value at a distance reference point located in the distance portion to a value at a near reference point located in the near portion along a curve (principal line) veering towards a nose. The invention is distinct in that, for minimizing a change of binocular imaging properties with horizontal movements of glance, a lift (difference between a maximum and a minimum value occurring during a movement) of binocular imaging properties when a moving object is being followed, is smaller than a physiologically pre-determined limiting amount.

Abstract: A camera crane having a carriage, a crane post which is arranged above the carriage, and a boom which is attached in such a manner that the boom can be tilted about a crane pivot axis, with sections of the boom extending on either side of the crane pivot axis. At an end of one section of the boom, a camera can be attached, and on the other section, a moment compensating counterweight can be attached. The section of the boom which carries the counterweight has a smaller length than the length of the crane post between carriage and crane pivot axis, and the boom has a pivot range about the crane pivot axis of more than 180°.

Abstract: A color separation/combination optical system according to the present invention comprises of a polarization beam splitter which performs at least one of separation of illumination light from a light source into light components for a plurality of colors and combination of light components for modulated by a plurality of image display elements, a plurality of temperature varying units which are disposed in opposition to or in contact with different surfaces of the polarization beam splitter and change the temperature of the polarization beam splitter, a temperature sensor which detects the temperature of the polarization beam splitter. The system also includes a control circuit controls the temperature varying units based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor to prevent the action of birefringence caused by internal stress in an optical glass material constituting the polarization beam splitter from hindering a desired action of polarized light separation.

Abstract: A dual image displaying apparatus (10) is disclosed including a first light source (12) for emitting light through a first image (14) onto a surface and a second light source (20) for emitting light through a second image (22) onto the same or another surface. The first image may be produced by a slide whilst the second image is produced by a display receiving and converting electrical image information into the second image. Typically, this is a liquid crystal display (LCD). The apparatus further includes a plurality of filters and other optical components (16, 24, 30, 32) to assist in producing a good quality image as well as protecting the LCD. Instead of a slide, the first image may also be produced by an LCD.

Abstract: A display apparatus is characterized by having a display panel for displaying an image, a light source for supplying light to the display panel, and a flat-surface lighting surface member which has a lighting surface emitting light, radiated from the light source, as flat-surface light while being arranged with the display panel. A housing contains the display panel, the light source, and the flat-surface lighting surface member. The housing further includes a window through light passes the flat-surface lighting surface member and leaks to the outside.