Abstract: The floral carrier for truck bed is a hollow truck bed cover having a front section and a rear section capable of rotating upward and towards the front section to provide access to the storage area formed by the cover. The rear section of the cover would angle rearward and slightly upward from the front section of the cover. A hand grasp extending from the rear section would facilitate its upwards rotation. The cover would feature multiple low profile bars along the tops of both sections and to which floral arrangements could be attached. The cover would be attached to the truck bed with a set of clips formed to interact with existing hardware in the bed of a pickup truck.

Abstract: A convertible top having right and left side rails that fold toward each other as the convertible top is retracted. A segmented one bow is connected by a linkage to the side rails. The side rails being shiftable from an extended position wherein they extend longitudinally relative to the vehicle to a retracted position wherein the side rails extend transversely relative to the vehicle. A one piece one bow is latched to the windshield header in the extended position and is stored in a storage compartment when the convertible top is retracted.

Abstract: A leveling ramp assembly for a vehicle slide-out room includes a ramp member and a face member, the ends of which are mounted to the vehicle floor by a pair of end members. The ramp provides a declined surface extending from the vehicle floor to a base rail from which a channel flange depends defining an outwardly opening horizontal channel. The face member mounts to the front of the ramp member by inserting its support rail into the channel. The channel flange and support rail have corresponding lengthwise grip regions that mate and improve the connection. The assembly is modular in that any number of shorten ramp or face members can be coupled end to end to span the width of the slide-out room and the face member(s) can be interchanged with other face members having various profiles.

Abstract: A pedestrian safety device for automotive vehicle (1) having a hood (2) being hinged and releasably latched to the vehicle body. An actuator member (6) is arranged transversally inside the upper forward region of the vehicle (1) and the ends of the actuator member respectively slideably hinged (11) in a respective inclining guide track (12a) extending rearwards within the vehicle (1). The hinges (11) are arranged to carry a respective first lifting member (14) arranged to carry a respective first lifting member (14) arranged for vertical sliding in respect to the vehicle body. The first lifting members (14) are arranged below the hood (2) such that they will be brought to uplift the hood (2) in the region of its leading edge (2a) upon the hinges (11) carrying it being translated up the inclining guide tracks (12a) as a result of collision impact on the actuator member (6).

Abstract: A rear window structure constructed in a vehicle body, which includes a window panel, a peripheral portion of a window opening in the vehicle body to which the window panel is fitted and an exterior part covering a rim of the window panel. The peripheral portion includes a first platform molded to create a step difference toward an inside of a vehicle compartment, and a second platform of a different member from the first platform, molded to create a step difference from an inner circumference of the first platform toward the inside of the vehicle compartment. The rim of the window panel is fitted to the second platform of the peripheral portion, and the exterior part is fitted to the first platform thereof.

Abstract: A rear body structure comprises a floor tunnel extending in a lengthwise direction from the front to the back of the vehicle body at a middle of a floor panel in a transverse direction, a floor tunnel reinforcement disposed along the floor tunnel so as to form a closed cross section between them, and a generally V-shaped gusset secured between the floor tunnel reinforcement and a package member interconnecting side walls between which a compartment is formed in the rear body.

Abstract: An assembly body has a vent duct arranged below an instrument panel of a vehicle and a glove compartment is provided. This duct assembly body includes of two panels divided into an upper-half and a lower-half, which are formed by resin injection molding, and a lower-half of the vent duct and the glove compartment are integrally molded in the lower-half panel.

Abstract: A sunroof apparatus with a sliding panel freely opening and closing an opening of a roof in a vehicle, a movable drain arranged below a rear end in the panel and moving forward and rearward interlocking with a forward and rearward movement of the panel, and a sunshade covering a lower side of the sliding panel and freely opening and closing. A holding means for the sunshade is constructed by forming sliding grooves in frames in both sides extending along a longitudinal direction in a side of a passenger room of the opening, forming a notch at a predetermined position of the groove L3 fitting front and rear sliders to which the sunshade is mounted, and integrally forming an engagement piece made of elastic member and fitted to the notch in the rear slider.

Abstract: A bench assembly is provided which includes a seat assembly and at least two backrest assemblies. The back assemblies are rotatable from one side of the seat assembly to an opposite side independently of one another such that persons sitting on the seat assembly can be facing in the same direction or in opposite directions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a seatback for a vehicle seat, having an integrated protective device. The protective device includes a device that generates a torque acting in a pivoting direction on an upper back part, a rear-end impact detector that is in effective connection with the torque-generating device in such a way that the device is activated in the event of the rear-end impact and the pivoting motion is initiated, and an immobilization device for retention of the upper back part in the normal use position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back having a frame, and the frame has first and second bolster mounting portions. Each bolster mounting portion has first, second and third receptacles. The seat assembly also includes first and second bolsters selectively engageable with the first and second bolster mounting portions, respectively. Each bolster has first and second posts and is longitudinally adjustable with respect to the seat back between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position. When each bolster is in the first longitudinal position, the first and second posts of the first bolster are respectively engaged with the first and second receptacles of the first bolster mounting portion, and the first and second posts of the second bolster are respectively engaged with the first and second receptacles of the second bolster mounting portion.

Abstract: An examination and treatment chair is operable to move between a generally upright patient entry/exit position and a reclined patient examination and treatment position. The chair includes a seat section and a beck section that moves between a generally upright position and a reclined position. Arm rests are rigidly connected to the back section and move with the back section. The arm rests are automatically positioned to allow a patient unobstructed entry into or exit from the chair.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly (16) comprising at least one post (20) having at least one retainer notch (52) and a tubular bushing (22) having a head (26) with a socket (32) and a bore (24) having longitudinal ribs (71) and sized to receive the at least one post (20). A button subassembly (38) which is insertable into the socket (32) is also provided. The button subassembly (38) is movable within the socket (32) such that an tongue (48) is movable in and out of alignment with an associated retainer notch (52) to allow the at least one post (20) to move. A method of attaching a head restraint assembly having a head restraint pad to a seat back is also disclosed.

Abstract: An arm assembly (24) is provided for a chair (12). The chair (12) has a forward direction and a rearward direction. The arm assembly (24) includes an armrest (26) and a support structure (28). A mounting device movably mounts the armrest to the support structure. The mounting device constrains the movement of the armrest (26) relative to the support structure to movement in a substantially horizontal plane having two degrees of freedom defined by first and second transversely arranged axes lying within the substantially horizontal plane. The armrest (26) thus move in a substantially planar fashion without changing the orientation of the armrest (26).

Abstract: The invention is a chair having a removable surface (a “skin”), attachments, and a frame with a pair of opposing side members with channels to accept the attachments. The skin comprises cords incorporated into a material that has sufficient resiliency to bear the load of the chair user. The attachments have at least one portion, whereby a portion of the attachments connects to the cords of the skin and a portion of the attachments connects to a side member. The opposing side members have a hollow or grooved channel to accept a portion of the attachment used to connect the attachment to the side member. The skin attaches to the frame through the use of the attachments by, for each side of the skin, sliding the portion of the attachments used to connect the attachment to the side member into the channel of the side member. Replacement of the skin is relatively easy and can be accomplished by unskilled persons by sliding the attachments out of the opposing side members.

Abstract: A passenger seat movable from an upright to a recline position without encroaching on an aft-seated passenger, and including a seat base for being attached to a supporting surface. A unitary seating element is provided and includes a pair of laterally-spaced apart seat frames carried by the seat base, the seat frames defining a curved shape corresponding to the profile of an anatomically-appropriate seat bottom and seat back. A curved, semi-rigid diaphragm support is carried between the seat frames in alignment with the curved shape of the seat frames and mounted for movement relative to the seat frames between a first, upright position and a second, reclined position. A diaphragm is positioned under tension on the diaphragm support for providing a continuous seat bottom and seat back support surface for a seat occupant. Stretchers are attached to and extend between opposite sides of the diaphragm support for maintaining the diaphragm support in a spaced-apart condition with the diaphragm in tension.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with mounted spare tires is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a valve stem extender and a bracket for holding the valve stem extender in place. The bracket can be designed in one of two different embodiments, depending on the desired use. The present invention would be useful to allow a user to inflate a spare tire or check the air pressure of a spare tire when the spare tire would be difficult to reach, especially on trucks, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, where many times the spare tire is mounted underneath or in a container that is difficult to open.

Abstract: A boat trailer roller wheel mounting system for carrying an insignia in a predetermined orientation is provided. Included is a closed-ended wheel bushing which carries indexing for mating with an indexed wheel support arm in a predetermined, rotational orientation. The roller wheel turns on and is held by the indexed bushing. A quick release retainer ring fixes the bushing to the support arm and acts as an inboard longitudinal movement stop for the wheel. The bushing indexing on the support arm transfers the rotational thrust created on bushing, due to the rotation of the wheel under a load, directly to the support arm and therefore eliminates this rotational thrust from acting upon the retainer ring. An end cap is formed at the closed outer end of the bushing and has an annular projection surface extending beyond the bushing surface to provide a longitudinal thrust surface against which the wheel hub can operate.

Abstract: A brake release unit is provided between a transmission control unit for controlling a transmission and a clutch device. Pressure oil supplied from a hydraulic pressure source to the clutch device is also guided to an accumulator of the brake release unit. When the engine is stopped, pressure oil from the clutch device is collected in a reservoir, and the transmission operates as a parking brake. Pressure oil accumulated in the accumulator is kept as it is. If a solenoid switching valve of the brake release unit is driven as a result of operation of a switch in the operator's cabin, pressure oil accumulated in the accumulator is supplied to the clutch device. As a result, it is possible to easily release the parking brake.

Abstract: A brake control system for towed vehicles is disclosed which provides for controlled application of hydraulic brakes in a towed vehicle in response to the application of the brakes of the towing vehicle. The system is designed in two preferred embodiments. The first embodiment is a self-contained design adapted for use with rental trailers, for example, where a plurality of towed vehicles will be associated with a particular trailer. The second embodiment is intended for hard wiring in connection with the towed and towing vehicles. In each case, superior performance is obtained because the system operates the brake system of the towed vehicle in a unique manner.

Abstract: A parking brake control circuit engages the parking brake of a vehicle when the transmission of the vehicle is in the “park” position and the engine of the vehicle is turned off, without requiring the constant application of electrical power. The parking brake control circuit utilizes latching solenoid technology that eliminates the need for a constant voltage source. A time-delay relay is used to change the state of the latching solenoid. The time-delay relay is preferably activated through a circuit containing an engine oil pressure switch, a transmission park switch and a vehicle speed switch. Activation of the relay latches the solenoid in a position that allows the parking brake to be applied, without requiring the application of a constant voltage to the solenoid. Accordingly, the possibility of inadvertent brake application due to electrical failure is avoided.

Abstract: An electronic control unit is provided for automatically activating a parking brake in dependence of at least one specified operating parameter or operating mode of a motor vehicle, which can be started without a mechanical key. The operating mode for the basic automatic activation of the parking lock is the fact that the internal combustion engine is shut off.

Abstract: A rack mount capable of housing an LCD display, LCD monitor, television, CRT, or other like display. The rack mount is preferably of knock down construction, but certain portions of the rack mount may alternatively be of unitary construction, and may be assembled quickly and easily. The rack mount is adjustable to accommodate displays, monitors, televisions, CRT's, or other like displays having different depths, may be mounted in an EIA (Electronics Industry Association) equipment rack, and provides a VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) standard mounting hole pattern for mounting the display, monitor, television, CRT, or other like display thereto. The rack mount is capable of allowing cables of the display, monitor, television, CRT, or other like display to be fed to a space rear of the rack mount, and facilitate fastening appliances, accessories, cable ties, and/or the cables from the display, monitor, television, CRT, or other like display thereto.

Abstract: A protected display case for securely displaying items and for securely storing the items out of view. The display case having a top section that has at least one transparent window and a bottom section. A lifting mechanism raises and lowers a shelf containing items for viewing. The lifting mechanism uses a motor, a gear assembly, and at least two guides that are spaced apart and fixed in a vertical position. The shelf travels up or down in relation to the guides. In the raised position, the items are in the top section and on display for viewing by way of at least one shatter resistant viewing window. In the lowered position, the items are stored within the bottom section and a panel assembly creates a barrier between the top and bottom sections.

Abstract: An enclosure system for electronic equipment concealable in a table top is disclosed. The enclosure system has a saddle attached to a bezel. The saddle defines an open area for receiving an enclosure. The bezel defines an opening for receiving a top plate of the enclosure. An outer perimeter of the bottom surface of the bezel rests on edges of an opening cut through a table top. The enclosure pivots from a concealed position, in which the top plate is flush with the bezel, to an open position in which the face plate of the enclosure is exposed. A spring biases the enclosure towards the open position, while a latch maintains the enclosure in the concealed position.

Abstract: A drawer assembly comprising a conventional stationary cabinet having a base portion having a frame assembly therein and a drawer slidably mounted in the frame assembly. The drawer having a bottom positioned substantially at a support floor surface level for enabling the drawer to rest substantially at ground level in a fully opened position.

Abstract: A handle assembly having a lock mechanism is provided. The handle assembly includes: a handle grip member movably coupled with a casing of the appliance for receiving a first external force and a second external force, and a lock mechanism coupled with the handle grip member and mounted inside the casing, wherein the lock mechanism locks the handle grip member to the casing when the handle grip member receives the first external force, and unlocks the handle grip member when the handle grip member receives the second external force. The lock mechanism includes: a holding member having a slot thereon, a sliding member having a salient portion thereof, a first spring, and an engaging member, wherein the slot and the salient portion are engaged with each other when the handle grip member receives the first external force.

Abstract: A printer apparatus comprising one or more printing elements arranged to print on print media in a print zone and a transport path arranged to transport printed sheets from the print zone to an output position, the apparatus further comprising a scanner arranged to scan a printed sheet, and diverting means arranged to selectively divert a printed sheet to the scanner, the scanner being located such that the apparatus may continue to print and transport sheets to the output position during the scanning process.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for ink management utilizing a master controller, which receives configuration information from one or more ink pens, reservoirs, printheads, or ink level measurement devices. The controller receives master controller commands; reads data from system sensors; reads and writes data to and from smart chips associated with elements in the system and a non-volatile memory associated with an ink management controller; and independently takes action in response to data from a smart chip or sensor.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system includes a configuration of nozzles, respectively having a nozzle chamber formed with a nozzle opening and provided with a respective piezoelectric element. A control device controls the piezoelectric elements. The control device has at least two signal paths switchable-on individually for each of the nozzles. An inkjet printing process uses at least part of the printing system.

Abstract: The ink jet print head according to this invention includes a plurality of nozzles; a plurality of electrothermal transducers with one transducer provided for each of the plurality of nozzles, the electrothermal transducers being adapted to eject ink supplied into the nozzles when energized; an energization start circuit to start energizing the electrothermal transducers; a voltage detection circuit to detect a voltage applied to the electrothermal transducers after starting the energization; and an energization stop circuit to stop the energization of the electrothermal transducers according to the voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus is constructed: a recording head for discharging ink from a plurality of discharge ports and recording onto a recording medium; a carriage on which the recording head is mounted and which reciprocatively scans on the recording medium; a recording medium conveying unit for conveying the recording medium in the direction perpendicular to a scanning direction of the carriage by a predetermined distance each time the carriage reciprocatively scans on the recording medium; an ink tank mounted at a position where it does not exercise an influence on the reciprocative scan of the carriage and the conveyance of the recording medium by the recording medium conveying unit; an ink supply tube for supplying the ink from the ink tank to the recording head; and a control section for controlling an ink discharge state of the recording head on the basis of an image signal which is inputted from an upper apparatus.

Abstract: An ink jet print head is provided and includes a top body portion, an intermediate body portion having an upper side and a lower side, a plurality of ink channels disposed in a common plane along the upper side, each of said channels having at least one orifice for projecting ink towards a substrate, the, upper side of the intermediate body portion located adjacent the top body portion, a main body portion located adjacent the lower side of the intermediate body portion; and an ink heater made of a thermistor material, the ink heater having a substantially planar configuration and is located between the lower side of the intermediate body portion and the main body portion, and extends in a plane parallel to the plane of the channels and adjacent thereto. In the preferred embodiment, the ink heater is designed to compensate for an ink jet print head having certain channels which dissipate heat at a higher rate than other ink channels.

Abstract: Consumable components associated with computerized apparatus are provided with memory. The memory is used to store, and provide downloading capability therefrom, upgrade versions of computer code. The upgrade versions of computer code are programs or subroutines of programs associated with a device selected from a group including, the consumable, the associated computerized apparatus, and interactional program code associated with both the consumable device and the associated computing apparatus.

Abstract: A micro electromechanical device includes a support structure and an arm moveable relative to the support structure under the influence of a heat inducing electrical current flowing through a part of the arm. The device includes a movement sensor having at least a portion integral or mounted on the moveable arm. The movement sensor detects the amount of movement, the rate of movement or a predetermined amount of movement of the arm relative to the substrate. This may be achieved by providing two electrical contacts, one on the arm and the other on the support structure that are engaged with each other when the arm moves.

Abstract: Both a cleaning fluid jet apparatus and method for cleaning an array of inkjet nozzles in a printhead is provided. The fluid jet apparatus includes a cleaning head having an array of cleaning nozzles registrable with the array of inkjet nozzles in the printhead, and a mounting assembly that mounts the cleaning head in opposition to the printhead with the cleaning nozzles in substantial alignment with the inkjet nozzles. A supply of pressurized cleaning fluid is connected to the cleaning nozzles such that the cleaning nozzles discharge a stream of high velocity cleaning droplets that impinges the inkjet nozzles. Both a droplet sizing mechanism and a droplet speed controller are provided so that the size, frequency, and velocity of the cleaning droplets may be selected for maximum cleaning efficiency. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for changing a location of cleaning droplet impingement so that both the inkjet nozzles and the areas immediately surrounding the nozzles may be effectively cleaned.

Abstract: The liquid-jetting apparatus has a liquid-jetting head with nozzle openings through which liquid particles are jetted. The liquid-jetting head performs a flushing operation to remove the thickened liquid from the nozzle openings to recover its normal liquid-jetting ability. The flushing operation jets liquid particles having a weight of 10 ng or below successively through the nozzle openings at a jetting speed of 8 m/s or above. The liquid-jetting apparatus is capable of achieving a satisfactory flushing operation to ensure a satisfactory liquid-jetting characteristic by recovering from a thickened state in a liquid in the nozzle openings even if the liquid is un-uniformly thickened in the nozzle openings.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a print head in an ink jet printer, in which the print head is disposed under a carriage, includes a movable plate reciprocally sliding under the carriage, a wiper supported by the movable plate to clean the print head in a state that the wiper is overlapped with the print head by a desired height when the wiper is reciprocally moved, a pivot bar pivotally mounted on the movable plate and having one end supporting the wiper, and a driving mechanism adjusting the height of the wiper by driving the pivot bar to pivot such that the overlapping of the wiper relative to the print head is constantly maintained.

Abstract: This apparatus has a liquid jet head for ejecting liquid drops from nozzle openings of a nozzle plate, a scanning mechanism for scanning the head in the head scanning direction, a feed mechanism for feeding an object to be processed in the direction perpendicular to the head scanning direction, an absorption member arranged in the area, which is on the rear side of the object during processing and opposite to the head, for absorbing liquid drops ejected in the area outside the object, and a potential difference generation unit for generating a potential difference between at least one of the absorption member and the member neighboring the absorption member and the nozzle plate. According to this apparatus, liquid drops ejected from the head into the area outside the object can be prevented from misting.

Abstract: A modular printhead for a digital printer wherein the modules (2) may be mechanically aligned using specifically designed frame (3) supporting the modules (2). The frame (3) having a plurality of mounting sites (19) for mounting respective printhead modules (2) to the frame (3); wherein, at least one of the mounting sites (19) having mechanical adjustment mechanism (15, 16, 17 and 18) for reducing input movements to effect minute adjustments of the position of the printhead module (2) with respect to the frame (3).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for the acoustic ejection of fluid droplets from each of a plurality of fluid-containing reservoirs. The droplets are ejected toward sites on a substrate surface for deposition thereon. The device is comprised of: a plurality of reservoirs each adapted to contain a fluid; an ejector comprising a means for generating acoustic radiation and a means for focusing the generated acoustic radiation so as to eject fluid droplets from the reservoir fluids; and a means for positioning the ejector in acoustically coupled relationship to each of the reservoirs. The invention is useful in a number of contexts, particularly in the preparation of biomolecular arrays.

Abstract: In a printing system, printhead modules with fiducials are used to misalign mounting of the modules to a support beam by a distance calculated from: the difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between the support beam and the modules; the spacing of the modules along the beam; and the difference between production temperature and operating temperature. The beam is composed of a silicon core, an outer metal shell and an elastomeric layer therebetween. The system ensures alignment of the modules at the operating temperature.

Abstract: A flexible-film wire substrate is bent at first, second and third bent portions. Wires of a flexible wire pattern are deflected at least between the second bent portion and the third bent portion so that a pitch increases from the second bent portion toward the third bent portion. By bending the first, second and third bent portions so that the wires are substantially orthogonal to each bending line, the flexible-film wire substrate can be excellently bent without influencing the flexible wire pattern on the flexible-film wire substrate.

Abstract: In a droplet spray apparatus spraying out ink from an ink path by altering the volume of an ink channel formed in a trench that is covered with a cover plate and that has a conductive member provided at one end formed at a piezoelectric member, an ink supply opening to supply ink is provided at the end side where the conductive member is provided. Accordingly, an ink jet head that can be made compact, fabricated easily, and superior in productivity is obtained.

Abstract: A liquid-jet head in which a wiring structure is simplified to achieve miniaturization and a liquid-jet apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: An ink-jet head, comprises an ink chamber in which ink is stored; a piezoelectric element to jet the ink from the ink chamber; an electrode to apply an electric voltage onto the piezoelectric element; and a layer provided on the electrode by an electrodeposition method. The layer is subjected to a process to change a surface energy.

Abstract: A droplet generator for a continuous stream ink jet print head includes an elongate cavity for containing the ink and nozzle orifices in a wall of the cavity for passing ink from the cavity to form jets. The nozzle orifices extend along the length of the cavity. An actuator is disposed on the opposite side of the cavity to the wall for vibrating the ink in the cavity such that each jet breaks up into ink droplets. In operation of the generator, a standing wave is present in the ink in the cavity. The cross-sectional area of the cavity varies along its length in a manner so as to tailor the form of the standing wave in the cavity such that each jet breaks up into the ink droplets at a respective predetermined distance from the wall of the cavity.

Abstract: A carriage aligning apparatus in an ink-jet printer having a guide bar and a carriage disposed to slide along the guide bar to be across a paper transferring direction includes a spherical bearing rotatably connected to the carriage, a shaft hole formed eccentrically with respect to a center of an outer circumference of the spherical bearing to receive the guide bar, and a position deciding unit controlling a position of the spherical bearing with respect to the carriage and aligning the carriage with regard to the guide bar.

Abstract: An ink cartridge is provided with a housing defining a body of the cartridge, an ink reservoir accommodated in the housing, an opening formed on the housing. The opening communicates with the ink reservoir through a fluid path. The cartridge further includes a stop to be tightly fitted in the opening. The stop has an elasticity, and is configured such that a hollow needle can be penetrated therethrough. A hole formed on the stop by penetration of the hollow needle is closed by the elasticity of the stop after removal of the same. A valve structure is provided to a part of the stop, the valve structure selectively opens and closes the communication between the opening and the ink reservoir through the fluid path.

Abstract: An ink cartridge comprises a container main body 2 storing ink and having a through hole 67 communicating with the atmosphere as the ink cartridge is placed in a record apparatus, and a liquid level sensor 61 being disposed in the vicinity of a corner in the container main body 2 for detecting the ink level. A partition wall 62 to cover the liquid level sensor 61 is disposed in the container main body 2. An upper gap 63 into which an air bubble occurring with ink consumption can be introduced and a lower gap 64 positioned below the upper gap 63 are formed between the partition wall 62 and the inner face of the container main body 2, and a sensor accommodation area 65 communicating with both the gaps 63 and 64 to destroy the air bubble is formed.